296 
THE FLORIST. 
abundance; the old kinds keep the lead for flavour,-but Mr. Whiting 
had an excellent scarlet-flesh, said to be new. Peaches and Nectarines 
very numerous, but there was nothing particular about them ; the best 
came evidently from orchard houses or glass walls. We have, however, 
seen quite as good this season from open walls ; the Walberton was one 
of the finest in size, and is a valuable kind. Plums, Figs, and Cherries 
very first-rate ; and we observed a solitary basket of Sir Harry Straw¬ 
berry. In rare exotic fruits, Mr. Scott exhibited a dish of Mangoes, in 
the culture of which he is famous. Apples, both kitchen and dessert, 
were magnificent, and Pears mostly the same, and as both were con¬ 
tributed in large quantities, they formed quite a Pomological show of 
themselves. We only hope that our talented friend of the “ Scottish 
Gardener ” was present, to satisfy himself of the degeneracy of our 
fruit trees ; if so, what will he say now to the Ribston Pippins, 
Kentish Fillbasket, Margil, Hollandbury, Dutch Codlin, Herefordshire 
Pearmain, Royal Russet, and many other old kinds, as exhibited on 
this occasion? Nearly all the Apples were in fine condition, large and 
handsome, with clear, glossy skins, indicating anything rather than 
degeneracy. No, no ; we are not going to lose our good old fruits just 
yet—not even to please the new school of physiologists. Pears were 
nearly equal to the Apples, especially those from Messrs. Harrison, 
Whiting, Mitchell, and Frost. 
Among plant novelties, Messrs. Rollisson had a beautifully marked 
leaved Begonia Rex, and a splendid thing it is. Messrs. Waterer and 
Godfrey exhibited Lawson’s Cypress, a valuable ornamental plant pre¬ 
viously noticed by us. The new Geraniums (bedding varieties) were 
not much. In cut Roses, General Jacqueminot, Lord Raglan, Leon des 
Combats, Bacchus, Gloire de France, Duchess of Norfolk, and Souvenir 
de L’Exposition were the best. 
DAHLIAS AT EDINBURGH. 
The Edinburgh Dahlia shows held on the 10th and 12th of last month 
illustrated how much good has been effected by the friendly intercourse 
existing between the Scotch and English growers. We are compelled 
to admit that the dealers far surpassed the productions of last year, by 
adhering more to quality as a whole than to size in particular.’ On the 
other hand, however, we are of opinion that the flowers of the private 
growers were not nearly so good as those twelve months previously. 
Messrs. Downie and Laird fairly took the lead, by receiving all the 
first prizes in their respective classes; the same marked success 
attended them with their exhibitions of Hollyhocks. Mr. Handasyde, 
of Musselburgh, keenly contested in the Dahlia class, on the 12th. 
Nor could we expect otherwise from an inspection, which was kindly 
afforded us of the plants on the day previous to the exhibition. A 
better cultivated collection can scarcely be imagined, and what is of no 
little importance to an exhibitor, new sorts were not wanting. Mr. 
Douglas, the Messrs. Lawson & Son, Mr. Ballantyne, and the leading 
