THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 
29 
mens of Aucuba foeinina viridis, A. f. longifolia, Peruettya muoronata, P. angusti- 
folia, Skimmia oblata and S. japonica. Mr. George also contributed a capital 
collection of cut llowers. • A very considerable number of stands of twenty-four 
Cbrysantbemums was staged, and the blooms were, on the whole, of good qualitj'. 
Mr. Forsyth, of the Brunswick Nursery, Stoke Newington, and 120, Mount Street, 
Grosvenor Square, W., also exhibited several splendid stands of blooms, but not 
for exhibition. From the same exhibitor came chrysanthemums, Hero of Stoke 
Newington, light pink, finely incurved ; and Mrs. P’orsyth, a pure white seedling 
variety raised from Christine, which is so well known for its value for specimen 
culture. The flowers are large and full, and the plant is said to possess the fine 
habit of the parent variety. Two groups of Roman hyacinths were exhibited, and 
the prizes were awarded to Mr. Farrow, gardener to G. Bates, Esq., Bridgewater 
Hill House, Enfield, and Mr. Rowe, in the order in which the names are here 
placed. 
The Shakespearian- Indestructible Plant Labels, manufactured by 
Messrs.^Bell and Thorpe, are, we learn, in great demand. These labels are made of 
a grey metal, which keeps its colour well, as we can testify by twelve months’ 
observation. That they are, in the most sober sense of the term, indestructible, 
and remarkable alike for neatness and cheapness, will for the present, perhaps, 
be considered sufficient to recommend them to the favourable consideration of our 
readers. 
The New Horticultural Society of Lyons comprises amongst its members 
many of the most eminent horticulturists of France and not a few of the leading 
citizens of Lyons. The following constitute the administration: — President, M. 
Ernest Faivre ; Vice-Presidents, MM. F. Gaillard and Leon de St.- Jean ; Treasurer, 
M. Leonard Lille ; Council, MM. Bergeron, Simon, Metral, Croza, Comte, Rochet, 
F. Lacharme, Joly, Jacquier (pepinieriste), L. Sisley, Jacquier (marehand-granier), 
and Accaryj General Secretary, M. Jean Sisley ; Assistant Secretary, M. Etienne 
Rohner. 
The Testimonial to Mr. Frost, which was presented at a dinner at Slough 
on the 12th of December, made a formal and elegant termination to his fifty years 
of service at Dropmore. The promoters of this testimonial to the grand old 
gardener” carried out their object in a spirited and generous manner, inviting 
horticulturists to subscribe without respect of party ; and at every point excluding 
from the movement every possible cause of contention or jealousy. The election of 
Dr. Hogg as president was as discreet as any other of their proceedings, and the 
pleasant manner in which the affair concluded, around the festive board of the 
Dolphin Hotel, Slough, gave the most desirable proof that everyone had done his 
duty. The testimonial consisted of a beautiful gilt cup, and a purse of two hundred 
pounds. 
Gifts of Succulent Plants. — The following circular has been issued by Mr, 
Peaeock, of Sudbury House, Hammersmith, London, W., who has probably one of 
the finest collections of succulent plants in existence ; — ■“ 20,000 surplus cacti, 
agaves, and succulent plants, duplicates of which have been exhibited and taken 
prizes at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South Kensington ; Botanical Gardens, 
Regent’s Park ; Birmingham Prize Show, Crystal Palace, etc. Ladies and gentle- 
men interested in bazaars, fancy fairs, or other charitable and benevolent institutions, 
can be supplied gratis with a case containing 50 plants in neat pots, correctly and 
botanically named, to be sold for the benefit of the said object, and proceeds 
handed over as a gift from the undersigned. They will be delivered free to any 
part of London, or any railway station in the metropolis.” 
The Rainfall of Last Year. — Some idea of the recent rainfall is given in 
the return of the Registrar-General, The rain measured during Oetober and 
November was 7'3 inches, or two inches above the average fall in fifty-six years. 
Rain fell on forty-six out of the sixty-one days in those two months. 
The Banyan Tree. — Forbes, in his “ Oriental Memoirs,” says that a Banyan 
tree, named Cubbeer Burr, was nearly 2000 feet in circumference, measured round 
its principal stems, but that the ground covered by its overhanging branches was 
considerably more extensive. The large trunks numbered 350, and the smaller 
ones exceeded 3000. This tree at one time was considerably larger, a fearful storm, 
accompanied by a flood on the Nerbudda, having carried away a greater part of it, 
January. 
