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HORTICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 



Pelargonium Show, Kensington, May 22. — This was in every way a brilliant 

 affair, all the leading misers and growers of the various classes of Zonal Pelar- 

 goniums coming out in strong force. The entries in the class for best Gold Zonals 

 were remarkahly numerous. Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, St. John's Wood, 

 took the first prize with Peter Grieve, a splendid variety, perfect in form, and richly 

 coloured, well deserving the honour conferred upon it. Equal seconds were awarded 

 to Turner's Mrs. Headly and Carter's Prince of Wales, two grand varieties, 

 brilliant in colour, but a few points less perfect than Peter Grieve; Turner's 

 Achievement third. The most conspicuous amongst those not receiving an award 

 were, Carter's Mrs. Tom Hood, Turner's Madlle. Christine Nilsson, Henderson's 

 Sowarth Ashton and Pride of Cashmere, Stevens's Ealing Rival, and Smith's 

 (of Dulwich) Coronet, Gladiator, and Champion. All these are well deserving a 

 place in the most select collection, and will, we believe, ultimately become popular 

 favourites. 



The new Silver Zonals show very little improvement over varieties of former 

 years. Mr. Turner first with Excellent, and second with Mrs. Brydges ; Mr. 

 Coomber (Highgate), third with Mrs. Col. Wilkinson. Messrs. Carter had Princess 

 of Wales ; Messrs. Smith, Miss Burdett Coults ; and Messrs. Lee, Mrs. John Clutton ; 

 ail fine varieties. 



Messrs. Downie, Laird, and Laing, Forest Hill, held their own in the Bronze 

 Zonal section, staging varieties, in every way superior to all the old sorts, taking 

 the three prizes for the best with J. W. Morris, Red King, and Imperatrice 

 Eugenie. Three magnificent varieties, Carter's Southern Belle, Henderson's St. 

 Johns Wood Star, and Miss Beatrice, and Smith's Criterion, are all deserving 

 notice. 



The first prize for the best nosegay went to Mr. Turner for Fire King, a splendid 

 Magenta-crimson flowered variety ; for the best Ivy-leaf to Mr. Wimsett, for a 

 hybrid, named Willsi; and for the best Zonal to Messrs. Smith, for a splendid 

 variety with salmon-coloured flowers, named Acme. 



Messrs. Carter and Co. and Mr. Turner were first and second respectively for 

 six Gold Zonals. The best varieties staged were, Mrs. Dunnett, Prince of Wales, 

 Princess of Wales, Sir K. Napier, Lucy Grieve, Lady Cullum, Mrs. Headly, Mrs. 

 Turner, and Sophia Cusack. 



The Silver Zonals were well represented by Mr. Turner, Messrs. E. G. Henderson, 

 and Messrs. F. and A. Smith, with Miss Stevens, Italia Unita, Excellent, Lucy, 

 Mabel Morris, Hon. Mrs. Robertson, Silver Star, Silver Cloud, Charming Bird, 

 Glen Eyre Beauty, and Caroline Longfkld. 



The Bronze Zonals were shown in grand condition by Messrs. Downie, Laird, 

 and Laing, first, and Messrs. Carter second. The best varieties in this class being,. 

 Southern Belle, Ada, Damie, Cleopatra, Tom Brown, Criterion, Bed King, Prima 

 Donna, Mrs. A. Pounds, Harrison Weir, Black Prince, Egyptian Queen, and 

 Staustead Beauty. 



Splendid collections of New Plants were contributed by Messrs. Veitch and 

 Sons, Mr. Bull, and Mr. B. S. Williams, besides many other interesting features 

 from other exhibitors. 



Crystal Palace Rose Show. — In spite of the untoward weather, the customary 

 feast for rosarians ;it Sydenham was eminently satisfactory. The exhibition was held 

 on the 19th of June, rather early, considering that winter prevailed all through 

 May, and far into June, this year. In almost every garden in the country rose- 

 buds have burst instead of expanding, owing to the killing cold ; yet, the lovers of 

 the flower have lost none of their ardour, as this splendid exhibition proved, to the 

 satisfaction of an enormous throng of admirers. 



Royal Horticultural Society's Great Rose Show, June 29. — This was, 

 without exception, one of the most brilliant affairs we have yet had to record. The 

 competition was unusually spirited, and the great bulk of the blooms were wonderful 

 for size, colour, and freshness. Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt; Mr. Turner, 

 Slough ; Mr. Cant, Colchester ; Mr. Keynes, Salisbury ; Mr. Coppin, Croydon ; and 

 Mr. Fraser, Lea Bridge, were the principal ]irize-takers in the classes devoted to the 

 trade. And Mr. Chard, Salisbury; Mr. Moffat, Dunmow; Mr. Ingle and Mr- 

 Cant, Colchester ; and Mr. Exall, Maidstone, divided the honours in the amateurs' 



