PEBRUAEY 7, 1860. 



Vegetables, and for extending the collection of fruits, according 

 to a plan adopted by the Council ; and suggested that during the 

 present season comparative trials should be made of the different 

 varieties of Peas, Beans, Kidney Beans, Broccolis, Savoys, Bore- 

 coles, and Cucumbers, which was agreed to. 



A letter was read froni C, Strickland, Esq., containing 

 suggestions as to the means of enlisting the services of horti- 

 culturists throughout the country in the collection of information, 

 to be made available for a " full descriptive catalogue of all the 

 kinds of fruit cultivated in England." The subject was reserved 

 for further consideration. 



Open Class. — The competitors were : Josiah Moorman, Esq., 

 Clapham Road: Easter Beurrl, Old Colmar; Mr. A. Ingeam, 

 gardener to J. J. Blandt, Esq., V.P.H.S., Highgrove, near 

 Reading: Easter Beurre; Mr. Smith, gardener to S. Ricardo, 

 Esq., Sunninghill : Josephine de Malines ; Mr. Spivey, gardener 

 to J. A. HouBLON, Esq., Hallingbury Place, Essex : Josephine 

 de Malines.— The First Prize was awarded to Mr. Smith, for 

 Josephine de Malines ; and the Second Prize to Josiah Moorman, 

 Esq,, for Old Colmar. 



Mr. Smith's sample of Josephine de Malines was grown on a 

 standard tree. The subsoil was sand and clay. The fruit were 

 rather below the usual size, but in excellent condition, being very 

 melting, juicy, rich, and sugary, but nevertheless not of so rich a 

 flavour as this variety frequently acquires. 



The Old Colmar, from Mr. Moorman, were grown at Bexhill, 

 Sussex, under the conditions stated at p. 123. The tree, grafted 

 on the pear stock, is 8 years old, and vigorous, growing against a 

 south-west wall about 20 feet high ; it is trained horizontally, 

 and pruned in the usual way. The season is generally late. The 

 ffuit was of good size, and well-grown ; the flesh was crisp, and 

 very juicy and sugary, but was not so richly flavoured as this variety 

 frequently becomes. 



