Provincial Societies. 235 



The Chairman said, he begged leave to congratulate the company upon 

 the splendid show which was now before them. He had not the advantage 

 of being present at the last meeting; but he understood it was far exceeded 

 by the present one, both as to the display of the fruits and flowers, and 

 likewise in the attendance of ladies and gentlemen. There were also, he was 

 informed, much more numerous contributions from the gardeners in the 

 neighbourhood of York ; and, though doubts were at first expressed, he 

 hoped the Society might now be considered fully established. AsMr.Nicoll 

 at the last meeting had explained the objects of the Society, it was not ne- 

 cessary that he should say any thing on this subject. They all knew the 

 advantage which horticulture derived from the Society in London ; and he 

 hoped this would be no unworthy representative of it in Yorkshire. 



The prizes were then awarded for a great variety of fruits and flowers. 



There was no prize awarded for China-Asters, but the best in the room 

 were from Mrs. Thomson's garden, at Skelton. The Chairman also begged 

 leave to call attention to a very fine cockscomb, from the garden of the Hon. 

 and Rev. Mr. Dawnay. The Society feels deeply indebted to Mr. Smith 

 of this city, for the very handsome and rare plants he sent to decorate the 

 room; and also to Messrs. Backhouse and Co., for their contributions in 

 fruit and flowers. 



Mr. Smith, besides the plants we have mentioned, sent the following: — 

 Hedychium coronarium, Jcacia lopantha, Capsicum frute'scens,Xylophylla 

 latifolia, Maranta blcolor, Ardisia excelsa, and Cyperus alternifolius.— 

 Messrs Backhouse sent specimens of the following exotics, in pots : — Sal- 

 via splendens, Solanum laciniatum, Primula sinensis alba, Lechenaultia for- 

 mosa, and <Senecio elegans. A remarkably fine specimen of the Shark- 

 tooth Aloe was sent by Mr. G. Earl of York. 



Amongst the company were noticed some of the first families of the city 

 and neighbourhood, who seemed much pleased with the proceedings of the 

 day ; and we have no doubt they will look forward to the next meeting, 

 which will take place early in the spring, with great interest. Mr. Slater 

 of Yeadon again attended with his netting for the protection of fruit trees. 

 Specimens of it were displayed in front of the orchestra, and it seemed to 

 be much admired. [Yorkshire Gazette, Sept. 29.) 



The Botanical and Horticultural Society for Durham, Northumberland, and 

 Newcastle-upon-Tyne held a meeting in Newcastle on June 29th, when 

 four gold, five silver medals, and one of bronze were awarded to different 

 gardeners. A silver medal was awarded to Mr. James Tindal, gardener, 

 Beaufront, for an essay on the culture of the vine. The meeting was as 

 usual most respectably and numerously attended, and the tables covered 

 with a profusion of flowers and fruits in high perfection. The interest 

 evinced by the visitors evidently increases with the increasing beauty and 

 excellence of these charming exhibitions. {Newcastle Cour., July.) 



At Hexham a meeting of the above Society was held on the 26th of 

 June, for the convenience of members residing in that neighbourhood, when 

 various prizes were awarded. The flowers and fruits, especially the roses 

 and prize cherries and strawberries, were most beautiful, and of first rate 

 quality. Several very beautiful seedling pinks, and some seedling roses, 

 were exhibited by Mr. James Scott of Sandoe, many of them equal to some 

 of our named flowers. This exhibition far exceeded the expectations of 

 the warmest friends of the institution, and no doubt, ere long, the shows 

 that may be appointed to be held at Hexham will rival the splendid ex- 

 hibitions of the Society at Newcastle ; and it must be highly gratifying to 

 the Committee to find that their efforts to encourage the practice of horti- 

 culture in that neighbourhood have been so well seconded by the lovers of 

 that delightful pursuit, as the above very fine exhibition, and the accession 

 of new members, amply testified. 



