The General Union for the Cultivation of Bulbs, under the patronage of the King of the Netherlands, at Haarlem, Holland, has in view to promote by all proper means, the love for flowers in general, and in particular the growing, and consequently the trade in flower roots; and to this end offer to the leading horticultural societies of the United States, out of their funds, prizes for hyacinths in bloom at the spring exhibitions of 1886. These offers have been accepted with thanks by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at'Philadelphia, and by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Boston.

For the spring shows of 1886, of either of these two societies, at Philadelphia and Boston, there will be offered by the Federative General Union above-named prizes for 50 hyacinths grown in pots in 50 varieties, to be competed for by nurserymen, seedsmen and florists dealing in these articles. The prizes will consist of medals, engraved with the official stamp of the Union. As first prize, a gold medal; as second prize, a silver gilt medal; and as third prize, a silver medal. If it is proved that there is some success by this offering, it is the intention of the General Union to offer a following year again prizes for hyacinths, and perhaps too for tulips, narcissus and other articles of the Dutch bulb trade at various exhibitions in the U. S.

When is considered the small importations of flower-roots to the United States - a country so very powerful in wealth and increasing in civilization - in comparison to what England, Germany, and other countries employ, it seems that an advancement and extension of the love for flower roots must be desirable to all who appreciate the enjoyment of winter gardening and blooming of these beautiful flowers. Haarlem, Holland.