158 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



lonr;; strips of the very tliin cuticle of the leaves of the Cocoa-nut ralm, part of 

 whicfi is simply bleached, and the other part dyed blue, the whole haviniT a very 

 pretty effect. The other dresses are stamped on the Tapa clotli surface with Xature- 

 printed Ferns, and ornamented with rosettes and a kind of gimp of various patterns, 

 made of the cuticle oi tlie young leaves cTf the Sugar-cane ; some of the dresses are 

 also edged with a deep fringe made of the fibre of an Hibiscus. 



The West or England Eose Shoav will be held in the Shire Hall, Hereford, 

 on Wednesday, July 8. The schedule is framed in a liberal manner, and upwards 

 of £150 will be offered in prizes. 



Prizes for Kew Fruits — From the New YorJc Trilune we learn that the 

 Assemblj' of luwa has appropriated £200 for the best New Apple that will keep in 

 good condition until after April 1, and for a superior Plum improved from native 

 stock, the same to be a variety not now in existence, and superior to any in hardi- 

 ness, productiveness, and quality of fruit. The seedlings must be exhibited from 

 year to year before the State Horticultural Society, and the premium is to be 

 awarded in 1886 by a competent committee appointed by that association. 



The New Alexandra Palace is progres.^ing rapidly, and the two gables that, 

 remain of the old building form the end walls of a gigantic conservatory, the roof 

 of which is nearly completed. From what may be seen in the plant-houses, it 

 may be judged that the great conservatory will be quickly furnished with effective 

 material, for many kinds of climbing plants are growing freely in large pots, and 

 are trained carefully up the rafters to be ready for planting out ; while of palms, 

 tree-ferns, rhopalas, cordylines, and such like, there are many noble specimens 

 that promise to make a picture when they are in their places. One of the new 

 features is a Japanese village and garden, now in course of construction by 

 Japanese workmen. It is expected that the building will be opened on the 24th 

 of June. 



Messrs. John Waterer and Sons' Exhibition of Ehododendeons will be 

 held in the garden of Eussell Square during the month of June next. The square 

 is one of the largest and best kept in London. Its jiosition is central, and its 

 ample approaches render it peculiarly suitable for a display of this kind. Messrs. 

 Waterer inform us that the exhibition will be on a very large scale, and lor the 

 most part will be composed of new varieties, chiefly of rhododendrons which have 

 not been hitherto exhibited. The fame of the firm is a guarantee that the exhi- 

 bition will constitute a prominent success of the season. 



The Mammoth Eose-tree of Santa Eosa is, we think, of sufficient im- 

 portance to justify its being noticed in these pages. This immense rose-tree, 

 now clothing the cottage of a Mr. Eendall, of Santa Eosa, is an example of our 

 old friend Lamarque, one of the finest of noisette roses. It covers an area of 400 

 superficial feet, and in due season is fairly loaded with flowers. Indeed, so pro- 

 fusely does it bloom, that it has had uo less than 4000 fully expanded roses and 

 20 000 buds at one time. It appears to have been planted fifteen years since, and 

 so vigorous has been the growth from the first, that it now extends over the roof 

 of the bouse, and when in bloom presents a magnificent sight. 



Dahlia arborea, of which a special offer is made by Messrs. Huber and Co., 

 of Hyeres, in company with their usual stocks of acacias, palms, cannas, etc., is a 

 noble tree-like plant rising seven ieet high, and producing flowers that in some 

 degree resemble those of D. imperialis, but are of a blush or pale purple colour. 

 "When grown in the conservatory it flowers in December, requiring for its full 

 development no more heat than suffices to protect the plant from frost. 



The Double Poinsettia, which has recently been introduced to the United 

 States of America, is unquestionably a most valuable acquisition, and in time will 

 probably take an important position amongst stove plants, suitable for growing in 

 quantities for decorative purposes. The flower heads are described as being of 

 large size, forming crowns fifteen inches in diameter, and nine inches and upwards 

 in depth. Several new forms of Poinsettia jpulcherrima have been introduced to 

 English gardens within the last eighteen months ; the variety known as Major 

 being undoubtedly the best of them. 



