EXTEACTS OF PE OCEEDIXG 3. 
lvii 
May 28, 1878. 
THE GEEAT SHOW. 
This great Summer Exhibition was acknowledged by all to 
have been the most magnificent horticultural display that has 
been seen in this country since the great International Show in 
1866. The Society was honoured at the opening by the presence 
of H.E.H. the Princess of Wales, also of their Imperial Highnesses 
the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany, and H.E.H. Prince 
Waldemar of Denmark, who were received by the President of the 
Society, Lord Aberdare, and the Members of the Council, by 
whom the royal visitors were conducted through the extensive 
Exhibition. H.E.H. the Prince of Wales was prevented by 
slight indisposition from being present. 
The Council Eoom was devoted to a display of table decora¬ 
tions from Messrs. Mortlock, of Oxford Street, and Mr. J. Aldous; 
and a most interesting collection of skeletonised leaves and pods 
by Mrs. Cussons, of Southport, to whom the Gold Eanksian Medal 
of the Society was awarded. 
The long tent leading from the steps of the Council Eoom to 
the covered way to the entrance of the large marquee was devoted 
on the one side, to cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, and on the other 
to Cacti, Orchids, and new plants, and collections of hardy Alpine 
shrubs. Erom the end of this long tent, and extending in a north¬ 
erly direction, was another extensive tent, filled with a variety of 
miscellaneous plants of great beauty and rarity, and groups of 
pelargoniums and miniature succulents. 
The coup d'ceil of the large marquee was very magnificent, and 
as regards the extraordinary hank of Eoses exhibited by Mr. C. 
Turner, of Slough, qnite unprecedented. Such a display is 
scarcely likely to be seen again from a single exhibitor for some 
time. The central group, arranged by Messrs. J. Yeitch and Sons, 
was a masterpiece of skill in effective disposition of form and 
colour. The central palm, a splendid specimen of Kentia Foster- 
iana , was surrounded by graceful foliage, brilliant spathed Anthu- 
riums, rare and costly Orchids, curious and interesting Nepenthes, 
and other tropical gems, whilst masses of Eerns, Gloxinias, and 
Eegonias completed a most tastefully-arranged group, to which a 
Gold Medal was awarded. 
The arrangement of Mr. J. Wills’s fine group of plants was 
