166 THE FLORIST. 



The show of fruit was limited, but contained some superb pro- 

 ductions. We have particularly to mention the Black Hamburgh 

 Grapes of Messrs. Hill and Frost, to whom the judges gave equal first 

 prizes ; a third dish, exhibited by Mr. Bell, from Devonshire, followed 

 very closely. White Grapes were only ordinary. The most remark- 

 able Pine was a Queen, 5| lbs., exhibited by Mr. Page, of Streatham. 

 There were also a few good Black Jamaica Pines. But the most 

 remarkable dish of fruit in the exhibition was Mr. Smith's Sir Charles 

 Napier Strawberries ; these were immensely large and of the finest 

 colour, and, taken altogether, unequalled. Mr. Shuter had a good dish 

 of Cherries, and Mr. Constantine very fine Figs and Peaches. There 

 were a few nice-looking Melons for the season, by Messrs. Peed, Con- 

 stantine, and others. In the miscellaneous class were some only ordinary 

 pot Vines in fruit, a dish of extra fine fruit of Musa sapientum, grown 

 in the Palace ; Orange trees in fruit, and a remarkably prolific kind of 

 Cucumber, exhibited by Mr. Munro. This appears a very useful 

 market variety, and, to show its prolific properties, a Vine was exhibited 

 •with some ten or a dozen fine fruit growing on it — the shoot, probably, 

 not more than two feet long. 



We must now notice Mr. Spary's Patent Mildew Annihilator, a model 

 of which was exhibited in the building. This is a portable apparatus 

 for throwing off fumes of sulphur, &c, into houses infested with mildew 

 or insects, and a most ingenious invention it appears. We hope soon 

 to see its practical efficacy put to the test, when we shall have more to 

 say on its merits. It is, however, only fair to add that Mr. Spary has 

 had it at work for some years on his own premises, and speaks most 

 decidedly on its safety and power in keeping down mildew. 



"THE NATIONAL ROSE SHOW TO BE HELD IN THE 

 HANOVER SQUARE ROOMS, ON JUNE 23, 1859." 



How quickly time flies ! How speedily have the dull wet winter 

 and spring frosts passed away ! And, now, — 

 " A happier smile illumes each brew, 



With quicker spread each heart uncloses, 

 And, all is ecstacy — for, now 



The valley holds its feast of Roses." 



Moore. 



The 23rd of June is the day, and an unlucky appointment for me, 

 as the 22nd is our county show at Wimborne, to which I have pledged 

 myself previously to take all the Roses I have, in return for the 

 increase of prizes from two to eight, in compliance with my request. 

 Moreover, I shall be prevented this great anticipated pleasure by a 

 long engagement to receive a Rose amateur from the north, and also 

 my friend Monsieur Ferdinand Gloede, who is coming from France 

 to see me. This leads me to hope that another year the day will be 

 fixed earlier. Indeed, I see no reason why it should not be an annual 

 fixture, or at any rate why the day should not be announced at the 

 fall, which would give Rose growers an opportunity of deciding whether 



