748 Provincial Horticultural Societies : — Devonshire, 



Devonshire. — North Devon Horticultural Society. July^. 1832. There 

 was a very splendid display of flowers, a plentiful show of fine fruit, and 

 an award of many prizes for them, and of several to cottagers for their pro- 

 ductions. Much taste was displayed in the decoration of the walls and 

 other parts of the show room, and the initial letters of the names of patrons 

 were formed with a variety of beautiful flowers. The chairman announced 

 that the foundation of a botanical and horticultural library had been laid 

 by contributions from several members." A prize was awarded for the 

 six best varieties of heartsease. Gladiolus natalensis was exhibited by Mr. 

 Burge. (County and North Devon Advertiser, July 6. 1832.) 



Devon and Exeter Botanical and Horticultural Society. — Oct. 4. The dis- 

 plays of fruit, vegetables, and flowers, and the company to inspect them, were 

 most gratifying. A triumphal arch was formed in the room, of evergreens 

 and flowers; and the pillars sustaining the arch were formed of about 1000 

 flowers of georginas in numerous varieties. Mr. Veitch showed flpwers of 

 the Hanoverian striped georgina, which were much admired, and so were 

 his Chinese asters, raised from seeds obtained of the London Horticultural 

 Society. Mr. Booth's citron trees are eulogised, and their fruit won a 

 prize. Among the flowering plants, which were rather numerous, and 

 some of them choice, we noticed " a remarkably grand specimen of the 

 Datura arbdrea in flower, and finely branching." No plant can be more 

 superb than this. Messrs. Lucombe and Co. exhibited a specimen of 

 iVepenthes distillatdria, the pitchers of which were much admired for their 

 " elegance and truly classical form." The display of fruits on this occa- 

 sion has not been surpassed in the eleven previous shows of the Society. 

 Messrs. Dymond and Co. exhibited one bunch of the Muscat from Lunelle, 

 which weighed 3 lbs. 10 oz. The vegetable tribes gave proof of the effi- 

 cacy of the Society ; and of the stimulus that has by means of it been 

 generally imparted ; and several cottagers made creditable displays. Of 

 home-made wines there was a variety of samples ; nor should those from 

 Mr. Giftbrd's, especially that from the green grape, pass without mention. 

 Of preserved and dried fruits there were many specimens, and some very 

 fine plums of the growth of 1830. 



After the judges had finished their labours, John Milford, Esq., was 

 called to the chair, and addressed the company that filled the room. 

 Among his remarks were these : — After speaking on the perfect success of 

 the Society, and the good it had effected, he observed, " It is my ear- 

 nest hope, that every year the public may derive benefit as well as amuse- 

 ment from our establishment : benefit in the improved state of our mar- 

 kets, by the introduction of new and rare vegetables and fruits; and 

 amusement, from the contemplation of such objects as are now before 

 you. I will avail myself of the present opportunity to make a few observ- 

 ations on our library, which consists of some standard works on botany 

 and horticulture, together with periodicals on the same subjects. As an 

 individual I have found our reading-room a great resource, and spent 

 many hours there both with amusement and instruction. I regret that 

 it is not more generally resorted to, as my wish, in common with the 

 wishes of those persons who were mainly instrumental in the early form- 

 ation of the Society, was, to combine a little science with our amusement, 

 so as to prevent our Society dwindling into a mere flower show. I could 

 wish that our practical skill in the art of gardening, an art which is now 

 exciting such universal interest in almost every civilised state, should with 

 us be accompanied by some scientific developement. Although the present 

 state of our funds does not justify the committee in recommending the 

 adoption of the more extended plan at first contemplated, I mean the 

 formation of a botanic garden, I trust, notwithstanding, that the advan- 

 tage of a well selected library may diffuse a taste for botany and horticul- 



