July 3.] 
j was worthy of the occasion, lias been duly acknowledged 
I in a letter of thanks and approbation. 
A lengthy and warm discussion has taken place 
among a few who occasionally act as judges, as to how 
such plants as Fuscldas, Balsams, Calceolarias, Gera¬ 
niums, lOc., ought to he estimated : whether by their 
growth and management, or their excellence as show 
flowers; and it was especially pointed out how perplex- 
j ing it is, when one set of plants are of the most trumpery 
kinds but exquisitely grown and managed, and another 
J set of the best varieties but grown in small pots, and 
' only grown without an effort. 
Many were the arguments, numerous the suggestions ; 
j but all agreed that Societies ought to limit the size of the 
pots for all things in which the superiority of the varieties 
was the main point, and to distinctly let all exhibitors know 
the conditions of showing. Some glaring inconsistencies 
were mentioned, where, in one case, the judges gave it to 
growth, in the other to quality. It is worth the Societies’ 
notice, because we saw, at a provincial show last month, 
calceolarias in 12-sized pots competing against others in 
48-sized pots. The smaller ones were the better in flower, 
with nothing against them but the size. The larger were 
“ well done,” as it is called, but the flowers were gone 
by in these days of form. Now, as in this case it was 
distinctly stated in the prospectus or schedule, that “ all 
subjects were to be judged by the rules laid down in the 
‘ Properties of Flowers,’ ” the small ones were placed first; 
but some limit ought to be put to the pots. 
The Staines Horticultural Exhibition augured well 
for the science in that quarter; last year the judges 
cut down many of their liberal prizes, because the 
productions were not worthy of them. This year their 
large silver cup was worthily won by Mr. Dodd, son of 
Mr. Dodd, of Cleifden, a worthy chip of the old block, 
with ten plants worthy of Chiswick. 
Balsams were fine; the winning six were as broad as they 
were long. The second, in point of meritorious manage¬ 
ment, were all alike; whereas, the schedule distinctly otters 
the prize to varieties, and plants of an inferior growth took 
the honour because they were varied; but there were several 
competitors, one of whom had actually fastened down the 
side branches with cords. The Geraniums were very beau¬ 
tiful, and the prizes well contested. Pansies were abundant, 
and Roses as well shown as ever we saw them. The Ferns, 
and a collection of indigenous plants, were highly credible. 
In fact, most of the classes were well contested. Amateurs 
and gentlemen’s gardeners form two classes. This we do 
not think advisable, because, whether the master, who is 
an amateur, or his gardener, shows, is of no conse¬ 
quence either to the show or the science, and, if “ an 
amateur” is interpreted “ one who has no gardener,” it is 
not likely that there will be enough to make a good compe¬ 
tition ; and even this class of am a tours can generally beat a 
gentleman’s gardener, who has so many different things to 
I mind. It is clear, however, that Staines is greatly on the 
: advance. The cottager’s productions were highly creditable; 
and the Society has the advantage of two indefatigable 
secretaries. 
Vauxhall Horticultural Show on the eighteenth was, 
| as we predicted, a total failure as far as the manager 
was concerned; it merely answered the purpose of those 
exhibitors who are the first to promote a new show, 
because they are sure to come off winners, let the 
proprietors fare as they may. 
We are sorry we did not fall in with the manager to 
prevent him from being deceived; we know something of 
all the shows that ever took place in these gardens. It is 
only common justice to the proprietors to say, that they 
kept faith to the full extent with the exhibitors. 
A complaint was made at a recent meeting that 
2Cf9 
Advertisements sent to The Cottage Gardener were 
not inserted for some time afterwards; but it was ex¬ 
plained at once, that all advertisements must he sent 
on or before the Thursday previous to the publication. 
If, therefore, anything is sent on the Friday, a second 
week is lost. 
The gossip at one of our London meetings turned 
upon the subject of Balsams, which several growers 
complained of having drawn up too much, in spite of 
all the care bestowed on them. The recommendation 
of one party was laconic enough, “when my balsams 
are too long,” said he, “ I shorten them.” 
However, in explanation he added, “ I find them strike 
like weeds in bottom heat, therefore, I cut off the tops two 
inches longer than I want them to be above ground, and 
pot the tops singly two inches in the soil, with the under 
leaves stripped off that portion; I place them in bottom 
heat, shade them for a week, and I find I have just so many 
plants as dwarf as I want them. The bottoms break out and 
make capital border flowers.” E. Y. 
Under this head at p. 174 will be found a strong con¬ 
demnation of the management of the last Cheltenham 
Florticultural Show. That condemnation has elicited 
the following from a gentleman, who has sent us his 
name, and we unreservedly hope his statement is 
correct; at all events, we publish it at once, without 
waiting to hear from our own reporter, who must either 
substantiate his condemnation, or acknowledge that he 
was misinformed. 
“ Under the head of ‘ Gardening Gossip,’ in yoUr number 
of the 10th inst., I find an article which I cannot allow to 
pass without comment, simply because there is not a single 
statement founded on fact; and, if uncontradicted, might be 
an injury to the Cheltenham Horticultural Society; some of 
whose members have been and are doing their utmost to 
cause their shows to be the first and most attractive out of 
London. The Horticultural Society never farmed the exhi¬ 
bition out to private speculators; they never have been 
threatened with law proceedings, having always paid the 
money on demand when due; neither have they ever cut 
down the prizes published, except when the judges (men 
selected from those in the habit of judging at Chiswick) 
refused to award the prizes, in consequence of the specimens 
produced being, in their opinion, unworthy. With regard to 
the schedule, I enclose one for your perusal; and though 
there may be errors and room for improvement, I do not 
think it can be called ridiculous; and if you will suggest any 
improvement, I have no doubt that next year the committee 
will be glad to profit from your experience.” 
NEW PLANTS. 
THETR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. 
Guelder-rose-flowered Dombeya (Dombeya viburni- 
flora).—Botanical Magazine, t. 4568.—The genus to 
which this plant belongs is included in the Natural 
Order Byttneriads, and in the 16-Monadcljihia 8-Poly- 
andria of the Linncean system. Like the rest of the 
genus it is an evergreen stove tree, being a native of the 
Comorin Islands, near Madagascar, whence it was 
introduced into Mauritius by Professor Bojer, and 
thence to the Ivew Gardens, where it has attained a 
height of about fourteen feet. 
Branches, hairy; leaves, heart-shaped, 3-lobed, saw-edged, 
above green and downy, beneath pale and woollyisli; leaf¬ 
stalks, hairy; stipules, large, pointed oval, deciduous ; Jlowcr- 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
