1870.] HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 475 



son, a mechanic, and any gardener might have been proud of it. One large 

 stem sprung from the centre, adorned with thirty full-sized expanded blooms. 

 There were also two lesser stems, the three coming out of one bulb. Strange 

 that a company of Japanese should have visited the show, and the first object to 

 greet them was this plant, which they at once recognised, when an exchange of 

 warm glances, accompanied by happy mutterings, passed amongst them. 



In regard to the fruit, an exceedingly fine collection came from Mr William 

 Brow, Kilmaron Castle Gardens, which was placed first. Regarding the Grapes, 

 suffice it to say that Mr Johnston, from Glamis Castle, was here, and was con- 

 spicuous wherever his fruit lay. His four bunches in that class were very 

 superior, but his bunch for bloom beat all that has been witnessed on these 

 tables. We may safely say that scarcely a bad bunch of Grapes was present, and 

 there was a great number staged. Peaches were shown extensively, and many 

 fine fruits were among them. Mr Philip, Castle Huntly Gardens, took first 

 with full-sized and beautifully-coloured' fruits. A large golden-coloured sort 

 called " Titon de Venus," sent by Mr Irvine, gardener, Hermitage, Broughty 

 Ferry, was so good that many thought it ought to have had a prize awarded it. 

 These Peaches were the largest on the table, very regular in form and size, with 

 first-rate flavour, but wanted the rich appearance of the others. Plums were also 

 good and plentifully produced. Pine- Apples not very large, but in fine form and 

 colour. In short, the whole range of fruits did credit to the exhibition. 



Vegetables were not so formidable in quantity, but their quality was unim- 

 peachable. A. K. 



[A list of prizes was sent with this, but our space is so occupied that we are 

 compelled to abandon the publication of mere prize-lists. — Eds.] 



The Floral Fete in the Baxter Park, Dundee. — Saturday being the cheap 

 and last day, the attendance was enormous. Besides the members and their 

 friends who passed free, there were 850 passed the pay-gates at 6d. each betwixt 

 ten and three. From three to nine there entered no less than 7500, who paid 3d. 

 each. Altogether, there were about 10,000 visitors on Saturday. The sum 

 drawn during the three days amounted to upwards of £200. Notwithstanding 

 the crowd, through the admirable arrangements of the directors and the disposi- 

 tion of the visitors, the greatest order prevailed. The directors, not being sham, 

 nominal, or merely ornamental, but thorough workers, were all present during 

 the entire three days, and conducted the arrangements in person. Notwith- 

 standing their vigilance, and the police present, we were sorry to note that some 

 flower-fanciers had succeeded in filching slips from new plants. One of these 

 was detected, and we hope he will be punished as he deserves. [So do we. — 

 Eds.] Among the miscellaneous subjects exhibited was a collection from Mr B. 

 Kirk of 2000 queen wasps, more famous in death than in life, for they were much 

 inquired after at the show. He declared on the label, "had all these queens 

 escaped, they would have produced this season a progeny greater in number than 

 the population of Great Britain." 



Metropolitan Society for the Encouragement of Florists' Flowkrs. 

 First Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, September 6. — This 

 was in every respect an excellent exhibition, perhaps one of the most extensive 

 shows of Dahlias that has taken place during the past twenty years. Some idea 

 of its extent may be gained when it is stated that in the seven classes for Dahlias 

 there were sixty-nine entries, and of these sixty-three stands of flowers were pro- 

 duced. The various flowers were arranged on a line of tables running from the 



