THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 221 



do., and ilally also contributed collections. Tho Gleichenias were superb, Dictsonia 

 antarctica good, Nephrolepis davallioides, Davallia cUssccta, peutaphylla, and aculeata 

 Tcry beautiful, the last as thorny as a bramble. Tlie best of theLycopods came from 

 Mr. Higgs, gardener to Mrs. Barchard. Messrs. Veitch sent Pteris argyrea, a new- 

 silver fern, strikingly marked with silvery gray along the centre of every pinna. This will 

 prove a plant of note, especially for exhibition. Among the flowers, Dahlias took the lead. 

 Mr. Turner stood first for fifty blooms. The next twenty-four came from the Rev. C. 

 Pellowes. They consisted of Pre-eminent, Wallace, Miss Caroline, Touchstone, Miss 

 Watts, Satirist, Lord Palmerstou, Rosebud, Pandora, Chairman, Duchess of Marlbo- 

 rough, Fanny Keynes, Deutsche Wiirde, Mentor, Golden Drop, Robert Bruce, Standard 

 Bearer, Lady Franklin, Goldfinder, Emperor, Dr. Gully, Lady Popham, Mr. Critchett, 

 Purple Standard. From Mr. W. Dods, of Salisbury, came Duke of Roxburgh, Pan- 

 dora, Chaii'man, Lord Bath, Royal Lilac, Lord Clyde, Golden Drop, Cherub, Dr. 

 Simpson, Emperor, Mrs. Church, Sidney Herbert, King, Lord Derby, Hon. Mrs, 

 Trotter, Sir H. Havelock, Venus, Miss Pressley, Lord Palmerstou, Seedling, Sir G. 

 Douglas, Touchstone, Lady Franklin, Mr. Critchett. Mr. Turner and Mr. Keynes 

 contributed collections of seedhngs. Among the cut flowers were some excellent 

 asters, roses, and hollyhocks, but the latter were at least a fortnight past theu' best, 

 Mr. Bragg sent the Californian sunflower, which we can recommend as a magnificent 

 annual. The colour varies in different specimens, frcm pale straw or amber to deep 

 gold-yellow ; it has no disk, but is i-ayed from the centre in the most symmetrical 

 manner, and has a superb and stately aspect. We have plants bearing heads 30 inches 

 in cii'cumference. As it seeds freely, and the seeds are as acceptable to fowls as those 

 of the common sunflowei', it will be as useful in the cottager's garden as it is ornamen- 

 tal everywhere. Among the vegetables there was nothing worthy of special note, 

 except a potato, called Stafford Hall, said to be the finest variety for productiveness, 

 keeping, and for culinary properties ; otherwise the vegetables were generally excellent, 

 and well shown. Grapes took the lead among the fruits ; Hamburghs, Muscats, 

 and Black Prince were especially good. Mr. Drewitt, gardener at the Denbies, near 

 Dorking, took first prize for white grapes, with Cannon Hall Muscat. The 

 bundles were a foot long, and the berries two inches in circumference ; they were 

 grown on a border heated with hot-water pipes. Mr. Fi'ost, of Preston Hall, also sent 

 the same grape in fine condition. The heaviest bunch of grapes came from Mr. 

 Strachan, gardener to Captain Senhouso, Nottingham ; they were not tallied, which 

 ought to be a disqualification. Tho Golden Hamburgh was also shown in fine 

 bunches, three of which weighed 91bs., proving the variety to be worthy of a place in 

 aU choice collections. Peaches, nectarines, Morello cherries, and plums were nume- 

 rous, and generally so good that we could almost doubt if this has been so bad a season 

 as most of us know but too well it has been. 



Stoke Newington, Aug. 30. — There were two exhibitions held simultaneously, 

 one in the Floral Hall, "Hare and Hounds," the other in the grounds adjoining 

 Abney Park. At the first, Mr. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, carried off 

 the silver cup for dahlias ; Mr. Pope took second prize, Mr. Green third, Mr. 

 Burgess fourth, and Mr. Hunter fifth. All the stands were good, and the best flowers 

 in them were Miss Watts, Lady Popham, Sir J. Paxton, Bathurst, Touchstone, 

 Perfection, Sir H. Havelock, and Mrs. Seldon. Two other prizes were awarded to 

 Mr. Le May and Mi-. Cook. Among the nurserymen, Mr. Legge, of Edmonton, 

 stood first, and Mr. Shenton second. The first prize for twelve dissimilar fancies was 

 carried off by Mr. Perry, with a really splendid stand, in which the colours were 

 judiciously placed. Astei's were finer tliau at the Crystal Palace, and Messrs. Smith, 

 Hayes, Ward, and Francis divided honom-s between them that were well deserved. An 

 extra "challenge cup" was awarded to Mr. Allen for a fuchsia, Yenus de Medicis, struck 

 in February last. It measured eighteen feet in circumference, and was in a 15-inch 

 pot. Unfortunately it met with an accident in being moved to its place for the show, 

 and much of its original beauty was thereby destroyed. Some fine foliage plants from 

 J. Harker, Esq., added much to the completeness of the scene, which evidenced 

 admirable taste and judgment, especially as the space for the exhibition is a limited one. 



The show at Abney Park was held in two tents. In one was a good collection of 

 ornamental plants on a central table, excellently grouped, from Mr. Rhodes. Among 

 these were Caladiums, Crotons, Begonias, and other showy kinds, in the very best 

 condition. On one of the side tables was a group of greenhouse ferns from Mr, 

 €hitty, nurseryman, of Stamford Hill. Among these Adiantum cuneatum had a 



