iSyi.] HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 235 



Chinese Primulas were not well represented. When prizes are olBFered, the 

 ordinary single varieties are put up : the double varieties, which require careful 

 attention as regards culture, seem to be going out of cultivation altogether. Mr 

 W. Paul had a basket containing four plants of a splendid single variety, Wal- 

 tham White ; the flowers are pure white with a greenish-yellow eye, of large size 

 and great substance. A first-class certificate was awarded to it. 



First-class certificates of merit were also awarded to the following subjects : — 

 To Messrs Rollisson for their pretty little Fern, Davallia clavata ; to Messrs Hen- 

 derson & Co. for Ficus lanceolata ; and to Messrs Veitch for Primula Boveana 

 and a species of Acropera, also for their beautiful new hybrid Amaryllis Chelsoni, 

 which had first honours at South Kensington ; A. Leopoldii, which had a first- 

 class certificate at Kensington last year ; A. maculata, lighter in colour than 

 Chelsoni, and more profusely spotted ; A. Brilliant, a perfectly-shaped flower of 

 a decided scarlet shade. All these fine flowers have been raised through crossing 

 the Amaryllis with Hippeastrum pardinum ; they are far in advance of anything 

 yet exhibited; the petals are of great substance, and in shape the flowers approach 

 the true florist standard. No better proof could be afforded of their merit than 

 the fact that all the four had first-class certificates awarded to them. 



Second ISpking Snow, April 12th and 13Lh. — Prizes were offered on this occa- 

 sion for greenhouse plants in flower, forced hardy shrubs, herbaceous plants in 

 flower, Rhododendrons, Roses in pots, &c. As usual, the most valuable and efi"ec- 

 tive collections were staged in the miscellaneous classes. The productions sent 

 for competition, according to the terms of the schedule, were in some cases of 

 very indifferent quality ; this was the case especially in the amateurs' classes of 

 Ruses and Cinerai-ias. In the nurserymen's class for Roses in pots, Mr C. Turner 

 of Slough staged nine very fine plants in 11-inch pots, the individual flowers 

 on which were remarkably fine, and averaging three dozen to a plant— Miss Ingram, 

 La France, Princess Mary of Cambridge, and Celine Forestier being the best : the 

 first prize was awarded to them. Messrs Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were second, and 

 had also a fine lot of plants. The beautiful Tea Rose, Madame de St Joseph, had 

 upwards of fifty fine flowers, and was awarded a special certificate for excellence 

 of cultivation. Messrs Lane & Son were first in the class for six Azaleas, with 

 well-bloomed pyramids ; Princess Alice, a very fine pure-white flower, was con- 

 spicuous. 



In the class for 12 greenhouse plants, Mr G. Wheeler, gardener to Sir F. 

 Goldsmid, received the first prize with ordinary specimens. In the class for 

 Rhododendrons, Messrs Lane & Son were awarded the first prize for 12 plants, 

 not of large size, but well bloomed. In hardy herbaceous plants, Mr Ware of 

 Tottenham was again to the front with a dozen fine plants. Primula cortusoides, 

 lildcina, and intermedia are very pretty varieties ; and the variegated Lily of the 

 Valley, with its leaves handsomely striped with yellow, is a very useful decora- 

 tive plant. 



The first prize for Amaryllis was awarded to Mr Baxter, with similar flowers to 

 those shown at South Kensington ; the same exhibitor also taking the first place 

 for Roses in the class devoted to amateurs. Messrs Paul & Son likewise re- 

 ceived the first prize for a collection of cut Roses, with varieties that have been 

 already noticed, except Mons. Woolfield, a flower of a bright-red colour, of great 

 depth and fine form. Fine collections of Roses came from Mr W. Paul and 

 Messrs Veitch ; Mons. Furtado (Tea), adeep-yellow flower of fine form, and Madame 

 la Barrone de Rothschild, were most lovely. 



In most of the collections of plants, different species of Palms were introduced, 

 and in all cases 'they were exceedingly effective. Messrs Rollisson had Chamce- 



