Horticultural Societies. 
45 
our of sucli visitors, perhaps they might in some degree occupy the attention of those who were 
making preparations, otherwise, we are satisfied it could do no damage whatever.—We also 
much regret, that practical gardeners are not allowed to see the Exhibition of Fruit gratui¬ 
tously, until 12 o’clock on the day of the Fete.—This would no doubt be the means of increasing 
the number of contributors of Fruit, &c. as there are but few gardeners who like to contribute 
unless they are permitted to see them exhibited ; this, under the present regulations, they cau, 
not do, w ithout paying a guinea, wdiich to the greater part of gardeners is too great a sacrifice. 
We were very sorry to see the smallness of the contributions from private gardens, this, we 
in some degree attribute to the maimer in which the Prizes have hitherto been awarded, the 
plan differing from those of any other Establishment of the kind in the kingdom—and in our 
opinion by no means so good, or so well calculated to assure a good display. Other Horticultu ■ 
ral Societies award Prizes for the first, second, and third best fruit of any particular kind, such 
as for best grapes, second best, &c. and so on with all other sorts; as it is not for the value ot the 
Prizes tliat persons are anxious to obtain them, but simply for the satisfaction of having a Prize 
awarded, be it ever so trilling. This is not the case with the London Horticultural Society— 
their medals are given for the best exhibition of various fruits, thereby giving those persons 
v.'ho possess extensive gardens, undue advantage over the others who cultivate to a more limited 
extent; and instead of giving so many medals to provincial Horticultural Societies, w^e think it 
would he much better to award more at their own exhibition, and by that means cause a greater 
competition. The general Exhibition of Fruit was not so good, as on former occasions, and we 
have seen much finer at the provincial Mee tings. A great part of the fruit was of cour.se sold, 
among which we observed some excellent Melons, Grapes, Pines, Cherries, &c. We much 
object to the manner in vdiich fruit for E.xhibitions of this kind are generally arranged; in¬ 
stead of naming all kinds together, os is always the ca.se, we would, while the Exhibition lasted, 
have all the different fruits placed according to their sorts, and a comparison of their merit* 
w'ould then be much easier understood, and in our opinion have a far better appearance. 
Almost every dish of fruit was placed upon the tjble by the Honorary Secretary himself, 
and his excellent arrangement, made them appear to the best advantage. 
At half-past three o’clock, the refreshment tents were thrown open, and the rush to the tables 
was trcmeiulous, many were obliged to wait an hour or more, before they cou!d get near for the 
jmrpose of refreshment. The tables devoted to Fruit, were first exhibited to the compniny, but 
were closed during the time of refreshment: at half-past four, the gates leading to the fruit 
tents were opened, and the instantaneous advance of the company, beggars all description, and 
although the ,tables were laden with fruit, in five minutes time not a vestige of it, except 
Strawberries, was to be seen, and we are quite convinced tliere were more than 2000 indivi¬ 
duals who never tasted an atom pf any fruit except Strawberries. The general management of 
the Fete, considering the magnitude of the affair, was very well arranged. We shall take occa¬ 
sion to speak more at length on this subject in a future number, in which we shall discuss the 
various opinions giveu, as to the propriety of the Society having an exhibition of the kind 
at all. 
The paper announcing the Medals awarded on this occasion, was as under:— 
“We, the Judges appointed to award the Medals, at the Exhibition of Fruit, in the Hor- 
“ticultural Society’s Gardens, June the 22ncl, 1831; award them as follows;— 
lauge silver medals. 
“Mr. Wilaiam Deas, Gardener to his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Arund.el Castle, 
“for a collection of Pines, Melons, Figs, Peaches,'and Nectarines. 
“ Mr. W. Doley, Gardener to Josiah John Guest, Esq for Queen Pines.” 
BANKSIAN .medals. 
“Mr. Joseph Paxton, Gardener to his Grace the Duke of Devomshire, Cbatsworth, 
“ Derbyshire; for Grapes, Peaches, Pines, and Cherries. 
“ Mr. John Wilson, Gardener to the Right Honorable the Earl of Surrey, Worksop 
“Manor, Notts.; for Grapes, Peaches, and Nectarines. 
“ Mr. S. Bennett ; for a Providence Pine.’’ 
“Mr. John Bower, Gardener to the Right Honorable Lord Selsey, West-Dean 
“ House; for Nectarines and Grapes.” 
signed, “ Hugh Ron.alds. 
“Joseph Wells. 
“WlLLI.MVI GBEENSHIELDS.” 
At a recent IMeeting of the Horticultural Society, a paper was read, entitled, “An account of 
the different modes of keeping fruit, which have been tried at the Society’s garden, for the 
season, 1831,” The statement was drawn up at the garden, and enumerated eight different 
modes; the three best and most practicable of w'hich were, the covering of the fruit in pure 
