474 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



the east side of the island are fast becoming too familiar with : fortunately 

 there occurred a break on the second day. A very large gathering of gardeners 

 and others interested in horticultural pursuits were present the first day, 

 amongst w-hom were notabilities from the South and from across the Channel. 



As usual, tlie exhibition produce set up by nursery firms bulked largely. 

 The Lawson Seed and Nursery Co. occupied the west end of the market as 

 usual, this time with an oval group of stove and greenhouse plants very 

 prettily arranged on the system of dotting tall plants amongst an undergrowth 

 of those of smaller size. Messrs Ireland k, Thomson again tilled the westmost 

 large group with a most elleetive group of plants, conspicuous amongst which 

 were some of the Crotons with which the premier card was carried off from 

 the Manchester International a fortnight previously. As at Manchester, such 

 fine Crotons had not before been seen at Edinburgh. Two fine Nepenthes 

 were also shown in this group, besides a very choice assortment of the newer 

 and best popular stove and greenhouse plants. Four new Crotons were also 

 shown, to each of which a first-class certificate was awarded : these were C. 

 Thomsonii, which was first at Manchester in the class for the best new plant, 

 C. Duke of Buccleuch, C. Houldsworthii, and C. Whittonii — all grand varieties, 

 superbly grown and coloured. Messrs Downie & Laird's table was in the 

 massive style common to the groups of this firm — extra-large Palms having the 

 chief share in the get-up. Very attractive were the fine boxes of cut florist's 

 flowers with which the front of one side of this table was filled. These 

 included Dahlias of every section, French and African Marigolds, Pentstemons, 

 Phloxes, and Violas, in the best and newest varieties. In the table next to 

 this, Messrs T. Methven & Sons had a very varied display of plants suitable 

 for table decoration, and a great variety of Ferns, some large Palms occupying 

 the centre of the group, Messrs Dicksons & Co. filled the endmost table, 

 having some grand Tree Ferns as their jjtece de resistance. A very fine 

 Eucharis amazonica was also noticeable ; while two large baskets filled 

 with flowering plants of Primula capitata were worthy of attention. Collec- 

 tions of their Pinks for borders and cutting purposes were also shown : some 

 of these are valuable additions. Close by, a table filled with medicinal and 

 other interesting plants not commonly met with, had been furnished by Mr 

 Sadler from the Poyal Botanic Garden. 



Turning now to the competition produce, we noted all the flowering plants 

 as very good indeed — Mr Paterson's Heaths, when we consider the lateness of 

 the season, being quite a feature. Mr Paul's plants were large and well 

 bloomed ; and a fine Lapageria rosea was shown in the 2d-prize lot of two 

 flowering plants. The foliage plants were not so fine as we have seen them. 

 Ferns were fresh, but small ; the Orchids only a small competition, but con- 

 taining some good plants — notably so, a good specimen of Oncidium nemorum, 

 with four long spikes of its soft flowers. A good specimen of Odontoglossum 

 grande was also noticeable. Two very fine flowers of Cattleya gigas were 

 exhibited from Mr Smith, Brentham Park. The group of plants from Mr 

 Paul had some nice flowering pieces of Orchids intermixed very effectively 

 amongst foliage plants. Vallotas were a very rich display. 



Amongst the cut-flowerSj the Roses from Messrs Cocker & Son, Aberdeen, 

 were very remarkable, many of the blooms being as fine as they are to be seen 

 in summer. This firm also showed stands of Alfred Colomb, Marie Baumann, 

 Comtesse d'Oxford, and La France, in grand order. Dahlias were a good 

 show, even and fine in quality. Phloxes were also fine ; and very bright were 

 the Geraniums. Amongst Asters, the first-prize quilled dozen were extra- 



