THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 319 



staged was simply enormous, especially tbe grapes. Of the high quality of the 

 several contributions there can be little doubt when we say that such growers as 

 Messrs. Meridith and Thomson were beaten. The leading exhibitor in the grape 

 classes was Mr. George Johnstone, gardener to the Earl of Strathallan, Glamis 

 Castle, who took the first prize for the collection, and also in ten other classes, over 

 the heads of the above, and numerous other first-rate growers. The first prize for 

 collections of fruit, 20 sorts, went to Mr. Stevens, Trentham ; and the first prize for 

 16 sorts, to Mr. Mathieson, Tulliallan. Pine-apples, from Mr. Miles, Wycombe 

 Abbey, Mr. Foulis, Fordel, and Mr. Carmicheal, Sandringlnun, were in superb 

 condition. 



Death of Mr. James Veitch. — Horticulture has experienced a heavy loss 

 in the death of Mr. James Vtitch, the head of the firm of J. Veitch and Sons, King's 

 Road, Chelsea, which took place suddenly, at an early hour on Friday morning, 

 September 10th. The name of the deceased gentleman will long be held in remem- 

 brance by horticulturists of all grades, associated as it is with so many fine plants 

 with which he has succeeded in enriching our gardens. 



NEW BOOKS. 



Choice Stove and Greenhouse Flowering Plants. By B. S. Williams, 

 Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway. (Published by the Author.) 

 — The want of a good practical book upon the cultivation of stove and greenhouse 

 plants has long been felt by plant-growers of all grades, but more especially by 

 amateurs. The work now before us supplies that want, so far as the flowering 

 pi ants are concerned, and as the preface promises a similar volume upon plants remark- 

 able for their ornamental leafage, that difficulty will soon be remedied. It consists 

 of a handsomely got up 8vo of 329 pages, and is divided into two parts, the first 

 devoted to stove plants, and the second to the inhabitants of the greenhouse. It is 

 conveniently divided into chapters, devoted to sugIi subjects as Structures, Heating, 

 Propagation, Soil, Watering, and contains in addition a descriptive list of all the 

 best species and varieties of stove and greenhouse plants. Mr. Williams is known 

 as the most frank and genial of garden advisers, and this work will not diminish 

 his well-earned reputation, as will be seen by the extract, which we give to show 

 the way the several subjects are handled : — 



" Potting. — The first things to be considered are the Pots. Of these we need 

 say but a few words, as every one is well acquainted with flower-pots. For specimen 

 stove or greenhouse plants, the best pots are those with a movable bottom, because 

 the plant can be set upon a stand, the pot gently slipped down, and tbe condition of 

 its roots and drainage examined with the greatest ease to the operator, and perfect 

 safety to the specimen. Next comes the drainage, and we say here, once for all, 

 drain well, or success will never be realized. By draining well, we do not mean 

 the throwing of a large quantity of potsherds into the pot in a careless manner, but 

 placing a few pieces carefully — a large piece over the hole, some smaller ones round 

 about and over this, with the hollow side downwards, and finishing off with still 

 smaller ones, or some charcoal, which will be preferable, tbe whole being covered 

 with rough peat fibre, to prevent the soil mixing with it. Some growers begin 

 repotting at a stated time in the spring, and go through their whole collection at 

 one time. This system may be convenient, but is certainly unwise and most 

 unnatural ; indeed, it is impossible to lay down any definite rule, as tome few things 

 must be repotted directly after blooming. Now, as all plants do not start into 

 growth at the same time, though in the same temperature, those which are dormant 

 cannot take up the nourishment from the new soil, which consequently by frequent 

 waterings becomes soddened, and comparatively old before the roots are in a fit 

 state to move into it. It has always appeared to us — and wherever practicable, we 

 have been guided by this in our practice — that the very best time to repot a plant is 

 in spring, just when it begins to push forth new growth, because then the roots and 

 branches are acting in unison, and botli are in a fit state to receive fresh nutriment. 

 " Everything being in perfect readiness — the compost properly mixed, and in a 

 nice half-moist condition, neither wet nor dry, and the pot either new or clean, dry, 

 and properly drained- the plant to be shifted, if a large one, should be stood upon 



