Lanarkshire^ Stirlingshire. 673 



Among the prizes we observed two or three were for articles not generally 

 included in prize lists. One was for gardens most tastefully laid out, and 

 neatly kept : first prize gained by W.Stevenson. Another was for ornamental 

 bouquets of wild flowers, gained by W. Taylor. Another for the best-aiTanged 

 flower clump : first, Wm. Stevenson. Another for the best general crop of 

 vegetables, as seen in the gardens, during the season : first, Wm. Gillespie, sen. 

 An extra premium had been offered to the member that gained the greatest 

 number of first prizes during the year. Four members, namely, William 

 Pollock, David Ker, John Miller, and Alexander Cowan, were found to have 

 gained an equal number — five each. The value of the premium offered was di- 

 vided among them. The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland having 

 offered two of their cottage medals, to be awarded for the two best-kept cot- 

 tages and gardens, it was announced that John Miller, carter, and Archibald 

 Neilson, wright, both in Auchenbowie, would be reported by the committee as 

 the most meritorious of the competitors. Besides the articles entered for 

 competition, a good many others were exhibited, chiefly in the floral depart- 

 ment. Mr. Ritchie, Denny, presented some choice specimens of dahlias, 

 asters, chrysanthemums, &c. The room was also graced by two large and 

 splendid bouquets ; one from Auchenbowie Garden, the other from West Plean 

 Garden. The latter was in the form of a dome, resting on four columns, in 

 the centre of which a jet (Teau, fed from a concealed reservoir, continued to 

 play during the whole time of the exhibition. It formed the great object of 

 attraction. It had the charm of mystery for many, and the recommendation 

 of novelty for all. (Stirling Journal, Sept. 2.) 



Stirlingshire Horticultural Societi/, — Juli/ 5. Owing to the unfavourable 

 state of the weather, the exhibition was rather meagre ; but numerous prizes 

 were distributed. Among the articles not sent for competition were, from 

 Deanston House, 12 seedling mimuluses, and new annuals; from Blairdrum- 

 mond, a collection of herbaceous flowers, roses, seedling violas, and a brace 

 of Niven's long green cucumber, each 22 in. long ; from Craigforth, apples 

 preserved in peat moss, roses, and other flowering plants ; from Ochtertyre, a 

 potted flower plant of striped antirrhinum ; 'from Mr. Lightbody, Falkirk, 

 25 varieties of seedling ranunculuses, considered by florists of great merit ; 

 from Drummonds' nursery and museum, an assortment of flowered specimens, 

 and garden urns and vases. {Id., July 8.) 



Sept. 20. — The flower department comprised much that is rare and splendid ; 

 the dahlias and German asters, especially, were uncommonly fine, and much 

 admired. The fruits and vegetables, although in variety and quantity not de- 

 ficient, were, as might have been expected from the absence of genial weather, 

 considerably behind as to quality. The ornamental bouquets of flowers were 

 got up with great taste; and that produced from Wester Plean, with its 

 water fount in operation, seemed to attract special notice. The rustic chairs, 

 produced by the tasteful veteran from Sauchie, were masterly done speci- 

 mens. Among the journeymen or apprentices' prizes was one for the model 

 of a cottage, which was gained by Thomas Macfarlane, journeyman at Blair- 

 drummond Garden. It is matter of regret that there was no competition in 

 this interesting department. The directors, we have no doubt, will next year 

 offer encouragement for similar structures. The specimen produced by Mac- 

 farlane is highly creditable. Among the plants exhibited, not for prizes, were, 

 from Ardoch House, 12 named phloxes, and a collection of new and superior 

 herbaceous plants ; from Cardross, 20 varieties seedling carnations, and 20 va- 

 rieties seedling picotee ditto; from Deanston, dahlias, &c., and a convenient 

 flower-stand, with tubes to contain water; from Blairdrummond, 48 varieties 

 of named apples and pears ; also, Alsike clover, and Ficia villosa, with minute 

 explanatory remarks ; from Coldoch, dahlias, &c., and apples, crop 1835 and 

 1836; from Major Baird, of Park, seedling carnations, and other flowers; 

 apples and pears, and fruited branches of Siberian crab : from Mr. John 

 Christie, Causewayhead, specimens of Aloysia citriodora, from a plant 10 ft. 

 high, and which has stood in the open air five years, the three last of which 



