That towards the close of a long and useful life in the service of horticulture, Mr Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth should be selected to receive some token of the high esteem and regard in which he is held by many of his brother horticulturists, is not to be wondered at. Pomology, especially, owes much to Mr Rivers. He has laboured un-weariedly, and has lived to reap the reward and enjoy the fruits of his labour; and other men have entered into the results also, and gratefully partaken of them. Of his busy life, with its quiet energy working out into practical result and certain good, that experimenta-tive faculty he was so fond of bringing into active play, may be written the words of Professor Graham, "Man becomes a part of the vast world in which he lives, and everything becomes a part of him; and hence it may with propriety be said that man is the soul of the world." Mr Rivers has moved about in the world of horticulture for years, heaping up large stores of knowledge, which he, with ungrudging desire, has constantly given forth for the benefit of his fellow-creatures. Mr Rivers, having a great dislike to testimonials, will not accept one, but it is proposed to honour him by raising a subscription for the purpose of having his portrait painted, as a momento of his worth and the kindly regard in which he is held.

No subscriptions will be solicited; all already received have been voluntarily given. Dr Robert Hogg, 99 St George's Road, Pimlico, London, S.W., is receiving subscriptions for the purpose.

A meeting of the subscribers to the Veitch Memorial was held in the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting-room at South Kensington, on the 21st of October, to receive a report of the Central Committee as to the mode in which the money raised should be expended. Altogether the sum of £1012, 12s. 9d. had been subscribed; the necessary expenses incidental to giving effect to the wishes of the promoters had amounted to £121, 14s. 5d., thus leaving a net amount of £890, 18s. 4d. to be expended in furtherance of the special object for which the fund was raised. Many propositions had been made as to the best mode of disposing of the surplus, and of these two were singled out as being the most likely to serve the end proposed to be sought - viz., the establishment of certain Veitch Prizes, "to be offered at such exhibitions of the leading metropolitan Horticultural Societies in the three kingdoms as the trustees may judge most conducive to the object, the culture of both flowers and fruits being considered;" and that of adding a Veitch Pensioner to the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. Although there were many supporters of the last-named proposition, the balance of favour went with the former, and after some discussion it was adopted.

The following gentlemen were nominated as trustees, in whose names the money should be invested - viz., George F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., the treasurer, and Mr Thomas Moore, the secretary to the fund; and the following five others as representing the amateur and practical gardeners of the United Kingdom - namely, Mr Harry James Veitch, Dr Robert Hogg, and Mr Zadok Stevens, gardener to the Duke of Sutherland, Trentham, as representing England; Mr William Thomson, Dalkeith Palace Gardens, as representing Scotland; and Dr David Moore, of the Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, as representing Ireland. The proposal to provide a portrait of the late Mr Veitch, which was a part of the original programme as one of the leading objects to be attained, had been anticipated by Robert Crawshay, Esq. of Cyfartha Castle, Merthyr-Tidvil, South Wales, who had presented the Veitch Committee with a portrait of the late Mr James Veitch, which had been painted expressly for the purpose; and this, with the permission of the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, now finds a resting-place on the walls of the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting-room. On many grounds the prize scheme was to be preferred to that which would simply add a pensioner to the list of the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution. The 'Gardeners' Chronicle' said with much truth that the memory of Mr Veitch would be best honoured "by keeping it prominently before the gardening world as an incentive to the same energetic, persevering efforts for the advancement of horticulture which we had so often witnessed and so much admired in him; and if we now regard the memorial as inclusive, and intended to perpetuate the memory of both father and son, - the zealous horticulturist and the successful traveller, - the same sentiments will equally apply.

Surely this will be more effectually secured by spurring on the active man in full possession of his powers and in the full practice of his profession, than by pensioning the effete though worthy man whose day of action is past, and who must, in the ordinary course of things, soon pass away from the scene. There can be no question about it; it must be so. The stimulus to action must be more effectual than the sop to repose in keeping up the memory of a horticultural leader, and we hence conclude that the right thing has been done".

Landscape-gardeners might take a hint from the common Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) at the present moment, when, in keeping with the unusually fructiferous character of the season, it is found in most instances literally clothed with red berries. When seen standing out against the naked outlines of leafless trees, or even as an isolated specimen in a piece of park-land, it lights up the scene, and gives a tone to the barrenness around it. Berried trees during winter are of great value in adorning our woodlands, and deserve to be planted as much for this especial service as for the sake of the flowers they yield in the spring. Somehow most, if not all, deciduous shrubs give tints of red during the leafless portion of their existence, and cheer, while leafless, the dulness and decay of winter. Hence an eye to effect in winter is as important, in a certain degree, in the construction of a landscape, as during the summer, when there "Shines beauty in its vernal year, Bright, sparkling, fascinating, clear, Gay, thoughtless of its doom".

For the purpose of lighting up shrubbery borders, woodland ways, belts of trees, plantations, etc, at this season of the year, scarcely anything can compete with variegated Hollies, that shine out with their richest garniture of gold and silver in the depth of winter. It is singular to note how a lengthened patch of variegated Hollies, thrown into the line of a belt of trees or line of shrubbery-border flanking a walk, will seem to shorten its length, even to a remarkable degree. Lately a striking instance has been afforded of the ill effects arising from placing sheets of ornamental water or small lakes near to groups of trees on the banks where dark-foliaged trees, and especially Firs, predominate. It has no doubt struck many others long since, but it is worth a notice at this time of the year, when the effects are made perceptible. A large pond of water (in the instance referred to) occupied a hollow surrounded on three sides by trees, including some Firs, and in consequence of the shadow being thrown across the water, it had the dark stagnant appearance, when looked at from a slight elevation, peculiar to ponds in close unfrequented places; on descending to the brink, the water appeared quite clear.

But as water is generally looked at from an elevation, the dark shadows come in the line of sight. As a matter of course, small sheets of water are the most likely to be so rendered unsightly.

Mr Barron, of the Chiswick Gardens, has just commended to public notice a material for grafting purposes that is likely to be found very useful to cultivators generally. It is simply a sheet of indiarubber, which can be obtained at quite a small cost per square foot, and then cut into the lengths required for use. Previous to using the material, it is washed in clear water, and dried by means of placing it within the folds of a cloth or handkerchief. It can be obtained at the shops both dressed and undressed, but the latter is to be3 preferred. The operator cuts his sheets into pieces of about an inch in length and an eighth of an inch in width, the size being regulated by the space to be covered. This length of material is passed round the part of the plant to be covered, and being pulled tightly as the windings are made, becomes elongated, and holds the graft with a firm grip. A pressure with the thumb-nail fastens the end securely, and the effect of the external air is to render it even more durable, hardening the material and keeping it firm. For what may be termed fine grafting - that is, as applied to small and delicate plants - nothing appears to be better. For larger trees in the open air, the Mastic L'homme Lefort, or cold grafting-wax, can be highly recommended.

Ready for use at all times, no work of preparation is required; the thing is always ready to hand, and has been found to be both effectual and durable.

The Royal Horticultural Society's great summer show at Nottingham will be held a month earlier than usual, the time being no longer fixed according to the date on which the annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society has been held. The Nottingham Exhibition will be held on the 13th of June, and continue open to the 17th. This early intimation of the date will enable gardeners and others to make their arrangements accordingly. A month earlier than the time at which the show has hitherto been held is a matter of great importance in some districts.