106 Horticultural Society and Garden. 



warning to the bee-mother to go and take care of the swarm. The above 

 method has been practised for several years by Mr. Duncan, gardener, near 

 Ayr. {Glasgow Chronicle.) 



IRELAND. 



OHea excelsa. — A correspondent (J. R. K.) informs us that he has found 

 the O v lea excelsa stand the winters of Ireland without injury for the last six 

 or seven years, in an exposed situation, though it had to endure, in one 

 instance, a frost of 18° Farenheit. He thinks it will prove a valuable 

 acquisition to our stock of hardy evergreens, being arborescent, perhaps a 

 forest tree, from its specific name excelsa, or lofty. Its growth is vigorous, 

 its form pleasing, and foliage large and rich ; it perfects its shoots early, and 

 its buds appear well formed to resist the cold. Any dry soil suits it, and it 

 may be rapidly propagated by grafting on the privet, or by layers. It is a 

 native of Madeira, perhaps of an elevated part of the island. 



The Reinette Franche Apple, the same correspondent recommends, as 

 being the most valuable eating apple for the season. It is in use from 

 January to July. Large, rather oblong, about 2§ inches in its greatest 

 diameter ; sides somewhat angular ; green until fit for use, then yellowish, 

 and a little ruddy to the sun, with some russet about the eye and stalk ; 

 flesh juicy, sugary, and rich, never mealy. It is a great bearer, and makes 

 vigorous upright shoots ; leaves large, and many of them of a remarkable 

 oblong oval. The French say it is the best apple they have. 



The Reine Claude Violette Plum, or Purple Gage, is a new seedling variety 

 of the Green Gage, of a purple colour, equally good, and a better bearer : 

 it hangs longer on the tree, and is the best red plum we have. In its wood 

 and leaves it generally resembles the Green Gage, but its buds are larger, 

 its leaves of a darker green, more rugose, and more regularly crenated. — 

 J. R.K. July 10. 1827. 



Art. III. Horticultural Society and Garden. 



June 5th. — Read. Remarks upon the application of tar to wooden 

 fences and walls, with observations on the mode of destroying insects pre- 

 judicial to fruit trees : by Daniel Edward Stephens, Esq. On the cultiva- 

 tion of the Polyanthes tuberosa : by the Rev. George Swayne, C.M.H.S. 



Distributed. Cardon d'Espagne, Poiree a. Cardes blanche, and CEno- 

 thera biennis, from M. Vilmorin, C.M.HS. Fine blue Kohl Rabi, from 

 Messrs. Booth of Hamburgh. Marseilles Lettuce, from Mr. William Mal- 

 colm, F.H.S. 



Exhibited. Flowers of .Rhododendron Catawbiense-Ponticum, a hybrid 

 variety. Flowers of Yucca angustifolia, and Lambert's large nut. Dried 

 apricots from Morocco, and walnuts from Morocco, four years old. Early 

 Cantaloup melon. Lemons grown on a wall protected by glass only. 



Also, from the Garden of the Society. Fruits of the Flat Peach of China, 

 and early May Cherries. Flowers of various Roses, of various Paeonies, of 

 various Irises, of various Ranunculuses, of Glycine frutescens, of Zupinus 

 polyphyllus, a very handsome species ; of <Scilla peruviana (blue), of Straw- 

 coloured Broom, and of Quisqualis indica. 



June 1 9th. — Exhibited. A plant in flower of Geranium Hiimez. Flowers 

 of Double Ranunculuses, from Mr. Thomas Hogg of Paddington, and from 

 Mr. Henry Groom, F.H.S. Double Roses, and Knevett's Pine Strawberry. 



