THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 035 



manufactures, and domestic economy, commenced last year, had been completed 

 at a considerable cost, and thus extended facilities had been offered to teacliers 

 students, and others seeking information relatinn; to the vegetable kingdom. Free 

 admissions to study had been issued to 26 artists, 318 to professors and students 

 and 31,500 cut; specimens distri'JUted to them. Several improvements had been 

 made in the gardens, and many new and interesting plants added to ihe collection. 

 The Chairman congratulated the Fellows upon the satisfactory report presented 

 and the report was then adopted. His Serene Highness the Duke of Teck was 

 elected president for the year. Votes of thanks were passed to his Serene llio-hness 

 the Duke of Teck, G.C.B , and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Teck, tor the 

 interest they take in the Society ; and similar votes to the council, the committees 

 the executive, and the chairman. 



GiBSO.v Testimonial.— Mr. Gibson, who for many years occupied the post of 

 superintendent of Battersea Park, and latterly of Hyde Park, has for nearly twelve 

 months been suffering from a severe attack of paralysis. His horticultural and 

 other friends have, in consequence, determined to present him vvith a testimonial, 

 as a practical proof of their appreciation of his manifold labours in furthering the 

 progress of horticultural scicnice, and to assist in defraying a part, at least, of the 

 expenses incidental to a lengthy illness. Mr Gibson, it will be rernetnbered, 

 introduced carpet bedding and subtropical gardening to English gardens, and by 

 the examples of both styles of embellishing the flower gardens in the parks under 

 his charge, has exercised a most healthy influence on the public taste. Contribu- 

 tions to the testimonial fund may be sent to Mr. Thomas Moore, curator, Chelsea 

 Botanic Gardens, S.W. ; and we trust our readers will show their sympathy with 

 Mr. Gibson by contributing to the fund according to their ability. 



The Principal Bedding Displays in and near the Mhtkopolis are now in 

 splendid condition, and everywhere what is called " carpet " bedding is the pre- 

 dominant feature. The grounds of the Crystal Palace, the parterres of Battersea, 

 Hyde, and Victoria Parks are ablaze with colour, and, generally speaking, the 

 style of decoration is completely altered from that which prevailed only ten years 

 ago. Those who are interested in bedding effects should see the London parks and 

 the great garden at Sydenham as soon as possible. 



The Phylloxera, or Vine Pest. — A recent issue of the London Gazette con- 

 tains the following notification : " Tlie Board of Trade have received from the 

 Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a copy of a French law, promulgated on the 

 25th ult., instituting a prize of 300,000 francs (about i'12,0U0), to which may 

 be added subscriptions from other sources, for the discovery of an efficacious 

 and economical means of destroying the phylloxera, or of preventing its ravages. 

 A commission nominated by the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce will 

 determine the conditions of competition and the award of the prize." The pro- 

 longed discussions in the Academie des Sciences, and the numerous experiments 

 and observations on the invasions of phylloxera, resolve themselves into a recom- 

 mendation by M. Dumas, to " stamp it out." It is urged to be necessary to insure 

 the destruction of every diseased vine and those about it, and to poison the ground. 

 It is further urged that the planting of new vines, of French races, should be made 

 only in land susceptible of being flooded, or in lands naturally or artificially sandy. 

 The Second Horticultural Exhibition at Vienna this year is to take 

 place from October 3 to 7, and will be exclusively limited to fresh fruits and vege- 

 tables. It will be held in the Blumen Salen, No. 12, Parkring. Foreigners will 

 be allowed to compete, but they must signify their intention, either in writing or 

 verbally, a week previous, at the offices of the K. K. Gartenbau, Gesellschaft. 



The Pomological Society of France will hold its seventeenth annual meet- 

 ing at Angers from September 28 to October 3. An exhibition of fruits will be 

 held, open to all nations, and a congress of pomologists will hold its sittings at the 

 same time. 



The Central Hobticvltural Society of France will hold an exhibition of 

 fruits and flowers at their rooms, 84, Rue du Grenelle Saint Germain Paris, from 

 October 10 to 14. 



A Noble Orchard.— The orchard of William Meek, of San Lorenzo, California, 

 covers two hundred and sixty acres. He has 27,0U0 almond-trees, 226,000 currant- 

 bushes, 7,200 cherry-tiees, 3000 p'ums and prunes, besides large numbers of the 

 best varieties of apples, pears, peaches, apricot-i, etc. He is also experimenting with 

 oranges and lemons. 

 September. 



