552 Ohituary. 



Observations. — Since the report of last month we have had some rain (gene- 

 rally), which has materially improved om' supplies of vegetables, both as to 

 quantity and quality. The prices of several articles have declined considerably, 

 such as French and scarlet beans, spinach, &c. Colewort cabbages are as yet 

 scarce, and of indifferent quality. Of turnips w6 have as yet but few, none 

 that are good, but they are certainly improved, and lower in price. Carrots are 

 plentiful and good. Onions are small and rather short in supply, the price is 

 improved. Of potatoes the supply continues to be limited, at a considerable 

 advance in value : we have not yet obtained any quantities by water, from the 

 distant counties where they are extensively cultivated ; but a good supply is 

 shortly expected, which will in a great degree determine the prices of the en- 

 suing season. 



Lettuces, endive, celery, and other salad herbs, have been as yet furnished 

 limitedly, and have realised good returns, but not more than a fair remuneration 

 for the extra expense of raising them during the dry weather. Of fruits gene- 

 rally there has been a liberal quantity furnished. Apples and pears are certainly 

 in great abundance, the former generally small, and much affected by blight in 

 the early stages of their growth ; nevertheless, there are plenty of excellent 

 size and quality. Pears are also plentiful and good, many of the ordinary sorts 

 abundant. Filberts have also been a great crop, and the market has been 

 liberally supplied ; prices have been moderate, but are now impi'oving. Wal- 

 nuts are not so good a crop, but our supplies have been kept up by large im- 

 portations from Holland; which, with melons and several other fruits, have 

 been brought over by steam. Grapes are plentiful and good ; we have also had 

 a fair supply of peaches, nectarines, and other wall fruits, but as the season ad- 

 vances the prices have improved. — C. G. M. Sept. 23. 1835. 



Art. VII. Obituary. 



Died, June 13., George Johnston, gardener to the Earl of Aberdeen. Mr. 

 .Johnston's father, a native of Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire, was upwards of 

 fifty years a market-gardener at the bridge of Don, near Aberdeen. His son, 

 George, the subject of this memoir, was born at Old Rayne, on the 5th of 

 Januarj', 1773, and lived with his father till the age of fifteen; when he was 

 employed in the gardens of Monymusk, in his native county. At the age of 

 sixteen he went to England, where he resided during a period of sixteen years. 

 In December, 1805, he was appointed gardener to the Earl of Aberdeen, in 

 whose service he continued till the time of his death. 



The various operations in gardening, conducted by Mr. Johnston at Haddo 

 House, will prove a lasting monument of his fame. The very extensive plant- 

 ations, the excellent new kitchen-garden, and the beautiful pleasure-grounds, 

 all formed by him, bear ample testimony to his ability and sound judgement 

 as a practical gardener. 



Mr. Johnston's character, as a good and benevolent man, stood equally high : 

 his manly and gentleman-like deportment was at all times pleasing to his su- 

 periors; to his equals he showed the greatest vivacity of disposition and 

 equality of temper ; and to his dependants, kindness and sympathy. 



Mr. Johnston married about sixteen years ago, but had no issue, leaving a 

 widow only to lament her loss. For several years previous to his death, Mr. 

 Johnston was much afflicted with rheumatic gout, which, in all probability, 

 laid the foundation of water in the chest, the disease which terminated his 

 existence. — William Kerr, late of Kedleston House, Derhvshire. 



