566 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



what resembles the Blenheim Orange, but was considerably larger, more conical 

 in shape, and very highly coloured. It was much admired. Mr Jennings, Shep- 

 ston-on-Stour, sent specimens of that pretty little Apple known as the Fairy, as 

 yet too sour for use. 



A hrst-class certificate was awarded to Messrs Veitch & Sons for a Cauliflower 

 of large size and coarse-looking, named the Giant Autumn; said to come into use 

 when others are over. 



The prizes for the best collection of Potatoes brought together two collections, 

 in which coarseness rather than quality predominated : — so much have we yet 

 to learn regarding this valuable esculent. The collections contained nothing 

 worthy of special remark. 



REVIEWS. 



Choice Stove and Greenhouse Ornamental - Leaved Plants, comprising 

 descriptions of upwards of eight hundred species and varieties, accompanied 

 by instructions for their cultivation and mode of management, with illustra- 

 tions. By B. S. "Williams, F.R.H.S., author of the ' Orchid -Grower's 

 Manual,' ' Choice Stove and Greenhouse Flowering Plants,' &c. London: 

 Published and sold by the Author. 



As Mr Williams designates this work Vol. II., it must be regarded as a con- 

 tinuation of the work published last year, entitled ' Choice Stove and Greenhouse 

 Flowering Plants.' No better authority than Mr Williams can discourse on these 

 plants. Summed up in these two volumes are the results of the experience of a 

 life devoted to their culture, as well as to the introduction of many newer species 

 and varieties. Any one who has walked through the Victoria Nursery, Holloway, 

 must have been struck with the wonderful wealth of foliaged and ornamental- 

 leaved plants to be seen there ; and these have been arranged in groups by the 

 author, then masses in divisions, as a general would an army of soldiers, and 

 passed in review, and finally arranged in the book before us, in a compass of 329 

 pages, abundantly illustrated, and abounding in valuable cultural notes. 



Before we reach the notes on plants, we are treated to several pages of inci- 

 dental matter extremely useful to the cultivator. There are short chapters on 

 Plant-Houses, Greenhouses, and Conservatories, Cisterns, Glazing, and Ventilat- 

 ing, &c, every one of which is well worthy a careful study. The writer has 

 decided opinions, and they are expressed clearly and forcibly. The prelimi- 

 nary matter being disposed of — none the less valuable in character because 

 preliminary — we are treated to a chapter on Horticultural Exhibitions, which 

 forms a kind of antechamber by which we pass on to the general purport of 

 the book. This chapter is well worth extracting, though it must not be sup- 

 posed we agree with the author in all the opinions therein expressed ; rather 

 we give it as showing what can be said in favour of foliaged plants by one 

 of the most successful and best-honoured cultivators of the day : — 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 



"In this concluding chapter we propose saying a few words upon horticul- 

 tural exhibitions. We have been connected with these public exhibitions for 

 many years, and we are fully impressed with their utility and beneficial influ- 

 ence upon horticulture generally. A difference of opinion in this respect has 



