London Horticultural Society and Gaj'den. 509 



and gracilis multiflora ; Quisqualis indica, Stenactis speciosa, Nierembergza 

 (^Petunia) phoenicea; ffinothera bifrons, macrocarpa, quadrivulnera, mis- 

 souriensis, densiflora, speciosa, and a new variety of odorata; Calochortns 

 splendens, albus, pulchellus, and luteus ; Escallonm rubra, -Lilium japoni- 

 cum, iSempervivum glutinosum, Passiflora kermesina, Dietes bicolor. 

 Flowers of georginas ; and of the following roses : — Gabrielle d'Estrees, 

 Duchesse de Montebello, Renoncule, Bougainville, Marie Louise, Mor- 

 daunt de Launay, Grande Henriette, Bizarre de la Chine, Roxalane fleur 

 rose tendre hybrid Bengale, Rouge admirable, Bluss moss, Agathe singu- 

 liere, Octavie Coerelle, Nubienne, Double red noisette, Chamney's red 

 cluster, Renoncule rouge, Negresse, Brown's superb, Muscosa m;ijor, 

 Parny, 7?6sa indica Pallavicin/, indica sanguinea, and perpetua Lindleyi ; 

 Drummond's thornless rose. 



The two Exhtbiiions alluded to (p. 383.), on the 25th of May and the 

 22d of June, were well attended, and appear to have given great satis- 

 faction; though, as it is impossible to please every body, we have received 

 the following communication on the subject of the first exhibition ; and we 

 publish it, because it may possibly afford some useful hints to the Society. 



The Exhibition of Floiuers at the Horticultural Gardens, on the 25th of 

 May, was any thing but satisfactory ; and was productive of disappointment 

 to all those who attended the gardens in the expectation of seeing a fine 

 collection of plants. That so many medals should have been bestowed is 

 extraordinary ; and is a proof rather of the liberality of the Society and 

 judges, than affording any information as to the merits of the different 

 exhibitors. That some of the plants were well bloomed, I am ready to 

 admit ; and, also, many of the persons deserved credit for their exertions 

 in raising the different seminal varieties : but, viewing the collection as a 

 whole, the display fell very short of what one might have anticipated. 

 There was, perhaps, something to commend, but there was little deserving 

 of reward ; and a much better show might be seen, at many of the nur- 

 series about town, almost in every week throughout the year. My object 

 in addressing you is not, however, to draw invidious comparisons, or to 

 throw a damp upon the exertions of individuals : on the contrary, I am 

 most anxious to forward the views of the Society, by promoting such ex- 

 hibitions ; feeling assured that, if they were under good management, and 

 were properly encouraged and supported, they would tend much to the 

 advancement of horticulture. 



The cause of the paucity of plants sent to the Garden I apprehend to 

 be, the short notice given to the public. Should the Society find that the 

 plan which they have adopted this year (I believe, for the first time) sue-, 

 ceeds, and gives satisfaction to the subscribers, would it not be much 

 better that notice should be given, in the autumn of each year, of the exhi- 

 bitions to take place in the year following, both in Regent Street and at 

 the Gardens ? Instead of- allowing an indiscriminate selection of flowers 

 at the option or discretion of the exhibitor, would it not be more judicious 

 to limit it to a certain number, and also to a particular genus or species ; 

 at any rate, for the principal prize ? Thus, the same description of plant 

 would not be shown oftener than once in three or four years, and encou- 

 ragement would be given to the cultivation of a greater variety of plants. 

 To make the. exhibitions more attractive, it would be desirable to offer a 

 medal for the six or twelve best stove or green-house plants alternately ; 

 and a prize might also be given (at any rate, at the spring shows) for a 

 certain number of the finest herbaceous or alpine plants, many of which 

 are susceptible of great improvement under proper cultivation. The same 

 arrangement should be observed with respect to fruits, as far as it will 

 apply. A gold medal might be offered for the principal pi'ize, and a silver 

 one for the stove or green-house plants ; but these medals should only be 



