218 > THE FLORIST. 



a first-rate plant for a small collection, because of the brightness and 

 liveliness of its yellow flowers, which it produces abundantly. 



We now come to Cape Heaths ; and here there is always room 

 to walk and examine the plants comfortably. No crowding of 

 visitors here; — a strange circumstance, considering the beauty of 

 the Heath ; but so it is. 



Carnations, by Messrs. Ward, Norman, and Bragg; Picotees, 

 by Messrs. Norman, Ward, and Bragg; and Pinks, by Mr. Norman, 

 were exhibited, and in good condition : but as we intend to give lists 

 of the best varieties from our Note-book, we will waive all enumera- 

 tion of them here ; for we desire to make our report upon these and 

 other flowers valuable as references to purchasers and amateurs. 

 We may add, that in these classes, Amateurs and Nurserymen 

 exhibited against one another ; a thing that, in our opinion, should 

 never be done, except where new plants are in question. In con- 

 sequence of this rule, in the present instance, the Amateurs with- 

 drew. We hope this will be remedied in the next season, or great 

 and just dissatisfaction will be the result. We should state, that 

 Messrs. Veitch sent a compact and handsome variety of Crypto- 

 meria japonica; and we noticed, among plants shewn from the 

 Society's Garden, a beautiful blue Pentstemon, hardy, and very 

 desirable 



On this, as for many preceding seasons, the grounds of the 

 Duke of Devonshire were thrown open to the company, and were 

 soon resorted to for the charming variety they afforded to the So- 

 ciety's gardens, comparatively so familiar. We shall enter into no 

 description of them here ; that will be a fitting subject for another 

 paper. Our present business is merely to say, that the time was 

 spent by a company of between 7000 and 8000 in the usual manner, 

 until the signal of departure was heard ; and a slight description of 

 this, the concluding part of a Chiswick fete, is what we now intend. 

 Just before six o'clock, the exhibitors, who have hitherto been scat- 

 tered in all directions, are seen gathering about their plants ; and no 

 sooner has the last sound left the instruments of the band, than 

 coats are flung off, green aprons tied on, barriers removed, and the 

 business of tying and securing the plants for their return home is 

 commenced with a surprising earnestness. In an inconceivably short 

 space of time they are removed to the vans ; and as the exhibitors 

 finish their tasks, friendly farewells are exchanged between those 

 whose opportunities of meeting each other are often limited to these 

 occasions. Around the departing plants hang many fair faces, for 

 whom their attendant gallants often sue, though in vain, for some 

 flowers to present to them. Indeed, the cutting of a few blooms for 

 a friend is sure to bring quite a crow T d around ; and therefore the 

 regulation is cruelly made, that cut flowers must not be given away 

 in the tents. Rapidly, one after the other, all the collections are 

 removed ; and the tents, bare and deserted, present the most uninvit- 

 ing aspect. On the parade, — a wide and broad grass-covered portion 

 of the ground, running parallel with the gravel-path connecting the 

 two entrances, — linger the last of the company — generally the young 



