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JOURNAL OF HORTICDIiTURB AND OGirAGE GARDENEB. 



afforded excellent lessons in grouping. The first class in the 

 nurserymen's section of the schedule was for a group of miscel- 

 laneous plants in or out of flower. Many Rplendid groups were 

 arranged , the largest perhaps, and composed of the largest plants, 

 being frem Mr. B. S. Williams. It occupied fully 100 square yards 

 of space. At the back were large Talms, and in front of them 

 specimen flowering and fine-foliaged plaDts, the whole being 

 fringed with smaller plants including some tine Orchids, especi- 

 ally Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cattleyas, and Cypripediums. 

 There were a few Pitcher-plants, also excellent Heaths, richly 

 coloured Pelargoniums (Capt. Eaikee) and many more HoUoway 

 treasures — a most imposing collection, and admirably arranged. 

 Messrs. Veitch's collection occupied less space, but not a less 

 number of plants. The group was almost indescribably rich, 

 and one over which hours might have been spent, and every 

 moment have found something fresh to admire. In the centre 

 of the group was a stately Tree Fern, at the front of which was 

 a fine new Alocasia Thibautiaua; at the front of this again was 

 the finest plant of Nepenthes sanguinea that has ever been 

 exhibited. Another grand Nepenthes was N. viUosa (lanata). 

 N. Hookeriana, N. Chelsoni, and N. hybrida maculata were also 

 admirably exhibited. The group also included brilliant Crotons, 

 Orchids, choice Ferns, and a wonderful collection of insectivorous 

 plants. A group of the latter elevated on a pedestal deservedly 

 absorbed great attention, as also did an elevation of tiny Orchids 

 at the opposite corner. A fine pan of Utricularia montana was 

 charmingly conspicuous, and not less so was a specimen of 

 Odontoglossum naavium with nearly thirty spikes. The Mas- 

 devallias had also a very rich effect. It was an extremely valu- 

 able and arti.sticaUy arranged group, quite worthy of the repute 

 of the exhibitors. 



Mr. Wills's striking group above mentioned was exhibited in 

 this class. The collection of Messrs. Bollisson contained Palms, 

 Ferns, Dractenas, brightened with Lilium Szovitziannm, Tucca 

 filifera variegats. Orchids, Phloxes, double Pyrethrums, and 

 Nertera depressa. A good collection. 



On the next mound Meesrs. F. & A. Smith, Park Eoad,Dulwioh, 

 exhibited a lively group of flowering plants. Ferns, itc, which 

 showed to great advantage near the fine first-prize collection of 

 hardy Ferns from Mr. Stone, gardener to J. Walton, Esq., 

 Acton : — Onoclea sensibilis, Athyrium Filix-foemina Fieldingi, 

 A. F.-f. plumoBum, and Davallia bullata were very fine ; Mr. 

 Ley also exhibited well in the same class. Divided from those 

 by Mr. Turner's splendid Hollies was the capital collection of 

 hardy Ferns and flowers from Mr. Parker, which included col- 

 lections of cut blooms of PtBOuiea and double Pyrethrums. We 

 next came to an extensive and capital group of fine-foliaged 

 plants from Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn, London, 

 the effect of which was considerably enhanced by a marginal 

 line of the charming low-growing hardy annual, lonopsidium 

 acaule. Some baskets of Coleus Duke of Edinburgh, surrounded 

 with Nertera depressa and edged with lonopsidium, were admired 

 in this group. 



Following the walk, the back of the next central mound con- 

 tained Ericas, stove and greenhouse plants, and Orchids. For 

 Ericas Messrs. Jackson & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames, were 

 awarded the first prize, a gold medal, for specimens which have 

 been previously described. A gold medal was also awarded to 

 the same exhibitors for a very fine group of flowering plants 

 and Ferns. This collection contained a capital example of 

 Platyoerium grande, several Orchids, Aphelexes, &o., also strik- 

 ing specimens of Saxifraga ncpalensis, the white dense pyra- 

 mids of which were highly effective. 



In the amateur Orchid classes the first prize was awarded to 

 F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Avenue Road, Eegeat's Park; and the 

 second to Mr. Perry, gardener to J. W. Miles, Esq., Shirehamp- 

 ton, Bristol, for well-bloomed specimens of medium size. Messrs. 

 W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, exhibited a bright and healthy 

 collection of medium-sized plants. Hedera canariensis aurea in 

 this group was very effective. The other plants consisted of 

 Heaths, Aphelexes, and other hardwooded plants and Palms. 



Messrs. John Laiug li' Co., Forest Hill, arranged an extensive 

 and varied collection of ornamental-foliagtd plants, such as Pan- 

 danuses. Ferns, Caladiums, Dracicnas, Yuccas, and well-coloured 

 plants of Bicolor Pelargoniums. Of these Exquisite, The Czar, 

 J. J. Weir, Mrs. H. Weir, Earl of Rosslyn, and Mr. Horniman 

 are an excellent half-dozen. 



A very extensive and v.aluable group of new and ornamental 

 plants were exhibited by Mr. Bull. 'The centre of the mound 

 was occupied with remarkable Cycads and a few Palms, note- 

 worthy amongst which were a fine plant of Kentia Moorei, and 

 the only plant in Europe of Pritchardia grandis. In fine con- 

 trast with the above was the richly-marbled Dracasua Goldieana, 

 Bomaria Carderi, several Crotons and Aralias, Regal Pelar- 

 goniums, &c. Marant-i Massaugeana was excellently shown, as 

 also was Bertolonia Van Houttei; but a plant which absorbed 

 much attention was the curious adhesive plant Marcgrnavia 

 paradoxa, which was selfallixed more closely on a deal board 

 than could have been doue by any manipulation ; the leaves are 

 dark green, cordate, about i inches broad and 5 inches long. 



A splendid group of twelve fine-foliage plants were arranged 

 by T. M. Shuttleworth, Esq., to which the first prize was deser- 

 vedly awarded. Dasylirion gracilis in this group was in perfect 

 condition aud was greatly admired; Gleichenia semivestita was 

 about 7 feet in diameter, and Croton undulalum was nearly as 

 large and in excellent colour, while C. angustifolium was still 

 larger. Dion edule was very attractive, and Cycas revoluta and 

 Pandanuses were very large. 



Mr. Wills exhibited an extensive collection of the Anerley 

 Dracaenas in admirable health and rich colour. D.Voluta ap- 

 peared to be better than ever, as also did D. Marginata, 

 D. Willsii, D. Bausei, and D. Alexandra; ; while Mrs. Bause 

 and Mrs. Wills arrested the attention of many visitors. Messrs. 

 Hooper >t Co., Covent Garden, arranged a choice collection o£ 

 small Palms. 



In the class for " Pelargoniums of any or all classes," Mr. 

 James, gardener to W. F. Watson, Esq., Eedlees, was easily 

 first with a very good display of well-grown show and fancy 

 varieties ; Mr. Lacy, gardener to C. S. Martineau, Epq., Wig- 

 more Park, Dorking, having the second prize. At the same side 

 of the marquee were collections of fine-foliaged plants from 

 Messrs. G. Lee & Son, Hammersmith, and one still more ex- 

 tensive from Messrs. Osborn & Sons, Fulham, to which a silver 

 medal was awarded. Messrs. Standish & Co., Ascot, exhibited 

 Filmy Ferns ; Taxus fastigiata aurea, very bright ; and a group 

 of well-flowered plants of the white Carnation Miss JoUiSe. For 

 a group of Palms and Cycads the first prize was awarded to Mr. 

 Wills for very good specimens. 



We now come to the last, but not the least in effectiveness, of 

 the collections in the large marquee — namely, the classes for 

 decorative plants as grown for Covent Garden. ^Ir. Herbst, 

 Kew Nursery, Richmond, was awarded a first prize for an 

 admirable collection of Palms, the plants being perfectly clean 

 and in the best of health. Some young plants of Cocoa Wed- 

 delliana were extremely fresh and bright. A firat prize was also 

 deservedly awarded to Mr. J. Reeve, Acton, for a most effectively 

 arranged group of admirably grown plants. The front row was 

 composed of a rich blue Lobelia, the second of Mignonette, the 

 third of Rhodanthe Manglesi, Kalosanthes coccinea, double 

 Petunias, and yellow Calceolarias; the fourth of Adiantum 

 cuneatum, beyond which was a mixture of Balsams, Fuchsias, 

 Pelargoniums, Hydrangeas, Liliums, &c., all in the best of con- 

 dition — a most attractive group. The second prize was awarded 

 to Mr. Savage, Hyde Nursery, Edmonton. The plants were 

 arranged in rows from the walk up the bank; first a row of show 

 Pelargoniums, then one of Calceolarias, nest Heliotropes, fol- 

 lowed with Hydrangeas, and again with Calceolarias and dark 

 Geraniums. The bank was edged with blue Lobelia, and was 

 very bright. 



We next came to a collection arranged by Messrs. Pounce and 

 Sons, 18, Wesibourne Grove, but to which we could not find any 

 card of honour attached. If this group was omitted by the 

 Judges we do not hesitate saying that a mistake was made. It 

 certainly met with a large share of approval from the visitors. 

 The front row was formed with Geraniums L'Elegaute, then 

 3 feet in width of the Cloud Grass, Agrostis pulchella, in which 

 the word '' Welcome " was distinctly brought out iu blue Lobelia; 

 beyond this were two rows of flowering plants, then more 

 grasses and more flowers until the top of the bank was reached. 

 It had cost much labour in arrangement, and was, as many 

 ladies observed, " really very pretty." Mr. Brown, florist. Hen- 

 don, exhibited groups of admirably grown plants of Pelargoniums 

 and Fuchsias. 



A very attractively arranged rustic basket was exhibited by 

 Mr. Hopper, gardener to C. O. Ledward, Esq., The Elms, 

 Acton. It was filled with Pandanuses, Caladiums, and Crotons 

 round a central Palm, and edged with Cisaus discolor and Pani- 

 cum variegatum. 



FBOIT AND -VEGETABLES. 



There was a very good display of fruit arranged along the side 

 of the long tent, aud all the collections shown were of excellent 

 quality. In Class 21, for collections of fruit (amateurs), there 

 were several exhibitors, the first prize falling to Mr. Miles, 

 gardener to Lord Carington of Wycombe Abbey, Bucks. There 

 were excellent Pines ; Foster's Seedling Grapes not quite ripe, 

 and Black Hambureha, very fine ; Black Circassian and Elton 

 Cherries ; Violntte Hative aud Elruge Nectarines ; Stirling Castle 

 and Violette Hative Peaches; Cox's Golden Gem aud Reid'a 

 Scarlet-flash Melons; andSir C. NapierStrawberries. These were 

 far in advance of the other collections. Second honours going 

 to Mr. W. Cox, The Gardens, Madresfield Court, Great Malvern. 

 He had first-rate Sir Charles Napier and British Queen Straw- 

 berries, good Queen Pines, Black and White Grapes, Peaches, 

 and Melons. 'I'he third award was given to Mr. Goodacre, gar- 

 dener to the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, for a col- 

 lection of similar fruits to the others. 



In Class 22, for single dishes of Grapes, Pines, Strawberries, 

 Peaches, Nectarines, and Melons, or collections of any of these 

 fruits, the first prize wont to Mr. Coleman, gardener to Earl 

 Somers, Eastnor Castle, for a fine Black Prince Piae, Victory of 



