418 
THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. 
March 3. 
5g. per dozen bunches, whilst last week the same article, 
and of same quality, might ho had in abundance at from 
Is. to 2s. We have observed one or two parcels of 
genuine Eat'ly Potcttocs —not the pale-faced ^cius 'toics 
sort we spoke of a week or two ago, but real Early 
Erames, with all their unwashed exterior about them. 
These, however, are not general. We have also noticed 
a few forced Strawberries of the Keen’s Seedling variety. 
These, too, are mere curiosities, and, to all appearance, , 
are more for show than use, for nobody seems to buy 
them. We are wearying for the season when we shall 
see them au naturelle, and have an opportunity of dis- 
canting on the numerous varieties which will then be 
presented. At present we have no exciting subjects; 
nothing to create a warm, glowing, interest. We refrain 
from giving a dissertation on Oranges, for that nobody 
would care about; but if such were required we could 
do even that. Chesnuts are a dry subject, and so are 
Walnuts. The only genuine feast at present is that 
supplied by the flowers and bouquets, which, en passant, 
if time permit, we shall treat of as we promised. 
As we have already said. Vegetables have advanced 
much in price. Savoys have made as high as 2s. per 
dozen; and, indeed, almost everything has been from 
one-fourth to double the quotations of last week. 
Notwithstanding the frost, the Elowers have been 
abundant. They consist chiefly of Camellias, Cinera¬ 
rias, Primroses, Geraniums, Azaleas, Hyacinths, Tulips, i 
Heaths, Lily of the Valley, and Violets. H. 
GOSSIP. 
It is satisfactory to observe any expression of the 
public disapprobation of the trickery to which some 
Exhibitors of Flowers condescend. 'This trickery has 
condescended to such practical falsehood as attaching 
extra pips to a truss of Auriculas; and the trimming otf, 
and the twisting into form of petals in Picotees and 
! other flowers of that genus, are practices of occurrence 
at every Floral Exhibition. That these are reprehensi¬ 
ble practices needs no argument, for the skill which the 
prizes are designed to reward is the gardening or cultural 
skill which can produce the most excellent flower by 
the plants own healthful and vigorous growth. To give 
the prize to a man who has trimmed his blooms into the 
best form, is doing little more than rewarding the best 
artificial flower-maker. We have been led to these 
observations from noticing that at an Extra Grand 
j Carnation, Pieotee, and Hollyhoch Competition, to take 
I place at Glasgow on the 17th of August, one gentle- 
i man, William Church, jun.. Esq., has thus liberally de- 
I moustrated his reprehension of the artificial system:— 
1 TO PRACTICAL GARDENERS AND AMATEURS. 
I For six varieties named Picotees,to be exhibited in 10-inch 
j pots, ill which they must have been grown for at least three 
1 months. The blooms to be shown in their natural state, 
without trimming or dressing of any kind. A declaration 
must be given to the effect tliat the blooms are exhibited as 
required. The object of this Prize is to promote the growth 
and improvement of varieties naturally fit for exhibition; 
01 ’, in other words, such as do not require to be previously 
manufactured. First J‘rize, J.‘2 2s.; Second Prize, -tT Is. 
Next we have to notice, as will be seen by a reference 
to our advertisements, that The Doncaster Poultry Exhi¬ 
bition this year is to be limited to two days. This 
Society, therefore, has the merit of setting the example 
in adopting this most desirable reformation; and we 
quite 'agree with its Secretary in his opinion, not only 
that “it is ‘a consummation most devoutly to be 
wished,’” but that “it will assuredly have to be the 
ease in other and, at present, larger exhibitions.” 
Our correspondent, “ Upwards and Onwards,” writes 
to us— 
“ As a further proof of the undomestieated nature of the 
Silver Pheasant —tliatthe ‘ erratic fellow ’ mentioned in a pre¬ 
vious article of mine, after three years almost uninterrupted 
sojourn, suddenly took it into his head to decamp, and 
provide himself fresh quarters in an orchard about a 
quarter-of-a-mile distant. Whether from biped or quad¬ 
ruped ‘ worriting,’ I cannot take upon me to say; suffice it, 
the poor fellow was brought back in such sorry plight, that 
he soon after died in the lodge-keeper’s arms. I miss his 
formal and meditative going to bed in the branches of an 
old Cedar of Libanus every evening very much.” 
On Thursday, a deputation from the Council of the 
Bath and West of England Agricultural Society met by 
appointment, at the Plymouth Guildhall, gentlemen, 
selected at the last meeting of the local Committee, to 
confer with them on several matters connected with the 
Exhibition, but particularly with regard to the selection 
of the spot for the show of cattle, implements, &c. The 
Secretary stated that he had received official communi¬ 
cations from the Great Western, the Bristol and Exeter, 
and the South Devon Railway Companies, stating that 
they would convey all cattle to and from the Exhibition 
free of charge, and all implements at half the usual cost, 
provided the cattle, implements, &c., were sent direct, 
without the intervention of any public carriers. This 
announcement of the liberality of the respective com- 
jianies also gave much satisfaction. It was further 
stated that the Poultry Show would form an integral 
part of the general e.xhibition, and would be held in the 
same inclosure. With regard to a Flower Show in con¬ 
nection with the proceedings, there was a difference of 
opinion, some gentlemen imagining that it would be 
injurious to the interests of the Society rather than 
beneficial, as it might attract attention from the real 
object of the meeting; the subject, however, will be 
decided by the Council. The selection of the site was 
then brought into consideration, and after hearing all 
that could be advanced, the deputation, after having 
viewed both spots, at Mutley and Peunycomequick, 
selected the site at the latter place. 'The Exhibition 
will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 
the 8th, t)th, and 10th of June, and amongst the prizes 
to.be offered are the following:— 
X' s. D. 
For Devon Cattle, prizes amounting to. 77 0 0 
For Soutli Devon or South Hams Cattle,ditto.... fiO n 0 
For Cattle of any other breed . 77 0 0 
For Long-woolled Sheep. 40 0 0 
b’er Soutli Down Sheep . 20 0 0 
For Dorset Sheep. 02 0 0 
For Mountain Sheep . 12 0 0 
For Pigs, large breed . 15 0 0 
