Provincial Societies. 361 



dener at Matthew Bell's, Esq., Woolsington ; and for the best dish of 

 Brnssells Sprouts, the bronze medal, to Mr. Robert Turnbull, gardener at 

 the Rev. J. S. Ogle's, Kirkley-Hall. Some fine Hyacinths, Boquet Tendre 

 or Waterloo, Henrietta Wilhelmina, Violet Fonce, Porcellaine Sceptre, 

 General Blucher, and Pure d'Or, and a very fine plant of Bletia Tanker- 

 viWcB, in full flower, were exhibited from the garden of Mrs. Clarke, of 

 Fenham. A large and various collection of seeds of new vegetables, and 

 cuttings of new varieties of fruit trees, having been received by the secre- 

 taries from the Horticultural Society of London, were distributed to the 

 members present. Some Ribston Pippins were exhibited from the garden of 

 Henry Collingwood, Esq., of Chirton, which had been preserved by being 

 buried in the earth : they were in fine condition, and uncommonly firm. 

 Several packages of fruits and vegetables, intended to have been sent for 

 exhibition, did not arrive in time, from the roads being blown up by the 

 late storm. The meeting was numerously and respectably attended. {New- 

 castle Cour.) 



The Tanuvorih Florists' Society, "now establishing, chiefly through the 

 exertions of Mr. Buck, F.H.S., of Elford, near Lichfield, intend holding 

 meetings twice a year : the first in spring, for auriculas and polyanthuses ; 

 and the second in autumn, for carnations, piccotees, melons, and gooseber- 

 ries. Some judicious observations on the advantages which are likely to 

 result from this Society to gentlemen, gardeners, and cottagers, have been 

 sent us by Mr. B., from which we can only spare room at present for the 

 following extract : — 



" The premiums will give an impulse to the surrounding cultivators, by 

 exciting an amicable competition ; improvements in cottage and farmers* 

 gardens will rapidly advance, and social and friendly intercourse for infor- 

 mation and instruction be more effectually promoted. We contemplate 

 numerous advantages to arise from such a society, and hope the inhabitants 

 of the neighbourhood will give encouragement to it, as having for its object 

 what is truly useful and ornamental ; what will combine rational gratifica- 

 tion with innocent recreation; alleviate the hours of care and sorrow, by 

 agreeable occupation with objects of never-ending interest ; lighten the 

 weight, and shorten the period, allotted for toilsome labour; mitigate 

 affliction, and "not only renovate and improve our health, but preserve it 

 in that state. Many of our gardens, instead of being unprofitable and 

 unsightly, will become neat, pleasing, and pay an ample recompense for our 

 attention, time, and labour ; and, finally, prove a source of the greatest 

 gratification and pleasure to ourselves, families, and friends. Being enriched 

 and ornamented by useful and profitable objects, they will read a lesson of 

 industry to those who have usually spent their time in slovenliness, folly, 

 and bad habits. The richer inhabitants, by joining the society, may 

 facilitate its views, and greatly assist the more humble, either by advice, 

 instructions, premiums, or by distributing plants." 



The Evesham Flower and Fruit Society, now establishing, have issued a 

 prospectus, of which the following is an extract : — 



" Every institution which has in view the promotion of friendship, the 

 benefit of a neighbourhood, and the improvement of a country, merits 

 patronage and approbation. Whether the formation of a flower and fruit 

 society can aid these important objects, to the unreflecting mind may 

 appear doubtful, but the more minute enquirer will not hesitate to admit 

 the fact. Man needs amusement ; if he cannot procure real, he will pur- 

 chase imaginary, pleasures. Excite in him a love for the works of creation, 

 and you not only solace his mind and employ his leisure hours, but improve 

 his taste and strengthen his judgment : animate his exertions with the 

 prospect of reward, and you will not only behold nature herself improved 

 by his care, but gaining fresh admirers, ' even as beauty fascinates more 



