Dumfriesshire, Fifeshire, Forfarshire. 619 



The show of dahlias was most splendid, embracing small select numbers of 

 every variety of this most fashionable flower. The calceolarias, salvias, stocks, 

 phloxes, fuchsias, and green-house plants, were very fine; but the principal and 

 most inviting feature in the whole exhibition was the rich and abundant dis- 

 play of the fruit of the vine. There were twelve varieties of grapes, all beau- 

 tiful specimens of their respective kinds, which reflected great credit on the 

 science and skill of the husbandman. The melons, peaclies, apricots, and 

 pliuns, were also very good specimens, but not so numerous as on some former 

 meetings. The culinary vegetables were most excellent, and at once showed 

 that neither labour nor skill had been spared in their production. There were 

 shown from St. Leonards some richly laden boughs of currants, purple Ischia 

 figs, and purple carrots. From the Priory, black Hamburg grapes, grown 

 without fire-heat ; the berries averaged in weight 105 grains each. From 

 Largo House, splendid specimens of the dahlias, Lady Dartmouth and rival 

 king. The best-managed amateur member's garden : Mr. Bousie, Baillie Gib- 

 son, and Dr. Cook, were considered to be equal ( Fifeshire Journal, Oct. 5. 1837.) 

 K'lrkaldy Hoiiicultural Societr/. — Sc2)t. 21. 1837. The Annual Mecling. 

 Though the articles produced for competition and exhibition were worthy of 

 admiration, as well as highly creditable to those under whose superintendence 

 they had been reared, we cannot fail to express our deep regret that the cha- 

 racteristic spirit of emulation which once existed amongst its members should 

 now exhibit such palpable marks of decline. Among the prizes was one to 

 Mr. Kellock, gardener of Craigielands, for a model of a summer-house, which 

 was nuich admired. (Ibid.) 



Ditnfermline Horticultural Society . — Sept. 19. 1837. We were glad to see 

 that the fruits, flowers, and vegetables were in abundance, and, for splendour, 

 equal to any of the former exhibitions of the Society ; each member seemingly 

 having vied to surpass his neiglibonr in contributing whatever he had rare and 

 fine. The devices were original and ingenious, and the articles exhibited by 

 the cottagers received great praise. Prizes were awarded to the following 

 members: — To Mr. John Gavin, gardener, Danibristle, best bunch of Alexandria 

 grapes, best ditto Hamburg grapes; Mr. Hogg, Pitfirrane, best heaviest six 

 apples, for a device of flowers, heaviest gourd ; Mr. Robert M'Nie, apprentice. 

 Dollar gardens, largest and best herbarium of native plants ; Mr. James Kel- 

 lock, gardener, Craigielands, best model of a summer-house. James Ferguson, 

 apprentice to Mr. Foulis, Fordel, best design of a house-garden. 



Forfarshire. — Forres and Nairn Horticultural Society. — June 29. First 

 Exhibition. It was with more than common gratification that we witnessed 

 the establishment of a Society like this, so long a desideratum in this part of the 

 country, where a love of horticulture, in all its branches, is so generally dif- 

 fused ; where there are so many good gardens, so great a number of intelligent 

 gardeners, and amateurs of gardening; and where we have a climate equal, if 

 not superior, to any in Scotland, for bringmg to the highest perfection all the 

 productions of the garden. We understand that the hst of members already 

 comprehends the names of about twenty practical gardeners, and nearly forty 

 amateurs, the latter all resident in Forres and its neighbourhood. The late- 

 ness of the season, and other causes, prevented the exhibition taking place 

 earlier in June, as was first intended ; one consequence of which was, that the 

 show of green -house plants, such as heaths, calceolarias, &c., was not so good 

 as it would have been two or three weeks sooner. The tables, however, pre- 

 sented a very splendid and gay appearance, and contained a very choice and 

 varied collection of plants in pots, cut flowers, bouquets, &c., arranged with a 

 taste that did great credit to the committee of gardeners. 



Considering the lateness of the season, the show of culinary vegetables was 

 highly creditable to the assiduity and skill of the gardeners who exhibited these 

 productions ; to many, we dare say, not the least interesting part of the show. 

 We regret we can only specify a few of the plants on the tables, and in other 

 parts of the room. Among them was a fine plant of Fuchs/rt, fi-om Brodie 

 House, 1 1 ft. high, one stem, and the growth of this season. Heaths and 



