JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTDRB AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ July 18, WW. 



timn this scion, jnst now so firmly rooted in the rich, rosy soil of Here- 

 ford. All honour to the hand which put in the cuttiuf», that of the 

 JRev. 0. H. Bulmer, of Credenhill Kectoiy, Herel'onl, and to the many 

 coadjutors, "who, when it was struck, were eager to tend and train. 

 A bonnier baby was never bom, nor one which showed at such an early 

 age a capability to walk alone. 



When we reached the Shire Hall, in the early morning of Tuesday, 

 we found it most tastefully prepared for the reception of the Hoses. 

 The orchestra and central table were gracefully ornamented with beau- 

 tiful plants from the nursery at King's Acre, and from the gardens of 

 tlie neighbouring gentry (specially to be observed, and justly placed in 

 the most conspicuous position, a glorious plant of Lilium auratum. 

 having twenty-two ilowers on three stems, and from a single bulb), 

 which just prevented the uniformity of the Rose-boxes from being at 

 all monotonous ; and a pretty collection of decorative articles for the 

 drawing-room, jewelleiy, clocks, etc., from which prizetakers might 

 select, if they pleased, was effectively grouped at the upper end of the 

 Hall. Soon the tables began to fill, until they were quite full, with 

 Roses. Ah ! sweet Roses. Mr. Cranston, it is known to rosarians, has 

 this year escaped the cruel frosts, and has consequently beaten all 

 England, from tirst to last — at the Crystal Palace, at Kensington, Bir- 

 mingham, and elsewhere. And hero he was on his own ground, like a 

 Mng and a conqueror, " happy and glorious." Only a king with a lion 

 heart would dare to cope with him in his own camp, to challenge the 

 Donglas in his own hall, and such a royal champion came, and threw 

 down his gauntlet, boldly as though on his own Salisbuiy Plain, in the 

 person of brave John Kej-nes. Well might meaner knights stand by 

 with bated breath to see such warriors fight, and, indeed, it was a 

 grand spectacle. The chief victory (for seventy-two varieties) was won 

 fcy Cranston, but the next battle (for forty-eight) by Keynes, and the 

 engagement generally reflected the highest honour npon the two re- 

 nowned combatants. 



Among amateurs, Mr. Pen-y, Mr. Arkwright, the Rev. G. Ari- 

 Wlight, Sir Yelters Cornewell, "the Rev. C. H. Bulmer (the founder of 

 the feast of Roses), Major Heywood, and others, were, considering the 

 severity- of the season, and the novelty of the nndertaldng (some of the 

 exhibitors showing for the first time) most successful, and more ex- 

 perienced competitors, going next year to Hereford, must look to their- 

 Laurel wreaths, keeping them ti.ght upon their heads, as a sportsman 

 presses down his hat when he charges some larger leap, lest they be 

 changed for the Cypress of defeat, and their wearers be reduced from 

 ofiicers in " the /Idi/x." to mere privates in " the Bhie.i." 



Roses, arran.gcd with Ferns and other foliage, for the decoration of 

 the dinner-table, were a most effective addition to the Show, occupying 

 half of the central table, and exhibiting much graceful taste. Mrs" 

 Berkeley Stanhope took precedence with a very' elegant display, and 

 was worthily followed by six other competitors. White table'cloths 

 should be used for these decorations, and will be in future at Hereford. 



Designs in vases were well done, especially one, which, shaped like a 

 balloon, was composed of distinct colours, divided by Feros, and which 

 took the first prize. A basket of Mr. Cranston's glorious Roses took 

 the second honours. 



The bouquets of Roses were prettily arranged, but were disqualified 

 by the censors (in accordance with the strict requirement of the 

 schedule, that they must be available for the hand), with the exception 

 of two, sent by Major Heywood, which honourablv and handsomely ful- 

 filled the law. Why do our English bouquet-makers always cons'truet 

 their posies as if they were intended for Chang ? 



The Show was. altogether, channingly complete, and its merits were 

 heartily appreciated by many hundreds of spectators, who came in 

 crowds to see. Some complained of the heat, and some that they 

 could not see for the press, and .all agi-eed that the first Western Rose 

 Show was coitleur dc ruse, and a grand success. 



TESTIMONL\L TO MR. ROBERT THOMPSON. 

 The allotted time for man's existence on earth is three scovo 

 years and ten, what then ought we who have received so much 

 horticultural benefit from the practical teaching of a man who 

 has devoted two score of those years entirely to the science 

 and practice of horticulture, do to make the last years of his 

 life glide pleasantly away? Those thoughts have been sug- 

 gested by the long and faithful services rendered by Mr. Robert 

 Thompson to the Royal Horticultural Society. For forty- 

 three years he has done all that possibly lay in his power for 

 the advancement of horticulture, and "for the great services 

 rendered he has been very poorly remunerated. During this 

 time he has brought up a family in the most respectable 

 manner. He is a man possessing a most kindly nature, and 

 one of the most unassuming men I ever met. From the year 

 1824, np to the present time, Mr. Thomoson has been a'fre- 

 •quent contributor to the horticultaral press. Most of us can 

 even now gain useful informatoin from his well-written articles 

 ■which appeared in Loudon's "Gardener's Magazine," and the 

 Gardeners' Chronicle, from its commencement in 18-11. It will 

 be observed by the most casual reader, that these articles were 

 written by a thoronghly practical man. Then, the "Fruit 



Catalogue " of the Horticultural Society, may be said to be one 



of his most creditable works, and his " Gardener's Assistant" 

 may be truly said to be one of the very best works on practical 

 gardening ever written. This book ought to be in the hands 

 of every gardener, and more especially of young gardeners. If 

 they will at once procure this book, which may be had at a very 

 moderate cost, by reading it diligently they may find a never- 

 failing source of information on every subject connected with 

 the garden. This, with perseverance in their daily practice, 

 will soon help them on, and make them if they will, well fitted 

 to fill situations of trust and responsibility. 



Mr. Thompson's meteorological reports which have been 

 given so accurately through a long series of years, surely ought 

 to receive some recognition from the Governmentofthiscoimtry. 



I must again ask the question. What ought we to do to make 

 the last years of such a good and zealous man happy ? Un- 

 doubtedly we can do a very great deal, what I would suggest is, 

 that all my fellow labourers who are engaged in the wide field 

 of horticultiire, should assist in getting up a testimonial to Mr. 

 Thompson. Not long ago a very handsome testimonial was 

 presented to Her Majesty's gardener. As soon as this idea was 

 mooted, there was a hearty response. This testimonial was 

 given not because of any particular service rendered to horti- 

 culture generally by Mr. Ingram, but as a recognition of his 

 long and faithful service rendered to the Royal Family. The 

 fact of Mr. Ingram holding his present high position for half 

 a century, would suggest the idea that to him the handsome 

 testimonial was only a superfluity, although very gratifying. 

 With Mr. Thompson the case is very difi'erent : he, as I have 

 before stated, has been very poorly remunerated, and has had 

 to bring up a family. I, therefore, hope all will contribute 

 as much as they can afford. By doing this they will show 

 their appreciation for the past labour of a true and faithful 

 man ; it will also be an encouragement for young gardeners 

 to make themselves as useful to the purpose of horticulture as 

 they can, and will offer this inducement to them, that their 

 fellow workers will not be unmindful of the service they have 

 rendered, when they become unfit by age to fill the position 

 which has been assigned them. I shall on my part feel a great 

 pleasure in giving a guinea towards a testimonial to Mr. Thomp- 

 son, and shall use my influence with my assistants to induce 

 them to contribute their mite towards this very desirable object. 



I would further suggest that the Editors of all the horticul- 

 tural Journals should receive contributions, and that the amount 

 subscribed should be invested in some safe stock, which will 

 realise a yearly income to Mr. Thompson for the remainder of 

 his life. 



I may state in conclusion, that I have no motive whatever in 

 offering these suggestions, but am only prompted by a sense of 

 justice, for I am scarcely known to Mr. Thompson, more than 

 by name. I, therefore, hope the appeal I now make will be 

 heartily responded toby both head gardeners and their assistants. 

 If the latter will only subscribe a shilling each, their sub- 

 scription will he a credit to them, and shillings make pounds. 

 If by making this appeal I can bring the desired object to ma- 

 turity, it will be a source of gi'eat pleasure and gratification to 

 me. — J. Wills. 



[Since the above was written by Mr. Wills — and in the 

 whole of his observations we heartily concur — we are informed 

 that a preliminary meeting for raising a fund to be invested for 

 the benefit of, and as a testimonial to Mr. Thompson, was held 

 on the 9th inst., and the following address resolved to be cir- 

 culated : — 



" The retirement of Mr. Robert Thompson from active duty in the 

 service of the Royal Horticultural Society, has been thought by his 

 numerous friends to offer a fitting occasion on which to present him 

 with a substantial Testimonial, expressive of their cordial sympathy 

 with him in his declining years, and indicating also their high appre- 

 ciation of the man^- services which he has rendered to Pomology and 

 Meteorology during a long and active life. 



" The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, acting as the ex- 

 ponents of the wishes which have been expressed that Mr. Thompson's 

 services should be publicly recognised in tiiis way, have taken the 

 initiative by inviting several gentlemen connected with horticulture to 

 attend a preliminary meeting, at which a Committee was named to 

 carry out the proposed object. [The Committee consists of the 

 Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Intei-national Com- 

 mittee, and other gentlemen connected with horticulture aud meteor- 

 ology ; the Duke of Buccleuch, President ; Mr. W. W. Saunders, A'^ice- 

 President ; aud Dr. Hogg and Mr. Thomas Moore, Joint Secretaries.] 



" The many services rendered by Mr. Thompson both to Horticul- 

 tnral and Meteorologicical Science ai-c well knowiv to those actively 

 engaged in these pursuits, but it may be proper on such an occasioa 



