46 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ March, 
had peculiarly favourable opportunities for 
studying the subject. The result, we are pleased 
to say, is commensurate with the opportunity, 
and we have now a most useful as well as hand¬ 
some imperial octavo volume of 348 pages, 
illustrated with upwards of 200 woodcuts, and 
with 40 coloured plates—a book which was 
much wanted in gardens. 
The text, which is written in French, is 
divided into twelve chapters, which treat on 
various topics in the following order :—(i.) on 
the geography of palms ; (ii.-vi.) on the various 
palm regions of the world ; (vii.) on fossil 
palms ; (viii.) on the history of palms ; (ix.) on 
botany of palms, including an index of species, 
with synonyms ; (x.) on the uses of palms ; (xi.) 
on the culture of palms; and (xii.) descriptions of 
the plates. A tabulated view of the respective 
classifications of Martins and of Wendland are 
given, and will be found very useful for ready 
reference in so accessible a volume; but the 
most useful part to English cultivators will 
probably be the alphabetical list of species with 
synonyms, since the opportunity of studying 
the affinities of species on the part of 
horticulturists who have a botanical turn of 
mind, is perhaps more limited in the case of 
palms than in any cultivated group of plants, 
mature examples being confined to very few 
collections, or being otherwise very limited in 
number. As an illustration of the utility of this 
index, we may refer to the beautiful and grace¬ 
ful plant represented on Plate IV., which is 
inscribed Kentia divaricata: which we learn 
from the list in question, is the proper name of 
the Kentia gracilis of Linden, in KIllustration 
Horticole t. 245, the true Kentia gracilis of 
Brongniart, being a species of C/jjjJiokentia. 
The book, which is beautifully printed, and 
altogether very nicely got up, reflects great 
credit on both author and publisher; though 
we should gladly have welcomed brief diag¬ 
nostic descriptions of the species, or at least, a 
synoptical list showing their leading character¬ 
istics in contrast.—T. Mooee. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
« HE Anneal Meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society took place on 
the 11th ultimo, the President, Lord 
Aberdare, in the chair. Lord Skelmersdale, Lient- 
Cul. W. T. Makins, M.P., and Mr. A. Grote, F.L.S., 
were oleotod members of Council, in place of Mr. 
W. Haughton, Mr. 0. J. Frcake, and Mr. P. W. S. 
Miles. The officers were re-elected. In the Report 
from the Council, which was unanimously adopted, 
it is stated that the meetings of the Scientific, 
Fruit, and Floral Committees have been numerously 
attended; and the members have been most diligent 
in the discharge of their honorary duties. The 
usual high standard of excellence, both as to fruit 
and plants, has been maintained. Four parts of 
Vol. V. of the Society’s Journalh&YO been published 
diu’ing the year. The reports of Chiswick trials 
include Violas, Clarkia, Iberis, Yiscaria, Godetia, 
Tomatos, Asters, Turnips, Filberts, and Savoys. 
The Fruit Catalogue, published several years ago, is 
under revision, and will be corrected up to date, and 
reprinted in the form of an appendix to the Journal. 
The condition of the garden at Chiswick is satis¬ 
factory. The rockery formed at the commencement 
of 1877 has proved a most interesting attraction. 
The severe frost which has prevailed dming the 
present winter has done to the outdoor plants at 
Chiswick serious damage, the full extent of which 
cannot be ascertained as yet. The lowest tempera- 
tm’c registered at Chiswick has been 12°,— i.e., 20° 
of frost. The crop of Grapes in the great vinery 
has been good. A wonderful crop of fruit has been 
produced on the cordon Peach trees on the wall—an 
experiment which has proved instructive, as a means 
of comparing the different varieties. Collections of 
the most approved varieties of Figs have been 
planted out as standards in the old orchard-house, 
which has been entirely devoted to the trial of their 
adaptability for this mode of cultm’o. Trials of 
Cabbages, Peas, Lettuces, Endives, Beet, and Straw¬ 
berries in pots have been made by the Fruit and 
Vegetable Committee; and of Gloxinias, Abutilons, 
Bouvardias, Gannas, tuberous Begonias, double Ivy¬ 
leaved Pelargoniums, and double-flowered Zonal 
Pelargoniums in pots; and as bedding plants, of 
Verbenas, Tropasolums, and many varieties of an¬ 
nuals, have been made by the Floral Committee. 
— fJlEETiNGS of the National Florist 
Societies —the Southern section of the National 
Auricula and National Carnation and Picotee 
Societies—were held on the 11th ult., for the pur¬ 
pose of appointing judges for the ensuing shows, and 
for considering the question of ways and means. The 
honorary secretaries reported that although a fair 
response had been made to the applications for co)i- 
tinuatiou of subsorqitions, yet to place the respective 
committees in a position to meet the sums offered as 
prizes, and the necessary- working expenses, each 
Society stands in need of further help to the extent 
of £10. The lovers of these flowers will of course 
give their assistance, but even those who are not con¬ 
noisseurs will be doing good work bjAending a help¬ 
ing hand, as the societies quoted have been doing 
floriculture a real service. This year, both societies 
hold their show at South Kensington. Subscriptions 
may be sent to either of the honorary secretaries :— 
Mr. B. S. Dodwell, 11 Chatham Terrace, Larkhall 
Rise, Clapham; or Mr. J. Douglas, Loxford Hall 
Gardens, Ilford. 
— ®HE EobiniaPseud-Acacia Bessoniana, 
tliougk not new, is not so well known as its 
merits deserve, for it is without doubt one of tlie 
handsomest of all the compact-growing forms of the 
Locust-tree, being comparatively vigorous in develop¬ 
ment, yet always close and symmetrical in outline, 
fresh and cheerful in colour, and retaining its green¬ 
ness till late in the autumn. 
