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CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION. 



The third and last of these grand horticultural displays took place on 

 the lOtli, 11th, and 12th ult. Considering the lateness of the season, 

 the exhibition was, in most respects, a satisfactory one ; for although 

 the absence of the brilliant coloured flowers which attract so much 

 attention in May and June, was sensibly felt, there were many inte- 

 resting plants of another kind which are often overlooked amidst the 

 gay productions of summer, or are not then exhibited at all. If we 

 missed the Pelargoniums, Azaleas, Ericas, jmd splendid groups of 

 Miscellaneous Plants and Orchids, which principally make up the two 

 former exhibitions, the eye had time to admire the graceful and inte- 

 resting appearance of the Ferns and Lycopods, which were contributed 

 in abundance, and well repaid a close examination. The ever-varying 

 shapes and tints of their beautiful fronds affording delight and gratiti- 

 catlon to the eye of taste amply compensated for the loss of their more 

 showy rivals. Groups of plants with ornamental foliage were also very 

 numerous and striking ; the collections exhibited by Mr. Veitch parti- 

 cularly so. What noble and yet graceful forms the leaves of some 

 tropical plants assume'! — what a study for artists and modellers they 

 present ! Let us hope that young artists will avail themselves of the 

 opportunity the exhibition of these groups afford, and that we shall see 

 the beautiful foliage of many of these plants transferred to decorative 

 purposes connected with our manufactures, many branches of which 

 sadly want a change in the shape of new designs. 



Of Stove and Greenhouse Plants there were one or two collections, 

 and we also noticed groups of Verbenas, Cockscombs, Balsams, Scarlet 

 Geraniums, and Fuchsias. Likewise Achlmenes, Pitcher- plants, and 

 a few of the autumn-flowering varieties of Heaths. 



Fruit was largely exhibited, and generally well grown ; there was, 

 however, no very striking productions to call for particular notice, and 

 some exhibitions were decidedly inferior. Mr. Tillyard had bunches 

 of the new Brighton Grape, Marchioness of Hastings, which closely 

 resembles the White Nice, but is said to be different : it forms a large 

 somewhat loose bunch, with oval berries, of a fine amber colour when 

 ripe, and has an agreeable flavour. Mr. Snow's Black Muscat was 

 also there in the shape of a rather straggling bunch, not very large, 

 with oval berries of a brownish black colour ; skin thick, flavour very 

 musky and vinous ; stones rather large ; the bunches were over- ripe, 

 and had been in better condition. A dish of Stanwlck Nectarines, 

 from Devonshire, are worthy of remark. They were well grown, and, 

 we learn, excellent in flavour. Of Queen Pine-apples there were one 

 or two beautiful examples from Mr. Barnes of Bicton. Peaches and 

 Nectarines were generally well ripened, but small. Plums and Cherries 

 were good : of the former, there were some admirable specimens of the 

 Jefferson, Washington, Magnum Bonum, Kirks, and Green-gage ; 

 Cherries, with one exception (the Florence), were confined to the 

 Morello variety. Of Pears, there were some good Jargonelles. Apples, 

 with the exception of one dish of Rlbstons, were not particularly fine. 



As regards the prizes awarded under the above heads, we may mention 



