124 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
HORTICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 
ARCH EXHIBITIONS OF SPRING FLOWERS. — During the past 
I montli several exhibitions of spring flow rs were held, and as all were 
more or less successful, the fact that a greater interest is taken in spring 
1 flowers than was the case a few years since was demonstrated in the 
most forcible manner. The two first were held in the Gardens of the 
Royal Horticultural Society at South Kensington. At the first of these, held 
^ principal features were the Cyclamens and Orchids. The principal 
exhibitors of the former were H. Little, Esq., Cambridge Park, Twickenham, and 
Mr. James Redlees, Isleworth. Both exhibitors staged most splendid specimens in 
the second class, and in the class for an unlimited collection Mr. Little produced 
the grandest display ever seen of these beautiful flowers, by staging upwards of two 
hundred large and beautifully-flowered specimens. At the second meeting, March 
19 and 20, the principal feature was the display of Hyacinths contributed by the 
leading trade and private growers. The collections comprised a few of the newer 
kinds, but they were principally made up with well-known kinds, of which Baron 
Yon Tuyll and Cliarles Dickens may be mentioned as examples. Amongst the 
mi;cellaneou3 contributions were excellent examples of Astilbe japonica, Lily of 
the ^ alley, and other decorative plants. The exhibition on the 26th ult., in the 
Gardens of the Ro3’al Botanic Society, Regent’s Park, was eminently attractive, 
and Hyacinths, Narcissus, and spring flowers generally were well represented. 
Ihe exhibition of spring flowers at Bow, which was made up entirely from the 
gardens of amateurs, was exceedingly beautiful, and of considerable extent. The 
display of Hyacintlis and spring flowers generally, in St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, 
was, as usual, very fine and well-attended. Messrs. Dowmie, Laird, and Laing’s 
exhibition of spring flowers at the Crystal Palace, from the 22nd ult. to the 31st 
ult., was thoroughly' good in every way, and much admired bv the thousands of 
visitors who saw it. 
The Vine Dise.4se. — M. Duclaux, who was charged by the Paris Academy to 
examine into the new vine disease, which has lately been so destructive to vine- 
yards, points out that the more or less rainy character of the winter, and especially 
of October and November, is an important element in the case. Light rains have 
merely the effect of sending the Phylloxera down from the superficial to the deeper 
roots, and thus its ravages are even increased. It is only when the water accumu- 
lates in mssses, and with pressure, as in inundations, that the insects are killed by 
it. The several floods of the last few months are consequently regarded as having 
been beneficial. 
The Production of Varieties by Budding. — In a recent issue of the Revtte 
Sorticole occurs a statement of M. Dubreuil’s, respecting the production of varieties 
by budding. M. Dubrenil mentions having seen certain roses, such as General 
Jacqueminot, Geant des Batailles, and others, with some of their flowers spotted 
with pale rose spots. The variegation was constant and transmissible by budding. 
The supposed cause of this peculiarity is attributed to the fact that the grower, 
being obliged to use shield buds in which there were no apparent eyes ! obtained, 
nevertheless, a shoot, all the flowers of which were variegated. The exact words 
are, ‘ ecussons depourvus d’yeux apparents.” He repeated the experiment with the 
same result, and continues to do so at will. The experiment is easy ; and we hope 
those who are sceptical will try it at the right time, for M. Dubreuil is not the 
man to publish a statement like this without some foundation. 
Fruiterers’ Company. — The annual banquet of this company was recently held 
at the London Tavern, Mr. R. Broadwater (master) presiding. The City Press, in 
Its report of the proceedings, says : “ This company, according to ancient custom, 
have the honour annually to present specimens of fruit to the Right Hon. the Lord 
Mayor for the time being. The origin of this custom, it has been considered, is 
that the Lord Mayor’s meter was formerly entitled to receive a portion or sample 
from ev'ery load of fiuit coming into the City. The practice occasioned much con- 
troversy between the collector of such samples and the persons bringing m the 
fruit, until the company arranged that a present should be made to the Lord 
Mayor annually. In return, the Lord Mayor invites the court and officers of the 
company to a banquet at the Mansion House. At this dinner, according to ancient 
