1869.] OBITUARY NOTICES. 485 



of the beautiful Anthurium Scherzerianum. The work is published and sold by 

 the author, and is the result of many years' experience by one of the most success- 

 ful plant-growers in this or any other country. Like his other works, it is plain 

 and practical, and should be in the hands of all who wish in any degree to excel 

 as cultivators. 



PRESENTATION. 



The old pupils of Mr M'Kie, gardener to the Dowager-Duchess of Athol, Dun- 

 keld, availed themselves of the occurrence of the International Exhibition in Edin- 

 burgh on the 8th of last month to present him with a handsome gold watch and 

 chain, and a brooch for Mrs M'Kie, in token of their high sense of his many 

 excellent qualities both of head and heart. 



The presentation was made in the Ship Hotel by Mr Maxwell, overseer, "West 

 Shandon, Helensburgh. Such exhibitions of kindly feeling are alike honourable 

 to all concerned. 



OBITUARY NOTICES. 



It is our painful duty this month to record the death of Mr Jas. Veitch, senior 

 partner of the firm of James Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, King's Road, 

 Chelsea. This sad event took place suddenly on the morning of the 10th of last 

 month, at his residence, Stanley House, King's Road, at the comparatively early 

 age of fifty-four. 



In the death of Mr Veitch horticulture has lost its most devoted patron. 



Those who had, as we had the pleasure of having, an intimate acquaintance 

 with Mr Veitch, need not be informed with what zeal and devotion he entered 

 upon every project that could advance the science and practice of his favourite 

 art ; and with what success, honours and awards from all parts of Europe amply 

 testify. 



We recently had the pleasure of spending a few days with him, and under his 

 own guidance were shown his private collection of Orchids, set apart in some re- 

 cently-erected houses behind his private residence for special experiments. Here 

 we saw lots of Hybrid Orchids, others being crossed, and their seed-pods swelling, 

 new modes of growth and treatment being adopted with others, all with a view 

 to add new gems to that horizon he had already so much emblazoned both by in- 

 troductions from foreigQ climes, and by the results of his successful cross-breed- 

 ing. We were at that time made aware from his own lips that his health was 

 exceedingly precarious; yet in view of the important labours he was carrying on, 

 and for the sake of his family and the public generally, we earnestly hoped the 

 sad event might be long deferred. It has been otherwise determined, and we are 

 certain we are but the exponents of all who take an interest in horticulture, when 

 we present our sincere condolence to the firm and family from which such a stay 

 has been removed. 



In the death of Mr Robert Thomsoo, of the R. H. S. Gardens, Chiswick, horti- 

 culture has lost one of its most painstaking pioneers. ^Modest and retiring in 

 manner, he was always ready to give place to men much his inferior in ability. 



