646 Provincial Horticultural Societies : — 



seed was produced ; and, even its unripe state, it contained a large proportion 

 of farinaceous matter. He also noticed the Pomeranian cabbage, and the 

 turnip-rooted cabbage, from the Cape of Good Hope, the value of which, for 

 general cultivation, would doubtless soon be ascertained, as it appeared that 

 they were cultivated by more than one exhibiter. Among the flowers the 

 most interesting was the Cattley« Loddigesi?, from the collection of Mr. G. C. 

 Fox ; a beautiful plant, in a particularly healthy state. By the same gentle- 

 man a very interesting group of plants was exhibited, raised from exotic seed, 

 some of it sent by Dr. Wallich to the Society. Among them was the Indian 

 tamarind, a beautiful plant, of graceful foliage ; and two species of Anona, one 

 of them the celebrated Cherimolia. A plant of that rare and beautiful passion 

 flower, the Passiflora kermesina, was exhibited by the Rev. Thomas Phillpotts. 

 Of the cottagers' productions, and the improvement which had taken place 

 amongst them, it was difficult to speak in too high terms : many of those 

 exhibited might vie with those of their more wealthy neighbours, in respect 

 of cultivation and of goodness of quality, proving that the importance of 

 getting the best seed was appreciated by them. He had also to notice that 

 Mr. Richard Davey had presented the Society with a collection of 300 plants, 

 for their general herbarium, from Switzerland. Miss Fox had presented a 

 group of lichens, indigenous to Cornwall, peculiar for their dying properties ; 

 in connexion with which, he must mention the interesting fact, first noticed 

 by that lady, that the colour of the dye was affected by the nature of the rock 

 on which the lichen grew. With regard to the indigenous plants, Mrs. Grylls, 

 Miss Rodd, Miss Warren, and Mr. W. Lobb, had made some valuable dis- 

 coveries." 



After the business of the meeting was finished, a splendid dejeuner was 

 served, which was partaken of, for the first time, by the ladies as well as 

 gentlemen [an example which we think well worthy of imitation by other 

 societies]. (West Briton and Corniucdl Advertiser, Sept. 30.) 



* Gwennaj} Cottage Gardening Societi/. — Jidi/ 26. This was the first meeting 

 of the Society ; and a more satisfactory exhibition has seldom been witnessed. 

 The room was decorated in the most tasteful manner. Many beautiful speci- 

 mens of stove and other choice plants were supplied by the gentry of the 

 neighbourhood ; and the display of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, from the 

 cottagers' gardens, gave ample promise of the future success of the Society. 

 At two o'clock, on the motion of Michael Williams, Esq., seconded by John 

 Paul, Esq., the Rev. T. Phillpotts took the chair. The Rev. gentleman, after 

 congratulating the meeting on the complete success of the experiment that 

 had been made in the formation of this Society, alluded, in feeling terms, to 

 the advantages which must ever accrue to the cottager himself, as well as to 

 his family and neighbours, from the encouragement of industrious and sober 

 habits. At four o'clock, the numerous company adjourned to a field adjoin- 

 ing the vicarage, where another equally gratifying scene awaited them. The 

 children of the church Sunday-schools, upwards of 500 in number, with their 

 teachers (having previously been admitted to view the exhibition), were plen- 

 tifully regaled with tea and cake ; and their orderly and becoming demeanour 

 was extremely creditable to themselves and their instructors. An excellent 

 band attended, and enlivened the scene by their performances. The day was 

 concluded by the " Evening Hymn" being sung by the assembled children, 

 assisted by the church choir : the effect of their united voices in the open air was 

 calculated to excite devotional feelings in every breast. The whole passed 

 off with the utmost harmony j and it was pleasing to hear from some of the 

 oldest pai'ishioners, that a day so marked by unanimity and good feeling had 

 never been witnessed within their recollection. (Cornwall Royal Gazette, 

 July 29.) 



* The Westc7'n Cottagers^ Gardening Society. — Sept. 22. The first meeting 

 of this Society was held at Penzance. The show of fruit, vegetables, &c., 

 was remarkably fine, especially on the cottagers' tables, and it was most gratify- 

 ing to observe such a display of the fruits of the cottagers' laboiu* and industry ; 



