2 
THE FLORTST. 
Committees are now acknowledged to be the court of appeal 
on all novelties, we shall endeavour to give reports of their 
meetings as they occur. Our old friend, the Koyal Botanic 
Society, will not he forgotten amidst the flourish of trumpets 
and burning of blue lights with which the Horticultural Society 
will he ushered in. Its voice must be heard. Any other 
exhibitions of real interest—not forgetting our own child, the 
National Eose Show—will also be recorded. 
We have to thank our various kind friends and contributors 
for the manner in which they have assisted our humble endea¬ 
vours, and while soliciting a renewal of their labours on our 
behalf, we beg to express a hope that others will give us the 
benefit of their experience. Let none think any item of intel¬ 
ligence too common-place ; even lists of flowers which bloom 
well in various localities would be a desideratum, and perhaps 
help to soften down many a hard word levelled against those 
who have raised them. There is one part of our serial in which 
we have been most anxious to attain to eminence, viz., our 
Calendar. The departments pertaining to greenhouse and 
stove culture, and those of the fruit and kitchen garden, will 
still fall to the share of the same able hands who conducted 
them during the past season, and we fear not to appeal to our 
readers as to whether they have not given general satisfaction. 
In the department of florists’ flowers an alteration will take 
place : Mr. Charles Turner, of the Eoyal Nurseries, Slough, 
will duly record, from month to month, the necessary treat¬ 
ment of florists’ flowers intended for exhibition, and his 
Cordylines, Sikkim or Bhotan Rhododendrons, Begonias, Tree Ferns, tuberous 
Tropseolums, and Wardian cases filled with plants effectively arranged. 
Moreover, “ Special prizes for the best group of three baskets of fruit and 
flowers, for the decoration of the dinner tables, are offered by C. Wentworth 
Dilke, Esq., V.P.H.S.; first prize, £10; second, £5 ; third, £3 ; fourth, £2. 
Beautiful arrangement will be the test of merit in this exhibition ; valuable 
flowers or fruit are therefore not demanded. Each set must consist of three 
baskets. Ladies are invited to join in the competition. The prizes will be 
awarded by a Jury of ladies.” Here we have a very important new feature, 
and artistic skill may now distinguish itself as well as skill in cultivation. 
Extremely liberal arrangements are made for the issue of passes and break¬ 
fast tickets to exhibitors, but “ no exhibitor can take more than eight passes 
or eight breakfast tickets.” At the grand Rose show, in July, 14 classes 
are formed, with prizes varying from £l to £7. Three classes for Roses 
in pots, one for a basket or vase, and the remainder are to be cut. The 
September Dahlia show also admits Roses, Hollyhocks, German and French 
Asters, Gladioli, and Phloxes; the prizes vary from 10s. to £10. Finally, 
the Chi .ithemum and fruit exhibition, in the beginning of November, 
which wai last for two days, is to consist of 14 classes of Chrysanthemums 
and about 40 of fruit. Among the former the prizes run from 5s. to £6; 
among the latter the highest is £6, the lowest 10s. In addition to the 
ordinary arrangements for a fruit show, prizes are offered for stewed Pears, 
Pommes tapes, and Oranges and Lemons, we presume of home growth. 
