1885.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



287 



and by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at 

 Boston. 



For the spring shows of 1 886, of either of these two 

 societies, at Philadelphia and Boston, there will be 

 offered by the Federative General Union above- 

 named prizes for 50 hyacinths grown in pots in 

 50 varieties, to be competed for by nurserymen, 

 seedsmen and florists dealing in these articles. 

 The prizes will consist of medals, engraved with 

 the official stamp of the Union. As first prize, a 

 gold medal; as second prize, a silver gilt medal; 

 and as third prize, a silver medal. If it is proved 

 that there is some success by this offering, it is the 

 intention of the General Union to offer a following 

 year again prizes for hyacinths, and perhaps too 

 for tulips, narcissus and other articles of the Dutch 

 bulb trade at various exhibitions in the U. S. 



When is considered the small importations of 

 flower-roots to the United States — a country so 

 very powerful in wealth and increasing in civiliza- 

 tion — in comparison to what England, Germany, 

 and other countries employ, it seems that an ad- 

 vancement and e.\tension of the love for flower 

 roots must be desirable to all who appreciate the 

 enjoyment of winter gardening and blooming of 

 these beautiful flowers. Haarlem, Holland. 



INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION AT ANT- 

 WERP, BELGIUM. 



BY M. H. LESTER. 



It took just thirteen days per S. S. Penland from 

 the foot of Grand St., Jersey City, lo see the Expo- 

 sition. I thought I would just take a race across 

 and see some plants that would be new to me ; but 

 in this I am mistaken. However, I am glad I 

 came, as it ^ives one an idea of how things are 

 done in other places than America. There is a good 

 sized park near the centre of the city, in which 

 American trees and plants are well represented. 



The Exposition grounds, although not near so 

 large as at New Orleans, are in much better con- 

 dition. It is a long time since I had the opportu- 

 nity to see Roses and Geraniums in such condition 

 at this time of the year ; and Carnations look al- 

 most as good as they did when I was a boy. 

 I find some very pretty effects in carpet-bed- 

 ding, but no better nor as good as some 1 have 

 seen at Fairmount Park, and other pubhc and 

 private places in the United States. I believe an 

 attempt has been made of late to cry down this 

 class of work ; but I do not see why a man with a 

 taste for it should not be allowed to indulge in it. ! 

 It is not every man can make a success of it by any 

 means. | 



There are two collections of Conifers in the 

 grounds, of which Auracarias and Japanese C)'- 

 press — Retinospora — in varieties, form the major 

 portion. Acer Negundo — sometimes called Box- 

 elder — is used very freely here in a dwarf state. I 

 marvel when 1 see Geraniums, Gladiolus, Migno- 

 nette, Lobelia, Stocks, French Marigold, and sev- 

 eral other things look so fresh and healthy, when 

 mine were all done a month before I left New Or- 

 leans ; but so they ought ! 1 have not seen a ther- 

 mometer above 60'^ since I have been here, and 

 when 1 hear folks complaining of the heat it makes 

 me turn away for politeness, and smile. 



Rhododendrons and Azaleas must have been a 

 sight here earlier. I do not see what in the world 

 they grow so many Laurus nobilis in tubs for, all 

 shaved into a sugar-loaf shape, 7 and 8 feet high, 

 with 2 and 3 feet of bare stem above the tub. If 

 any one sees any beauty in them, I should like to 

 know where it comes in. The inside Horticultural 

 Department appears to have been divided off from 

 one of the series of buildings occupied by the Ex- 

 position proper, by a partition and green baize 

 cloth. The roof is partially glass, shaded with 

 curtains, and from which the public are rigorously 

 excluded. But to-day the jury pass their verdict 

 on the different exhibits, and I see by the papers 

 that the Horticultural Department will be open to 

 the public to-morrow, when we shall see what we 

 shall see. 



I made several unsuccessful attempts to get in 

 to-day. I think it must have been my lack of flu- 

 ency in the Flemish language "as yet," or want of 

 the insignia of a juror. At all events I talked 

 American English to that fellow at the door, at 

 one time for three-quarters of an hour at a stretch, 

 and when I paused for breath he only turned his 

 back on me and closed the door the tighter. I 

 pitied that poor benighted creature, I did ! 



Antwerp, Belgium. 



THE CACTUSES AT NEW ORLEANS. 

 We have the following letter on this subject : 

 "In your July number I find under 'Editorial 

 Notes,' a quotation from a letter wri<ten you, in 

 regard to the rare Astrophytum myriostigma. As 

 I had an exhibit of cacti at the New Orleans Ex- 

 position, and having had a lady come to me and 

 inquire for the identical one you mention, wanting 

 with it another rare cactus, offering for both 75 

 cents — I had but one of the two, and would not 

 take 75 cents for the one — I suggested to her to 

 take two other varieties to the value of 75 cents, 

 telling her at the same time what she was getting. 



