138 THE FLORIST. 



there is great want of communication between the societies and a 

 great part of the exhibitors. I beg to throw out this hint to the 

 exhibitors, and shall be glad if it leads to a wise and beneficial com- 

 bination. Omicron. 



The above introduction by our valued correspondent Omicron 

 leaves nothing for us to do but describe the scene in detail, which we 

 will now proceed to do. The show altogether was good; but in some 

 particulars not equal to the May exhibition in 1852. Roses in pots 

 were fine, also Pelargoniums; but unfortunately they were shewn to 

 great disadvantage, by being placed in the dark tent above alluded 

 to. The Orchids (large collections), Azaleas, and fruit also attracted 

 their usual share of attention. Pelargoniums were shewn in con- 

 siderable numbers, and generally were well-grown plants; but, with 

 the exception of the first collection, they were not sufficiently in 

 flower. This collection, however, was an exception, for it was loaded 

 with large and fine blooms, possessing the highest colour; shewing 

 that, with skill, the difficulties of an adverse spring may be sur- 

 mounted. The gold medal for the best twelve was awarded to 

 Mr. Turner of Slough, for Colonel of the Buffs, Magnet, Mochanna, 

 Chieftain, Constance, Alonzo, Rosamond, Gulielma, Rowena, Virgin 

 Queen, and Pride of the Isles ; 2d, Mr. Dobson of Isleworth, with 

 Arethusa, Purpureum, Rosa, Rosamond, Virgin Queen, Leader, 

 Ambassador, Chloe, Vanguard, Harriett, Leah, and Governor ; 3d, 

 Mr. Westwood ; 4th, Mr. Gaines. In these two groups we re- 

 marked Flying Dutchman, First of May, Rubens, Celia, Star, and 

 Salamander, which were dissimilar to the two first collections. 

 There was but one collection from private growers, and that only 

 received a third prize, the varieties not being sufficiently in bloom. 

 It came from Mr. Roser of Streatham. Fancy Pelargoniums were 

 shewn in great beauty, and commanded their usual share of atten- 

 tion : the best six plants were contributed by Mr. Turner, and con- 

 sisted of Hero of Surrey, in fine condition, Princess Maria Galitzin, 

 Reine des Francais, Minerva, Annie, and Empress ; 2d, Mr. Ayres, 

 Blackheath, with Formosissimum, Celestial, Miranda, Magnifica, 

 Gipsy Queen, and Duchesse d'Aumale ; 3d, Mr. Gaines ; 4th, Mr. 

 Westwood. Of these, the sorts not in the first lot were Defiance, 

 Queen, Superb, Louis Van Houtte, Signora Gasoloni, and Fairy 

 Queen. Two collections were staged by private growers, one from 

 Mr. Roser, the other from Mr. Robinson, Pimlico; these took first 

 and second prizes in the order in which they stand. The varieties 

 were Ambrose's Triumphant, John Bull, Fairy Queen, Picturata, 

 Staliaski, Queen Victoria, Advancer, Erubescens, Princess Maria 

 Galitzin. 



Cinerarias were in fine order, shewing a great improvement on 

 former exhibitions of this flower in point of growth and general 

 management. The first collection consisted of particularly dwarf 

 plants : it came from Mr. Turner, and contained the following sorts, 

 viz. Amy Robsart, Rosalind, Queen of Beauties, Mrs.Beecher Stowe, 

 Mrs. Sidney Herbert, and Formosa; 2d, Mr. Constantine ; 3d, Mr. 



