1870.] NOTES OF THE MONTH. 441 



distance. Scotland was worthily represented ; so was the far west of 

 England. The Yorkshire contingent of Dahlia exhibitors mustered in 

 strong force ; and many old exhibitors, whose experiences must date 

 back hard on half a century, were competing, or if not competing, 

 came to see and support. The Society proposes, should sufficient 

 means come to hand, to give prizes for Tulips, Eanunculuses, Auricu- 

 las, Pansies, Pinks, Carnations, and Picotees, &c, at such of the early 

 spring and summer shows as may be held at the proper season for such 

 flowers. Practically it aims to supplement other schedules by providing 

 classes for flowers overlooked partially, if not wholly, in the present 

 day. Thus, without attaching itself to any particular society or place, it 

 desires to give its meed of support to all florists' flowers as occasion 

 may serve. After the show at the Crystal Palace, there was a dinner- 

 party of the supporters of the new movement ; but it was nearly as 

 heavy as a funeral party, and scarcely more lively than a state banquet. 

 The dinner was bad for the price charged; the wines indifferent; the 

 after-dinner talk, with one or two exceptions, feeble. The Society 

 dined as if wearied with its day's work, and it rose from its dinner 

 dull and heavy. Perhaps, as some said, its social intercourse was 

 overweighted with the article of divinity, and lacked vivacity in conse- 

 quence. Still it was a first attempt, and the second will no doubt be 

 an improvement on the first. 



The drought of the past three seasons appears to be awakening in 

 the breasts of scientific men a fear that it may come to denote a 

 decline of the rainfall in England, and consequently to the expression 

 of weighty counsels as to the imperative necessity for conserving as 

 much as possible waste waters for the irrigation of cultivated lands 

 in seasons of drought. Anent this matter the 'Architect' gives expres- 

 sion to the following : — 



" Is there no cause for fear that similar influences may be at work in England 

 which will ultimately reduce the amount of rainfall, and lead to such a change 

 of climate and season as may seriously affect our prosperity and powers of pro- 

 duction 1 Two causes at least are at work tending to cause an inordinate waste 

 of our water supplies, which may perhaps in their turn influence in some 

 manner our annual rainfall. We do not say that such is the case merely because 

 the past has been an exceptionally dry season ; but as similar seasons may occur 

 again, it behoves us to see in what manner their ill effects may best be guarded 

 against. This subject must be considered under two heads— viz., deep-soil 

 drainage, and what is generally known as water conservancy. The one applies to 

 country and the other to town districts. Although we have not, perhaps, been so 

 improvident with our forest-lands as to denude the country of trees to any danger- 

 ous extent, so as to seriously affect the supply of our rivers, as has been remarkable 

 in other countries to which we have referred, yet it cannot be denied that a some- 

 what similar operation has for some years been gradually extending itself 

 throughout England by the modern system of subsoil drainage, which in itself 



