JULY. 215 



Some idea of the general character of the show may be gathered 

 from the fact that there were 68 stands of cut blooms, besides the two 

 collections of pot Roses mentioned above, some of these stands containing 

 100 sorts, and none less than 12. As at last year's, also, these were 

 brought from all parts of the country — the home counties, however, 

 furnishing the chief supply ; but Oxford, Nottingham, Devonshire, 

 and Somersetshire were amongst the counties ably represented, and no 

 difference could be seen (so well had they been taken care of) , as far 

 as freshness was concerned, between those from a "distance and those 

 near at hand ; in fact, 200 miles of rail is not (if ordinary care, be 

 taken) more telling on a stand of Roses than would be 14 or 15 miles 

 in a spring cart or coach. These stands were arranged on each side of 

 two long tables, which went down the centre of the room ; and on 

 another, which was placed the entire length under the windows, Mr. 

 Paul's collection of large pot Roses, being arranged in groups on one 

 table, and Mr. Francis' collection of smaller ones being placed the whole 

 way down the centre of the other. The post of honour, around the 

 semicircle formed by the orchestra, was allotted to Mr. Cranston, of 

 Hereford, whose Roses showed unmistakeably what he might have 

 done, had the show been a little later ; while the orchestra was relieved 

 at the back by some fine exotic plants from Mr. Veitch, of Chelsea ; 

 and the rather sombre appearance of the room (as contrasted at least 

 with St. James's Hall) was, to my mind at least, rather in favour of 

 the blooms. On the whole the Roses were admirably set up — the 

 Moss in one exhibitor's stand was the most perfect thing possible, while 

 a few still were slovenly and untidy. As the list of awards will be 

 appended to this notice, I shall not, except incidentally, notice the 

 separate stands, but say what I think upon particular Roses, both old 

 and new. At last year's show I said that the two Roses were Madame 

 Vidot and Prince Leon ; and it is a striking commentary on the effect 

 of season upon this flower, that there were hardly any good blooms of 

 either in the room, while General Jacqueminot, which last year was 

 little better than a semi-double Gloire de Rosamene, was this year in 

 every stand, very double and very brilliant. Mr. Cranston's box of it 

 was fine ; but had all Mr. Sladden, of Ash's, flowers equalled his bloom 

 of this fine sort, he would have taken " first honours." In equally good 

 order in all the stands was Jules Margottin, lovely in colour, good in 

 shape, and exquisite in perfume. Colonel de Rougemont, a younger 

 brother of Baronne Prevost, has completely put his nose out of joint, 

 being larger and brighter in tint, though similar in colour and shape. 

 Madame Knorr, a Perpetual Blairi No. 2, at least so it seemed in 

 some stands, was very large and fine, the one in Mr. Cant's especially 

 so. General Simpson in Mr. Turner's stand was very bright, and is a 

 beautifully shaped flower. Madame Masson was good, and so was 

 Mathurin Regnier, an improved William Griffith, brighter in colour, 

 and if possible better shaped ; Victor Trouillard, though very good, 

 was not so much so as last year ; Louise Peyronney, though in few 

 stands, was, as it ever will be, good and striking ; Triomphe de Paris, 

 a bright crimson, was also very lovely ; while Paul Dupuy will not 

 give way to his rivals ; Fauline Lanzezeur was very fine crimson with 

 a purple shade. Among the darker colours Cardinal Patrizzi seemed 



