436 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



his experience that Hyacinths grew better in old than in new pots, and strongly- 

 advised beginners never to use the latter if old ones could be got. At the 

 close of his paper, Mr Cowe promised to read a short description of the sizes 

 and forms of bulbs likely to produce fine flowers, as he had found that each 

 sort had its peculiar and well-marked characters. The concluding paper, sent 

 by Mr Mackinlay, Tulloch Castle, and read by the Secretary, was on the 

 "Pear, its Cultivation and Management." The author dwelt at some length 

 on the importance of careful treatment while the trees were young, and urged 

 upon gardeners to be careful in the selection of sorts likely to be suitable for 

 the district, and at the same time such as would ripen their fruit in succession. 

 This paper, though short, was eminently practical, and full of suggestive hints 

 to young gardeners. The reading of each of the several papers was followed 

 by an interesting conversation, and at the close the usual votes of thanks were 

 cordially tendered to their authors. Of the subjects tabled for exhibition we 

 noted a number of well-bloomed spring-struck regal Pelargoniums, including 

 some of the most choice sorts, from Messrs Thomas Methven & Sons : these 

 were dwarf, bushy plants, and fine examples of successful cultivation. Messrs 

 Dickson & Co. had a large group of hardy herbaceous plants, including Cam- 

 panulas, Linums, Potentillas, Triteleia, Dianthus, &c. &c. Mr Dow sent a 

 spike of a variety of Seakale, six feet high, which will undoubtedly, as was 

 suggested, be a welcome addition to the Sub-tropical or Wild Garden : he had 

 also a fine specimen of the stately and curious Arum dracunculus. David 

 Paterson, Esq., Restalrig Park, Leith, sent a branch of Cephalotaxus, and a 

 flowering branch of the old-fashioned but now unfortunately too much neglected 

 Clethra arborea, a greenhouse or lofty conservatory shrub of great beauty. 

 Messrs Todd & Co. had spikes of Gladiolus The Bride, a superb variety, worthy 

 of extended cultivation. Mr George Robertson had a very choice collection of 

 blooms of herbaceous plants, and Mr Dunn, Dalkeith, a box of fine fruit of 

 Strawberry James Veitch. 



— -^-» 9izi-p<^<s — 



NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



The Fern World. By Francis George Heath. Serial publication. Sampson 



Low & Co., London. 

 We have the eighth part of the serial issue of this charming book before us. 

 It contains beautifully correct coloured plates of the soft prickly Shield Fern, 

 the Holly Fern, and the hard prickly Shield Fern. The letterpress deals with 

 the Parsley Fern, the Bristle Fern, the Moonwort, the little Adder's Tongue, 

 and the Common and Mountain Polypodies. We have already referred to the 

 pleasing and instructive character of this work. All lovers of Ferns, and every 

 naturalist, should possess the work. 



Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry. By Professor Johnston. William 



Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London. 

 This is a new edition of a work which has passed through thirty-six editions, 

 and which has been translated into nearly every European language. It is re- 

 vised and enlarged, and in every respect brought down to the present time, by 

 Charles A. Cameron, Professor of Chemistry to the Royal College of Surgeons. 

 Having intimated thus much, we need hardly say more in commendation 

 of the work. It ought to be learned by heart by every gardener and farmer, 

 for the questions it puts and answers lie at the very foundation of the culture 

 of the soil and the rearing of crops ; and it only costs Is. 



