The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-23 00:00:00

International Horticultural Exhibition.
•

One of the largest and certainly one of the best-
arranged flower shows which have ever been wit-
nessed in England was yesterday opened with the
most complete success on the waste grounds of the
late Exhibition, near the Horticultural Gardens. A
better arranged or better displayed exhibition of
this kind has never yet been offered to public in-
spection. Every flower of beauty, every plant of
rare worth, from the most delicate orchids and para-
sites of the tropics up to the hardiest ferns and coni-
fers of the northern regions, are all here exhibited,
and exhibited not only in their zones of vegetation
and in the utmost development of their forms, but
in all the contrast of colour and foliage which so
much brightens their beauty. Unlike other shows,
also, the immense collection is not merely ranged in
rows of plants and inrows
lof pots; the wide space in
which the flowers dflo and flowering shrubs,hpalms, tree
ferns, cacti, and greenhouse plants are own covers
an extent of nearly four acres, which is broken up
and diversified by the skill of the landscape garde.
ner. There are banks and valleys, little hills, and
knolls with rockeries and fountains, so that at every
instant and at every turn in the walks fresh glimpses
and fresh coups d'ceil relieve the eye. With great
good taste also the huge red pots in which most of
the plants were sent for exhibition are hidden away
under earth and moss, so that the whole collection,
no matter how varied in its character, seems as if
reared on the spot and the result of the careful
growth of years. The idea of this international
show in England was suggested by the similar
exhibitions which have been held in Holland and
elsewhere. To carry it out properly a large gua-
rantee fund was necessary, for the preliminary ex-
penses have been no less than £3,500, while up-
wards of £2,500 is given in prizes. In connection
with the display a sort of international botanical
congress will be held during the meeting at the
South Kensington Museum, when papers on
all the almost infinite branches of horiculture and
botany will be read, and one great conversazione
given to foreign and English visitors. For a show
of such a varied, and above all of such an extensive
character, it was necessaryto devise special arrange-
ments. No ordinary building—not even the great
extent of the Crystal Palace—was adequate for its
proper display. It was therefore determined at once
to erect a series of gigantic marquees which, built
upon timber supports, and very much on the old
ridge-and-furrow principle of the glass and iron
roofs, should suffice to shelter the whole collection.
Accordingly, as we have said, the show, instead
of being held on a space too circumscribed for the
proper display of flowers, is arranged in a pleasure-
ground of more than ordinary dimensions, withbroad
gravel walks, turfed embankments, miniature lakes,
and picturesque rockeries—everything, in fact, which
will set forth to advantage the beauties of the speci-
mens exhibited, and give to the visitors facilities for
ascertaining their many excellencies. Our readers
may glean some notion of the extent of the show
from the fact that no less than 162,980 square feet
are devoted to the exhibiting area—a
space compris-
ing more than 3I acres. Over this area a monster
tent has been erected, 562 ft. long by 293 ft. broad.
For the erection of this vast structure no less than
40,000 yards of canvas have been employed. The
space which this tent occupies extends from the
Cromwell-road entrance of the Great Exhibition of
1862 to what formerly constituted the refreshment
court of the Exhibition. To the visitor entering
from the Cromwell-road, the beds which first attract
attention are those occupied by light-coloured aza-
leas, pelargoniums, calceolarias, fuschias, and other
flowering plants, and plants of variegated foliage
and shrubs of sombre texture occupy those portions
not so conspicuous to the ordinary view. M. Am-
brose Verschaffelt, M. John Verschaffelt, and M.
Linden, of Brussels and Ghent, exhibit a collec-
tion of agaves, palms, and ferns of rare variety
and beauty. As many as 24 classes of azaleas are
exhibited by Mr. Turner, of Slough, and it is not
too much to say that this collection surpasses any-
thing of the kind hitherto presented to the metropo-
litan pubic. It is not only in their height that they
excel, but also in the faultless radiance of colour
and the almost mathematical regularity of their
bloom. The pyramids of flowers exhibited in this
class attest the prominent success attained in the
cultivation of these plants, varying, as the flowers
exhibited vary, through all degrees of shade, from
the most delicate white to the darkest crimson. If
anything could surpass in beauty of flower and
foliage the collection of azaleas it would be the mar-
vellous display of roses, which testify to Mr. Turner's
skill as one of our leading florists. In the various
classes of orchids, palms, and tropical plants a very
extensive display is made by Mr. Veitch, who dis-
tinguishes himself at every floral fete of this d • escrip-
tion. In these classes Messrs. Paul, Williams, and
Bell are also prominent exhibitors. The rhododen-
dron valley, supplied by Messrs. Waterer and God-
frey, forms one of the most interesting features of
the exhibition. The brilliant colours of the plants,
constituting as they do in themselves a rich and
varied picture, give an appearance of bright and
mellowed richness, affording a pleasant contrast to
the calm, cool green of the ferns, which rise above
and almost entirely conceal the rockwork in which
they are placed. The Crystal Palace Company ex-
hibit by far the finest ferns in the exhibition. One
of these is especially remarkable. It was sent some
seven years ago in a small glass case—being at that
time only a few inches in height—to Mr. Eyles, at
that time superintendent at the Crystal Palace gar-
dens, at present holding a corresponding position in
the gardens of the Horticultural Society. It is now
25ft. high. The tent devoted to orchids, which is
heated gratuitously by Mr. Ormson, occupies a space
greater than that occupied by ordinary flower shows.
It is 560 ft. long by 40ft. wide. The area of the tent
is 400,000 cubic feet, the length of pipe to be
heated, 3,200 ft. ; the superficial surface of pipe,
3,733 ft., and the quantity of water to be supplied,
1,760 gallons. The whole of this heating apparatus
is set in motion by a small wrought iron boiler the
invention of Mr. Ormson o
also. This boiler, which is
exceedingly economical in s'
consumption of fuel, is a
multitubular one, and smoke consuming. Sir C.
Mae, ALP-, is chairman of the
Exelculotiovree,Commit-
tee, while Messrs. Eyles, Gibson
Hogg constitute the body on whom the onerous
duties of arranging the grounds and flowers
mainly
depend. It is to be understood that this exhibition
is not immediately in connexion with the Horticul-
tural Society, but at the same time, though it does
not form one of the society's shows, it has the sup-
port and aid of the leading members of the Council.
It is almost needless to say that with a show of
such unexampled extent and variety the attendance
of visitors was unusually large. At about half-past
3 o'clock their Royal Highnesses the Prince and
Princess of Wales entered the tent, together with
Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of 111ecklen-
bilrg-Strelitz, the Princess Mary, and Prince Teck.
Generalthei
Teesdale, Knollys, Major . Colonel Purves,
W. Dilke, and Sir
Daniel cox° .narchnge'
Sir
Their Royal
were in attendance.
r yal
every part of Highnesses were conducted over
the shoal, staying longest near the
banks of azaleas, roses,—
and orchids. The chief and
the most enterprising of the foreign
exhibitors had
the honour of being
presented-1
tothuers Royal party,
who, after a stay of nearly two ho
in the tent,
passed into the gardens of the S•
etY.
The following is a list of theel principal prizes
awarded :

GENERAL COLLECTIONS,
Class I.—(Six New Plants, in or outon
2rticul-
duced into Europe by the exhibitor, and not flower, intro-
merce)—M. John Linden, Royal Zoological aZdnin
tural Gardens, Brussels ; Anthurium regale, Lind., Oriental
Peru, 1866 ; Bignonia ornate, Lind., Rio-Negro,
1866
Cyanophyllum speetandum, Lind., Maynas, 1866 ; Dicho'
risandra Musaica, Lind., Maynas, 1866; Maranta (CalatheaS
Lindeni, Wallis, Peru, 1866; Philodendron Lindeni, "Wall.
Ecuador, 1866-Ist prin. Messrs. James Veitch and Sons:
Chelsea ; Aralia sp. nov., New Caledonia, 1866 ; Coleus
013, New Caledonia, 1866;, Dieffenbaehia Pearcei, Peru,
1866 ; Begonia Pearcei, Peru, 1865 ; Bertolonia guttata,
Madagascar, 1865;2d
Croton sp., Solomon Islands, 1866
prize. Mr. John Linden, Brussels: Echites rubro-venosa,
Lind., Rio-Negro, 1866 ; Eranthemum igneum, Lind.
Maynas, 1866 ; Maranta illustris, Lind., "Upper Amazon,
Peru, 1866 ; Maranta rosee-picta, Lind., tipper Amazon,
1866 ; Pyschotria nivosa, Lind., Compos del Parana, 4866 ;
Tradescantia. undata, Lind., Peru, 1866-8 d prize.
Clams 2. —(8 New Planta, distinct, shown for the first

time in flower)—Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, Chelsea :
Aphelandra sp., Peru, 1865 ; Palava flexuosa„ Peru, 1866 ;
Eranthemum sp., Solomon Islands, 1866-Ist prize. Mr.
William Bull, :F.L.S., King's-road, Chelsea Bertolonia
margaritacea, Brazil, 1864 ; malope australis, Australia,
1865 ; Siphocampylus fulgens, South America, 1864-2 d
prize.
Class 3.—(1 New Plant, in flower, introduced into
Europe by the exhibitor, and not found in commerce)—M.
John Linden, Brussels ; Psychotria uivosa, Lind., Prov. of
St. Catherine, Campos del Parana, 1866-Ist prize. Mr.
John Standish, Royal Nursery, Ascot, Berks, and 52, St.
George's-place, -pla , Knightsbridge : Clematis fortunei ccerulea,
J
prize. Messrs. James Veitch and Sons,
1862-2dce
Chelsea : Rhododendron brookeanum, Borneo, 3d prize.
Class 4.—(1 New Plant, not in flower, introduced into
Europe by the exhibitor, and not found in commerce)—M.
John Linden, Brussels ; Dichorisandra Musaica, Lind.,
Maynas, 1866-Ist prize. M. John Linden, Brussels :
Maranta (Calathea) Lindeni, Wall., Oriental Peru, 1866-
2d prize. Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, Chelsea: Ma-
ianta Veitchii Peru, 1864-2 d prize. Messrs. Jas. Veitch
and Sons, Chelsea; Phyllanthus variegatus, New Hebrides,
1866-3 d prize. Mr. John Standish, Royal Nursery,
Ascot, Berks, and 52, St. George's-place, Knightsbridge :
Athyrium Goringianum tricolor, China or Japan, 1862-
3d prize. _

Class 5.—(12 New Plants, of any description, in or out
of flower, distinct)—Messrs. James Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea : Coleus Gibsoni, New Caledonia, 1866 ; Darwinia
fimbriata, Australia, 1865; Bertolonia, guttata, Madagascar,
1865 ; Aracea, Banks' Island, 1866 ; Aphelandra sp. nov.,
Peru, 1866; Maranta Veitchii, Peru, 1864; Begonia Pear-
ce; Peru, 1865; Croton aucubaafolia, New Hebrides, 1866;
Bertolonia sp., Peru, 1866 ; Aralia sp. nov., New Caledonia,
1866; Aralia
sp. nov., New Caledonia, 1866 ; Thuja sp.,
Japan, 1864—.15t prize. M. John Linden, Brussels: An-
thurium regale, Lind., Peru, 1866; Bignonia, ornata, Lind.,
Rio Negro, 1866 ; Eranthemum igneum, Lind., Peru, 1866;
Echites rubro-venosa, Lind., Rio Negro, 1865 ;
Dieffen-
bachia Wallisii, Lind., Upper Amazon, 1866 ; Manettia
metallica„ Lind., Peru, 1866 ; Maranta virginalis, Lind.,
Maynas, 1866 ; Maranta rosea-picta, Lind., Upper Amazon,
1865 ; Dichorisandra vitta)a, Lind., Rio Negro, 1865 ;
Philodendron Lindeni, Wall., Ecuador, 1866 ; Scindapsus
pictus, Ad. Brongn., Philippines Islands, 1866 ; Trad!s-
cantia undata, Lind., Maynas 1866 (the whole collection
is formed of plants not yet in the trade)-2d
Class 6—(6 New Plants, of any description, in or out of
flower, distinct)—Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria and Para-
dise Nurseries, Holloway, London, N.-Ist prize.
Class 7.—(16 Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in flower,
distinct)—Mr. Horatio L. Micholls, Summerfield, Bawdon
(T. Baines, gardener)-Ist prize. Mrs. Tredwell, St.
John's Lodge, Norwood (B. Peed, gardener)-2d prize.
Mr. J. J. Philpott, Stamford-hill, N. (J. Wheeler, gardener)
—3d prize.
Class 8.—(12 Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in flower, dis-
tinct)—Messrs. J. and C. Lee, Vineyard Nursery, Hammer-
smith —lst prize. Messrs. E. Cole and Sons, Withington,
near Manchester-2d prize.

Class 9.—(10 Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in flower, dis-
tinct)—Mr. J. G. Barclay, Leyton (D. Donald, gardener)
—lst prize. Mr. Thomas Canning, Westbury-on-Trym,
Bristol (Abraham Morse, gardener)-2d prize. Mr. John
J. Blandy, Highgrove, Reading, Berks (A. Ingram, gar-
dener)-3d prize.

Class 10.—(6 Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in flower, dis-
tinct)—Mr. W. R. G. Farmer, Nonsuch-part, Cheam (S.
M. Carton, gardener)-Ist prize, Mr. Wm. Leaf, Park-hill,
Streatham (Thomas Page, gardener)-11 prize.
Class 11.-0 Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in flower, dis-
tinct—Mr. Silvenson Timberly-Ist prize. Mr. B. S.
Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Holloway,
London, N.-2d prize. Messrs. S. Glendinning and Sons,
Nuiserymen, Chiswick-3d prize.
Class 13.—(The finest Stove or Greenhouse Plant, in or
out of flower, and not under 12 feet in height)—Messrs.
James Veitch and Sons, Chelsea ; Brownea erecta—lst
prize. Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nur-
series, Holloway ; Rhopala. De Jonghii-2d prize. Mr.
William Bull, F.L.S., Ring's-road, Chelsea, S.W.; Aran-
caria excelsa, 20 feet high, 10 gs.-3d prize.

Class 14.-12 Fine-foliaged Stove or Greenhouse Plants,
without reference to flowers, distinct, including variegated
plants, begonias and caladiums excepted—Mr. Horatio L.
Nicholls, Summerfield, Bowdon (T. Baines,`gardener)-Ist
prize. Mr. James Yates, Lauderdale House, Highgate (W.
Taylor, gardener)-2d prize. The Duke of Northumber-
land, Syon House, Isleworth (G. Fairbairn, gardener)-3d
prize.
Class 15.—(12 Fine-foliaged Stove or Greenhouse Plants,
without reference to flowers, distinct, including variegated
plants, begonias and caladiums excepted) Messrs. J. and
C. Lee, Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith-Ist prize.
Messrs. J. James Veitch and Sons, Chelsea-2d prize. Mr.
B. S. Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Holloway
—3d prize.
Class 16.—(6 Fine-foliage Stove or Greenhouse Plants,
without reference to flower, distinct, including variegated
plants, begonias and caladiums excepted)—Mr. J. Stephen-
son, Lark-hill, Timperley, near Manchester-Ist prize.
Miss Burdett Coutts, Holly Lodge, Highgate (Charles Hutt,
gardener)-2d prize. Mr. W. H. Stone, M.P., Leigh Paik,
Havant ((1. Young, gardener)-3d prize.
Class 17.—(12 Variegated Tender plants, distinct, Cala-
diums and Begonias excepted)—Messrs. James Veitch and
Sons, nurserymen, Chelsea-Ist. Mr. B. S. Williams,
Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Holloway -2d.

Class 18.-20 Economical and Medicinal Plants, dis-
tinct)—Mr. John Linden, Royal Zoological and Horticul-
tural Gardens, Brussels -Ist. Mr. William Bull, F.L.S.,
King's-road, Chelsea, S.W.-2d. Messrs. Osborne and
Sons, Fulham Nursery-3d.
Class 13.—(20 Hardy Deciduous Shrubs, in flower,
distinct, azaleas excepted)—Mr. Charles Turner, Royal
Nurseries, Slough-Ist. Mr. W. Paul, Paul's Nurseries,
Waltham-cross, London, N-2d.
Class 20.—(20 Hardy Deciduous Trees and Shrubs,
shown for the beauty of their foliage, distict, conifers ex-
cepted)—Mr. W. Paul, Paul's Vursories, Waltham-cross,
London N.-Ist.

Class 21.—(20 Hardy Evergreen or Deciduous Climbing
Plants, in or out of flower, distinct)—Mr. W. Paul, Nurse-
ries, Waltham-cross, London, N.-Ist. Mr. Charles Tur-
ner, Royal Nurseries, Slough-2d. Messrs. James Ivery
and Son, Dorking and Reigate-3d.
Class 22.—(20 Hardy Evergreen Trees and Shrubs, dis-
tinct, conifers excepted)—Messrs. George Jackman and
Son, Woking Nursery, Surrey-Ist. Mr. John Standish,
Royal Nursery, Ascot, Berks, and St. George's-place,
Knightsbridge-2d. Messrs. John and Charles Lee, Royal
Vineyard Nursery, Harumersmithz,3d.
Class 23.—(12 New Hardy Evergreen Trees and Shrubs,
distinct, conifers excepted)—Messrs. James Veitch and
Sons, Chelsea —lst. Mr. John Standish, Royal Nursery,
Ascot, Berks, and St. George's-place, Knightsbridge-2d.
Class 24.—(Hardy Alpine and Herbaceous Plants, in
flower, distinct)- Messrs. Jas. Backhouse and Sons, Nur-
series, York-Ist prize.
Class 25.—(50 Hardy Variegated Alpine and Herbaceous
Plants, distinct)—Mr. John Salter, F.R.H.S., Versailles
Nursery, William-street, Vale-place, Hammersmith-Ist
prize.