584f Provincial Horticultural Societies : — Bedford s^^-'w e 



were raised from seeds presented to the Society by the Hon. 

 W. F. Strangways. It bears some resemblance to J. Oxy- 

 cedrus, and belongs to that section, having open leaves. 

 Hort. Soc. Gardefi, Chis-jDick, Oct. 22. 1838. 



Art. IV. Provincial Horticidtural, Botanical, and Floricultural 



Societies. 



The number of Provincial Societies noticed in the present article exceeds 

 those given on any former occasion, and affords a most gratifying proof of 

 the general diffusion of gardening knowledge and taste in the British Islands. 

 In our volume for 1836, the number of societies is 95; in that for 1837, 

 131 ; and in that now brought to a close, 172. Some of the notices are not 

 so satisfactory as we could wish them ; but this arises from the neglect of the so- 

 cieties, in not sending us copies of the local newspapers which contain accounts 

 of their shows ; we should be glad to see this defect remedied in future. It is 

 not our wish to give lengthened accounts of what passes at the meetings of 

 Provincial Horticultural Societies; but we should consider the Gardeiier's 

 Magazine deficient as a " Register of Rural and Domestic Improvement," if it 

 did not contain such a summary view of the proceedings of these societies 

 as appears annually in the closing Number of our volume. Such a summary 

 can never, perhaps, be rendered quite complete, but our wish is to render it 

 as nearly so as possible. 



ENGLAND. 



Bedfordshire. — Bedfordshire Open Horticulhiral Society. — May 8. 

 The show, especially the greenhouse plants, was first rate. (Gard. Gaz., 

 May 26.) 



Biggleswade Horticultural Society. — Aug. 3. The show was principally 

 for picotees and carnations, but the dahlias also were very fine. (Ibid., 

 Sept. 1.) 



Berkshire. — Abingdon Horticultural Association. — Sept. 22. First Exhi- 

 bition. The room was beautifully and tastefully decorated with various kinds 

 of green-house plants, which were kindly lent to the committee by several 

 ladies and gentlemen residing in the town and neighbourhood. Several very 

 beautiful devices (amongst others, the arms of the borough) were placed in 

 different parts of the hall, which, together with the flowers and fruit, pre- 

 sented a very splendid appearance. Several cottagers exhibited various 

 productions of the garden, among which were some very fine specimens of the 

 vegetable kind. The principal [prizes were for dahlias, and we observed the 

 names of Mr. J. Peyman and Mr. T. Collingwood occur most frequently 

 among the successful candidates. The names of the plants, &c., gaining prizes, 

 are not given. (Reading Jlfercury, Sept. 22.) 



The Royal Berlis Horticultural Society. — Sept. 11. This exhibition, which 

 was a splendid one, was held at Wallingford. A spacious tent having been 

 fitted up in a picturesque situation, affording an extensive view of the 

 surrounding country, was tastefully decorated ; over the front entrance, which 

 was festooned and adorned with flowers, appeared the device, beautifully dis- 

 played by dahlias, " Victoria R.," on an elliptic arch surmounted by a crown of 

 large dimensions. The interior exhibited the choicest specimens of Flora and 

 Pomona ; and, to add to the effect, contained a number of cases of stuffed birds 

 and beasts, from the collections of W. S. and R. M. Clarke, Esqrs. At the farther 

 end of the tent was also displayed, in honour of the Queen Dowager, " Ade- 

 laide R." in floral device. Though it may appear invidious to select from any 

 of the day's productions, we cannot but remark on the excellence and great 

 beauty of the Fuchsia fulgens from the gardens of the Archbishop of York, 



