JUNE. 135 



pholobium polymorphum to twine it over stakes in the form of a 

 little bush, for in this shape it has a much more tasteful appearance 

 than when trained to a stiff-looking wire trellis. 



Orchids were plentiful at both exhibitions, and their variously 

 coloured and curiously formed flowers made them objects of general 

 admiration. We well remember the time when these were only to 

 be found here and there in our great gardens. They were con- 

 sidered to be essentially the plants of the rich and opulent ; but now, 

 who that has a little stove would be without his Dendrobiums, Sac- 

 colabiums, Aerides, Vandas, Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, and Oncidiums 1 

 Why they excite more interest than half the other productions of the 

 garden. For a small collection to begin with, we would especially 

 recommend Dendrobium nobile and densiflorum, Phalaenopsis grandi- 

 flora, Cattleya Mossifc and Skinneri, the larger-flowered variety of 

 Oncidium ampliatura, Saccolabium guttatum and praemorsura, Cy- 

 pripedium barbatum, Calanthe veratrifolia, and Phaius grandifolius. 

 These might be augmented as opportunity offered ; but even if the 

 cultivation of this charming class of plants was carried no further, 

 we are sure that the beauty of the few we have named would amply 

 repay a small share of ordinary care. 



Azaleas were numerous, large, and brilliant. Among the differ- 

 ent sorts, we remarked specimens of Double- Red, Gledstanesi, late- 

 ritia, praestantissima, vivicans, sinensis, coronata, exquisita, optima, 

 triumphans, variegata, Rawsoni, speciosissima, rosea superba, Law- 

 renceana, pulchra, splendens, Fielder's White, violacea superba, and 

 Smith's Red. 



One collection of tall Cacti in flower was exhibited. It contained 

 Epiphyllum speciosum, E. rubrum coeruleum, Ackermanni, E. auran- 

 tiacum, E. Russellianum, and Cereus speciosissimus. 



Rhododendrons. A magnificent collection was shewn at Chis- 

 wick, by Mr. Ivison, gardener to the Duchess Dowager of Northum- 

 berland, at Sion House. It consisted of beautiful light and purple 

 flowered kinds. The best of the former were stated to have been 

 obtained between altaclerense and the white ponticum, the others 

 between altaclerense and the white tree Rhododendron. 



At both shows Roses in Pots surpassed any thing of the kind we 

 have hitherto seen. The collections of both dealers and amateurs 

 shewed that each had done his utmost ; the flowers were beautifully 

 coloured, and the foliage was ample and clean. The gems of Mr. 

 Francis's collection, to whom the first prize was awarded at Chis- 

 wick, were Paul Perras, with blossoms regularly dispersed over the 

 plant, large and w^ell-blown ; Coupe d'Hebe, rich in shape and 

 colour ; Lamarque ; Armosa, a profuse-blooming medium-sized Rose ; 

 Chenedole, and La Reine. We observed in all instances that the 

 buds of the latter did not open kindly. Madame de St. Joseph, 

 in Messrs. Paul's group, which was second, was the admiration of 

 every body. It is a delicate salmon, with a delicious fragrance, and 

 the plant was covered with blossoms ; Vicomtesse des Cazes had 

 been very fine, but its beauty was somewhat past ; not so Niphetos, 

 which was just in perfection, and studded with flowers of snowy 



