416 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



"considerations" alluded to, I dwelt more particularly on the unsuit- 

 ableness of the Quince as a stoclc only. Though hardiness is not a 

 feature of it, I do not doubt its adaptability in some respects, as Mr 

 M'Millan has pointed out ; but for the reasons given in my former 

 paper, I say that for permanent plantations it is not safe. 



Mr M'Millan admits it to be no uncommon thing to hear a gardener 

 say, " Well, I have discarded the Quince stock as useless." This is 

 ominous, coming as it does from such an able advocate of the Quince 

 as Mr ]\I'Millan ; and the explanation which he offers is not a fortunate 

 one. Ignorance concerning the mode of treatment may exist in some 

 cases, as Mr M'Millan supposes, but we know that the Quince stock 

 has been discarded and condemned at different times upon more intel- 

 ligible grounds, by men who would probably resent the idea of being 

 classed with quacks and pretenders ; and besides, information on this, 

 as upon any other horticultural subject, is now so ripe and so acces- 

 sible that no one need be ignorant who has an interest in being in- 

 formed. 



Since my former remarks were j^enned' I have had an opportunity 

 of seeing what can be done with the Pear stock at Worksop Manor, 

 Notts. The fruit-trees there are a feature, and Mr Miller is a master 

 in the art of cultivating them. The collection of standard Pears, &c. 

 there is perhaps as fine as can be seen anywhere, healthy, handsome 

 as could be desired, and prolific, and examples of what can be done 

 by skilful pruning and training. Mr Miller is also experimenting 

 with the Quince ; and the trees look well, but they are young. How- 

 ever, Mr Miller has no occasion to be alarmed should the Quince fail 

 with him, since the Pear stock serves his purpose so well. 



J. Simpson. 



THE MAIQ'CHESTER EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL 

 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



On the 19th of July, Manchester was the great centre towards which horticul- 

 turists tended from all parts of the United Kingdom — for Scotland, Ireland, and 

 Wales had its representatives there. This annual provincial gathering does 

 afford, in an eminent degree, a great central meeting-point, where the rising men 

 of the present day can grasp the hand of those who have left their mark high up 

 in the annals of horticulture, and come face to face with men they had hitherto 

 only known by reputation. This has long been a desideratum, and the provincial 

 meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society well supply it. It is a means of 

 cementing old ties, and of forming new friendships ; there is an exchange of re- 

 ciprocities and an interchange of ideas both secured, the pleasure derived from 

 which lives long after the opportunity has passed away. 

 On this occasion the Royal Horticultural Society nearly, if not quite, went to 



