THE FLORIST. 185 



finely flowered, made a brilliant display. Among them we did not 

 remark much novelty ; but there was a variety of the old Epiphyllum 

 (Cactus) speciosum, named Elegans, which is certainly much larger 

 and finer than Speciosum. Turning the corner of the tent, we found 

 one or two small collections of Cape Pelargoniums ; among which, 

 the prettiest, to our taste — but " tastes ditfer" — were Echinatum, 

 spotted purple ; Ardens ; Flexuosum ; Quinquevulnera ; and Bipin- 

 natifidum. At the end of this exhibition were the Roses in pots, 

 shewn by Mr. Bradbury's gardener, who was first, and Mr. Rowland 

 of Lewisham, second : these were backed up by single specimen- 

 plants. Then passing a collection or two of stove and greenhouse 

 plants, we arrive at the show of Roses in pots by Nurserymen, which 

 was a grand one, although the plants told unmistakeably that they 

 had suffered from the bright weather in the early part of the week. 

 Mr. Lane's specimens, which were first, were large and fine ; Mr. 

 Francis was second ; and Messrs. Paul, third, with pyramidally- 

 trained plants. This system of training seems destined to become 

 fashionable : we see that other growers are beginning to follow the 

 plan, which, we are of opinion, is a good one for pot Roses. Indeed 

 this pyramidal system of training might be carried on to a greater 

 extent than it is at present, even on lawns ; for, beautiful as standard 

 Roses are, we may have too many of them ; and we imagine that a 

 few pyramidal bushes, clothed with foliage and flowers to the very 

 ground, might often be introduced here and there among them, and 

 with good effect. It would at least create variety, which is " ever 

 pleasing." But to our task. 



Entering tent No. 2, we find a crowd of ladies and gentlemen 

 trying to get " impossible views" of the fruit, which is, after all, but 

 scarce ; for the Society does not profess to have a fruit-exhibition till 

 July. Pursuing our course, and passing some Amarj-llids, among 

 which there was nothing particular, some Cape Heaths, and stove 

 and greenhouse plants, we come to the Orchids, which were, this 

 time, beyond all praise. They were more numerous than in May, 

 and were altogether much finer specimens. This interesting class of 

 plants, whose forms are as varied as their colours are beautiful, a few 

 years ago were thought uncultivable b}~ common people with mode- 

 rate appliances ; but the result has proved to be different. They are 

 quite as easily managed as other stove-plants ; and where one has a 

 little house, moderately well-warmed, a few blocks, pots, rough peat, 

 and Sphagnum moss, their cultivation may be commenced and car- 

 ried on with success. In proof of this, we may state, that from the 

 Orchid-house at Worton Cottage, which receives no particular care, 

 there was produced by far the best plant of Oncidium ampliatum 

 majus at the exhibition. It had five glorious spikes of clear yellow 

 blossoms on it, each flower being nearly an inch across. Then Mr. 

 Rucker's Orchid-house, in which so many fine specimens are grown, 

 is a span-roofed house, neither lofty nor wide ; yet out of this came, 

 on the 9th ult., perhaps the best collection of its kind ever produced. 

 He had a Saccolabium guttatum, one of the handsomest of all Or- 

 chids, which was the admiration of every body, and well described by 



