Flowers. Ranunculuses: 1. Captain Clyne; 2 Mr. Wm. Davidson, jun. Anemones, Double : 1. Mr. Thomas Milne; 2 Mr. Wm. Smith, gardener to James Hadden, Esq., Grandholm Cottage. Pinks, Mr. Thomas Milne. Irises: 1. and 2. Alexander Bell, Esq. - Fruit. Grapes: 1. and 2. Black Hamburgh, Mr. William Anderson, gardener to D. Young, Esq., of Cornhill. Cherries: 1. May Duke, Mr. John Wood, gardener to Sir R. D. H. Elphinstone; 2. May Duke, Mr. William Culinary Barron, gardener to Colonel Campbell of Black-hall; 3. May Duke, Mr. John Wood. — Vegetables. Cauliflowers: 1. Mr. David Taylor, gardener to W. Annand, Esq., Belmont; 2. Mr. David Gairns, gardener to J. Mitchell Nicholson, Esq., of Glenbervie. Potatoes. Kidney (grown in the open ground): 1. Mr. Robert Davidson, Elinfield; 2. Mr. Thomas Milne, in consequence of Mr. William Lawson, gardener to Major Fisher, Devanha, and Mr. George Hardie, gardener to Sir Robert Burnett, Crathes, not being present to answer questions by the judges. Both their potatoes were better than Mr. Milne's. Melon: 1. Golden Rock, Mr. William Wales, gardener to Colonel Duff, Fetteresso; 2. Reeve's Rock Cantaloup, Mr. Peter Archibald, gardener to W. Moir, Esq., of Park. Cucumbers: 1. White Turkey, Mr. David Gairns; 2. Halley's Long Green, Mr. John Davidson, gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Kennedy, Dunottar.

Extra-Prizes. 1. A splendid bouquet, containing, among other things, Lupinus polyphyllus, Mimulus moschatus, M. luteus var. rivularis, Verbena pulchella, V. Melindres, new Geraniums and Calceolarias, Mr. William Davidson, jun.; 2. Six new Ranunculuses, imported last autumn from Rome: two of them were uncommonly large, and the whole were beautiful.

The best Ranunculuses, Anemones, and Peas, and the second best Cucumbers, were brought forward by Mr. Wm. Jack, gardener to J. Cruickshank, Esq., of Langley Park, but a little too late to enjoy the benefit of competition. Owing to the late very unfavourable weather, there was rather a paucity of flowers, and there was only one specimen of strawberries (the Rose), which was sent from the garden of Mr. Alexander Aitken, Upper Strawberry Bank; there were also offered for competition, other three specimens of peas, viz. from Mr. Duncan Cadenhead, Strawberry Bank; from the garden at Aboyne Castle; and from the garden at Murtle; but the judges did not think any of them worthy of being placed on the prize table. A mushroom, rather uncommon in this quarter, and somewhat curious, was sent from the garden at Murtle; it is produced from the mushroom-stone, a specimen of which was handed to the Society. The Society's large silver me. dal was awarded to Mr. Thomas Milne, for his productions at this competition, and small medals to the persons having the other first articles. Garden Duff, Esq., of Hatton, and William M'Combie, Esq., of Easter Skene, were elected members of the Society. (Aberdeen Journal, June 30.) July 14. The Fourth Competition took place in the New Inn, when medals and premiums were awarded to the following competitors:

Mr. John Davidson, gardener, Dunottar, medal for first Pinks, first Cherries (the May Duke), third Pinks, third Melon (Pinky House, green-fleshed), third Strawberries (Keen's Seedlings), third preserved Apples (Golden Reinettes and Nonpareils). Mr. William Smith, gardener to James Hadden, Esq., Grandholm Cottage, the small medal, for first red, white, and black Currants, first and second preserved Apples (the Oaken Pine). Small medals were also awarded to Mr. Alexander Malcolm, gardener, Damside, for the first and second seedling Carnations, second and third Gooseberries (the White Bear and the Early Yellow), and second Strawberries (own Aberdeen Seedling). To Mr. David Taylor, gardener to William Annand, Esq., Belmont, for six seedling Pinks, and second Cauliflower. To Mr. David Gairns, gardener to J. M. Nicholson, Esq., Glenbervie, for the first and second seedling Double Roses (the first flowers), and the third best six Irises. To Mr. James Cruickshank, gardener, Cotton, for the first twelve Stage Carnations. To To Mr. James Alexander, gardener to John Alexander Bell, Esq., for the best six Irises. Thorburn, Esq., of Murtle, for the best twelve Double Roses. To Mr. Robert Burnett, gardener To Peter to George Forbes, Esq., Springhill, for the best melon (the Netted Green-flesh). Cheyne, Esq., Loch Head, for the best Gooseberries (the Phoenix), and the third best Double Roses. To Mr. William Lawson, gardener to Basil Fisher, Esq., Devanha, for the best three beads of Cauliflower. To Mr. Duncan Cadenhead, Strawberry Bank, for the best Strawberries, (the Rose). To Mr. William Davidson, jun., an extra-medal for six beautiful Double Georginas. Mr. Davidson had also the second best six Irises.

The other successful competitors were: Mr. P. Archibald, gardener to W. Moir, Esq., of Park, the second Melon (the Windsor Prize), the second Cherries (the Whiteheart), and the second red, white, and black Currants. Mr. Thomas Milne, Sunnyside, the second best Stage Carnations and Pinks. Mr. William Fraser, Ferryhill, the second best Double Roses. Mr. D. Smith, gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Aboyne, Aboyne Castle, the third red, white, and black Currants. Mr. George Johnston, gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen, Haddo House, the third best Cherries (the May Duke). Mr. J. I. Massie, the fourth best six Irises. The London Horticultural Society's large silver medal was delivered to Mr. D. Gairns, gar. dener to James Mitchell Nicholson, Esq., of Glenbervie, he being the most successful competitor at this Society during the season 1829.

Mr. Adams, schoolmaster at Banchory, sent a basket of seedling Irises for the extra-prize, but omitted to give any open detailed account of them; they not being of the very first quality were laid aside. It, however, came afterwards to the knowledge of the Meeting that they were seed lings, and the thanks of the Society were in consequence voted to Mr. Adams.

The tables were decorated with a superb basket of flowers, brought by Mr. W. Anderson, gar. dener to D. Young, Esq., of Cornhill. This collection consisted of the Acàcia decúrrens, Coba a scandens, Passiflora cæruleo-racemdsa, Cactus speciðsa, Gladiolus cardinalis, Mimulus moschatus, Calceolaria integrifolia, Physalis peruviàna (an excellent fruit), and about forty others, including the Symphytum asperrimum, a plant well deserving the attention of the agriculturist, &c. &c. Mr. Walker also had a splendid basket of Irises, Ranunculuses, and Anemones; and Mr. William Davidson, jun. had several new flowers in pots. (Aberdeen Journal, July 21.)

DIED at Harlow, Essex, on the 25th of July, in the eighteenth year of his age, William, eldest son of Daniel French, who has been many years This amiable and

promising young man met his death in a very melancholy manner: He had long been upon terms of intimate friendship with a neighbouring youth, eldest son of Mr. Winch, a respectable master-bricklayer; and on the evening preceding the fatal event, Winch, having been employed in taking up a copper, and being obliged to go out with his father's cart on business before he had time to clean himself, proposed to young French, who had accompanied him for a ride, after he came from work, to go to the river to bathe on the fol lowing morning. Accordingly, after breakfast, the other children being gone to the national school, French held a very interesting conversation with his father for a considerable time, and then left the house, without saying where he was going, his father going up stairs to dress himself at the same time. The subject of this memoir and his friend went together to a bathing-place, three miles off, below Latton mill, where, it appears, they met with a disagreeable party, in consequence of which they left the place, and went about two miles higher up, to Harlow marsh, where, ignorant of its depth, they selected as the most private spot that which afterwards proved so fatal. The river at this place flows over spongy ground, and forms a hole of an oval shape, 15 ft. deep. Plunging in at once, it is supposed that Winch lost his ground, and that French, who could swim, making to his assist. ance, caught fast hold of him, and both went down together, most probably never rising again, as French was found with Winch fast clinging to him. Thus died this amiable and respected youth, in the act of attempting to save the life of his friend. He had been nearly five years at the nursery of Messrs. Rivers, highly respectable nurserymen of Sawbridgeworth, Herts; and was lately removed and placed under Mr. Terrence, gardener and steward to Selwin, Esq., of Down Hall, Essex. He was strictly honest; and so prudent that any thing might be confided to him. His temperance and industry were remarkable; and his frugality was such, that he would not lay out a penny for any thing that was not necessary. His quietness and orderly habits are borne testimony to by his late worthy employer; the constant neatness and cleanliness of his person and dress won the admiration of the neighbourhood; and so moral was his conduct, that an obscene word was never known to escape his lips. His counte nance bore the stamp of manly innocence, and his look and gait indicated study. He was rapidly improving in his profession, and pursuing_the course which his father had always endeavoured to impress upon him. That father, therefore, saw and indulged the pleasing hope of his son's future advancement in life; but the flower is cut off in the bud; and were it not for the consoling reflection that his short life on earth was well spent, and that he is thus early removed to a brighter region, where sorrow is known no more, his afflicted parents would be inconsolable. Such is the brief outline of the character of this humble gardener lad, of whom it may be said, not only to the young gardener, but to the general reader, “ Go thou and do likewise."-J. S. Harlow, August 30.

Mr. Rigg, a nurseryman at York, with his whole family, consisting of Ann Guthrie Rigg, the eldest daughter, in her 20th year; Thomas Garwood Rigg, the eldest son, aged 18; John Rigg, the second son, aged 16 ; Eliza Rigg, the second daughter, in her 16th year; James Smith Rigg, aged 7; and Charles Rigg, aged 6; with Miss Grace Robinson, of Ayton, near Scarborough, about 18, who was on a visit at Mr. Rigg's, all perished in the Ouse, while sailing down that river, in a small boat, on the 19th of August last. The verdict of a coroner's jury was: - "We find that the deceased were all accidentally drowned, and lay a deodand of 217. on the vessel." (Times.)

THE

GARDENER'S MAGAZINE,

DECEMBER, 1830.

PART I.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

ART. I. Notes and Reflections made during a Tour through Part of France and Germany, in the Autumn of the Year 1828. By the CONDUCtor.

(Continued from p. 531.)

A

THE Gardens of the Luxembourg resemble in general character those of the Tuilleries; but near the palace they are, perhaps, more ornamented with statues, and with basins of water. defect which strikes a stranger, at first sight, is, the ascent from the platform in front of the palace to the central avenue. This ascent is much too near for dignity of effect. Had it been considerably greater it would have had a character of its own, and might have proved a feature of interest: as it is, it militates against the idea of freedom of choice as to situation, or of liberty to extend operations on every side; and, consequently, against general grandeur of expression. The avenue is long and flat, and its termination is bad, a common-place observatory tower in the horizon, backed by the sky. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, the groves, or bosquets as they are called, are good of their kind, and constitute great luxuries in the midst of a crowded populous city. Trees, indeed, never come amiss, provided they are healthy, and they redeem in France, as in England, many of the deformities of artificial landscape. To sit down in the interior of one of these groves; to look through the multitude of trunks of trees, which intervene between the eye and the distant crowds in the open parts

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of the garden; and to hear, at the same time, the faint murmurs of the thousands of human voices, occupied, we may suppose, with as many different topics, constitute to us the greatest enjoyment afforded by these gardens.

The Garden of the Palais Royal, once called the Garden of the Revolution, deserves to be mentioned for the beautiful verdure of the turf, maintained by nightly waterings during the summer season. We were very curious to ascertain, if possible, what species of grass succeeded so well with this treatment; because a grassy surface similarly treated at Caserta, near Naples, was, when we saw it in 1819, comparatively coarse and tufty. We could not determine this exactly, but we think the species were chiefly Lòlium perénne, and Pòa triviàlis and ánnua.

Nothing could be easier than to cover the whole of this garden, from colonnade to colonnade, with a glass roof, which might be opened and shut instantaneously by machinery, on the principle which we have elsewhere suggested. (Encyc. of Gard., § 1610. and 6179.) The soil and the atmosphere within might be heated by hot water, or by steam; and the area laid out as a Sicilian, Andalusian, or tropical garden. Orange trees planted in the ground would, so treated, thrive as well here as they do at Auteuil, at the villa of M. Terneaux; and palms as well as they do in the south of Spain. Before this plan is pronounced to be either difficult, expensive, or impracticable, we must request the reader to examine what we have written on the subject of hot-houses. He will find that by having the glass roof in small copper or iron sashes, glazed with small panes, and balanced on pivots, the whole of the sashes might, by a sympathetic movement, be opened to the perpendicular to admit a shower of rain, or to any smaller angle, to admit air, or the direct rays of the sun, with as much ease as common Venetian window-blinds. The surrounding sides of this garden being already erected would considerably lessen the expense, which, independently of the gardening required, would be little more than that of the roof and of some scores of cast-iron columns, varying in height from those of the surrounding colonnade, to the elevation deemed requisite for the central part of the garden; say, 100 ft. These columns need not contain much metal, and may be cased in a frame of wire-work, to be covered with

Les Préjugés détruits. Par J. M. Lequinio, Membre de la Convention Nationale de France, et Citoyen du Globe. A Paris; chez Desenne et Debray, Libraires, au Jardin de la Revolution, ci-devant le Palais Royal. 1792. This work, we understand, is in the course of translation, for a newly projected Library of Useful Knowledge.

*

climbers, as in the botanic conservatory at Syon. We will not indulge in imagining what might be done in laying out and planting the garden, thus enclosed; which, when finished, we would, of course, have open to all the world, as the Palais Royal is at present. It should be properly lighted with gas, enlivened by fountains, and peopled with exotic birds and insects, kept from escape (when the windows were opened) by wire netting thrown over the roof, and by double doors at the different entrances. On the occasion of great national fêtes, bands of music might be introduced; and at all times there might be demonstrators of botany and natural history, serving also as curators to answer scientifically the enquiries of the curious. Every plant and tree might have its name and other particulars affixed, as in the garden of the Horticultural Society. The shops in the Palais Royal would remain, and business would be transacted in them as at present. All the difference would be that the temperature would be milder. The birds and insects would shun the crowd in the colonnade, and keep to the centre of the garden, as being the part the most umbrageous and retired.

The present head of the French government being, as a private individual, immensely rich, he might form such a garden and present it to the people, on whom it certainly would not be lost. We should be proud to assist (gratis of course) in forming the plan. The time is not yet come for the people to form such a garden for themselves: but, as exotic scenes of this kind must in all countries, by all people who have enjoyed them, be felt as a great luxury; and as whatever is ardently desired by a whole people is certain of being obtained; such gardens will, we have no doubt, be eventually found in all the great cities in the world. We have seen the attempts of Catharine and Potemkin, which were certainly nothing to what may now be done, but still something, relatively to the times in which they were produced. Tropical gardens will be formed in the capitals of the kingdoms of the temperate and frigid zones; and temperate and frigid gardens in the torrid zone. New and easy methods of abstracting heat from air, water, and earth will, by and by, render it as easy to produce the latter, as it is now to construct the former. The idea, at least, is in perfect accordance with the progress of improvement; which consists, first, in creating enjoyments of

* A plan and description of the above conservatory will, we hope, soon appear in this Magazine, with the approbation of His Excellency the Duke of Northumberland; and the same plan, including all the details of the stove apparatus, will also appear on a large scale in an early Part of Illustrations of Landscape-Gardening and Garden Architecture.