COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



593 



they might have some of them, and they were told " In welcome." The 

 knowledge of this spread till so many asked to share that it became 

 necessary to organise the matter as it now exists. But Fellows should 

 remember that it is only waste and surplus plants that are for disposal, 

 and therefore, if they think them " rubbish," why apply for them ? Why 

 not leave them to those who like such kinds of rubbish ? That some 

 do value them is proved by numbers of letters, of which the following 

 are samples : " Many, very many thanks for the lovely little plants just 

 safely arrived " ; " The plants are a great joy to me, I shall watch them 

 grow with greatest interest " ; and one gentleman, in enumerating what 

 he considers the benefits of the Society, says : " The plants are at least 

 worth half the subscription." These may be somewhat exaggerated 

 benedictions, but they are not one whit more exaggerated than the 

 opposing maledictions. After all, the Society offers abundant privileges 

 to its Fellows without the share in the distribution of surplus and waste 

 plants, so that those who do not appreciate this one in particular can 

 surely pass it by with the scorn they think it merits. 



International Horticultural Exhibition at Turin. 



An important exhibition of flowers, fruits, &c. will be opened in May 

 next at Turin, and will be the first of the kind ever held in Italy. It has 

 already been taken up enthusiastically in Italy, especially at Turin, where 

 various other industrial and art exhibitions have already been successfully 

 held of late years. The Municipality have encouraged the project by placing 

 at the disposal of the promoters as a site for the exhibition the Valentin 

 Park, where previous exhibitions have proved so successful. There will 

 be 289 competitive classes for plants, flowers, fruits, garden sundries, &c. 



The importance of the exhibition has been at once recognised abroad, 

 and very flattering promises of co-operation have already been received 

 from France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. 



His Majesty the King of Italy has promised a most important con- 

 tribution to the exhibition by directing that the Royal Gardens of 

 Piedmont shall all be collectively represented in the form of a grand 

 garden in the Italian style. 



The exhibition will open on May 10 and continue until the 25th of 

 the same month. From the 25th to the 31st a fair will be held for the 

 sale of such plants and other horticultural objects as the exhibitors wish 

 to dispose of. 



Edinburgh International Exhibition, 1905. 



The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society has decided to hold an 

 international horticultural exhibition at Edinburgh in September, 1905, 

 and have wisely announced it in gocd time, that growers may have ample 

 time and opportunity to prepare for it beforehand. His Majesty the King 

 is offering a handsome silver cup, and the full list of prizes will probably 

 soon be forthcoming. Mr. P. Murray Thomson, 5, York Place, Edinburgh, 

 is the secretary of the show. We are confident that all Fellows of the 

 Royal Horticultural Society will wish an ample measure of success to 

 this effort of the great Scottish society, and many of them will, we hope, 

 send a subscription to the prize fund. 



