82 



THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



of one of these magnificent shows. I felt something akin to reverence and awe when I 

 stepped into the tent cn "Wednesday, the 13th nit. There was a delightful freshness and 

 vigour about everything; and though subjects were here again that I had gazed on before, 

 yet they were in new attire, and admiration went out after what leaped up responsive to 

 its joyous welcome ; and then, to add to the enjoyment, the rain, long withheld and ardently 

 sought for, had fallen in copious and refreshing showers the day previous. Vegetation had 

 drunk in its invigorating properties, and, in its spring vestments, moved by the gentle 

 morning breezes, nodded its welcome to the fair children of Flora. 



" I felt a thrill of awe and love 

 To mark the different garb of each. 

 The brightest tint, the soberest hue 

 Together blent " 



It was a fitting audience to which there was that morning introduced "the adopted 

 daughter of England," round whom clusters the regard of English hearts, blended with their 

 most devout wishes for her lasting happiness. 



But to the details of the Exhibition. The greatest interest seemed to centre round 

 the groups of eight greenhouse Azaleas, furnished by Messrs. Veitch & Son, and C. Turner. 

 Up to the time of clearing the tent groups of censors were congregated before these, 

 canvassing their rival claims to first position. Men whose opinion demanded the greatest 

 respect were in favour of the Chelsea plants; they in their turn were succeeded by 

 another batch, who contended for the pre -eminence of the Slough contributor. In the first 

 was seen by their admirers an admirable symmetry of form; in the other was seen a 

 height and distinctness of colour that excited something like a fascination in the spectator. 

 And after the awards had been made, and the company were admitted to the tent, still 

 the debate went on, and ayes and noes seemed to be as hopelessly divided as they were 

 previous to the judgment. I shall look forward to the Crystal Palace Show with great 

 interest, hoping to see these two groups in competition once more. Messrs. Veitch's 

 plants were Juliana, Iveryana, Extrani, Magnificent, Eentoni, Exquisita, Bosea Superba, 

 and Barclayana. Mr. Turner had Stanleyana arborea superba, Admiration, Criterion, 

 Optima, Gem, Lateritia alba Supreme, and Empress Eugenie. Third, Messrs. J. & J. Fraser, 

 Lea Bridge Eoad, a group of fine plants. A contribution from Mr. Turner also occupied one 

 of the most commanding positions in the tent. They stood apart in real regal supremacy, as 

 if they were giving audience to the congregation of plants gathered before and about them. 

 Azaleas from amateurs were small, and in comparison with the splendid plants in the 

 Nurserymen's class, scarcely got any share of attention. Mr. J. Green, gardener to Sir E. 

 Antrobus, Lower Cheam, was first with eight varieties ; Mr. T. Page, gardener to W. Leaf, 

 Esq., Streatham, second; and Mr. Cross, gardener to Sir F. H. Goldsmid, M.P., Eegent's 



Park, third. ... 



A few groups of Cinerarias were staged, but there was wanting m them that quality that 

 is found in the Slough flowers, which unhappily were not produced on this occasion. Mr. 

 H. Lamb, gardener to Capt. Cahill, Southall, was first with Beynolds Hole, Masterpiece, Duke 

 of' Cambridge, Colonel Bain, Perfection, and Miss Eyles. Second, C. J. Perry, Esq., Castle 

 Bromwich, Birmingham, with Lord Elgin, Bellissima, Precentor, Goliath, Purple King, and 

 Great Western. 



Opposite to these in the centre of the tent were staged the Fancy Pelargoniums ; 

 and on the eastern side were the superb show Pelargoniums of Messrs. Turner, Bailey 

 and Fraser. In the Nurserymen's Class for twelve varieties, Mr. Turner was first Avith 

 Sunset, Lilacina, Fairest of the Fair (a splendid plant), Sir C. Campbell, Beadsman, Eose 

 Celestial, Empress Eugenie, Lesdeinona, Virginie, Picnic (a showy spotted kind), Candidate, 

 and Ariel. Second, Messrs. J. & J. Fraser, with Osiris, Beadsman, Peacock, Fairest of the 

 Fah, Governor- General, Leviathan, Mr. Marnock, Desdemona, Sir C. Campbell, Eose Celes- 

 tial, Pizarro, and Candidate. In the Amateurs' Class for ten varieties, Mr. T. Bailey, of 

 Shardeloes, was first with ten splendid plants, having Lord Canning, Etna, Monarch, 

 The Belle, Diadem, Eose Celestial, Mr. Marnock, Leviathan, Scarlet Floribunda, and Ariel. 

 Second, Mr. Weir, gardener to Mr. Hodgson, Hampstead, with Guido, Sanspariel, Fairest of 

 the Fail-, Amelia, Leviathan, The Belle, Eose Celestial, William Bull, Ariel, and Mazeppa, 

 With six Fancy Pelargoniums, Mr. Turner was first, having pretty plants of Clemanthe, 

 Acme, Queen of the Valley, Eoi des Fantaisies, Delicatum, and ArabeUa Goddard. A first 

 prize was also given to Messrs. J. & J. Fraser, who had charming plants of iNegro, Clara 

 Novello, Queen of the Valley, Celestial, Carminatum, and Modestum. No other competitor 

 appeared in this class. Some very nice plants were produced in the Amateurs' Class. The 

 first prize was gained by Mr. Bailey, of Shardeloes, who had Eosabella, Cloth of Silver, Lady 

 Craven, Lady of the Lake, Clara Novello, and Acme. Second, Mr. J. Weir, with plants of 

 Emily Whicher, Lady H. Campbell, Delicatum, Madame Sontag, Carminatum, and Negro. 

 Third, Mr. H. Lamb, gardener to Capt. Cahill, who, in addition to Cinerarias, is also growing 

 Geraniums in a most creditable manner ; and fourth, Mr. Peplar, gardener to Earl Granville, 



