ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY S JUNE EXHIBITION. 
KOYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S JUNE EXHIBITION. 
Kl CCUSTOMED to, aud intimately connected with, the metropolitan exhibitions, as -we have been 
S3\ for a number of years past, ■we can safely assert, that the exposition in the Inner Cii-cle, Kegent's 
Park, on the 12th instant, was the finest June show we ever beheld; infinitely superior to Chiswick, 
both in extent and arrangement, and attended by a companj' many thousands above the Chiswick 
gathering. Indeed, the fact is fast gaining notoriety, that it is no longer necessary to journey beyond 
Hammersmith, in order to see a fine exhibition — the monopoly of gay flowers and luscious fruits is 
broken down, and those who cannot spare the time, or who do not approve of a five miles' dusty 
ride, are content to bide their time, and see the flowers nearer home. Added to this, the American 
plants are a som'ce of considerable attraction, and a sight such as the combined exertions of the great 
growers of Bagshot could alone produce. The tasteful arrangement of the groups, and the multitu- 
dinous assemblage of gay flowers, must be seen to be appreciated, indeed, the tent was 
" One boimclless blush, one bright impurplcd 
Shower of endless blossoms." 
Some of the higher colom-ed Khododendrons were past their best, and the early Azaleas were also 
fading, but many of the Rhododendi-ons and Kalmias have yet to bloom, so that the plants will be 
gay for a week or two to come. The principal contributors were the two Waterers, from whose 
vast collections at Bagshot and Knap Hill, some admirable plants were sent. Messrs. Standish and 
Noble had also a choice collection, rich in novelties from the Celestial Empii-e ; among which, a dried 
specimen of the Fuuebral Cypress, fi-om the Vale of Tombs, was not the least attractive, and it will 
doubtless prove, apart from its associations, one of the most interesting of modern introductions. 
Interspei-sed through the groups were some fine examples of Coniferous plants, as Cedrus, Pinus, 
Abies, Cryptomeria, Cupressus, &c. &c. ; but we would take the liberty of suggesting, that, another 
season, the appearance of the groups would be much improved, if a few flowering specimens of 
Laburnum, Judas tree. Scarlet Thorn, and Scarlet Horse Chestnut could be introduced. The colom- 
of the Labm-num is much wanted for contrast, and the Scarlet Horse Chesnut would also be desirable, 
on the same account. It is also worth consideration, whether, as the exhibition has attained a perma- 
nent character, the supports for the tents might not be permanent also, and these, if covered with the 
finer kinds of climbing plants, as Roses, Wistarias, Aristolochias, &c., would have a fine efiect, and 
do much to destroy the artificial character of the scene; indeed, we see no just reason why all the 
tents might not be similarly suppoi-ted, with climbing plants covering the main supports. 
Apart from the American plants, the next leading featm-e of attraction was the Victoria Water 
Lily, Victoria regia, sent fi-om the garden of the Duke of Northumberland at Sj'on. Two leaves, each 
more than five feet in diameter, were produced, and one flower. One of the leaves was floating in a 
tank of water ; but the other was reversed, to show the singular construction of the imder portion of 
the leaf. With the flower were three wax models, sho^ving the flower in three difierent stages of 
development, and, though colom-ed rather too highly, they conveyed a very good idea of this magni- 
flcent flower. From the same garden, Mr. Ivison produced a collection of tropical fruits or spices, 
among which we noticed the Pear of the Gods, Diospyros sapota, the Star Apple, Chrysophyllum 
Cainito, the Gamboge, Xanthochymus pictorius, the Loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, and though last, not 
least, the VaniUa, Vanilla planifolia, impregnating the air with its grateful and delicious fragrance. 
Friut formed a part of the exhibition ; but, with a few exceptions, it did not do much to sustain 
the character of British fruit growers. Huge Melons were produced, some of them almost tasteless ; 
and some large, ugly Pines were also there ; the whole of the White Grapes were unripe, and many of 
what should have been Black Grapes had much of the Hamhro rouge character about them. However, 
a few worthy exceptions were present, among which the Black Hamburghs, fi-om Apley Park, 
produced by Mr. Barnes, though injured by travelling, were the best ; these were, indeed, first-rate 
Grapes. Mr. Stent, gardener to A. Herbert, Esq., Clapham, had some fine aud well-coloured Black 
Hamburghs; as had also Mr. Jackson, gai-dener to H. Beaufoy, Esq.; Mr. Cuthbert, Mr. Chapman, 
and Mr. Henderson. Pines were not remarkable; large Providences came fi-om Mr. Chapman, 
gardener to J. B. Gleg, Esq. ; and a small but very handsome Queen from Mr. Jones, gardener to 
Sir John Guest, Bart. Of Peaches, some very fine Noblesse were sent by Mr. Patterson, gardener to 
the Bai-oness A^'enman ; and good fruit was also sent by Mr. Chapman and ]\Ir. Tm-nbull, gardener to 
the Duke of Marlborough. Nectarines came from Mr. Chapman, ^Ir. Foggo, gardener to the Marquis 
of Abercorn, and Jlr. TUlery, of Welbeck ; and Mr. Foggo had, as usual, a fine dish of Figs. Of 
Melons, the best was an hybrid Persian from Mr. Robertson, gardener to Lady E. Foley. Mr. Rob 
son, gardener to the Marquis of Cornwallis, sent Robson's hybrid Cantaloup ; and Mr. Moni-o, gardener 
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