PROCEEDINGS. XXxi 



engine, whose novelty consisted in its having attached to 

 the top of the tube a flat shovel-like plate, moving on a 

 spring, for spreading the water. This invention was so 

 contrived that tubes and plates of different sizes could be 

 put on or taken off at pleasure. Specimens of fabrics, made 

 in Madagascar from the Raphia Palm tree, were exhibited 

 by Admiral Sir W, Gage. One was a mat of some beauty ; 

 the other was a striped cloth, which it was mentioned was 

 probably prepared from the fibre of the leaf. 



Novelties from the Society's Garden. Mr. Fortune's 

 Forsythia viridissima, which has been found to force well ; 

 Azaleas obtusa and squamata, and the Greek Cyclamen 

 (C. repandum), with purple sweet-scented blossoms. 



Seeds of Berberis asiatica, a half-evergreen shrub, which 

 had been found to be very suitable for cottage-garden fences, 

 and of the true Killerton Asparagus, were furnished by Sir 

 Thomas Acland, Bart., M.P., and distributed among the 

 Fellows. Cuttings of the following Pears and Apples were 

 also distributed : — Comte de Lamy, a middle-sized, roundish 

 Pear, whose flesh is melting, and tastes like sugar rendered 

 delicious by the addition of the Pear flavour ; it ripens in 

 October ; the tree bears well as a standard. Althorp Cras- 

 sane, an excellent standard Pear, raised by the late Mr. 

 Knight, at Downton Castle ; it is figured and described in 

 the Society's ' Transactions,' and the variety has since fully 

 maintained all the good qualities ascribed to it ; it ripens in 

 October and November ; the tree is hardy and a good 

 bearer. Boston Russet, one of the few American Apples 

 which prove to be adapted for our climate. Attempts to 

 grow the celebrated Newtown Pippin have generally re- 

 sulted in the production of something so different from the 

 original as scarcely to be recognised, but the Boston Russet 

 is a valuable acquisition as a dessert Apple from January till 

 April ; it is a middle-sized fruit, whose flesh is rich and 

 sugary, with somewhat of the Ribston Pippin flavour ; and, 

 finally, Mere de Menage, a good late-keeping kitchen Apple ; 

 it is of German origin. The tree is vigorous and a good 

 bearer, the fruit being very large, roundish, and dark 



red. 



April 4, 184:8. (Regent Street.) 



Elections. Col. Vernon-Harcourt, St. Clair, Ryde, Isle of 

 Wight ; the Rev. A. Clive, Whitfield, Hereford ; and J. S. 

 Gregory, Esq., 41, Bedford -square. 



