AUGUST. 249 



dry ; by this means ]\Ir. Ingram, Ihe gardener, considers that the 

 plants receive a sakitary check, and set their flower-buds more freely. 



From the pleasure ground we are conducted by a broad turf walk to 

 the conservatory, a large span-roof house, originally intended for 

 Orchids, but at present devoted to greenhouse plants. Through the 

 centre run beds for Camellias ; these are divided in the middle by a 

 fountain, which, when playing during hot weather, has a cool, refreshing 

 appearance and a beneficial effect upon the plants, by keeping the 

 atmosphere moist. The Camellias were in beautiful health, and were 

 well studded with flower-buds. On the sides of the house were numerous 

 fine plants of Fuchsias, Geraniums, &c. At the end of the conservatory 

 is a small house devoted to Ferns and Lycopods, of which there is a 

 choice collection, and we do not recollect ever seeing this beautiful class 

 of plants in better health than the specimens in question. At the end 

 of the house, opposite the entrance, stands a magnificent specimen of 

 Cibotium Schiedei, the large fronds of which spread gracefully over a 

 space of several feet, and on each side is a plant of Dicksonia antarctica. 

 By the sides of the house are some fine plants of Adiantums, Gymno- 

 grammas, Aspleniums, &c. ; amongst these are arranged groups of 

 statues, while the walls are adorned by numerous embellishments in 

 bas-relief. The mouldings and rafters are tastefully enlivened with 

 white and blue. At a short distance from the conservatory is a house 

 devoted to stove plants. On entering this we are struck not more by 

 the gay appearance of flowering things than by plants of fine foliage ; 

 Draceenas, Musstenda frondosa, Cissus discolor, Marantas, &c., give a 

 variety scarcely to be equalled by plants in flower. Of the latter there 

 were some fine specimens, consisting of AUamandas, Echites, Gar- 

 denias, Ixoras, &c. Of Orchids there was a nice collection, comprising 

 Vandas, Aerides, Saccolabiums, Phalccnopsis ; and of other kinds 

 there were some fine masses of newly imported Cattleyas, Ltelia pur- 

 purata, &c. These were all beginning to grow freely. Mr. Ingram's 

 system of potting this family of plants deserves notice ; for most of 

 them he uses soft peat and sphagnum in equal proportions, and in 

 potting these are placed together so loose that when pressed by the 

 hand they feel like a sponge. He also attaches great importance to 

 raising the plants high above the rim of the pots. 



In the forcing houses were some capital Grapes, Peaches, Figs, &c. 

 The kitchen garden contained an excellent stock of culinary products, 

 and exhibited, what indeed every part of the premises presented, the 

 best of order and good gardening. 



o. 



NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 July 3. — Mr. W. P. Ayres in the chair. Dr. Maclean, of Colchester, 

 sent some seedling Pinks, the best of which were Gem, a medium 

 sized flower of good form and substance, the lacing good, of a light 

 purple colour, and Miss Nightingale, a full-sized red-edged flower, of 

 good form, and the lacing well defined. These are both first-class 



