1879.] SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 435 



plants of Todea Fraserii, T. plumosa, Hymenophyllum flexuosum, and H. demis- 

 sum. Gleichenias are also grown in this pit, a healthy piece of the scarce 

 G. flabellata doing well. In a small lean-to orchard-house is a quantity of 

 seedling Aquilegias flowering. Behind the late vineries are the frames con- 

 taining the collection of show Auriculas ; there is some 50 feet run of these, 

 named sorts and seedlings. In the vineries themselves are good crops of 

 Grapes. In a line with these is another range of small houses, the first being 

 devoted to Cattleyas and kindred plants. In this house are three pieces of the 

 lovely Oncidium concolor growing on blocks, and which flower profusely. A 

 large piece of 0. Marshallianum is also in this house, and many other species 

 of interest. In the next compartment are two plants of Dendrobium Dal- 

 housiauum making remarkable growths. Cucumbers, Crotons, Oranges, and 

 Pines are also grown in this range. Space does not allow us to do more than 

 mention the collections of Pinks, herbaceous plants, Dahlias, Pyrethrums, 

 Pansies, &c, which are grown here. There are several good gardens in the 

 district, but the rain, which had held up wonderfully, again commenced, and 

 we made a hasty retreat over the Border, to find the Lammermoors wreathed 

 in mist, and the next day the heaviest flood in the Tyne there had been for the 

 last thirty years. R. P. B. 



SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 



The monthly meeting was held in the hall, 5 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, 

 on the evening of Tuesday, the 5th ult., Mr M. Dunn, President, in the chair. 

 The gentlemen proposed as members at last meeting having been formally 

 admitted, and the names of six others being given in for admission at next 

 meeting, Mr Andrew Kerr read a paper on the "Early Forcing of Dutch 

 Boots, Bhododendrons, Deutzias, &c." The principal features of his practice in 

 dealing with all these plants were — a house o with a southern aspect, and plenty 

 of piping, so as to secure the greatest amount of heat. The plants to be forced 

 should all be potted as early in the autumn as possible, and the heat should be 

 applied gradually : in no case should they be taken from a cold pit or the open 

 air, and introduced at once into excessive heat. While forcing, each should 

 have an abundant supply of water. For very early flowering Hyacinths, he 

 knew no better sorts than Roman, which could be had in December ; and of 

 the ordinary sorts to come in later, La Precose, single white, Homerus, single 

 red, and Grand Lilas, single blue. The best early Tulips were the different 

 double and single varieties of Van Tholl, which came in first, and which were 

 followed by the Tournesol and its varieties. Mr John Cowe, Superintendent 

 of the Metropolitan Cemetery, followed with a paper on "The Hyacinth," in 

 which he described the mode by which he had so successfully grown that plant 

 for many years past. After remarking that it was by no means particular as 

 to soil, he had found that a mixture of rich loam, leaf -mould, and river sand, 

 was the best compost that could be used. The pots should always be well 

 drained, and he was accustomed to put a handful of old rotten manure above 

 the crocks. After potting, which should be done as soon as possible after 

 procuring the bulbs, they should be plunged in a shed, in sand or ashes, and 

 never allowed to become wet. So soon as they start, and it is found that the 

 pots are well filled with roots, they should be placed in an airy frame or green- 

 house, close to the light, abundantly supplied with water ; and an occasional 

 dose of weak liquid-manure should be given during the whole growing season. 

 Though not able to assign a reason for the fact, he had found as the result of 



