most delightful treat to visit the tulip beds, the gooseberry gardens, or the auricula and polyanthus sheds of some of these intelligent and ingenious men. Of late years many have turned their attention to the culture of apple trees; and, wretched as the situation of the whole of this class of useful men now is, there is still a marked difference in the circumstances and appearance of those who love their gardens. But some there are who do love them, without being able to possess them; many houses being now built in this, as well as other districts, without a garden. This is wretched policy. I find among the few cottage tenants I have here, those with a garden pay the best and the most rent, and seem to live in the greatest comfort. I am glad to find you are going to publish a Manual of Cottage-Gardening, with the model of a cottage, at the moderate price of Is. 6d. I shall direct my booksellers, Messrs. Longman and Co., to send me a few copies when published, and I have no doubt of its being perfectly adapted to insure the end designed, improvement in cottage building. On some future occasion I will, if not intruding too much on your pages, present you with the description of several cottages in the village of Hadnal, near Shrewsbury, with remarks on the advantage of a plot of land being attached to the dwellings of the labouring classes. I am, Sir, &c.. Charles Hulbert. High Street, Shrewsbury, Feb. 24.

Wistaria Consequana. Sir, In my botanical rounds and researches, I find that beautiful climber the Glycine sinensis [Wistària Consequàna] in many green-houses, and in some hot or forcing houses. Now, Sir, as this plant is worthy of every gentleman's garden, for the information of those friends of yours who may, or who may wish to, possess it, I here give them my experience in the treatment of it. Loam and peat I find suit it better than any thing else. The one I have has been with me three or four years; it flowers twice in the year; I have it in a very large pot, and it is from 10 to 15 ft. high. I have kept it out in the most severe frost, nearly unprotected; and that intense frost which we had this spring, after some very warm days, it was out under a south wall, and not at all injured. I have increased it, by layers, with little or no difficulty. It is a plant of such beauty as a climber for a veranda, or any warm situation out of doors, that I would recommend it to every lover of plants, especially of climbers, among which it holds the highest station. I am, Sir, &c.-G. G. Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Aug., 1830.

The Rhodes Grape. - Sir, I send you a specimen of the Rhodes Grape, a seedling, raised at Horsforth Hall, near Leeds, a few years ago. It is, as you will see, a fine large black grape, but rather a shy bearer. It is also a bad setter; the specimen sent was set with Black Hamburgh. I do not consider the bunch sent as the best specimen that could be produced, owing to the wet season and a wet border. In more favourable circumstances, I have no hesitation in saying, that for size of bunch and berry (fig. 116.) it bids fair to be amongst the finest of black grapes. The flavour is not particularly remarkable. I remain, Sir, &c. Thos. Appleby, Gardener at Horsforth. Horsforth Hall, Aug. 4.

The bunch contained 84 berries, and weighed 1 lb. 7 oz.; and the flavour was very nearly as good as that of the Black Hamburgh. - Cond.

Large Pumpkins. Sir, Seeing in your Magazine of December last, No. 23., an account of a pumpkin grown by Mr. Thomson, which weighed, when ripe, half a hundred, I beg to inform you that I grew one in the garden at Broomhall, near Oswestry, the seat of H. P. T. Aubrey, Esq., in 1819, weighing 92 lbs. ; in 1820, one weighing 113 lbs. ; and in 1821, one weighing 136 lbs. I am, Sir, &c. - Geo. Davenport, Gardener. June, 1830.

Large Melon.- A Cantaloup melon has been raised by Edward King, gardener to John Buckle, Esq., of the Wildlands, near Chepstow, measuring 34 in. in circumference, and weighing 15 lb. 2 oz. (Newsp.)

Large Cucumber. A cucumber (the Bloor's White Spine) was cut on the 8th of June, in the garden of W. Hardman, Esq., of Chamber Hall, near Bury, of the following dimensions: Length 26 in., girth 11 in., weight 5 lbs. 83 oz. It did not appear overgrown, but in a proper state for the table. (Morn. Chron., June 23.)

SCOTLAND.

Promenade, &c., in the Caledonian Horticultural Society's Experimental Garden at Inverleith, July 10. - The garden is about ten English acres in extent, and commands from every part a superb view of the city. It is divided into compartments suited to the different kinds of plants raised in it; the chief of these compartments being the arboretum, the orchard, the nursery, the hot-houses and stoves, and the kitchen-garden. The arboretum is formed of the numerous species and varieties of trees and shrubs, and extends round nearly three sides of the garden, besides intersecting it in the form of two raised belts. The orchard contains upwards of 600 sorts of apples, collected with great care, and at considerable expense, and many new seedling varieties. The pears amount to 350 sorts, the plums to 100 sorts, the cherries to 80 sorts, and the filberts to about 10 sorts. Of gooseberries there are 350 varieties; and the distinct kinds of strawberries are about 100. The nursery is filled with fruit and forest trees and shrubs in various stages of growth, intended chiefly for distribution among members. The hot-house establishment is not yet complete, but the collection of pine-apples amounts to about 20 sorts, and that of grape vines to about 100 sorts. The culinarium, or kitchen-garden department, is richly stocked with rare culinary plants and herbs. The whole garden is under the management of Mr. Barnet, and never did we see a place of the kind in better order. Not a weed was to be seen; and, still more marvellous to be told, not a bush appeared deranged, nor a bed furrowed by the deluges which had poured down daily for a month before from the weeping skies. The turfwalks were shaven so closely, that they seemed to the eye, and felt to the feet, like a carpet of velvet.

In the centre of the garden a large tent was erected, supported on pillars gaily festooned with evergreens and flowers. Under this awning two tables were placed, capable of accommodating about 500 people. The tables were profusely covered with all the fruits of the season, interspersed with confections, and beside each cover a nosegay was invitingly deposited. At each end of the tent was an elevated platform, supporting a variety of magnificent exotic plants, the exhibition of which was one of the principal features of the entertainment. The collection was as numerous as many of the specimens were splendid. It included the Nepenthes distillatòria, or pitcher plant of China, from the garden of Professor Dunbar, bearing pitchers 10 in. long; the Opúntia Tuna, or prickly pear, in fruit, from the conservatory of Mr. P. Neill; a splendid specimen of the Cactus speciosíssima, in flower; from the botanic garden, the Alstromèria pulchella, trícolor, and Pelegrina; a large Cycas revoluta, and Latania borbónica; Hibiscus Rosa sinensis, Kálmia latifolia (splendid), Erythrina laurifòlia (property of garden), Gladiolus cardinalis, Pròtea nigra, Ľílium japónicum, Maurándya Barclayana, Sarracenia rùbra, Calceolaria purpurea; Verbèna Melindres, Pimelèa ròsea; and a vast variety of ericas, or heath plants, among which the most remarkable, both for size and beauty, were specimens of the perspicua, ventricosa, erécta, flórida, álba, pilòsa, tricolor, præ'gnans, metulæflora, radiàta, spùria, élegans, and jasminiflòra. The manner in which these superb plants were arranged showed them off to the greatest advantage.

The chief contributors of the exotics were Mr. M'Nab of the botanic garden, Professor Dunbar, Mr. Cunningham of Comely Bank, Mr. Patrick Neill, Messrs. Dickson and Sons, Hanover Street, and Mr. Wauchope of Edmonstone. Messrs. Peacock of Leith Walk nursery furnished nosegays for the company, in each of which there was either a moss, a crimson, or a blush rose. These gentlemen also exhibited fifty-nine different varieties of pinks, amongst which were several seedlings of great beauty, raised by themselves. (Edinburgh Observer, July 13.)

Edinburgh Vegetable Market. Aug. 7. There was a very large display of garden produce in the market this morning; and there was a grand turn out of the citizens. Grapes, peaches, nectarines, and currants sold rapidly. Red and white currants sold at 6d. and 7d., and black currants 1s. and Is. 2d. a basket. There was a great supply of potatoes; and two sorts, that have been rapidly rising in the estimation of horticulturists during the last five years, namely, the Liverpool Don, and the Bath Kidney, sold at 6d. to 8d. a peck. Excellent Black Hamburgh Grapes were sold at 1s. 9d. a lb. Gooseberries from 3s. to 5s. a gallon. On the whole, both the sale and prices exceeded the expectations of the gardeners. (Scotsman, Aug. 7.)

C― Cottage, near Glasgow, Oct. 6. 1829.— Sir,.....We are, thanks to good food, abundant exercise, and keen appetites, in good health and spirits, and we continue to like our little retreat here as well as when we first came to it two years ago; for, although the effect of novelty is gone, we have always some thing in progress to keep up an interest. Indeed my flowergarden is an unceasing source of enjoyment, as well as employment to me. I remember, before I left London, wishing I could manage to spend my days in my garden. You hinted, rationally enough, a doubt whether in that event the interest which I then felt and anticipated would not leave me. Now I can say, after a trial of three years, it has not; and I have no fears that it ever will. The beauty of gardening is, that, independently of present gratification, there is always something to do, something to project, and something to look forward to, to keep up a sufficient degree of excitement, without too much anxiety. I wish you were here to see what a pretty place I have, and how busy I am; never, when the weather enables me to be out of doors, without a rake or a trowel in my hand, and happier, I guess, than George the Fourth in his gorgeous palace at Windsor. I fear, however, with all my zeal for this art, I have not much talent for making discoveries or observations.

I noticed, last winter, that one of my double primroses, flowering out of season, produced single flowers. They were what florists call pin-eyed, the pistil being visible at the mouth of the tube; and, on tearing the tube open, the anthers were found perfectly formed and ranged round the bottom. Early in the spring some of the flowers on the same plant were semi-double; and on examining the interior of their tubes, such of the anthers as had not been transformed into perfect petals were found at the bottom in the form of small tiny leaflets. Farther in the season, when vegetation was more vigorous, the flowers were perfectly double, and no anthers in any form were to be found in the tube; a proof, I conceive (if any were necessary), of the correctness of the generally received opinion, that in double flowers the anthers have been converted into petals. Among my coloured single primroses I have some whose first flowers in the season are regular primroses; but those produced later, say about the beginning of summer, are furnished with a scale like polyanthuses.

Mrs. W. had a present made her of a beautiful pet goldfinch, which, after moulting, two years ago, became altogether of a dingy black colour, not a red, or a yellow, or a white feather to be seen; and so it continued for a twelvemonth. Reflecting on the cause of this metamorphosis, I could think of no peculiarity in the habits of the bird, except that it lived almost

colour, he was, before and about the time of moulting last year, made to eat a portion of canary seed (which he would not taste if he could help it); and in process of time he was furnished with a beautiful new suit of the original colours. It is now moulting again, and kept upon a mixed diet. I would have fed him on hemp-seed again, by way of experiment, but was afraid of injuring his health. Do you think that the sort of food he eats can affect the colour of his feathers? And, if so, would not you think that the same cause might produce a somewhat similar effect upon the colour of the human species? By the by, goldfinches, which used to be plentiful enough hereabout, are scarcely to be seen, whilst I understand there are still plenty of them farther north.

I was lately at Castle Semple gardens, the property of Colonel Harvey, which have been formed at great expense, under the superintendence of Mr. Hay of Edinburgh. There I saw pine-apple plants growing in a bed of earth, placed over a chamber filled loosely with stones, and heated by steam, the stones being introduced for the purpose of retaining heat. The plants were in a very healthy state, and growing vigorously; but the gardener, Mr. Lauder (whose brother you may recollect being some time ago with Mr. Campbell, at the Comte de Vande's), was apprehensive they would not show fruit at the right time. Experience, I believe, proves that such a result may be anticipated. I am, dear Sir, &c.-A. W. The Ash and Beech doubtful Natives. These trees have a place in the Flora Scótica of Lightfoot and Hooker, and they have long ornamented "woods and plantations." But there is great reason to doubt their being truly indigenous to this country, or having formed any part of the ancient forests. No traces of them occur in our peat mosses: yet ash keys and beech mast would in all probability have proved as indestructible as hazel nuts or fir cones, which are abundant in many peat mosses. sides the oak, which seems greatly to have prevailed, the ancient forests probably consisted chiefly of fir, meaning the Pinus sylvestris, or Scotch pine; birk or birch; hazel; wych elm, or broad-leaved, not the smooth wych elm of England; roan tree, or mountain-ash; yew; aller or alder; and saugh, as the willow is here called." (Note by the Editor in Jameson's Journal for

Our

Be

Oct. 1829. and Jan. 1830.) Setting the Tokay Grape. I have for the last seven years practised the following method of setting the Tokay grape with the most perfect success; Before the vines come into flower, I keep them in a temperature of from 70° to 75°; and as I see the first opening of the flower, I gradually lower the temperature to 60° or 65°, and find that they set freely, and as well as the Hamburgh, and other free-setting kinds. Any persons wishing to satisfy themselves as to the above statement may, if convenient, call and see my Tokay vines, when I shall be ready to answer any enquiries they may make respecting them. — Duncan Wright, Gardener to James Kibble, Esq., of Greenlaw, near Paisley. July 12.

IRELAND.

Horticultural Society of Ireland. — June 22. Among the plants which attracted particular notice were, Combretum purpureum, Cactus speciosíssima, Ixora coccinea, Calceolària corymbòsa, C rugosa var. angustifolia, C. arachnöídea, Alstræmèria trícolor, Lantàna mutábilis, and fine specimens of Erìca ventricosa var. stellàta and odoràta, sent by Mr. Mackay, from the college botanic gardens; Erythrina Crista gálli, Pæònia Whittle, Gaulthèria Shállon, and fine flowering specimens of Calceolària rugosa, connàta, and integrifolia, sent by Mr. Nevin, from the chief secretary's garden; Thunbergia alata, sent by Viscount Dungarvan; Erythrina Crísta gálli, A`rum Colocàsia, Amaryllis purpurea, sent by Isaac D'Olier, Esq.; Carmichaèlia austràlis, Lechenaultia formosa, Pimelèa decussàta, Euchilus obcordàtus, sent by Mr. Grant, gardener to G. Putland, Esq.; Melaleuca spléndens and fúlgens,

Ardisia colorata and solanacea, Verbèna pulchella and Lambérti, sent by Mr. Keefe, nurseryman; Andrómeda buxifòlia, Stenochìlus maculàtus, and a very splendid collection of heaths, sent by Messrs. Toole, nursery and seedsmen.

The prizes were awarded as follows:

Flowers. Ranunculuses, consisting of 12 varieties, three blossoms of each variety: 1. Mr. M'Mahon, gardener to William Rathbourne, Esq., Scripplestown; 2. Mr. Ryan, gardener to T. Leland, Esq., Roebuck; 3. Dr. Plant, Montpelier Place, Black Rock. Pinks, consisting of twelve varieties, three blossoms of each variety: 1. Mr. Ryan; 2. Arthur Crofton, Esq., Roebuck Castle. Seedling Pink: 1. Mr. Farrell, 116. Capel Street; 2. Mr. Ryan. Bouquet of Roses, consisting of not less than twelve varieties: 1. Mr. Nevin, gardener to the chief secretary, Phoenix Park; 2. Thomas Lyster, Esq., Lyster Wood, Miltown. Group of eight Pelargoniums, of distinct sorts: 1. Mr. Toole, Westmoreland Street; 2. Mr. Simpson, College Green. Seedling Pelargonium: 1. Mr. Simpson; 2. Mr. Toole. Group of six Exotics, of different sorts: 1. Mr. Nevin; 2. Mr. Grant, gardener to George Putland, Esq., Bray-head House, Bray. Bouquet of cut Flowers: 1. Mr. Nevin; 2. Henry Haffield, Esq., Cullen's Wood. Fruit. Plate of twenty-four Strawberries: 1. Mr. Fox, gardener to Charles Smith, Esq., Rosemount, Booterstown; 2. Charles Slowe, Esq., Chapelizod.

This was the first exhibition since the Society was remodelled, and it was most gratifying to the members to see that the arrangements were approved of by the principal practical gardeners who consituted the former committee; and who most obligingly lent their assistance on the present occasion. The stage presented one of the most brilliant displays of plants and cut flowers ever exhibited in Dublin; and it is hoped that this Meeting will be the precursor of an increasing interest in the advancement of horticultural science in Ireland. (Dublin Evening Post, June 26.)

Aug. 10. The following prizes were adjudged:

-

Plants. Exotic, Mr. Nevin, gardener to the chief secretary. Six rarest and best grown: 1. Mr. Keeffe, nurseryman, the gold medal; 2. Mr. Grant, gardener to G. Putland, Esq. Herbaceous. Best six rare, each different, Mr. Toole, seedsman. Flowers. Carnations. Best Flake of any colour (the silver medal), and best Bizard, H. Plant, M.D. Best three Pink Bizards: 1. H. Plant, M.D.; 2. Mr. M'Mahon, gardener to W. Rathborne, Esq. Scarlet (three): 1. H. Haffield, Esq., Cullen's Wood; 2. H. Plant, M.D. Scarlet Flake (three): 1. H. Plant, M.D.; 2. Mr. Clarke, gardener to Mrs. La Touche, Belvue. Purple Flake (three): 1. and 2. H. Plant, M.D. Pink Flake (three): 1. H. Plant, M.D.; 2. Mr. M'Cabe, gardener to the Right Hon. W. Saurin. Seedling Pink Bizard, Mr. Derm, gardener to the Right Hon. Earl of Charleville. Scarlet Bizard, Scarlet Flake, and Purple Flake, Henry Haffield, Esq., Cullen's Wood. Pink Flake, Mrs. Synge, Glenmore Castle. Picotees. The best six Red, H. Haffield, Esq. Six Purple, H. Plant, M.D. Seedling, H. Haffield, Esq. Yellow Picotees, the best Self, disqualified. Mixed, Mr. Hessian, gardener to R. Roe, Esq. Seedling, Mr. Derm. Georginas (the best stand of not less than eighteen flowers, arranged in sorts and named): 1. J. T. Mackay, Esq. M.R.I.A. A.L.S.; 2. Mr. Nevin. Seedling (first time of blooming): 1. Mr. Nevin; 2. disqualified. — Fruit. Pines. No prize was adjudged, as there were none sent in of a sufficient weight. Three very fine specimens of pines, grown without fire or tan heat, were sent to the exhibition by Richard Rothwell, Esq., of Kells. Two of these were cut up, and the flavour was found to be particularly fine, but unfortunately they being under weight, three pounds being the standard, the Committee could not award a prize. Grapes. The weightiest bunch of any variety, except the Syrian : 1. (54 lbs.) Mr. Byrne, gardener to J. Alexander, Esq. Carlow; 2. (2 lbs.) Mr. M'Cabe. Muscat, or Frontignac, the