It was generally anticipated that a grand display of plants, fruits, and vegetables would be brought together in response to the liberal schedule of prizes offered by the council of the Manchester Royal Botanic Society; but the results apparently exceeded the most sanguine expectations. Larger and more varied exhibitions of plants are occasionally held; but it is doubtful if the Manchester display of fruit and vegetables was ever equalled. The council, and Mr Bruce Findlay, the respected and energetic curator and secretary of the above Society, are therefore to be congratulated upon the result of their labours with regard to the extent of the exhibition. Unfortunately the weather was uncontrollable, and on at least two days of the four advertised exhibition days, rain constantly fell in torrents, water at times flowing down the tent pathway in great streams. This, as might be expected, frightened away thousands of intending visitors; the consequence being, to a great extent, financial failure. Fortunately the prize fund was principally previously subscribed, the original intention of the organisers being to devote the gate-money to the rebuilding of a range of glass houses.

This much needed restoration would be a very satisfactory outcome of the "Jubilee Exhibition," both to Mr Findlay and all interested in the Manchester Botanic Gardens, and it is to be hoped will yet be executed.

Manchester being comparatively a central spot, is equally convenient to northern as well as southern exhibitors, and both were remarkably well represented, notably in the fruit classes; and as these classes invariably prove most attractive to gardeners, we propose to discuss them more fully than our limited space will warrant in the case of the other sections of the show - good as all undoubtedly were. For the same reason (limited space), no attempt will be made to enumerate one-half of the prize-winners, and where mentioned, the gardener's name only will be given. In what may justly be termed the premier class - viz., that for a collection of fifteen kinds of fruits, there were four entries, all staging high-class fruit. Mr Coleman of Eastnor Castle secured the first prize with excellent examples of Black Hamburg, Muscat of Alexandria, Gros Maroc, and Madresfield Court Grapes; good smooth Cayenne and Queen Pines; Blenheim Orange and Eastnor Castle Melons; a dish each of highly-coloured Chancellor and Bellegarde Peaches, Elruge, and Lord Napier Nectarines; Brown Turkey Figs, Moorpark Apricots, and fine fruits of Pit-maston Duchesse Pear. Mr M 'Indoe, Hutton Hall, Guisborough, was awarded the second prize for a good collection, in which were excellent examples of Barbarossa and Black Hamburg Grapes, highly-coloured fruits of Humboldt Nectarines, and a fine dish of Beurre Superfine Pears. In the third prize collection, staged by Mr Roberts, Gunnersbury, were creditable examples of Madresfield Court and Black Hamburg Grapes, Smooth Cayenne and Queen Pines, and William Tillery Melon. With twelve kinds of fruits there were seven entries, but three failed to stage.

The first prize was awarded to Mr J. Austen, Ashton Court, Bristol, for a capital lot, consisting of well-coloured Muscat of Alexandria and Black Hamburg Grapes, two Pines, a Melon, Noblesse Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, etc. The second prize lot, staged by Mr G. T. Miles, Wycombe Abbey, Bucks, was only slightly beaten, included good Gros Maroc and Muscat Grapes, and Pines. Four collections of nine kinds of fruits were staged, the first prize coming to Mr Edmonds, Bestwood Lodge, Notts, and his most noteworthy dishes were the Black Hamburg Grapes, Smooth Cayenne Pine, and Best-of-all Melon. Mr J. H. Clayton, Grimston Park, Tadcaster, was placed second in this class. Six exhibitors staged six kinds of fruits, the first prize going to Mr D. Wilson, Castle Hill, Devon. Collections of hardy fruits in twelve kinds were not extensively shown, and with the exception of those staged by Mr Haycock, Maidstone, were not of marked superiority.

In a well filled class for ten varieties of Grapes, one bunch of each, Mr Hunter, Lambton Castle, Durham, proved invincible. This exhibitor's bunches generally were very heavy, and in most instances the berries were large and well-colcured. The varieties were Gros Colmar, Barbarossa, Trebbiano, Muscat of Alexandria, Lady Downes, Aramon, Calabrian Raisin, Black Hamburg, Foster's Seedling, and Black Alicante. Mr M'Indoe followed with much smaller, but otherwise excellent examples. The third prize was awarded to Mr Hammond, Brayton Hall, Carlisle, for a collection which only wanted time to ripen properly. Out of fifteen collections of six kinds of Grapes, the best were those staged by Mr Elphinstone, Shipley Hall, Derby. His bunches were not remarkable for size, but the berries were set evenly, and large and perfectly coloured, notably the Gros Colmar, Madresfield Court, Alicante, and Muscat of Alexandria, and very good were the examples of Muscat Hamburg and Golden Queen. Mr J. Austen secured the second prize for a very creditable lot, and Mr Hammond was again third. Black Hamburgs were largely staged, there being twenty-two competitors in the class for two bunches.

The first prize examples staged by Mr Boyd, Callender House, Falkirk, were perfect in every respect, and but slightly inferior were those which gained the second place for Mr Barker of Rock Ferry. Twenty exhibitors staged two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria - Mr Austen being first with, for the season, remarkably well-finished bunches, Mr J. Hudson, Gunnersbury House, Acton, following closely. In a good class Mr Boyd was first with Muscat Hamburg Grapes, and Mr W. Wallis, Kirkby Hall, York, second. Mr J. H. Goodacre staged well-finished examples of Madresfield Court, and was placed first in the class for that variety, Mr Roberts following closely. Mr W. Elphinstone staged grand bunches of Black Alicante - perfect in every respect, and was awarded the first prize; and very good were the second prize bunches staged by Mr Forbes, Derwent Lodge, Cockermouth. Mr Elphinstone was also first for two bunches of Gros Colmar, Mr Forbes being again second; both staging perfect examples. The best Lady Downes were staged by Mr W. Bannister, Cole House, Westbury-on-Tyne; and the first prizes for Duke of Buccleuch and Golden Champion Grapes were secured by Mr M'Indoe, the exhibits in each instance being of the best description.