THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 189 



tent and in the conservatDry, and also afforded examples of the best style of train- 

 ing for the two classes of specimens. The exhibition was held in the corridor on 

 the north side of the gardens, and comprised several hundred specimens, and innu- 

 merahle plants of smaller size, which, as in the case of those of larger size, were 

 densely furnished with flowers. The varieties represented belonged cbitfly to the 

 Patens, Florida, and Lanuginosa types, which bloom naturally during the spring 

 and summer. Some of the autumn flowering varieties ot the Jackmanni type were 

 represented, but, of necessity, they were not so effective as those belonging to the 

 other types mentioned. 



The Whitsuk Exhibition in the gardens of the Manchester Botanical and 

 Horticultural Society at Old TrafFord has again proved a grand success, both finan- 

 cially and borticulturally. The numerous and exceedingly liberal prizes were 

 keenly contested by exhibitors fjom all parts of the United Kingdom, and one of 

 the largest and most complete exhibitions of the season was the result. The attend- 

 ance of visitors was, as usual, very large, especially on Whit-Monday, which is set 

 apart as a general holiday by the operatives in Manchester and the neighbouring 

 towns. 



Thb Gardeners' Roval Bexevolext Isstittjtiox. — The annual Report of 

 the Institution for 187i which has been recently issued to subscribers, is of a satis- 

 factory character. There are, it appears, seventy-two persons who are enjoying the 

 benefitsofthe Institution. The income for 1S74, including a balance of £387 9s. Id. 

 from the previous year's account, and the Bamett legacy of £1000, amounted to 

 i£3,134: lOs. 6d. Of this sum £720 6s. was derived from annual subscriptions, 

 £700 12s. 7d. from donations at the annual dinner, £55 3s. 6d. from advertise- 

 ments in the annual Report ; £264 143 9d. from dividends on stock, and £S 4s. 7d. 

 interest on the deposit account. The disbursements comprise £930 for pensions, 

 £361 15s. lOd. for management expenses, and £1,401 os. for purchase of .£1,500 

 Consols, leaving a balance to be carried forward of £441 9s. 8d, The total amount 

 of stock in the names of the trustees is £10,400 Three per Cent. Consols, 



CoLCHicUii OR AuirMX Meadow Saffiiox. — Some of the varieties have 

 beautifully chequered flowers, and most of them are so floriferous as to cover the 

 ground with a sheet of blossom, and as the leaves do not appear till Spring, at a 

 little distance the effect is peculiar, there being nothing but colour. The natural 

 position in the economy of the flower garden for the Colcliicum is the mixed flower 

 and shrubbery border, and the woodland walks, but its accommodating habits readily 

 admit of its utilization in flower beds, to prolong the decorative season. In beds of 

 dwarf plants, or where the Geraniums are not crowded together, the roots of the 

 Colchicum, lifted when at rest, may be planted, making with a common dibber holes 

 all over the fljwer bed, in each hole planting a Colchicum, and covering it with 

 soil. These roots will throw up large masses of Crocus-like blossoms just as the 

 summer flowers are dying off, and yield a most pleasing and distinct effect to the 

 summer decoration. Byzantium, with its rose-coloured flowers ; Variegalum, with 

 its beautifully chequered blossoms ; and Autumnale, with its rose-purple flowers ; 

 and the purple, the variegated, and the pure white doubles, each with their dis- 

 tinctive character, may be intermingled or arranged separately in distinct beds. 

 Barr ^ Sagden's Bulb Catalogue. 



Messes. Bovltox and Paui, the well-known horticultural builders, of the 

 Rose Lane Works, Norwich, have recently issued a new edition of their illustrated 

 catalogue of horticultural structures, heating apparatus, etc. It has been enlarged 

 considerably, and, from the number and excellency of the designs it contains, will 

 doubtless afford great assistance to those who contemplate the erection of plant or 

 fruit houses either of a plain or ornamental character. 



The Crtptogamic Society of Scotland. — It is proposed to have, under the 

 auspices of the Society, an exhibition of Fungi and Cryptogaraic plants every 

 year, the show to be held in various parts of Scotland in rotation. Arrangements 

 have been made for holding the show for this year at Perth, on the 1st of October. 



Alexandra Palace. — An International Fruit and Flower Show will be held at 

 the Alexandra Palace on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of September next. 



The Raising or Cixerakias from Seed haa been brought to a wonderful 

 state of perfection by Mr. James, the able head gardener at Kedlees, Isleworth, 

 who, by his labours, h iS shown that when the seed is saved from the first-class 

 varieties but few of tlie seedlings will produce flowers otlierwise than of good 



June, 



