302 THE FLORIST. 



attributable to a want of knowing the most suitable kinds to plant on the 

 various soils and exposures, certain varieties of Apples, as is well known, 

 preferring certain districts and soils to others. This difficulty the 

 Pomological Society is taking steps to clear up, by inviting a competition 

 of fruits from every district of Great Britain, as well as by electing local 

 secretaries, &c., whose knowledge of the fruits of their respective districts 

 will enable the Society to form data for recommending to each district 

 the varieties most suitable for their particular localities. This will be, 

 in addition to giving every facility and encouragement for the raising of 

 new varieties, and putting a proper value on their respective merits, 

 a guide for the public. 



Those who have paid most attention to the subject of new fruits, 

 whether home seedlings or introductions from abroad, have long been 

 aware that, however satisfactory, the only public ordeal they underwent 

 (trial by the Horticultural Society) afforded but a very uncertain criterion 

 of the real merits of the fruit under trial, and this through no fault of 

 the Society or its officers, but simply of the system. It is well known that 

 a favourable or unfavourable report on a new fruit proved only in the 

 garden of the Horticultural Society, would scarcely affect it when 

 grown in the new red-sandstone soils of the midland counties, or 

 the old sandstones of Herefordshire, or the Carse of Gowrie in 

 Scotland, to say nothing of the rich limestone soils of Ireland. In 

 fact every district has, both in regard to soil and situation, some pecu- 

 liarities which operate favourably or the reverse on fruits growing on 

 itj and which the decision made at Chiswick would scarcely affect. 

 By going on a much more simple, less expensive, and far more com- 

 prehensive plan, the British Pomological Society will establish something 

 like an adaptability of fruits to soils and exposures ; and now that 

 it is fairly on its career of usefulness, we heartily wish it success. 



THE EDINBURGH NURSERIES. 



Standing on the Calton Hill, on a clear day, and looking down towards 

 Leith, may be seen on the south side of Leith Walk, the extensive 

 nursery grounds of Messrs. Dickson and Co., and, on the opposite side 

 of the road, Messrs. Eagle and Henderson's nursery is clearly visible. 

 Looking northward, beyond the beautiful Scott monument and Princes 

 Street, you can clearly make out, in the Inverleith Road, Messrs. Peter 

 Lawson and Son's extensive nurseries ; and on the opposite side of the 

 way Messrs. James Dickson and Son's establishment. Nearer towards 

 the town, picturesquely clumped among trees, can be seen the glass 

 erections of the Experimental and Botanic Gardens. So much for 

 the distant views. From Waterloo Place, a few minutes' walk brings 

 you to 



Messrs. Dickson and Go's Nursery, Leith Walk. 

 This establishment is remarkable for neatness and order, and this 

 remark is more or less applicable to most of the nurseries in the Scotch 

 metropolis, but particularly to this. There are several well-constructed 



