330 THE GARDENER. [July 



Bizarre Sir J. Paxton, from Mr D. Barber. A stand of species of Tulips, fur- 

 nished by Mr J. J. Chatter, was extremely interesting for the curious and uncouth 

 appearance presented by some of them ; they comprised the rich rosy crimson- 

 coloured Tulipa Gesueriana, T. viridifolia, T. carinata rubra, T. cariuata violacea, 

 T. Clusiana, T. Persica, T. cornuta, and one of those singular monstrosities known 

 as the Parrot Tulips. The judges of Tulips were Messrs Storer, John Ball, Royal 

 Nursery, Slough ; and Mr Picard — a judge being taken from the north, midland, 

 and southern districts. Their task was an exceedingly onerous one, but they dis- 

 charged it well and patiently. 



The 'Gardener's Magazine' thus describes the appearance of the tent during 

 the process of staging the flowers :— "Meanwhile the tent in which the Tulip- 

 growers were arranging their flowers had been for some time the scene of great 

 activity. There were veteran growers, with grey hairs, failing sight, and stooping 

 gait, and yet as full of fire and enthusiasm as ever they were in the whole his- 

 tory of their cultivation of these gorgeous flowers ; and there were young men, 

 on whose shoulders the cares of manhood were just beginning to press, bending 

 over their flowers, giving a touch here or a finishing-stroke there, watching with 

 keen and anxious glance the while the flowers of his neighbour, and calculating 

 the chances of success. Who shall say there is a lack of floral enthusiasm among 

 us ? and if he should see a Tulip show, he will soon learn his inference had been 

 too hastily drawn. To stand at the entrance to this tent and watch what was 

 going on within was a study of human nature, and well worthy the attention of 

 a philosopher. For several hours the one absorbing passion was the best arrange- 

 ment of a stand of flowers so as to win a prize : the value of the prize was of small 

 moment — it was the winning the prize for which all strove. At length, and not 

 till the sun had reached its meridian, was the tent cleai'ed, and then only by the 

 exhibition of some authority, as each exhibitor seemed extremely loath to leave 

 the flowers he had tended with so much care and regard ; and at last the judges 

 were enabled to commence their work, and no one envied them the task set before 

 them." 



Mr Thomas Haynes of Derby has very kindly forwarded critical remarks on 

 some of the leading flowers staged on this occasion, which we are obliged to 

 postpone to next number. 



Scottish Pansy Society. — The twenty-sixth annual show and competition of 

 this flourishing Society took place in one of the side-rooms of the Music Hall, 

 Edinburgh, on Friday the 17th ult. As compared with former years, the show 

 was in every respect a most successful one, the entries being more numerous, 

 and the quality of the flowers higher, than on any previous occasion. This was 

 especially noticeable among Fancies, many of the new flowers being quite round, 

 and beautifully marked. 



The following is the prize-list : — 



NURSERYMEN. 



Best twenty-four dissimilar Blooms — 



I. Messrs Downie, Laird, & Laing, 

 West Coates, Edinburgh, with Beauty, 

 Eclat, J. B. Downie, Finale, J. Cui-rie, 

 Jessie Dick, Adonis, Lady L. Dundas, 

 Cherub, Lavinia, Miss Muir, J. C. 

 Champion, George Keith, Snowdrop, 



II. Burns, Locomotive, Bonny Jean, 

 Jane Wilson, Miss Addison, John 



Princess of Walea, George Wilson ; 2. 

 Messrs Dickson & Co., Edinburgh ; 3. 

 Mr William Paul, Paisley. 



PRACTICAL GARDENERS AND AMATEURS. 



Best eighteen Blooms — 1. Mr John 

 Fraser, Belmont, with Dux, Comus, 

 Lavinia, Mary Lamb, Miss Muir, Cupid, 

 Elvina, Queen, Lady L. Dundas, George 

 Wilson, Waverley, Chancellor, Princess 

 of Wales, Robert Burns, John Inglis, 

 Downie, Mr Forbes, George Muirhead, ' Emily Lyle, George Keith, Andrew 



