value of this specimen is about $5OO. Also, a
ficus elastica, or India-rubber plant, very orna
mental and striking; the sonerilla margarcla
cea, which is an extremely beautiful plant with
spotted leaves, and is under a bell-glass; a
fine specimen of babiania Bourbonica ; a splen
did fern, the Blechnum Brazilicnsis; also, a
fine collection of Begonias, and by far the best
show of Lycopodiums in the exhibition—one of
these, the L. lepidophylla, is under glass.
He also has, above the table, in a hanging
basket, a ficus repens, in the shape of a wasp’s
nest.
On the table devoted to the collection of Mr.
11. A. Drecr, there is an admirable collection
of lycopodiums, caludiums, ferns, fuschsias,
coleus, begonias, calceolarias, and a fine Austra
lian pine. This collection is all in that admi
rable condition in which Mr. Dreer’s plants are
generally found. Next to Mr. Dreer’s collec
tion are two of the famous Longstreth Hives
exhibited (and presented to the Fair) by Mr.
John Turner. In one is a new swarm, and in
the other the full crop. This latter hive
yielded last year between sixty and seventy
pounds of honey. Mr. Turner’s success and
liberality entitle him to honorable notice.
The adjoining two tables are covered with
plants from the splendid collection of Mr. D.
Rodney King, Chairman of the Horticultural
Committee. These plants are all tropical and
extraordinarily well-grown. Here is a very
fine billbcrgia rosea, a dracoena terminalis, a
maranta regulis, and an M. Zebrina, many be
gonias, among which is the fine variety B. Rex.
Also, fine plants of the crcopana daclylyfolia
and strellitzia regina. This gentleman has also
some fine plants in the central pyramid.
Mr. M. W. Baldwin has two tables, presided
over by Mr. William Joyce. Here are fine
orchids, or air plants, cateya mossia, Caladium
bicolor, and Argy rites, a Me Bourbon palm, and
a fine plant in bloom of the curious species—
the Oneidiumpapilis, or butterfly orchid. The
collection of caladiums on this table is remark
ably fine.
The next is a supply table for the sales
apartment. Adjoining it is one filled by
Messrs. Wright, of Germantown, and Fergu
son, of Laurel Hill.
Among the many plants on Mr. R. Buist’s
table, we notice the Croton variagatum rubrum,
many fine acacias and gloxinias, the pandanus
javanica, the ananissa variagalu, the pavetta
Bourbonica, and the Dorganthus excclsa. This
display is rich and full, covering two large ta
bles.
Mr. Joshua Longstreth has a fine display
of large plants; and next comes the table of
Mr. Peter McKensie & Son, with its display
of fine apples, Dragon trees, with their rich, •
red leaves, cinnamon trees, the real sugar cane,
the lucca variagata, Japan cedars, variegated
hydrangeas, the auracaria Braziliensis, or Bra
zilian pine, and acacias, ivies, &c. Messrs. Mc-
Oite Daily UT.a.:e&:el
Kcnsie have many plants in hanging baskets,
&c., all over the hall.
Mrs. George W. Carpenter has some re
markably fine palms, pines, &c., in tubs, dis
tributed in various parts of the hall. Some 01
these are in the central pyramid.
The “Flower Market” is another feature of
this Floral Temple. Here cut flowers and
plants are daily furnished by liberal citizens,
and no matter how large the contributions,
nothing remains at the close of the evening.
Mr. I. E. Mitchell, Chairman of the Com
mittee on Arrangements and Decorations, has
had charge of the Flower Market, and, with
his usual taste and liberality, he has not per
mitted any other portion of the Horticultural
display to exceed his own special department.
The entrance to the “ Market ” is through
three arches with doric columns, and the in
scriptions over the arches arc in English, French
and German —Flower Market ; Marciib au
Fleurs, and Blii.men Markt. The exit for
the market has rustic arches of ornamental
design.
Close by the market you can purchase
plants, wax flowers, or, if you arc in search of
the substantials, they meet you in the shape of
strawberries and cream, etc. Mrs. Dr. Dar
rachis the presiding lady at the stand for wax
fruit and flowers. Among tire vast number of
contributors to these tables, where the revenue
is likely to net a very handsome amount for
the Commission, are : Mrs. Bowman, of Ger
mantown ; Mrs. Henry Morris, Mrs. Joseph
Lovering, the Ladies’ Aid Society of Lower
Williston, Pa., (who send a fine collection of
stuffed birds;) Mr. B. I. Ledorn furnishes
fruit and vegetables; the House of Refuge con
tributes daily large quantities of cut flowers ;
Glenwood Cemetery sends the same. Three
days in the week .Miss E. Fisher, of German
town, sends her contribution of cut flowers,
and daily there is a supply of strawberries and
flowers from the Agricultural Department at
Washington. Wills’ Hospital, Blockley Hos
pital, Laurel Hill and Mt. Vernon Cemeteries,
send liberal contributions of flowers and fruit.
The nurserymen have been particularly ac
tive in endeavoring to add to the receipts.
Many of these gentlemen, not being able con
veniently to send flower plants, have deposited
certificates entitling the purchaser to select
plants from their stock to the amount stated
upon the card.
Among those sending these “ orders for nur
sery stock” are Messrs. William Bright, of
Rising Sun; Robert Otto, West Chester; T.
F. Seal, Chester county; E Allen, New Bruns
wick, New Jersey; T. Merceron, Catawissa;
J. B. Gray, West Chester; E. J. Evans, York;
H. M. Engle, Marietta; and D. Engle, of the
Bame place; Haines & Hacker, Cheltenham;
11. A. Dreer, Philadelphia; Thomas Meehan,
Germantown; D. Nelson, Glenwood Nursery;
and S. Miller, of Lebanon. We must not omit
to mention Mr. J. A. Wilson, resident engineer
of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Altoona, who
scut two carloads of evergreens to deck the
columns and other portions of the hall. Mrs.
Dr. Price, of West Chester, also sent many
evergreens. Mr. John Menzics presented a
moving ship, which is interesting and valua
ble.
Messrs. Cornelius & Baker furnished,
among other articles, two very curious and
attractive ornaments for the border surround
ing the fountain. These consist of a combi
nation of gas jets and water-lilies. The stem
and flowers are of iron, and the petals are
formed of gas jets, and at night the effect is
very beautiful. The majority of visitors are
completely deceived in regard to the mechan
ism of these new ornaments.
The statuary, which adds so much to the
display, comes from Mr. S. A. Harrison.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to all the
parties concerned in the horticultural display.
Mr. William M. Ogilsby superintended the
plumbing and gas-fitting, and it is surprising
that in the multiplicity of forms and devices,
nothing was found defective on the opening
day. Mr. .Michael Mills had charge of the
fountains and the water arrangements, and to
his skill in the grouping of the plants in the
centre is due much of the grand effect of the
whole exhibition.
The display of aquaria is very large in this
department, and deservedly attracts attention
from the curious. In one of these beautiful
ornaments there is a skillful and instructive
combination of fire, water, air and earth. Near
by is a magnificent cactus case from the fine
collection of Mr. D. R. King.
But the most attractive feature of the exhi
bition in the Horticultural department remains
to be described. Two rooms have been fitted
up for representations of the Frigid and Torrid
Zones. And first of the Arctic: A ship lies
locked in the icy embrace of a frozen sea; ice
bergs tower above it; stunted Arctic vegeta-
tion, consisting of a few hardy and blast-beaten
pines, make the scene more chilling, by the
suggestions of a temperate clime. Ice every
where ; near at hand, piled up in great moun
tains of crystal splendor; and, in the far dis
tance, across the cold blue water, in bergs
and fields of snewy whiteness, while in the
back ground the artist’s pencil has been
used to give the spectator an idea of the vast
expanse of vacant space. Over all is shed a
pale blue light, containing not a degree of
warmth, and the whole scene is one of frozen
beauty. Professor Booth, who designed and
executed this exquisite picture, has reaped
new honors by his success, and the assistance
rendered by Mr. Wunderlich has done much
to render the scene a perfect one.
Next to this is the Torrid Zone, the produc-
tion of the skill and taste of Mr. South wood.
Mr. King’s fine collection of plants is here