122 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



scriptions." As many as 400 names were entered for the ballot whicli 

 took place on the 15th of April last. The Appendix to the Eeport shows 

 that the expenditure for 1858-9 has been £120 below its estimate ; but in 

 the same period the income has been short of the estimate, though £400 in 

 excess of the previous year. The number of fellows is now 985, and the 

 estimated expenses of the garden and the new London office are put down 

 at £1800 per annum. 



In this Ecport the favourable and unfavourable elements are pretty well 

 balanced ; nevertheless we do not fear but that the firm purposes in which 

 the council are united, Avill at once give to the Society a new and wider 

 sphere of usefulness, and ultimately redeem it from delit and difficulty. 

 That the council are in earnest there can be no doubt, for five of them, 

 including the Hev. L. V. Ilarcourt, Mr. Godson, Mr. Blandy, and Mr. 

 "W. Dilke, have guaranteed the payment of £2000 of the bond debts, 

 which relieves the Society of a present pressm-e it is most unable to bear. 

 This liberal act should be responded to by increased zeal on the part of the 

 fellows to increase by every legitimate means the Society's income, that 

 the debts may be ultimately extinguished, and the affairs of the Society 

 consolidated. The vast benefits conferred by it on the science of horticul- 

 ture, not only in this country but throughout the Avorld, give it a claim 

 to the most generous support, and, spite of the clouds Avhich have gathered 

 over it, we believe and hopo that very bright days for it are yet in store. 



THE MAY EXHIBITIONS, ETC. 



The Horticultural Society's Exliibitiou, held on the 12th, was one tliat indicateu no 

 signs of dcchnc, either in the affairs of the Society or tii.c spirit of exhibitors. The 

 confiuemeat to which the plants would of necessity be subjected, deterred a few from 

 sending, heuce there were not many roses shown — Messrs. Lane and Francis being the 

 only exhibitors. In Rhododendrons also there was a paucity, but Mr. Staudish, of 

 Bagshot, faced the difficulty, as did also Messrs. Lane, with good collections. In 

 front of the ferns and palms from the Society's garden, Messrs. Frazer had a collection 

 of Azaleas. Below these were two fine Wellingtoneas from Messrs. Veitch, and on 

 the lower stages a row of Rose-frees from Messrs. Lane, of Berkhampstead. Messrs. 

 Veitch also contributed liberally in Orchids, the Aerides, Plialienopsis, Cypripediums, 

 and Cattleyas being most beautifully bloomed. Those from Mr. Woolley, of Cheshunt, 

 ■were also worthy of the highest admiration. Fine foliaged plants were contributed 

 abundantly by Messrs. Veitch, Messrs. Jackson, and Mr. Young, of Dulwich ; the 

 latter sent a finely-coloured specimen of Farfugium grande. Among the few novelties, 

 the most deserving of notice was the New Zealand Forget-me-not, sent by Mr. 

 Standish, of Bagshot ; Ciianthus Dampieri, Cyanophyllum magnificum, Farfugium 

 grande, Philesia buxifolia, and Olea ilicifolia, the latter a new liardy Japanese olive 

 from Messrs. Veitch ; some beautiful Tydajas (Achimiues) marantas, Oaladiums, vai-ie- 

 gated leaved Salvias, and Geraniums, from Messrs. E. G. Henderson, of St. John's 

 Wood ; a yellow-flowered Datura, aud a lovely Feru, called Todea pellucida, from 

 Messrs. A. Henderson, of Pine Apple Place. In the list of awards, Messi's. Veitch 

 and Mr. Woolley were first in the two classes for Orchids ; Messrs. Frazer first, and 

 Messrs. Laue second, for Azaleas. Mr. Standish first and Messrs. Lane second, for 

 Rhododendrons. Messrs. Lane took first prize for six Roses in pots. 



The exhibition at the Crystal Palace on the 18th was one that presented but few 

 noticeable features for the horticultural critic, but as a popular fite was truly mag- 

 nificent, owing to the abundance of plants, and the very perfect manner in which tliey 

 were staged for effect. In the nave and transepts Orchids were numerously shown. 

 The principal exhibitors were Mr. Bullen, Mr. Gedney, Mr. Dods, Mr, O. Rhodes, 

 and Mr. Woolley. The Azaleas were subjects of general admiration. The most inte- 



