iSyi.] ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 139 



similarity or affinity exists between the plants in question. The fact 

 stated is consequently of great importance as throwing new light upon 

 the subject, and opening up a new field for investigation and experi- 

 ment ; and your correspondent deserves the best thanks of your readers 

 for thus making it known. Meanwhile, however, it would be helpful 

 to such an investigation if he would revisit the trees and make sure that 

 there is no mistake, and, if convenient, give the locality, that others 

 may have an opportunity of seeing them, so that the fact may be estab- 

 lished beyond a doubt. — I am, yours, &c., 



A Reader. 



THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



This was a most successful meeting, both as regards the number and value of the 

 plants exhibited and the attendance of visitors. These meetings of the Society- 

 are undoubtedly increasing in interest and importance ; and the council- room, 

 which is not large, nor at all adapted for exhibiting plants and flowers to the best 

 advantage, was filled with numerous collections of Orchids and other tender plants. 

 A few prizes were offered by the Society for flowers and fruit. 



Class 1.— 6 Chinese Primulas, distinct (open). Mr G. Goddard, gardener to 

 H. Little, Esq., was first with finely grown and bloomed plants of white and dif- 

 ferent shades of red single varieties ; Mr C. Edmunds, Hay's Nursery, second, 

 and had in his collection two plants of the double white. 



Cla-^s 2. — 3 Dielytras, in bloom (open). The first prize was awarded to Mr ^Y. 

 Bvill, King's Road, Chelsea, with very small plants of Dielytra spectabilis. 



Class 3. — 6 Lycastes, in bloom (open). There was only one exhibitor in this 

 class — Mr Denning, gardener to Lord Londesborough, Grimston Park, Tadcaster, 

 York, who was awarded the first prize with fine healthy sjiecimens of L, Skin- 

 nerii, averaging 10 fiowers to a plant. 



Class 4. — Dessert Apples, 3 dishes, distinct (open). In all 18 collections were 

 staged, and amongst them many fine examples. Cox's Orange Pippin was very 

 fine. The first prize was awarded to Mr Garland, gardener to Sir T. Dyke, Ack- 

 laud, Bart., Killerton, Exeter, for Cox's Orange Pippin, Cornish Gilliflower, and 

 Pdbston Pippin; second, Mr A. Parsons, gardener to M. J. Blake, Esq., Danes- 

 bury, 



Class 5. — Dessert Pears, 3 dishes, distinct (open). Seven collections were 

 staged ; Easter Beurre in some of the collections being of exceptionally fine 

 quality, Mr Garland was again first with fine fruit of Easter Beurre, "Winter 

 Nelis, and Bergamotte d'Esperen ; Mr G, T, ]\Iiles, gardener to Lord Carrington, 

 AYycombe Abbey, coming in second. This collection contained a very fine dish 

 of Knight's Monarch. 



The subjects before the Fruit Committee were neither numerous nor important. 

 The Galloway Pippin, sent to the last meeting, bad been cooked, and was said 

 to be excellent ; it accordingly received a first-class certificate as a first-class 

 Kitchen-Apple. Mr Gilbert, of Burghley Park Gardens, sent a collection of 

 round and kidney varieties of Potatoes, for which he received a special certifi- 

 cate ; amongst them were particularly fine tubers of the Lapstone Kidney. 



