PROCEEDINGS. XXXIU 



without organic matter, are almost sterile, even in the pre- 

 sence of alkaline matters; and that no artificial soil is to be 

 compared with that which Nature herself provides. 



Awards. A large Stive?' Medal to Mr. Mylam, gardener to 

 S. Rucker, Esq., for a magnificent specimen of Dendrobium 

 speciosum ; it had on it between 20 and 30 large spikes of 

 yellow blossoms, each pseudo-bulb, or little arm, producing 

 2 and 3 spikes. 



A Knightian Medal to Mr. Fleming, gardener to the Duke of 

 Sutherland, at Trentham, for six bunches of fine early 

 Grapes. 



Banksian Medals : To Mr. Ingram, gardener to Her Majesty, 

 at Frogmore, for a bundle of Asparagus, containing 100 

 heads, which weighed 9 lbs. These heads were large and 

 succulent, many of them as thick as the thumb. They were 

 cut from beds heated in the alleys by hot water, which jiro- 

 duces a much more steady heat, and is perfectly under con- 

 trol ; the bed was covered by wooden shutters, to prevent 

 the heat from escaping, and to throw off superfluous mois- 

 ture. To Mr. Ayres, gardener to J. Cook, Esq., for two fine 

 plants of the Double White Primula sinensis, about 9 inches 

 in height and 1 5 inches in breadth, uniformly covered with 

 bloom and healthy foliage. To Mr. Pamplin, for a large 

 bush of Epacris impressa, about 3 feet in diameter, and the 

 same in height, covered with bloom. To Messrs, Rollisson, 

 of Tooting, for a fine specimen of Dendrobium moniliforme. 



Certificates : To C. G. Thornton, Esq., F.H.S., for good spe- 

 cimens of Walnuts, of last year's growth, stated to have 

 been preserved in dry wheat or oat-chafF, changed about 

 once in three or four weeks. To J. Moorman, Esq., for a 

 collection of Pears, including Napoleon, in the highest state 

 of preservation. 



Novelties from the Society's Garden. Inga pulcher- 

 rima, with beautiful upright brush-like blossoms of brilliant 

 scarlet; and Spathoglottis Fortuni, a yellow flowered terres- 

 trial Orchid, sent by Mr. Fortune from the mountains of 

 Hong Kong. 



Books Presented. 



Transactions of the Society of Arts, Vol. 55. From the Society. 



The Botanical Register for February. From the Publishers. 



The Athenaeum for January. From the Editor. 



Transactions of the Horticultural Society of Berlin. (17th Volume, 2nd Part.) From 



the Society. 

 Acta Acaderaiae Nattirse Curiosorum, Vol. 19, Supp. 1 ; Vul. 20, Parts 1 and 2. From 



the Academy at Bonn. 



VOL. I. d 



