4. aie 
APRIL. 113 
We must, however, put in an exception ; it cannot, at its will, have 
out-of-doors shows, though the indefatigable Curator, Mr. Marnock, 
essayed that on this occasion. The plants intended for show were 
ranged in a tent erected to the leeward of the large conservatory, the 
intention having been to keep them there, and leave the conservatory 
with the Society’s own plants in it, so as to give greater facilities for 
the passage of crinoline (surely it is a mistake to say this is going out, 
unless it means going out into larger amplifications); but alas! the best 
intentions are doomed to disappointment, for such a gale of wind and 
rain arose, that the staff of gardeners was hastily summoned to bring 
the exhibition flowers into the conservatory, as serious damage, not 
only to the plants, but even to’ the conservatory itself, was apprehended. 
This did not either improve the plants, or.make access to them more 
easy ; but still they were very beautiful, and one could see that it 
made gardeners and amateurs look quite “perky.” It’s very amusing 
to hear young ladies affecting to be up to everything, and young swells 
declaring ‘I know nothing about dowtany.” Well, but to the flowers. 
There were some fine specimens of Orchids from the Lord Bishop of 
Winchester, at Farnham Castle—especially a Dendrobium Farmerii. 
Mr. Henderson, of Pine Apple Place, also contributed a D. nobile, and 
some fine greenhouse plants. There were also some very nice Ericas 
of the aristata breed from Mr. Low, were deservedly admired; ‘‘ What 
is more beautiful than a well-grown plant of aristata major?” 
There was also a variegated Primula very pretty, some nice varieties of 
Azaleas and Camellias; of the latter, especially, Mathotiana alba, 
equalling the red variety in size and boldness of petal. A Tea-scented 
Rose, called President, also attracted much attention, though it did not 
seem to have much novelty in it, and certainly is not superior to Madame 
Willermoz; but there can be no question that Hyacinths and Cinerarias 
were the popular flowers of the day; of the former, Mr. Cutbush’s, of 
Highgate, were immeasurably superior to any others ; and those in his 
large pots were the most magnificent flowers possible ; of them, General 
Havelock (light blue), tubiflora, and two whites—Mont Blane (a large 
pure white), and Elfrida, which has an immense pip—were perhaps 
the most conspicuous. I say, perhaps, for it was almost impossible to 
distinguish excellence where all was good. Of Cinerarias there was 
not a large show, the season being very backward. Six fine plants 
came from Mr. Smith, the finest of which were Baroness Rothschild, 
Brilliant, Mrs. Hoyle, and Capt. Schreiber ; there was also a single plant 
of Flower of Spring from Mr. Turner, of Slough ; from the latter came 
some very fine seedlings, four of which received Certificates —Lurline, 
Mabel, Miss Eyles, and Royal Charlie; and another remarkably 
fine flower, the Rev. S. R. Hole, large (as it ought to be) and bright 
like Brilliant, only twice the size (why did it not receive a Certificate ?) 
Mr. Smith had also some very good ones, the best was Géant des 
Batailles, a brilliant self. ‘The Society's own plants were exceedingly 
good; their Azaleas being in full bloom, and the Norfolk Island Pines 
looked remarkably fine. May I ask (without being considered imper- 
tinent) why they offer prizes for Auriculas on the 2Ist of March? 
Anyone whogrows the plant could have told them it is out of the question ; 
VOL. XIV., NO. CXLYIIL. I 
