316 THE FLORIST. 



MAIDSTONE, NEWBURY, HEREFORD, AND SLOUGH 

 EXHIBITIONS. 

 It will doubtless prove of interest to your general body of sub- 

 scribers, to learn that Horticultural Societies not only abound, but 

 that they flourish in proportion to the extent of the energy bestowed 

 upon their management. It was my duty in responding to the invita- 

 tions of the four societies heading this notice, to attend at their 

 exhibitions, during the past month, as Censor, and within two or three 

 days of each other ; and I therefore venture to ofter a few brief 

 remarks, in reference to them comparatively. 



At Maidstone and Hereford, the usual classes of ]\Iiscellaneous plants 

 were infinitely superior to their compeers. At the former Mr. Frost, 

 gardener at Preston Hall ; and at the latter, ]\Ir. Cox, gardener to 

 Earl Beauchamp ; both staging collections of plants of the highest 

 order. 



Newbury beat Slough for Fuchsias, and the former easily obtained 

 the palm for Verbenas, over the other three. Roses at Hereford and 

 Maidstone were a new thing ; INIessrs. Cranstone and Dandson, at the 

 former place, and Mr. Mitchell, of Piltdown, and ]Mr. Epps, showing 

 at the latter. The four collections of these growers were worth the 

 journeys to inspect. Of Roses, at Newbury, the J\lessrs. Paul made a 

 pretty display, as did IMessrs. Wilkinson and Turner, at Slough ; but 

 were all far from being a match against the IMaidstone and Hereford 

 displays. Hollyhocks were better done at Newbury, by I\Iessrs. Paul, 

 1st; Messrs. Chater and Turner being equal for 2nd. With this 

 flbwer Maidstone is far in the rear, and must bestir itself. Dahlias 

 were, of course, the best and most numerous at Slough ; they were 

 very fine at Hereford; moderately so at Maidstone; and bad at 

 Newbury. To ^Maidstone belongs by far the best fi-uits (excepting the 

 collection from the Royal Gardens, exhibited at Slough), vegetables and 

 cottagers' productions ; and they are not only the best, but also the most 

 numerous. I never remember to have seen a more interesting exhibi- 

 tion of potatoes alone, as there were some fifty competitors. I will not 

 put into juxtaposition the several managements, simply because all did 

 so well ; and I will here (with permission,) thank them, one and all, 

 for the many kindnesses, considerate attentions, and cordial receptions 

 received at theu- several hands. John Edwards. 



NOTES FROM KEW. 

 Heintzia tigrixa is a succulent evergreen hothouse plant from Caraccas, 

 belonging to the Gesnerads. ^Mostly all the species constituting Gesnerads, 

 of Avhich there are many at present in cultivation, are -well deserving some 

 better attention than is frequently given to them, producing, as they usually 

 do, verv handsome rich coloured flowers, and with a little management one 

 or other of them may be had in flower most of the year throughout. The 

 present member is of recent introduction to our gardens, but, similar to most 

 others of this family, it requires a good state of cultivation to develop its real 



