AUGUST. 



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tent Avas devoted to new and rare plants. Foremost was a large collection of new Japan 

 plants, from Messrs. Veitch & Son, in ornamental pots, imported direct from Yeddo ; and 

 from the same firm came a splendid Lilium sp. auratum, from Japan, very odoriferous, 

 having a large white flower, with pale golden hands, and small dark spots; it is dwarf in 

 hahit, and attracted a large amount of attention. Also Lapageria alba, closely resembling 

 rosea in habit, with flowers of the same size; and Lycnoches fp. Skinneri, with a huge 

 raceme of greenish-yellow flowers. R. Warner, Esq., of Broomficld, had Epidondrum species ; 

 and a Dendrobium species from Moulmein came from Messrs. Low & Co., Clapton. A dwarf 

 plant, with strange-looking scarlet flowers, from tbe gardens of the Eing of Hanover, named 

 Anthurium Scberzerianum, was shown by Mr. "Wendland. C. Leach, Esq., of Clapham, bad 

 specimens of Lisa grandiflora in flower. Mr. W. Bull bad some pretty seedling single 

 Petunias; and Messrs. Low and Co. some promising double varieties. Messrs. Downie, 

 Laird, & Laing, Edinburgh, had seedling Verbena Lord Craven, a very large bright purple 

 shaded with crimson, a fine exhibition variety. From Mr. Yv r . Thompson, Ipswich, came two 

 beautiful varieties of Rhodantbe maeulata, a wild variety of Manglcsi, from Champion Bay, 

 West Australia, colour deep pink, and having a dark ring round a yellow eye ; and R, atro- 

 sanguinea from the same place, a small-flowered variety, deep rosy pink with dark centre. 



Of Fruit there was a very nice sbow indeed. There were fine Pine Apples from Messrs. 

 Tillyard, Allen, Bwye, and Ruffet. Miscellaneous collections of fruit from the former and 

 from Sir. A. Henderson, who also had a fine collection of Grapes, but inferior to one from Mr. 

 Standish, of Bagshot. There were grand examples of Grapes, both Black and AVhite ; the 

 most successful exhibitors of tbe former being Messrs. A. Henderson and W. Hill ; and of the 

 latter, Messrs. Beck, Standish, and \1 ould. Peaches were very fine. Mr. Eawbone had grand 

 fruit of Royal George, Violette Hative, and Grosse Mignonne ; and Mr. Snow a fine dish of 

 Violette Hative. Mr. Rutland had splendid Blruge Nectarines, and Mr. Horwood fine fruit 

 of Downton; while superb Strawberries in four kinds were shown by Messrs. Turner, Lydiard , 

 and Eaile. Mr. Turner had Frogmore Late Pine, Sir C. Napier, Empress Eugenie, and 

 Oscar, and also a collection of 36 varieties. Then there were Melons, and Figs, and Cherries, 

 and some admirable Vines in pots. Mr. Standish had eleven splendid fruit of Dr. Living- 

 stone Cucumber, grown in a stove-house heated by peat sods, and planted in soil of a similar 

 character at Ascot Heath, where he is forming a new nursery. From Mr. Ingram, the 

 Royal Gardens, Frogmpre, came two seedling Strawberries, Cockscomb, a large dark fruit, 

 and J. Powell, both being well spoken of. 



Crystal Palace Rose Show, July btli. — Not less successful than its predecessor was this 

 annual Rose-gathering at Sydenham. The leading Eose-growers were present, they had 

 excellent flowers, a large company was present, and the weather at Sydenham all that could 

 be desired. Tbe Show was held in that part of the nave reaching from the centre transept to 

 the tropical department. Early in the day nought was visible but double rows of uncouth- 

 looking boxes ranged on the staging place, with anxious exhibitors peering underneath the 

 lids, ascertaining their strength, and calculating the chances of the contest. It was amusing 

 to watch the apparent unwillingness of each to make the first display of his treasures, and 

 when the time arrived for clearing the huilding for the Judges, scarcely a tithe of the 

 staging "had been accomplished. But now Mr. Houghton was seen at the head of a force of 

 police, entreating exhibitors to decamp, and in a short time two magnificent parallel divisions 

 of Roses were ranged ready for review. Mr. Mitchell's stand of 96 vars. was the first 

 expo-ed to view, soon followed by those of Mr. W. Paul, Messrs. Paul & Son, and Mr. Cant. 

 The flowers of the former were young and fresh, and were staged with that great regard for 

 neatness that seems to distinguish the stand of Mr. Mitchell from those of his rivals. As yet, 

 this exhibitor seemed " going in to win," but the aspect of Mr. Cant's stand, by this time 

 exposed to view, looked too formidable for his Sussex colleague. There were both a breadth 

 and depth about the flowers, that made them manifestly superior in point of size, while their 

 freshness and admirable colouring helped to constitute them the leading stand. Here, with 

 the exception of one class for 34 varieties, one truss of each variety only was exhibited, and 

 it did seem to strike one that it is best to exhibit them thus, rather than in bunches of three 

 trusses. In the latter case, the individuality of the one variety seems lost in the co-partner- 

 ship of competition, the one touches the other and the effect of both is thereby spoilt. With 

 48 varieties, Mr. Cant was again first ; and Mr. Turner of Slough, second. But with 24 

 varieties, the positions were changed, Mr. Turner being first, and Mr. Cant second. And 

 now Essex succumbs to Herts, for with 20 varieties Mr. E. P. Francis is first, and Mr. Cant 

 second. _ The next class is for 34 varieties, three trusses of each, and here Mr. Francis dis- 

 putes his position against all comers, and maintains it successfully, though but just beating 

 a fine stand from Mr. Eeynes, of Salisbury, who, with all his prestige, has been unfortunate 

 as an exhibitor this season. Mr. Eeynes said his Roses had not done well, at the same time 

 he had individual flowers in his stand that were veiy fine. During the process of staging, 



