546 Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. 



In this place, a grotto, about six yards wide and ten long, has been excavated 

 on the side of a hill, consisting of silicious sandstone, with this peculiar cir- 

 cumstance, that the upper stratum of the sand rock, which is there about 

 5 ft. thick, is divided from the lower stratum of it by a sheet of clay, not 

 more than 3 or 4 inches in thickness. On the upper surface of this sheet of 

 clay, between the lips of these rocks, a perpetual dribbling of water oozes 

 quite round the grotto, like a shower from a weeping rock. Thus, this 

 thin sheet of clay prevents the water from sinking into the lower stratum of 

 sandstone, and produces other curious springs, which are collected at about 

 half a mile's distance, and conveyed by leaden pipes to the Cathedral Close 

 of Lichfield, which is thus supplied with water of uncommon purity, which 

 contains no calcareous earth, owing to its passing through silicious sand over 

 a stratum of clay." 



The botanic garden (for it still retains this name) was subsequently pur- 

 chased by John Atkinson, Esq., and at present forms part of a small farm 

 belonging to him, and adjoining his estate of Maple Hayes. — Amateur. Shen- 

 stone, near Lichfield, March, 1838. 



Glass for Conservatories, much thicker than crown glass, and equally clear, is 

 now offered for sale by some of the London glass-cutters, and recommended 

 for the roofs of conservatories. The immense structure now erecting at 

 Chatsworth, it is said, will be glazed with it. 



Art. IV. Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. 



The spring quarterly meeting of this Society was held, March 1., in the 

 council-room in the garden. 



Notwithstanding the extreme inclemency of the weather for two months past, 

 the number and quality of articles produced at the meeting gave great satisfac- 

 tion, as showing not only the zeal and success with which different branches of 

 horticulture are now cultivated in Scotland, but the high estimation in which 

 the awards of the Society (which are chiefly honorary) are held. 



For the prize offered for the six finest and newest varieties of Camelh'a 

 japonica, there was no proper competition ; but the Committee voted a pre- 

 mium to Mr. John Boston, gardener to Miss Innes at Drum, for a collection 

 containing several good flowers, particularly pseonicefiora, Chandleri, and 

 Knight's waratah. 



For the finest plant of recent introduction, in flower, the prize was awarded 

 to Mr. Robert Guthrie, gardener to Sir Archibald Campbell, Bart. Garscube, 

 for Clianthus puniceus. , 



For the four finest different species of E'pacris in flower, to Mr. Robert 

 Watson, gardener to David Anderson, Esq., of Moredun ; the kinds being 

 E. impressa, variabilis, pungens, and grandiflora. 



For the best three species or distinct varieties of Chinese azalea, to Mr. 

 James Cunningham, Comely Bank; the sorts being A. Georgiana, indica coc- 

 cinea, and raacrantha purpurea. 



For the best six hyacinths, two prizes were offered, one to amateur culti- 

 vators, and another to nurserymen. For the former, several competitors ap- 

 peared, and the medal was awarded for the collection sent by Dr. Adolphus 

 Ross; the varieties being rouge eclatante, dark red; Nimrod, deep blue; 

 Voltaire, white ; porcelaine sceptre, blue ; grand vainqueur, white ; and 

 grande vidette, blue. The nurserymen's prize was voted to Mr. James 

 Kelly, foreman to Messrs. James Dickson and Son, Inverleith, for grand 

 vainqueur, Orondatus, Appius, roi de major, bouquet tendre, and Betsy. 



For the prize offered for the best three sorts of pears, fit for the dessert at 

 this season, four competitors came forward. After a very careful comparison 

 and trial, the medal was voted for those sent by Mr. John Young, gardener to 

 Sir James Gibson Craig, Bart., of Riccarton ; the kinds being Colmar, cras- 

 sanne, and St. Germain. For the collection regarded as next in merit, a 



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