THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 237 



Mr. Hedge, Reed Hall, and Mr. Catchpool. The lovers of ferns had ample 

 opportunity of gratifying tkeir taste in that department, the greater portion 

 of one of the small tents being occupied by the collection of British and 

 foreign ferns shown by Mr. Catchpool, who carried off the first prize, and 

 that of Mr. Stoddart, who received the second. These collections numbered 

 about 130 pots. Some good verbenas were shown by the Rev. E. Hall, of 

 Myland ; Mr. Hedge, of Reed Hall ; and Mr. B. R. Cant. There were good 

 cockscombs, achimenes, and herbaceous cut flowers. The exhibition of 

 asters, both in the French and German quilled varieties, was excellent, 

 showing the great improvement which has taken place in this description of 

 flower within a few years. Messrs. Chater and Son, of Braintree, sent 

 several spikes and stands of hollyhocks, which, for compactness and beauty 

 of form, surpassed anything of the kind previously seen in Colchester. In 

 the class of cut roses, Mr. B. R. Cant had an attractive stand of twelve, and 

 J. S. Birnes, Esq., a collection of six. The judges disqualified all the stands 

 of twelve each, because they were not shown with the foliage as cut, loose 

 leaves having been inserted to set the flowers off to greater advantage. The 

 judges held that it was a violation of the rules, and their disqualification of 

 all the stands will lead, no doubt, to an entire change in the mode of showing 

 cut roses. The great attraction was the collection of dahlias. Mr. Turner 

 took the silver cup for a stand of 24 magnificent flowers. Mr. Barnes, of 

 Stowmarket, and several growers of local celebrity, were also competitors, 

 but none of them had a chance in the race with the famous grower of Slough. 

 The exhibition of fruit was very large and superior. The first prize for a 

 pine was given to Mr. Catchpool for a splendid fruit ; in the class for grapes 

 there was good competition, the prize was given to Mr. Hotson. For white 

 grapes the prize was awarded to the Rev. W. H. Herring. In the cottagers' 

 department there was a very excellent show both of vegetables, fruits, and 

 flowers, but we missed the abundant supplies of honey which we have seen 

 on former occasions. It is computed there were nearly 2000 persons present. 



Ashton-under-Lyne Celery Snow, Sept. 20. — A celery show took 

 place at the house of Mr. Samuel Potts, Oddfellows' Arms, when no less 

 than thirty prizes were contended for. The show was extremely well at- 

 tended, and prizes were awarded as follows : — 1st, to Mr. William Marland, 

 whose stick weighed 6lb. ioz. ; 2nd, Henry Cropper, 51b. 14oz. ; 3rd, John 

 Silcock, 51b. lOoz. ; 4th, William Andrew, 51b. 9k>z, ; 5th, Samuel Potts, 

 51b. 8|-oz. ; Gth, Edward Kuott, 51b. 8oz. ; 7th, John Walker, 51b. 4oz. The 

 other growers followed in rotation, the lowest stick weighing 21b. 7oz. 

 Amongst the number Avere two seeders which weighed 51b. 2^az. aud 51b. 

 lioz. There was a cause of great attraction in the shape of a magnificent 

 mansion built of flowers, which must have cost considerable time and labour 

 to Mr. S. Potts, jun., and others. The show-room was embellished by a dis- 

 play of fruit, etc., and gave the utmost satisfaction. 



Gardeners' Anniversary. — On Saturday, September 18, the members 

 of the Earl Grey Lodge, 105 of the United Free Gardeners, held their anni- 

 versary at the house of Mr. John Cook Hallbottom, Gate Inn, Newton, Lan- 

 caster. Upwards of 80 of the members, including their wives and sweet- 

 hearts, partook of an excellent dinner. After the cloth had been removed, 

 Mr. Joseph Taylor was called to the chair, and Mr. Joshua Williamson to 

 the vice-chair. The Chairman briefly stated that the objects for which 

 friendly societies were established were to relieve the sick and distressed, to 

 provide decent interment for deceased members, and in connection with this 

 society there was a benevolent fund, to which every member paid a small 

 subscription for the purpose of supporting any member who may be thrown 

 out of employment. The evening was spent in singing, reciting, etc. The 

 usual votes of thanks were given and responded to, after which the meeting 

 broke up. 



Shepton Mallet, Sept. 4. — This was the first fete of the Shepton Mallet 



