188 THE FLORAL AITORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 



plants, flowers, ornamental gardening, and insects that come within the category of 

 the enemies of horticulture. 



The Handt Book, of Bees. By A. Pettiqbew (Blackwood & Sons). — Here is 

 a second edition of the best bee boolc extant, and it is purged of certain strange 

 notions on matters physiological that we thought objectionable in the first edition, 

 although they did not interfere with Mr. Pettigrew's serious task of simplifying 

 apiarian practice, and making it thoroughly profitable. Those who wish to enjoy 

 bee-keeping and also make it pay should quickly secure this neat little volume, 

 which is as entertaining as it is useful. 



HOETICULTURAL AFP AIRS. 



JIOYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S SECOND EXHIBITION OF SPRING 

 FLOWERS, on April 28, was attended with an unusual degree of suc- 

 cess, for the weather was most delightful, and the display of spring 

 tlowers one of the best ever seen in the metropolis for many years past. 

 The azaleas were fresh and well-flowered, the rcses in pots superb, the 

 rhododendrons solid with bloom, and the early-flowering stove and greenhouse 

 plants of a higher order of excellence than is usual at exhibitions held so early in 

 the season. The prii^es offered by the Metropolitan Floral Society for auriculas 

 were competed for on this occasion, and a fair display of these singularly beautiful 

 flowers was the result. Mr. C. Turner, of the Royal Nurseries, Slough, was awarded 

 the principal prizes for roses in pots ; Messrs. H. Lane and Son, Great Berkhamp- 

 stead, received the first prize in the class for rhododendrons ; Mr. Ward, of Leyton, 

 was the principal exhibitor of stove and greenhouse plants ; and chief amongst the 

 exhibitors of auriculas and other florists' flowers, was Mr. James, of Isleworth. New 

 plants from the nurseries of Mr. B. S. Williams, Mr. W. Bull, and Messrs. J. Veitch 

 and Sons, formed a most attractive feature. 



The Royal Horticultural Society's Exhibition of Azaleas and Pot 

 Roses, on May 12, was an exhibition of these flowers in name only, for they were 

 practically unrepresented. There was one group of roses, and two or three lots of 

 azaleas, but they were of the most inferior character, and not deserving of a moment's 

 consideration. The only redeeming feature of the exhibition was that formed by the 

 collections of specimen hardy herbaceous plants from Messrs. W. RoUisson and Sons, 

 Tooting, Mr. R. Parker, Tooting, and Mr. R. Dean, Ealing. The collection of 

 eighteen, for which Messrs. Rollisson received the first prize, consisted of immense 

 specimens superbly flowered, and remarkable for their freshness. In the collection 

 were examples of Gentiana acaulis, G. verna. Phlox setacea, P. Nelsoni, Iberis corri- 

 folia, I. Garraxiaua, Trillium grandiflorum, Primula cortusoides amcena, P. cortu- 

 soides lilacina, Dielytra spectabilis, and Iris Iberica. Mr. R. Parker, who was 

 second, had, amongst others, excellent specimens of Scilla nutans, S. nutans rosea, 

 Trillium grandiflorum, Phlox setacea violacea, a fine dark variety ; P. frondosa, P. 

 divaricata, a distinct species attaining a height of about nine inches, and producing 

 a profusion of pale blue flowers, and Anemone nemorosa alba plena. Mr. R. Dean 

 was third, with a collection including large and well-flowered specimens of Aubrietia 

 Eyrei, a remarkably fine species, stronger in growth than other aubrietias in general 

 cultivation, and with large flowers of a rich purple colour, aud Lithospermum pros- 

 tratum. Hardy herbaceous plants have been shown in remarkably good condition 

 at several exhibitions held this year, and the specimens staged have afforded ample 

 proofs of their adaptability to the requirements of those who have only a pit or 

 frame for the cultivation of plants in pots. 



Messrs. Jackman and Son's Exhibition of Clematis, held in the gardens 

 of the Royal Botanic Society, from May 1st to 2ith, was so well carried out, that it 

 may be fairly considered an event of considerable importance. Hitherto the capa- 

 bilities of the clematis for exhibition purposes have not been developed to the extent 

 they should be, mainly owing to but few cultivators knowing that they form most 

 magnificent specimens and produce their beautiful flowers so freely as to present a 

 wonderfully attractive appearance. This exhibition was therefore of importance, 

 as it demonstrated the fine effect they are capable of producing in the exhibition 



