234 Domestic Notices. 



' Duchess of Richmond,' ' Mrs. Shell}',' and several others, which often 

 decay during the winter. 



In taking a retrospective view of the Dahlia fancy, it is pleasing to re- 

 mark the gradual improvement of this autumnal favorite, up to the present 

 time. This improvement is annually progressing towards greater perfec- 

 tion ; for of late years many of the finest varieties have been introduced, 

 and it is notorious that an established fine seedling at the present time will 

 command a higher price than at any previous period. To mark the progress 

 of the Dahlia, the stand that obtained the £20 prize for the best twenty- 

 four blooms at the Cambridge Dahlia Show, 1840, contained only one 

 variety that was shown in the first stand, of the same number of blooms, at 

 the Metropolitan Exhibition, 1846 — a brief period of six years. That vari- 

 ety was Springfield Rival, a flower of thirteen or fourteen years' standing. 

 I need not mention that both stands were grown by myself. The former 

 was considered to be the best that had been produced up to that time, and 

 the latter was certainly the best twenty-four I had shown during 1846. I 

 very well remember that, at Cambridge, Unique was what is termed the 

 " bloom of the exhibition ;" Penelope, Amato, Hope, Conservative, Maid 

 of Bath; and many other flowers now out of date, were stars in that superior 

 stand." — (C Turner^s Catalogue, 1847.) 



Art. II. Domestic Notices. 



The American Agricultural Association of New York city, recently organ- 

 ized, has issued a circular, giving a programme of the first contemplated 

 exhibition to be holden in the large room of the Association, No. 501 Broad- 

 way, on the 19th of the present month, when a liberal number of premiums 

 will be awarded. We make the following extract from the Circular, in 

 regard to the objects of the Association : — 



" Influenced by such considerations, and conscious that no part of the 

 world offers greater advantages for the development of horticultural produc- 

 tions, where the wealth of the community, the facility of access, and the 

 nature of the climate all combine, if seconded by the zeal of those desirous 

 of advancing a favorite pursuit, to lead the Association to the most sanguine 

 hopes of immediate success. Our sister cities of Boston and Philadelphia 

 have entered upon this field of amicable competition with remarkable advan- 

 tage, and while, in most respects, their opportunities are inferior, let it not 

 he said that we cannot even equal them, when we have once appreciated the 

 benefits of the scheme. Around New York city, the establishments of nur- 

 serymen and gardeners are more extensive and complete than in any other 

 part of the country, and their proprietors yield to none in the energy with 

 which they manage their business, the enterprise with which they obtain 

 the best productions of foreign soils, or the skill with which they develop 

 them. If we remember the great number of conservatories, greeDhouses 



