THE METROPOLITAN MAT EXHIBITIONS. 
THE METROPOLITAN MAY EXHIBITIONS. 
tN this, the greatest of all exhibition years, it was natural to suppose that those who have done so 
much to sustain the reputation of the eountiy as an exhibition one, would do all that they could to 
sustain their well, but hard-earned, reputation. Partly, however, to the cold, cloudy, and unfavour- 
able state of the weather, and partly to the very early period at which the exhibitions were held, the 
plants were not so fully bloomed, neither were they so highly coloured as they would have been under 
a more sunny sky, and consequently favourable circumstances. This remark applies more especially to 
the Heaths and New Holland plants, many of which, to colour them perfectly, require full air, and 
bright sun-light. 
The absence of bad gardening was very remarkable, as scarcely a bad plant could be seen ; but still, 
as the truth must be spoken, we must assert, that evidence of decided and manifest improvement was 
also wanting. The Azaleas were, as they always are in May, a glorious sight, and one would almost 
imagine cultivation could go no further, for certainly some of Mrs. Lawrence's plants were most extra- 
ordinary specimens, and in such rude health that persons with only ordinary accommodation would 
begin to think seriously of the great space required for their accommodation, and we should wish they 
had the " Crystal Palace" to admit of their full development, for knowing these plants from the time 
they left the nursery, we consider them, notwithstanding their Brogdignagian proportions, as still in 
their infancy, and consequently hope that they may have sufficient room to admit of their arriving, 
unrestricted, at a mature old age. Mr. Green's plants, though admirably bloomed, were in point of cul- 
tivation very inferior to Mrs. Lawrence's plants ; they were too smooth, too artificial, and wanted the 
rude health and easy grace of the first-named specimens. At the Regent's Park the Messrs. Fraser 
also showed some good plants, as did also Mr. Roser, and Mr. Cole. 
Next in point of improvement must be enumerated the Roses, which are certainly improving vastly 
in cultivation, and becoming, and deservedly, universal favourites. At Chiswick, Mr. Francis had the 
best bloomed plants ; but the specimens produced by Messrs. Paul and Lane were larger, though not 
sufficiently in bloom. The reputation of the amateur growers was well sustained by Mr. Terry, Mr. 
Roser, and A. Rowland, Esq. ; and perhaps the gem of the Rose Exhibition was a specimen Baronne 
Prevost, from Mr. Terry, which had flowers much larger than the best we ever saw in the open 
garden. The leading, and most remarkable kinds, were Coupe d'Hebe, Paul Perras, Chenedole, Armosa, 
Madame de St. Joseph, Lamarque, Viscomtesse de Cases, William Jesse, Niphetos, Comte de Paris, 
Aubernon, Duchess of Sutherland, Geant des Batailles, Fulgorie, Mrs. Bosanquet, Marquise Bocella, 
Augustine Mouchelet, Goubalt, and Baronne Prevost. At the Regent's Park, Mr. Francis had a small 
box, containing worked plants of Geant des Batailles, small plants under one foot in height, with a 
magnificent flower upon each. For many purposes of drawing-room embellishment, these small 
plants, being grown in small pots, were perfect. 
The bank of Orchids, as seen at Chiswick, was a magnificent sight ; but at the Park the stage is too 
low for them, and consequently they were not so effective. It is impossible to conceive anything so 
splendid as these collections, viewed en masse, with their many coloured, singular, fragrant, curious, 
and, in many cases, gorgeous flowers intermixed ; but examined separately, we incline to the belief 
that though they are bloomed better, the specimens are not so large as those exhibited several years 
back. It is true there were many noble specimens of cultural skill ; but they formed the exception, and 
not the rule, as compared with collections of other plants. We therefore consider it necessary that 
some special inducement should be held out to encourage specimen growing, and we doubt not the 
object would soon be attained. Among the most remarkable plants may be enumerated, Cattleya 
Skinneri, Vanda suavis, Dendrohium Devonianum in lovely condition, Saccolabium guttatum, 
Lycaste cruenta, Aerides suavissimum, Epidendrum inversum, Dendrobium ehrysanthum, Burlingtonia 
fragrans, Chysis braetescens, Phalasnopsis amabilis, Ansellia africana, Dendrobhun Wallichiamvm, and 
Farmerii, Epidendruni bicornutum. Messrs. Veitch, of Exeter, had some noble plants ; among them, 
Cypripedium caudatum in fine condition, and better coloured than we have previously seen it ; Den- 
drobium Devonianum, and Pierardi hanging gracefully from baskets, and a fine D. nohile. Messrs. 
Rollisson sent Acineta Humboldti and Barkeri, Lycaste Deppei and cruenta, Dendrobium Paxtoni, and 
several other plants. 
Among miscellaneous plants and collections a great quantity of things were produced, and, as a 
matter of course, the gardeners of Mrs. Lawrence and Mr. Colyer were the principal competitors. 
Both had fine collections, but at Chiswick Mr. Coles' plants were the best, though not so placed by the 
censors. It would be impossible to conceive anything finer than his Hoya imperialis, Aphelexis 
spectabilis grandiflora, Ixora erocata, a mass of blooms, Clerodendron splendens finely bloomed, 
