THE FLORIST. 157 



occupied the semicircular stage on the south of the tent. Pro- 

 ceeding round the end, and passing Mr. Rucker's heaths, which, for 

 the credit of Mr. Leach, we ought to mention were specimens of 

 perfect cultivation, we came to the best collection of stove and green- 

 house plants. These were produced by Mrs. Lawrence, of Ealing Park ; 

 a name which, in connexion with flower-shows, must be familiar to 

 all our readers. At the base of this magnificent collection, on the one 

 side, was a specimen of Pimelea spectabilis from the same lady, than 

 which, both for size and bloom, the like was perhaps never before 

 seen in Europe; and on the other side was Mr. Parker's exhibition 

 of Pelargoniums ; and notwithstanding the unfavourable spring we 

 have just passed over, we may state with safety that he never shewed 

 plants in finer condition. 



We will now have a look at the Pelargonium tent, as it was wont 

 to be called, which stands at right angles to the one we have just 

 viewed. This tent has hitherto been filled with Pelargoniums, forming 

 a mass of beauty ; but we can say little more for it this time than 

 that it cut a very sorry figure, except in one spot ; and as we wish 

 to avoid the very unpleasant task of finding fault, we will merely 

 add, that it is incumbent upon those that shew in the class "new 

 and first-rate varieties" to bring forward specimens of the advance 

 annually made ; and if they cannot do this, they had better not ex- 

 hibit at all, as it is really damaging the character of the flower to 

 exhibit such specimens as were seen on this occasion. We must 

 except from this censure Mr. Dobson's collection, which consisted of 

 really fine varieties, covered with large and abundant flowers, and in 

 wonderful condition for the season. Mr. Cock had a nice collection 

 of six ; but altogether the tent, with its ill-assorted appearance of 

 Daisies, Cinerarias, Rhododendrons, and other plants, make us glad 

 to defer to another month a more particular notice of its contents, 

 promising our readers to give them a good account of all the best 

 varieties at a future time, as no doubt we shall see them under more 

 advantageous circumstances. 



Casting a retrospective look over the whole of this fine show, we 

 find that we have omitted one or two things which we fear our 

 readers would not have pardoned us for overlooking. One is Cal- 

 ceolaria grandis from Messrs. Veitch, a new shrubby species from 

 Peru, with clear yellow flowers, and leaves like those of a Fuchsia or 

 Escallonia ! What will Calceolaria fanciers say to this ? and what 

 may we not expect in the way of hybrids between it and the finer 

 flowered kinds ? Another object of interest was Mr. Fortune's Yel- 

 low China Rose, which is, however, not yellow at all, but a salmon ; 

 and altogether we fear that the flower will not realise the expecta- 

 tions formed of it. Finally, Mr. Jackson, of Kingston, sent a very 

 beautiful white Rhododendron ; and another curiously spotted one 

 came from Mr. Gaines. 



N.B. An extended notice of Fancy Pelargoniums, beautifully exhibited this 

 month, and forming the subject of our Illustration, is postponed for want of 

 room. 



