186 THE FLORAL "WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



scape having from three to six whorls. In shape the flowers are 

 very similar to those of one of the best herbaceous Phloxes, and are 

 of a rich rosy crimson hue, with deep or coloured eye. A light 

 variety, P. japonica lilacina, with lilac flowers, having a rosy crimson 

 eye, was also exhibited, and formed a beautiful contrast with the 

 dark flowers of the species. Both were introduced by Mr. B. 

 Fortune, from Japan, and if they are quite hardy, as they are said 

 to be, they will certainly be most valuable acquisitions to our list of 

 border flowers. Gloxinia Rev. H. H. Dombrain, a drooping variety, 

 with large flowers of the most perfect form, and of a lively carmine 

 hue, exhibited by Messrs. Follisson and Sons, Tooting, was first- 

 rate. Tropseolum Mrs. Bowman, exhibited by Messrs. Downie, Laird, 

 and Laing, Forest Hill, S.E., promises to eclipse all the other scarlet 

 flowered varieties for cultivation in pots for winter decoration, and 

 it also has the appearance of being a valuable bedder. It is very 

 neat in growth, and the flowers, which are of a most brilliant scarlet 

 and of the most perfect form, are produced very freely, indeed, the 

 plants exhibited were quite solid with bloom. The same firm sent 

 with the above, Iberis Gibraltarica, a beautiful perennial candytuft, 

 with very large flowers of a pale flesh colour ; this is now rather 

 plentiful in the trade and can be highly recommended as one of the 

 best plants of its class for flowering in spring. Messrs. Yeitch and 

 Sons, Chelsea, exhibited Croton Johannis, a very elegant grower with 

 narrow, richly variegated leaves ; Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Hol- 

 loway, Amaryllis maryinata perfecta, an exquisitely beautiful variety 

 with large scarlet flowers of the most splendid form, and beautifully 

 feathered with white, and an unnamed Solralia, with rosy lilac 

 flowers of a colossal size ; and Mr. C. Turner, Auricula, Headly's 

 Alderman Wisbey, a grey-edged variety, with smooth and circular 

 flowers, having a rich brownish maroon ground. The whole of the 

 above were awarded first-class certificates. 



The second exhibition of the Society was held in a large tent at 

 the southern part of the garden, and it was certainly a most agree- 

 able relief to get away from the arcades and conservatory, in which 

 the exhibitions have during the last few years been held. The chief 

 features were the show and fancy Pelargoniums and Cape Heaths. 

 Miscellaneous groups of stove and greenhouse flowering and orna- 

 mental-leaved plants were staged, but owing to plants in twelve-inch 

 pots only being allowed to be shown, the effect produced was tame and 

 ineffective. The Pelargoniums shown by Mr. Ward, gardener to F. Gr. 

 Wilkins, Esq., Leyton ; Mr. James ; Mr. Weir, Hampstead ; and 

 Messrs. Dobson and Sou, were really magnificent, the plants being 

 large in size, well flowered, and exceedingly fresh. The best of the 

 varieties were Conqueror, Patroness, Lilacina, Alabama, Rose Celes- 

 tial, Pericles, Exhibitor, Beacon, Fair Rosamond, Maid of Honour, 

 and Fob Foy, all of which are exceedingly good, and can be obtained 

 at ordinary prices. 



The best Cape Heaths were those exhibited by Mr. Ward, 

 Messrs. Jackson and Son, Kingston and Son, and Mr. Carr, gardener 

 to P. L. Hinds, Esq., Byfleet Lodge. As a guide to intending pur- 

 chasers it is worthy of mention that the most distinct and desirable 



