PLORICULTURE OF THE MONTH. 
475 
paratively humble means indulge in their 
gardens, and at social meetings show their 
flowers. In Bethnal Green, while we are 
writing, several of these Societies, which are 
independent of everybody, and the funds of 
which are subscribed by the members, are 
exhibiting dahlias, and we were at one where 
no less than seventeen prizes had to be 
awarded to seventeen stands of twelve. At 
the Dahlia Exhibition of the Surrey Gardens, 
seedlings were miserable. From Salisbury 
we had two flowers that will sell better than 
anything else there, because a great abun- 
dance of blooms were produced by the grower, 
although many were shown in threes only ; 
we allude to 3IagniJicent, which, besides 
being a good flower, is a perfectly novel 
colour, that, we presume, will be called 
amethyst ; and Sir Frederick Bathurst, a 
bold, deep purple, of fine model, and great 
capacity. The Premier, a fine purple, with 
a capital centre, and altogether a good style 
of flower, was also shown in abundance, and 
will take high rank among the many novelties. 
A light flower, named Sylph, was pretty and 
promising, though quite in the style of some 
of our present light flowers. Of the fancy 
flowers, by far^the best, because, besides being 
good, it was new, was Elizabeth ; there were 
in all four blooms shown, and the eyes deficient 
in the whole four ; but so slightly, and the 
construction of the flower rather favourable 
than the reverse, that if we could buy only 
one fancy flower, it should be that. A useful 
scarlet flower, number 44, but without a 
name, was noted down by almost everybody, 
and this number 44 was all we were per- 
mitted to know about it. The folly of with- 
holding the names leads to great inconveni- 
ence ; some of the scarlet flowers that were 
good for nothing will come out with high 
characters, and will be mistaken for the one 
we have mentioned. Snowjlahe, a white 
of some pretensions, took the prize for the 
best two blooms of a white dahlia against 
two flowers of Antago7iist. A fancy flower 
named Lady Grenville, was also noticed a 
good deal, and will be purchased for its con- 
stancy ; it is a good deal ribbed, and not the 
brightest colour in the world ; but when 
people find themselves at a loss for a flower, 
among a vast number of plants, it makes 
them cling fast to a variety that is always 
ready. There were other seedlings, but we 
do not feel confident enough to say much 
with only three blooms to look at, when 
perhaps the grower has had a score plants to 
cut these from. We do not know whether 
any or what flowei's had certificates, nor did 
any of the growers care to wait the result. 
Of the flowers of last year, the Queen of the 
East, Beauty of Hastings, Purple Standard, 
Fearless, Mr. Seldon, Keepsake, Rainbow, 
Miss Stephens, Miss Blackmore, Grenadier, 
Mrs. Bacon and Queen Dowager, were all 
shown more or less, and in excellent order, 
considering the unfavourable season. Two 
or three promising seedlings looked well for 
trial next year. Of all the verbenas exhibited 
in the Gardens, — and there were many, — the 
following were shown best ; Cyclops, Psyche, 
St. Margaret's, Optimus, Louis Napoleon, 
Diana, Beauty of Stowe, Heloise and Duchess 
of Northumberland. New ones, Desdemona, 
salmon colour with red eye ; and Clio, a 
curious pink ; chiefly remarkable for their 
colours. Hollyhocks were exhibited fine, 
although, in all cases nearly, only the tops of 
spikes, showing they were nearly out. Those 
who desire to grow this now noble plant 
will, perhaps, be glad to know a few of the 
best ; Defiance, Formosa, Rosea Grandiflora, 
Fireball, William Tell, Acme, Mount Etna, 
Bicolor, Mulberry Superb, Snowball, Mag- 
num Bonum, Pallida, Blue Beard, Attraction, 
Black Prince, Rubra, Elegans, Delicata, Mr. 
C. Barron, Enchantress, Sulphurea Perfecta, 
Queen, Surprise, Comet, Rosea Alba, Model 
of Perfection, Aurantia, Coccineum and Ob- 
scura. They comprise the best of a vast 
number shown, and deserve a place in every 
garden that has room for them. We hear 
from many quarters of an advance in carna- 
tions and picotees, as well as pinks ; several 
raisers have been very fortunate, so the 
growers may prepare themselves for some 
novelties next summer. The seedling fuchsias 
at the Surrey show were shocking bad, as 
if every one had gone back instead of for- 
ward. Lord Nelson, which came out last 
year, in spring, proves, even when well 
grown, the very worst that has come out 
for years, the coarsest and dullest, and most 
ragged formed variety that has been turned 
out for some time, yet turned out with a first- 
class certificate from the London Floricul- 
tural Society. Not one of the seedlings shown 
at the Gardens was worth the slightest notice, 
the very best of a score or more being two 
light ones, like many we have already, but 
inferior to those we have. A collection of 
variegated plants was interesting, and in our 
way along the tent to floral subjects, we 
could hardly help noticing two superb sticks 
of Cole's celery, and a dish of fine black grapes 
from Chapman of Vauxhall. The weather was 
unpropitious, and threw cold water upon the 
concern. The plants were fine. The Salis- 
bury show was, so far as dahlias were con- 
cerned, very limited ; but very rich in fruit 
and plants. A few good seedlings were, how- 
ever, exhibited. The Northampton show 
was a good one, but the spirit of the Metro- 
politan Society is only just beginning to 
