Domestic Notices : — Scotland. ] 4- 1 



" The erection of a building for the exhibition of plants sent for competition 

 has been long a desideratum. Plants so sent have hitherto been placed in 

 the shed at the back of the hothouses, to be inspected and judged by the Com- 

 mittee of Prizes ; and they have, from the exposed situation of the place, not 

 unfrequently sustained considerable injury; while, from the want of a suffi- 

 ciency of light, their qualities cannot be properly ascertained. 



" A hall or large room would be extremely useful during the quarterly 

 meetings of March and December, when no regular exhibition can take place 

 out of doors. At these meetings, the judges are unavoidably confined in 

 small apartments while considering the merits of the competition articles ; and 

 it has been found utterly impossible to point out to the members assembled 

 in the Council Room, as should be done, the prize articles, while the report 

 of the Prize Committee is submitted. 



"It may also be stated, that very great anxiety prevails amongst the assem- 

 bled practical gardeners forthwith to learn who are the successful competitors ; 

 and it not unfrequently happens that erroneous impressions arise from mis- 

 takes regarding the awards of the judges; and these are never properly 

 cleared up, until the official notice from the secretary is received, or the 

 report be published in the newspapers. This would be avoided, if a hall could 

 be erected where gardeners and others interested would be present while 

 the report of the Committee of Prizes is read to the Society. All would thus 

 obtain accurate information as to the competition and as to the successful 

 candidates, to be communicated among themselves, and to their employers. 

 In consequence of the present want of means of obtaining satisfactory in- 

 formation, much of that interest which such competition meetings are calcu- 

 lated to produce in stimulating gardeners to renewed exertions is lost. 



" The probability of the Society being enabled hereafter to offer increased 

 prizes makes the proposition for a hall still more urgent. The enlarged 

 prizes to be offered by the Society for the ensuing year will undoubtedly 

 create greater anxiety amongst competitors to know the result of the Prize 

 Committee's deliberations before they leave the garden ; a result which cer- 

 tainly ought to be promulgated as speedily as practicable. 



"At present the largest public apartment in the garden is the Council-Room, 

 which is only 14 ft. by 16 ft. Although well adapted for council and com- 

 mittee meetings, it is much too confined for general meetings. Indeed, it is 

 well known that many members absent themselves, in consequence of the 

 limited accommodation ; and practical gardeners are wholly excluded. 



" Now that horticulture in all its branches is making such rapid strides all 

 over the country, it would certainly be desirable that this, the leading horti- 

 cultural society in Scotland, should extend its usefulness, and keep pace with 

 the demands of the times. 



" The Highland and Agricultural Society has commenced a new era, by 

 holding monthly meetings for the reading of papers, and discussing points con- 

 nected with agriculture ; why should not this Society follow the example, 

 when there is a mass of useful materials easily attainable ? For some time 

 past, it has been strongly urged by man}' members of the Society, that a hor- 

 ticultural periodical should be set on foot. Such a publication would certainly 

 be desirable ; but unless some method were adopted for having it supplied 

 with useful matter, it would be almost useless to commence it. One of the 

 chief sources for such a supply would be afforded by monthly meetings, at 

 which papers could be read, new plants, fruits, and vegetables exhibited, and 

 notices regarding their method of culture brought before the members; easy 

 admission being afforded to all practical gardeners by means of visiters' 

 tickets. Horticultural implements and designs of various descriptions might 

 also be brought forward. At such meetings, members (ladies and gentlemen) 

 should have free admission for themselves and for one friend. This would be 

 one of the greatest advantages held out by the Society, and would be the 

 means of inducing many to become members. If such an object were accom- 



