596 Prov. H. S. : — Durham, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire^ 



called the attention of the meeting to Dale's hybrid turnip. He also exhibited 

 a specimen of the wood of the Cathartocarpus fistula, the pods of which are 

 known in the shops under the name of Cassia fistula, and the pulp of which 

 is the basis of the well-known preparation called the lenitive electuary. The 

 timber of this tree gives out, both by boiling in water and by means of spirit, 

 a most beautiful pink dye, of which the secretary exhibited a specimen in a 

 bottle, together with a piece of silk dyed with it, and also a snuff-box turned 

 out of the same wood, the grain of which was beautiful, and its odour on 

 being rubbed agreeably aromatic. (Devonport Weekly Journal, May 29.) 



July. The principal interest of this exhibition arose from the specimens of 

 ropes shown of pita and of hemp of the same size, in order to compare the 

 relative strength of the two ropes. (Devonport Independent.) 



Durham. — South Durham and Cleveland Horticultural Society. Aprils. 

 The fruit and culinary Vegetables were not particularly abundant. Mr. 

 T. Stevenson was by far the most successful competitor for the flowers. 



Gloucestershire. — The Bristol and Clifton Horticidtural and Botanical 

 Society. May 13. The display of plants and flowers exceeded in beauty 

 and extent any previous collection at this season. The display of tulips was 

 not so excellent as it would have been, if the show had been earlier. Among 

 the anemones were noticed some remarkably large blooms. (Keene's Bath 

 Journal, May 19.) 



Herefordshire. — Hereford Horticultural Society. April 22. Some very 

 fine auriculas were shown. R. Parkinson, Esq., and Mrs. J. Phillips gained 

 the most prizes. Of the polyanthuses, Mrs. J. Phillips and R. J. Powell, Esq. 

 displayed the finest ; and of the hyacinths, decidedly Mr. Godsall. A plant 

 of the original Alpine auricula was exhibited; and some fine large specimens 

 of a seedling apple, raised at Stoke Edith Park, the seat of E. T. Foley, Esq., 

 M.P. Some pansies, shown by R. J. Powell, Esq., were also much admired. 

 {Hereford Journal, April 30.) 



Sej]t. 24. At this show, about thirty specimens were entered for com- 

 petition more than at any previous show of the corresponding season of the 

 year ; and, when it is considered that the period fixed upon (although the 

 same day of the month as last September's display) was too late for peaches 

 and nectarines, and that the crop of pears was very deficient, it is evident the 

 georginas must have been much more abundant than at any previous ex- 

 hibition ; indeed, it is acknowledged that they were never seen here in such 

 profusion and splendour as on this occasion. The asters were but scantily 

 supplied; apples were abundant, and of first-rate quality; pears were not 

 expected in profusion; but some excellent specimens were exhibited, par- 

 ticularly six plates sent by Mr. Edwards of Bunshill, a non-subscriber, to 

 whom probably all the prizes in that class would have been awarded, had he 

 been a subscribing member. Another plate was shown, of Gansell's berga- 

 mot, excellent in quality, by Mr. Hooper, also a non-subscriber. The out- 

 door grapes were remarkably fine, and generally fully matured ; a proof of 

 the forward state of the season. The celery had taken its growth so rapidly, 

 that gardeners had evidently not kept pace in blanching it ; and the onions 

 were the finest ever shown here. On the centre of the large stage appeared 

 a representation of a single striped georgina, composed of nearly 300 georgina 

 blossoms, yellow and dark red ; it was 6 ft. across, and had a splendid effect. 

 The top petal supported a floral crown formed of georgina, hollyhock, and 

 convolvulus wreaths, the georgina being styled " King of Flowers." At the 

 foot of his majesty's throne were two cornucopia?, pouring out the choice 

 treasures of Flora and Pomona. The effect altogether was admired, and im- 

 ported general satisfaction. (Ibid., Oct. 1.) 



Huntingdonshire. — Huntingdon Horticultural Society. April 25. Two 

 beautiful specimens of Pseonia Moutan were the great attraction of this ex- 

 hibition. A number of fine auriculas, polyanthuses, hyacinths, and polyanthus 

 narcissuses were much admired. 



Lancashire. — Rochdale Floral and Horticultural Society. April. The 



