Foreign JVo/tces. 353 



of India, the only kind known is one introduced from China, Pyrus 

 siiiica, or sand-pear, which more nearly resemhles the baking pear than 

 any other I know. P. Pashia Ham., P. variolosa Wall., or wild pear 

 tree of the hills, attains a great size; but the fruit is not edible until it 

 becomes somewhat decayed. P. lanata and crenata are other species 

 of this genus, which are found at higher elevations. The first affords 

 an edible fruit called paltoo. 



Apples alone of the tribe succeed well in the southern parts of India, 

 as they are stated to be excellent at Bangalore and in Tirhoot; and, 

 though small, of a good quality in most parts of Northern India. Aa 

 an instance of the ditfiulty attendant on the introduction of European 

 plants into Northern India, it may be mentioned that an apple tree from 

 Liverpool, in consequence of being the only one which survived, cost up- 

 wards of lot. before it was planted in the nursery at Mussooree, where, 

 however, it was thriving along with the fruit trees introduced from 

 Cashmere. The apple is grown in some of the villages of the Hima- 

 laya, as well as in Kunawur. They are remarkably fine at Peshawur 

 and Caubul, and are brought do^vn to India from Boodurwar and 

 Cashmere. On the northern face of the mountains they are grown 

 both at Balkh and Bokhara, and are remarkably fine at the former. — 

 {Boyle's Illustrations of the Himalaya Mountains — Gard. Mag.) 



Art. II. Foreis:n Notices. 



London Horticultriral Society's Show, May 14th, 1836. — On Saturday 

 the 14th, the Horticultural Society of London had its first exhibition of 

 flowers and fruit for this year. The day was deliciously fine; and, al- 

 though vegetation is somewhat backward, the gardens looked as fresh 

 and gay as possible in their young verdure. The company was quite 

 crowded, as might naturally be expected, by those wishing a little fresh 

 air. There were three bands in attendance on this occasion. The dis- 

 play of flowers was one of the least attractive that we have seen here 

 — a circumstance owing, no doubt, to the protracted severities of the 

 season, which repressed vegetation in the open air, and m hot-houses 

 compelled the use of higher artificial temperature than is congenial to 

 vegetable life. The whole delicate class of Cacti and Azaleas seemed 

 particularly to have suffered from these unkindly influences ; the pelar- 

 gonium tribe bore less appearance of unhealthiness; the fruits looked, 

 comparatively, in better condition; the specimens of Hamburgh grape 

 were very luxuriant; some oranges were amongst the finest we have 

 known of this country's growth; and the display of cucumbers was also 

 good. While we have to remark that the flowers were less luxuriant 

 in appearance, and more scanty in point of number, than we have before 

 seen here; we need scarcely add, at the same time, that they formed a 

 delightful exhibition. Amongst the visiters to the gardens we noticed 

 the ambassador from Oude, who seemed much interested in a display of 

 our northern rivalry with the brightest floral ornaments of his native 

 land. The folloAving is a list of prizes adjudged on the occasion : — 



Gold Knightian Medal, to Messrs. Rollison, for the best stove Orchi- 

 daceae; Mr. Gi-een, gardener to LadyAntrobus, for stove or green-house 

 plants, in collections of ten varieties. 



Large Silver Medal, to Mr. W. Smith, for green-house azaleas ; Mr. 

 Green, for Cacti in flower; R. Gibson, Esq., for melon Cacti; J. All- 

 card, Esq., for ferns; Mr. Davis, gardener to Lady Clarke, for grapes; 



VOL. II. — NO. IX. 45 



