COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



217 



be a scientific man. His position would correspond to that of a chief 

 observer at an observatory. He must certainly live on the spot, and I 

 imagine, if he devoted himself to the work, it would not be possible for 

 him to earn anything considerable in addition to his stipend. It would 

 not do for him to attend merely when the plants are in flower. It is 

 practically necessary to be almost always present, even with small ex- 

 periments, and this would be still more essential in the case of the 

 larger operations which an institution should undertake. 



" There must be some greenhouse accommodation on a moderate scale, 

 and it would be desirable that at least one of the species investigated 

 should be a winter-flowering form (such as Primula sinensis), so that the 

 work could go on all the year round. 



" I do not know if such a programme as this will strike you as feasible. 

 If it does, let us consider the details. The expense seems the chief 

 difficulty, but I am not at all sure that it would be impossible to collect 

 the funds if the objects were understood." 



Our correspondent opens up a most alluring prospect. Possibly some- 

 one with a love of science may be encouraged to come forward and pro- 

 vide the necessary funds to start the matter and keep it going for the 

 first few years. 



Exhibition at Dusseldorf. 



A large international horticultural and agricultural exhibition is 

 being organised at Dusseldorf, the beautiful garden city on the Ehine. 

 The exhibition will be opened in May next, and is under the patronage 

 of the Crown Prince of Germany, who will perform the opening 

 ceremony. The Ministers of Trade, Public Instruction, Agriculture, and 

 Finance will hold the post of Presidents. The exhibition will be one 

 of the most complete of its kind ever held, and every effort is being made 

 to render it thoroughly representative. A notable feature will be the 

 arrangement of the various groups of plants, fruit, and vegetables, 

 showing, in connection, their respective methods of cultivation and 

 treatment, and the progress of scientific knowledge. The social and 

 educational aspects of horticulture will not be overlooked, and there will 

 be a section devoted to specimen gardens for workmen and children. A 

 very important trade and industrial section will also be included, which 

 will comprise exhibits of all the implements, tools, and utensils necessary 

 for the carrying on of horticulture and agriculture. 



It may be remembered that an important trade and art exhibition 

 was held at Dusseldorf last year, which was a great success. The city is 

 admirably adapted for the purposes of an exhibition. The beautiful 

 grounds, situated on the banks of the Khine, rising in terraces, are 

 peculiarly well adapted for the purpose of a horticultural and agricultural 

 exhibition. 



Anyone interested in tbe exhibition may obtain full particulars of 

 Herr Hess, 10, Wilhelmsplatz, Diisseldorf, Germany. 



Too Many Varieties of Apples. 



With such a vast number of varieties of Apples — and they are being 

 added to annually — it is most difficult for the amateur to decide which 



