AUGUST. 231 



Salomons was greatly and deservedly admired. It was too late in the 

 season for Pelargoniums, but the winning lot, both of florist and fancy 

 varieties, was exceedingly well bloomed, and the smallness of the pots in 

 which they were grown fully entitled them to the place of honour which 

 they held. The variegated and handsome foliaged plants were all that 

 could be desired, and those who had the arrangement of the tent did 

 well to place them In the position which they occupied. Besides those 

 exhibited for competition, a very large number of plants were forwarded 

 by Mr. Reed, Mr. Alderman Salomons, and the Rev. Geo. Goldney : 

 the Balsams of the latter were fine, as were the Verbenas, among which 

 was a promising seedling. A very large collection of cut Roses was 

 exhibited by Mr. Hollamby, and a smaller one by Mr. Mitchell ; 

 amongst them were excellent blooms of General Jacqueminot, Prince 

 Leon, Cardinal Patrizzi, Triomphe des Beaux Arts, and indeed most of 

 the leading varieties. The fruit was decidedly poor, and the offer of a 

 five guinea prize for a collection of six varieties ought to have brought 

 together a much larger and better selection. 



We would venture to suggest to those gentlemen who have the 

 management of the show that they do not give quite encouragement 

 enough to amateurs and owners of small gardens and greenhouses. 

 Very few people can get together such plants as Mr. Reed or McMurdo 

 exhibited, and therefore we think that if prizes were awarded for 

 Balsams, cut Roses, Verbenas, &c, &c, they would have many more 

 exhibitors, and a wider interest taken in the success of the society. As 

 it is, it seems to rest on the exertions of some eight or nine persons, as 

 far as the exhibition of plants is concerned. In such a neighbourhood 

 as Tunbridge Wells this ought not to be. Let there be a wider basis 

 (a more liberal one there cannot be), and we venture to say success 

 will attend the effort. To the Rev. Geo. Goldney we feel the thanks ot 

 all interested in it are greatly due ; to his indefatigable industry and 

 zeal the immense success which was achieved was in a great measure 

 due. Those who know nothing of these things are little aware what a 

 tax it is upon the time and means of any one who undertakes it ; so 

 " palmam qui meruit, fer at" 



ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY, REGENT'S PARK. 



July 6. — This, the society's last exhibition for the present season, 

 took place under the most favourable circumstances — the weather was 

 fine, plants fresh for July, and fruit in abundance. The company, 

 including royalty, was both numerous and fashionable. The society has 

 just concluded the most successful season it has experienced, with the 

 exception of 1851. It is also the first year since the establishment of 

 this society that the three annual exhibitions have taken place without 

 even a passing shower. 



Mr. Whitbread, gardener to H. Colly er, Esq., showed as usual a 

 beautiful collection of 16 stove and greenhouse plants, all large, and for 

 the most part well flowered. Among them were Rondeletia speciosa, 



