NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. — HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
Among specimen plants the tiling which pleased ns most was a plant of Erica Shannoniana, the 
true species, from Mr. Salter, gardener to J. M. Yeeles, Esq., of Bath. It was a grand plant of a 
splendid thing. Messrs. Veitch sent a huge plant of E. metulscflora hicolor, and Mr. Cole had a good 
Dipladenia splendens and Crowea saligna. Fine Lisianthuses were presented by Mr. Green and 
Mr. Constantine, gardener to J. Mills, Esq. ; and we noticed a nice plant of Hoya bella, trained up- 
right, for which form it is evidently not suited : suspended in a basket it would look much better. 
Heaths were numerous and in fine condition, and the cut Roses were very fine. Among the fruit 
some noble Pines were presented, more especially those from Mr. Jones, gardener to Sir John Guest, 
Mr. Fleming, and Mr. Spencer; and Mr. Taylor, gardener to J. Coster, Esq., had three bunches of 
the finest and most perfectly-ripened Muscat of Alexandria Grapes (Barnes' variety) which we have 
seen for some time. Strawberries, Melons, Peaches, Nectarines, and Pot Grapes were fine, as indeed 
was the fruit generally. Some unripe specimens were present, but they formed the exception. We 
cannot close this report without expressing our regret that so many dishes of fine went unrewarded. 
From Lord Southampton's garden some peaches, averaging nearly eight ounces each, were not noticed, 
though they were splendidly coloured ; and other exhibitors were complaining not without sufficient cause. 
THE NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 26. — This new society pursues the even tenor of its way, despite the prognostications of its 
opponents and the misrepresentations of reporters, who, we thought, had been long enough connected 
with floriculture to have known better. What we complain of is this, that, though the society pro- 
fesses to give three classes of prizes — viz., First-class Certificates, Certificates, and Commendations — 
some people will not take the trouble to understand them, but huddle the prizes together in most 
unenviable confusion. Now a First-class Certificate is awarded for a flower which is considered equal 
to, if not superior to the very best of its class, and hence is nearly perfect ; the Certificate marks the 
second degree of excellence ; and the Commendation was intended to mark all flowers which, in the 
estimation of the judges, were sufficiently good for sending out, either as market, bedding, or garden 
plants. For illustration, a Cineraria called Formosa, a remarkably showy variety, though almost 
destitute of a good property, was commended, and no doubt it will be an excellent selling thing. At 
the last meeting, Phlox Mayii striata, a variety of P. Drummondii, with beautiful lilac flowers striped 
with purple, in the way of P. Van Houttii, was commended, very justly, as a showy and very desirable 
bedding plant ; and, for our own part, we regret that many more tilings have not been similarly rewarded. 
At this meeting, a certificate of the first class was awarded Mr. Foster of Clewer, Windsor, for a 
splendid Pelargonium called Optimum, and certificates for Ariadne, Enchantress, and Rubens. These 
are all fine flowers, a descriptive notice of which we shall give at another time. A number of Fancy 
Pelargoniums were shown by Mr. Ambrose of Battersea, and a certificate was awarded for one called 
Richard Cobden, a dark flower, of tolerable quality. A large rosy lilac flower called Lady Emma, 
shown by Mr. Lochner of Paddington, was commended ; it was remarkable for colour only. A 
Pelargonium called Attraction, from Mr. Turner, was also commended as a market plant. Of Pansies, 
Mr. Turner received a certificate for S wansdown, a bright flower of great merit ; and Mr. G. Rogers had 
a similar reward for Kossuth, a splendid dark flower. Mr. Hunt's Pandora was also shown in quantity, 
and fully maintains its character. Mr. Smith had a splendid Verbena called Orlando, which received a 
certificate. Miscellaneous plants were contributed by Messrs. Henderson and Mr. E. G. Henderson. 
July 8. — At this meeting Mr. Foster again produced his Pelargonium Enchantress, but it was 
out of condition ; and Mr. Ambrose had a heavy crimson Fancy of some promise, but very inappro- 
priately named Fireball, which was commended. From Mr. Major were some fine Calceolarias, 
especially Nos. 1, 9, and 11; but they were much injured by travelling. Fuchsias were contributed 
by Mr. Turner and Mr. Smith ; one called Diamond reflexes splendidly, but possibly too much, and 
the habit is not good. The others were not remarkable. From Messrs. Henderson, with other 
things, was Phlox Mayii striata, a very pretty thing noticed before ; and Mr. Townsend sent some 
flowers of Seedling Potentillas, of which it was impossible to form any opinion. Of Picotees, 
Dodwell's Mary was shown by Mr. Turner, and received a certificate ; and Fellow's Prince Arthur, a 
heavy purple, was commended, though scarcely deserving. Mr. Edwards had a large pink called 
Titus, and the same gentleman sent a sulphur-coloured Antirrhinum, to which a first-class certificate 
was awarded. Mr. Smith sent a box of fine Verbenas, and one called Purple Rival was commended. 
National and Koh-i-noor are promising varieties. 
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 1. — Sufficient Fellows not being present, no meeting could be held. 
