576 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



or to allot a portion of the greenhouse to them separate from the general 

 collection. Pure peat, with the addition of more or less sand, according to its 

 natural character, was the proper soil. It should be chopped up with the 

 spade, and only used when dry. All the sorts delight in charcoal ; and a 

 liberal allowance of small pieces mixed with the soil and among the crocks 

 would be found beneficial. Great care should be exercised in watering, as 

 they were more impatient than most plants of either excessive drought or 

 moisture. They were liable to the attack of mildew, particularly in winter, or 

 in long-continued dull weather ; and an occasional gentle dusting of sulphur 

 at such times would prevent it doing serious damage. The strong-growing, 

 or what are known as soft-wooded, sorts, such as Hyemalis, should be put out 

 of doors in summer in an airy but sheltered situation ; while those termed 

 hard-wooded — of which Massonii, Tricolor, and Ampullacea are the types — 

 should be put in frames where they can with facility be protected from heavy 

 rains. No more fire-heat should be given than is necessary to keep out frost, 

 most of the sorts being hardy enough to stand from 3 to 4 degrees without 

 injury, but it is always safest to exclude it altogether. The concluding paper 

 was read by Mr Mark King, Bonnington, the subject being "Interesting 

 British Plants. " In the course of his introduction, he urged the importance of 

 young gardeners acquiring a knowledge of botany, and quoted the opinions 

 of eminent men in corroboration of his views. He afterwards described a 

 number of native plants of horticultural interest, showing how they might 

 with advantage be admitted to garden collections. Mr King illustrated 

 his paper with a large collection of beautiful dried specimens mounted on 

 sheets of paper. Interesting and instructive discussions followed the reading 

 of the several papers, and at the close the usual votes of thanks were cordially 

 tendered to their authors. 



Of a large number of exhibits on the table, the following were most inter- 

 esting : A collection of nine dishes of distinct Peaches, including fine 

 examples of Lady Palmerston, Osprey, Gregory's Late, and Prince of Wales, 

 along with four dishes of Currants, consisting of Jackson's Mammoth, La 

 Versailles, Raby Castle, and White Champagne, from Mr Dunn, Dalkeith 

 Gardens. Mr L. S. Dow, Saughton, had a double seedling Primula sinensis 

 of considerable merit ; from Mr Robertson Munro, Abercorn Nursery, a fine 

 collection of Herbaceous Spikes, including several of the finest of the hardy 

 perennial Asters — a family of plants invaluable for autumn blooming. Messrs 

 Todd & Co. had some beautiful spikes of the Double Crimson Intermediate 

 Stocks, which were very much admired. Messrs John Cowe, Metropolitan 

 Cemetery, a new seedling Potato, which he described as a cross between the 

 Victoria and Regent. Mr Webster, Gordon Castle, sent two Melons, which he 

 stated, in an accompanying note, had been raised from seed brought from 

 Kbiva by Captain Burnaby. These were remitted to the Fruit Committee 

 with a view to their being reported on at next meeting. Mr Hugh Fraser 

 showed branches of Colletia Bictonensis, a curious South American hardy 

 Hamamelis Virginica, in flower, and Ptelea trifoliata, in fruit — the latter 

 interesting from its hardiness in Britain, and from its fruit being used suc- 

 cessfully in France as a substitute for Hops in the manufacture of beer. 



