THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, November 2. 1858. 
not of sufficient character to render it an acquisition on 
this side of the Tweed ; hut it was considered likely to be 
valuable in North Britain. A desire was expressed that 
Mr. Gfirdwood should he requested to send it again next 
year, with specimens of such of the best usual kinds which 
his neighbourhood produced. 
No. 2, was also melting and juicy, hut had a peculiar, 
slightly astringent flavour, which deteriorated its quality. 
No. 3, was too unripe to be tested at either the General 
or intermediate Meeting. 
it is worth while to give attention to the production of a 
race of such varieties as will, in orchards, freely fruit of 
sufficient quality for culinary purposes. Such trees may 
even he used for decorative purposes, as they will have the 
same effect as Almonds, when in flower. 
Mr. Rivers exhibited good fruit, from pots, of Bar¬ 
rington, Gregory’s Late, and Be esse ,—all large, melting, 
and very nice in flavour. 
SEEDLING APPLES. 
Of these there were a considerable number, but the 
greater portion were so unripe that consideration of them 
was deferred. 
Mr. Higgs, gardener to Mrs. Barchard, Putney Heath, 
brought his Barchard’s Seedlng, a variety which was 
favourably reported on, by the Society, two years ago. 
Also, another variety, called IIigg’s Seedling, which 
was too acid to be likely to take a place amongst dessert 
Apples, and too small for kitchen purposes. 
Note. —It is very much to be desired, that Apples and Pears 
generally, and Seedlings of all kinds especially, should not be 
sent to the Society, but when they are in perfection, as their 
merits cannot be j ustly estimated at any other time, and as they may 
suffer from the circumstances under which they are kept. The 
Society’s intention and practice is, to do strict justice to every 
fruit that comes before it; but it must rest with the grower to 
send it in the condition in which its good qualities arc most 
apparent. 
general fruit. 
A large quantity of fruit was laid before the Meeting 
for general purposes of examination, identification, &c. 
Of these the following were the more remarkable :— 
Mr. Hallf.y, of Blackheath, sent a collection of Grapes 
from very old Vines, on a south wall. The situation was 
described as on, or near, a spot on which a vineyard had 
existed in the time of Queen Elizabeth. They consisted 
of Black Hamburgh, fine, well-grown, and sweet,—quite 
equal to greenhouse Grapes generally. White Muscadine, 
bunches large, berries amber, well up in flavour. Black 
Cluster, berries larger and sweeter than any other that 
had been exhibited this year. It was considered that this, 
and similar exhibitions, tended to prove that there were 
still spots around London, and in the southern counties, 
where Grapes could, with a little care, be cultivated use¬ 
fully and profitably on open walls. 
Mr. Kitley, of Bath, sent bunches of Black St. Peter’s. ' 
Very fine, large berried, and sweet flavoured. They I 
were said to be grown on an open wall, and the produce 
of a heavily-cropped Vine. 
Mr. Lane sent, under the name of Tripoli or Morocco, 
a variety quite distinct from those names which have 
hitherto been laid before the Society. The bunch was 
large, loose, and apparently a shy setter; berry longisli 
oval, large, and indifferently coloured; skin thick; seeds 1 
few, but large; flavour of the ripest berries rich and 
vinous ; leaves small, stiff', and very downy. 
Note. —It is very desirable that an effort should be made next 
year to settle the confusion which exists regarding the many j 
varieties of Vines often found in old gardens. The Secretary 
takes this opporf unity of suggesting to members, that they will 
aid the Society in effecting this object, if they will send specimens 
of any varieties they possess, other than those in general cultiva¬ 
tion, to the last September meeting of the Society next year, 
accompanying them, in all cases, by leaves; and by all ascertain¬ 
able information regarding them, filled up on forms, which may 
be obtained on application. 
PEACnES. 
Mr. Bohn again exhibited, in an eatable condition, a 
dish of fruit from his standard trees, which were agree¬ 
able for the season, and doubtless very useful for culinary 
purposes. These repeated exhibitions strengthen the 
opinion expressed in. the report of a former Meeting, that 
PLUMS. 
Mr. Rivers exhibited Heine Claude de Bavay, from a 
pyramid, in the open ground; large, covered with a 
glaucous bloom, and in flavour very rich and delicious. 
Too great praise cannot be given to this excellent October 
fruit,—it is worthy of a place on a wall, and as a pyramid, 
or standard, in every garden. 
A good dish of Coe’s Golden Drop was sent by Mr. 
Wighton, and Belle de Septembre, by Mr. Rivers. 
CHERRIES. 
A dish of Belle Agatha, from Mr. Rivers, wa3 not 
brought under the particular notice of the Meeting, in 
consequence of a press of other matter, and as the kind 
had been noticed carefully at former Meetings. It, how¬ 
ever, attracted special notice from many strangers and 
visitors,— sweet Cherries in October being deemed a 
rarity worthy of particular regard. 
PEARS. 
Of these a very large number of varieties were sent, 
but mostly of old or well-known varieties, which were 
chiefly useful in identification and comparison with others. 
Amongst little known varieties were 
Beurre Ltouge, from Air. Rivers, a Pear of the Brown 
Beurre section, large, more oblate than the parent, very 
juicy, but not high flavoured. Beurre de Caen, from 
Air. Rivers, fruit not distinguishable in appearance, or 
flavour, from a good Brown Beurre ; but stated to be 
produced on a pyramid, and to be a healthy, hardy, and 
vigorous tree. If this variety proves to be a free bearer, 
it promises to be a valuable acquisition. 
Gansel’s Neiv Late, from Mr. Sclater, a small, Berga- 
»icd-shaped fruit ; flesh breaking ; flavour rough and 
deficient. 
Jersey Gratioli, from Air. Hogg, melting and good 
flavoured, from the poor soil on the Hastings Sands, 
where Peaches and Apricots will not grow. 
Boyenne Blanc, good flavoured and deliciousfy melting. 
The Secretary reported to the Meeting, that Air. John 
APLaren and Air. G. Swinerd, had labelled and packed 
their fruit with special care and method, and he wa3 
directed to notice it in the report, with an expression of 
the thanks of the Council to those gentlemen. 
At another Aleeting of this Society, held on Thursday 
last, in St. James’s Hall, nine new members were elected, 
and premiums were awarded for the best dish of any 
variety of Pear. A very strong competition took place 
from all parts of the country, and the first prize of £1 
was awarded to Air. Tiley, nurseryman, Bath, for Marie 
Louise; and the second, of 10s., to Air. Alould, gardener 
to P. Rose, Esq., High Wycombe, for Suffolk Thorn. 
There was a large quantity of fruit present; but the 
Meeting was not so numerously attended as usual, on 
account of the unfavourable state of the weather on that 
day. 
A lengthened report will be given in our next. 
The AIuscat Hamburgh Grate. 
It will be remembered that this was the variety which 
took the prize at the Pomological Society, as being the 
beat new Grape having a AIuscat flavour. At the time the 
