OCTOBER. 305 



s >;1 is of a strong adhesive nature, add two inches of sharp sand, and 

 as much well-decayed manure ; then dig the soil two feet deep with a 

 steel fork, taking care to nicely mix the sand and manure with the soil 

 as the work proceeds. Friable loamy soils will require merely a liberal 

 dressing of manure, and deep digging ; and it will be found that the 

 Hyacinth will produce equally fine spikes of blossom grown in soil 

 prepared thus, as when planted in more expensive compost. The 

 season for planting Hyacinths in beds, in the open air, is from Septem- 

 ber onwards. Select a dry day for putting in the bulbs ; and if the 

 same can be chosen for the preparation of the soil, it will be in much 

 better condition for tho growth of the plant than if worked when wet. 

 Plant in lines, nine inches by twelve inches apart, which will afford 

 space between the plants, when up, to work a hoe, for the destruction 

 of weeds, and keeping the surface friable, to prevent the escape of mois- 

 ture in dry weather. The crowns of the bulbs should be four inches 

 under the surface of the soil ; and, lest a severe winter should occur, it 

 is well to cover the bed with a few inches of old tan, litter, or any light 

 substance, to exclude frost. This should be removed, however, when 

 the plants begin to grow through it. 



CRYSTAL PALACE HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION. 



Sept. 7 and 8. — This, the autumn show of this Company, was chiefly 

 remarkable for cut flowers, fruit, and fine foliaged plants. The col- 

 lections of mixed plants, as a matter of course, had a weedy look about 

 them, though containing many fine specimens of good cultivation. But 

 the past season has told its tale with this kind of plants. Of fruit a 

 very large quantity was staged, but, with some exceptions, there was 

 nothing calling for special remark. Grapes, taken as a whole, were 

 decidedly inferior ; the exceptions were, Mr. Drewett's fine Cannon 

 Hall and Mr. Frost's Muscats, the Golden Hamburghs, shown by Mr. 

 Scott (which were very fine), and the Black Hamburgh and Prince 

 Grapes shown by Messrs. Hill and Frost. The Pine Apple class only 

 produced very moderate fruit. Some fine dishes of Peaches were 

 evidently orchard-house productions. Late Admirable, Bellegarde, and 

 Walburton Admirable may be classed as the finest dishes. We also 

 noticed some good Grosse Mignonne and Royal George Peaches, wall 

 fruit, and also some admirable Murray and Elruge Nectarines. The 

 class for Plums produced no fruit very remarkable ; but then the season 

 has made Plums a scarce article in most gardens. Some n'ce dishes of 

 Jefferson, Reine Claude de Bavay, and Washington were among the 

 collections. Pears were numerous and good ; the kitchen Apples 

 generally, and the collection of dessert kinds shown by Mr. Whiting 

 and Mr. Mortimore were excellent. Pears, fit for the table, consisted of 

 Williams and Beurre d'Amanlis, the latter a good useful fruit at this 

 season. There was a row of Melons, containing eighty or more fruits ; 

 the greater part, we were told, worthless, but the few selected for prizes 

 good. Fruit trees in pots were scarce ; some fruit-bearing Vines in pots 



VOL. XII., NO. CXLII. X 



