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a word, which, may seem: impertinent, though I think growers: will 
agree with me—Why- award prizes to yearlings? It is very easy to 
get up a nice-looking plant, with a truss or two in bloom; but put 
them alongside of old varieties and they would not seem one bit better. 
Besides, one learns nothing of the habit of the plant by it; e. g., there 
were two, Lord Palmerston and King of the Belgians, both very beau- 
tiful things, but the former had only one truss, and the latter one pip 
out; very fine, doubtless (in the style of Napoleon III.), but no one 
could tell how they would grow... Then there is another thing which is 
to be considered, what will please the public taste, as well as be correct 
in-properties. Now of all that bank, I venture to say nine out of ten 
would point to Beck’s Gem.of Roses as being the best flower. It is a 
beautiful clear smooth rose, but. deficient. perhaps in some properties ; 
by no means equal to Norma, of Mr. Hoyle, but generally a more 
taking flower. The finest flowers were, Rosa, Bonheur (Hoyle), a large 
rich crimson with a deep white throat; and Beauty of Reading, by the 
same raiser, veined crimson; Transcendent (Beck), a very dark flower, 
quite in a new style; Princess Helena (Rollisson), white, spotted on all 
the petals; Prince Consort, very dark; Mrs. Benyon (Hoyle); Per- 
dita (Foster), rather too much cupped, zhe fault of Mr. Foster’s flowers : 
Peeress (Beck), very dark. We believe that another time some other 
arrangement will be made for the easier judging of these generally 
attractive things. 
Roses in pots were very grand, Mr. Francis this time being deservedly 
placed first, with Niphetos, Coupe d’ Hebe, Souvenir d’un Ami, Madame 
Willermoz, Auberon, Vicomtesse de Cazes, Baronne Prevost, and a 
splendidly bloomed plant of General. Jacqueminot. In cut Roses, Mr. 
Turner was first! and moreover his blooms were all cut in the open 
air, while in the other collections were evidently blooms from pots. I 
warned Rose growers to have a sharp look-out, for he seemed bent on 
doing something ; and see how soon he has made the prophecy true. 
And here I would say a word about Mr. Paul’s new Tea, President; 
it,was shown in much better condition than formerly, and is a very 
large, handsome variety; though I still think it lacks what we very 
much want in that class, novelty. 
No greater proof of the backwardness of the season could be given 
than the fact, that last year Carnations and Picotees were exhibited on 
June 380, while this year there was not even a Pink to be seen. Ranun- 
culus, too, though pretty, were very small, and were only exhibited by 
Mr. Tyso. 
Of Calceolarias there were several collections of six, herbaceous and 
shrubby mixed together ; one lot of truly grand plants was sent by Mr. 
Burley, nurseryman, of Lumpsfield, Surrey, but were not entered for 
competition. General Havelock was a perfect beauty, filled with blooms 
of a fiery red colour. I hope these plants will, in July, enter the lists 
and take their proper place. 
Fruit (7. e. forced Fruit) was plentiful. Some excellent Queen Pines 
of large weight and handsome proportions were shown by Mr. Young, 
gardener to C. Bailey, Esq.; and Mr. Barnes, gardener to Lady Rolle. 
Grapes were also numerous; some splendid specimens of the Grizzly 
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