1 9 !• Domestic Notices : — ^ ILngland, 



author, however, was not the one in which I saw it, and which, with the oral 

 testimony of my commercial frientl, induced me to use it as argument in 

 favour of the opinion that the stock influenced the fruit. — M. J. S. Fkiladc/p/iia, 

 Nov. 27. 1837. 



Art. III. Domestic Notices. 

 ENGLAND. 



The B'lrmingliam Society for the Advancement and Diffusion of Floricnttiiral, 

 and Horticultural Knowledge. — The projectors of this Societ}', fully appre- 

 ciating the value of floral and horticultural exhibitions, as a means of encou- 

 raging a taste for gardening, are, at the same time, convinced that the mere 

 inspection of specimens, however excellent, must fall short of the object aimed 

 at ; namely, that of diifusing a practical knowledge of the science ; inasmuch 

 as it leaves the enquirer as ignorant of the management by which such suc- 

 cessful results are attained as before they came under his notice. It is the 

 intention of this Society to remedy this defect by the following means : — 



1st, By holding periodical meetings of the members, at which lectures will 

 be given, essays read, discussions held on floriculture and horticulture, and 

 interesting specimens exhibited. 



2dly, By publishing its proceedings in the gardening periodicals. 



3dly, By endeavouring to obtain new varieties of vegetables, fruits, and 

 flowers, for inspection; and to procure, when practicable, seeds and plants for 

 distribution among the members. 



4thly, By opening a correspondence with societies of a similar nature. 



Rules, to the number of fourteen, have been laid down ; and the name of the 

 secretary and treasurer is W. Darke. 



Leeds Zoological and Botanical Garden, which was noticed in Vol. XIII. 

 p. 519., as in contemplation, has since been formed. There was a competition 

 for the plans ; and the first premium was awarded to Mr. Billington and Mr. 

 Davies; the second, to Mr. Perkins of Leeds.; and the third, to Mr. Taylor of 

 Sheffield. Our esteemed correspondent, Mr. Pringle, gardener to W. R. C. 

 Stansfield, Esq., M. P^, Esholt Hall, near Leeds, was one of the competitors; 

 and, having a high opinion of his talents for desigiiing and systematising, we 

 fihall give his plans and jeport in a future page. They will be read with 

 interest by all, and with instruction, we trust, by the young gardener. We 

 have neither seen nor heard anything of the other plans, — Cond. 



Keiv Gardens. — By ordei* of the Lords of the Treasury, two experienced 

 gardeners have been ordered to report upon the state of these gardens, and also 

 Dr. Lindley, prior to some extensive reforms contemplated in that esta- 

 blishment. {Morn. Chron., Feb. 26.) The gardeners alluded to are, Mr. 

 Paxton of Chatswoith Gardens, and Mr. Wilson, gardener to the Earl of 

 Surrey, at Worksop Manor. The object of the commission is said to be, to 

 arrange some plan by which all the royal gardeners may act in concert, in 

 such a manner as to produce a regular and sufficient supply, instead of too 

 much of one thing, and too little of another, as is said to be the case at 

 present, owing to every royal gardener acting independently. Previously to 

 the time of William IV., all the royal gardens were under the direction of W. 

 T. Alton, Esq. ; and the supplies w ere regular, without superabundance of 

 particular articles. This is the essence of the rumours that are afloat on this 

 subject. Whatever changes may take place, we trust the merits of that 

 modest and unassuming man, and thoroughly scientific botanist and gardener, 

 Mr. Smith, will not be forgotten. If Mr. Alton resigns, which, we trust, he 

 has too much spirit and good sense to do (he having, as we learn, been found 

 altogether blameless), Mr. Smith is, we think, the fittest man in England for 

 the Kew Botanic Garden. — Cond. 



The Entomological Society's Prize for 18.38 will be given for the best essay on 

 the Agrotis segetis, a moth, the larva or grub of which burrows into and de- 

 vours the turnip. 



