294- | THE FLORIST. 
quantity of plants, and next year 1 ‘shall’ be able to show it it “at ‘evel ty 
metropolitan fruit show.” DO a 
“This Grape, as exhibited, produced a bunch nine ‘fhiches long, | narrow. 
and tapering, very well set, without ‘shoulders. | In’ the shape’ of the: 
bunches and berries it bears-a strong. resemblance ‘to’ Black ‘Prince, but 
the berries aré not so large ‘as in that variety 5 they dre ‘perfectly oval, 
the’ skin quite black; ‘covered with ‘thin ‘bloom ; flesh firmer than ‘that 
of ‘Black Hamburgh, very juicy, the juice rich and | sprightly, with a 
slight muscat flavour. ‘The opinion of the ¢ommittee’ was reserved tilP 
the next ‘meeting, at which the variety, was to ‘be exhibited 1 in’ h better. 
condition. . 
if 
“LETTERS FROM THE CONTINENT plo} niet 
FLORENCE. soertenanies ore! 
STRANGERS sometimes see by accident? or from ignorance of etiquette, 
what residents could not»get/atu: A blunder’that» I made ‘this’ morning? 
has \ caused some oF my ‘acquaintance to mete LK" ee eo bisa 
resultedsii 1 sti 
‘I went to:the Pitti Palace early, and passing the soritilteté in the 
Grand (Porch -withoutra challenge, Dofound myself at’ the foot’ of the} 
Grand Staircase, which a troop of active vardeners had been decorating: | 
Their work was:still icompletes mechanics‘ of ‘all ‘sorts; busy as’ bees;’ 
were employed in‘ preparing the Palace’ fora grand banquet and: pall, 
to beogivento= night “by King? Victor’ Emmanuel, ‘and for which I ‘haves 
the honeust of am invitation, ‘and: shall’-see those ‘choice ‘adornments’ 
under the influence'of the many thousand wax ees veu by _ 
more agreeable than’ lamps or flaring ' gas: (}9! EW BASS 
. On every step ofthese grand marble stairs, 'on dich shade; Orangestrden it 
Oleanders, Roses; Myrtles):Camellias, Tree Peeonies, Acacias) Lilaesandy, 
Vines alternated ‘in eraceful combination, and although in very large jars’ 
or pans of fine red clay; well) modelled, eight persons’ could walk abreast! 
between the foliage of this ‘temporary’ ‘grove s\most of the~plants! were? 
aromatic, and jall‘in' the) perfection ‘of vigorous bloomi<\ The abundance 
variety, and ‘size’ of ithe: ‘Camellias“surprised ome 3° I: had seen isueli’ 
countless numbers:of blossoms ‘employed atthe illuminationon Tuessi 
day, that Tisaidj/notsonly Europe:must have’ been ransacked for them/p 
but: Japan and China laid under 'contributiony “Red tandwhite:Camel 
lias ‘with green Laurel leaves form the tricolor of freedom for Tuscany! 
and thus garlands‘of «those ‘beautiful exoties,’ pendant fromthe ‘houses! 
tops, crossed the strects leading’to the: Palaces iPlorente’ isso. famous! 
for ‘Camellias that M.sSloane; va! celebrated ohorticulturist» here, has 
furnished sceds’'to nearly ‘all the; gardeners’ of’ Europe!’ ii! ‘made: 
inquiry: about’ the growth of trees; tall as those: shad seen onthe? 
ducal staircase’in vases ‘so’ portable} and Jearnedthat for decorating 
interiors: plants: are’ “purposely trained) they roots cut; peat soil substit) 
tuted; and other stimulants adninistered, until: flowering: shrubs ‘under? 
which! you sean’ promenade: grow in garden*pots that one man! can lift) 
