VEGETABLE EXHIBITION.

AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF INDIA.

The anniversary meeting of this society was held at | E. Preston, R. Smith, W. Cracroft, and W. F. Gibbon, the Town Hall, on Wednesday morning, the 10th January, 1838, at half-past nine o'clock.

The Revd. F. Wybrow; Cowrkristnath Roy Baha-] Committee of Papers.-Dr. Wallich, W. Cracroft, door, Rajah of Cossimbazar; C. Tucker, Esq., C. S; W. Storm, W. K. Ewart, M. A. Bignell, and John Thos. Palmer, H. C. Kemp, and E. W. Chorributt, Esqrs.; Lieut. J. R. Lumsden; Lieut. J. R. Abbott, and Captain F. Smallpage.

Nursery Committee.-Dr. Wallich, W. Storm, Dr. Huffnagle, W. F. Gibbon, Capt. Leach, and John Bell. The following gentlemen were proposed as members : The secretary read the annual report of the society L. Saget, Esq., of Sierigully, Bhaugulpore, proposed including that of the collector, for the past year, which by H. Piddington, Esq., and seconded by the secretary. exhibited very satisfactory evidence of the increasing W. Vansittart, Esq., and Capt. F. W. Birch, pro-interest, to the objects of the institution, both as regards posed by F. P. Strong, Esq., and seconded by the

its financial resources, and numerical strength. During secretary. the past year 243 names had been added to the list of Thomas Gibbon and James Casserat, Esqrs., pro-gentlemen leaving Calcutta, and the other, having no members, and only three retirements, two of those being posed by W. F. Gibbon, Esq., and seconded by the time to attend to its proceedings.

Resolved, that the Committee's reports be confirmed. Silk, Hemp and Flax.-W. Speir, Ramcomul Sen, The motion made by Mr. Storm at last meetingProsfessor O'Shaugnessy, Jos. Willis, R. W. Watson," That an application be made to the Admiral commandC. K. Robison, H. M. Low, D. W. H. Speed, G. T. F. Speed, W. Storm, and John Bell.

Proposed by A. Beattie, Esq.-"That with a view society having employed all the means in their power to to the improvement of sugar cultivation in Bengal, this obtain a sufficient supply of a better description of cane than is indigenous in this country; and there being only Improvement of Cattle-Dr. Wallich, H. Walters, Na limited quantity now in their possession, and but Alexander, C. K. Robison, Dr. Huffnagle, W. Storm, slender prospects of an early accomplishment of this W. P. Grant, G A. Prinsep, W. F. Gibbon, Dr. Jack-desirable object, on a sufficiently extensive scale

the

secretary be requested to address the Government on the subject, and solicit His Honor President in Council, to consider whether, for an object fraught with such extensive benefit, and of such general utility, the Government could employ at an early period one of their own vessels in bringing up a supply of seed cage from Otaheite, this society would undertake to distribute it in the most prudent manner, to secure the best possible result from the same, in the sugar cultiva tion throughout this presidency."

From Dr. Wallich, dated December 21st, annexing extract of a letter to his address from Mr. Richards of

the Royal Botanic Garden at St. Denis at Bourbon, under date 26th October last, in which that gentleman promises to transmit very shortly a box of cactus with cocheniller fina," and 25 cases of Batavian sugar

cane.

Society of Assam, dated September 16th, announcing From Lieut. H. Bigge, Secretary to the Agricultural the formation of a branch society at Gowhatti, on the 15th September, under the title of " The Assam Agricultural and Horticultural Society," and soliciting the aid and advice of the Parent Society, towards further

The following communications were read. From Dr. R. Wight, of Madras, dated December 21st, transmitting 410 more copies of plates of dye lichens to complete the number required for the transactions, viz. 500, forwarding the objects of this association. ing copy of a correspondence with the Madras Govern ment on the subject of lichens, and regretting his ina-month's proceedings, for the delay in acknowledging N. B. The cause assigned in the precis of last bility to furnish more information at present regarding the receipt of a communication from R. Montgomery, them, but promising to do so, when in his power to pro-Esq., of Azimgur, is equally applicable to the above

cure it.

The Vice President here called the attention of the meeting to the subject of certain observations made by the secretary in his precis of the meeting of the 8th November, 1837, in a letter from Dr. Wight, of Madras, to Dr. Wallich, which was read on that occasion, and stated that from letters that had since passed, which he thought it unnecessary to bring forward, he was sorry to say, had given offence to Dr. Wight.

letter.

cember 14th, stating that in accordance with the request From Major Sleeman, dated" on the Ganges," Deconveyed in the secretary's last letter, he has asked Lieut. Brown to transmit, on account of the society's nursery, a good supply of cane from his Jubbulpore plantation, ind that the same may be expected to reach the presi lency in the early part of February next.

The Vice President then read the extracts and obserecting the Otaheite cane, and mentioning the circumConveying, in reply to queries, some information resvations in question, after hearing which the meetinstance, that at Deyrah, a solution of the cedar-oil in water, was of opinion, that nothing of an offensive nature ap has been found an effectual preventive to the attack of peared in the secretary's remarks. wiants on this species of cane.

The secretary, however, observed, that as the remark made in Dr. Wight's communication in the precis of the 8th November meeting, were his own, and not those o the society, he begged to " propose that a minute b made in the proceedings, to the effect that the paragrap!. which appeared in the precis of a meeting of the 8t November might be cancelled, which was assented to From Dr. Wallich, dated December 19th, presentin on the part of Mr. C. Manley, a small quantity of nan kin cotton seel.

From Capt. Sanders, Secretary to the Military Board dated December 15th, in reply to the secretary's letter o the 8th instant, on the subject of guinea grass, returns the society the thanks of the Board, for the information therein contained.

From Capt. A. Bogle, dated Kyouk Phyoo, Decem. ber 3rd, advising despatch by the Krishna of a parce containing samples of Arracan rice, together with a lis and prices of the same during the past and present year, and conveying information regarding this, the most impor tant staple product of the province.

Stating that he has also forwarded by the same vessel, three bottles of genuine Sandoway tobacco seed and sugar-cane cut in the island of Ramree, as samples of the cane of Arracan, which seem to be superior to the common cane of Bengal. Asking for a supply of seed paddy, cotton seed, and Otaherite cane, mentions hi endeavours to discover beds of coal, and iron ore, which are known to exist on that coast, and requesting information on the subject of caoutchouc.

From Dr. W. G. Maxwell, dated December, forwarding, for presentation to the society, two large sized colored drawings, from nature, of two species of the tobacco plant, natives of the Northern Circars.

From R. W. Chew, Esq., dated December 18th, forwarding a bunch of juneree, the produce of his garden.

From the Revd. T. Boaz, dated December 21st, forwarding on the part of Capt. A. Bogle, the several ar ticles alluded to in that gentleman's letter, viz, 3 bottles Sandoway tobacco seed, 3 sugar canes, and a packet containing samples of rice.

From Lieut. Charles Brown, dated Jubbulpore, Deember 7th, intimating his intention of forwarding to the care of R. Lowther, Esq., of Allahabad, 2 hackery loads of Otaheite sugar-cane, from Major Sleeman's plantation.

Stating that he has advised Mr. Lowther of this in ended despatch, and has requested that gentleman to ransmit the canes to the society by the first steamer leaing Allahabad. Mentioning that if required, he can end down a further supply next month.

From Dr. H. H. Spry to Dr. Wallich, dated Decemer 17, presenting a small supply of sugar-cane procurd from Car-Nicobar, where it grows in a wild state. forwarding a few copies of the proceedings of the Agriultural Committee of the Royal Asiatic Society.

19, forwarding a letter to his address from Dr. H. H. From Dr. Wallich to the secretary, dated December umber) are in good condition, and have been planted Spry, and stating that the cane therein alluded to (11 in ut in the society's nursery.

From Lieutenant C. Burnett, dated Beaur, November 29, advising despatch by dák banghy of the followng, viz. sample of a species of barley termed "celestial," ultivated in the vicinity of Beaur; sample of maize grown from American seed forwarded by the society ome time ago, and sample of nankin cotton, the produce of Captain Dixon's garden.

Annexing a memorandum regarding the cultivation of the cotton seed supposed to be American (of the proluce of which a sample of cotton has been forwarded, care of Dr. McLean, who may be expected to reach Calcutta in January.

heite sugar-cane in that part of the country, in which Alludes to the attempts made to introdace the Otathey have been frustrated by the depredations of the white ant, and requesting advice, as to the best means of destroying them.

From R. Watson, Esq., dated December 26, enclosing a letter to his address from Mr. J. C. Warner, dated Guttaul, December 21, on the subject of a second unsuccessful attempt to wind off the silk from another supply

From Government, 3 copies of a pamphlet, containing remarks on the natural resources of the Tenasserim provinces, by Dr. J. W. Helfer.

of area cocoons transmitted by Captain Jenkins, and of which a small quantity had been forwarded to Mr. Watson. Suggests, that with reference to the latter part of Mr. Warner's note, a supply of the eggs of the area The Hon. Mr. Melville proposes to open a commuworm be sent to that gentleman, when a fairer experi-nication with the Highland Society. Their anxiety ment may be made, on the cocoons produced by them. to obtain the productions particularly of the Himalaya, Specimens of Bhaugulpore tusser wound raw silk, that gentleman had well ascertained and was sure they Shaw, will supply in return any product, which may be from James Pintel, Esq., were forwarded by Esq., of which particulars will be given hereafter, as to the mode of reeling it off.

desired.

The secretary intimated that he had addressed the From D. F. MacLeod, Esq., (no date) received De-Highland Society, last year, and had forwarded a copy cember 29, presenting specimens of tusser raw silk from Seonee.

From Dr. Wallich, dated January 3, reporting on a trial made in the society's nursery of samples of Gulph cotton seed received from D. B. Syers, Esq.

of this Society's transactions, but he thought there was scarcely time yet to receive a reply. The meeting was unanimous in its anxiety to be placed in communication with that and all societies of a similar nature and Mr. Melville and Dr. Jackson, offered to co-operate in England and Scotland, towards effecting this object. The latter gentleman also offered to procure for this society any books, or information, that were

From J. Fagan, Esq, C. Assistant Surgeon, Rung pore, dated 8th December, forwarding a specimen of cotton, grown near the foot of the hills by a race of peo-required from England. ple called Mace."

From D. B. Syers, Esq., forwarding samples of cotton seed alluded to in his letter of the 25th November last. Memo. This is the seed to which Dr. Wallich's report above noted, alludes.

From Dr. Cheek, Secretary to the Burdwan Society, dated December 29, forwarding samples of Virginia tobacco, guinea grass, arrow root, and cheese pumkin, the produce of the branch society's garden.

From R. S. Hompfray, Esq., dated Barripore, January 5, presenting two samples of paddy, grown by him near Barripore, one marked A, of a description termed "Teelsaugor," the other marked B, called "Hulleedzoorie," and giving an account of the manner of cultivating, and of the expense attending the same.

From G. Leyburn, Esq., dated January 8, presenting some barley for seed.

From Dr. Huffnagle, dated January 9, presenting in the name of A. Graham, Esq., of Dowlutgunge, Kishnaghur, specimens of Indian corn, the produce of se veral successive generations, raised from American seed received in 1834.

From Dr. F. P. Strong, dated January 10, presentsmall supply of English rye grass seed and Dutch

ing clover seed.

From D. W. H.Speed, Esq., dated January 10, for warding a stock of sugar-cane said to be Otaheite.

From Messers. Vilmorin, Andrew and Co., dated Paris, April 28th, to the address of H. Piddington, Esq., advising despatch on account of this soceity of a box containing an assortment of seeds, numerous as to variety, but in quantities so small, as hardly to be divisible.

The secretary has also to acknowledge the following presentations.

A cob of maize received from Sir E. Ryan, length 10 inches, circumference 7 inches, and number of grains, 1,060.

From the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, (received from Messers. Thacker and Co.,) its journal No. 7.

Proceedings of the Committee of Agricultural and Commerce 12 copies.

Also, through the same channel, a copy of the address of the President of the Medico Botanical Society.

From the Madras Agricultural Society (received through Dr. Wight) a copy of instructions for the cultivation of the Mauritius sugar cane, and notes on dye

The thanks of the society were directed to be offered for the foregoing communications and presentations. N. B. The society give the foregoing precis of the various letters and papers submitted to them, with a view to their acknowledgment, and for the information of the public without professing to answer for the certainty of the facts, or the propriety of the reasonings therein contained, which must judgment of the writers.

rest on the credit or

JOHN BELL, Secretary,

Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

Town Hall, Calcutta, Jan. 10, 1838.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NURSERY
COMMITTEE.

A meeting of this committee took place at the residence of the secretary on Wednesday evening, the 20th December, 1837.

PRESENT.-N. Wallich, M. D.; C. Huffaagle, M. D.; W. F. Gibbon, Esq.; John Bell, Esqr.

The committee had previously visited the Nursery, and found the suger-cane, recently planted, coming up very regularly, notwithstanding the continued drought. Plot No. 12 of Dr. Huffnagle's plan, was holed ready for the reception of more cane; plot No. 14 was being trenched.

Resolved. That the ripe cane in plot No. 1, be forthwith cut down and planted out in plot No. 12. Resolved. That the ground now treuching be reserved for expected supplies.

Dr. Wallich read an extract of a letter this-day received from Mr. Richard, Superintendent of the Botanical Garden at Bourbon, dated 26th October, 1837,

stating that he had prepared a case of cactus, on which he intended to transport to this society the grana-fina insect, and promising to follow up this despatch by more in the event of accident or failure.

Mr. Richard also informs Dr. Wallich, that he had made ready 25 cases for the reception of Batavia cane, destined for the society's Nursery.

Dr. Wallich informed the committee, that he had a small plantation of the cactus cochinellifer, and in anticipation of this supply of insect, had recently extended it considerably.