572 Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies. 



exhibited such remarkably fine specimens this season. The height was 

 about 18 or 20 feet, its proportions were remarkably good, and altogether it 

 formed a striking and attractive point in the exhibition. 



Near the west end of the hall, in the centre, was Mrs. Hoffner's beauti- 

 ful Floral Cottage, which with its accessories formed a point of attraction 

 altogether irresistible. The cottage was about six feet square, and with 

 the two steps of ascent about 8 or 9 feet high. It was formed of lattice 

 and wire work, in which the following climbing vines were so skilfully 

 interwoven as to cover it entirely, without showing any redundance, viz : — 

 Lophosperma scandens, Maurandya, Barclayana pink and blue, Manettia 

 coccinea, Ipomea Learii and I. coccinea, and scarlet and white Cypress 

 vines. These were kept constantly flowering the whole of the exhibition, 

 being planted in cases on each side, made for the purpose, covered with 

 moss, and sustaining also several varieties of oxalis in blossom. At each 

 corner of the cottage was a marble statue (about three feet high,) each rep- 

 resenting one of the four seasons. Two lambs sculptured in marble, lay 

 one on each side of the steps leading into the cottage, and in the interior 

 were a chair and table ; on the latter w'as a globe of gold-fish, above which 

 hung a rare and curious orchid, the Stanhopea tigrina, with a spike of its 

 strange and beautiful blossoms hanging downwards, while its leaves were 

 o-rowing upwards out of a bulb of moss, which was made to furnish as near 

 a resemblance to its usual habitat on the branch of a high tree as possible. 

 The chair (and sometimes another) was occasionally occupied by a beauti- 

 ful child, who dispensed bouquets of flowers to such as made suitable appli- 

 cation for them. 



The smaller designs were in good taste, and produced a pleasing effect, — 

 Mr. McAvoy's moss vase and bouquet of flowers, however, must not be 

 classed among them ; for it was 8 or 9 feet high and 5 or 6 feet in circum- 

 ference. The bouquet which filled it was composed of fine flowers arranged 

 with great care and labor, and large enough for the Queen of the Giants. 



Mrs. McAvoy's Wreath which was thirty-six feet long, extending from 

 the centre to the wall, was also a work displaying great good taste and 

 much careful labor in its formation and arrangement. The premium, how- 

 ever, was adjudged to Mr. Sayer's wreath, extending from the same centre 

 to the opposite wall. They were so near alike that they appeared to be 

 but one. 



A wreath of evergreens extended along the centre of the hall, and the 

 two iron columns at the west end were wreathed with the same. 



The other designs will be mentioned in the awards : they exhibit great 

 good taste, and most of them being; works of ladies, give indication of an 

 interest on the part of the better half of humanity, in our horticultural 

 pursuits, which will ensure a continuation of successful efforts in the path 

 of improvement. 



The catalogue of plants at this exhibition, shows that much attention has 

 been given by our horticulturists to the collection and care of rare and curi- 

 ous exotics, and we have good reason to expect from them more aid in 

 developing the vegetable wealth, — the rare and valuable products of the 



