650 Provincial Horticultural Societies : — 



building for the purpose of accommodating more visitei's. The intended ex- 

 hibition-room will be upwards of 100 ft. in length, and of a proportional 

 breadth ; and so constructed, with regard to light and ventilation, as to obviate 

 the inconvenience generally felt in a crowded room. The shares are put up 

 up at 10/. each, in order that they may be generally difHised; and, when a 

 certain number of names are attached to the list, a general meeting will be 

 held, and a committee appointed to carry the plan into execution. Among 

 the plants exhibited, the dahlias and annuals of Mr. Rendle, and the dahlias, 

 annuals, and green-house plants of Mr. Pontey, were particularly admired. 

 The latter gentleman obtained two gold medals ; which, giving him a majority 

 over all the candidates of the season, entitled him to receive, also, a handsome 

 silver cup. (^Devonj^ort Telegraph, Sept. 17.) 



Dorsetshire. — * Sherborne and Yeovil Horticultural Society. — July 27. 

 The first show of this Society was, in every department, brilliant and attracr 

 tive ; the plants being rare, and in the fullest perfection of beauty. The orna- 

 mental baskets of flowers for competition, from the gardens of R. Gordon, 

 Esq., M.P., and J. Gooden, Esq., were splendid collections ; and the nosegay 

 of the choicest plants, from the Upway Gardens, was greatly admired for the 

 variety of rich and choice plants which it contained. It was arranged in the 

 form of a Chinese temple, and had a pretty effect. The fruit was not inferior 

 to any other part of the exhibition : it comprised the most valuable produc- 

 tions from the hot-house and open garden ; consisting of pines, melons, grapes, 

 peaches, apricots, raspberries, strawbeiTies, plums, cherries, &c. &c. The 

 second table was appropriated to vegetables ; consisting of peas, beans, celery, 

 carrots, onions, turnips, cabbages, &c., in profusion, and of the finest descrip- 

 tion. The lower part of the room presented a beautiful display of plants, &c., 

 not for competition, from the different gardens in the neighbourhood. (^Wes- 

 tern Flying Post, August 4.) 



Essex. — * The South Essex Horticultural and Floncidtural Society. — We 

 extract the following passage from the prospectus : — " The first leading feature 

 of this Society is, to excite a spirit of emulation amongst a class of men who, 

 from their situation in life, have not an opportunity of displaying the talent 

 many of them possess, and give a higher tone to their mental powers, which, 

 but for a stimulating cause, must to a certain extent have remained in ob- 

 scurity. This the Society propose doing, by distributing, from time to time 

 svich rewards as the committee shall deem advisable, for the superior pro- 

 duction of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The next feature of this Socity is, 

 the rewarding the industrious cottager for the productions of his own garden ; 

 thereby raising his mind above the grovelling pursuits now too prevalent, and 

 implanting in his bosom a desire to rank among those persons who, by perse- 

 vering industry, have obtained a station in society which, while it adds to 

 their comforts in a pecuniary point of view, entitles them to the regard and 

 esteem of those around them." This Society, we believe, has held several 

 exhibitions; but we have not I'eceived the particulars. 



Gloucestershire. — Cirencester Horticultural Association. — Sej)t. 9. The 

 tables and stands were profusely covered ; as a proof of which, we may state 

 that there were exhibited, either for competition or ornament, — 



Dahlias - - - 724 



Dishes of fruit, including many by cottagers, upwards of - 200 

 Baskets and parcels of vegetajjles, chiefly by cottagers - 46 



Plants of varieties in pots ----- 280 



Total number of specimens, about _ _ - 1250 



Of the dahlias 240, of various splendid colours, were formed into a large 

 star, placed over the central junction of two elliptical arches springing from 

 each side of the room, fully enwreathed with laurel, and elegantly entwined by 

 garlands of the scented clematis, and other flowers. It is due to Messrs. Gre- 

 gory and Son, nurserymen, to say, that those beautiful decorations were 

 introduced by them at their own expense ; an4 that they also furnished the 



