266 Foreign Notices. 



of causes like this, improvement spreads like the circles formed in water 

 when disturbed by a blow. At first there is a little agitation exclusively at 

 the point of displacement, but, the tranquil fluid once set in motion, the rip- 

 ple spreads, and its circumference is quickly extended till it embraces the 

 whole breadth of the stream. 



Of this too ample proof was offered on Saturday. The prizes were no 

 longer confined to a few great exhibitors, with whose skill men have been 

 afraid to contend ; but a large number of very meritorious persons, previous- 

 ly unknown at these Shows, entered the lists with remarkable success. The 

 three finest single specimens of cultivation in the garden were a variegated 

 Chinese Azalea, from the garden of Mr. Archdale Palmer, a spotted Sac- 

 colabium from that of Mr. Blandy, and a sweet-scented Aerides from that 

 of Mr. Holford. Of the gardeners of these gentlemen, Mr. Falconer, in- 

 deed, is well known for his unvarying success ; but Messrs. Roe and Bas- 

 sett are new men. The excellence of their plants was such, that the judges 

 awarded to each of them the highest Medal at their disposal, although one 

 only was offered by the Society. Upon looking over the list of other prize- 

 men, we find seven more gardeners whose names are new to the Chiswick 

 shows ; and we have no doubt that each succeeding exhibition will produce 

 an addition to their numbers. To use the words of one of the best of our 

 London gardeners, " the quality of the productions brought by new men in- 

 timated, in significant language, that the old exhibitors must either march 

 along in double quick time, or fall out of the ranks altogether." 



The exhibition, regarded as a whole, has never been equalled in this 

 country, either in the abundance or beauty of the objects displayed upon the 

 tables. For a detailed account of the merits of the various collections, we 

 refer to the report in another column. Some idea of the extent of the ex- 

 hibition may be formed from the fact that although a new tent 100 feet 

 long, and containing about 300 feet of tables, was added to those used on 

 former occasions, yet it was found necessary to construct additional staging 

 for a large number of plants. This extraordinary assemblage was doubtless 

 produced, in some measure, by the railways and other steam communica- 

 tions. Messrs. Veitch and Son, for example, brought up per rail, in perfect 

 safety, from Exeter, a caravan filled with rare plants, and there was even a 

 successful contribution from Mr. Booth, of the Flotbeck Nursery, near 

 Hamburgh. 



Fine, however, as was the appearance of the plants on this, beyond all 

 former occasions, yet we quite agree with our reporter as to the art of cul- 

 tivation being still a long way from the perfection which may be hereafter 

 anticipated. We are glad to quote his opinion upon this subject as that of a 

 very skilful gardener, thoroughly acquainted with the possibilities of horti- 

 culture. " The art of high cultivation can only be regarded as being still 

 in its infancy, escaping from the trammels of bygone prejudices. The time 

 will yet come when instead of admiring specimens supported by a multitude 

 of sticks, we shall see them, as nature intends they should be, assuming 

 their own natural forms, and not, as is too generally the case, forced artifi- 

 cially into most inelegant positions. Neither is it likely that mere size will 



