CURRENT NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
The regular meeting of the New York Horticultural 
Society, held March 4th, was another of those agree¬ 
able surprises that are becoming chronic of late; so 
much so, that tbe hall is now crowded on meeting days 
with not only the members of the Society, but others 
interested in floriculture, who come expecting to be 
surprised, and are not disappointed. But who expected 
the florists out en masse with such a display as was 
* there, on one of the coldest days of the season ? And 
who could have expected to have met our old veteran 
Orchid-grower, Isaac Buchanan, Esq., and our younger 
friends, Clement and Savage, with their rare plants on 
such a day—and all good-natured, notwithstanding 
their plants were considerably injured by freezing. 
The exhibition, as a whole, was remarkably fine. Among 
the more conspicuous objects were Woolson & Co.’s 
collection of— 
Hybrid Narcissus, representing 116 varieties of the 
various form and colors that have thus far been pro¬ 
duced from the original species. In this vast number 
of varieties there must of necessity be very great 
similarity of form and color, that the casual observer 
would not notice. In fact for garden decoration, or for 
their cultivation for cut-flowers, a very limited number 
of varieties would be sufficient. Yet that would never 
satisfy such persons as delight in seeing the extent or 
the limit to which the development of any given flower 
is capable. Enthusiasts there must be in every branch 
of floriculture, else all improvement must cease, and 
the moment improvement ceases, just that moment de¬ 
cline commences. For that reason we heartily welcome 
and encourage the hybridization of the Narcissus, a 
long-neglected plant, and one remarkable for its beauty 
and fragrance. 
The chief attraction at this, as at all other exhibitions, 
were the Roses, and they never appeared to better ad¬ 
vantage. A basket containing about fifty perfect 
flowers of— 
La France was shown by McDonald & Hanft, 63 
West 14th Street, and they excelled any previous 
exhibits. They were fully three-and-a-half inches 
in diameter. Color, silvery-rose changing to pink, 
form globular, and withal one of the sweetest of 
Roses. 
Magna Cliarta, in Ernest Asmuss’ collection, was 
simply immense. We measured some of them, which 
were four-and-a-half inches in diameter, on stems a foot 
long, with foliage as laxuriant as if grown out of doors. 
The color and fragrance of the flowers were absolutely 
perfect. In the same collection we noticed Glory of 
Clieshunt, a deep rich crimson Rose, of great beauty, 
though inferior in size to many other hybrid perpetuals. 
Anna de Diesbach, a lovely carmine Rose, very large and 
double. Magna Charta, fully equal to those exhibited 
by the same grower at previous exhibition. 
John Henderson, Esq,, of Flushing, again exhibited a 
fine collection. 
Mad. Cusin was very much finer than at the last 
month’s exhibition, and was more admired than any 
other twelve on exhibition. 
Among the other classes of flowers, we were pleased 
to see some fine sprays of the 
Acacia Piibescens shown by John Taylor, Esq., of 
Bay Side. This is by far the finest species of this 
showy family of p/1 ants. The plant is well worth grow¬ 
ing alone for its Mimosa-like foliage, and there is no 
greenhouse shrub that surpasses it in the graceful 
beauty of its sprays of rich, delicate yellow flowers. 
The Hybrid Amaryllis (Miss Nightingale), a flower 
seven inches in diameter, with yellow throat, and 
crimson petals, lined with white, was a noticeable 
feature in George Such’s collection, as was also several 
other hybrids of great beauty, conspicuous among the 
newer varieties was A. Williamsi, a large flower, bright 
crimson scarlet, with a bold white line through the centre 
of each petal. 
Among other exhibits of special interest was a new 
hybrid Mignonette raised by Charles Bird, Esq., Arling¬ 
ton, N. J. The spikes were more than six inches in length 
and one and a half inches in diameter, and without ex¬ 
ception the finest Mignonette we have ever seen. In John 
Smith’s cut flower exhibit were some remarkably fine 
Roses, Geraniums, etc., but his exhibit of Cyclamen was 
worthy of special mention. Three distinct varieties in 
eight-inch pots, with more than 100 flowers on each. 
John Breitmeyer, Esq., of Detroit, Mich., sent on a new 
Carnation, snow-ball; the flower is very large, good 
shape, pure white, of great substance, and with a very 
strong calyx, all points of excellence; Tulips, Lily of the 
Valley, Primulas, Hyacinths, Carnations, Geraniums, 
among the more common flowers, were all very good, 
while the Orchids and Roses were exceptionally fine. 
* 
* * 
Regarding double-spathed Callas, John Thorpe, Esq., 
of Queens, N. Y., writes us: It would seem to me that 
Callas with malformed flowers are of very frequent 
occurrence, as there is not a year but what I notice 
them, the twin spathe form often appearing among 
such malformations. However, it may be that I have 
suffered these afflictions more than my brethren, but 
I believe not; and as yet I have to see a double-spathed 
Calla that has any claim to beauty. Believing all things 
happen for the best, it is well there is no certainty of 
propagating these malformations. 
* 
* « 
A curious instance of accidental growth we noticed 
but a short time ago in a shoot of the Bon Silene Rose, 
which grew with extraordinary vigor, and was fascia- 
ted like the stems of the Lilium Monstrosums. There 
were on this stem thirty-two large and perfect flowers. 
This peculiar specimen was shown at Messrs. Young & 
Elliott’s, New York, by Wm. Bennett, Esq., Flatbush, 
L. I., in whose extensive Rose-houses it grew. 
* 
We have never known the cut-flower trade so dull 
during Lent, as it is the present season. When the best 
Jacqueminot, Perle-des-Jardins and Niplietos Roses 
are selling for four dollars per hundred, and other- 
flowers in proportion, no further evidence of dull trade 
is required. 
