536 



PENNSYLVANIA HORT. SOCIETY. 



head downwards, with a feather or brush, sprinkle 

 the tobacco-water upon the under parts of the 

 leaves, or, if the plants are not in flower, all over 

 them. This, if the tobaoco-water is perfectly 

 clean, will not need washing off again." 



Dahlias. — A. R. (Syracuse, N. Y.) You did 

 not succeed, because your soil is too thin and dry. 

 Choose a part of your garden actually damp or 

 moist, trench it two feet deep, manure it highly, 

 and then plant your dahlias, and you will, with an 

 ordinary season, have an abundant bloom. See 

 Thorburn's advertisement for the finest new sorts. 

 Moss Roses require a good deal of manure, and a 

 rather cool situation — as they suffer from the sun 

 in a hot situation. They are greatly helped in a 

 hot soil by mulching or covering the ground with 

 straw or hay. 



Roses. — A Lady of Berkshire. If yon wish an 

 abundant bloom of perpetual roses in summer and 

 autumn, cut off all the buds that appear in June, 

 before they are half grown. 



The Borer. — i. W., (Worcester, Mass.) It 

 is not enough to take the borer out of the tree. 

 You must prevent their laying more eggs in it 

 again. This may be done by painting over the 

 the principal body and limbs — especially at. the 

 surface of the ground and the fork of the branches 

 — with a wash offensive to the insects when in a 

 winged state, about the last of this month — May; 

 they come out, fly about and deposit their eggs. 

 Such a wash is made by taking soft-soap and thin- 

 ning it with tobacco-water till it is like thick 

 cream. Put it on with a brush, rubbing it in the 

 crevices of the bark. 



PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The stated meeting of this society was held, as usual, on 

 Tuesday evening-, April 16, 1S50. The president in the chair. 



The exhibition surpassed former occasions in attraction, and 

 was enjoyed by a crowd of visitors, who appeared highly de- 

 lighted with the beauty of the display. The object to which 

 all were attracted, was a large table in the centre of the sa- 

 loon, on which were arranged the richest collection of grapes, 

 on vines growing in pots, that have ever been shown at this 

 season of the year, consisting of Black Hamburg, White To- 

 kay, Reine de Nice, Victoria, Rose Chasselas, Early White 

 Muscat, Red Frontignan, White Frontignan, Muscat blanc 

 native, Black Frontignan, Golden Chasselas, and White Sweet 

 Water. The society is again indebted, for litis instance, to 

 the liberality of its president, Caleb Cope, who takes so much 

 pleasure to gratify the members. Apart from the great credit 

 of producing such fine specimens of fruit, an additional merit 

 is due to the gardener for having grown them on plants oidy 

 one year from the insertion of the bud. which was the fact 

 with all, except the last three named varieties. 



The many collections of choice flowering plants, were unu- 

 sually fine. Some specimens were remarkable for beauty; 

 especially so was a Rhododendron ponticum, a fair tree in 

 proportions, — being some ten feet in height, covered with nu- 

 merous trusses ofgorgeous flowers, — an object in itself of 

 much admiration; this plant was from the green-house of 

 James Dundas. From the same source, among a variety of 

 other plants, were specimens of Azalea variegata. Campanula 

 nobilis, Rhododendron Catawbiense, Deutzia scabra. and Jus- 

 ticia carnea, of great beauty. From Robert Buist's houses, 

 there were, besides a large collection of standard plants ; a 

 number of entirely new. and shown for the first time, of which 

 were the Gardenia Stanleyaua, a plant twelve inches in 

 height, bearing a sombre flower ten inches in length ; Polyga- 

 la Dalmaisiana, Tropceolum Lobbianam, Aquilegia Skinnerii, 

 and Pelargonia, varieties Talesmana, Zarefa, Ytolmskii, and 

 Arabian. From Miss Gratz' collection, were choice Pelargo- 

 nia, Cinerariae, Cacti, Violas, etc. By John Lambert's sai- 

 dener, Roses, double stocks, Schizanthi, Cinerarias, Tulips, 

 with many others. From John Sherwood, Campanula nobilis, 

 Justicia carnea, and Roses. By Ben Daniels, gardener to 

 Caleb Cope. Azalea, Cineraria, and Hyacinths. By William 

 Hall, choice Roses. By James Powell, beautiful Cinerarias. 

 By Andrew Dryburgh, handsome Pansies. The designs, bas- 

 kets of cut flowers, and bouquets, were very neat and fra- 

 grant. Of vegetables, there was the usual extensive display. 



The following premiums were awarded on the occasion : 



By the committee on plants and flowers. Pelargonia — for 

 the best six named varieties in pots, to Robert Scott, foreman 

 to Robert Buist ; for the second best do., to Patrick Gallagher, 

 gardener to Miss Gratz. Roses — for the best six named varie- 



ties in pots, to Maurice Finn, gardener to John Lambert : for 

 the second best ditto, to Wm. Burnley, foreman to John Sher- 

 wood. Hyacinths — for the best six varieties in pots, to Ben 

 Daniels, gardener to Caleb Cope. Pansies — for the best six 

 varieties in pots, to Andrew Dryburgh; for the second best 

 ditto, to Maurice Finn. Green-house plants — for the best fliree 

 varieties, and for the second best three, to James Bisset, gar- 

 dener to James Dundas. Plants in pots — for the most interest- 

 ing collection, to Maurice Finn; for the second best ditto, to 

 James Bisset; for the third ditto, to Patrick Gallagher. For 

 tlie best design of cut flowers, to Ben Daniels. For the best 

 hand bouquet, to Robert Kilvington. For the best bouquet, 

 formed of indigenous flowers, to Robert Kilvington. Basket 

 of cut flowers — for the best, to Maurice Finn; for the second 

 best ditto, to Ben Daniels. The committee awarded with 

 pleasure a special premium of five dollars, for a splendid speci- 

 men of Rhododendron ponticum, iu fine bloom, to James 

 Bisset 



By the committee on fruits. Apples — for the best display, of 

 three specimens of five varieties, to John Perkins, Moorestown, 

 N. J. The committee also award a special premium of ten 

 dollars to Ben Daniels, for a most interesting display of twelve 

 varieties of grapevines, filled with perfect fruit, which were 

 all fruited in one year from the bud. 



By the committee on vegetables. Sea-kale — for the best 

 twelves plants, to Patrick Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz. 

 Rhubarb— for the best twelve stalks, to Anthony Felten; for 

 the second best ditto, to Patrick Gallagher. Asparagus — for 

 the best twelve stalks, to Isaac B. Baxter. Vegetables — for 

 the most interesting display, by a commercial gardener, to An- 

 thony Felten; for the most interesting display by an amateur 

 gardener, to Patrick Gallagher; for the second best ditto, to 

 Wm. Johns. 



The society was the recipient of a valuable donation from 

 Captain William McMichael, of the ship Montauk, consisting 

 of seeds from New South Wales, and wine made from native 

 grapes of Australasia, of fiue hock flavor, for which a vote of 

 thanks was ordered to the donor for gifts so acceptable. A 

 communication from the secretary of the Royal Society of Van 

 Dieman's Land was read, desiring an interchange of products, 

 books, etc., accompanying which were copies of the Transac- 

 tions and Rules of the Society, when, on motion, 



Resolved, That a copy of the publications of our society be 

 sent, and an interchange be kept up for the future with the 

 Royal Society of Van Dieman's Land. 



Dr. Hare introduced the subject of the supposed ill effects 

 resulting from the attacks of the larva of the seventeen year 

 locusts upon the roots of various trees, explaining fully his 

 views, when, on motion, a committee was appointed to inves- 

 tigate the subject. T. P. James, Rec. Secretary. 



