360 Provincial Societies. 



5. In the centre of the circle should be a walled square of two acres, in 

 which shoidd be included all the frames, pits, hot-houses, sheds, gardeners' 

 lodges, and head-gardener's office. 



6. The intermediate space between the square in the centre, and the 

 circular walk, should be divided by walks radiating from the square into de- 

 partments for hardy fruits, culinary vegetables, experiments, flowers, &c. 



7. A broad border of showy flowers, roses, and shrubs of culture, should 

 accompany the inner margin of the circular walk ; and evergreen hedges 

 may separate this and the radiating borders from the interior compartments. 



8. The hot-houses, buildings, tkc. to be erected in the square by degrees, 

 beginning with the more important. 



9. One main entrance and a lodge there, but no other buildings, except- 

 ing in the central square. 



10. A system of wells, or sunk tubs, established throughout the grounds, 

 supplied from the spring, sympathetically, if the expression be allowed ; by 

 which means the water in all of them would stand at the same level, the 

 aquatics in the natural system would be provided for in their appropriate 

 places, and every part of the garden might be watered by hand, at the least 

 possible trouble and expence. 



The advantages of this plan are, — a simple and grand general effect ; an 

 appearance of being complete from the first, because all the unfinished 

 works would be within the square ; less walling, and fewer walks, than by 

 the present plan ; better adaptation for, and much less expence of, general 

 management, in consequence of concentration, &c. &c. 



Such is a rough outline of the plan which we suggested in 1823, in the 

 E. of Gard. 2d edit. § 7507), and which we are most decidedly of opinion it 

 would be worth while to execute, even at the expence of obliterating the 

 present walls and walks. 



We would suggest, as an improvement in the affairs of the Society, and 

 as affording a source of income for the garden, the publication of their 

 Transactions in 8vo., and without coloured engravings, by which means 

 they would be got up at a trifle, compared to what they cost at present, 

 and sell more extensively, and the saving might be applied to the garden. 

 As we shall elsewhere show, the present style of getting up the Society's 

 publications is in the very worst taste ; for that must certainly be the worst 

 which is the least calculated to gain the end in view. 



It is not likely, however, that any great improvement will take place in 

 this Society which is not the result of necessity. Some reformation 

 has already taken place in consequence of the defalcation of the under- 

 secretary, and the want of funds; but a great and radical change must be 

 effected before the Society and the garden can be established on a permanent 

 footing. We shall never lose sight of the garden, which, as a work of 

 design, we consider disgraceful to the country ; and as many of the Fellows 

 of the Society as are of our opinion will do well to agitate the subject where- 

 ever and whenever they think good will be the result. The progress of 

 opinion is slow but sure ; and that its power will ultimately lead to the 

 remodelling of the Horticultural Society's Garden we have not a doubt. 



Art. IV. Provincial Horticultural and Florist Societies. 



The Botanical and Horticultural Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne held 

 their General Meeting on the 9th of March, when the following Prizes were 

 awarded: — For the best dish of Dessert Pears, the silver medal, and for 

 the best six heads of Purple Spring Broccoli, the bronze medal, to Mr. Tho- 

 mas Cook, gardener at T. W. Beaumont's, Esq., Bradley-Hall ; for the 

 best dish of Dessert Apples, the silver medal, to Mr. Thomas Smith, gar- 



