SEPTEMBER. 265 



consequently, there are partial failures. Pears are a heavy crop every- 

 where. Plums appear the only exception ; the bloom was fine, but the 

 frosty nights which occurred at the time left only a few, at least in this 

 quarter, while orchard-trees, which opened their blooms later, are much 

 better furnished. Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots are everywhere 

 that we have seen abundant, and the foliage and wood indicate the best 

 health. We have seen no curl, blight, or gum worth speaking of; and 

 if we only get dryness and warmth, we see no reason to doubt that 

 the crop for the ensuing year will be as great as the present one, other 

 circumstances being favourable. 



But we have yet stronger proofs how much the sun, light, and heat 

 of 1854 have to do in producing a fruit-bearing state. We may take 

 our forest- trees, which, as they are subject to no artificial treatment 

 either as regards shelter or pruning, afford unerring testimony to the 

 influence of climate in producing fructiferous habits. Oak, Beech, Ash, 

 Thorn, Holly, and in fact every description of forest-tree we have 

 examined, are covered with their respective kinds of fruit, and to our 

 mind afford convincing evidence that we only want more sun-light and 

 dryness in our climate to ensure annually good crops. Young gar- 

 deners should well study these facts, for the same conditions apply to 

 plants under glass as in the open air to produce the like results. 



We have already extended our notes beyond our allotted space, and 

 shall therefore postpone our remarks on the effect of the season on 

 flowering plants till next number. T. F. 



NATIONAL CARNATION AND PICOTEE SOCIETY. 



The fifth annual exhibition of this Society was held on the 2nd of 

 August in the grounds of the Magdalen College, Oxford, under the 

 auspices of the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society. The day was 

 fine, and brought together a numerous and fashionable company, as 

 well as the principal growers of these beautiful flowers from various 

 parts of the country. Many thought the day too early, but this proved 

 to be erroneous ; in fact, the Woolwich flowers were quite over. On 

 the other hand, many collections in the midland counties were not in 

 bloom ; therefore, to have been either earlier or later would have been 

 impolitic. We have seen many more blooms staged at these annual 

 meetings, but taking all together they were of far better quality, with 

 but few small and inferior flowers. The total number of single blooms 

 exhibited in the classes, independent of the coflections, was 280, viz. : — 

 40 scarlet bizarres, 23 crimson bizarres, 13 pink bizarres, 23 scarlet 

 flakes, 23 purple flakes. In Picotees there were 26 heavy red, 9 light 

 red, 24 heavy purple, 28 light purple, 24 heavy rose, 13 light rose, 10 

 yellows. Tlie premier Carnation, selected from the entire exhibition, 

 was worthily awarded to Puxley's Defiance, a scarlet flake ; this was 

 a noble specimen. 



The meeting for 1856 will be held at Birmingham. The greatest 

 praise is due to Mr. W. H. Hobbs, the persevering secretary of the 

 Oxfordshire Horticultural Society for his very excellent arrangements. 



