May 30, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
619 
p r . Two Gold and several Silver Medals have been awarded to our magnificent collection. 
SILVER CUP AWARDED Att ^ R ^'M.r^ Show 
A New Catalogue of all the best and choicest varieties has just been published, and 
may be had gratis and post free on application. 
Our Selections of Choice named Distinct Varieties, 15/-, 18/-, 24/-, 
30/-, and 42/- per dozen. 
JOHN PEED "AND SONS, 
ROUPELL PARK NURSERIES, 
And at Streatham, S.W. WEST NORWOOD, LONDON, S.E. 
DEUTZIA HYBRIDA LEMOINEI. 
Awarded First-Class Certificate, R.H.S., March 24,1896. 
Messrs. THOS. CRIPPS and SON, 
THE 
TUNBRIDGE WELLS NURSERIES, KENT, 
Beg to offer healthy, well-rooted Plants of this sterling novelty, for delivery 
September, at Is. 6d. each. 
HUGH LOW & Co., 
Upper Clapton, 
LONDON, N.E., 
And at BUSH HILL PARK, Near ENFIELD, N 
14$ iflotjltl, 
Edited by J. FRASER F.L.S. 
SATURDAY, MAY 30 th, 1896. 
NEXT WEEK'S ENGAGEMENTS. 
Wednesday, June 3rd.—Royal Botanic Society, Promenade. 
Friday, June 5th. —Royal Botanic S.ciety’s Lecture. 
Sale ol Orchids by Messrs. Protheroe & Morris. 
Reflections on the Temple Show.— 
Almost the first question reciprocally 
asked by old acquaintances, when they met 
in the tents or show ground, was whether 
the show was as large as formerly. 
Whether the answer was given in the 
affirmative or negative, all were agreed 
almost without exception that it was a 
grand show. Though practically a London 
exhibition, and chiefly supported by both 
traders and amateurs from the vicinity and 
the home counties, yet all parts of England 
were well represented, while Scotland and 
Ireland sent few exhibits but numerous 
visitors, as is usually the case. Had space 
been unlimited, there is no telling to what 
dimensions the show would develop ; but on 
the other hand the limited area of the Inner 
Temple Gardens amply demonstrated what 
can be accomplished in the constricted 
space at disposal in a congested neighbour¬ 
hood. 
Some of the visitors missed the collec¬ 
tions of new plants which used to be 
grouped together forming the feature of the 
small tent which used to be located in the 
upper end of the garden. As a matter of 
fact that tent had been placed elsewhere by 
a fresh arrangement last year, and on both 
occasions the special groups of new plants 
were staged in No. 4 tent along with a 
portion of the Orchids. Other than these 
special exhibits, the new plants were 
sufficiently numerous in all conscience, if 
we are to judge by the sixty-three different 
subjects which were accorded certificates 
independently of those which were not so 
honoured. Descriptions of these new 
things may be found in another column. 
During the three days of the show they 
were distributed amongst the exhibits to 
which they belonged, so that their numbers 
were altogether unapparent except to the 
initiated. The general public has not yet 
learnt how to pick out specialities and 
varieties in such a vast assemblage of 
beautiful flowers of all descriptions. The 
case reminds us of the remark ofan old Scotch 
lady, on the occasion of her first visit to the 
great show of the Highland Agricultural 
Society, consisting really of several shows 
including one of flowers : Said she, “ I cud 
see naething for a’thing.” Those who have 
their own special favourites generally 
manage to find them ; but those to whom 
a vast assemblage of flowering plants is a 
fairyland and mostly everything new or 
unknown to them, are bewildered and lost 
in a sea of bloom. 
The Orchids gave rise to a variety of 
opinion, and many lovers of this class of 
plants were disappointed at the absence of 
Baron Schroder’s renowned exhibit; and 
notwithstanding the fact that there was no 
space at command to accommodate another 
group, they were altogether dissatisfied. 
The mass of the visitors greatly admired 
the massive and showy Cattleyas and 
Laelias ; but connoisseurs could see many 
fascinating though less conspicuous 
subjects. The magnificent exhibit put up 
by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., was 
particularly rich in uncommon, interesting 
and beautiful plants, and attracted a large 
share of attention. The practice of 
elevating small plants on a pedestal has 
much to recommend it so long as it does 
not detract from the informal and graceful 
contour of a group, by being carried to 
excess. The isolated and valuable speci¬ 
mens caged in bell-glasses still continued to 
excite a considerable amount of curiosity. 
There were numerous inquirers desirous of 
seeing the Orchid which cost some almost 
fabulous sum. Amateur exhibitors, we are 
pleased to say, were well represented. 
The tuberous Begonias were more scat¬ 
tered about than we have seen them on some 
previous occasions. The disadvantage of 
this might have been more apparent than 
real; for those interested^ would have a 
better chance of examining the several 
groups, while being pushed along in the 
crowd, than if the four large groups had 
been crowded together in one tent. All 
were astonished at the wonderful increase 
in the quantity of Caladiums exhibited. In¬ 
deed the indications must be that there is a 
growing demand for them in private 
establishments for decorative purposes, 
otherwise the supply would not be so great. 
We have every reason to believe that their 
cultivation is on the increase. Some of the 
visitors thought that they were stood further 
apart than usual, thus showing off their indi¬ 
vidual peculiarities to the best advantage ; 
but others considered them too crowded. 
The same may be said, however, of other 
classes of plants, and that, where a sheaf 
was present, a handful would have been 
