illustrated than at this meeting, when perhaps one of the most lovely of all lovely families—the Orchids—was 
presented from Messrs. Veitch and Son of Exeter. This plant belonged to the genus Vanda, aud had a receme of 
twelve large flowers of a delicate lilac blue colour, each as large as those of the well known Phalamopsis grandi- 
flora; it is suflicient to say that this plant promises to become a formidable rival to the Phalcenopsis , and is 
certainly one of the most remarkable of all the Orchids in cultivation ; it is from India, and was introduced by 
the gentlemen before named. Next in importance as a new plant, was a specimen of Ionopsis from Jamaica, 
with small white flowers, from Messrs. J. A. Henderson & Co., of Pine Apple Place. These were the only novelties 
present; hut Mr. Blake, gardener to J. H. Schroder, Esq., sent a splendid group, containing some noble plants, 
the most remarkable of which were two specimens of Epidendrum Skinneri, one with sixteen and the other with 
thirteen spikes of bloom; Zygopetalum crinitum, in splendid condition; the rare Dendrobium sanguinolentum, 
with Angraecum bilobum and Sophronites grancliflora. Mr. Glendinning, of the Chiswick Nursery, sent a plant of 
Hoya imperialis with eight noble umbels of flowers, proving that where there is suflicient heat this will become a 
valuable winter plant. 
Of fruit, the most remarkable were two baskets of Grapes—Muscat of Alexandria, and Black Hamburgh—from 
the Vineries of G. J. Nash, Esq., of Bishops Stortford, Herts. It would be difficult to imagine finer Grapes than 
these, for they were perfection; large bunches, well ripened and finely coloured, and exquisitely flavoured. They 
were said to be grown by a common labourer, but that is nonsense, as we know a tale about the vines which pro¬ 
duced these Grapes which we can unfold if necessary. Mr. Mitchell of Brighton sent some Black Hamburgh’s—• 
part of a second crop from the same vines in twelve months ; and Mr. Hibbins, gardener to the Hon. James Morton, 
some Muscats which in the absence of Mr. Nash’s would have been considered fine. Mr. Seymour, gardener to Lord 
Alford, sent some seedling grapes said to be raised in a house where Hamburg's and Muscats had grown together for 
years, and the seedling was said to resemble West’s St. Peters ; this, however, we deny; the form of bunch is 
different, the flavour is more musky, and altogether it is a better grape than West’s St. Peters. From the garden 
of the Society were fine specimens of the Forelle and Vicar of Winckfield Pears, the last an inferior kind, and 
some good fruit of Napoleon. Mr. Parr, gardener to J. Jarrett, Esq., Camerton Court, Bath, sent two brace of 
Cucumbers not at all remarkable. Among the Plants from the Society’s Garden the most remarkable were Cymbidium 
giganteum, Maxillaria bracteScens, Brassia venusta, Lycaste glauca; Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana with its 
splendid scarlet flowers ; several kinds of Epacris and Heaths, and tolerable plants of Selago distans, Barbacenia 
purpurea, Hovea ilicifolia and Manettia bicolor. 
Urnirai. 
The Villa Gardener ; comprising the choice of a suburban residence , the laying out , planting , and culture of the garden 
and grounds , <§■<?., Sec., illustrated with numerous engravings. By J. C. Loudon, F.L.S., H.S., &c. Second Edition. 
Edited by Mrs. Loudon. London : Wm. S. Orr & Co. 1850. 
Among the many excellent works which emanated from the indefatigable industry of the late much to be lamented 
Mr. Loudon, we have always looked upon the Suburban Gardener and Horticulturist as two of the most useful; 
inasmuch, as they contain in a plain and comparatively condensed form, all the essensial elements and leading 
principles of landscape gardening, architecture, and cultural instruction, which are spread over thousands of pages 
of his great works ; and, in addition, being among his last works, they had the advantage of his great experience 
aud refined taste, in selecting such parts only as he considered necessary, to explain the principles in a manner so 
plain and comprehensive, as to be suitable to those persons who had had no previous experience in gardening, either as 
an art, science, or simple occupation. The great pains which Mr. Loudon always took to explain his meaning in the 
most lucid and familiar manner is prominently evidenced in the volume before us, for though it contains only some 
500 pages, it is embellished with no less than 378 engravings, some of them of the most elaborate description, and 
representing the leading features of scenery of such places as Bedleaf, Wimbledon House, Hoole House, Kenwood, 
&c. &c., and a vast number of “ designs for country villas, with their planting, culture, and renovation;” in fact, 
there is scarcely a subject connected with the choice of a suitable site for a villa, and its erection; or the preparing, 
laying out, and planting of the same, which is not explained in detail, and, to a considerable extent, illustrated 
with designs sufficiently instructive for those “ who run, to read.” 
The present edition, which is very appropriately called the Villa Gardener , is edited by Mrs. Loudon, who has 
performed her task with considerable taste and skill; and though the work contains much which would have been 
better left out in the present day, as for instance the estimates of expense of works, or cost of plants, which are 
far from correct; still these are errors of degree which must always occur in standard works, more especially in 
new editions, unless they are brought down to the spirit of the times in which they are written. Estimates for 
works of this kind should always exceed rather than be below the market value of the work which they represent, 
for the value of plants, soil, and everything connected with the laying out of a garden is ever changing, 
and consequently, general book estimates should only be considered as approximating, and not as the value at all 
times. Me consider it right to direct attention to this subject at the present time, as we know those persons who 
take the work as a guide will find they have been misled, and much unnecessary dissatisfaction will be the result. 
The work is divided into four books—First, “General Principles, which should be taken into consideration 
