THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
IRIS KCEMPFERI. 
The fine new forms of this perfectly distinct race of 
Iris, recently shown by Messrs. Barr and Sugden, are 
not only of great size but varied and striking in 
colour. The flowers are flat, and many of them as 
large as a Clematis. 
This fine Iris requires some care to cultivate it 
successfully. It is said to succeed best in a sunny 
situation, and planted in sandy peat. When esta¬ 
blished, they bloom profusely. Some who have grown 
it in ordinary garden soil, and even in pure sand, have 
produced flowers of great excellence. Whatever may 
be the nature of the soil in which the roots are 
planted, moisture and a warm situation appear to be 
indispensable to success. There are now a goodly 
number of varieties, and importations of the root 
reveal much diversity of character, and great beauty 
of floral expression. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
Horticulture. By F. W. Burbidge. 
London: Edward Stanford. 
This volume forms one of a series of works on British 
industries, of which a considerable number have 
already been issued. Mr. Burbidge’s work sets forth 
in a comprehensive manner the commercial aspects of 
horticulture, and in the book he has collected statistics 
of a most valuable character. All these have been 
compiled with great care, and with most commend¬ 
able accuracy, and the various chapters which treat on 
such subjects as Fruit Culture, Vegetable Culture, 
Covent Garden Market, Plant Propagation, etc., have 
an interest for all classes of readers. The book is also 
well illustrated, and of an extremely readable character. 
Those not well versed in the industrial and commer¬ 
cial aspects of horticulture will find much in its pages 
to interest and instruct, while there are to be found 
among its contents much information of a valuable 
practical character. 
AUTUMN BLOOMING ROSES. 
The Exhibition at the Alexandra Palace on the 13th 
of September brought together such large and fine 
collections of cut roses as to give emphasis to the 
position advanced by those who are advocating 
autumn, as well as summer exhibition of roses. At 
the exhibitions held during the last week in August 
and the two first weeks in September, remarkably 
fine cut roses have been shown by various cultivators, 
but more especially by growers round Oxford. This 
remark applies alike to the Tea and Noisette Roses, as 
well as to the Hybrid Perpetuals. The growers, 
round Oxford grow mainly on the Seedling Briar, and 
it is rumoured that this stock is becoming so 
recognised as the best for late roses, that Messrs. 
Paul and Son, Cheshunt, and other larger growers 
are using the Seedling Briar somewhat extensively 
this season. 
Now that a National Rose Society has been formed, 
and is being well supported by rose-growers gener¬ 
ally, there is no reason why an autumn exhibition of 
roses should not be attempted. We are of opinion 
that it would not only be a thoroughly good one, but 
also an occasion of imparting much valuable informa¬ 
tion if turned to practical account. Why not hold in 
connection with a large autumn exhibition of roses 
a congress or conference of cultivators at which 
the matter of stocks should be discussed ? There 
are some of the rose-cultivators, both amateur 
and professional, who could convey information that 
would be acceptable to rose-cultivators generally. As 
it is proposed to publish a rose journal in connec¬ 
tion with the National Rose Society, the proceedings 
of such a conference might be recorded therein. All 
societies established for special purposes in relation to 
Horticulture become the repositories of special infor¬ 
mation, which should be disseminated for the edifica¬ 
tion of all interested in it. 
THE INTERNATIONAL POTATO EXHIBI¬ 
TION. 
This interesting gathering—the third since its esta¬ 
blishment in 1875—will take place at the Royal Aqua¬ 
rium, Westminster, on October 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The 
above exhibition promises to be still larger than 
either of those which have preceded it ; and as collec¬ 
tions are coming from France, Germany, and the 
United States of America, the international character 
of the show will be assured. These exhibitions are 
doin°’ valuable service in the direction of bringing 
many excellent new potatoes into notice. There is 
much room for improvement, especially in the direc¬ 
tion of early potatoes that shall combine high-class 
quality with earliness and good cooking qualities. 
The show always well repays a visit. 
