/ 
THE METROPOLITAN JUNE EXHIBITIONS. -J03 \ 
o. Mr. Colyer's collection of plants, Mr. Ruckcr's collection of Orchids, or Mr. Quilter's Heaths, and if 
you examine all the collections below them, they will be found to contain nearly the same kinds ; 
indeed, the smaller collections are mere repetitions of the larger ones, and we know so well the prin- 
cipal plants which each exhibitor will produce that we would undertake to write now a report of the 
Jul} - meetings, and not commit half-a-dozen mistakes. It is therefore indispensable that new blood be 
infused into the collections. The " Fancies " have added attractiveness to the Pelargonium tents. 
The Pitcher plants were new. Along with Orchids, Ferns and Mosses are always lovely, but more so 
when artistically arranged ; and we feel quite certain that arrangements of plants remarkable for the 
beauty of their foliage, if properly earned out, would be much appreciated, and would exercise con- 
siderable influence in elevating the taste of those brought in contact with them. Designs for Orchid 
stands arc represented at p. 19G-7 of our first volume, and others equally appropriate would soon be 
produced if there was a demand for them. "While on the subject of the fitness of things, we cannot 
but reiterate our remarks of last year relative to the Pot Poses ; for much as we may admire them in 
May, and poetical as a " Rose in June" may sound, wc must confess we cannot admire the formless, 
colourless, mop-like things produced in June. Pot Roses are admirable for May, but in Jane, when 
brought into competition with those flowers grown in the open ground, they lose much by the con- 
trast, and sink into comparative insignificance. "We therefore again repeat, give prizes sufficiently 
ri numerative to bring the Rose-growers out in their full strength in May, but do not put art against 
nature in June. Roses, to see them in perfection, must be visited early, when the dew is fresh upon 
them ; but taken in the day, more especially if it is a warm one, the petals become rcflexed, the colour 
Hies, and the flower, which was lovely with the dew-drop, becomes commonplace under the effects of a 
meridian sun. Hence the impossibility of producing Pot Roses in perfection later than May. 
Among plants the miscellaneous collections were remarkably rich, and it is quite certain that such a 
group as that produced by Mr. May, Mrs. Lawrence's gardener, was never before seen. Each plant 
was perfect, and some of them of remarkable and symmetrical proportions. The large plant of 
Pimelea spectabilis was in glorious condition, being a sheet of bloom, and a specimen of P. Hender- 
sonii was not less remarkable. Of Polygala acuminata a prodigious plant was produced, and exqui- 
sitely beautiful plants of Lcschcnaultia biloba major (Hunt's variety), formosa ; Chorozema Henehmanni; 
Dipladenia crassinoda — finely coloured; Ixora coccinca and javanica ; and several fine Heaths and 
Azaleas. Mr. Cole had some splendid plants, especially of Polygala cordilblia, Aphelexis, Heaths, 
Azalea Gladstancsii, Dipladenia splendens — with magnificent flowers, Allamandos, Stephanotises, and 
Ixoras. These plants were in splendid condition, and could only have been placed second where the 
Overwhelming strength of Mrs. Lawrence was brought against them. Messrs. Fraser produced a very 
promising group, giving evidence that they intend before long to again occupy their former position. 
In the smaller groups, those from Mr. Green, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Speed, and Mr. Croxford, were the most 
remarkable. Mr. Green's plants were, as they always are, bloomed to the day and magnificently 
coloured. Mr. Taylor produced a lovely plant of Stephanotis floribunda, which was a complete sheet 
of waxy flowers, and Mr. Speed had some admirable Clerodendrons. 
Of the Orchids, as viewed en masse, it would be impossible to speak too highly: for, whether 
judged for their gorgeous appearance or for their necessarily more artistic arrangement, there was a 
freshness and beauty about them which must always please. From Mr. Pucker's garden, Odonlo- 
glossum eitrosmum was again produced in remarkable beauty, and richer in colour than it was when we 
figured it last year. We also noticed Vanda suavis, C'amarotis purpurea, a grand plant: Phaltenopsifl 
grandiflora ; Anguloa uniflora, with scores of flowers j the rare Dendrobium Dalhousianum ; Sacco- 
labium ampullaccum, Odontoglossum iii\cum, and a great varietj of commoner things. Mr. Schroder 
produced Dendrobium Dovonianum, one of the most lovely of Orchids, Schomburgkia tibieina, Vanda 
ciistata, and a noble plant of Phatenopsis grandiflora. Other remarkable Orchids were Cj pripedium 
barbatum, Acineta llumboldtii, Odon oglossum hastilabium, Cattleya Aclandiso, Aerides odoratum, 
Ccelogyne Lowii, Ansellia africana, and Vanda Roxburghii. Mr. Cole sent a noble specimen of 
1 tendrobium chrysanthum. 
Among single; specimens, perhaps the most remarkable plants were Erica nietubetlora from 
Messrs. Veitch; Leschenaultea formosa from Mr. Williams ami Mr. Cole; L. biloba major from 
Mr. May: and Clerodendron fallax magnificently done from .Mr. Speed of Edmonton. Mr. Edwards of 
Chiswick House, sent a tine standard specimen of Rhododendron aureum, which was much admired. 
Of new plants, Messrs. Veitch had a smooth leaved shrubby Calceolaria from Peru, a rather 
promising subject for the hybridizer; Cautua dependeus, noticed some time back: Dendrobium 
Veitchianum, more remarkable for its singularity than beauty, being of a pale lemon gn en colour, 
o\ w ' t '' a "''''I' 1 ' 1 ' '•!' ; Eucalyptus coccifera, a plant likely to prove hardy in many places near the coast : 
