OCTOBER. 301 



improvements on existing varieties. For instance, there were two good 

 yellows — Bessie, and Yellow Beauty, both superior flowers ; there were 

 twelve blooms of the former and six of the latter. Six blooms were also 

 shown of Orange Perfection, a bright orange Dahlia of fine form ; 

 Miss Burdett Coutts, fawn colour, shaded ; Lollipop, salmon ; Eclipse, 

 dark maroon, and shaded ; Model, a flower with the same colours as 

 General Faucher, but of good form. Three blooms were shown of 

 Mrs. Wheeler, a glowing scarlet crimson flower of first-rate build ; and 

 Enchantress, a pui-ple and white fancy variety, striped. This is a large 

 flower, of good form. There were several other kinds exhibited, some 

 of which possessed good points, but they were not in condition to form 

 an accurate estimate of their merits. Those selected for First Class 

 Certificates were : — ]\Irs. Wheeler, Bessie, I\Iiss Burdett Coutts, Lol- 

 lipop, Orange Perfection, and Enchantress. The same reward was also 

 awarded to a new Phlox named Countess of Home, sent from Edin- 

 burgh. This is a light variety, and is a very pretty thing. Mr. Roake 

 received a First Class Certificate for his blush Hollyhock Perfection. 

 This is a first-rate variety in form, but nothing particularly new in 

 colour. I\Ir Chater received similar awards for two kinds — Empress 

 and Queen of the Buffs. These were large and attractive sorts. There 

 were some very excellent new Verbenas : Criterion, Cremorne, and 

 I\Irs. Halford were selected as the best by the judges. Fuchsias and 

 other plants were good, but not numerous. Mr. Young, gardener to 

 Mr. J. Edwards, HoUoway, sent three fine pots of Liliums, in variety, 

 beautifully bloomed. There was but little fruit, none of which deserved 

 especial notice. The gardens are admirably kept. The " bedding out 

 plants" are in great variety, and are well "done" for a London garden. 

 ]\Ir. Simpson, the proprietor, pays especial attention to this part of his 

 varied and attractive establishment. It is worthy of remark, that with 

 the tens of thousands that visit this place of amusement, the flowers are 

 as safe as if they were enjoyed by a private family only. None have 

 been known to be gathered or injured by the company. 



NUNEHAM PARK, NEAR OXFORD, 



THE RESIDENCE OF GEORGE VERNON HARCOURT, ESQ., M.P. 



Although there are but few gardeners of any eminence who have not 

 visited Nuneham to see one of the very best kept gardens in the king- 

 dom, and to have an hour's talk with our intelligent friend Mr. Bailey, 

 who for many years past has superintended the place with such credit 

 and distinction ; yet supposing that some of our readers have not been so 

 fortunate, we venture to give a few particulars of this place, long 

 celebrated as the classic seat of the Earls of Harcourt, and more recently 

 of the late venerable Archbishop of York, and of his son the present 



proprietor. 



To attempt to do justice to the classical associations connected with 

 Nuneham is more than we have the ability to undertake, nor is such 



