West London Gardeners^ Association. 233 



respecting the growing and transporting of plants in close glazed cases ; the 

 vitality of seeds ; the vegetating of white clover after the fires made b}' gipsies in 

 their encampments, and the appearance of cruciferous plants, after great con- 

 flagrations in town. 



Jan. 2. 1837. Exhibited, some fine specimens of French pears, and also some 

 Ribston pippins, and other apples, by Mr. Plunkett, gardener to Dr. Sutherland, 

 Otto House, Hammersmith. An essay was read by Mr. Russel, " On the 

 Advantages we derive from the Cultivation of the Soil." Mr. Russel commenced 

 his essay by referring to the ]n-evailing opinion, that man, at first, existed as a 

 rude and savage being, depending upon the chances of the day for his support ; 

 that a great advance in civilisation was made when man began to cultivate the 

 soil, thus evidencing the presence of forethought; also, that agriculture 

 ameliorates the climate, prevents extremes of heat and of cold, of heavy 

 rains and excessive drought; and banishes famine, with all its evils, from a land. 

 Mr. Fish contended that the savage state, instead of being the foremost state 

 of man, existed only among those who had wandered or been banished 

 from society; that the art of cultivating the soil preceded the keeping of 

 flocks and of herds ; and that the latter must have been contemporary with 

 hunting : that the mere cultivating of the soil exerts a very secondary influence 

 in promoting civilisation, as countries, hitherto agricultural, without cities and 

 without commerce, have been inhabited by despot rulers and by abject serfs; 

 but that, undoubtedly, agriculture, arboriculture, and draining have effected 

 much for the climate of our country, and the salubrity of its atmosphere. 



Jan. IG. 1837'. Exhibited, good specimens of apples, by Mr. Underwood, 

 gardener to W. King, Esq., Hamlet House ; also some good pears from the 

 Duke of Devonshire's, Chiswick House. Mi\ Bailie took occasion to remark 

 that the Easter beurre, and other Flemish pears, were superior for kitchen 

 use to the Uvedale, St. Germain, and other baking pears. 



Jan. 30. Exhibited a bunch of Russian violets, by Mr. Bailie, Hammersmith. 

 Mr. Russel read a continuation of his essay, which was similar in matter to the 

 former part. He adverted to the happiness enjoyed by man in different climates, 

 in proportion as his energies were exercised ; and, following up his former re- 

 marks, contended that the presence of corn in a country indicated the high 

 civilisation of that country ; and instanced the finding of wheat in the pyra- 

 mids of Egypt, as attesting the high state of civilisation which that country had 

 then reached. Mr. Fish, in addition to other remarks, contended that the very 

 existence of these pyramids, reared with immense labour, without one principle 

 of utility, furnishes an incontrovertible proof of the low state of civilisation which 

 then existed. Mr.W. Knight adverted to the condition of the natives of America, 

 as a proof that cultivating the soil was not always associated with anything 

 worthy of the name of civilisation. Mr. Caie considered that, where education 

 and civilisation existed, the proper cultivation of the soil would follow. Mr. 

 Parrot contended that civilisation had been more indebted to the mechanical 

 orders, than to the cultivators of the soil. Mr. Keane followed up his former 

 remarks, by speaking on behalf of the beneficial influence which the cultivation 

 of the soil exercises in promoting civilisation. 



Feb. 15. Mr. Keane read an essay " On the Necessity of understanding the 

 Properties of Soils, as affording the best Clue to the Cultivation of Fruits and 

 Vegetables." Mr. Keane commenced with referring to some opinions of Sir 

 Humphry Davy ; then hinted at the pleasure which chemistry aflPords when 

 the first difficulties are got over; adverted to the fact, that simple earths will 

 not sustain vegetable growth ; and noticed the means by which an undue pre- 

 ponderance of any ingredient may be known and remedied; the importance of 

 practical experimentalising ; the necessity for a proper nomenclature for soils ; 

 the suiting of soils to the different habits of plants; and the usefulness of 

 such knowledge, from the laws of nature remaining immutable. Mr. Fish 

 agreed in the statements made by Mr. Keane, as showing the importance of 

 even a slight acquaintance with chemical science; adverted to the use of cal- 

 careous manures, and when their application would be profitable; the means 



