64:4 Provincial Horticultural Societies : — 



general distribution of those valuable and beautiful old and neg- 

 lected, or new and comparatively unknown, species and varieties, 

 which, at present, are scarcely to be met with, except in the 

 gardens in the neighbourhood of London. 



Several new societies, which have been originated during 

 the past year, in the following notices are distinguished by a *. 



Berkshire. — Royal Berkshire Horticultural Society. — June 15. This 

 Society held its first fete and second show at Wallingford, in the castle 

 grounds of W. S. Blackstone, Esq. ; and, notwithstanding the untoward cir- 

 cumstance of the Oxford commemoration happening upon the same day, the 

 company was exceedingly numerous. Six of the Society's marquees and 

 tents were pitched in various parts of the grounds ; and the one in which the 

 show was held was beautifully decorated with the choicest exotics from the 

 conservatories of W. S. Blackstone, Edward Wells, J. K. Hedges (one of the 

 honorary secretaries), W. J. Clarke, Esqrs. ; Mr. Brown of Slough, and 

 Mr. Sutton of Reading ; and the prize flowers. In the minor tents, ices and 

 other refreshments were provided for the company. The scene, altogether, 

 was exceedingly interesting ; and the proceedings of the day gave universal 

 satisfaction. No comparison can be instituted between this method of 

 holding horticultural shows, and that which is confined to a narrow crowded 

 room. Mr. Blackstone is entitled to the gratitude of the Society, and the 

 town at large, for the accommodation he has so liberally afforded. A magni- 

 ficent bouquet, formed of the choicest of the prize flowers, was taken by 

 Mr. Blackstone for presentation to the Queen, at the drawingroom on the 

 following day ; and another, collected from the cottagers' prizes, to be pre- 

 sented to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. (^Macclesfield Conner, 

 July 9.) 



* Hungerford Dahlia Society. — Oct. 9. There was a fine display of flowers ; 

 and the room was very tastefully decorated with evergreens, intermixed with 

 dafilias of different colours, including several pretty devices of the crown, 

 stars, &c. In addition to these devices, was the figui'e of a Mexican chief, 

 formed of dahlia blooms of every different shade, made by Mr. Sparry of 

 Hungerford, and which was greatly admired. Mr. Hillier of Marlborough 

 exhibited a pretty collection of pansies ; and Mr. J. Kington of Corsham, two 

 beautiful stands of seedling and other dahlias, not for competition. {Salisbury 

 Herald, Oct. 15.) 



Cambridgeshire. — The Cambridgeshire Horticultural Society. — March 23. 

 This show was distinguished by the adoption, for the first time, of a guard 

 fence placed round the plants, and extending to the extremity of the gallery. 

 Mr. Newman exhibited some apples (scarlet nonpareil, royal pearmain, and 

 Norrington wonder) preserved from last year ; and Mr. Widnall and Mr. 

 Searle, some beautiful hyacinths. {Huntingdon Gazette, April 2.) 



* Cheshire. — Aldersley Floral Society. — Jidy 2. The most successful 

 competitor for pinks and roses was Mr. Hammond ; and for ranunculuses, 

 Mr. Massey. {Macclesfield Courier, July 9.) 



Cornwall. — Royal Horticultural Society of Cornwall. -^ June 3. Of fruit, 

 the quantity exhibited was very small : the pines and grapes, however, which 

 obtained the prizes, were of very superior quality ; and it afforded much 

 pleasure to the members of the Society to find that the first medals offered 

 by them should have been awarded to its founder, J. Vivian, Esq., of Pen- 

 calenick. There was a dish of very fine strawberries from the garden of 

 Mr. Stephens of Penryn, who has for the third year carried off this prize. 

 The pelargoniums were unusually fine, and a great many new varieties were 

 exhibited ; and the calceolarias, from the collection of B. Sampson, Esq., of 

 Tullimaar, attracted universal admiration. The new seedlings were finely 

 formed, and of excellent colours. 



After the prizes had been decided, Mr. Vi\aan addressed the meeting at 



