ei JUNE. 187 
third prizes.» We-regret» there’ were no amateur collections, owing 
probably-to throwing»all the classes open—a new feature, on which we 
learn the judges were to be called upon to give a special report. 
Let: us now:for a moment: notice the arrangements. In the centre, 
on account of the orchestra interfering on one side, a complete uniformity 
could not be maimtained; nevertheless, the disposition of the groups 
was very satisfactory. It was at this point the full effect of the assistance 
given by groups of statuary to the masses of plants was most apparent. 
Nothing could possibly be more striking than the effect the statuary 
here had, rising, as it did, from among masses of Azaleas—the glowing 
colours of which appeared to warm up and give a tone to the sculpture. 
It is possible that the Azaleas themselves would have looked better had 
the gradations by which they rose above each other on the stages been 
higher and: wider, so'as) to have shown us: more of each plant, indi- 
vidually..: But then we must recollect that these Azaleas are progressing 
in-size each vyear, and we expect grow faster than the stages, which 
would: almoésti:require: widening and rising every year to meet the 
increased demands made upon them. 
The classes for Orchids and stove and greenhouse plants, both fine 
foliaged and otherwise, were strongly supported—indeed, never more 
so; and in some cases the competition was very close, and required all 
the discriminating power of the censors to arrive at a just conclusion as 
to their respective merits. |The fruit was arranged ona long table in the 
south transept, ‘surrounded by mixed classes of plants. We need 
scarcely say, that the season just passed has been one of the most trying 
ever experienced’ by the’ forcing gardener. The winter has been long 
and’cold; and’the absence of solar light greater than usual, even in 
England. » ‘It was; therefore, most’ satisfactory to witness, by the 
productions ‘exhibited, how completely British gardeners had overcome 
the natural obstacles of a bad climate. : Pines, however, were only of 
an ‘ordinary’ character. Black Grapes were generally very superior ; 
dishes from Messrs. Hill and Henderson, so much so, that they had 
each the post of yhonour assigned to them, each having a first prize. 
Mr: T.Frost had:also> some fine bunches, but apparently scarcely ripe 
enough.’ There were several other very good Grapes exhibited in the 
Hamburgh class, and ‘a dish of jet black Prince Grapes from Devon- 
shire, which: were®all' that gcod cultivation could make them. — In white 
Grapes; the only dish worth noticing was the Muscats*of Mr. Embry ; 
but-then» they were perfection, and the best Muscats we ever saw in 
May. Peaches and Nectarines’were very good; of the latter, Mr. 
Henderson (Trentham) had a dish of highly-coloured Violette Hatives, 
whicly most deservedly were first; the best Peaches (equal first) were 
Violette: Hatives and Royal Georges. Melons were generally good. 
Cherries, particularly the Circassian, Downton, and May Duke, from 
Trentham, were very superior. As usual, Mr. Smith, of Twickenham, 
carried off the prize for Strawberries; this year, he had a rather new 
kind, called Empress Eugenie, remarkable for its deep red colour and 
large size; the flavour, for a forced Strawberry, we were told, was 
also: very good. ’This had the first prize, Sir Charles Napier, a now 
wellsknown Strawberry; the’second ; and the new Oscar, the third. © Of 
