238 THE GARDENER. [May 



ling had been raised from Falconerii, the flowers of which he had attempted 

 to fertilise with Catawbiense, but it so closely resembled some of the varieties 

 of the female parent that it was probable that no cross had been effected, and 

 that it was only a seminal sport. It was announced that a number of new 

 flowers would be submitted to a meeting of the Floral Committee, which was 

 to meet next day. 



ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S 

 SPRING SHOW. 



After a winter so exceptionally severe, there was every reason to fear that the 

 spring show of this Society would show its effects in a limited entry of exhibition 

 produce. Visitors to the show would therefore be most agreeably surprised to find 

 the Waverley Market furnished with such a grand display of plants and other 

 subjects. It was not, nor could it be expected, such a grand show as that of 

 last year ; but it says much for the popularity of the Royal Caledonian, and for 

 the confidence and consequent loyalty of Scotch gardeners to its management, 

 that the show of April 2d and 3d could only be considered as second to its 

 predecessor. As on the occasion of last year's spring show, a row of fir-trees 

 was carried round the greater portion of the large market, just in a line with 

 the front of the galleries and immediately beneath them. The general arrange- 

 ments were the same as at previous shows held last season — series of tables 

 running the length of the hall, with cross tables at each end. The arrangement 

 is doubtless convenient, but somewhat formal, and* will prove monotonous to 

 frequenters of the Edinburgh flower shows if continued in its sameness. Con- 

 sidering the enterprise of the trade in Edinburgh, and the difficulty experienced 

 by some of them in getting their plants staged on the tables allotted to them at 

 the past show, there ought to be no difficulty in obtaining a few naturally 

 arranged groups of plants at these shows. 



As is usual with the shows of this Society, all went "merry as a wedding 

 bell," thanks to the good management of the managing committee — Messrs John- 

 son of the Lawson Co., M'Leod of the City Gardens, and Mitchell of Trinity. 

 Nor can we refrain from pointing out, for the benefit of kindred societies, the 

 great liberality shown to gardeners. No fewer than 400 admission tickets were 

 presented to gardeners and their assistants to view the exhibition— an act of 

 liberality on the part of the council unique in the history of horticultural 

 societies. Entering by the west entrance opposite the Scott monument, a table 

 of Hyacinths, staged in competition by gardeners, and containing over 200 plants, 

 at once attracts attention by the general evenness of the lot. Mr Cowe, after 

 several years' rest, exhibits again this season, and again occupies his usual posi- 

 tion. The companion table is filled with Tulips, very bright, and some of them 

 especially well grown. The centre line of large tables is, as usual, occupied by 

 nurserymen ; that at the west end being filled by Messrs Ireland & Thomson 

 with a collection comprising many fine Palms, new Crotons, and new Dracaenas 

 in large plants, well-bloomed plants of Azalea mollis, several pans of new Coleus, 

 some pieces of Orchids, amongst which were a fine variety of Odontoglossum 

 Cervantessii, and a good variety of Dendrobium Wardianum. On the table of 

 Messrs Dicksons & Co., which came next in order, were grouped large Tree- 

 Ferns, Rhododendrons, and forcing shrubs, edged with smaller plants in variety. 

 A small collection of the best Alpines occupied one end of the table, amongst 

 which were several seedling forms of the beautiful Primula denticulata. A 



