234 , THE GARDENER. [May 



wa? also a very bright and attractive one; while the third in the prize-list was 

 especially rich in Orchids, but not well arranged. The tables of hardy spring 

 ilowering-plants were interesting as usual, and were especially so as showing 

 the poor hold esthetics have gained in the north, the exhibitor who had his 

 flowers arranged out of pots au nnturelle being "plucked." In the Orchid 

 classes some good plants were staged. Mr Paul's four consisted of Vanda 

 suavis, Oncidium sarcodes, Phaloeuopsis Schilleriana, and Dendrobium thyrsi- 

 tlorum. Mr Priest's two were a strong plant of Dendrobium iimbricatum oc- 

 culatum giganteum and a healthy plant of Cypripedium caudatum. Mr 

 Paul's single specimen was a grand Odontoglossum Pescatorei with three 

 branched spikes, with 150 to 160 flowers open altogether. Deutzias, Hoteias, 

 Lily of the Valley, Mignonette, pot-Roses, Rhododendrons, and Cyclamens 

 were generally well represented, the premium lots being in all cases excellent. 

 Cut-Roses were not up to the mark, the buds being small and wanting in 

 colour. Fruit was poorly represented ; Apples were good — so were the prize 

 CiJrapes and the single Pine-apple shown. Vegetables were a wonderfully good 

 show when we consider the season, some fine Leeks, Mushrooms, &c., being 

 staged. Mr Potter's collection contained a few extra-fine dishes. 



There was only slight competition in the nurserymen's classes. Messrs 

 Downie & Laird's Hyacinths, Rhododendrons, and Cyclamens were, as 

 usual, fine — their table in the centre of the hall being conspicuous by the 

 gigantic specimen Rhododendrons it was mainly made up of: Mrs J. Clutton, 

 Lady Clerk, Brilliant Comet, Broughtoni, Michael Waterer, Purity, and Joseph 

 Whitworth were particularly noteworthy. Messrs T. Methven & Sons' table 

 alongside was also mainly composed of Rhododendrons and specimen Palms ; 

 the semi-double Rhododendron flexuosum fl. -pleno was particularly telling. 

 Some good specimens of Todea superba were also set up in this collection. At 

 the other flank of Messrs Downie & Laird's, Messrs Ireland & Thomson had as 

 usual a very bright and attractive table of new and ornamental plants, con- 

 spicuous amongst them being double-flowering Thorns, Lilacs, Azaleas, Sta- 

 phylea colchica, with Palms, Crotons, new Coleus, &c., and a great number of 

 flowering Orchids of popular sorts, many of them in good varieties. The 

 Lawson Seed & Nursery Co. had an attractive table at the extreme west end 

 of the Market. A lot of Amaryllis were very telling on this table. Messrs 

 Drummond Bros, filled a table with much the same kind of material. Mr 

 Taylor, Hermitage, Leith, showed a large table of market plants, consisting 

 mostly of Hyacinths in various shades, crimson Tulips, Lily of the Valley, 

 and Hoteia japonica. Mr Robertson Munro, Portobello, showed 5, table of 

 attractive spring-flowering plants, a number of rare kinds being included. 

 Messrs Todd & Co., Maitland Street, had bouquets and some remarkably fine 

 buds of Devoniensis Rose. But in the way of bouquets, crosses, and a floral 

 wreath, Messrs W. Thomson & Sons, Clovenfords, eclipsed all others in the 

 style theirs were got up in, combined with simplicity in the arrangement of the 

 flowers. Mr Potts, Fettes Mount, Lasswade, staged a collection of 260 sorts 

 Saxifragas. Messrs Stuart & Co. have applied their patent granolithic to the 

 formation of vases, and showed some specimens at this show. Two of those 

 shown are for the West Princes Street Gardens, and struck us as being remark- 

 ably like the material they are intended to take the place of — sandstone. The 

 manufacturers claim greater durability for them than any other kind of stone. 

 They are certainly worth looking after by those who are in the way of buying 

 such articles. The design of the vases is good, though the pedestal is anything 

 but pleasing in its effect. 



