XC PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



second with a collection that was nearly equal to the first in merit, 

 all the plants being in the most vigorous health and as fresh as 

 could be desired. Thamnopteris australasica was of enormous size, 

 some of the fronds exceeding 6 feet in length and nearly a foot in 

 breadth. Dicksonia antarctica was in fine condition, and Davallia 

 bullata was also very fresh and well grown. Mr. Child was third, his 

 collection including a handsome Todea auperba and Microlepia 

 hirta cristata, both good specimens growing most vigorously. In 

 the corresponding nurserymen's class Mr. B. S. Williams was the 

 only exhibitor, and was adjudged the premier prize for handsome 

 examples of Adiantum gracillimum, Gleichenia flabellata, G. Men- 

 delli, and Dicksonia antarctica. 



Groups of Plants. — The groups, as is usual, contributed very 

 largely to the brilliant appearance of the Exhibition. They 

 occupied various positions in the large marquee, and a portion of one 

 side in the long tent. In the open class for a group of plants to 

 occupy a space of 300 square feet, Mr. B. S. Williams was awarded 

 the premier prize for a handsome collection of Orchids and 

 miscellaneous plants that were arranged on one of the mounds in the 

 large tent. Fine clumps of Epidendrum vitellinum were especially 

 noticeable ; Masdevallias were numerous, with fine specimens of 

 Anthurium Schertzerianum and many other beautiful plants from 

 the Hollo way nurseries. The arrangement was very tasteful, and 

 the group was greatly admired by the visitors. This was the only 

 collection in the open class for plants in flower, the majority of the 

 groups shown being either in the class for miscellaneous plants or 

 that for fine-foliaged plants alone. % 



The open class for groups of miscellaneous plants was remarkably 

 well filled, no less than seven collections being staged, all possess- 

 ing more than ordinary merit. The premier award was adjudged 

 to Mr. A. Blake, Britannia Road, Fulham, for a novel arrangement 

 of Ferns, somewhat in the style of a miniature fernery. The 

 Judges evidently experienced a difficulty in deciding upon this 

 award, and many visitors were of the opinion that the exhibit re- 

 ferred to was not of such a character as entitled it to rank as a 

 group in the ordinary acceptation of the term, and that its merit 

 would have been more justly recognised by an extra prize, the 



