344 THE FLORIST. 



mond, Bath. The varieties exhibited were those that have generally- 

 been in the winning stands reported by us at several other exhibitions 

 this season, and would not be interesting if repeated here. 



Among miscellaneous subjects, a collection of fruit, from the Royal 

 Gardens, Frogmore, was especially prominent. Peaches and Pears of 

 the best quality, and a basket of Prince of Wales Strawberry, of the 

 finest quality, such as we should look for in the early season, and these 

 from plants forced in the spring and now planted in the open ground ; 

 both quantity and quality were all that could be desired. Mr. Bousie, 

 of Stoke Park Gardens, sent excellent specimens of Vines in pots, 

 loaded mth fine fruit ; and F. Edwards, Esq., of Bulstrode Park, con- 

 tributed a select collection of orchard house productions, showing con- 

 siderable skill in their cultivation. From the gardens of R. R. Clay- 

 ton, Esq., came Peaches and Plums, that carried off some first prizes, 

 and Mr. Simpson, gardener at Stoke Farm, took a first prize with some 

 superb bunches of the true West's St. Peter's Grape. Mr. Fleming, 

 firom Chveden, had the first prize for six well-grown specimen plants ; 

 and the first prize for cut flowers, being six beautiful bouquets. Mr. 

 Wilkinson, of the Rose Nurseries, Ealing, took a first prize with cut 

 Roses ; and Mr. C. Turner was first with Verbenas, Hollyhocks, and 

 Pansies. Several other subjects were exhibited, which we regret not 

 having space to notice. 



NOTES ON THE GENUS PENTSTEMON. 



There is nothing among hardy herbaceous plants that is more suitable 

 or better adapted for beds or borders, nor anything that makes a better 

 display ofshowy coloured flowers during summer and autumn, than many 

 of the species of Pentstemon. They are handsome flowering plants, with 

 a good compact habit, and either for large or small gardens, where good 

 herbaceous plants are at all esteemed, these should not be neglected. 

 While the generality of this tribe are now past flowering for this season, 

 and fast dying down, most of these are still wearing an aspect of 

 summer, and are as fresh and gay as they have been for some months 

 past. No plants are cultivated with greater facility than Pentstemons 

 in a warm light dry soil, which suits them best ; many of them thrive 

 well planted on artificial rockwork, more especially those of a more 

 creeping habit. To have them to flower chiefly at the end of summer, 

 and during autumn, pinch ofl" all the tops of the young shoots in the 

 early part of summer, which will cause them to break back, strengthen 

 the plants, and retard their flowering season until further on in the 

 summer. The annexed list contains all the best kinds at present 

 cultivated at Kew, and which, with a very few exceptions, are now 

 (October 18) in full flower, and to all appearance will continue for 

 some time to come : — 

 Pentstemon elegans. This is a very handsome flowering plant, of a 



neat habit ; grows a foot and a half high. The flowers are of a light 



pinkish red. 



