180 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
ing will be very beneficial to them, and occasionally a watering of liquid 
manure. Attention to the foregoing matters will ensure a supply of good 
Cabbage for spring use., 
Stourton. M. Saul. 
THE TWO ROSE SHOWS. 
I think it was Thackeray who remarked that actors when not playing 
always went to the play, and, whether exhibiting or not, I never miss seeing 
the two Rose Shows. The 29th day of June found me at the Crystal 
Palace, and a more auspicious day for exhibitors and visitors could hardly 
have been desired, although it was, perhaps, rather hot for the Roses, which 
in many cases showed signs of fatigue long before the close of the Exhibition. 
The Show was undoubtedly a success. Yet I fancy that I have seen more 
competitors in some of the classes, and a greater number of fine Roses, 
the diminution in the number of the latter being attributable, probably, 
to the severe winter and spring we have just passed through. It may 
be said that this influence was local; and local I believe it was in the in¬ 
tensity of its effects, but it was, if I mistake not, general in so far as the 
effect produced on the quality of the flowers. I have said, and say again, 
that the Crystal Palace is not a place in which to show plants and flowers 
to advantage, nor one in which to keep them in the highest state of fresh¬ 
ness throughout a long summer’s day. There is too much light, too much 
heat, and the magnificent surroundings lessen rather than add to the im¬ 
portance and effect of the Exhibition. Why does not the Company erect 
in its beautiful gardens canvas tents, the best of all contrivances for dis¬ 
playing plants and flowers to advantage ? Let us hope to see this done at 
no distant future; and if the tents could be connected with their own Rose 
garden—the interior of the temple filled with pot Roses and pyramidal 
bouquets of cut Roses in vases—the Crystal Palace Company might safely 
count on making this not only the best Rose show, but one of the most 
interesting floral fetes of the year. 
As the clock struck twelve I took up my position at the entrance, note¬ 
book in hand, and, sore trial of patience though it was, stuck to the ropes 
for four long hours, by which time I had brought the last flowers under 
view. Willingly would I have moved faster, but to go with the stream and 
see, or diverge and not see, were the only alternatives. I preferred the 
former course, and having fairly carried it out will now give my readers the 
benefit, if benefit it be, of the following extracts from my note-book, relat¬ 
ing, of course, to new or little-known Roses only:— 
Madame Josephine Guyet, crimson, rnucli in the way of Senateur Yaisse, large, full, and 
of tolerable form ; apparently good, but not indispensable. 
Xavier Olibo, blackish crimson, shaded with amaranth; pleasing in colour when it does 
not burn, but irregular in shape; pretty, but much over-praised. 
Marie Baumann , bright carmine, the flowers large, smooth, and nicely formed, something 
in the way of Beauty of Waltham. 
Madame Fillion, beautiful fresh pink colour, very lovely, outline good; the flower not 
of any great depth. 
Abel Grahd , rosy blush, colour fresh and pleasing; a very nice Rose, something in the 
way of Duchess of Sutherland. 
Marguerite de St. Amande, rosy flesh-colour, large and full, having the free habit of Jules 
Margottin. 
Leopold Hausburg , carmine shaded with purple, large, good outline, slightly coarse, and 
scarcely double enough. 
Charles Rouillard , rosy lilac, with red centre, large, full, and of perfect form, the colour 
at the circumference of the flowers sometimes a little dull. 
