The monthly meeting was held in the hall, 5 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, on the evening of Tuesday, the 5th ult., Mr M. Dunn, President, in the chair. The gentlemen proposed as members at last meeting having been formally admitted, and the names of six others being given in for admission at next meeting, Mr Andrew Kerr read a paper on the "Early Forcing of Dutch Roots, Rhododendrons, Deutzias, etc." The principal features of his practice in dealing with all these plants were - a house/with a southern aspect, and plenty of piping, so as to secure the greatest amount of heat. The plants to be forced should all be potted as early in the autumn as possible, and the heat should be applied gradually: in no case should they be taken from a cold pit or the open air, and introduced at once into excessive heat. While forcing, each should have an abundant supply of water. For very early flowering Hyacinths, he knew no better sorts than Roman, which could be had in December; and of the ordinary sorts to come in later, La Precose, single white, Homerus, single red, and Grand Lilas, single blue. The best early Tulips were the different double and single varieties of Van Tholl, which came in first, and which were followed by the Tournesol and its varieties.

Mr John Cowe, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Cemetery, followed with a paper on "The Hyacinth," in which he described the mode by which he had so successfully grown that plant for many years past. After remarking that it was by no means particular as to soil, he had found that a mixture of rich loam, leaf-mould, and river sand, was the best compost that could be used. The pots should always be well drained, and he was accustomed to put a handful of old rotten manure above the crocks. After potting, which should be done as soon as possible after procuring the bulbs, they should be plunged in a shed, in sand or ashes, and never allowed to become wet. So soon as they start, and it is found that the pots are well filled with roots, they should be placed in an airy frame or greenhouse, close to the light, abundantly supplied with water; and an occasion al dose of weak liquid-manure should be given during the whole growing season. Though not able to assign a reason for the fact, he had found as the result of his experience that Hyacinths grew better in old than in new pots, and strongly-advised beginners never to use the latter if old ones could be got.

At the close of his paper, Mr Cowe promised to read a short description of the sizes and forms of bulbs likely to produce fine flowers, as he had found that each sort had its peculiar and well-marked characters. The concluding paper, sent by Mr Mackinlay, Tulloch Castle, and read by the Secretary, was on the "Pear, its Cultivation and Management." The author dwelt at some length on the importance of careful treatment while the trees were young, and urged upon gardeners to be careful in the selection of sorts likely to be suitable for the district, and at the same time such as would ripen their fruit in succession. This paper, though short, was eminently practical, and full of suggestive hints to young gardeners. The reading of each of the several papers was followed by an interesting conversation, and at the close the usual votes of thanks were cordially tendered to their authors. Of the subjects tabled for exhibition we noted a number of well-bloomed spring-struck regal Pelargoniums, including some of the most choice sorts, from Messrs Thomas Methven & Sons: these were dwarf, bushy plants, and fine examples of successful cultivation. Messrs Dickson & Co. had a large group of hardy herbaceous plants, including Campanulas, Linums, Potentillas, Triteleia, Dianthus, etc. etc.

Mr Dow sent a spike of a variety of Seakale, six feet high, which will undoubtedly, as was suggested, be a welcome addition to the Sub-tropical or Wild Garden: he had also a fine specimen of the stately and curious Arum dracunculus. David Paterson, Esq., Restalrig Park, Leith, sent a branch of Cephalotaxus, and a flowering branch of the old-fashioned but now unfortunately too much neglected Clethra arborea, a greenhouse or lofty conservatory shrub of great beauty. Messrs Todd & Co. had spikes of Gladiolus The Bride, a superb variety, worthy of extended cultivation. Mr George Robertson had a very choice collection of blooms of herbaceous plants, and Mr Dunn, Dalkeith, a box of fine fruit of Strawberry James Veitch.