124' Prov. Hort. Societies : — Stirlingshire, Antrim. 



shown were also very fine fruit, though fewer were exhibited ; but there were neither plums nor 

 apricots sent in competition. . 



In the flower department the show of georginas was the finest ever exhibited in Edinburgh, 

 both as regarded the quality of the specimens and the rareness of the varieties. A most exten- 

 sive and splendid collection of georginas was sent for exhibition by the Messrs. Dickson of Leith 

 Walk nurseries. Two plants of the scarlet cockscomb, sent from Woodhouselee garden, also 

 attracted much attention, from the uncommon size and extreme beauty of the flowers ; and a 

 basket of the new hybrid alpine white strawberry, sent from the garden of Dysart House, had its 

 due share of admiration, as showing that this new variety of the plant is calculated to yield that 

 most wholesome fruit in abundance, at a period of the year much beyond the ordinary strawberry 

 season. {Scotsman, Sept. 17.) 



STIRLINGSHIRE. 



Stirling Horticultural Society. — Sept. 9. The fruits and vegetables excited 

 the admiration of the visiters, and in the flower department nothing could exceed the beauty and 

 variety of the georginas; the numerous rare specimens of which evinced that the cultivation of 

 that highly ornamental plant is rapidly gaining ground in Stirling and its vicinity. The varieties 

 of flowers, fruit, and vegetables not being given, we omit the names of those who gained prizes ; 

 but among the many well assorted collections produced in addition to the competition parcels, the 

 following are noticed as the most prominent and attractive : — 



From Blairdrummond : Stove and green-house plants, including a beautiful specimen of 

 Htimefl elegans, standing upwards of 7 ft. high. From Tullyallan Castle: Stove and green-house 

 plants, comprising particularly splendid specimens, correctly named. From Keir : Seedling 

 Double Georginas, universally admired. From Buchanan gardens : superior Figs, Onions, and 

 Mangold wurtzel, some of the latter roots weighing upwards of lu lbs. From Craigforth : 

 Cacti, Fruited Egg Plants, and Gourds of uncommon size. From Mr. Christie, Causewayhead : 

 a Nerium spl£ndens. From Boquhan : Squashes and Gourds, one of which was remarkable for 

 size, having weighed 56 lbs. ; and there is little doubt that, if it had not been cut so early, it 

 would have added considerably more to its weight. It is a curious fact, that it was ascertained to 

 have grown, for seven weeks, at the rate of 8 lbs. per week. This gourd was of a globular shape. 

 From Airthrey Castle : some immense Tomatoes and very superior Peaches. From Woodlands, 

 near Glasgow : a Netted Melon, weighing 15 lbs. From Dollar Botanic Gardens : a bouquet of 

 named Ericas, &c. From Carider House : a box of peculiarly rich Double Georginas. From 

 Powis : a basket of Fruit, including some handsome Cucumbers, 5 lbs. each. From Callander 

 Park: Green-house and Herbaceous Plants, comprehending six new varieties of Pentstemons; 

 four beautiful hybrid varieties of Salpiglossis ; Passiflora alata; Cockscombs ; also very large hot- 

 house Peaches, &c. From Mr. Neilson, Buchlyvie : a plant of Cobbett's Corn in full ear. From 

 Ardoch House: Double Scarlet Nasturtium and Fuchsia microphylla. From Messrs. Drum- 

 mond's nurseries : Double named Georginas, fifty select varieties, chiefly new dwarfs ; a Stirling 

 Castle Apj le Tree, lately raised from seed, and loaded with large finely formed fruit ; also Pump- 

 kins, Vegetable Marrow, Green-house Plants, &c. From Mr. Kay, Shiphaugh : a Tree or Cow 

 Cabbage, 5 ft. high and 18 ft. in circumference : this giant succulent being stationed on the ter- 

 race of the adjoining bowling-green, and surrounded by enormous competing savoys and Ger- 

 man greens, formed a most imposing group. {Stirling Advertiser, Sept. 9.) 



Dec. 9. The circular of articles to be competed for, and prizes to be awarded, 

 for the year 1832, which has been sent to us, proves this Society to be in a very flourishing state; 

 and of the competing gardeners, it has been stated to us, that, though the prizes are small, the 

 spirit displayed in contending for them is great. All that is wanting is a little more encourage- 

 ment from the country gentlemen. We observe that a prize is offered to apprentices for the best 

 plan for two ranges of |melon pits. This is good. We should also like to see prizes offered to 

 apprentices for the best written article on any professional subject. Gardeners are by no means 

 aware how much of their success in life depends upon the sort of letter which they can write to 

 a gentleman, when they either apply for a situation, or answer an application made to them. We 

 can assure them, that, in nine cases out of ten, their success depends entirely on the sort of letter 

 they may write. Their after success depends on their conduct and professional knowledge ; but 

 we repeat, that their having an opportunity of displaying that conduct and knowledge depends 

 on their talent in letter-writing. We wish young gardeners were as fully aware of this fact as we 

 are ourselves. They would then give their best hours of leisure to English grammar. We 

 earnestly recommend to them what Cobbett has said on this subject in his Advice to Young Men, 

 ^44. &45. No master, worthy of respect himself, ever treated a servant disrespectfully who 

 could write well, and converse sensibly. 



IRELAND. 



ANTRIM. 

 Belfast Horticultural Society. — Sept. 6. The display of fruit, flowers, and 

 vegetables was truly grand, embracing some of the finest specimens, and in the greatest variety, 

 we have ever witnessed in this part of the country. It is truly gratifying to find that this Society, 

 so recently established as to be yet almost in its infancy, has arrived at such a degree of perfec- 

 tion ; and we understand it is greatly on the increase. The room was decorated in the most 

 tasteful and elegant manner with flowers, evergreens, &c At one end of the room there was a 

 beautiful flower-woven arbour, in which was placed a chair of state for the Marchioness of Do- 

 aegall ; and at the opposite end was the orchestra, occupied by the Marquess of Donegall's fine 

 band. 



Prize for the best Georgina (seedling, from Irish seed, saved in 1830), to Mr. John Scott, gar- 

 dener to the Marquess of Donegall, at Ormeau. The other prizes, not mentioning the varieties, 

 are not inserted, (p. 626.) 



