178 BRIEF REMARKS. 



others; some again, and the Heath famil)'' among the rest, are in this 

 way soon destroyed. The object in watering should be to prevent this 

 stage of dryness being readied, at least during the time a plant is 

 growing, and at all times in the case of those of very rigid structure ; 

 at the same time that excess, which would sodden the soil and' gorge 

 the plants, is also avoided. AA'ithin these limits the most inexperienced 

 persons may follow sound directions for the application of water with 

 safety. But wiienever water is given to pot plants, enough should be 

 employed to wet the soil thoroughly, and the difference between plants 

 that require less or more water should be made by watering more or 

 less frequently, and not by giving greater or less quantities at one 

 time. — Magazine of Botany. 



Destruction of Slugs, Snails, and Wireworms. — Having 

 suffered veiy much in my garden from the depredations of these vermin, 

 I have been induced to try the effect of Swede Turnips as a decoy for 

 them. I liad a large basketful cut up into slices rather more than half 

 an inch in thickness, and placed about my garden (about a quarter of 

 an acre), and the result of ten consecutive days' operations is the 

 securing of the enormous quantitj' of 9,096, besides a great quantity of 

 wireworms and millipedes. The second morning's collection Mas 2,056 

 slugs and snails ; 510 is the smallest collection I have made. The 

 Turnip slices I have been using are now put into the ground edgeways, 

 the better to trap the wireworms, and I am employing fresh slices for 

 a further destruction of slugs and snails. — Thomas CoUeij, Ipplepcn, 

 Devon. ( Gardener's Chronicle.) 



Gardeners' Benevolent Society. — Eacli successive year there 

 is held wliat is termed an Annual Meeting of tiiis very valuable Society. 

 This year (1850) it was held at the London Coffee House on May 15th, 

 and the excellent Earl of Carlisle presided on the occasion, there also 

 being seventy-four of the principal nurserymen, seedsmen, and horti- 

 culturists assembled. A few years back the Duke of Northumberland 

 obtained a most valuable Nectarine from Syria, since which a number 

 of plants had been propagated, and now fit for final planting. His 

 Grace directed that twenty -four of them should be sold by public 

 auction, and the proceeds should be presented to this Society in order 

 to form tiie Nucleus of a fund for the erection of alnishou.ses for aged 

 and indigent gardeners and their widows. The proceeds of the sale 

 Mas 164/. lis. 



As usual, at the anniversary, donations to the Society are made, and 

 on this occasion the amount was 400/. \Ye feel assured that so excel- 

 lent an institution Mill have, at least, the approval'of all our readers, M^e 

 therefore insert the admirable speech of the noble president on tlie 

 occasion, believing it will not only be read M'ith pleasure, but be an 

 inducement to some to contribute to the support of the Society. 



After the usual loyal toasts, the Chairman rose to call attention to the 

 special purpose for MJiich they Mere assembled. AYe have hitherto 

 (said the noble Earl) dealt onlj' Mith those great things and persons 

 connected M'ith royalty, M'ar, and the concerns of empires; but we are 

 met together this evening to put forMard the claims of the Gardeners' 

 Benevolent Institution. (Hear, hear.) The first consideration that 



