232 THE GARDENER. [May 



fact that never ought to be lost sight of by window gardeners for at least a month 

 before the blooming period. It has occurred over and over again that Von Schiller 

 has been singled out as the best spike at exhibitions, and we have again the 

 same fact to note. Among Tulips the chaste white Pottebakker, the effective 

 and well-named Vermilion Brilliant, and the orange and red Tournesol, maintained 

 a front-rank position. Of the Narcissus, Grand Monarque, a fine white, and 

 Soleil d'Or, a good yellow, were incomparably the best. As to Crocuses, none 

 can vie with the whiteness and size of Queen Victoria, or be more captivating 

 than the suffused lavender-and-white Albion. Another bulb that is gaining in 

 importance is the Hippeastrum section of Amaryllids. They afford such great 

 variety, they are not difficult to cultivate, and the whole of them are so 

 ornamental, that we are surprised they are not exhibited in greater numbers at 

 early shows. The Cyclamens from Messrs Boyd and Walker were well cultivated. 

 Cinerarias were well grown and shown by Mr M'Dougall and others. A seedling 

 of decided value in the Messrs Austin's collection, named Countess of Eglinton, 

 had a blue disc, with a prominent ring of white, and then a deep violet ray. 

 Chinese Primroses are seen everywhere just now enlivening the greenhouse or 

 the entrance-hall or boudoir. Lily of the Valley is so much sought after, that 

 we do not wonder the fine pots of it shown by Mr Graham, Garscube, were so 

 great a source of attraction. Camellia plants and Camellia flowers were much 

 beyond the average, Messrs Walker and Boyd having Mathotiana and Countess 

 of Orkney respectively, in praiseworthy condition. Tree Mignonette was very 

 good, although scant in quantity. Azaleas, as usual, were quite a feature of the 

 show. The Tree Ferns from Oak Park House, Mount Vernon, decorated the 

 orchestra, and it is a pity there were not more of them distributed throughout 

 the hall to tone down bright colours, and to assist in breaking uniformity. Mr 

 Methven, gardener to Colonel Campbell, Blythswood, sent a very meritorious 

 box of Cherries. 



The directors, judges, and a few friends, dined, after the Show, in the Crown 

 Hotel. Mr James Graham, Garscube, presided, and Mr Thomas Granger, 

 Partick, officiated as croupier. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, Mr 

 Anderson, Meadow Bank, proposed the " Glasgow and West of Scotland Horti- 

 cultural Society ; " and remarked that he was glad to see a continual infusion of 

 new blood among exhibitors, and especially of new plants upon the exhibition 

 tables. 



Spring Exhibition of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. — 

 This Exhibition took place as usual in the Music Hall, George Street, Edinburgh. 

 On the recent occasion the experiment was made of keeping the show open two 

 days — the 29th and 30th of March— but we do not believe its success will war- 

 rant its repetition. For a few years after these spring exhibitions were begun, 

 the public came in crowds to see them, and put up with the crushing and jostling 

 for the sake of seeing fine masses and groups of spring bulbs and brilliant displays 

 of Azaleas and suchlike ; but the novelty has now worn off, and so has the attend- 

 ance, and it must continue to do so, unless a more spacious and accessible build- 

 ing can be procured, wherein to hold flower-shows and kindred exhibitions ; a 

 place that, for area, surroundings, and easy access, could be made an agreeable 

 promenade, where there should be ample space to admit of the music of a mili- 

 tary band being played without danger to the ears of the lieges, as is the case 

 where they are held at present ; and we think it is hardly creditable to the enter- 

 prise of Edinburgh that such a building does not exist either in east or west 

 Princes Street Gardens. It might combine in one a winter garden, musical 

 promenade, and a place where not only flower-shows, but exhibitions of poultry, 



