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THE LATE DR. NEILL OF CANONMILLS. 
ground for Cabbage, and plant the strongest plants one foot apart each way, so that every alternate 
row, and every alternate plant in the row retained, can be pulled out for winter use. Look to young 
Cauliflower and Lettuce plants of all kinds, and preserve Endive from rain if the weather should 
become stormy. As the ground becomes vacant and the trees can be pruned, manure and trench the 
ground, leaving the surface as rough as possible. Potatoes must be digged if they are worth digging ; 
but we are sorry to say, in many places, they are not worth the trouble. Store Carrots towards the 
end of the month, but Parsnips are best when taken fresh from the ground. If any alterations are 
contemplated in the Kitchen Garden, proceed with them at once, so as to get all completed before the 
ground gets locked up. Wheel manure soil, &c, on frosty mornings, and protect crops from severe 
frost. Permanent crops, as Rhubarb, Asparagus, Sea Kale, Artichokes, &c., should have the ground 
forked over, and receive a mulching of good dung. — P. 
THE LATE DE. NEILL OF CANONMILLS. 
KRHE death of Dr. Patrick Neill, which took place early in September, has cast a deep gloom over 
Ok. horticultural affairs in Scotland ; and the loss which has thus been sustained will be felt where- 
ever gardening and natural history are pursued. Gifted in early life with a taste for scientific pursuits, 
botany and horticulture became Dr. Neill's favourite studies. He was one of those who advanced the 
knowledge of Scotch botany, and who, along with Don and others, added many important plants to 
our alpine flora. Throughout life he retained a lively and deep interest in this pursuit ; and his 
garden at Canonmills bears testimony to the zeal and success with which he cultivated the rare alpine 
species. But while thus an enthusiastic practical botanist, he was also a most enlightened horticulturist, 
and contributed much, by his exertions and writings, to promote the gardening of Scotland. He was 
one of the early founders of the Caledonian Horticultural Society ; he acted as Secretary to that Insti- 
tution for the long period of forty years, and it is mainly to his exertions that its present high position 
is due. With him this Society was always a favourite object, and he devoted himself to it. ' 
His exertions were crowned with success ; and he lived to see the Society struggle through many 
difficulties, until it was placed in such a position as to ensure its stability and permanency. 
Dr. Neill embraced in the range of his study all departments of natural history. He was particu- 
larly fond of zoology, and he always had in his garden living specimens of some of the rarer animals, 
which were objects of attention to visitors. He promoted the establishment of the Edinburgh 
Zoological Garden ; and in his capacity of Secretary to the Wernerian Society, he had many oppor- 
tunities of advancing the science of natural history. By his death one of the links has been broken 
which united us with the Scotch naturalists of last century. His loss will be deeply felt, — for he was 
beloved by all who knew him ; and, with all his acquirements, he exhibited an innate retiring modesty 
which was peculiarly pleasing. He loved science for its own sake ; and he did all in his power to 
promote a love for it in others. His collections were open to all ; and his house at Canonmills was the 
resort of every naturalist who visited the Scottish metropolis. 
Perhaps no one has ever done so much for the horticulture of a country as Dr. Neill has done for 
that of Scotland ; and no one has ever shown greater anxiety for the education and welfare of practical 
gardeners. Scotland has been long distinguished for horticulture, and the skill of her gardeners, 
much of which must be attributed to the early education which they receive. To no one was the 
horticulture of Scotland more indebted during the last half century than to Dr. Patrick Neill, whose 
decease must be a subject of deep regret to all who feel an interest in horticultural operations. In him 
the gardeners of Scotland have lost their best friend. 
Till within a few months of his death, Dr. Neill was able to take an active interest in his favourite 
pursuits ; and even when he felt that his strength was failing, he retained that calm equanimity which 
ever distinguished him, and spoke with composure of his departure from the scene of his labours. He 
was buried in the Warriston Cemetery. 
We understand that Dr. Neill has bequeathed to the Caledonian Horticultural Society, for which 
he laboured so long, a sum of £500, for the purpose of founding a medal to be awarded to distinguished 
Scottish cultivators. 
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