102 THE FLORIST. 



Flesh whitish, buttery, very rich, and possessing a pleasant perfumed 

 juice. Ripe in the middle of October, and in use during the following 

 month. The tree is hardy, prolific, and a sure bearer ; it does re- 

 markably well as a standard. The fruit is large when grown on 

 an east or west wall, but not equal in quality to that from standard 

 trees. It requires to be gathered a little before it will part readily 

 from the tree, otherwise it will be rather mealy. This is a first-rate 

 Enghsh Pear, and one of the many fine varieties raised by the late 

 Mr. Knight of Downton. 



Frogmore. J. Powell. 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



April 20. — By far the most interesting articles produced at this 

 meeting, at least in the eyes of a Florist, were some small pieces of a 

 new Azalea from Messrs. Standish and Noble. It promises to be 

 exceedingly handsome. The flowers are brilliant rosy-purple; and a 

 most curious thing about them is, that they are entirely different in 

 shape from ordinary Azalea blooms, the corolla being perfectly regu- 

 lar and bell-shaped. It will perhaps be found useful in giving a 

 better form to some of our larger-blossomed varieties. For this valu- 

 able introduction we are indebted to Mr. Fortune, who fell in with it 

 in the north of China. It is expected to prove hardy in this country; 

 but even if it should fail to satisfy our anticipations in this respect, it 

 will no doubt be found to be a striking and highly interesting object 

 when in bloom in the greenhouse. We hope ere long to be favoured 

 with the sight of a flowering plant of it. 



KESTELL'S GARDEN-LABELS. 



These are designed and made by Mr. Kestell of Dropmore ; they 

 are the most elegant and durable contrivances of the kind which we 

 have seen. They consist of various sizes, and are formed of cast and 

 malleable iron, the smallest size being brass. They are cast with a 

 cavity and rim to receive the composition containing the inscription. 

 They are alike available for roses, shrubs, pot-plants, and forest-trees, 

 especially Coniferse. The letters are hermetically sealed, and there- 

 fore atmospheric moisture cannot aff'ect them. In order to insure a 

 perfect vacuum, every label is placed under the exhausted receiver of 

 a powerful air-pump, while the surface is being covered with glass or 

 tulc, embedded in elastic cement. To neatness of appearance this 

 label has the advantage of being well defended against the eff^ects of 

 violence. For the Pinetum there is nothing like them; and we can- 

 not perhaps render our readers a better service than by calHng at- 

 tention to so useful and ornamental an appendage for their choicest 

 plants. They are largely employed at Dropmore ; and having tried 

 them ourselves, we can speak from experience of their utility. 



