120 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ May, 
suggestion printed at p. 33, that while the beauty of these plants cannot be too 
highly praised, their cultivation is attended with great difficulty. “ I have,” he writes, “ never 
known one successful cultivator. I have never heard of its being raised from seed, though 
the attempt has been frequently made. I have often transplanted G. qnercifolia, fava, and 
Pedicularia from the woods, but they have invariably died out after a few seasons.” The 
reason assigned for this is that they are root-parasites, a peculiarity most marked in 
G. quercifolia , which is the handsomest of them all. Mr. Rand adds, that “damp, spongy 
ground would be the last place in which to search for yellow Gerardias, all of which grow in 
open rocky woods in very dry soil; and recommends sowing in light leaf-mould kept a little 
moist until the plants come up; he would afterwards keep the plants rather dry than wet, 
though not allowing them to suffer from drought. We fear, however, the experience thus 
recorded is against the probability of the Gerardias being domesticated in our gardens. 
- ® he Schedule of Prizes for the Birmingham Show of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society in June next, has been drafted with great care, and in a liberal 
and catholic spirit. The sum total offered for prizes is £1,659 Is. Of this 
amount, £661 18s. is offered by the Royal Horticultural Society, and £997 3s. by the local 
committee. Of the latter, £105 Is. is offered for horticultural buildings, implements, &c., 
in the shape of medals; and £891 18s. for plants, fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers. Two 
meetings will be held on June 26th and 27th for the discussion of subjects bearing upon horti¬ 
culture, each being opened Avitli a short address,—that on the first day by Professor Dyer, 
“ On Recent Progress in the Scientific Principles of Horticulture ;” that on the second by T. 
Moore, Esq., F.L.S., “ On the Recent Progress of Practical Horticulture.” 
- gt specimen of the Cacao , Theolromci Cacao , which has recently been 
fruited at Glasnevin, was exhibited at a recent meeting at South Kensington. 
The capsule shown by Dr. Moore was yellowish, oblong, pointed, and furrowed 
longitudinally, of fleshy consistence, and containing numerous seeds imbedded in a pulpy aril 
Avhich had a slightly acid flavour, tempered with that of Cucumber. 
- ^The next exhibition of the Royal Nationcd Tulip Society will be held 
on May 25, in the Botanic Gardens, Old Trafford, Manchester, when £60 will be 
given in prize-money. 
- tUfHE Neil Bequest , in the gift of the Council of the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society for the time being, has been voted to Mr. Andrew Turn- 
bull, gardener to the Earl of Home, Bothwell Castle; and amounts to the hand¬ 
some sum of £65. Mr. Turnbull’s Avorth as a man, and his abilities as a practical gardener, 
well entitle him to this honour. 
- ®jie Royal Horticultural Society, in commemoration of its last year’s 
Visit to Nottingham , and in acknowledgment of the hearty support received from 
the horticulturists of that town, have placed at the disposal of the Nottingham 
Horticultural Society and the St. Ann’s Society, respectively, three gold medals, to be aAvarded 
at the exhibitions of these societies during the years 1873, 1874, and 1875. 
- Presentations have recently been made to Mr. J. S. Tyerman, and 
Mr. G. Ryles: to the former, on the occasion of his retiring from the curator- 
ship of the Botanic Gardens of Liverpool; to the latter, in acknowledgment of 
his successful management of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Shows. That to Mr. Tyerman 
consisted of a handsome silver centrepiece, bearing the inscription:—“Presented to John S. 
Tyerman, Esq., on bis resignation of the curatorship of the Botanic Gardens, Liverpool, by a 
feAv friends, to mark their high personal esteem, and in recognition of his scientific attain¬ 
ments. 1872.” That to Mr. Eyles consisted of a pair of claret jugs, and a purse of about £80, 
the jugs bearing the following inscription: — “To George Eyles, from 125 horticultural 
friends and exhibitors, as a token of personal esteem, and in appreciation of his successful 
management of the Royal Horticultural Society’s FloAver Shows at Kensington, and in the 
provinces. March 6, 1872.” 
