614 Provincial Horticultural Societies : — 



The large tent on the lawn was completely filled with beautiful plants ; 

 indeed, they were, perhaps, too numerous or crowded. The most magnificent 

 were from the Royal Botanic Garden, particularly Daviesia latifolia, Grevillert 

 acanthi folia, -Erica odora rosea, ovata, and florida, Banksia Cunninghami, a 

 noble orange tree in full bearing, and an incomparable iiHum exlmium. 



A handsome glazed case, designated a " portable conservatory," and occu- 

 pied by rare plants in a growing state, attracted much attention. It had been 

 prepared by Mr. James M'Nab, for Daniel Ellis, Esq., the distinguished 

 writer on vegetation. After being once well watered, the portable conserva- 

 tory is shut close, so as to be nearly air-tight ; and it may remain so for 

 months, or even years, the plants still continuing to flourish. It must be 

 exposed to the full light, and as often as possible to the sun's rays, so as to 

 enable the plants to produce oxygen for themselves. The evaporation being 

 restrained by the glass covering, an equable local atmosphere is maintained, 

 thus possessing at once the quality both of purity and moisture. In this 

 way, alpine plants have been successfully cultivated by Mr. Ward of Well- 

 close Square, in the very middle of the city of London ; and delicate plants 

 have been transported in safety through tropical climates to the banks of the 

 Thames. 



We can only very briefly allude to some of the other productions of the day. 

 A splendid specimen of £'V'hium giganteum, from the garden of Miss Gilchrist 

 of Sunnyside, was much admired. A large branch of Ribes speciosum, richly 

 clothed with its fuchsia-like blossoms, was from the garden of Sir George 

 Suttie of Prestongrange. A fine plant of .Statice arborea was from the bo- 

 tanical nursery garden of Mr. Cunningham, Comely Bank. Various beautiful 

 flowering exotics, particularly Eutaxia ?Hyrtif61ia and Y'vXtawcea c?aphn6ides, 

 were from the garden of the Duke of Biiccleuch, at Dalkeith, the president of 

 the Society. Some fine exotic herbaceous plants, such as Crinum america- 

 num and Gloxinia speciosa, came from Dalineny Park, the seat of the Earl of 

 Hoseberry ; and others, of equal rarity and loveliness, from the nursery-garden 

 of Mr. Sang, at Kirkcaldy. Plants of uncommon beauty were also contributed, 

 from the gardens of David Falconer, Esq., of Carlowrie ; Professor Dunbar, 

 Rosepark ; and Dr. Neill, Canonmills. (^Scotsman, June 13.) 



Sept, 24. Fruit and Dahlia Covipetition. The specimens produced were 

 equal in quality, and exceeded in number, any exhibited on former occasions, 

 and, in so unfavourable a season, this may be regarded as just matter of gra- 

 tulation. We shall now detail the various awards, and it will be observed 

 that the competitors belong to various districts of Scotland ; so that this is 

 truly a national society, deserving the support of all who are fond of gardening, 

 and worthy of the honour lately conferred on it by Her Majest}', in becoming 

 its patroness. 



For the best two sorts of peaches, raised under glass (eight competitors), 

 a first premium was awarded to Mr. William Newton, gardener to Sir David 

 Baird, of Newbyth, the kinds being the galande and Royal George. For the 

 best three sorts of peaches from open wall (also eight competitors), the first 

 premium was found due to Mr. John Robertson, gardener to Lord Gray, Kin- 

 iauns, the kinds being galande, noblesse, and Royal Kensington. For the best 

 two sorts of nectarines from glazed house, there were five competitors ; and 

 the first premium was given to Mr. John Robertson, Kinfauns, the kinds being 

 elruge and scarlet. Best two sorts of nectarine from open wall, premium 

 voted to Mr. Peter Thomson, gardener to J. J. Hope Vere, Esq., of Craigie- 

 hall, the kinds being the white and the red Roman. Best two sorts of apricots, 

 to Mr. George Brown, gardener to the Earl of Lauderdale, Dunbar House, 

 the kinds being the Breda and Moorpark. For the best three sorts of plums, 

 there being eight competitors, two premiums were given ; the first, to Mr. 

 John Young, at Riccarton, for the Washington, Orleans, and white magnum. 

 For the best twelve greengage plums, there were no fewer than fifteen compe- 

 titors : two premiums were given ; the first to Mr. Arthur Calder, gardener 

 to George Sligo, Esq., of SeaclifF. Best eight figs, to Mr. James Smith, gar- 



