THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



IRIS KCEMPFERL 

 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 rouud Oxford. This 

 remark applies alike to the Tea and Noisette Roses, as 

 well as to the Hybrid Perpetuals. The grower's, 

 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 

 doing 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. 



