iSyi.] HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 333 



with the numerous plants suitable for this style of gardening, and the various 

 ways of arranging them, "\Ve do not, however, admire the sneering way in which 

 the author speaks of Mr Gibson's labours at Batterseain this particular department 

 of gardening. Mr Gibson has done more by example to inculcate the best manner 

 of subtropical decorations in a few years, than a mere writer on the subject is 

 likely to do in a lifetime. 



HORTICULTURAIi EXHIBITIONS. 



Royal Botanic Society, London. — The first summer exhibition was held in 

 the Botanic Gardens, Regent Park, May 25th and 26th. The great Whitsuntide 

 exhibition at Manchester opened on the 26th, with greater inducements for 

 exhibitors, and one or two of the principal competitors sent their plants there. 



In class 1. — The usual large prize for a stated number of plants is withheld, and 

 a group arranged for eflfect put in its place. This class usually brings out collec- 

 tions of ordinary nursery plants, from the principal firms, calling for no special 

 comment, Messrs A, Henderson & Co., Pine-apple Place, were first, and Messrs 

 RoUison second. 



A class was provided for 24 Hardy Herbaceous plants in flower, and a most 

 excellent and varied group was awarded the first prize, from Mr R, Parker of 

 Tooting, containing several beautiful Pyrethrums, in variety rivalling the Chry- 

 santhemum in shape, and of the most brilliant colours, Iberis and Alyssum sax- 

 atile compactum, with deep yellow flowers : For 9 Stove and Greenhouse plants 

 in flower, Mr Ward, Leyton, was first, with large well-managed plants ; Mr Chap- 

 man of Rugsley being second. In Heaths and Stage Pelargoniums, Mr Ward 

 again carried ofi" first honours. 



In the class for 20 Pelargoniums, distinct, Mr C. Turner of Slough was first 

 with a collection of the best sorts ; Corsair, Needle-gun, Favourite, Claribel, fine 

 white. Hermit, Jerome, John Hoyle, Gratulation, and Prince of Orange, were 

 the most select. Roses in pots from Mr C. Turner and Messrs Paul & Son were 

 again of rare excellence ; and it is worthy of note that no collection is staged 

 without a plant of Charles Lawson. The best Koses that have been shown by 

 amateurs were sent by Mr T, Terry, gardener to A. G. Puller, Esq., Youngsbury, 

 Herts : his collection contained four Tea Roses and a fine Charles Lawson. 



There were three classes provided for Orchids. Mr Ward was first for nine, 

 with Cypripedium Stonei, Odontoglossum Bluntii, 0. citrosmum roseum, and a 

 fine Oncidium bifolium ; Mr Burnett Bull and Wright taking the remaining 

 prizes. Mr Williams was first in the nurserymen's class, and Mr Bull second, 

 Aerides Fieldingii and Cypripedium villosum were good. Exotic Ferns were 

 numerously shown, Mr Wright taking first position with a fine collection of 6. 

 Mr Williams was first in the nurserymen's class ; Azaleas were well shown by Mr 

 C. Turner, and Mr Little, gardener to J, Goddard, Esq., Roy don Lodge, Essex ; 

 the last-named exhibitor taking the first prize with 12 well-grown pyramids in 

 12-iuch pots. A large number of new plants were sent to this exhibition, and 

 numerous certificates were awarded. Messrs Veitch, of Chelsea, obtained botanical 

 certificates of merit for Dioscorea retusa, a peculiar trailing plant, with a droop- 

 ing infiorescence of small greenish-white flowers, sweet-scented. Fremontia 

 californica, with a profusion of large orange-yellow flowers ; Croton Johannis, 

 Agave Regelii, A. festiva, A. Besseriana Candida, A. Roezliana, A. horrida 

 hystrix. A, Kerchovei macrodonta, Dracaena magnifica, a grand broad -leaved 

 species, D. Mooreana and D. porphyrophylla. Messrs Veitch also exhibited a 



