NOVEMBER. 255 



four times through the summer will invigorate the growth, and cause 

 the foliage to become more intensely green. Always after applying 

 this stimulant 1 have seen a decidedly favourable change take place, 

 which has been quite perceptible to the observer even two days after 

 application. 



Camden Nursery, Camberwell. William Barnes. 



SHOW-BOARDS. 



The Florist, Fruitist, and Garden Miscellany being popular, and its 

 conductor highly respected by the Florists of Oxford and neighbour- 

 hood, I venture to give a few hints founded on my visit to the clos- 

 ing exhibition of the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society this 

 year. 



The title chosen for the head of this article will be sufficiently 

 explanatory of the subject selected ; and I feel convinced, from the 

 reception given me on the occasion referred to, that any remarks I 

 may make will be received in the same spirit in which I venture to 

 offer them, simply with the view of effecting an improvement in the 

 general tout ensemble, so desirable, as was not only evinced, but on 

 all hands acknowledged, at the exhibition in question. I allude to 

 the tube or skeleton stands supplied by the Society for the use of its 

 members ; examples were numerous of the sorry appearance such 

 a style of stand makes by the side of a well-painted flat-surfaced 

 board, the flowers on which being just so much elevated that the back 

 petals, of say Dahlias, escape touching the stand. Uniformity is much 

 to be commended, hence I assume that the Society originated a 

 universal stand ; but such improvements have been made, that but 

 few of the old-fashioned principles exist, and the abolishment of these 

 scaffold-like contrivances should be the next step of the management 

 of the Society, and the reproduction of a new stand at once deter- 

 mined on and carried out. I will not here further consume the valu- 

 able pages of a most invaluable work on gardening matters — in 

 truth the work — but rest content with having thus drawn attention 

 to the subject, relying that the same will meet with every and just 

 consideration from the properly constituted authorities. 



Although these remarks are special for my Oxford friends, their 

 application is truthful with many existing societies, which it may be 

 mine to touch upon in the coming pages of the National Garden 

 Almanac and Horticultural Trade Directory for 1854. 



Hollowuy. John Edwards. 



