Gladioli from Langport and Petunias from Swanley were the two special features of the meeting, though new plants were well represented by the Chelsea firms. The Council-room did not present a crowded appearance, nor were the duties of either Committee very onerous, but for the fast-advancing season the exhibits were good in quality and numbers.

Fruit Committee

Harry J. Veitch, Esq., in the chair. W. H. Dunnett, Esq., Stour House, Dedham, Essex, sent fruits of a new seedling Black Currant named Black Champion, for which a first-class certificate was granted. The individual fruits were of remarkable size, globular, and very black. The bunches also were unusually large, and, judging by the small branches exhibited, the variety must be an extremely prolific one. Both the members of the Committee and the horticultural visitors generally were unanimous in their praises of it, and several unhesitatingly affirmed it was the finest Black Currant that has been seen at Kensington. Mr R. Phillips, gardener to Captain Jackson, The Deodars, Meopham, Kent, showed three handsome bunches of Duke of Buccleuch Grape, for which a cultural commendation was deservedly awarded. The berries were of remarkable size even for this variety, and the flavour was good. Fruit of Tomato Perfection, a cross between Trophy and Acme, were also shown. They were very even and globular in form, and of excellent colour. It is also said to be prolific. Mr Record, gardener to Charles Hanbury, Esq., Belmout House, East Barnet, was awarded a cultural commendation for three Queen Pine-Apples, of good size, regular in shape, and of good colour.

Messrs T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, exhibited a collection of Cherries, comprising eleven varieties, especially noteworthy being the handsome Bigarreau Noir de Schmidt. Several other varieties were also superbly represented. A vote of thanks was accorded. Mr T. Bailey, The Gardens, Shardeloes, Amersham, sent a finely netted fruit of Victory of Bristol Melon, weighing 7 lb. 2 oz. Mr J. Monro, The Gardens, Harefield Grove, Uxbridge, also sent a very large ribbed green-flesh Melon named High-field Grove Melon, of moderately good flavour, but not great depth of flesh. Mr J. Walker of Thame obtained a first-class certificate for Pea named Walker's Perpetual Bearer, a variety of moderate height and prolific, the pods being about medium size and well filled. Mr H. Eckford, gardener to Dr Sankey, Sandywell Park, Cheltenham, also had a new Pea named Victor, a cross between Champion of England and Advancer, but which was not considered specially remarkable. Mr Culverwell of Thorpe Perrow sent several seedling Peas that were thought very promising, and recommended to be tried at Chiswick. A collection of Apples and fruits of the Pear Bergamotte Auguste Jurie were contributed from the Society's Garden. Mr Fleming of Cliveden, Maidenhead, sent fruits of Dr Hogg Fig in good condition, and the Committee requested that the variety should be tried at Chiswick.

Messrs Hooper & Co.'s prizes for fruits of the green-flesh Melon Sirdar of Cabul were accorded to Mr G-. Williams, The Gardens, Peasemarsh Place, Eye, and Mr G. Stiggles, gardener to H. W. Green, Esq., Faulkners House, Hadlow, Tunbridge, who were placed first and second respectively for fruits of good size, the former smooth and the latter ribbed. There was no exhibit in the class for Tomatoes.

Floral Committee

James M'Intosh, Esq., in the chair. Messrs J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, staged a beautiful though small group of new plants, including several fine Orchids, one of which was certificated and is described below. A Solanum-like plant named Jasmonica Sodenia (?) was noteworthy for its cymose panicles of white starry flowers; and hybrid Cypripediums were also well represented. Mr Bull of Chelsea contributed a collection of new plants, several being honoured with certificates. Messrs Kelway & Son, Langport, Somersetshire, had a handsome collection of Gladioli, over four dozen spikes being shown, the flowers large, and the colours varied, either exquisitely delicate or strikingly rich and bright. Messrs H. Cannel & Son, Swanley, contributed a fine display of double Petunia blooms, 160 being staged, representing many distinct and beautiful varieties. Some very pretty fringed forms were particularly noteworthy, and the tints ranged from white to pink of various shades, crimson, and purple, some being very rich. Several large Sunflowers, fine African Marigolds, specimen of the dwarf, free, brightly coloured Tropaeolum Vesuvius, and varieties of Salpiglossis sinuata were exhibited by the same firm, for all of which a vote of thanks and cultural commendations were awarded.

Mr A. Waterer, Knap Hill, Woking, had some fine examples of Lilium Parkmanni and L. Mrs Waterer, the former being very handsome and well deserved the cultural commendation awarded for it. Baskets of Erica vulgaris aurea and alba nana were also shown, the last-named being very floriferous and compact in habit. A variegated Abies was certificated, and is described in another portion of the report. Messrs Carter & Co., High Holborn, exhibited some good specimens of the deep orange-coloured Lily L. Batemannae; flowers of a new bright rose-coloured Eschscholtzia named Rose Cardinal, very pretty; and flowers of the new dwarf Tropaeolum Empress of India, which were very bright in colour. Mr T. S. Ware, Tottenham, staged a collection of single Dahlias. A white variety of good form named White Queen was noteworthy, as were also some yellow, scarlet, and purple forms. Mr W. J. Cross, florist, Salisbury, sent a stand of blooms of a Carnation named The Governor, blush white, compact, full, even, and of good substance.

Captain Patton, Alpha House, Regent's Park, sent a plant of Lilium auratum with a peculiar fasciated stem, the numerous flowers being very closely clustered near the summit. G. F. Wilson, Esq., Weybridge, was awarded a vote of thanks for a spike of Watsonia rosea, the flowers possessing a very pretty shade of light rosy purple.

In the vestibule Messrs C. Lee & Son, Hammersmith, had an interesting collection of hardy trees and shrubs, comprising ornamental and variegated forms of Oaks, Beeches, Elms, Alders, Horse-Chestnuts, Maples, Elders, Dogwoods, and many others, all more or less attractive. Messrs F. & A. Smith of West Dulwich also had a group of Balsams in pots, the plants of moderate size, but the flowers were of excellent form, very double, and good in colour. The Committee recommended that medals should be awarded to Messrs Kelway for their Gladioli, to Messrs Cannell for their Petunias, and to Messrs Lee for the hardy plants.

First-class certificates were awarded for the following plants : -

Cattlcya Chamberlainiana (Veitch)

A beautiful hybrid between C. Leopoldi and C. Dowiana, the former parentage predominating. The sepals and petals are narrow, of a purplish crimson hue, the lip being fringed and rich purple in colour.

Bouvardia Alfred Neuner (Bull)

The double American Bouvardia which has been repeatedly described in these pages. Some of the umbels on the plant shown had over a dozen flowers of neat form.

Adiantum Aneitense (Bull)

One of the pedate section of Maidenhair Ferns, the pinnules being oblong in shape and very closely placed, forming a neat frond of moderate size.

Actiniopteris Australis (Bull)

A pretty but well-known little Fern with neat palmately divided fronds, the divisions being linear in form.

Gladiolus Pelargo (Kelway)

A handsome variety. Flowers large, of a rich scarlet colour, with a few darker streaks. The blooms are very closely placed in the spike, which is massive and imposing in appearance.

Asplenium Pterioides

Mr C. Green, The Gardens, Pendell Court, Bletch-ingley, was accorded a first-class certificate for a Fern under the above name. It is a native of Lord Howe's Island, and has pinnate dark-green fronds, the pinnae having narrow tooth-like segments closely set on the stalks. In general outline the frond is acutely elliptical, 8 to 12 inches long, the pinnae 1 to 4 inches long.

Cereus Pectinatus (Croucher)

A species with peculiar barrel-shaped stems, covered with reddish spines, form quite a close network on the surface.

Cereus Giganteus (Croucher)

A strongly ribbed form with greyish or blush spines, much larger than the last.

Echinocactuswistizenii (Croucher)

Also strongly ribbed. The spines very strong and long, curved at the extremity. A few white filaments are distributed amongst the spines. •

Abies Canadensis Variegata (Waterer)

A variegated form of the Canadian Abies, the young shoots being very prettily marked with white.

Malva Moschata Alba

Messrs H. Cannell & Sons were awarded a first-class certificate for this plant, which is a beautiful variety of Mallow with pure white flowers. These are produced in great abundance, and the plant being quite hardy, it is a really valuable addition to the list of border plants. No doubt the flowers would prove very useful for cutting. - Journal of Horticulture.