232 West London Gardeners' Association. 



various donations had been noticed, a paper was read by Mr. Nicol, " On the 

 Microscopic Structure of the Wood of various Species of i?hamnus," showing 

 that, in numerous instances, marked peculiarities of internal structure bore 

 reference to obvious external characters. The i)aper was illustrated by several 

 beautiful drawings, prepared by IMr. James M'Nab. A paper was also read 

 from Mr. Sluittleworth, containing an account of a botanical excursion to the 

 Alps of the Valais, Switzerland. 



March 17. being tlie anniversary of the Society, between twenty and thirty 

 of the members supped together at the British Hotel ; Professor Graham in 

 the chair, Dr. Walker-Arnott, croupier. It was arranged that the future 

 anniversary mcethigs of the Society should take place on the second Thursday 

 of March, and that the president should ]irepare for eacli occasion a report 

 of the progress and state of botany in Britain. (Edin. Advert., March 21.) 



Fkva Pcrllioisis. — The writer of botanical notices in the Pertli Courier, 

 who is generally understood to be ]Mr. Kobertson, the very intelligent gardener 

 at Kinfauns Castle, contemplates publishing soon a flora of the plants in the 

 neighbourhood of Perth. From the varied economical and practical know- 

 ledge of the author, we have no doubt he will make it a very interesting work. 

 — Cond. 



Art. IV. The West London Gardeners Association for mutual 

 Instruction. 



Having formerly sent you a copy of the rules of the West London Gar- 

 deners' Association, I now send you, by order of the committee, a short 

 abstract of the minutes of the Society since it has met regularly. — li. Fish, 

 Secrctmy. March 4. 1837. 



Dec. 5. 1837. The first discussion took place, when the first part of Mr. 

 Fisli's essay was read, showing the importance of general and scientific know- 

 ledge, from a consideration of the improvements which have already been 

 effected, and the general interest felt for gardening pursuits. A very animated 

 discussion followed ; but the objections brought forward were introduced more 

 for the purpose of tempting discussion, than from a belief in their validit}'. 



Dec. 19. The latter part of Mr. Fish's Essay was read, showing the im- 

 portance of the possession of general and scientific information by gardeners, 

 from a consideration of the means by which improvements were likely to be 

 effected ; and, also, from a consideration of the doubts and uncertainties under 

 which they still labour. Mr. Acton expressed his general approval of the 

 essay ; dwelt upon the importance of gardeners being acquainted with literature 

 as well as with science ; and, above all, on the importance of making our 

 knowledge subservient for the purpose of effecting good. He reprobated the 

 cruel custom of torturing insects; and contended that gardeners might attain 

 a sufficient knowledge of entomology from books. Mr. Fish contended that 

 books were but a secondary means of obtaining knowledge, when compared 

 with practical investigation. Mr. Russel mentioned a remedy for the turnip 

 fly (turnip flea-beetle) ; namely, rolling the ground early in the morning, which 

 crushed the beetle, which was at that time reposing in the hollow of the clod. 

 Mr. Plunkett considered, that the only benefit that could arise from rolling, 

 would be from the grit and dust left upon the plant by tiie roller, which would 

 prevent the beetle from lodging upon it. Mr. Hardie mentioned a remedy 

 which he had always found etlectual ; namely, watering the young plants with 

 a>i infusion of the leaves and stalks of the elder. Mr. Gibbs had been long 

 conversant with the practice of rolling, but considered it very ineffectual. Mr. 

 Acton gave a recipe for destroying the thrips upon small plants, namely, enclosing 

 them in a glass receiver, along with a piece of camphor in spirits of wine, when 

 the fumes of the camphor would liave the desired effect. Mr, Bailie detailed 

 a very interesting experiment, by which a large bell-glass, set air-tight over 

 some orchideous plants, was burst by the expansion of the air within it, when 

 exposed to the full influence of the sun. An interesting conversation followed, 



