280 THE CULTIVATOR. Aug. 
from the dust and smoke of this immense pile of bricks, 
and in a ride of six miles from St. James Palace, find 
yourself on a quiet, snug farm, with all the freshness of 
the country, and with all its attractions. 
Mr. T.’s farm was in much disorder when he took pos¬ 
session of it a few years since; but by draining and ma¬ 
nuring, he is changing its appearance, and it wears the 
aspect of an improved and improving farm. 
I met at Mr. Tanqueray’s, several gentlemen interest¬ 
ed in agriculture, as practical farmers, and the visit was 
a very pleasant one, which I hope to renew at a more 
leisure day. 
The sale of Mr. Combe’s stock, which I visited some 
days since, took place on Tuesday, the 10th inst., at the 
Downside. Fair, Cobbam Park. The day was unfavora¬ 
ble, but between two and three hundred gentlemen sat 
down to a sumptuous lunch previous to the sale. The 
cattle were in good condition. Mr. Strafford con¬ 
ducted the sale. The biddings were spirited, and the 
prices, (I heard several gentlemen remark,) were high¬ 
er than they expected. There were 28 cows and heifers 
sold, which averaged over 30 guineas each, the high¬ 
est bringing 49 guineas. Six heifer calves realized an 
average of 18 guineas each. Three bull calves brought 
upwards of twenty-two guineas each. Considering these 
are what they call free trade times, very disastrous to 
the farmers here, I think the sale was an excellent one. 
Mr. Thomas Bell was with me at the sale, and he 
agrees with me that there can be no good ground of com¬ 
plaint as to prices. I was very much disposed to buy 
one of the heifers for friend Kirtland. as I think it would 
have suited him; but the price went far beyond my idea 
of what was desirable for our side of the water—though 
I am satisfied she would have been much cheaper at the 
price, than many that have reached our shores from this 
side of the water. 
I like much the practice here of using a little sand¬ 
glass, which empties itself in less than half a minute, 
and unless a bid is made before the sand is run, the last 
bidder has it. It expedites wonderfully, and brings men 
to a decision, and saves much trouble. I met Mr. Jonas 
Webb and several other gentlemen of distinction, ivho 
are known for their interest in breeding. 
Horticultural Show at Chiswick. —On Saturday 
last, 7th of June, the second Horticultural Exhibition 
for the season took place at Chiswick. The day was 
somewhat damp, and with occasional rain in the early 
part of the day, but the attendance was estimated at ten 
thousand, and I should suppose at least that number must 
have been present during the afternoon. The show is 
said to have been one of the best the society has held— 
certainly it was one of extraordinary richness in all its 
departments. Some extraordinary Pitcher plants from 
Messrs. Yietch, of Exeter, and some Cacti from Lady 
Antrobus, attracted very great attention. In connexion 
with the usual exhibition, was an American exhibition, 
by Mr. Hosea Waterer, the original grower of Rhododen¬ 
drons, which was very fine—in fact some of the groups 
of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, were unsurpassably 
beautiful. The display of Pelargoniums, Pinks, Pansies, 
Calceolarias, both new and old varieties, was uncommonly 
rich. The collection of green-house plants, was very 
extensive, and-many of them of uncommon richness and 
beauty. Of Fruits there were choice Pine-apples, 
Grapes, Peaches, Strawberries, &c. 
Roses were very fine. The Yellow Persian, exhibited 
by Mr. Francis, appeared to me of uncommon beauty, 
and I perceive a prize was awarded to it. There were 
many other flowers and plants of great beauty—and the 
whole Exhibition, notwithstanding the unfavorable wea¬ 
ther, exceeded my highest anticipations. The music 
from several of the military bands was given in the per¬ 
fection for which they are celebrated, and added much 
to the interest of the occasion. Among the distinguished 
personages in attendance, were the Duchesses of Orleans. 
Sutherland, and .Argyle. The Count of Paris, Mar¬ 
quises of Winchester, and of Tweeddale, Lords John 
Russell, Blantyre, &c. 
The receipts of the Crystal Palace, up to and includ¬ 
ing Saturday 7th June, were as follows: 
Daily Visitors,... -... £71.421 03 
Season Tickets,. 65,976 15 
Subscriptions,... 64,344 00 
For privilege to print the Catalognes,.. 3,200 00 
For privilege to supply Refreshments,. 5,500 00 
£210,441 18 
Liabilities— : 
Building,. £130,000 00 
Management, printing,; &c.,. 25,000 00 
Police,.. 10,000 00 
Prize Fund,....... 20,000 00 
-185,000 
June 7th, surplus on hand,.. £25,441 18 
There are a variety of projects on hand to dispose of 
the surplus. But I have heard no one, as yet, suggest what 
I think should be’done—pay the exhibitors the expense 
they have incurred in getting up the show, especially 
those from foreign countries and from England, those 
residing out of London and its vicinity. I have no 
hopes, however, of any such course being adopted—far 
more likely to get all they can to embellish the Park, 
or create a permanent fund to keep up the building, and 
open it as a public promenade, with plants, &c. 
I am in receipt of papers and letters by the Cunard 
steamer just arrived. I notice several letters from this 
side are published, some of which, of an early date and 
official character, have been quite unfortunate in the 
character assigned to our exhibition. As the reality does 
not come up to the statements made,—the London 
journals, the “ Times” especially, have taken occasion 
to charge upon the country at large, this, to say the 
least of it, boasting description of the American contri¬ 
butions, as entirely characteristic of our country. My 
own impressions, which have been strengthened by every 
day’s observation here, are that if a little patience had 
been observed, until our exhibition was fully opened and 
arranged, it would not have elicited such a series of ill 
natured remarks, as have characterised the journals here 
—particularly the “Times” and “ Morning Chronicle.” 
I do not imagine any serious injury will result to our 
country. I think it will all be productive of benefit in 
the end; it however renders it very unpleasant for the 
exhibitors here to be constantly met with the sneers of 
those who, taking their cue from these journals, have not 
brains enough, many of them, to know what things are 
really valuable and useful in our collection, and what 
not. The Times, which I send you, of the 10th, has one 
