OF THE METROPOLIS. 223 



ceived the first prize, and which also had the first prize at the 

 Horticultural Society's show in May last, was the most distinct in 

 character, and of very good shape. The Pelargonium prizes were 

 all obtained by Mr. Beck, of Isleworth, who certainly has been very 

 fortunate in raising so many really good varieties. Four prizes were 

 awarded to seedlings of 1844, and we should have liked the judges to 

 have been more liberal by adding two others, one to Othello and the 

 other to Desdemona, because they not only possess an excellent shape, 

 but are of colours much wanted. Othello is a distinct light purple, 

 with very dark maroon upper petals, very smooth, too, and regular. 

 Desdemona possesses very delicate blush-white lower petals, and 

 upper ones of a deep rich velvetty crimson-red colour, surrounded 

 with a white belt ; it has a little too much unevenness about it, but 

 the distinct and beautiful appearance of its character is sure to make 

 it a favourite, both for show and greenhouse. None of the Cinerarias 

 were considered by the judges as worthy of a prize ; their prevailing 

 fault was a looseness in shape, caused by the petals not growing close 

 enough together, which is one of the most requisite qualifications to 

 a good flower. Many of the Pansies had scarcely a redeeming 

 quality in them. The production of a flower, however, allows the 

 exhibitor free admission to the show ; and we dare say this may 

 occasionally explain the appearance of worthless varieties. 



Pelargoniums. 



Bloomed in 1 844. 



1st Prize, 11., Mr.E. Beck, Isleworth. — With Aurora, a very smooth and even 

 flower, of a bright clear crimson-red colour, with a large dark spot in the upper 

 petals; it is of good size, and will become an esteemed show flower. It was 

 exhibited last year at the South London July Show. 



2nd Prize, 15*., Mr. K. Beck, for Arabella, described in our last Number, 

 p. 173, it haviug been awarded a prize at the Horticultural Society's Show. 



Extra Prize, Mr. E. Beck, for Rosy Circle. This obtained the first prize at 

 the Horticultural Society's Show, and a description of it is also given in p. 173. 



Extra Prize, Mr. E. Beck, for Beilona, a good shaped flower, of a rosy-crimson 

 colour, with dark clouded upper petals. The texture is smooth, and the form ap- 

 peared to be well retained. 



In addition to the above, Mr. Beck showed Othello, Desdemona, and Sunset; 

 the latter possesses light rosy-red lower petals, and deep red upper ones, with a 

 good spot. It is a well-shaped flower. Mr. Blake exhibited a rose-coloured 

 flower, named Mrs. Hanbury. 



Bloomed in 1845. 



1st Prize, 1/., Mr. E. Beck, for Competitor, a very smooth and even flower, and 

 of superior shape ; the petals appear, too, of good substance; very bright pink 

 is the colour of the lower petals, and the upper ones are rich crimson maroon. 



Extra Prize, Mr. E. Beek, for Caliph, bright purplish-rose lower petals, with 

 nearly black upper ones, a clear and fine-shaped flower. 



