142 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



Hobticultttkal Society. — At the meeting of tlie Floral Committee, 

 May 24, Mr. Staudisb, of Bagshot, exhibited some new hybrid rhododen- 

 drons, for two of which first-class certificates were awarded. They were 

 named respectively Hamilcar and Maculosissimum. Another, named Posa- 

 belle, was commended. Messrs. Veitch had a first-class certificate for a 

 double-flowered Hemerocallis, called Distacha flore-pleno, a fine plant, the 

 flower far surpassing the species, being quite double, colour bright orange, 

 and the base of each petal stained with reddish-brown. J. T. Lennox, Esq., 

 Hammersmith, exhibited some new variegated geraniums, as did also Mr. 

 Prodgers, of Letton Hall, Yaxham, Norfolk. June 12. — At the meeting of 

 the Fruit Committee some seedling strawberries were exhibited, only one of 

 which can be at present mentioned as promising. This was named Prince 

 Arthur. It is of average size, bright red colour, and agreeable, brisk flavour. 

 It was raised by Mr. Small, of Colebrook, June 14. — At the meeting of the 

 Floral Committee Mr. Standish exhibited two tree ferns, namely, Cyathea 

 Smithii, and Cyathea Cunninghami, both new and deserving of culture as 

 acceptable in the best collections. A charming hybrid azalea, between 

 amcena and lateritia, quite hardy, and of excellent habit, came from the same 

 grower. Also a new rhododendron, named Athenia, white, blotched with 

 yellow, will probably grow in the style of Cunninghami. Messrs. Henderson, 

 of Wellington Road Nursery, exhibited Imatophyllum cyrtanthitlorum, an 

 amaryllis-like plant, which flowers from Christmas to June, in an intermediate 

 house. It is of fine bold habit, and we believe will soon become a favourite 

 with collectors of this class of plants. Mr. Laxton, of Stamford, exhibited a 

 hybrid Dianthus. Messrs. Carter sentcut flowers of Aquilegia caryophylloides, 

 a most beautiful double white-striped Columbine, to which a certificate was 

 awarded. 



Crystal Palace, May 26. — However in some quarters the peculiar charac- 

 ter of the schedule had caused anticipations of a falling off in the character of 

 the show, there was no lack of either stock exhibition plants or novelties. 

 The schedule certainly places the affair in the hands of the large growers, to 

 the exclusion of amateurs and gentlemen's gardeners, and that doubtless was 

 the intention, a vast mass of flowers being of more consequence to the com- 

 pany as a popular attraction than small and choice collections, evincing care- 

 ful culture and tasteful selection and grouping. A great show was wanted, 

 and a great show was the result, but it lacked that peculiar interest which can 

 only be secured by the competition of a number of assiduous cultivators, 

 who aim at developing the art rather than astonishing the multi- 

 tude of unprofessional and uninformed sightseers. The following is the 

 substance of the excellent report which appeared in the columns of the 

 Chronicle : — 



The west end of 'the nave was remarkable for its long banks of pelargo- 

 niums and roses in pots, both magnificent examples of skilful cultivation. In the 

 neighbourhood of the centre transept were brilliant groups of Indian azaleas, asso- 

 ciated with statuary in such a manner as to be extremely effective. Eruit, surrounded 

 by a living framework of miscellaneous stove and greenhouse plants, occupied the 

 south end of the transept, and along each side of the eastern portion of the nave 

 were arranged orchids, which were present in unusual numbers, Cape heaths, azaleas, 

 fine-foliaged plants, and calceolarias, the whole forming almost, continuous lines of 

 lloral beauty from the warm end of the building to within a short distance of the 

 crystal fountain at the west-end of the palace. So great a display elicited, and 

 justly, the admiration of all who had the good fortune to see it. 



Of collections of 20 stove and greenhouse ulants there were four exhibitions ; 

 that to which the first prize was awarded came from Mr. VVhitbread, gardener to 

 H. Colyer, Esq., of Dartford. It contained beautiful specimens of Azaleas, Erioste- 

 mons, Allamandas, Boronias, among which Drummondi was conspicuous for its 



