46 Horticultural Societies. 
and perfectly dry sand, dry fern, or in a deal box buried in t!ie earth. By any of these modes 
it uii^iht be preserved, free from slirivelling^ and any disafjreaable flavour; in all, it must be 
deposited in a cold situation. By the other five modes, although the fruit was preserved in a 
pretty sound state, a musty flavour was found to be communicated; tliis was especially the 
case where oat-chaff was the medium. 
DEVON AND EXETER BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCiETY. 
The First Exhibition of this Society, for the season, was held at Cowdon's Public Rooms, in 
Exeter, on Thursday, April iith. Tiie dis.olay of flowers and early veg^etables was very 
splendid, and reflected icreat credit on the diflerent gardeners. The plan of awarding prizes to 
cottagers has already been productive of great good, as was shewn in the specimens from that 
class of persons, produced on this occasion, and will, doubtless, leatl the Society still further, 
to see how much fjood to the labouring classes, and consequently to society at large, they may 
be the happy instruments in efl'ecting by perseverance, Forty new Subscribers were reported 
by the Chairman. — Exeter Paper. 
DISS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
A Society has lately been established at Diss, in Norfolk; it held its First Meeting, on 
Thursday, April 19th. This Society has received very general and vvarm support frorii the 
nobility and gentry of the heighb.urhood ; 130 families Having become Subscribers. 
The Second Exhibition of the Society, was held on Thursday, June 9th. The display of 
flowers was excellent ; and the vegetables, both in variety and quality, rivalled those which 
graced the tables of the Norwich Society. — Those sent by the cottagers were particularly 
worthy the highest enci miums. The specimens of Strawberry were splendid, and here again 
the cottagers bore off the palms from the more wealthy Subscribers, both in point of flavour and 
size. Among the very many objects worthy of peculiar notice, and a source of great attraction, 
was a selection of 40 choice Pelargoniums, from the greenhouse of T. L.Taylor, Esq. of Di.ss; 
some splendid Ranunculuses, and a magnificent bouquet, with some Grapes and Strawberries, 
from G. St. Vincent Wilson, Esq. of Redgrove ; Cauliflowers, Peas, Potatoes, and a beautiful 
bouquet of flowers, were sent by T. Havers, Esq. of Tlielton; and Mr. Walker, of Scole, also 
contributed a beautiful basket of flowers. A Cucumber, called the "Serene," measuring 20 
inches, and weighing 2 ft. was exhibited by Mr. Lombe Taylor; and Lord Bayning displayed 
a very fine dish of Strawberries. A number of prizes were awarded. 
Every succeeding Meeting of the Societies which have arisen out of the complete establish ■ 
ment of the Norfolk and Norwich, afford additional proof of the increased and increasing 
stimulus the Horticulture of Norfolk, is deriving from a proper, well-directed, and spirited 
support. But a few short months have elapsed, since the seeds of these Societies were sown, — 
no sooner sown, than they took root, — no sooner taken root, than they flourished, and bore with 
the most luxuriant abundance. The soil and seed were good, — the cultivation has been judi- 
cious and nutritive; and the fruit has been proportionally increased. — Country Times. 
DORSET HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
This Society held its First or Spring Meeting, at the County-Hall, Dorchester, on Wednes- 
day, April 2oth ; when there was exhibited one of the finest displays of Horticultural produce, 
at this early season. 
NORWICH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Mr. George Thurtell hasexhibitedabedof Tulips this season, which has attracted the 
attention of most of the lovers of flowers in the neighbourhood, about 300 specimens were col. 
lected in one parterre, and for symmetry of shape, and brilliancy of colour,'have scarcely if ever 
been equalled ; he also had an abundance of Strawberries, of good size and rich flavour, Mush- 
rooms, and very fine Cucumbers. • 
The Exhibition of the Society, was on Wednesday, May 25th ; the tables were richly and 
luxuriantly filled with flowers, the Geraniums were in vast abundance and beauty ; there were 
many specimens of the Cactus, one of them, the speciosissima. There was also a lable covered 
with Tulips, which were remarkably fine, but these wanted some of the beauty of Mr. Thur- 
tell's collection. The vegetables were as fine and various as the season would allow: one 
very curious thing was a singular substance resembling blanc mange, formed from sea- 
weed, and said to be very nutritious. If there was any deficiency, it was in the fruit, for 
which, the season is not sufficiently advanced to allow the natural growth, and there WaS scarcely 
a proportional contribution from the hot-houses in the county ; — there were some Grapes, one 
Pine, and one Melon, and a few, but by no means superior Strawberries, there were Apples, in 
very fair preservation. During the whole time that the Hall was open it was much thronged, 
and is supposed to have always had as many as from one to two thousand persons in the room. 
The Society's dinner was attended by about fifty gentlemen, and much interesting conversation 
passed, relative to the science of gardening: — The president, E. Lombe, Esq. made some re- 
marks upon the encouragement afforded to Cottage Gardeners, and its obvious good effects. 
Numerous prizes were awarded for fruits, flowers, vegetables, and cottager's gardens. 
PERTHSHIRE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The First Meeting for the season, of the Perthshire Horticultural Society, was held in the 
Council-Chamber, on Friday, May 13th, when a very superior display of flowers, fruit, and 
vegetables took place. — Besides the fruit offered for competition, a basket of Strawberries from 
Kinfauns, and another from Methven-Castle, were produced, both fully ripened and beautiful; 
indeed the exhibition drew forth the highest approbation from of the numerous assemblage of 
ladies and gentlemen, who honoured the Meeting with their presence. It must be highly gra- 
tifying to the practical Members, to experience the very liberal support and patronage which 
the noblemen and gentleman of the county, their employers, as well as many gentlemen in 
Perth, bestow upoathe Society. A number prizes were awarded. — Perth Courier. 
