This event, which causes so much interest to many gardeners, was this year conspicuous for the even quality of the Grapes shown. None of the bunches were of a large size, but the general excellence of these as a whole was most noteworthy. Some of the cut - flowers were also of a high order of merit, while the vegetable tables were filled with examples of very fine culture indeed. The plants displayed a thinness which the massive tables filled by the Edinburgh nurserymen, and the single plants dotted about the market from the Royal Botanic Garden, could not prevent being noticeable. The weather on the first day was of that miserable dripping character we on the east side of the island are fast becoming too familiar with : fortunately there occurred a break on the second day. A very large gathering of gardeners and others interested in horticultural pursuits were present the first day, amongst whom were notabilities from the South and from across the Channel.

As usual, the exhibition produce set up by nursery firms bulked largely. The Lawson Seed and Nursery Co. occupied the west end of the market as usual, this time with an oval group of stove and greenhouse plants very prettily arranged on the system of dotting tall plants amongst an undergrowth of those of smaller size. Messrs Ireland & Thomson again filled the westmost large group with a most effective group of plants, conspicuous amongst which were some of the Crotons with which the premier card was carried off from the Manchester International a fortnight previously. As at Manchester, such fine Crotons had not before been seen at Edinburgh. Two fine Nepenthes were also shown in this group, besides a very choice assortment of the newer and best popular stove and greenhouse plants. Four new Crotons were also shown, to each of which a first-class certificate was awarded : these were C. Thomsonii, which was first at Manchester in the class for the best new plant, C. Duke of Buccleuch, C. Houldsworthii, and C. Whittonii - all grand varieties, superbly grown and coloured.

Messrs Downie & Laird's table was in the massive style common to the groups of this firm - extra-large Palms having the chief share in the get-up. Very attractive were the fine boxes of cut florist's flowers with which the front of one side of this table was filled. These included Dahlias of every section, French and African Marigolds, Pentstemons, Phloxes, and Violas, in the best and newest varieties. In the table next to this, Messrs T. Methven & Sons had a very varied display of plants suitable for table decoration, and a great variety of Ferns, some large Palms occupying the centre of the group. Messrs Dicksons & Co. filled the endmost table, having some grand Tree Ferns as their piece, de resistance. A very fine Eucharis amazonica was also noticeable; while two large baskets filled with flowering plants of Primula capitata were worthy of attention. Collections of their Pinks for borders and cutting purposes were also shown : some of these are valuable additions. Close by, a table filled with medicinal and other interesting plants not commonly met with, had been furnished by Mr Sadler from the Royal Botanic Garden.

Turning now to the competition produce, we noted all the flowering plants as very good indeed - Mr Paterson's Heaths, when we consider the lateness of the season, being quite a feature. Mr Paul's plants were large and well bloomed; and a fine Lapageria rosea was shown in the 2d-prize lot of two flowering plants. The foliage plants were not so fine as we have seen them. Ferns were fresh, but small; the Orchids only a small competition, but containing some good plants - notably so, a good specimen of Oncidium nemorum, with four long spikes of its soft flowers. A good specimen of Odontoglossum grande was also noticeable. Two very fine flowers of Cattleya gigas were exhibited from Mr Smith, Brentham Park. The group of plants from Mr Paul had some nice flowering pieces of Orchids intermixed very effectively amongst foliage plants. Vallotas were a very rich display.

Amongst the cut-flowers, the Poses from Messrs Cocker & Son, Aberdeen, were very remarkable, many of the blooms being as fine as they are to be seen in summer. This firm also showed stands of Alfred Colomb, Marie Baumann, Comtesse d'Oxford, and La France, in grand order. Dahlias were a good show, even and fine in quality. Phloxes were also fine; and very bright were the Geraniums. Amongst Asters, the first-prize quilled dozen were extraordinarily fine examples of good culture. Hollyhock, Gladiolus, etc, were either poor in quality or nothing out of the common about them. Messrs Todd & Co., Maitland Street, had some bouquets, a wreath, etc. - beautiful examples of this kind of thing.

As already noted, the Grapes were of very high excellence; there were also a great many of them; and many of the competing lots were so very close as to make judging rather an unpleasant duty, while the role of the critic in consequence was a very easy one, and duly followed up by a large number of people who knew all the points before them, weak and strong alike. This is a very pleasant occupation, at the same time that it enlarges one's faculties of observation, and is altogether a most beneficial manner of passing the time at a fruit show. It has, however, one drawback - I can only think of one at present - there is a difficulty that we poor reporters feel very much, and that is, we would also like to examine the fruit, in order to allow the large constituency of gardeners who cannot get to see the fruit for themselves to have at least some idea as to how it looks. Of course it doesn't matter at all that many ladies never get near the tables. Well, the great feature was the Grapes. M'Indoe's collections of fruits were highly meritorious, his Pears, Peaches, etc, being better than those of any other competitors; but in the class for eight sorts, the Broxmouth Grapes overweighted even the general high quality so noticeable throughout his collections.