664< Provincial Horticultural Societies : — 



Mr. Machin. Mr. Driver, Mr. Hawkesworth, Mr. Archer, and Mr. Green 

 won most of the prizes for ranunculuses. (Sheffield Mercwy, June 29.) 



Sept. 14. and 15. This show took place in the Sheffield Botanic Garden, 

 and was decidedly the grandest provincial horticultural show that has ever 

 taken place in England. A marquee, 111 ft. in length, and IGft. in width, was 

 erected for the dahlias j and one, 96ft. long, for the fruit and vegetables; 

 while a portion of the green-house, 90 ft. long by 24 wide, was set apart for 

 the plants. Above 130 master-gardeners were present, and a still greater 

 number of journeymen and apprentices ; while the number of amateurs 

 Tvas not less than 5000 or 6000. The prizes consisted principally of va- 

 luable articles of plate ; to give an idea of which, we need only state that 

 there was one cup of 15/. value, five of 10/. each, two of II. each, and eight 

 of 51. each ; besides a great number of silver snuff-boxes, and other similar 

 articles. Mr. Widnall was the winner of the largest cup ; and his dahlias, 

 particularly one called Dodd's Mary, were universally admired. Mr. Levich's 

 ranked next; and both his flowers and those of Mr. Widnall, though they 

 had travelled so far, were as perfect (not a petal being injured) as though 

 just gathered. Very few seedUngs were exhibited. In the fruit department 

 Mr. Faxton obtained a prize " for a black St. Peter's grape, growing in a tub 

 18 in. square. The shoot might be about 15 ft. in length, with the extremity 

 bent back, and tied to the stem a little above the pot. The number of 

 bunches we counted was twenty-four, and so regularly distributed over the 

 vine as to present an appearance almost mechanical." (Floncultural Maga- 

 zine, May 1. p. 118.) Four fruits of Averrhoa Carambola were sent by Mr. 

 P. N. Don, gardener to J. Bateman, Esq., Knypersley Hall. The size of the 

 fruit was considerably larger than a hen's egg, with five deep angles, and of 

 a whitish colour. Among the vegetables were some onions, exhibited by 

 Mr. Bolton, near Manchester, measuring between Tin. and 8 in. across. The 

 best collection of stove plants was from Chatsworth ; the best green-house 

 and hardy plants were shown by Mr. Menzies of Halifax ; and the best 

 orchideous plants were exhibited by Mr. Cooper of Wentworth. 



York Horticultural Society. — April 13. The show of stove and green-house 

 plants was very rich and beautiful ; but the florists' flowers were deficient, 

 owing to the lateness of the season. The Rev. W. Hincks, one of the vice- 

 presidents, took the chair at three o'clock. He said he had little to remark 

 respecting the show. With respect to the florists' flowers, it would be observed 

 by every one that, at the present season, they had not been successful in 

 finding out the exact time of the flowers being in perfection. The peculiar 

 character of the weather had been such as to retard their progress ; and the 

 hyacinths, which ought to have been at this time in full flower in the open air, 

 were not yet ready ; consequently they were dependent for those exhibited 

 upon those brought forward in green-houses. The auriculas were, also, a full 

 fortnight behind. From this cause they could not have the gratification they 

 had expected ; but still there were some specimens deserving of notice. In 

 the other parts of the exhibition he was glad to say that the Society had been 

 more successful. There were man}' very fine specimens; and the fruits and vege- 

 tables were as fine as the flowers were varied and gay. On the cottagers' table 

 was a very fine cauliflower, px'oduced by F. Eshelby of Holgate. He regretted 

 that there was not more abundant competition in this class ; but still such a 

 specimen was highly satisfactory. Having gone through the prizes, he might 

 notice several things in the room which were remarkable for their beauty and 

 curiosity, besides those to which prizes had been awarded. There was a 

 very good show of green-house plants, camellias, and forced shrubs. One 

 plant, in particular, attracted his attention as a botanist, being of a most 

 curious, uncommon, and valuable kind. It stood on the centre of the middle 

 stage, and was from Mr. Oldfield : the Glycine nigricans. The show of 

 apples was also worthy of notice : from Lord Howden's there were nineteen 

 different sorts, and about sixteen from Mr. Hatfield's, all in exceedingly good 

 preservation. {York Chronicle, April 13.) 



