354 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ May 27, 1869. 



several of them. Her Majesty also doing the same. After the 

 formal introduction the Emperor himself acted as guide, and 

 conducted the party through the summer house of the Empress 

 Catherine I., explaining everything of interest as he passed 

 along, and having addressed the party, he retired amid the 

 cheers of those present. 



Returning to the Palace a splendid luncheon was discovered 

 to which all were invited, after which, and a visit to the forcing 

 gardens, home farm, and dairy, the party were conveyed to the 

 railway station, highly gratified with their reception by the 

 Emperor and their visit to Tzarskoe Celoe. 



In concluding our observations on the general subject of 

 this memorable rriinioji, we congratulate the Horticultural 

 Society of St. Petersburg on their marvellous success in a 

 climate where Plums, Apricots, and Peaches must be grown in- 

 doors, and Laurels and Aucubas require protection during 

 winter; and we also tender to them our sincere and hearty 

 acknowledgements of the sumptuous hospitality and unwearied 

 attention with which wo were received. 



The British botani'^ts were represented by Dr. Hooker, of 

 Kew. Dr. Hogg and Mr. Andrew Murray were delegates from 

 the Royal HorlicuUural Society ; and British horticulturists 

 were represented by Dr. Moore, of Dublin, Mr. Harry J. Vtitch, 

 Mr. Robert Warner, Mr. Gower, from Mr. R. S. ^YilIiamB, and 

 Mr. Stenger, from Messrs. Carter & Co. We take this oppor- 

 tunity of paying a wcil-mented compliment to ]\ir. Gower, 

 who packed and conveyed the rich collection of Orchids ex- 

 hibited by Mr. Warner and Messrs. Veitch, a distance of nearly 

 two thousand miles by rail and sea without the least casualty, 

 and set them up in condition which would have been creditable 

 if tliey had come but from Chelmsford to Keupington, 



We shall now proceed to a detailed account of the Exhi- 

 bition. 



Tho Ksliibition may be divided into three parts. We will begin 

 with tbo belt of plants which extends round the sides of the buildiug, 

 ihen proceed with those arranged in the centre, and lastly, those 

 ■staged in the annexes to the main building. 



Entering and turning to the right the first plants are a large semi- 

 circle i>f forced Roses in pots, which form a very handsome and 

 creditalilo group. The varieties are not particularly new, bnt com- 

 -prise many of those esteemed the best by English Rose-growers, and 

 which are to be seen in most of onr gardens of any pretensions. The 

 style, however, is superior to that in which forced Hoses in England 

 are usually turned out. The specimens are not such as we usually 

 associate with that term, and which are seldom seen bnt at our exhi- 

 bitions, but are plants ^I'owu and suitable for either conservatory or 

 table decoration, in ordinary S-inch pots ; they are from about 1*2 to 

 24 inches high, bearing from six to twelve flowers each, and the foliage 

 well developed. 



Next in succession is a large group of Falma arranged for effect, 

 and which, we beUeve, is from the Botanic Gardens at St. Petersburg ; 

 they comprise amont^ others, fine specimens of Ceroxylon ondioola, 

 Phtenix dactylifera, Brahea dulcis, Rhapis flabelliformis, Areca alba, 

 Sabal Palmetto, Caryota urens, Chamsrops hystrix, and Cocos Ro- 

 mansoiilaua. The last is an elegant species, and particularly useful 

 in its young state as a decorative plant. Some fine Araliacem are 

 next noticeable, varying from '2 to 10 or more feet in height. Amongst 

 the most remarkable are good plants of AraUa mexicana, pulchra, 

 platanifolia, guatemaleusis, Sieholdii. and its variegated variety, and 

 Oreopanax furfuracenm and denticulatum. Some remarkable Palms 

 and other plants are next encountered, and one vei-y fine plant of 

 Banksia serrata, the sight of which causes a regret to arise that nearly 

 all the species of this genus are now lost to our gardens, for although the 

 order to which they belong is remarkable for ugly gouty-looking plants, 

 yet Banksia and a few other genera are decidedly highly decorative. 



The sncceeding group is very gay with flowering plants, Bueh as 

 large Acacias, Cytisus, Camellias of vaiious colours, Khododendrons, 

 and Azaleas, amon(:;st which are interspersed several variegated Acers 

 and Viburnums, which have a pretty effect, but the less said concern- 

 ing the style of growth the better. 



Large specimens of P.alms, Aralias, Dracaenas, Pandanus, Phor- 

 miums, and Yuccas next form a bacLground to a good group of Cine- 

 rarias, which are both of fair quality and well grown. An immense 

 vase which here stands near the edge of the walk displays to advantage 

 the beauties of Phceuix sylvestris, which is planted in it. 



The next group is one of Conifers in pots and tubs, which do not, 

 however, present auythinii remarkable to an English eye, because we 

 have them so much finer in the open air. A fine specimen, some 20 feet 

 high, of Libocedrns chiliensis must not be passed over in silence, nor 

 a nice plant of the rare Phyllocladus rhomboidalis, and Thujopsis 

 dolabrata. 



The class for European and terrestrial Orchids met with only one 

 response, and this was a very pretty group, comprising, amongst others, 

 Cypripedinm macracthnm. with its large pnrple flowers ; C. Calceolns. 

 with bright yellow lip and C. parviflorum ; Orchis tephrosanthos and 

 ^ancasiea, with sever others, and a pretty example of Ophrya arach- 



nites, and most of the species found in our own island, which clearly 

 proves the Russians can grow these plants iu pots, and even force 

 them ; for, as the ice has broken up only some three weeks, they could 

 not have grown them in the open air. 



The next display is a set of variegated herbaceous plants, pnch as 

 Fuukias, Spiraas. Farfugium, Sedums, Polemoninms, Saxitragas, 

 Tussilago, Convallarias, itc. ; but in no instance could we observe any- 

 thing different from what could be seen at home a few years ago, before 

 these plants went out of fashion, and which will be a great loss to our 

 gardens if entirely discarded, but we believe a reaction is taking place, 

 and that hardy herbaceous plants will be in great demand again ere 

 long. 



A bold mass of rockwork follows this, formed of medium-sized blocks 

 of tufa, upon which are arranged a very creditable collection of Coni- 

 fers. The plants need not be enumerated, as there were no new varie- 

 ties amongst them ; bnt they would have presented a far better appear- 

 ance had the rockwork been built up round their tubs. 



Passing a clump of Rhododendrons, very well flowered, some fine 

 examples next present themselves of Dracrena australis, umbraculifera, 

 cauiiiifolia, and marginata, iu front of which is a collection of tree 

 Carnations, both well grown and flowered. As the names, however, 

 are written in Russian, they must remain in oblivion to the English 

 reader of these remarks. Some were very rich dark-coloured selfs, 

 others light, and a few very beautiful flaked varieties. 



Next comes, perhaps, the most heterogeneous group in the whole 

 Show, but still a good general effect is produced. It consists of large 

 Laurustiuns, Azaleas, Hydrangeas. Oranges, Phrynium sanguiueum 

 (the flowers of which have a pretty appearance when backed-up with dark 

 green leaves), Billbergias. Dianthus, Synngas, Palms, Fuchsias, and 

 scarlet Pelargoniums, more Conifers, and then follows a glorious mass 

 of foliage, consisting of fine specimens of Areca rubra, Astrocarj-um 

 mexicauum, Chamierops gracilis, Thrinax elei;ans, Martinezia caryoti- 

 folia, several pretty species of Geonoma, Sabal Blackbumiaua and 

 Adansoni, the beautif al Latauia .Tenkinsii, Arcuga saccharifera, several 

 Cycads, a few small Musas, and a superb specimen of Ceroxylon 

 audicola. These plants are well arranged, and present a magnificent 

 appearance. Another monster vase hero displays to great advantage 

 a fine plant of Chamirrops P'ortuuei. Many may think such plants 

 are not suited for vases, but if the vase is both large and high enough, 

 the effect produced is grand. 



The pathway now gently rises until we come npon the raised terrace 

 extending across the end of the building, and which is supported by a 

 bank of rockwork ; this is badly built, being almost perpenJicular, as 

 before mentioned, and not at all resembling a natural formation. 

 Nature is presented as being most beautiful here, for a vast -num- 

 ber of genera and species are plunged in and about the blocks of tufa 

 with a very pleasing effect. They consist principally of large masses 

 of Pborminm tenax, Rhopalas, Aralias, Rhododendrons, Alocasias, 

 Draca-nas, Walltlowers, and many other plants. Over this rockwork 

 a fall of water is precipitated, which supplies the stream winding 

 down the centre of the building. Here, just before stepping on to the 

 terrace, is a collection of variegated Hollies in pots, which causes the 

 mind to return to the fact that we are not in the favoured climate of 

 England, and that where the winters are so rigorous that the gardener 

 must find house-room for such plants, he must labour under immense 

 disadvantages. From this place a beautiful view of the Exhibition is 

 obtained. Large clumps of ornamental-foUaged plants and of flowers 

 are arranged along the middle of this vast building, with a stream of 

 water traversing tho centre, and from which several fountains throw 

 up jets of water with a very pleasing and refreshing effect. 



Turning from the ctntral pavilion, we find a border running along 

 the whole terrace, and filled with a well-arranged (though not w«ll 

 grown in many instances) group of plants, comprising standard Roses, 

 Narcissus, Dianthus. Azaleas, Kalmias, Cinerarias, Tulips, Francisceas, 

 Pelargoniums, Acacias, Rhododendrons, and Lilacs, and edged alter- 

 nately with plants of variegated Funkia and Auriculas. Descending the 

 steps at the opposite end to that by which we reached the terrace, we 

 are surrounded by many fine ornamental plants, the most remarkable 

 of which are Australian Tree Ferns, Rhopala corcovadensis, and others, 

 Brexia chrysophylla, Grevillea robusta, Cycas circinalis, itc. At the 

 bottom of the flight of steps stand a beautiful match pair of standard 

 Bay trees, with stems upwards of G feet high, the heads measuring more 

 through. The surrounding foliage is here enlivened with a semicircular 

 bed of Cinerarias, being nice dwarf well-grown plants, and the colours 

 beautifully blended. They are backed by Palms, Pandanus, and Yuccas, 

 and edged with Adiautnm cnueatum and some variegated Begonias. 

 A group of Hydrangeas, both green and variegated, in flower, althongb 

 the trusses are small, is rendered very attractive by an edging of erect- 

 flowering Gloxinias. 



Passing several groups which, although they contain some fine orna- 

 mental plants, need no mention here, as we have before enumerated 

 the same kinds, and leaving the scarlet Pelargoniums until managed 

 better, the next worth notice was a large bed of Pansiea in pots. Now, 

 these varieties, though perhaps worthless as florists' flowers, are yet of 

 great value when forced as these were for early spring decoration, and 

 they were admirable, and worthy of our imitation. 



The finest Conifers in the Show now follow. They have been grown 

 in the open ground in the neighbourhood of Hamburg, and transported 

 here in baskets, and will no doubt make many of the Russian gentle- 

 men and gardeners regret it is not possible to have such specimens iu 



