156 THE FLORIST. 



time a pleasing effect. Than some of the plants in Mr. Green's 

 collection, we are sure Azalea cultivation could not be carried 

 further. Passing round the east end of this tent, we come to the 

 Roses of Mr. Slowe and Mr. Rowland ; and these were backed up 

 by some noble single specimens, more especially a huge Weigela 

 rosea covered with flowers, which looked so much like apple- 

 blossoms, that we could only regret they were not to be suc- 

 ceeded by fruit. Then there was another Chinese plant in the 

 shape of Indigofera decora, from Sion. This proves to be a really 

 pretty thing ; its long drooping racemes of pink flowers contrasting 

 well with its airy and elegant foliage. We also observed here a 

 noble specimen of Epacris miniata, loaded with rosy- pink white- 

 tipped tubes, and proving beyond doubt that, although this brilliant 

 species has been reported to be a shy flowerer, it is not really so, or, 

 if it be, at least that such disposition may be overcome by skilful 

 management. Separating the Amateurs' from the Nurserymen's Roses 

 were some stove and greenhouse plants, and a collection of Cape 

 Heaths from Messrs. Veitch, in which we remarked several of our 

 friend Mr. Story's seedlings. These were named Sanguinea, Re- 

 torta, Vittata, Devonia, and Perelegans, — all very beautiful sorts, 

 something in the way of Aristata. We now come to the Nursery- 

 men's Roses ; and here we were more than surprised, after so back- 

 ward a spring, to see such a fine display of a flower, which, a few 

 years ago, was pronounced to be uncultivable in pots. Mr. Paul's 

 plants, which were trained in the form of pyramids, were splendidly 

 grown and bloomed ; and Mr. Lane's were little inferior. The next 

 in point of merit were Mr. Francis's, of Hertford. 



We now enter tent No. 2 ; and here the first exhibition we met 

 was the Fruit, which was intermixed with Ferns in pots, in order to 

 create variety. Then came some seedling Calceolarias, some Pansies, 

 stove and greenhouse plants, and finally the Orchids, of which there 

 was a large and splendid display ; and no part of the exhibition ex- 

 cited more interest than this. The best group of these, we are glad 

 to record, was contributed by Mr. Williams, gardener to C. B. War- 

 ner, Esq., of Hcddesdon, who, it will be remembered, was kind 

 enough to furnish the Orchids for Mr. Edwards's lists. His plants 

 were admirably grown and flowered. We remarked little new among 

 the various collections, save Vanda suavis, a most beautiful species, 

 and an Arpophyllum, with an upright spike of flowers arranged with 

 the greatest regularity, and exhibiting an appearance something like 

 that presented by the feather of a soldier's cap. The north side of 

 this tent was filled with Cape Heaths, stove and greenhouse plants, 

 Calceolarias, and a few hardy Rhododendrons, among which there 

 was nothing remarkable. 



With the leave of our readers, we will now face eastward, and 

 return to the iron tent at the end of the one we have just described. 

 Facing us on entering this, were one or two Orchids, some Cape 

 Heaths, and then we came to the large collection of stove and green- 

 house plants furnished by Mr. Cole, gardener to H. Collyer, Esq., 

 of Dartford. This was the second group in point of merit, and 



