160 
EOYAL HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 
desirable to devote a house to the growth of these, with a view to 
a closer observation of their peculiarities and merits. The small 
curvilinear Yinery in which the different sorts of White Muscats 
had been brought together some years since for a like object (which 
has been accomplished), has' been set apart for this purpose. 
The experimental trials and comparisons of the varieties of 
different Vegetables have, during the past season, been taken up 
chiefly by such important subjects as Potatoes, Peas and Kidney 
Beans. Of the Potatoes the trial has been very complete and 
satisfactory, some 271 reputed varieties having been planted, though 
this number has been greatly reduced by ascertaining that many of 
the names are synonyms of others. Some of the more recent 
American varieties have proved to be highly meritorious, as have 
some of the English seedlings raised by Mr. Eobert Penn, of 
Woodstock , and nine Pirst- Class Certificates have been awarded 
by the Pruit and Yegetable Committee. The trial of Peas has 
been a continuation of that of the previous year, and in this case 
five Certificates have been awarded, all to novelties raised by T. 
Laxton, Esq., of Stamford. The trial of Kidney Beans, though 
only a partial one, has resulted in the award of five Pirst-Class 
Certificates. These trials will all be duly reported on in the 
Journal. 
It is proposed to recommend to the Committee to continue 
during the present year the critical examination of Potatoes and 
Kidney Beans, and to add thereto the varieties of Celery, which 
now seem to be in need of another revision, with the view of 
ascertaining which are the most profitable and meritorious. 
In the Ploeal Department similar activity has been displayed. 
The distributions comprise 60,000 packets of Plower Seeds, 3825 
Plants allotted by ballot, and 873 packages of Cuttings of plants ; 
while for the Society's own use, at Kensington, 12,876 Plants 
have been grown and furnished for the decoration of the Conser- 
vatory ; 63,016 Plants have been expended on the summer 
bedding, and 31,833 on the spring bedding of the past year. In 
addition to these, 37,917 Plants have been supplied during the 
months of [N'ovember and December to furnish the display during 
the ensuing spring. 
The comparative trials of Plowers have been chiefly amongst 
Zonal Pelargoniums (which are so numerous and important as to 
require annual revision), Fuchsias, Pentstemons, and Phloxes. Of 
the Pelargoniums no fewer than 522 varieties were planted out for 
observation, and amongst these, in their various sections, the 
