July 10. 
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION. 
25? 
that its blossoms will stand a great amount of cold, but 
the tree itself is tender. Perhaps, the best way to secure 
a greater amount of hardihood, as well as health, would 
bo to cultivate new kinds; for I think those now in i 
general use, as the Moorpark, Brussels , &c., are wearing 
out like the old favourite Apples, so that a great boon 
would bo conferred on the gardening world by some 
one turning their attention to the improvement of this 
fruit; for while our list of Grapes and Pears extend to a 
great length, that of Apricots is very meagre, and be¬ 
coming more so. The growth of the plant is now 
directed into such irregular channels, that we often see a 
tree rushing up shoots like hazel rods; while, at others, i 
scarcely adding an inch to its half-barren spurs, thus 
intimating that it is fast falling into the irregularities 
which portend an early dissolution, a rapid and gross 
growth, followed by disease and death, which, though 
at times averted by the favourable circumstances, is, 
nevertheless, only postponed. 
J. Robson. 
. 
Igniting Anthracite Coal. —Nothing is more easy 
or simple when the modus operandi is understood. Place 
moderate sized lumps of anthracite on a bed of dry 
chips, or, better still, of charcoal (shavings do not answer, 
as they merely flare up and expire before imparting 
sufficient heat), then pour a table spoonful of oil of 
turpentine over the anthracite, set fire to the wood or 
charcoal, and the ignition will not fail. 
Having had much experience with Anthracite coal in 
the United States, and also much trouble with it until 
shown, in the laboratory of Yale College, the right 
method of igniting it, perhaps your insertion of this may 
be useful. Anthracite requires a good draught to make 
it burn fiercely, but stirring it much invariably puts it 
out. A fire of anthracite well fed and left toptself burns 
to a white heat.—C. W. Day. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY’S EXHIBITION.— 
July 4tb. 
On Wednesday last the July Exhibition of the Royal j 
Botanic Society was held at the Gardens in Regent's Park, 1 
and a finer day could not have been chosen. The Gardens 
were gay, the grass green, the sky serene, and the flowers 
fragrant; everything contributed to make this a day to be 
remembered. The arrangements were exceUent; no diffi¬ 
culties experienced in obtaining admission, no applying first 
at one gate and then to another, and no molestation from 
the police when we did get in, as was the case at the | 
Crystal Palace. Our ticket told us at what gate we were to 
enter, and there we did enter without trouble or misgiving. , 
Thanks to Mr. Marnock for his very excellent management. 
We first proceeded to the marquee; but when we say the 
marquee, those who have not seen it cannot form any 
conception of what it is like. It is an immense covering of 
canvass, with a roof on the “ ridge and furrow ” principle, 
extending over upwards of lialf-an-acre of ground, with 
perpendicular sides. The ground is laid out iu winding 
terraces round the sides, which are covered with turf, and in 
the centre formed into raised clumps, with winding walks 
between. On these terraces and raised clumps the plants 
are placed ; and the tout ensemble, whether regarded from an 
elevated position looking downwards, or from the centre 
upwards, is in the highest degree grand. We have never 
seen a horticultural exhibition where the general effect was 
so fine; from whatever point of view this magnificent scene 
was observed, the eye rested on something pleasing, and so 
harmoniously and artistically was the whole arranged, there 
was not a single object which appeared to be out of place, 
or to disturb the general effect. This is, of all others, the 
place for such an exhibition ; and the Crystal Palace, with 
all its advantages and “ capabilities,” as old Brown would 
have said, will have a hard run before it can match the 
Royal Botanic. 
The plants, generally, were very fine. On entering at the 
south-east, wo had the Orchidaceous Plants on our right. 
Here Messrs. Veitch and Son were conspicuous, as usual, 
with the first prize for sixteen specimens, all of which were 
well-grown and noble specimens. Mr. Gedney, gardener to 
Mrs. Ellis, of Hoddesclen, was first for twelve, and Mr. 
Clark second. For six, Mr. Green, gardener to Sir E. 
Antrobus, was first, and Mr. Iveson, of Sion, second. And 
for twenty, Mr. Mylam, gardener to G. Read, Esq., of 
Burnham, Somerset, carried off the first prize, and C. B. 
Warner, Esq., of Hoddesden, the second. 
The Stove and Greenhouse Plants were also very large, 
well grown, and well bloomed specimens; and for the col¬ 
lection of sixteen, Mr. Collyer, of Hartford, carried off the 
extra Gold Medal. 
The Stove and Greenhouse Plants, and the Heaths and 
Fuchsias, extended all round the upper terraces, and the 
Geraniums occupied the lower banks, forming a perfect 
blaze, and at the same time a harmony of colour. Away in 
retired nooks, illustrative of their native shady habitats, 
were collections of Exotic and British Ferns, so relieving the 
blaze of colour by their lively green and graceful fronds, 
that one felt quite refreshed and cooled by nearing them. 
A large tent, at some distance from the above, and on the 
south lawn, was appropriated to the Fruit , which was the 
admiration of every one. We heard one Noble Lady re¬ 
mark to another, “ This is quite as good as Chiswick.” 
“ Quite, I think,” replied the other. And so it was—equal 
to anything of the kind we have ever seen. We counted 
upwards of sixty Pines and thirty three Melons. The 
Grapes were excellent. The Black Hambros of Mr. Frost, 
of Preston Ilall, Maidstone, very fine; and the Mill Hill 
Hambros of Mr. Fleming, very large, and well-coloured. 
The Cannon Hall Muscats of Mr. S trail an, gardener to 
R. B. Hill, Esq., of Bache Hall, Chester, were quite a sight, 
one bunch measuring about a foot in length, and the berries 
nearly as large as Green Gage Plums; but they were not 
nearly ripe. The Dutch Hambro’s of Mr. Tillyard, of Heck- 
field Place, were also very large. The Peaches and Nec¬ 
tarines were particularly numerous, and very fine. Those 
which most prominently attracted our attention were the 
Violette I I alive and Noblesse Peaches of Mr. Snow, which 
were very large and beautiful, as were also the Royal George 
and Noblesse of Mr. Howe, gardener to R. Baker, Esq., of 
Bayfordbury. Unfortunately, many fine specimens, both of 
Peaches and Nectarines, were far from being ripe, particu¬ 
larly those of Mr. Turnbull, of Blenheim. 
In the Miscellaneous Collection, Mr. MoEweu, of Arundel 
Castle, furnished a complete dessert of “ fruits of all 
kinds,” composed in all of thirty dishes; among which were 
Apples. These, however, were, old; but of this season’s 
growth there were Jargonelle and Summer Franc Real 
Pears, Peaches, Nectarines , Strawberries, Gooseberries, Cher¬ 
ries, Green Gage Plums ! very large, very fine, and quite 
ripe ; Oranges, Raspberries, Melons, Figs, Hautbois, &c., Ac. 
Mr. Fleming, of Trentliam, had also a very choice and 
select collection, and though not so numerous as Mr. 
McEwen’s, they were very fine ; his Grapes were gorgeous, 
both for size and colour. From the Duke of Northumber¬ 
land’s, at Sion, were dishes of the fruit of the Nutmeg, 
the Plantain, the Vanilla, and Momordica, or balsamina 
the Balsam Apple of the East Indies. 
Among the Strawberries we had the varieties generally 
in cultivation, and well represented; but the one which 
attracted our attention most was Sir Charles Napier, from 
Mr. Smith, of Twickenham, which appears to be a very 
valuable acquisition, the colour being brilliant scarlet, and 
altogether different from anything we have had since the 
large Strawberries have been introduced. 
In this tent were also cut blooms of Roses and Verbenas; 
but as we have not space to particularise, we must refer our 
readers to the Prize List. 
About two o’clock the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess 
Mary, the hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- Strelitz, 
and the Duke of Cambridge, made their appearance, and 
seemed highly gratified with the scene. 
About one o'clock the nobility began to arrive, and among 
the earliest were the Duchess of Sutherland, and the 
