270 Caledonian Horticultural Society. 



going on steadily and prosperously. At a meeting of the Committee, April 

 14., the first two pensioners were named : they were, the widow of an aged 

 gardener, and an aged and infirm gardener ; both recommended by respectable 

 gardeners holding first-rate situations, and by the clergymen of their respective 

 parishes. At the same meeting, a donation of ten guineas was received, to- 

 gether with a few minor donations, two Hfe subscribers, and a dozen annual 

 subscribers. A vote of thanks was passed to such proprietors and editors 

 of botanical and horticultural periodicals as had pubHshed the Rules and 

 Regulations of the Society gratis ; and a hope was expressed that the practice 

 would be continued and extended, at least for some time, till the Society ob- 

 tained ample funds. — Cond. 



SCOTLAND. 



Cottage Windoivs, — The Highland Society of Scotland, desirous of con- 

 tributing by every means in their power to improve Scotch cottages and their 

 gardens, has offered premiums for the " best and approved" cottage window. 

 This will probably do much good. Scotch cottages are in general miserable 

 hovels, and their windows small square holes with a fixed frame containing 

 four panes, not made to open for ventilation. — Cond. 



Tmgating Meadoivs with Liquid Manure. — This has been done to a con- 

 siderable extent for some years past close to Edinburgh, by causing the liquid 

 part of the contents of the common sewers to flow over certain low-lying 

 grass lands. The effect has been most injurious, both to the inhabitants ad- 

 joining these irrigated lands, by contaminating the surrounding atmosphere, 

 and to the animals which feed on the grass produced, by destroying in a 

 short time the digestive powers of their stomachs. A very interesting 

 pamphlet has been published on this subject, entitled. Papers relating to tlie 

 noxious Effects of the fcetid Irrigations around the City of Edinburgh, 8vo, 1839, 

 A. and C. Black. By this tract it appears that no horse or other animal will 

 eat a particle of the produce of these meadows, either while growing, or when 

 first cut ; and that cows " when first put to eat it have for some days an ab- 

 solute loathing, and can hardly be got to feed upon it ; but when they do, it 

 causes an immense flow of milk, which is kept up by this grass, and what is 

 called dreg [brewer's wash] ; but whenever the supply of this grass becomes 

 short, they are found to be incapable of digesting the usual fodder of cattle, 

 and completely diseased, and get unfit for any purpose almost." It is la- 

 mentable to think that either individuals or public bodies should have it in 

 their power to tamper with the public health, in the manner which appears to 

 have been done at Edinburgh for some years, by the irrigation of these 

 meadows; but we trust the practice will in a short time be put down. — Cond. 



Art. III. Caledonian Horticultural Society. 



The Spring General Meeting of this Society was held in the council room* 

 at the Experimental Garden, Inverleith, on the 5th of March, Duncan 

 Cowan, Esq., in the chair. The show of flowers and fruits was not extensive j 

 but the specimens were select, and in general excellent. 



For fine varieties of Camellia japonica, two premiums were awarded : the 

 first to Mr. John Addison, gardener to the Earl of Wemyss, Gosford House, 

 for C. Donckelaeri and imbricata ; and the next to Mr. John Young, gardener 

 to Thomas Oliver, Esq., Newington Lodge, for C. Donckelaeri and Vandesia 

 carnea. A curious specimen of Gray's Invincible Camellia, reared by Mr. 

 Kelly, at the Inverleith Nurseries, having two kinds of flowers on the same 

 stem, attracted much notice. All these plants were in pots; but there was 

 also a rich collection of cut flowers, consisting of 18 varieties, from Balcarres 

 garden, which excited great admiration. Three premiums were awarded for 

 choice specimens of the beautiful genus E'pacris : the first to Mr. Addison, 

 Gosford, for E. nivalis, and a new variety of E. variabilis ; the next to Mr. 



