b THE FLORIST. 



with Orchids, in forming those magnificent groups exhibited at the 

 Crystal Palace Show. 



Of plants generally, as exhibited at our leading Exhibitions, we have 

 chieHy to notice a reduction in the size of the specimens, to their mani- 

 fest improvement as examples of culture. We have all along advocated 

 that mere size was not at all times a fair criterion of a plant's excellence ; 

 and although fur a few years it enabled one or two large growers to 

 maintain the lead, we see by the plants which have been exhibited this 

 past season how much superior they are when shown with luxuriant 

 healtliy foliage down to the rim of the pot, and the size and clearness 

 of bloom which belong to plants in the freshness of youth. 



Of the Fruit which has been exhibited, if it has not surpassed the 

 productions of former years it has, to sr.y the least, been fully up to 

 the mark, and has bean brought forward in much larger quantities. 

 The Cayenne Pines are becoming (now they are more known) great 

 favourites both as summer and winter fruits. In Melons some of the 

 new one promise well ; ]\Ir. Fleming's Hybrid and one from Mr. 

 McEwen, of Arundel, were the best we tasted. Of the new Grapes, the 

 Stockwood Golden Hamburgh will be an acquisition. Mr. Spencer, of 

 Bowood, has likewise exhibited a seedling Muscat, which promises to be 

 valuable ; and we hear of another early white Grape being raised at 

 Brighton Of other fruit, several specimens of the Stanwick Nectarine 

 have been exhibited, with recommendations which spoke highly of its 

 qualities ; we confess, however, that our own opinion is unfavourable to 

 this ever proving a really useful fruit. Of the Salvvay Feach — a very 

 late variety, introduced by Col. Salway from Florence — we hear from 

 excellent authority that not only is it valuable for its lateness, but that 

 it is likewise a delicious melting variety. Of the new Strawberries of 

 1854 which have been proved, we have only seen Omar Pacha, Filbert, 

 and Sir Charles Napier, which have answered expectation ; we hear, 

 however, that Sir Harry has turned out well. 



Space forbids our proceeding further. A notice of vegetable produc- 

 tions shall be given hereafter. 



G. P. 



THE EXETER NURSERIES. 

 It is much to be regretted that these large establishments lie so far 

 away m the west of England, beyond the reach of a great number of 

 visitors from various parts, to whom the great metropolis is the chief 

 source of attraction. The city of Exeter, as most of our readers aie 

 aware, is situated in the west of England, and is about 200 miles on 

 the Great Western Railway. We very recently visited the two Exeter 

 nurseries, and as that of Messrs. James Veitch and Son was the first 

 to which our attention was directed, we shall first detail a few observa- 

 tions respecting that establishment. This is one of the largest and best 

 kept nurseries in the kingdom, in which will be found full collections of 

 all the principal classes of plants in cultivation. Here you find growing 



