MARCH. 
85 
any gardener might well be proud. Fine as these were, however, they 
were not near so large or showy as some fruit of foreign growth shown 
by Mr. Lewis Solomon, of Covent Garden. The latter consisted of 
Easter Beurre, apparently quite ripe ; Beurre Ranee, Belle Auvergne, 
St. Germain, Catillac, and Bon Chretien Pears; and the White Calville 
and Reinette du Canada Apples. These were specimens which, for size 
and beauty, it would be difficult to surpass. Mr. Solomon also sent a 
collection of foreign vegetables, consisting of large white Asparagus and 
what is termed Sprue, Artichokes, and French Beans, together with an 
excellent salad, in which were Lettuces, Endive, and Barbe du Capucin, 
all of which have been largely imported to Covent Garden Market during 
the last two months. From Mr. Tegg, gardener to Arthur Pryor, Esq., 
came very good Ash-leaved Kidney Potatoes and Asparagus; and Mr. 
Ingram, gardener to J. J. Blandy, Esq., of Reading, sent some very 
nice forced Rhubarb, Seakale, and Mushrooms. Mr. Judd, gardener 
to Earl Spencer, produced examples of Brussels Sprouts, to prove that 
this vegetable can be had as fine from home grown seed as from 
that imported from Belgium. The specimens shown, which were in 
every way excellent, were stated to have been raised from seed, which 
(or rather the stock of it) had been in Mr. Judd’s possession for 16 
years. He had had it, he said, from his father, who had grown the 
same sample for more years than he had done, a fact which he con¬ 
sidered calculated to set the matter so long disputed at rest, that no 
good Brussels Sprouts could be grown except from Belgian seed. That 
fi*om which the specimens shown were raised, he added, was saved in 
1849 ; it was therefore seven years old, a proof that good seeds do not 
lose their vitality so soon as many believe them to do. 
Attention was directed by the Vice-Secretary to drawings of 
Maxillaria venusta, Selenipedium Schlimi, a Lady’s Slipper-like plant, 
and Odontoglossum phaleenopsis, three new Orchids which have lately 
been brought into notice in Belgium, and which for singularity of form 
and brilliancy and beauty of colours, may well vie with any of that 
favourite class now in cultivation. 
Dr. Lindley also briefly described Boucherie’s process of charging 
timber of inferior quality with substances which rendered it equal 
to Oak. 
FRUIT CULTURE.—No. II. 
BY MR. POWELL, ROYAL GARDENS, FROGMORE. 
( Continued from page 42.) 
The propagation of fruit trees by grafting is of ancient date; the 
invention was well known and practised by the Greeks and Romans, 
who were acquainted with a variety of modes. Indeed, in all civilised 
countries, it has long been adopted, and none perhaps are more clever in 
the art than the French, who not only apply it to fruit trees and 
shrubs, but also to soft-wooded plants. 
Most all our fruit trees are increased either by grafting or budding. 
