AUGUST. 169 



CLOSE OF THE GREAT METROPOLITAN EXHIBITIONS. 



These monster gatherings of plants and company were brought to a 

 successful termination on Saturday, July lOlh. This, the third 

 Chiswick fete, had the additional attraction of having the Duke of 

 Devonshire's grounds thrown open for the free admission of the 

 company. The day being fine, 8820 visitors embraced the oppor- 

 tunity of being present on the occasion. The Horticultural Gardens 

 and the well-known grounds attached to Chiswick House were in 

 the best possible order ; the luxuriant foliage of the trees, and re- 

 freshing smooth green lawns, appeared to delight all present. 



The exhibition itself was, for July, a very good one. Fruit, 

 Heaths, Pelargoniums, and miscellaneous stove and greenhouse 

 plants formed the principal attractions ; and, except the Fruit, all 

 were better than we ever remember to have seen them so late in the 

 season. Orchids were fairly over. There were some large and 

 finely-laced Pinks; but of Carnations and Picotees, only one ex- 

 hibition (Mr. Willmer's) was produced, with flowers such as the 

 judges wisely passed without any award. 



Of novelty very little was present. Mrs. Lawrence was first, with 

 the large collection of miscellaneous plants ; and Mr. Cole, gardener 

 to H. Colyer, Esq., was second, with a group scarcely, if any, inferior. 

 Mr. Coles's six plants, which were overlooked by the judges, were 

 all noble specimens. The Erica retorta major, shewn by Mr. Smith, 

 gardener to W. Quilton, Esq., which took the first prize for a 

 specimen-plant, was truly beautiful. Mr. Constantine's Lisianthus 

 Russellianus w^as very fine, and scarcely less interesting. 



Pelargotiiums, 12 plants, in 8-inch pots: 1st, Mr. J. Robinson; 

 2d, R. Stains, Esq.; 3d, Mr. Parker, gardener to J. Strachan, Esq., 

 Teddington. 11 -inch pots: 1st, Mr. Bonham, Staines; 2d, Mr. 

 Parker. Dealers, 8-inch pots : 1st, Mr. Turner; 2d, Mr. Gaines ; 

 3d, Mr. Westwood; 4th, Mr. Bragg ; 5th, Mr. Hunt. 11-inch 

 pots : Mr. Westwood was the only exhibitor. As at the opening 

 show in May, Magnet was the leading flower ; we also noticed 

 as .good, Mochanna, Cristine, Rowena, Alonzo, Ajax, Plantagenet, 

 Beatrice, Virgin Queen, Salamander, Magnificent, Star, and Mont 

 Blanc. Fancies, 6 varieties : 1st, Mr. Miller, Paddington ; 2d, 

 Mr. Robinson; 3d, Mr. Stains. Dealers: 1st, Mr. Turner, with 

 perhaps the best plants shewn this season, namely, Madame Rosati, 

 Alboni, Beauty, Clementine, Delicatum, and Perfection; 2d, Mr. 

 Gaines ; 3d, Mr. Westw^ood : Richard Cobden, Triumphant, Princess 

 Maria Galitzin, Lady Hume Campbell, were good. 



Pinks were shewn in very good order, 24 varieties: 1st, Mr. 

 Turner, with Optima, Great Britain, Criterion. Sarah, Harry, Esther, 

 Arthur, Lola Montes, Theresa, Whipper - in, Narborough Buck, 

 Mrs. M'Lean, Sappho, Colchester Buck, Richard Smith, Optimus, 

 Duke of Wellington, Huntsman, Rubens, George Glenny, Phcenix, 

 Lord Valentia, Heroine, and Pride; 2d, Mr. Bragg, who also ex- 

 hibited, and was awarded a prize for a stand of seedlings, some of 



