DECEMBER 31; 1861, 231 



of collections of Grapes from various parts of the country, and 

 from the Society's collection at Chiswick, from the examination of 

 which the Committee were enabled to form practical conclusions, 

 all of which will be found in the reports that have appeared in 

 '' The Proceedings." 



Among Peaches and Nectarines, the most striking novelties 

 were those exhibited by Mr. Thomas Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth* 

 A seedling Peach called Early Victoria, was raised from the 

 Early York, which is one of the earliest varieties in cultivation; 

 but the Seedling is about a week earlier than its parent, an 

 advantage which, early in August is an invaluable one. It is 

 not on account of its earliness alone that the Early Victoria is to 

 be estimated, but also on account of its superior merit, in regard 

 Qf flavour, which far excels that of any other variety of its season. 

 The new Nectarine is also a seedling raised by Mr. Rivers. It 

 has been named Victoria, and was raised from Violette Hative, 

 fertilised by the Stanwick, It has all the appearance of the 

 Stan wick, and possesses the richness of flavour peculiar to that 

 variety ; and while it is a month earlier, and in every respect 

 equal in quality, it has not the fault of cracking, which is the 

 great objection to that variety. An additional interest attaching 

 to this seedling is that it is the first instance of a cross having 

 been obtained from the Stanwick. It received a First-Class 

 Certificatpj. 



The only other novelty demanding special notice is a Seedling 

 Pear, raised by Mr- Ingram, gardener to Her Majesty, at Frog- 

 more, and called British Queen. It is a large handsome fruit, 

 highly coloured, being of a rich golden-yellow, with a crimson - 

 blush on one side of it. The flesh is very tender and melting, 

 fine-grained, buttery, and very juicy, having a rich and sprightly 

 flavour, and a fine aroma. This is a most delicious Pear, and 

 was considered by the Committee worthy to rank with Maria 

 Louise. It was awarded a First-Class Certificate. 



The operations conducted in the Garden under the direction of 

 the Committee were the proving of collections of Cucumbers, 

 Kidney Beans, Beets, Lettuce, Cabbage, Borecoles and Broccoli^ 

 Of these the report ou the Cucumbers has already been pub- 

 lished, and embraces a notice of 118 varieties. Those on the 

 Beets and Kidney Beans are almost ready for publication; and 

 those of Lettuce, Cabbage, Borecole, and Broccoli are waiting 

 till the spring varieties of these vegetables are ready for 



examination , 



