a little, and imagine this plan executed, and then compare it in their mind's eye with the garden as actually existing. In my plan every part has such a definite use, that it could not be applied to any thing else without an ob vious derangement; in the plan existing the objects and purposes are so mixed up, and so often repeated, that a great many parts may be said, using a common phrase, to be neither one thing nor another; without definite purpose, and without character. According to my plan, there would not be a repetition of any plant or tree throughout the whole garden; according to the present plan, the same sorts of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, and flowers are many times repeated. According to my plan, there is no one part which may be described as common-place ornament; in the garden, as actually existing, there are numerous borders and patches of shrubs, as at the old entrance, at both ends of the flower-garden, and the borders and walks between hedges on two sides of the arboretum, which are nothing more than common-place shrubbery, of no use whatever. I repeat, that in my plan there will not be a single tree, bush, or plant, or walk, that could be dispensed with or transposed.

form for the area within the arboretum, I have little other objection to it, than that it requires a greater proportion of walk than a circle. Neither do I think a square so handsome, or so suitable for a public garden. The sketch of the plan now submitted, is calculated to effect the maximum quantity of objects, with the minimum extent of walks, walls, and glass, and without a single hedge. I have reflected on this plan since I first saw the Chiswick Garden, and with all the various details that are requisite to its complete developement. I consider it not only very complete in its kind, but calculated to be more economically kept than any plan that I could devise for a piece of ground of similar extent and shape.

I think botanical travellers are unnecessary, and not within the legitimate objects of the Society; and that furnishing gentlemen with gardeners is calculated greatly to increase the business of the Society, without at all advancing the interests of horticulture. By adopting and carrying into every department of the Society the general principle of attempting nothing that could not be done by individuals, the business of the Society will be greatly simplified, and the objects for which it was instituted much more effectually attained.

Should a square be preferred to the circular We regret that our limits do not admit of our quoting various other portions of the evidence, which, to gardeners in general, as well as to Fellows of the Society, would be both instructive and amusing. The result of the whole, considered with reference to general principles, shows the little use of societies for the promotion of science in a reading age like the present; and the absurdity in all governments, from that of a few clerks and gardeners to that of a kingdom or a republic, of excessive legislation. Considered with reference to previous remarks on the Horticultural Society, which have appeared in this Magazine, the result proves the truth of what we have all along asserted to exist, viz. a narrow-minded system of management, the object of which was, in effect, not to advance gardening, but to aggrandise the Horticultural Society, and to ingratiate the honorary secretary with the higher classes of society. A part of the unhappy results of this narrow-minded system springs from the constitution of the Society, which requires or permits it to attempt doing those things which it ought only to have stimulated others to accomplish; which permits its affairs to be managed by an unpaid officer, and, in consequence, precludes the interfe rence, except by etiquette, of any other member of the Society. A part, also, of this result has arisen from the personal character of that unpaid officer: ambitious, and yet without great views; zealous, sanguine, active, and jealous of his power. The impracticable plan of the Chiswick Garden; the system of concealment which prevented that plan from being known to the Fellows before it was executed,fand, consequently, from being interfered with, and which has ended in the present enormous debt; the ridiculous rules and regulations of the garden, by which not a structure could be erected without being subjected to some of his alterations, nor a border dug, nor a common operation performed, without his written authority; and what is called the system of espionnage, which Mr Lindley has truly designated as monstrous*, may all be traced to these qualities of mind in the honorary secretary.

Had the President and Council of the Society been, of necessity, changed every two or three years, and the Secretary been a paid officer; had the minutes of councils of committees been open to the inspection of the members of the Society generally, errors might have been committed, but they would have been corrected, and the present state of things could never have arrived. Some years ago we made repeated endeavours to obtain a knowledge of the number of members of the Council required to be present to constitute a council, and a list of those who had attended at each of the councils held in the course of any one year. Our correspondence on this subject is in existence, and can be produced. The result, after a great many letters had passed, turned out to be, that the Council had a right to refuse any thing and every thing, and that to us they did refuse every thing. The fact is, as one member lately observed to the Society, and for the truth of which, in a general way, we may appeal to Mr. Lindley, as under-secretary, it was utterly impossible for any one to acquire any information respecting the affairs of the Society who was not in the favour of Mr. Sabine.

Had the Gardener's Magazine not appeared, our belief is, that things would have been even worse than they now are; and, in addition to some thousands now due for printing and engraving the Horticultural Transactions, there would have been others due for the splendid 4to work on fruits, and the corresponding 4to work on plants flowered in the garden of the Society, of which prospectuses were circulated four years ago (Gard. Mag., Vol. I. p. 88.); but which we remonstrated against, as interfering with works already in existence, and very well conducted. The object of the Society, about that time, appeared to be, to monopolise every thing connected with gardening or botany, from the placing of a journeyman gardener to the publishing of a new fruit or plant. Even a Gardener's Magazine was projected; and the assent of what is called the Council obtained to use the badge of the Society on the cover, in the manner in which the seal of the Royal Institution is used on the cover of Brande's Journal. The object of this Magazine was clear enough to all the world at the time, that of putting us down; in consequence of the

* Mr. Bellenden Ker stated to the Society, at their Meeting yesterday (March 16.), that the whole of the present enquiry had resulted from a report of one of his conversations, whilst walking with Mrs. Ker in the garden, last summer. The report was so offensive to Mr. Sabine, that he proposed to the Council to expel Mr. Ker from the Society. Mr. Ker declared that the report was a tissue of falsehoods, got up, as he imagined, to please Mr. Sabine. In this way, Providence brings good out of evil. Every thing tends to a crisis, bad things the most rapidly.

different animadversions which appeared in our early Numbers on the Society, and especially on its garden. The first of these papers was by H. B. Ker, Esq., who, as the Committee have acknowledged, has led to the present investigation into the affairs of the Society: and it must be no small satisfaction to him, as it certainly is to us, to mark the present result of his labours.

The Report of the Committee may, on the whole, be considered very lenient on the subject of accounts and management, and perhaps in other matters it may be more correct than we are inclined to believe We must confess, however, our entire want of faith in the assets of the Society being any thing like equal to its debts. The arrears stated at upwards of 60002, we should not value at above 8001 or 10007; and estimating all the items at what they would bring, if now sold, we do not believe there would be 108. in the pound.

The great object of all observations on the past is, or should be, to render them available for the future. Whatever may be said in palliation of Mr. Sabine's conduct, nothing can be more clear than this, that he is the main cause of the present state of things in this Society; he it is, and he alone, who, by a system of concealment and monopoly of power, has brought the Society to the brink of ruin.

At the same time, while we express our opinion thus freely as to what are considered the bad points of Mr. Sabine's horticultural policy, we shall not withhold from him that justice which we should desire for ourselves under similar circumstances. Mr. Sabine has involved the Society in a debt which threatens its dissolution, but he has also been the cause of the greater part of the good done by the Society; and that the Society have done good, even we who are no friend to monopolies, or systems of exclusion in any way, readily allow. The springing up of so many hor. ticultural societies throughout the country, and throughout Europe, has been mainly owing to the cat of the London Horticultural Society, in consequence of the great accession of noble and even royal members since 1815, when Mr. Sabine undertook its management. The principal part of the Transactions of the Society have been published since that period, and they include a considerable number of good practical papers. We do not attach much importance to what has been brought from India or Africa: but certainly the Chrysanthemums, Chinese Primrose, Wis. taria Consequana, and other hardy or half hardy articles from China; and the numerous Lupines, Pentstemons, and other hardy plants brought from North America, by Mr. Douglas; are invaluable additions to our gardens, and will probably continue to ornament them while this island endures as terra firma. All these objects of beauty and interest have been introduced under Mr. Sabine's auspices. Other services might be mentioned: but we shall only add that Mr. Sabine has been the means of bringing forward Mr. Lindley, who unquestionably is a man of extraordinary talent, and no less extraordinary industry; who has already done more for botany in this country, by proving in the London University that the natural system may be effectually taught to youth, than any one else has done in our time; and who, if he lives, and does not become overelated with public applause, or, by his intercourse with the aristocracy, get into that sort of affectation which was the weak point of Sir Humphry Davy, will, in our opinion, be the greatest botanist that has appeared since the days of Jussieu. Mr. Lindley might possibly have eventually risen to eminence under whatever circumstances he might have been placed: but he has been upwards of ten years in the office of the Horticultural Society, and we will venture to say, that at the age at which he entered, with his previous education, and with the active friendship of Mr. Sabine, in no other office or situation whatever, in London or elsewhere, could he have enjoyed the same advantages, or advanced himself so rapidly as a man of the world, a man of science, and a gentleman.

The evil days which may be said to have fallen on Mr. Sabine, not merely as connected with Regent Street and Chiswick, but as an active member of the Zoological Society, are the result of his making these societies stepping stones to his intercourse with men of rank; and the lesson his fate has read to us will, we trust, not be lost, either on ourselves or on our professional readers. As society advances, men will be valued according to their worth as men, and not according to any factitious distinctions whatever. It is consolatory to think, and to believe, that every man's real character is sooner or later made known and appreciated by his fellow-men.

It is curious to reflect on what may be the consolations of Mr. Sabine under his present circumstances. Driven, like Adam, from the garden to the field-to the Zoological farm at Kingstonwhat will be his next pursuit? Having no wife or child, whither will he turn for consolation? But Nature, ever kind, has a provision for every thing; and there can be no doubt of this, that Mr. Sabine is supported by some feeling or other. Ignorance, or indifference, or vanity, or selfconceit, all bad of themselves, may prove a good to an individual, under particular circumstances. What is now to be done? First ascertain who will really continue paying members. If as many remain as will produce 3000 a year, go on; if only a smaller income can be obtained, break up, and begin another Society. If you go on, commit the affairs of the Society to an active, effective, paid officer, of whom none will be found equal to Mr. Lindley; let him be as much the President, Secretary, Council, and Garden Committee, as was Mr. Sabine; but let him not be quite so much the gardener, and by no means the accountant: let every act done by him, or letter or paper which passes through his hands, be rigidly scrutinised by the Council, or even open to every Fellow of the Society; there will always be some one on the look-out for faults; let it be made worth his while to rule well; let him then rule as he will (because no Council will ever take the trouble necessary for real effective management), at the risk of dismissal on conviction of misrule. Either this must be done, or you must have a paid council, as well as a paid secretary and accountant. This will eventually be found to be the true practical view of the case. After all this is done, supposing the Society to work well, the benefit to horticultural science will not be much. Most of the good which the Horticultural Society in this age or country is capable of doing has already been done.

March 16.-Some discussion took place on the Report, in which a vote of censure on the conduct of Mr. Sabine was proposed, but withdrawn at the earnest recommendation of Mr. Gordon, the Chairman of the Committee, as unnecessary, and likely to injure the interests of the Society with its creditors and the public in general. (See Times and Chronicle of March 17.)

Covent Garden Market.

To

From
£ s. d. £ s. d.

080 0 10 0
040 060

010 0 2 6

009 0 1 0

060 0 1 6 020 01 0

0

0 12
036
050
0 1 3

0 3 6050

Potatoes

Sper ton

per cwt.

per bush.

Kidney, per bushel

400
040
02 0
026

4 10 0

046
026

0 3

New, per pound

Scotch, per bushel

Jerusalem Artichokes, per

half sieve

Turnips, White, per bunch

Carrots, old, per bunch

020 0

Pot and Sweet Herbs.
Parsley, per half sieve

Tarragon, forced, per bunch
Fennel, per bunch
Thyme, per dozen bunches
Mint, forced, per bunch
Peppermint, dry, per dozen
bunches

Marjorain, dry, per doz. bun.
Savory, dry, per dozen bun.
Basil, dry, per doz. bunches
Rosemary, dry, p. doz. bun.
Lavender, dry, per doz. bun
Tansy, dry, per doz. bunches

Stalks and Fruits for Tarts,
Pickling, &c.

Rhubarb Stalks, forced, per
bundle

Apples, Baking, per bushel:
Baking

Pears, Dessert, p. half sieve:

Winter Swan's Eggs

026 0 6 0

046

060

Pears, Baking, per half sieve
Almonds, per peck

Cranberries, per gallon

Strawberries, forced, per

ounce

0 30 20

Walnuts, per bushel

Observations. The continuance of severe frost during the principal part of January and the early part of February, interrupted the supplies of vegetables generally; nevertheless, our market was generally well furnished with turnips, savoys, coleworts, carrots, &c., the prices of which remained tolerably steady, as per last quotations, until the change of weather in February produced a material difference in the quantities, and some alteration in prices; but the extreme rigour of the season, and more particularly the intermissions of frosty nights and warm days which prevailed in the latter end of February, have affected vegetables so much as to render our present supplies very limited for the season, and prices, consequently, rather higher than might be expected. This may also be the case for some time to come, as, from the same causes, no abundant quantities can be expected until May next. Broccolies are likely to be very deficient, and high in price, as they have been much injured by the frost; cauliflowers have been destroyed to a

considerable extent in the hand-glasses, and even under the lights of frames, as much from the impossibility of admitting air to them for so long a period during the prevalence of frost, as from the frost itself. Potatoes, during the severe weather, reached a higher price than quoted: indeed, the better sorts are now worth rather more than stated in the list, but as the supply of ordinary sorts is plentiful, I have not thought it safe to exceed the average. Onions have maintained their value throughout the season; but, since the breaking up of the weather, a considerable quantity from Flanders has been imported, which has brought down our prices: at present, they are dull in sale. Shallots reach us in very small quantities, and from quarters whence none have hitherto been sent, in consequence of their very high price; which is one of the many advantages of our very general interchange of communication. G. C. March 12. 1830.

ART. VII. Provincial Horticultural Societies.

NORFOLK.

The Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society.

The prospectus of meetings

and prizes of this Society for 1830 has been sent us, signed Elias Norgate, secretary, and accompanied by the following very judicious remarks by the same gentleman:

In this their first list of prizes the Committee think it right to explain the general principles by which they propose to be guided in the selection of objects for the adjudication of them. This is the more necessary, because, in looking over the lists of prizes in various horticultural societies there does not always appear to have been made a sufficient discrimination between the result of chance and the result of skill.

1. It should ever be borne in mind that the merits for which a prize ought to be awarded exists not in the production but in the producer. The best dish of filberts in September, or of cherries in July, gathered, perhaps, from standard trees planted twenty years ago, can imply but slender merit in the individual who now exhibits them. In every horticultural production, therefore, whether raised for use, luxury, or beauty, the Committee will endeavour to estimate the merit of the exhibiter by the degree of science, care, and skill evinced in its cultivation.

2. In the cold and fickle climate of this county it is very desirable to encourage every attempt to forward the blossoming of flowers and the ripening of fruits before their natural season; and equally so to retard them beyond it. A dish of green peas, gathered on the 1st of November, is as much a luxury as a dish that is gathered on the 1st of May. Prizes for extending the duration of flowers and fruits at both ends of the season will be richly earned.

3. The preservation of fruits and vegetables fresh through the winter, and late into the spring, is another object of importance. Not merely apples, peas, and potatoes, but many of the more delicate and perishable productions of our gardens may be so preserved. Although French beans and peas cannot be gathered in December or January, it is possible to preserve them in excellent condition for our tables to a still later period.

4. The judicious pruning, not merely of espaliers and wall trees, but likewise of the standard apple, pear, and plum trees of our orchards, is an object quite worthy of attention. At present these are usually left to themselves till their branches become so thickly interlaced, and their foliage so dense, that little or no fruit comes to perfection except that which has the good fortune to catch the outside sun. When the evil becomes at length very palpable and gross, a woodman climbs the tree with an axe or a saw in his hand, and lays about him, right and left, without discrimination and without mercy, till he has got two or three faggots of firewood. To this cause may be ascribed the great abundance of unripe fruit of all sorts which is brought to our markets. It would be difficult perhaps to adjudge specific prizes for the most judicious pruning, but the attention of cottagers may be directed to it with the greatest advantage.

5. The inuring of tender plants to our soil and climate; the naturalising of exotics; the obtaining of new varieties of fruits and flowers by fecundating the blossom of one with the farina from another; experiments on grafting, budding, &c. These, and many other objects of attention to the gardener, will be objects of encouragement by the Society.

6. With respect to cottagers, while these will at all times be allowed to compete for any of the Society's prizes, no one but those of their own class will ever be allowed to compete for theirs. It is a great object to give them an interest in the culture of their little plots of ground: a taste for gardening once diffused among them, they will engage in competition with each other, and it is hoped they will bear away as many of such prizes as cur funds may enable us to offer. But the stimulus to exertion must originate with their landlords: if this Society shall be the occasion of inducing the latter to attach a rood or two of ground to every cottage in their possession, its establishment will in some measure probably contribute to relieve the poor's rate of the county, and thus confer upon it an incalculable benefit. — J. N. Nethersett, December 31. 1829.

MONMOUTHSHIRE.

The Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Horticultural Society held their Meeting for the winter quarter on the 5th of January, 1830, in Cardiff The Most Noble the Marquess of Bute, anxious for the success of this Society, has offered a piece of ground to form a garden, for which mark of encouragement the Meeting unanimously voted to His Lordship their warmest thanks. Prizes were awarded as follows:

Flowers. Chrysanthemum, Mrs. Morgan, Landough. Wallflower, Mrs. Moggridge. Flower Camellia: I. Hon. W. B. Grey; 2. Mr. Reece.- Fruit. Grapes, Hon. W. B. Grey. Table Pears,

Mrs. Hill, Llandaff. Baking Pears, Mrs. Hill, Llandaff.

1

Table Apples, Mrs. Head Deacon.

Baking Apples, Hon. W. B. Grey. Culinary Vegetables. Asparagus, Hon. W. B. Grey. Seakale, Hon. W. B. Grey. Broccoli, Mr. Moggridge. Celery, Mr. E. P. Richards. Parsneps, Mr. Moggridge. Onions, Mr. Thomas Minnett. Early Potatoes, forced (not offsets), Mr. Hill. Rhubarb, Rev. J. M. Traherne. Radishes, Mrs. Hill-Extra-Prizes. Baking Apple, Mrs. Hill and Hon. W. B. Grey. Beet Root, Mr. Head Deacon. Broccoli, Hon. W. B. Grey. - Cottage Prizes. Apples, E. Williams, Llandaff. Onions, Thomas Perry, Cardiff. Basket of Vegetables, six sorts, D. Williams, Duffryn.

The grapes, sent by the Hon. W. B. Grey, retained the delicious flavour of an early autumn growth. A variety of the Newtown pippin, brought by Sir Charles Morgan, was of the amazing size of 15 in. in circumference, and weighed nearly 16 oz. The committee and gentlemen present were more particularly pleased with an extraordinary fine trace or rope of onions, called the Tripoli, the property of Colonel Morgan, of Landough Castle. This onion is not so well known as it ought to be: it attains a large size, is remarkable for its beautiful white colour and very mild flavour. (The Cambrian, Jan. 9. 1830.)

HEREFORDSHIRE.

Herefordshire Horticultural Society. - The Hereford Florists' Register, containing a brief account of the meetings of the Hereford Horticultural Society, by W. Godsall, acting secretary, Hereford, 18mo, has been sent us, and also the rules of the Society for 1829, and a schedule and "particulars" for prizes for that year. In the preface to the little book we observe, with pleasure, that five sovereigns will be awarded by the Society every fifth year "to the gar dener of any member, for long servitude, general good conduct, attention to, and knowledge of, his business." With the warmest feelings towards this Society, from seeing among its members so many respectable names, so considerable a portion of ladies, and above all from greatly admiring the style of country about Hereford, Foxley, Moccas Court, the Holme, &c., at all which places we passed some time so long ago as 1806, we cannot help thinking that the practical gardeners have not had fair play. From the tables of the prizes given away for 1826, 1827, and 1828, it appears that scarcely any prizes are given to any one below the rank of esquire. In 1826, Sir J. G. Cotterell received 21 prizes; in 1827, 42; in 1828, 40; in all 103 prizes. Now the total number of prizes given away in these three years being 544 to 73 persons, surely one fifth to one individual, and he a patron of gardening rather than an amateur, is too much. No other individual appears to have obtained half so many. The name of the gardener of Sir J. G. Cotterell, as far as we can discover, is not in the book. A good many of the prizes are awarded to ladies, and this we are delighted to see, whether their gardeners are named or not. The cares of gardening are worthy of, and suitable for, ladies of every rank, from the cottage to the palace. There is nothing unfeminine in them, and as the resources for enjoyment of ladies residing in the country is limited compared with those of men under the same circumstances, we are happy to see that they avail themselves of such as are within their reach. We cannot, however, so easily enter into the idea of a country gentleman of property competing for prizes of fruits and flowers, when there are so many important duties and elevated recreations to which he is called upon to attend and might enjoy. Still less can we conceive what inward satisfaction it can be to a man to receive a prize for a production which, personally, he has had no hand whatever in producing. If prize shows of fruits and flowers are to be considered in the light of prize cock-fights or boxingmatches, and merely criticised like any other species of gambling amusement, that is another matter; and in that case we certainly greatly prefer gambling in fruits and flowers to any other species of gambling; but if, on the other hand, the object of Provincial Horticultural Societies be to improve the knowledge of gardeners in their art, and to disseminate improved gardening productions, then surely these objects will be best effected, or rather can only be effected, by raising the character of the practical gardener. The patrons of gardening are expected only to act as patrons, and not as operatives. Knowing nothing of Sir J. G. Cotterel personally, and not even the name or place of his estate, we trust no personal motive will be supposed to have occasioned these remarks.- Cond.

NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM.

Botanical and Horticultural Society of Durham, Northumberland, and Newcastle upon Tyne.-The First Exhibition for this year of this Society was held on the 19th of February, when prizes were adjudged as follows:

Dessert pears, a silver medal to Mr. Jos. Cook, gardener to Miss Simpson of Bradley Hall. A silver medal was also awarded to him for some beautiful and ingenious plans and models of a new method of forcing sea-kale and rhubarb, which seem admirably adapted for the purpose, and may be inspected by the subscribers at the Society's library in Dean Street. Asparagus, a silver medal to Mr. John Ward, gardener to C. J. Clavering, Esq., Axwell Park. Double hyacinth (Waterloo), a silver medal to Mr. Wm. Kelly, gardener to Armorer Donkin, Esq., Jesmond. Single hyacinth (Grand Vainqueur), a silver medal to Mr. Adam Hogg, at Mr. Falla's, Gateshead. Sea-kale, a bronze medal to Mr. Thomas Cook, gardener to T. W. Beaumont, Esq., M. P., Bywell Hall. Kidney beans, a bronze medal to J. C. Lamb, Esq., Ryton. Bouquet of flowers, a silver medal; and Brussels sprouts, a bronze medal; to Mr. James Scott, gardener to Edward Charlton, Esq., Sandoe. Exotic plant in flower (double white Camellia japonica), a silver medal to Mr. Red gooseberry wine, a silver Christopher Robson, gardener to Dr. Headlam, Jesmond Dene. medal to Mr. Dunlop, Newcastle. This being the first time that any prize has been given for wines made from British fruits, there was a great deal of competition, and one bottle was exhibited of the extraordinary age of twenty-eight years, and made wholly without the addition of spirit of any kind. Collection of seedling apples, consisting of twelve different varieties, a silver medal to Mr, Michael Hall, of Beacon Lough, near Gateshead.

Among the gratuitous exhibitions were the following:-Grapes, consisting of Black Hamburgh, Grizzly Frontignac, and White Sweet Water, from James G. Clarke, Esq., Fenham. Cauli flowers, preserved through winter, from the garden of Mrs. Bewicke, of Close House. Camellia Sasanqua fl. ròsea, in full flower, and blanched striped Chiccory, from E. Charlton, Esq., of Sandoe. Double red Caméllia japónica, in full flower, from David Cram, Esq., Newcastle. Sarracènia flàva, in full blow, from Mr. Falla, Gateshead. Apples of great beauty, and in fine preservation, called "Pomme de Gris," from Mr. T. Hedley, Newcastle, which had been sent to him from Montreal.

The large silver medal of the London Horticultural Society, which, at the Anniversary Meeting was awarded to Mr. Jos. Clarke, gardener to Mrs. Bewicke of Close House, was this day presented to him. (Newcastle Courant, Feb. 20.)