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JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
415 
J lOR years past flower shows have been held in the Temple 
Gardens on the Thames Embankment, but they have been 
Chrysanthemum shows. The E.xhibition to which we desire to 
•direct attention is that of the Royal Horticultural Society, which 
•opens in the historic gardens of the Inner Temple on Wednesday 
next. It was a happy thought which led to the acquisition of the 
•commanding site, kindly granted by the Temple authorities, for 
the purpose in question, and we believe that nothing but good can 
Tesult from placing the choicest and most beautiful flowers where 
they can be conveniently inspected by the residents in and visitors 
to our great metropolis. This year it is hoped they will crowd the 
tents and gardens, and the expected presence of the Prince of 
ales will be a great attractive force, for when Royalty leads the way 
in anything there is no lack of public patronage. The Exhibition will, 
we have no doubt, be worthy of the occasion and of the Royal Horti- 
■cultural Society. It will not be formal and competitive in the 
•ordinary sense of the term, but will on that account be the more 
•diversified, for it permits of plants being represented of the rarest 
kinds, though they could not be included in stereotyped classes of 
six or twelve large formal specimens. Beauty and high culture 
can be displayed in small as well as in large plants, while the 
system of grouping all that possess value and interest gives to the 
fullest extent the great charm of variety. Viewed in this respect, 
we may fairly expect the display will stand alone as the great 
floral event of the season. ^Vhen wealthy patrons of horticulture 
and the chief nurserymen combine in bringing the choicest and 
best from their treasure houses there can only be one result— 
namely, a brilliant assemblage of what may be described as the 
gems of the floral world. 
On previous occasions the Temple Shows of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society have been remarkable for the wealth of Orchids, 
and it is questionable if such a display of these was ever provided 
under canvas as at the Show of last year, and there is no reason to 
expect any falling off on the coming occasion. Hardy and green¬ 
house decorative plants have also been a prominent feature of the 
Shows, and both in numbers, variety, quality, and adaptability to 
embellishment it would be difficult to imagine a more complete 
fissortment than has been presented, and doubtless will be again. 
Similar remarks apply to cut flowers, and the attractive power of 
these last year was manifest by the crowds of persons who passed 
through the tent in a slowly moving mass to admire them and take 
down names as best they could, with the object of growing similar 
flowers in their own gardens. 
The Exhibition next week may well be kept in mind by persons 
who may contemplate a visit to London, for it will constitute a 
floral treat, unique in magnitude and variety. Moieover, the 
position is so central as to be easy of access from almost every¬ 
where. It is our strong hope that the weather will be favourable 
for visitors, as then a success commensurate with the efforts to 
win it will be assured. 
The Temple station on the Metropolitan Railway is quite near 
to the Show, and it is also easily reached from Ludgate Hill and 
Fleet Street. The price of admission on Wednesday is 2s. Cd. 
from 1 to 8 p.m., and on Thursday the Show will open at 
11 o’clock, price Is. 
The schedule, as was stated last week, announces that silver 
No. 517. — VoL. XX., Third Series. 
cups and medals will be awarded according to merit for exhibits in 
the following classes: — Floweiing plants: Orchids, Anthuriums, 
Azaleas (Indian and Mollis), Begonias, Calceolarias, Roses, Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, Gloxinias, Alpines, Clematises, Pelargoniums, &c. 
Foliage plants : Palms, Ferns, new plants, Dracaenas, Caladiums. 
Cut flowers : Hardy herbaceous plants. Rhododendrons, Tulips, 
Lilies, Irises, Roses. Miscellaneous groups (flower and foliage), 
market plants, bouquets, table decorations, &c., fruit, vegetables. 
The Society will issue for this Show a catalogue comprising a 
history of the Royal Horticultural Society, including particulars of 
their meetings and Shows both at the Drill Hall, James Street, 
S.W., and at Chiswick. It will contain the programme of the 
music to be performed each day by the band of Her Majesty’s 
Royal Horse Guards (Blues), and a list of exhibitors and of their 
chief exhibits ; but we are requested to state that no addresses 
can possibly be inserted unless they are received by Mr. Barron, 
R H.S. Gardens, Chiswick, or at the Society’s offices, 117, Victoria 
Street, on Saturday, May 24th. 
GRAPES FROM THE CAPE. 
Sir Charles Dilke in his interesting book, “ Problems of 
Greater Britain,” makes some remarks on the prospect of the Cape 
affording our markets a supply of Grapes and other fruits ; but I 
fear he is somewhat mistaken in some of his statements. For 
instance, he says, at page 489, vol. 1, that “ Cape Grapes already 
reach England in excellent condition in the early spring when good 
Grapes are dear.” It would be interesting to know how many 
pounds of Cape Grapes find their way to England “in excellent 
condition,” and if any salesman receives them it would also be 
interesting to hear from him how they arrive and how they sell. 
I am inclined to think that very few Cape Grapes come in a 
fresh condition to England. In the form of raisins no doubt 
many come, and splendid raisins they make at the Cape ; but a sea 
voyage of nearly twenty days is rather too long to allow of fresh 
Grapes arriving from the Cape, as Sir Charles Dilke says is the 
case. Even if they could be placed in Covent Garden in “ ex¬ 
cellent condition,” it is doubtful if they would pay the senders, as 
nowadays prices are very different from what they used to be, and 
the Cape Grapes, though many of them are splendid for outdoor 
Grapes, cannot compare with our fine hothouse fruit put fresh into 
the market, and not subjected to GOOD miles of a sea voyage and 
three weeks knocking about. 
Remarking further on general fruits Sir C. Dilke says, “ There 
is a future for the fruit trade from South Africa to London, as 
the South African seasons are the opposite of those of the 
Mediterranean countries which send us our largest import.” It 
may be questioned if there is much of a future for the fruit trade 
between South Africa and London, and certainly it seems that 
Sir C. Dilke takes too favourable a view of the prospects of such 
a trade. Such fruits as Apricots, Peaches, &c., cannot be produced 
in a fresh condition after so long a voyage, and to attempt to send 
them in quantity would only result in financial loss, as at present 
it is certain that the attempt on a small scale is rewarded only by 
disappointment. 
For Grapes and other fresh perishable food we must look to 
our home and less distant foreign supplies, and must rest content 
to eat our share of Cape Grapes in the form of raisins or drink 
it as wine. The latter form of Cape Grapes would be much more 
popular were the best qualities sent over sold as Cape wines, and 
not given European names and sold as Continental produce. When 
only the inferior kinds of Cape wines are sold under their Cape 
names, and as the produce of the Cape, an injustice is done to the 
reputation of that land as a wine-producing country, and this 
should be remedied.—J. T. 
[We have not had the privilege of seeing any good Cape Grapes 
No. 2173 .—Vol. LXXXIL, Old Series. 
