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NEWS or THE MONTH. 



ExuiBiTioxs OF SvRixo Flom-ers. — There have been held in Loudon during 

 the past month three exhibitions c f spring flowers : namely, at the gardens of the 

 Royal Horticultural Soci* ty, March 19 ; in the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society, 

 March 23 ; and a continuous show by Messrs. Cutbush and Son, of Highgate, at 

 the Crystal Palace. In the former two displays, Mr. "William Paul, of Cheshunt, 

 Avas the largest contributor, and in the quality of his flowers distanced all competi- 

 tors. Some beautiful examples have been shown by Mr. Kirtland, of Albion 

 Nursery, Stoke Xewington, and Mr. Cutbush, of Barnet. Early tulips have been 

 presented by Mr. W. Paul in the utmost profusion, and of remarkably fine quality, 

 with collections of Xarci-sus, forced Roses, and Lilies of the Valley. Peculiarly 

 interesting have been the fine displays of Cyclamen Persicum, in which Messrs. 

 E. G. Henderson have, as usual, presented large and beautiful collections; but this 

 time Mr. Wiggins, gardener to W. Beck, Esq., of Isleworth, presented a dozen 

 Cychimens that for style and finish were not only better than any others, but 

 afforded a real surprise to experienced growers cf this charming flower. The last- 

 named exhibitor has taken the lead, too, this season in Chinese Primulas, showing 

 handsome plants covered with flowers of immense size, some pure white, others deep 

 rosy crimson. There have been none to equal them, and of course they have taken 

 the highest honour.s. Mr. Wiggins's plants were grown from seed of "Williams's 

 strain," which is well-known to be one of the best. Amongst things curious or par- 

 ticularly interesting, we may note the following :— From Mr. Cutbush, of Barnet, 

 Prunus Sinensis albaflorepleno, that is the double white flowering Chinese plum, as 

 beautiful as the double flowering clierry, and mucli better adapted to form a neat 

 conservatory tree. From Mr. Ciuikshauk, gardener to J. Lloyd, Esq., of Watford, 

 Verbena Beauty of Langlet/hury, a beautiful flower, vrhite witii lilac stripes. From 

 Mr. Paul, Narcissus Queen of the Yelloics, the most beautiful in a collection of 

 about tliirty sets. From the same, Rose (H.P.) Coeur de Leon, a fine stout glo- 

 bular flower, the colour rich purplish crimson. From Mr. Watson, of St. Albans, 

 Tricolor Geranium, Mrs-. Dix, a compact dwarf-growing kind, waih flat round leaves, 

 edged with gold yellow, the zone ohve and bronze overlaid with deep red, remarkably 

 handsome. From Messrs. E. Gr. Henderson and Son, Pyrethrum Golden Feather, 

 a yellow-leaved bedding plant, which promises to be highly efl'ective in the parterre. 

 From the same. Tricolor Geranium Emma Cheers, which has a lemon-coloured 

 margin, and a Kne zone shading from chestnut to bright vermilion red. Amongst 

 many new orchids shown, were two of great interest from Mr. W. Bull, of Chelsea. 

 The old Phaji's grandifoltus was shown with superbly variegated leaves. There was 

 also a pretty group of the diminutive and channingiy elegant Odonto;jlossiim Alex- 

 andres, which flowers most freely in small pots, the flowers varying from pure white 

 to white with brown spots. Every lover of orchids should look after this gem ; they 

 need not be told that at present it is costly. The exhibition of the Royal Caledonian 

 Society took place at Edinburgh on th^ 20th, on which occasion the leading 

 exhibitors of hyacinths were Messrs. Downie, Laird, and Laing : and in the amateur 

 classes Mr. Cowe, gardener to H. W. Hope, Esq., Luff"ness, made the best exhibition, 

 Avhich indeed was remarkable for excellence. The Liverpool Spring Show was held 

 on the 13th, and was quite a brilliant aftair. Tne principal exhibitors of hyacinths 

 here were Mr. Davies, of Liverpool, and Messrs. Cutbush and Son, of Higligate. 

 Each of these exhibitions has had to contend with dreadful weather, yet the 

 attendances have been good, proving that Flower Shows retain their popularity, and 

 if known to be good are pretty sure to be supported. The following are selections of 

 the most beautiful varieties in the several classes : — 



St/acinths.— Lord Wellington, Soifaterre, Grand Lilas, Grandeur _a Meryeille, 

 Charles Dicken.s, Von Schiller, Auricula Oog, very dark violet pips, with radiating 

 white or pale eye of great substance ; Gigantea, Koh-i-Noor, General Havelock, 

 Macaulay, Queen of the Netherlands, Prince Albert, Lord Palmerston, Mont Blanc, 

 Noble par Merite, Baron von Tuyll, Josephine, a very rich dark vermilion, and pips 

 of fine substance; De CandoUe, very pale blue, good; Snowball, one of the best of 

 the whites; Milton, fine deep ruby red; Pieneman, a large pip of great substance, 

 but loose in the spike; Lamplighter, blackish blue, with pale eye; Howard, Mimosa, 

 Seraphine, Koh-i-Noor, Alba superbis^ima, one of the best wliites ; Mont Blanc, 

 Lina, beautiful in finish and colour ; Miss Nightingale, Victoria Regina, Leonidas, 



