1871.] HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 379 



devoted to amateurs. Roses in 8-inch pots were very fine, the plants exceedingly- 

 dwarf and compact : Mr Turner was first ; Messrs Paul & Son, second ; and Messrs 

 Veitch, third. Prizes were offered by his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, K. G., 

 President of the Society, for a group of three plants suitable for the dinner-table. 

 Also for three groups of either flowers or fruit, or both combined. In the former 

 class, Mr Chard was first, for two small plants of Areca aurea, and a taller plant 

 of Hyophorbe VerschafFeltii in the centre ; Mr Bull, of Chelsea, was second also 

 with three Palms; Messrs E. G. Henderson & Co., third ; and Mr George, gar- 

 dener to Miss Nicholson, of Putney, fourth. In the latter class, the prizes were 

 awarded to Messrs Phillips & Pearce ; Mr Chard ; Miss Hassard, Upper Norwood, 

 and Mr Soder. 



Fruit Committee.. — There was a very good show of fruit of excellent quality : 

 Buckland, Sweetwater, and Black Hamburg Grapes from Mr Turner. Very fine 

 Peaches and Nectarines from Mr Tillery of Welbeck. Two very fine Queen Pines 

 from Mr Perkins of Stanmore. Lucas Strawberries from Mr Douglas of Loxford, 

 of large size and well-coloured. All received special awards ; a silver medal being 

 given to Mr Perkins for his Pines. 



Floral Committee. — Some very interesting new plants were sent to this meet- 

 ing, notably those from M. Linden of Brussels, and M. Alexis Dalliere of Ghent, 

 which were staged in the conservatory, and added much to the effect of the Rose 

 Show. Messrs Backhouse of York sent Lithospermum petrreum, a very florifer- 

 ous species with azure blue flowers, and Linum salsoloides, a compact plant with 

 white flowers. Mr Green, gardener to W. W. Saunders, Esq., sent Houlletia 

 odoratissima antioquensis, a remarkable Orchid with long purplish-brown sepals 

 and petals, and a cream-coloured lip. Mr Bull had Alsophila Shepherdii, a Tree- 

 Fern of small size. Mr Croucher, gardener to T. Peacock, Esq., sent Agave 

 VerschafFeltii variegata, a long spined species with greenish-yellow markings. Mr 

 Turner sent two Pinks, Dr Masters and Shirley Hibberd; both flowers are of 

 large size with deep purple lacing. Show Pelargonium Ada came from Mr 

 Wiggins, a perfect-shaped flower with rich maroon upper and rose under petals. 

 All the above received first-class certificates, as did Petunia Coquette from Messrs 

 E. G. Henderson & Son, a semi-double variety with a white ground and purplish- 

 crimson centre and edge. The same exhibitor received a second-class award for 

 Pelargonium Enterprise, a useful free-flowering spotted variety. The same award 

 was given to Mr Bull for Lobelia Erinus Omen, a pretty variety with purple and 

 white flowers. 



First-class certificates were also awarded to the following new plants sent by M. 

 Linden of Brussels : — Epidendrum Frederici Guilelmi, allied to E. syringothyr- 

 Bus, Alloplectus vittatus, Dioscorea chrysophylla, D. Eldorado, and D. prismatica ; 

 Maranta Mazellii, M, Wallisii discolor, and Dieffenbachia imperialis, a noble 

 species which will make a fine exhibition plant. M. Linden was also awarded a 

 Silver Flora Medal for his collections. M, Dalliere received the same award for 

 a collection of twelve distinct Marantas ; M. Veitchii and illustris were the best. 



Flower Shows in Essex. — I have no doubt there are a number of men, read- 

 ers of the ' Gardener,' who are either natives of Essex, or have at some time of 

 their lives acted as gardeners in that county ; if so, they will still feel a slight 

 interest in the Horticultural department of that county, and will be pleased 

 to hear that gardening is progressing favourably — at least, so it seems by the 

 number of flower shows held now to what there were a few years ago. 



The Essex Weekly News gives an account of three in one week, with a long 

 list of exhibitors and prize takers. The first was held the second week in June, 



