194 THE FLORIST. 



THE SEEDLING PELARGONIUM EXHIBITION 



Took place, as advertised, in Upton Park on the 15th of June, and 

 drew together a considerable number of plants, nine competitors, and 

 several amateur cultivators from distant parts of the country. 



The arrangements for this exhibition w$re well carried out upon 

 the ground, and the day was of a character to shew the flowers in 

 cloudy, clear, sunny, and wet weather, so variable was it on this 

 occasion. The varieties selected for the four prizes w T ere elected by 

 ballot in the following manner. When the plants were arranged 

 side by side, and in a row, the exhibitors (the alone judges) entered 

 the tent, each receiving a voting card. After careful examination of 

 the several plants, and a declaration from the exhibitors that they 

 were ready to vote, each placed on his card the number of the variety 

 he selected for the first prize, and the greatest number of votes of 

 course carried the prize with it. The other three were awarded in a 

 similar manner. The first prize of Five Pounds was awarded to 

 Foster's Gypsy Bride, of which a specimen plant was exhibited 

 covered with buds and expanded blossoms. This flower is of first- 

 rate quality ; general form circular, and very good ; perfectly smooth 

 petals, no crumple ; edge first-rate, free from indentures ; upper petals 

 a dark crimson, with brilliant distinct edging, and terminating white 

 and waxy in the neck. The lower petals are a deep rose, shading 

 ofT into a w T hitish eye. The size of the flower is too small, and the 

 lower petals are veined and rather flat in colour. Habit of the plant 

 very good. 



Three Pounds Ten Shillings, the second prize, was awarded to 

 Foquette's Magnificent, a beautiful bright rosy vermilion flower, with 

 a dark cloudy blotch on the upper petals, which are all free from 

 crumple. It is very constant, a free bloomer, of good habit and 

 foliage. Its faults are, imperfect shape, too long, too funnelled, and 

 the blotch on upper petals not even, whilst the ground-colour is very 

 good in this respect. Altogether it is a flower of great refinement 

 both in colour and quality. 



Symons's Field Marshal, the property of Messrs. Veitch and Son, 

 received the third prize of Two Pounds Ten Shillings. This is a 

 high-coloured variety, of strong robust habit, and great freedom of 

 bloom, but deficient in refinement. It will make a great show on 

 the stage, whether at home or at an exhibition. The colour of the 

 upper petals is a rich dark scarlet, with an undecided deep blotch 

 veining off towards the margin, and terminating with a small feather 

 in the neck. The lower petals have a bluish tinge upon them, which 

 deepens as it approaches the eye. Want of smoothness in the upper 

 petals and delicacy are its great faults ; but few, if any, will surpass 

 it in brilliant effect, especially when distant from the eye. 



Aurora's Beam (Beck's) came in for the remaining prize of One 

 Pound Ten Shillings. It is a large stout flower, but calling for no 

 particular notice, as the raiser will not send it out, considering it 

 inferior to others in his possession intended for that purpose. 



