The monthly meeting was held in the Hall, 5 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, on Tuesday evening, the 1st ult., Mr Dunn, President, in the chair. Thirteen new members having been admitted, seven others were nominated for admission at next meeting. Mr James Grieve, Pilrig Nurseries, read a paper on the genus "Dianthus," in which he gave an interesting account of the improvements effected upon the various species by florists and hybridisers during the past 200 years. 360 distinct varieties were enumerated by the then celebrated Rea, so early as the year 1676. In treating of these plants, he strongly advised beginners to procure the commoner and more hardy sorts on which to try their " 'prentice hand." They would thus gain a knowledge of their requirements, and gradually qualify themselves for dealing with the rare and more tender kinds, now regarded by florists of the Glenny school as the finest for show purposes. Carnations, Pinks, and Sweet - Williams, were prominent members of the tribe, and these all required for their full devolopment very similar treatment; and that, in a general way, must be liberal. Well-manured, deeply - cultivated soil, was in all cases indispensable.

It was also of the greatest importance that all should be planted out at an early period of the season, and that the utmost care should be exercised to protect them against the ravages of wire-worm, for which he knew no better plan than trapping with Potatoes or Carrots placed in the soil near the plants. Two modes were available for the propagation of named varieties, - first, by cuttings, which he recommended should be put in hand glasses, early in September; and second, by layering, which should be done so early as young shoots could be had. Coddling, under any circumstances, was to be avoided; and while it was necessary to keep the young plants under glass during winter, they should always have a free current of air, even in the severest weather.

Mr A. M'Kinnon, Melville Castle Gardens, followed with a short paper on the "Cultivation of the Strawberry," the leading features of which he described as being, deep trenching, plenty of manure, mulching in the fruiting season with clean straw, keeping the ground free of weeds, and the absence of crops between the rows, so as to permit the full development of the foliage and free access to sun and air. He considered James Veitch to be the best variety for open air cultivation in this part of the country.

Mr Robert Lindsay, Royal Botanic Gardens, read a paper on "Filmy Ferns." These he remarked were widely distributed over the temperate parts of the world. Three species, namely, Trichomanes radicans, Hymerophyllum Tunbridgense, and H. Wilsonii, were indigenous to Britain. Many admirers of these beautiful plants were deterred from attempting their cultivation from a fancied difficulty in providing the necessary requirements, He had found, however, that they were as easily managed as their congeners. A house with a southern aspect, shaded so as to shut out the rays of the sun, but not so dense as to exclude light, and a constantly close humid atmosphere were conditions easily obtainable, and in point of fact were the great secret of success. For few or none of the known species was artificial heat at all necessary; on the contrary, they succeeded best when kept cool in winter, and even when subjected to two or three degrees of frost. At the same time, it was desirable to avoid extremes. Soil was of comparatively little importance, so long as it was of a light porous character, and the pots well drained.

Interesting discussions followed the reading of the several papers, and the usual votes of thanks were accorded to the writers.

Among the plants and flowers on the table for exhibition were a collection of Fancy Pansies, from Messrs Downie & Laird, including two new varieties called Miss Talbot and Estella, which the Floral Committee recommended to be shown again. Messrs William Gordon & Sons had a crimson Petunia, of a remarkably dwarf compact habit of growth. Messrs Thomas Methven & Sons exhibited a fine collection of Regal and Forcing Pelargoniums, the most striking of which were Triomphe de St Maude, Digby Grand, Beauty of Oxton, Fire King, Dr Masters, Annie, and their fine new white variety Countess of Rosebery. Messrs Dickson & Co. sent a large number of interesting things, including branches of the new golden-leaved Laburnum; Paul's double Crimson Thorn, Alnus imperialis; Purple-leaved Peach; New Silver variegated Ash, Rosa rugosa; trusses of greenhouse and hardy Rhododendrons, alpine plants, and Viola blooms. Mr John Dick, Avenel House, showed a fine specimen of the beautiful Primula capitata; and Mr A. Nisbet, Gibraltar Villa, a new blue Lobelia named Jeannie Deans. It was intimated that at next meeting papers would be read by Mr A. Kerr, on "Forcing Dutch roots; " by Mr John Cowe, on "The Hyacinth;" and by Mr George M'Kinlay, on the "Cultivation of the Pear".