BIG 
THE FLORIST. 
the most remarkable both for beauty and novelty being a sport raised 
from Lastrea Filix-mas cristata, and called cristata angustata. In the 
class for Exotic Ferns, Mr. Baillie, gardener to W. C. Carbonell, Esq., 
was placed first in the amateur’s section, and Mr. Veitch, of Chelsea, 
first among the nurserymen. The latter collection was the best in the 
exhibition, and contained fine plants of five kinds of Gleichenia— 
flabellata, dichotoma, dicarpa, microphylla, and speluncae; besides a 
Cyathea medullaris and Dicksonia antarctica, of large size and in excel¬ 
lent condition. Mr. Carbonell’s collection contained a very fine 
Nephrolepis davallioides, some good Cheilanthes, &c. There was little 
novelty in the other collections, though many well-grown specimens. 
A charming novelty, however, in the shape of a fine plant of the 
Nephrodium molle var. corymbiferum, noticed some time since in our 
pages, was exhibited by Mr. Sim, of Foots Cray, and fully justified all 
that has been said of its beauty. There were several good collections 
of Lycopods. Orchids were not numerous. From Mr. Gedney was 
a fine plant of the lovely terrestrial Cape Orchid Disa grandiflora. This 
was staged to have been in bloom since the 1st of August. Of novelties, 
the most interesting, perhaps, were some hybrid Orchids from Messrs. 
Veitch, raised at their Exeter Nursery. Messrs. Veitch also sent a 
plant of Lapageria rosea, which was trained in an umbrella form, and 
well furnished with its beautiful waxy crimson flowers. Fuchsias 
were contributed in excellent condition by several exhibitors. By far 
the best, however, was a collection from Mr. Webb, of Tulse Hill. 
These were from 7 to 8 or 9 feet high, and charmingly clothed with 
foliage and flowers to the very pot. Among dark sorts were Marquis of 
Bristol, a bold striking kind ; Nil Desperandum, and Incomparable. 
Light kinds consisted of Venus de Medici, loaded with flowers, 
Duchess of Lancaster, and Pearl of England. Other collections, though 
good, were greatly inferior to this one. Scarlet Geraniums were exhi¬ 
bited in considerable quantity. They consisted of Punch, Tom Thumb, 
Brilliant, Cerise Unique, Trentham King, Lady Middleton. Among 
pink and salmon sorts, the best were Lucia rosea and Kingbury Pet. 
Balsams, especially those in the best collection, were extremely well 
grown. Their flowers were large and double, of all shades of colour. 
They came from Mr. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Bart. Others, 
though not so large, were also all examples of good cultivation. 
Cockscombs were numerous and fine, especially those from Mr. Savage, 
of Edmonton. The combs of. these could not measure less than 18 
inches in length, and from % 6 to 8 inches in width ; their stems were 
about 15 inches in height. Of Japan Lilies there was a noble bank ; 
but they made but little display. They were all fine plants, and well 
matched as to height. The amateur and cottager’s department appeared 
to be highly satisfactory. Fuchsias in pots and cut flowers, Grapes, 
Currants (red and white), Plums, Peaches, and Nectarines, Apples, 
Pears, Tomatoes, Filberts, Cucumbers, Custard Vegetable Marrows, 
Turnips, Carrots, Parsnips, Beets, Cabbages, Peas, Endive, and Pot 
Herbs were all contributed by them. 
Onions were chiefly White Lisbon and Spanish, and very fine. 
Among Potatoes was a large fine-looking kind called Stafford Hall. 
