Floral Exhibitions in LancasJiii-e, SjX. 213 



King's Road; they have come up very well, and the plants are now potted 

 off, and in a thriving state. 



Anon, a list of noblemen and gentlemen given as contributors : Baxter's 

 Library of Agricultural and Horticultural Knowledge, &c. Lewes, 1831. 

 8vo. II. \2s. 



Loudon's Enci/clojjccdia of Agriculture, S^c. 2d edit, with considerable Ln- 

 provements, and nearly 500 new Engravings. London, 1831. 8vo. 21. 

 Both the above works will be further noticed in our next. 



Aiion. : An Account of the different Floral and Horticultural Exhibitions 

 held in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and other Parts of the King- 

 dom, in the Year 1830. 



There have been, for a number of years past, what are called a Flower 

 Book and a Gooseberry Book published at Manchester : the above is the 

 flower book, and it contains a very distinct account of the flower shows, 

 antl also of shows in which fruits and culinary vegetables have been ex- 

 hibited in the counties mentioned, and in some others. We sincerely wish 

 that the editor of the work would in future contrive to include all the 

 counties of both kingdoms, so as to save us the space occupied by our 

 article Provincial Horticuliurul Societies. 



An interesting question for consideration is, whether, as the classes that 

 now exhibit at these shows acquire a little more scientific knowledge of 

 plants, they will still continue to cultivate varieties, and to delight in such 

 monstrosities as the Lancashire gooseberries ? We think not : because, 

 though much more skill in manipulation is required to grow varieties so far 

 removed from a state of nature than to grow species, yet the preference of 

 the latter argues more mind. The constant attention and great nicety 

 required to bring florists' flowers to perfection are excellent things for 

 engrossing the whole of the leisure time of a labourer or a tradesman of 

 very limited reading, and filling it up in an innocent manner : but, as this 

 labourer or tradesman becomes more generally enlightened, his taste will 

 take a wider range, and he will not only desire to know something of other 

 plants besides florists' flowers, but to study other subjects besides botany 

 and gardening; to engage in other pursuits, and to possess other things. 

 Natural history will then begin to attract his attention ; and, as no part of 

 the animal creation is so immediately connected with vegetable culture as 

 insects, one of his next studies will be entomology. On comparing the 

 flower book with the same work as published ten years ago, it will be 

 found that the number of herbaceous plants and green-house shrubs has very 

 much increased; and this we consider to be so far. indicative of the progress 

 of scientific taste as to warrant our expectations. The botanical and ento- 

 mological societies which are established by the working manufacturers in 

 diflerent parts of Lancashire, of some of which we have given notices 

 (Vol. VL p. 392.), afford further proofs of this progress, which will increase 

 with the increase of education. In the mean time, books like that before 

 us, and our own accounts of the transactions of provincial societies, not 

 only aflbrd harmless gratification to the individuals who have obtained 

 prizes, but they inform other candidates of the most desii'able plants or 

 fruits with which to compete at future shows or to ornament their gardens. 

 Both are aids in our progress onwards. 



Doyle, Martin, Author of " Hints to Small Farmers," " Irish Cottagers," 

 &c. : L Hints to small Holders, on Planting and on Cattle, &c. &c. 

 Dublin, 1830. 12mo. \s. 



A useful little tract to the young who can read, and whose minds ara 

 not prejudiced, like those of theii* fathers, against all innovation. 



P 3 



