The National Botanic Gardens runs an ongoing programme of afternoon talks throughout the year. There are just a couple of talks left before the Christmas break and these take place on the afternoon this Thursday at 3.15 p.m. when Seamus O'Brien will talk about Tibet in an horticultural context and on Saturday at 2.30 p.m. when Tony Hall will talk about the Alpine House at Kew Gardens. Admission to the talks is free. For further details contact (01) 857 0909. Meanwhile the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland is hosting a talk by Daphne Shackleton on "Perennial Pleasures" tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Wesley House, Leeson Park, Dublin. The RHSI can be contacted at (01) 668 4358 or email Rhsi@eircom.net