1870.] NOTES OF THE MONTH. 14: 



NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



The long-impending snowfall visited London on the morning of Feb- 

 ruary 13th — a fitting close to the somewhat long and severe winter, 

 which has left its mark on vegetation, having destroyed much — pro- 

 bably more than is surmised at the present time — during the period 

 of the blustering severity of its reign. While the snow fell, it was so 

 still and calm that it lodged on the trees and shrubs, giving them the 

 appearance of being covered with a dense foliage of the finest silver ; 

 and when the sun broke out and lighted on them, they had the further 

 appearance of being mantled with blossoms of the purest white. By 

 noon, the sun, now gathering force as the days lengthen, soon dis- 

 pelled, to a great extent, the garb of silver thrown over the earth, and 

 by the intensity of its beams speedily dismissed hoary winter from 

 further participation in the scene. There is now much reason to 

 anticipate a genial spring and a fruitful beneficent summer. 



At last a bond fide exhibition of Gladioli is to be held, and the 1 7th of 

 August in the present year is the date fixed for the display. A very good 

 list of subscriptions has been furnished by the leading growers, and 

 nearly .£70 will be distributed in prizes. Of this sum £20 is allotted 

 to Continental growers. The following classes have been agreed upon, 

 and we think a thoroughly good exhibition may reasonably be expected, 

 should the season prove at all favourable, though it is scarcely pos- 

 sible the northern growers can compete thus early in the summer : — 



For Foreign Growers. 



Class 1.— 36 Gladioli, cut spikes, distinct, £10, £6, £4. 

 For Nurserymen. 



Class 2. — 36 Gladioli, cut spikes, distinct (Prizes offered by His Grace the 

 Duke of Buccleuch, and G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S.), £7, £5, £3. 



Class 3. — Gladioli, 18 cut spikes, distinct (for exhibitors not showing in 

 Class 2), £5, £3, £2. 



For Amateurs. 



Clas3 4.— 12 Gladioli, cut spikes, distinct, £5, £3, £2. 



Class 4 a.— 9 Gladioli, cut spikes, distinct, £3, £2, £1. 



Class 4 b. — 6 Gladioli, cut spikes, distinct (for exhibitors not showing in 

 classes 4 and 4 a), £2, £1, 10s., £1. 



Class 4 c. — 4 Gladioli, cut spikes, distinct, being new varieties sent out in the 

 autumns of 1868, 1869, £2, £1. 



The classes numbered 5 to 11 in the original schedule for the meeting of this 

 day have not been altered. 



This exhibition will be held at South Kensington, in connection 

 with the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society fixed for the 

 above-mentioned date. 



