1871.] HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 479 



The "Australian Pea," alias "Grotto's Mossy Pea." 

 Some sixteen or seventeen years ago, a gentleman brought some Peas from 

 Australia, which have since that time been cultivated in a few private gardens 

 under the designation of the Australian Pea. Three or more years ago it got into 

 the hands of Messrs Kennedy & Co., Seedsmen, Dumfries, and was last season 

 distributed by them under the honest impression that it was a Pea new to this 

 country. It was, however, confidently afl6rmed by the Messrs Drummond, Seeds- 

 men, Stirling, to be none other than what they term " Grotto's Mossy Pea," which 

 had been grown in this country fifty years ago, but from some cause or another it 

 had become scarce and little known by either seedsmen or gardeners. We have 

 these two Peas growing in the same row, and find them in every respect the 

 same ; and we observe that it has recently been shown in London under a third 

 name, and there recognised as Grotto's. It is, however, a most valuable Pea for 

 late supply, being an enormous cropper, medium-sized, and of a delicate green 

 colour — points much appreciated by kitchen artists and those they have to cater 

 for. Added to a delicious flavour, these qualities make it a very desirable Pea. 

 We have frequently gathered it in fine condition at the very end of October. It 

 has a thick mossy or succulent husk, and, in consequence, the Peas remain tender 

 long after the appearance of the husk would indicate that they were too old. 

 This Pea is well worthy of being, what may be called, reintroduced into all 

 gardens where fine late Peas are an object, and where tall stakes are to be had. 

 It grows 7 feet to 8 feet high. We think it best described by its original name — 

 The Mossy (podded) Pea. 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIOlSrS. 



Royal Horticultural Society, September 7th. — Dahlias, Asters, and Ver- 

 benas were invited as cut flowers. There were also Liliums and Asters in pots ; 

 these, with the numerous flowers and fruit sent to the committees, entirely filled 

 the council-room, and made a very interesting show. This was a better arrange- 

 ment, I think, than exhibiting the new things in the council- room and the others 

 in a tent, when the subjects are not sufficiently numerous to fill both places. 

 Not many stands of Dahlias were shown, but one or two of them contained very 

 fine flowers. Messrs Kelway & Son of Langport were first in the (open) class for 

 24 ; Mr Turner of Slough being placed second with a stand containing all seed- 

 ling flowers. In the amateurs' class, Mr C. J. Perry, Castle, Bromwich, had the 

 best flowers. 



Asters were well shown as cut flowers, the colours being very bright. For 24 

 blooms, not quilled, Mr G. Wheeler, of Warminster, was first ; Messrs Kelway 

 & Son, of Langport, being placed second. In the amateurs' class for 12 blooms, 

 Mr Rowe, of the Rookery, Rochampton, had the best. Asters in pots were not 

 remarkable : Mr Rowe was first ; and Mr Portei', gardener to Mrs Benham, Sion 

 Lodge, Isleworth, second. 



Mr C. J. Perry exhibited an excellent stand of 24 Yerbenas, 5 trusses of 

 each variety, and received the first prize. A stand of very fine seedlings was also 

 exhibited by Mr Eckford, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill. 



Mr Bull of Chelsea was the only exhibitor of Liliums in the class for 6, distinct. 

 He showed well-grown plants of L. auratum, L. auratum pictum, L. speciosum 

 album, L. speciosum superbum, and L. tigrinum. 



Fruit Committee. — There was a very good display of fruit on this occasioD, 



