336 THE GARDENER. [July 1869. 



Azaleas and Fuchsias were pretty well represented. Pansies, though they have 

 not had a good season, were an excellent competition, and Mauchline and New- 

 milns again divided the chief honours. There was a large and attractive collec- 

 tion of both table and hand bouquets, and, as usual, a committee of ladies was 

 appointed to judge the merits of these. In the small hall, jMr Methven, gardener 

 to Colonel Campbell of Blythswood, contributed a richly assorted table of plants, 

 crowned with a beautiful specimen of the Cycas revoluta. Mr Robertson of the 

 Albert Gardens was also a large and meritorious contributor. The competition 

 with four varieties of Orchids was gained by Mr Hogg with Cattleya mossisG, 

 Vanda teres, and other fine specimens. The vegetables, though not a large 

 show, were good, there being some remarkably fine Rhubarb, and some well- 

 grown Pease and new Potatoes. 



[We were disappointed in procuring a list of the prizes awarded on the above 

 occasion, and give the above notice from a contemporary. — Ed.] 



[We have still to apologise to several of our correspondents for the inevitable 

 postponement of articles which have been in type for months. ] 



W. N., Dis. — Thanks for your letter. What you say of the preparation is no 

 doubt perfectly correct ; but were we to insert it, it would be looked upon as an 

 advertisement, and we cannot afford to advertise gratis. If the specific you write 

 so highly of had been at any time advertised in our columns, we should have felt 

 no difficulty in publishing your letter ; but as the case stands, we should be doing 

 those who advertise with us great injustice were we to insert such letters as 

 yours, well meant as it no doubt is. 



A. P>. , Oxon, — We received the morsel of the root of one of your Vines you sent 

 lis last month, but from it we cannot say what is the matter with your Vines — a 

 patient might as well expect a physician to tell him what his disease was by send- 

 ing him a hair out of his head. The bit of root seemed dead, but we could not de- 

 tect fungi. We think it likely, seeing your borders are nearly all inside, that you 

 allowed the roots to get too dry during the hot autumn of last year. You should 

 take off as much of the surface-soil of the borders as possible, and add some fresh 

 loam, dung, and bones ; and keep the border well watered, seeing your drainage is 

 so good. This, and attention to the foliage, may restore the Vines to their previ- 

 ous good health. 



A Constant Subscriber. — The insect No. 1 we frequently find on our Peach- 

 trees, where it eats the leaves ; No. 2 amongst our Vines, where it eats holes in 

 the foliage. We call them both beetles, but cannot give you their scientific 

 names; but, what is to you of more importance, we can tell you how to get rid of; 

 them. Place several saucers with treacle in them close to their haunts, and they 

 will soon be found in dozens sticking in it. 



We cannot say what is the matter with your Pear-trees. 



J. W. — The house you describe will grow Pines well enough if you have the 

 requisite skill. Any of our leading nurserymen will supply you with plants. The 

 Queen Pine will suit you best. Buy plants now that are ready for a shift into 

 their fruiting-pots ; but unless you have a knowledge of Pine-culture do not 

 expect much success for some years. 



A Subscriber, Fife. — All we can say about your Fuchsias, judging from the 

 points of the shoots you have sent us, is, that they are not healthy. This may 

 proceed from their getting too much water or too little. The soil in the pots may 

 be eflete, or they may be standing too close together, or under the shade of Vines 

 or other plants, and may in addition have too little ventilation. You can judge 

 if they are subject to any of these unfavourable conditions. 



H. B. — The plant you forward to us is the Tragopogon porrifolius. 



