Retrospective Criticism. 93 



\n number), proposed the establishment of a cottagers' fund. This proposal 

 was adopted, and about two guineas were collected from the ladies at the 

 time, and ten names were put down as subscribers. We are happy to learn 

 that the cottagers have applied for apple trees, according to the plan pro- 

 posed in the last year's schedule. The flowers and fruit exhibited were very 

 fine ; and the principal prizes were gained by L. W. Dillwyn and J. H. Vivian, 

 Esqrs., and M.P.s for the county. The chrysanthemums shown by Mr. Dill- 

 wyn were extremely splendid. The silver challenge box was won by Dillwyn 

 Llewelyn, Esq. (^Cambrian, Dec. 10.) 



SCOTLAND. 



Horticultural Socicti/ of Edinburgh. — Dec. \. Premiums were awarded for 

 the best six sorts of French, Flemish, or German pears, from walls : to Mr. 

 James Arklie, gardener at Congalton, the first prize; and the second to Mr. 

 James Smith, Hopetoun House. 2. For the finest Continental pears, from 

 standard strees, to Mr. James Smith, Hopetoun House ; the collection in- 

 cluding beurre Diel, Marie-Louise, and Easter beurre. 3. For the best 

 eighteen sorts of Chrysanthemum sinense in flower, to Mr. John Young, 

 gardener to Thomas Oliver, Esq., Newington Lodge, the collection containing 

 several varieties not hitherto seen at Edinburgh. A second premium was 

 voted for another meritorious collection, sent by Mr. John Gow, gardener to 

 Count Flahault, Tuliallau. 



Specimens of the Gogar pippin, of very small size, and of very large size, 

 taken from the same tree, were placed on the table ; the contrast strikingly 

 evincing the signal effects of climate. The tree happening to be trained 

 against the back wall of a peach house, with a north aspect, a branch was 

 turned over, and introduced within the peach house ; the small fruit were from 

 the open air with little sun, and the large fruit from under the glass with full 

 sun. These curious specimens were communicated by Mr. William Buchanan, 

 gardener at Culdees Castle, to whom a small honorary premium was voted. 

 Several stocks of Cardoon, as large and as well blanched as the Paris market 

 could produce, were exhibited by Mr. James Cowan, gardener at St. Ger- 

 mains, to whom, likewise, a small premium was awarded. A small collection 

 of most beautiful apples was placed on the table, and much admired. There 

 being no competitor in this fruit on the present occasion, thanks were voted 

 to Mr. John Clark, gardener at Gosford House, who transmitted the speci- 

 mens. 



The most important communication made to the meeting remains to be 

 noticed. In consisted of a suite of named specimens of fine Flemish pears, 

 which come into use for the dessert, in regular succession, from mid-October 

 till mid-April, as established by many years' experiment by Sir Alexander 

 Hope of Luffness, partly on wall trees and partly on dwarf standards. The 

 Society's honorary gold meflal was unanimously voted for this interesting 

 communication, which we hope the Society will speedily make public, for the 

 benefit and encouragement of horticultural improvers. A small premium was, 

 at the same time, awarded to Mr. Peter Lockhart, the gardener at Luffness. 



At this meeting we remarked that several ladies were admitted members of 

 the Society, and that this was done by acclamation, while gentlemen were sub- 

 jected to the ballot. The office-bearers for 1837 were also elected. Among 

 the new elections we are happy to find that of Mr. Charles H. J. Smith, ap- 

 pointed garden-architect to the Society, and Mr. James Macnab, superintendent 

 of the Experimental Garden. (^Edinburgh Advertiser, Dec. 9.) 



Art. V. Restrospective Criticism. 



Erratum. — In Vol. XII. p 695., towards the end of the first paragraph, 

 for " painting the wood over with coal tar," read " painting the wall over with 

 coal tar." 



