JULY. 147 



nddenda to the rlcli stores of the Industrial Pahice was no doubt a 

 happy one, and is another exemj)litication of the good taste of those 

 to whom the arrangements of its contents were entrusted. But alas, 

 those who merely look occasionally on the masses of ornamental 

 plants disposed about the transept of the building are little aware of 

 the havoc that dust and an impure atmosphere plays amongst them. 

 Such a result was not anticipated by the nurserymen furni:^hing 

 them, or we venture to state, that few plants would have added their 

 charms to the indescribable beauty of the scene. 



We have entered by the south transept, and have wandered to 

 the opposite termination of it, casually noticing the groups as we pass 

 along. The line Palms from Messrs. Loddiges are scorched and 

 dusty, looking as if an Indian monsoon would be acceptable to them. 

 The old Elms, contributing so much to the beauty of the interior, are 

 languishing for a breeze and a shower. The Rhododendrons are 

 regretting the pure atmosphere of Bagshot; and the Pines and Azaleas 

 are equally not "at home." We much regret such a state of things, 

 because the expense to the parties furnishing must be considerable, 

 to say nothing of the loss of plants. The bouquet-trade too is almost 

 a failure. Those who had reckoned on that source as a slight 

 recompense for their trouble in other ways will, we fear, be disap- 

 pointed. 



But we must describe the plants exhibited. If you commence 

 at the north end of the transept, immediately on the right is a 

 large collection of greenhouse plants from Messrs. Lane and Son, 

 Berkharasted. The group is composed mostly of Azaleas and iihodo- 

 dendrons. A plant which seemed to command universal attention was 

 R. sulphureum ; certainly a charming variety. The individual flowers 

 are large, and the truss admirable. The rich-coloured R. Broughtonii 

 too was conspicuous. On the opposite side, near the Queen's robing- 

 room, is a collection of Coniferous plants from Messrs. Paul of 

 Cheshunt. Representatives of most of the popular members of the 

 family are in the group. Near the refreshment-stalls is another 

 small collection, consisting of Azaleas, Roses, and cut flowers, belong- 

 ing to the same firm. Directly in front of you is a circular group of 

 hardy Rhododendrons from Messrs. Standish and Noble, Bag?liot. 

 Amongst them are some fine stands of new and esteemed kinds. 

 Towardii, with its immense flower and well-formed truss, is con- 

 spicuous. Blandyanum is scarcely less so. The latter is a universal 

 favourite. Cryptomeria japonica, Cupressus funebris, and C. Gove- 

 niana are included in the group. Several Wardian cases exhibited by 

 the inventors are placed in this part of the building. Passing onward, 

 we notice some grotesque vases filled with various plants. Near this 

 part, Messrs. Rendle of Plymouth are represented by a few miscel- 

 laneous plants, as Ericas, Mignonette, a Rhododendron or two, &c. 

 Mr. Ferguson of Stowe has filled a large ornamental stand, com- 

 posed mostly of Staffordshire tiles, with various cut flowers and 

 some miscellaneous living plants. Messrs. Weeks and Co. of Chelsea, 

 besides a collection of Geraniums, &c. exhibit various garden arti- 

 cles, such as ornamental iron chairs, vases for plants, and a model 



