The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-12 00:00:00

ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S FETE.

Yesterday, the second flower show of the Royalßotanio
Society, which is the grand fête of the season, was held
at the gardens in the Regent's-park. It has become so
common, in speaking of this establishment, to say that
each show is the best there has ever been, that it must
almost be expected the phrase is worn out, and yet wo
must still use it, for such are the efficts of competition
that each fete presents a visible progress of the floricul-
tural arts. When the society was first established it
was supposed the height of luxury in cultivation had
been attained; and in the early shows there was some.
times an inferiority on particular occasions, but by the
application of the largely increased prize fund, and
the greater public brought in as spectators, such a
stimulus has been given as to make it almost
a matter of course some strong evidence of im-
provement Should manifest itself at each display. The
tents were in three groups, forming three centres of
attraction. On the west, near the American exhibition,
was a tent with stove and greenhouse plants, in which
were most remarkable the collections of Mrs. Lawrence,
Lady Autrobus, and Miss Traill. These were pictu-
resquely grouped, and a new arrangement of turf banks
having been introduced by the Curator for their display,
a very beautiful coup d'xil was presented. On the north.
behind the grand conservatory were three tents, in
which were the orchideous collections, the heaths, and
the pelargoniums. The beauty and variety of the or-
chideous collections immediately struck the spectator,
and near them was a remarkable group of pitcher plants,
contributed by Messrs. Veitch, of Exeter. The pelar-
goniums were in admirable condition, and were the sub-
ject of just admiration. On the east side of the garden
was the fruit tent, in which the productions were in the
finest condition. Tho pines were well grown, the grapes
large, the strawberries ofgreat size and well-flavoured,
while the tropical fruits showed great progress. Con-
spicuous among these were the vanilla and the cycas re-
volute. The roses exhibited in this tent had suffered by
the late unfavourable weather.
Besides the special exhibitions of the day the others
attracted the attention of the visitors. The American
exhibition was in the full flush of beauty, and presented
a scene from fairyland. In order to afford better views
of the exhibition, Mr. Marnock has constructed a
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illustrated by cut leaves and by wax models in the
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museum. The great conservatory was specially ar-
ranged for the occasion with large groups of flowers.
Although the weather was far from agreeable, and
the anticipated number of visitors did not attend, there,
was not less than fifteen or sixteen thousand, a larger
number than ever assembled on such an occasion. The
musical arrangements were under the direction of
Messrs. Tutton, Waddell, and Grattan Cooke, with tineir
three bands, and gave great satisfaction. The numerous
foreign visitors were justly surprised at the extraordi-
nary culture of the plants, but more particularly at a re-
union of fashion, wealth, and beauty which no other
country can present, and which on few other other oc-
casions has been surpassed. The total number of tickets
sold to the present time is 31,000.