42 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 



lloYAL Caledonian Horticultural Society, December 11. — Taking the 

 effects of the season into consideration, the fruit at this show was exceedingly- 

 good, many of the late Gi'apes showing tine finish, but to the Pine-apples must 

 be awarded the palm for size and culture. For one smooth Cayenne, Mr P. 



Stewart, gardener to Tennant, Esq, of The Glen, had some difficulty in 



getting iirstw^ith a fine fruit, weighing 8 lb., Mr Laiug, Pitcairlie, being his 

 close opponent with one about the same weight, but rather too ripe, which was 

 jilaced secoud. Though these are not wonderful nowadays, yet they are the 

 best that we have seen shown this season. ]\lr Methven, Blytheswood, also com- 

 l^eted in this class. For one Queen Pine, Mr Laing was first. For two bunches 

 Muscat of Alexandria, the Rev. W. Bushby, Dalkeith, had an easy first, with 

 marvellously perfect examples. The bunches, though small, would have done 

 credit to the best of seasons, and the most celebrated practical grape-grower, 

 ]Mr P. Stewart was second. Mr Shaw, Douisla House, Edinburgh, had in his 

 first- j)rize collection of four varieties Muscat of Alexandria, Gros Coleman, 

 Alicante, and a 5-lb. bunch of Barbarossa, all fine productions. Mr Hannah, 

 Burnhead, was second with fine Lady Downes, Black Hamburg somewhat 

 deficient, good Alicante, and Mrs Pince. Mr Greig, Craigend Park ; Mr Macin- 

 tosh, Luss ; and Mr Brunton, Gilmerton, Drem, had good examples. Mr Shaw 

 was first for the single bunch of Gros Coleman, with a bunch large in size but very 

 deficient in colour. Two bunches Lady Downes, first, Mr Macintosh Leslie ; 

 second, Mr Hannah. Mr Hannah was first for one bunch Black Alicante, perfect 

 in colour, as was Mr Shaw's second. White Lady Downes was well shown by 

 Mr Greig, w^ho obtained first amongst competitors with nicely-formed, firm, 

 well- coloured bunches. With one bunch of Muscat of Alexandria, Mr P. 

 Stewart had first for flavour in whites ; Black Hamburg from Mr Summers, 

 Poltoa House, Lasswade, taking first amongst blacks. For any variety of black, 

 Mr Leyden, gardener, Whitehill, had first with West's St Peter, For whites, 

 Mr Brunton and Mr Greig showed Bowood Muscat and Chasselas Napoleon in 

 excellent condition, Mrs Pince was well shown by Mr Hannah, who appeared 

 to grow this variety well. Though prizes were offered for Madresfield Court 

 Grape none put in an appearance. 



Apples and Pears were very fine. For the twelve varieties of baking, and 

 twelve dessert Apples, Mr Brunton came first. Mr Anderson, gardener to 

 the Earl of Stair, Oxenford Castle, taking first for Echlinvale seedling ; Mr 

 Cummings, gardener to the Earl of Wemyss, Amisfield, having the same for 

 some beautiful King of the Pippins. Mr G. Barrel, Salton Hall, Mr Gillan, 

 Ormiston Hall, and Sir Anderson, Ashlay, exhibited splendid fruit of Pears. 

 Mr Anderson, Oxenford, had first for Marie Louise, very fine. Mr Croshil 

 had first for Beurre Niel ; and ISIr Allan, Pathro Park, for Louise Bonne de 

 Jersey. Millet de Nancy and Winter Beurre were prominent amongst other 

 collections. 



Much credit is due to the nurserymen who furnished the greatest part of the 

 hall with magnificent collections of fine plants, Messrs P. Lawson & Sons 

 having the orchestra tastefully decorated in their usual style ; w^hile the 

 surrounding tables were principally filled from the collections of Messrs Downie, 

 Laird, & Laiug, Methven & Sons, Drummond & Brothers, and Gordon & Sons. 



Conspicuous amongst small collections of plants were Mr N. Eraser's collec- 

 tion of six Ferns from Canonmills Ijodge. These comprised Adiantura Farlay- 

 ense, A. cuniatum, Asj)lenium fragrans, Goniophlebium sub-auriculatum, Pteris 



