124* Prov. Hort. Soc. :•— Worcestershire, Durham, 



The Chairman observed that " this Institution is to be regarded not merely for the gratification 

 of our own tastes, not merely as promoting a luxurious display upon the tables of the rich, but as 

 having for its object also to raise the moral character of the poorer classes of the community. I 

 have seen," said Mr. Lombe, " above half a century, and I can truly declare that the labourers of the 

 present day are altogether an altered class to what I remember them. I am most anxious to see 

 this Society firmly established, because I do regard it as a means of reviving the character of the 

 good old English peasantry, and which I conceive to be one of its most legitimate objects." Sin- 

 cerely do we join in this hope : the plan adopted by Mr Lombe and other gentlemen of fortune, 

 and becoming, we trust, universal, of appropriating to each cottager his rood of laud for cultiva- 

 tion, is the first step to the attainment of this object ; the encouragement of the labourer in work- 

 ing his strip of ground (and Mr. Lombe said, " if my poor cottagers cannot sell their produce I 

 become the purchaser myself"), is one means of raising his character ; it gives him a degree ef 

 independence ; whilst the prospect of a prize from this Society adds another inducement for exer- 

 tion, and a praiseworthy motive for emulation and for industry, which is invariably found accom- 

 panied with honesty and good order. In support of the idea of the effects to be produced, we were 

 happy to hear the statement of the secretary (Mr. Elias Norgate), that he knew that its establish- 

 ment had already created an activity amongst the working gardeners, and that its proceedings 

 were looked up to with attention. (Norfolk Chronicle, Nov . 20.) 



WORCESTERSHIRE . 



" Vale of Evesham Horticultural Society. — At the Meeting of the Committee on Oct. 15., the 

 London Horticultural Society's medal, presented to this Society, was awarded to Mr. John Hunt 

 of Pershore, for his various fine specimens of fruits, particularly strawberries, and other horticul- 

 tural productions, exhibited by him at all the meetings of the Society, since its first establishment, 

 as well as during the present year, for which many prizes have been awarded ; and for his success 

 in cultivating and raising as seedlings, and by grafts, on 27 acres of orchard ground, between 3000 

 and 4000 seedling apples and pears, and above 800 named grafted fruits, jmany of which are new, 

 and of improved quality and flavour. — Edward Savage. Evesham, Nov. 13. 



DURHAM. 



" The Botanical and Horticultural Society of Durham, Northumberland, and Newcastle. — A 

 Meeting was held on Nov. 13., in Newcastle. The show of fruits, particularly, was very large ; 

 and such is the interest now created by the Society, that many of the competitors (of whom there 

 were nearly 30), travelled upwards of 20 miles to attend. The prizes were adjudged as follows : — 



For the best dish of dessert apples," and the best dish of plums, two silver medals ; and a bronze 

 medal for the best six roots of rampion, to Mr. Robert Turnbull, gardener to the Rev. J. S, Ogle, 

 Kirkley. Best dish of dessert pears, the silver medal ; and best dish of mushrooms, the bronze 

 medal ; to Mr. Wm. Lawson, gardener to Matt. Bell, Esq. M.P., Woolsington. Best dish of grapes, 

 and the best dish of currants, two silver medals to Mr. Jos. Cook, gardener to Miss Simpson, Brad- 

 ley Hall. Best bouquet of Chrysanthemum indicum flowers, and the best exotic plant in flower, 

 Salvia splendens, two silver medals ; and for the 12 largest onions, the bronze medal ; to Mr. John 

 "Ward, gardener to C. J. Clavering, Esq., Axwell Park. Best six heads of endive, the bronze 

 medal to J. C. Lamb, Esq , Ryton. Best dish of broccoli, the bronze medal to Mr. William Kelly, 

 gardener to Armorer Donkin, Esq., Jesmond,Cottage. Best six roots of beet, the bronze medal to 

 Mr. John Moderill, gardener to J. C. Anderson, Esq., Point Pleasant. Best bouquet of flowers, 

 the silver medal ; and the best six roots of Hamburgh parsley, the bronze medal ; to Mr. James 

 Scott, gardener to Edward Charlton, Esq., Sandoe. 



There were also exhibited a dish of very fine quinces, from an old tree in the garden of the 

 Rev. Mr. Baker of Whitburn, which had been removed a few years ago, and has borne plentifully 

 ever since. They were very much admired for their size and fragrance, and afford a proof that 

 this fruit may be brought to great perfection even in. this northern climate. 



Twelve new kinds of apples from the garden of the Rev. Mr. Edmonston of Newburn, among 

 which were some very fine dessert apples ; and some of the largest and finest oranges we ever 

 saw, from the garden of Charles Bacon, Esq., of Styford; some very curious potatoes, called the 

 pine-apple potato (having very much the appearance of that fruit), from the garden of Mr. Straker 

 of Jarrow Lodge ; some very large grey Leadington apples, from the garden of Mr. Laidler ; and 

 some remarkably large celery, from the garden of Miss Simpson at Bradley, measuring near 4 ft. 

 6in., and about 14 in. in girth at the root, were exhibited. 



The show of flowers, particularly of Chrysanthemum indicum, were very superb ; and the num- 

 ber of beautiful bouquets upon the tables tended very much to increase the interest of the exhibi- 

 tion. Upon the whole, at this season of the year, the Show was of the most splendid description. 

 {Newcastle Courant, Nov. 21.) 



HAMPSHIRE. 



Hampshire Horticultural Society. — A Meeting was held on Sept. 4., and was numerously at- 

 tended. The exhibition of fruit and flowers was magnificent, being produced from the gardens of 

 Lord Ashtown, Mr. A. Baring, Mr. Beadon, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Gamier, Mr. Ricketts, &c. Flowers, 

 particularly georginas, were in immense numbers;: those from Mr. Page's nursery, Mr. Ricketts 's, 

 and Mr. Garnier's, excited much attention. The grapes from Mr. Baring's were very fine : the 

 Black Hamburgh highly flavoured. Peaches and nectarines were neither fine in appearance nor 

 good in flavour. A few specimens of early apples were fine and good. Melons, particularly the 

 Netted Green-flesh, from Colonel Wall's, were very good. A fine specimen of onions from Mr. 

 Fleming's ; and a fine melon and an excellent specimen of cockscomb, from the garden of Miss 

 Smith, were also exhibited. Two plants of Cobbett's corn were shown ; one in full leaf, with tassel, 

 displaying the plant complete, 4J ft. high, bearing five cones ; the other with seven cones, topped and 

 stripped of the leaves, in progress of ripening. These plants were produced on the estate of S. R. 

 Jarvis, Esq., and in the garden of John Hampton, blacksmith, at Fair Oak ; the latter of whom 

 received the prize awarded by the Society for the production of any plant. On a spot of ground, six 

 paces by two, cultivated by Mr Jarvis, 98 stalks are now standing, having 316 pods, all of which are 

 in a very luxuriant state, and likely to come to the utmost perfection. Hampton has a still greater 

 number in his garden. The Society expressed an opinion that attention to the cultivation of this 

 species of grain cannot fail to become highly beneficial to cottagers. (Winchester Newsp, Sept. 5.) 



