The interior of the Town Hall never appeared in more attractive guise than it dit on Thursday, when it was the venue of the spring show of the Shanghai Hortieultural Society. To say that it was the hest exhibition ever held under the auspices of the Society would not be true, for in some departments it fell behind the one of last yenr, but when the various drawbacks attendant on the vagaries of the weather in the early part of the year are taken into recount, then it must be aslmitted that the collections of plants and flowers on view are equal to those sent in former years. 'Especially is this so with regard to' thos: flowering shrubs which are not as depend: ant on seasonable climatic influences some other kinds, which will not respon-t to the most tonier and careful treatment should other ails tos Jopment {ail them. Some specimens of fern life were exhibited, and panese oranges, growing on the tree, ided a sense of covetousness with some strawberries of abnormal size and luscious appearance. Bue it is difficult to eularise amongst an abundance of des able things without one is a specialist. Lverywhere the eye was rested with the enol green of leaf, and the modulated tints of blossom, all attesting to the wealth of bounteous nature culled ant trained by skilled hands and large experience for oar enjoyment.
here were five tables decorated by ladies, and the general impression was that the special Lady Judges, Mesdames Dowler, Bland. and Dudgeon, had rightly a w to No. 1 table, decorated by Miss Bell and Miss Macleod. Tu this ense the begonia blossom of various pink shades had been used with happy effect. who second prize wax awaned to No. 2 table, decorated by Miss Bell and the Misses Macleod with marguerites and coreopsis, Mrs. Cornfont took the third prize for a table dovorated with phlox drummondii and stocks of lilac tints. Table No. 3 was also vary pretty, bar, the pink roses made use of had wilted o to the 7 boat, so that the best effect was lost. 5 table, with vivid scarlet decorate ins too suggestive of w disease wi Shanghai has been afflicted of late.
The bridal bouquet, and_small table decoration of Mrs. A. C. Hunter were very pretty, and fully deserved the prizes awarded to them.
The arrangements for the show were carried out with the groutest success. Mr. 'A. Arthur, the Municipal superintendent of Parks and Gardens, displayed, as he has always done, the greatest care in the placement of the different exhibits. Special mention must be made of the stand of out firn, and arranged in a way which was plants from the Public Gardens, selected by
admired and commented upon by everyone. The judges, Messrs. Arthur, Ambrose and Crawford D, Kerr, conducted their work with the greatest impartiality and success, and in discharging the duties involved in deciding upon the quality of the table decorations the three ladies mentioned above showed conspicuous taste and ability. Miss Proctor was the Hon. Secretary. During the afternoon and evening the own Band, under the conductorship of Signor Valenza, played selections of suitable music. There were numerous attendances throughout the day.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.