424 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



gained for Dr Paterson, Bridge of Allan, the first prize in the class for three. 

 The collections were of the usual kind, and by no means particularly well 

 arranged. The winning collection (18 ft. x 7 ft.), of Mr Thomas Boyd, gar- 

 dener to Wm. Forbes, Esq., Callander House, Falkirk, contained four remark- 

 ably fine specimens of Eucharis amazonica, which rendered his table much 

 brighter than the others, and doubtless did much to secure him the first place. 

 The table-plants were of the usual kind which are to be seen at every Show, 

 and were fairly good. Most, however, were too small, and too valuable and 

 tender for the purpose. Cockscombs were particularly fine, reminding one of 

 those exhibited by such growers as Mr Syme. Liliums were not " as good as 

 may be seen anywhere," although a local oracle declared them to be so. Or- 

 chids were nothing remarkable. Among cut-flowers, the Eoses from Mr Gray, 

 Dunkeld, and A. Kirk, Norwood, were exceedingly line. Grand stands were 

 staged (for exhibition only) by Messrs Dickson, Belmont, Belfast, and Smith, 

 Stranraer. The first prize Pansies, both fancy and show, from Mr T. Pater- 

 son, Denny, were such as are seen at northern shows only. Among cut-flower?, 

 perhaps the most attractive were the grand Phloxes and spikes of hardy 

 herbaceous flowers. Should such summers prevail as have now become chronic 

 apparently, these hardy plants must ere long become more largely grown. 



Fruit, especially Grapes, was shown in quantity and quality not often seen 

 outside of Edinburgh, and not always there. As much dissatisfaction prevailed 

 in regard to the awards, we prefer to single out no particular exhibitors, 

 although some of those who failed to secure prizes staged samples which were 

 exceedingly fine. We understand that the interpretation put upon certain 

 rules by the judges, led to awards being made which, without explanation, 

 appeared quite incomprehensible. For instance, in the class for any other 

 black than Hamburg, Alicants were placed before equally well-coloured, well- 

 bloomed, and riper Muscat Hamburgs; and the same thing occurred in the class 

 for best bloom. The collection of ten dishes from Mr Boyd, which gained the 

 first prize, was very meritorious, and included beautiful examples of Grapes, 

 Peaches, Bananas, and Figs, in addition to Melons and outdoor fruit, all of 

 which were fine. The Melons which gained the two firsts for Mr Thomson, 

 Kilkerran, Maybole, were remarkably fine samples. The green flesh was 

 "William Tillery : we could not ascertain the name of the scarlet. T. Boyd's 

 Peaches were fine and well coloured. Black Currants were extremely fine — 

 indeed were comparable to Black Hamburg Grapes ; finer we have never seen. 

 Most of the other classes were fair, though some were blanks altogether, as, 

 for instance, Apricots and Nectarines. 



Vegetables were, considering the season, verj'- fine indeed. Mr Souza's first- 

 prize box of ten kinds was quite remarkable. 



We are sorry that we cannot say something in favour of the arrangements 

 made by the Society's officials. According to the rules, exhibitors were obliged 

 to have everything staged by 10 A.M., and yet by that hour a third or more of 

 the tables were to erect, and one of the three tents. The consequence was, 

 that staging and judging went on simultaneously, and the judges had to go 

 over the fruit three times. Not only so, but the judges had to group the 

 classes, and to do so each card containing exhibitor's name ^;n'?i<ecf in consjncu- 

 ous cajntals had to be turned face up to ascertain the number of the class — a 

 very objectionable proceeding, but not the judges' fault. It would have been 

 much better if the officials had adhered to the rule, which was to the effect 

 that only sealed envelopes, containing the exhibitors' names inside, and only 

 the numbers outside, were to be affixed to each lot. The placing of the cards 



