254 Provincial Horticultural Societies. 



considerable extent in the hand-glasses, and even under the lights of frames, 

 as much from the impossibility of admitting air to them for so long a period 

 during the prevalence of frost, as from the frost itself. Potatoes, during the 

 severe weather, reached a higher price than quoted : indeed, the better sorts 

 are now worth rather more than stated in. the list , but as the supply of 

 ordinary sorts is plentiful, I have not thought it safe to exceed the average. 

 Onions have maintained their value throughout the season ; but, since the 

 breaking up of the weather, a considerable quantity from Flanders has been 

 imported, which has "brought clown our prices : at present, they are dull in 

 sale. Shallots reach us in very small quantities, and from quarters whence 

 none have hitherto been sent, in consequence of their very high price ; which 

 is one of the many advantages of our very general interchange of communi- 

 cation. — G. C. March 12. 1830. 



Art. VII. Provincial Horticultural Societies. 



Norfolk. 



The Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society. — The prospectus of meetings 

 and prizes of this Society for 1830 has been sent us, signed Elias Norgate, secretary, and accom- 

 panied by the following very judicious remarks by the same gentleman : — 



In this their first list of prizes the Committee think it right to explain the general principles by 

 which they propose to be guided in the selection of objects for the adjudication of them. This is 

 the more necessary, because, in looking over the lists of prizes in various horticultural societies 

 there does not always appeir to have been made a sufficient discrimination between the result of 

 chance and the result of skill. 



1. It should ever be borne in mind that the merits for which a prize ought to be awarded exists 

 not in the production but in the producer. The best dish of filberts in September, or of cherries 

 in July, gathered, perhaps, from standard trees planted twenty years ago, can imply but slender 

 merit in the individual who now exhibits them. In every horticultural production, therefore, 

 whether raised for use, luxury, or beauty, the Committee will endeavour to estimate the merit of 

 the exhibiter by the degree of science, care, and skill evinced in its cultivation. 



2. In the cold and fickle climate of this county it is very desirable to encourage every attempt 

 to forward the blossoming of flowers and the ripening of fruits before their natural season ; and 

 equally so to retard them beyond it. A dish of green peas, gathered on the 1st of November, is as 

 much a luxury as a dish that is gathered on the 1st of May. Prizes for extending the duration of 

 flowers and fruits at both ends of the season will be richly earned. 



3. The preservation of fruits and vegetables fresh through the winter, and late into the spring, 

 is another object of importance. Not merely apples, peas, and potatoes, but many of the more 

 delicate and perishable productions of our gardens may be so preserved. Although French beans 

 and peas cannot be gathered in December or January, it is possible to preserve them in excellent 

 condition for our tables to a still later period. 



4. The judicious pruning, not merely of espaliers and wall trees, but likewise of the standard 

 apple, pear, and plum trees of our orchards, is an object quite worthy of attention. At present 

 these are usually left to themselves till their branches become so thickly interlaced, and their 

 foliage so dense, that little or no fruit comes to perfection except that which has the good fortune 

 to catch the outside sun. When the evil becomes at length very palpable and gross, a woodman 

 climbs the tree with an axe or a saw in his hand, and lays about him, right and left, without 

 discrimination and without mercy, till he has got two or three faggots of firewood. To this 

 cause may be ascribed the great abundance of unripe fruit of all sorts which is brought to our 

 markets. If would be difficult perhaps to adjudge specific prizes for the most judicious pruning, but 

 the attention of cottagers may be directed to it with the greatest advantage. 



5. The inuring of tender plants to our soil and climate ; the naturalising of exotics ; the 

 obtaining of new varieties of fruits and flowers by fecundating the blossom of one with the farina 

 from another; experiments on grafting, budding, &c. These, and many other objects of atten- 

 tion to the gardener, will be objects of encouragement by the Society. 



6. With respect to cottagers, while these will at all times be allowed to compete for any of the 

 Society's prizes, no one but those of their own class will ever be allowed to compete ;for theirs. 

 It is a great object to give them an interest in the culture of their little plots of ground ■- 

 a taste for gardening once diffused among them, they will engage in competition .with each 

 other, and it is hoped they will bear away as many of such prizes as cur funds may enable us to 

 offer. But the stimulus to exertion must originate with their landlords : if this Society shall be 

 the occasion of inducing the latter to attach a rood or two of ground to every cottage in their 

 possession, its establishment will in some measure probably contribute to relieve the poor's rate 

 of the county, and thus confer upon it an incalculable benefit. — J. N. Nethersett, December 31. 

 1829. 



Monmouthshire. 



The Glamorgan and Monmoullishire Horticultural Society held their Meeting for 

 the winter quarter on the Sth of January, 1830, in Cardiff. The Most Noble the Marquess of 

 Bute, anxious for the success of this Society, has offered a piece of ground to form a garden, for 

 which mark of encouragement the Meeting unanimously voted to His Lordship their warmest 

 thanks. Prizes were awarded as follows : — 



Flowers. Chrysanthemum, Mrs. Morgan, Landough. Wallflower, Mrs. Moggridge. Flower 

 Camellia : I. Hon. W. B. Grey ; 2. Mr. Beece. — Fruit. Grapes, Hon. W. B. Grey. Table Pears, 



