OF THE METROPOLIS. 155 



each exhibition, commencing with that of the first show for this year 

 of the 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



Chisivick, May 24. 



This exhibition, regarded as a whole, was exceedingly fine, and 

 indeed, we believe, the best the society ever had. Some idea of its 

 extent may be formed from the fact that, in addition to the usual 

 several commodious tents, a new one of 100 feet long, and containing 

 about 300 feet of tables, was added, and yet it was found necessary to 

 construct additional staging for a large number of plants. The 

 general excellence of the specimens in all the collections was very 

 remarkable ; in Orchidaceae especially, the display was magnificent, 

 and the collections of stove and greenhouse plants were likewise very 

 superior : the most prominent features in all these we shall particu- 

 larize as we proceed. The new species of plants shown were but 

 few, and in seedling florist-flowers the best was Mr. Beck's Pelargo- 

 niums, and the Calceolarias of Messrs. Kinghorn and Gaines ; in the 

 latter was two or three deserving of particular mention, although no 

 prizes were awarded to them, viz., Rosina (Kinghorn), Hope (King- 

 horn), and Gaines's Conspicua and Flora. In Mr, Hoyles's Pelar- 

 goniums the one we most fancied was called Chimborazo, a large 

 good shaped flower, of some substance, and much smoother than his 

 others. 



The visitors to the meeting numbered 3622, all of whom appeared 

 highly delighted with the splendid display they witnessed, and as the 

 day was fine, would have returned home gratified with the agreeable- 

 ness of the whole, were it not that by about half-past four o'clock 

 some heavy clouds arose, and presently discharged torrents of rain upon 

 the scene ; consequently, all those unprovided with large umbrellas, 

 amongst which unfortunate number we happened to be, had no 

 chance of escaping from the tent they were under but with a com- 

 plete soaking. We hope arrangements will be made to prevent such 

 a disagreeable termination to future meetings, by constructing a 

 covered passage from one of the garden entrances to the tents, as 

 well as to connect them with each other. 



The regulations of the society enable all persons, whether fellows 

 of the society or not, to send subjects for exhibition ; but the society 



