242 THE FLORIST. 
Leopoldi (a Belgian hybrid), Marshalli, and Dominiana. This house 
also contained Marantas, Aphelandras, Crotons, Draceenas, Orchids, 
&c.; and associated with these was also a goodly collection of Ferns 
and Lycopods, the whole producing an excellent effect. 
The orchard house is a large span-roof structure 70 feet long and 
30 feet in width; it contains a good collection of fruit trees in pots, 
which are arranged in a bed in the centre of the house. Many of the 
trees were loaded with fruit—Plums, Pears, Cherries, Figs, and Apples, 
were particularly good. Figs do not ripen fruit on the open wall, they 
are therefore grown largely here in pots. 
The kitchen garden is divided into four compartments by means of 
two centre walks which intersect each other in the middle of the garden, 
where there is a large basin of water, a most useful appendage to a 
kitchen garden. The squares were chiefly occupied with vegetables 
and Strawberries; the last I fear will be scarce this season in this part, 
on account of so much wet weather at the time of ‘‘setting.” A row 
of espalier Apple and Pear trees, surrounds each division, and furnishes 
nice crops of fruit. Thé border next the walk is ornamented with 
flowering plants, which, when in full bloom, present a gay appearance. 
Wall fruit is pretty good here, with the exception of Peaches; a south 
wall covered with them has heretofore annually produced excellent 
crops, but alas! disease, so much complained of this season, has played 
sad havoc among the trees, which are in very bad condition, and have 
only a few starved-looking fruit at the points of the topmost shoots. 
The cause of all this, I presume, to be mainly owing to the low 
temperature of the present spring following the severe frost of last 
October. The Acton Scott proves the best Peach for this climate. On 
a west wall, I noticed a fine crop of May Duke Cherries, Bush fruit 
is generally good. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the 
weather for keeping down weeds, every place was remarkably neat and 
clean; and skill, energy, and perseverance were apparent in every 
department. 
Lreland, July 16. eens. 
GRAND NATIONAL ROSE SHOW. 
‘‘ GENTLEMEN of the Jury, I do not think that the prisoners at the bar, 
(No, I can hardly call them that), the distinguished personages before 
you, many of whose future position in Society, nay whose very existence 
itself, depends on the opinion you are pleased to express upon them, 
have hada fair chance as yet, and therefore 1 beg to ask that the 
venue may be changed; and I appeal to your English sense of justice 
that although the greater portion of these ladies and gentlemen are 
foreigners, that you will accede to my appeal.” Such has been in 
substance the pleading of the chief counsel and head champion of the 
Queen of Flowers, and which, in its consequences drew the edite of the 
floral world to Sydenham on the 12th ult., some to contend for prizes, 
and others to see the prizetakers, in the largest and most magnificent 
Rose show that ever was held, and which, as I have hitherto been the 
