THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 191 



H. Dixon, Esq., of Dorward's Hall, and Mr. Rae, gardener to O. S. Onley, 

 Esq., of Stisted Hall, who discharged their onerous duties with great dis- 

 crimination. The magnificent gardens of Felix Hall were thrown open to 

 the public at three o'clock, and about 2400 visitors availed themselves of the 

 opportuuity thus afforded them of viewing one of the most delightful and 

 best laid out gardens in Essex. Among the attractions of the place is a very 

 pretty fernery, laid out in the most tasteful manner, nature having done so 

 much for it that the high art and masterly hand that arranged it has made 

 it the very acme of perfection. Close by is a beautifully trained yew hedge, 

 twenty feet high, surrounding a very nicely laid out plot of ground, con- 

 taining a splendid display of geraniums, calceolarias, and a very fine speci- 

 men of pampas grass, which had suffered from the severity of last winter. 

 The conservatory was well furnished with fuchsias, balsams, and other summer 

 flowers; and amongst them a seedling geranium, named Miss Western, on 

 each side of which stood two elegant vases of variegated hydrangeas. In 

 front of the conservatory were some doiible petunias, which attracted much 

 attention. We noticed on our egress some very tastefully laid out beds in 

 front of the gardener's cottage, the centre one of which contained some very 

 beautiful Perilla Nankinensis, surrounded by yellow calceolarias. Alto- 

 gether it was a most gratifying sight, and the superior taste and skill dis- 

 played throughout the gardens reflects the highest credit on the gardener, 

 Mr. Bowie, and the increasing number which yearly enters the gardens fully 

 testifies that his abilities and Mr. Western's kiudness are truly appreciated 

 by the people. We regret to learn from the Essex Telegraph that the 

 society's funds are not in an over-flourishing condition. A very prevalent 

 opinion was expressed that if Mr. Western would allow the committee to 

 make a small charge of admission to his beautiful gardens, the society would 

 receive a sufficient sum to firmly establish the Kelvedon Ladies' Horticul- 

 tural Society, for the origin of which, and the excellent manner everything 

 has been conducted, the heartfelt gratitude of the people ought to be ex- 

 pressed to the ladies' committee, but more especially to Mr. and Mrs. 

 Varenne, who are always most assiduous in promoting the happiness and 

 prosperity of the inhabitants of Kelvedon. 



Hokticultukal Society. — Among the subjects lately submitted to the 

 floral committee, and commended, we have noted the following as worthy of 

 being named here as likely to interest our readers. Fuchsias. — Garibaldi, 

 which has been exhibited at some local shows, a large and handsome 

 flower, corolla dove colour, sepals pink, quite a novelty ; Prince Leopold, 

 crimson sepals and purple corolla ; Lord Elcho, same character as Prince 

 Leopold, but a shade darker; Minnie, white sepals, rosy-pink corolla. These 

 were raised by Mr. Banks. Negro, a dark free-flowering kind, from Mr. 

 Smith, of Hornsey, also promises well. Pelargoniums. — Meteor, bright 

 scarlet, good trusses, variegated foliage, dwarf habit, from Messrs. Williams 

 and Parker ; Madame Csillag, small, rosy-like. Miscellaneous. — Spirea 

 Nobleana, a supposed hybrid of Callosa and Douglasii, flowers rosy-purple, 

 and likely to be a most valuable addition to our lists of handsome hardy 

 plants for mixed borders, and for large beds in public gardens. Clarkia pul- 

 chella Tom Thumb, a dwarf variety of the well-known annual from Messrs. 

 Carter and Co., of Holborn. If this keeps dwarf, it will be most valuable ; 

 the chief objection to the normal form of this pretty Clarkia being its tall 

 and straggling habit, except when autumn sown, and pricked out in spring 

 by first-rate hands. Dracaena stricta erythrorachis, a handsome member oj 

 a popular family, the leaves veined with orange-red, and the whole character 

 of the plant striking and attractive, from Messrs. Veitch. Convolvulus tri- 

 color monstrosus, a bold striped flower, most acceptable as a change for 

 trellises and rustic-work, from Mess Carterrs. and Co., Holborn. Pico- 

 tees. — Empress of India, light edged ; Garibaldi, yellow fancy, from Mr. 

 Bragg ; Countess of Derby, pinkish purple ; Queen of Picotees, white, with 



