150 THE FLORIST. 



After the Rhododendrons and other interesting plants just described. 

 Cinerarias were the most showy and striking. These were sent by 

 Mr. Turner, of Slough, and Messrs. Dobson & Son, of Isleworth. JMr. 

 Turner's were mostly new kinds, some of which, Brilliant, white tipped 

 with blue, and Emperor of the French, crimson with a ring of white 

 round the disc, were by far the best in shape. The other kinds were 

 Magnum Bonuni, Scottish Chieftain, Lord Stamford, ]\Irs. B. Stowe, 

 Loveliness, Rose of England, Ringleader, Optima, Sir C. Napier, and 

 Esther. Messrs. Dobson's plants were well grown and bloomed, but 

 the kinds were indifferent, with the exception of Lady Camoys and 

 Picturata. Mr. Miellez, of Lille, sent two new Azaleas, Modele, rosy 

 purple, a very pleasing flower, of great smoothness and substance, and 

 Madame Miellez, white slightly striped with pale purple, also very good 

 in shape. Both are promising varieties. The Rev. Mr. Beadon, of 

 North Stoneham, sent an mteresting collection of cut Camellias, grown 

 on a south-east wall. — Some fruit, in the shape of Pines, Grapes, and 

 Strawberries, were shown, as was also an example of a double iron 

 espalier, concerning which we may have somethmg to say hereafter. 

 Wood of our two British Oaks, from the ancient log church at Green- 

 sted, in Essex, were produced, to show that the one is as good as the 

 other as regards durability ; at least in this instance, if there was any 

 advantage it was in favour of the Durmast ; and it has been proved 

 that the latter grows faster and forms a handsomer tree than the 

 common Oak. 



GOSSIP. 



There is now on private view, at 14, Newman-street, the bark of 

 a portion of the Wellingtonia, stripped off the wood at twenty feet from 

 the surface. The specimen is twenty feet in diameter inside the bark, 

 and gives an idea of this stupendous tree, such as no drawing or 

 description can convey. — Gardeners Chronicle. 



The Crimean Snowdrop (Galanthus plicatus), represented lately as 

 a rarity in England, was introduced years ago by the Hon. W. F. 

 Strangeways, F.H.S., who sent plants to Abbotsbury, Melbury, and 

 other places. 



The Crystal Palace Company intend this season to test the strength 

 of the Horticultural world. The programme for three grand Horticul- 

 tural Exhibitions are before the public. The first, which is for one day 

 only, will take place on I\Iay 24 ; the second, a two days' show, on 

 June 25 and 26 ; and an autumnal one on September 10 and two 

 following days. The prizes to be given for plants and fruits are on a 

 scale commensurate with the list of classes and number of articles in 

 each. The class embraces a wide extent of subjects, well chosen, and 

 we are particularly glad to see provision made for encouraging the 

 humbler class of exhibitors. The prizes offered for the three Exhibitions 

 exceed in the aggregate 2350/. Surely there is now something to sharpen 

 the faculties of our exhibitors. We can only hope that the prizes will be 

 well contested and fairly won, and that the liberality of the Company 

 will meet with a hearty response. 



