SopUmbcr 10, 1866. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



Ifi^ 



The colonr is charming, something like Opliirie, but the buds 

 are very hard, like those of Boule d'Or, which only open in 

 Bome very favoured spots. — D., Veal. 



MANCHESTER BOTANICAL AND 

 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Titt: last Exhibition for this season thus held on tho 28th and '^Olh 

 of Aii^st. nnder very favonrable circumstances, both days beinp fine, 

 and the Exhibition in most respects a ver>' gond one. Tho display 

 of frnit was cspet-ially j^'ood ; indeed, tho linest cvor witnessed in 

 Manchester, and quite equal if not superior to many of the metro- 

 politan exhibitions. Although the prizes offered by the Society were 

 not large, exhibitors brought fine collection'! of fruit from far and 

 near, iutlnenced, no doubt, by the kind treatment accorded to them 

 on all previous occasions by" Mr. Findlay and the Society which he 

 serves with so much ability and energy. I hear that tho Society 

 contemplates holding a fruit show on an extensive scalo in the 

 nntnran of 1809, at which liberal prizes will bo given— larger, indeed, 

 than ever offered for fruit at any previous exhibition. This subject 

 has been well considered by many practical men, and all agree in 

 thinldng the show would be successful. 



I give a list of the successful exhibitors, and if I do not describe 

 the objects exhibited by the unsuccessful competitors, it is simply 

 because spac^ will not admit of my doing so. One name, however, 

 deserves particular mention as being very conspicuous above all 

 others for the excellence of tho subjects exhibited, and the number 

 of first prizes taken. I allude to Mr. Smith, gardener to H. 

 Littledale, Esq., of Liscard Hall, Birkenhead, -n-ho took the first 

 prize in nearly all tho fruit classes. Duly in one important case 

 was he beaten, and iu this instance it reqnired great care on the part 

 of tho Judges in awarding the prize. Tho two exhibitions were of 

 snch excellence that the Judges had to call in two others to assist them 

 in awarding the prize. They both decided iu favour of Mr. Woolley, 

 one of our oldest and best Grape growers, who competed with Mr. 

 Smith in Class *2-2. for two bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes. Mr. 

 WooUej's bunches were larger and the berries more even than were 

 Mr. Smith's, whose berries were vei^ much larger than those of the 

 former, and many degrees darker and having a more perfect bloom, 

 but tho bunches were smaller and the berries vci-y uneven in size. 



In Class 1, mixed groups of Fine-foUaged and Flowering Plants, the 

 first prize was awarded to O. O. Wrigley, Esq., who exhibited the 

 following plants in fine condition — Lilium lancifoUnm punctatum, a 

 fine variety and well bloomed ; Croton variegatum ; a splendid Ixora 

 javanica, Thrinax elegans, Allamauda grandiflora, finely-flowered ; 

 Dipladenia amabilis ; a splendid plant of Croton angustifoUum, which 

 had the appearance of a golden fountain ; Bougaiuvillea glabra, finely 

 flowered ; Calamus dcalbatus ; Allamanda Hendersoni in fine con- 

 dition ; Gleichenia flabellata ; and a noble jdaut of Stevensonia 

 sechellarum, 5 feet high, and 3 feet or more across the widest part, 

 completed this fine collection. The second and third prizes were 

 awarded to Mr. J. Stevenson, of Timperley, and S. Schloss. Esq., in the 

 order in whieli their names appear. Each of the above exhibitors had 

 similar collections to that which took the first prize, the weakest point 

 being in both instances a want of better specimens of flowering plants. 

 According to the conditions named in the schedule, tho prizes iu this 

 class were to be given for a group containing six fine-foUaged and six 

 flowering plants. A word of caution, I think, would not be out of 

 place to exhibitors, who are evidently too rapidly giving up the cul- 

 tivation of flowering plants, and are paying more attention to plants 

 with fine foUage. Whether this is owing to the latter being much 

 more easily cultivated is best known to themselves, but certain it is, the 

 beauty of our floral exhibitions is becoming impaired in consequence. 



In the Class for six Exotic Orchids there was only one exhibitor. 

 This is very unusual indeed for Manchester, which boasts of so many 

 fine collections of Orchids. Mr. Jones, gardener, of Wlialley Range, 

 near Manchester, however, staged the following in voiy fair condition, 

 and was awarded the first prize for them. They were Oncidium obi-y- 

 zatum, Af.-rides nobilis, Vanda tricolor formosa, Lxdia elegans, Cypri- 

 pediam Stonei, and Aerides suavissima. 



In Class 3, for six Zonal Pelargoninmg, there were three com- 

 petitors. Messrs. G. & W. Yates, of Market Place, Manchester, and 

 Stockport, took the first piize with well-grown and nicely-bloomed 

 plants. The other two exhibitors who took the second and third prizes 

 in this class were a long way behind, and wonld do well to imitate — 

 aye, and there is room to improve upon the example set them by 

 Messrs. Yates. 



In Class 4, for six Gold and Bronze Pelargoniums, Mr. Watson, of 

 the New Zealand Nursery, St. Albans, took the first prize with well- 

 prown plants of Model, Beauty of Calderdale, Perilla. Princess AHce, 

 Mrs. J. Todd, and Countess of Kellie. This collection was well 

 prown, beautifully coloured, and well deserved the place of honour. 

 In the two collections which took the second and third prizes, fine 

 plants of Glowworm, Beauty of Calderdale, and Beauty of Oulton, 

 were exhibited. Near these collections was a fine pan of cuttings of 

 Beauty of Oulton, the parent of the Bronze and Gold race of Pelar- 

 goniums, cut from beds in the open air to show the usefulness of this 

 fine variety. These were sent by Mr. Muirv gardener to Sir P. Grey 

 Egerton, Bart. 



In Class 5, for six Gold or Silver Zonals, thoro was a very spirited 

 competition, Mr. Pennington being first with fine plants of Sophia 

 Cuaaok, the finest plant wn have ever seen exhibited of Italia TTnita, 

 also a good plant of Miss Wataou, which appeared in fine condition ; 

 Mrs. Uix, also good ; and Lucy Grieve, undoubtedly one of the very 

 finest Tricolors iu cultivation. Thi^ sot was completed with a badly- 

 grown plant of Queen's l'"avourite, which was the weakest point. 

 Messrs. G. & W. Yates took tho second prize with well and neatly- 

 grown plants of Florence, Lady CuUnm, Lucy Grieve, CouutcBs of 

 Craven, Italia Unita, and LElegantc, a nire Silver- variegated Ivy- 

 leaved variety. Mr. Watson took the third prize with a neat col- 

 lection, but not so good in point of colour and cultivation as the two 

 preceding exhibitions. 



In Class (J, for four Fuchsias, there waa only one exhibitor. Hig 

 plants were well grown and splendidly bloomed, and the first prize was 

 awarded to Mr. Wrigley for them. The same exhibitor also took the 

 first prize for four pots of Japanese Lilies. These were nicely grown, 

 well bloomed, and far surpassed those from the other two exhibitors 

 who competed with him iu this class. Some very fine Dahlias were 

 shown, and Messrs. G. it W. Yates exhibited a remarkably fine collec- 

 tion of Gladiolus, eighteen in number, and were deservedly awarded 

 the first prize. It was well staged, and contained some very fine 

 varieties. Messrs. Y'ates are celebrated for their successful cultivation 

 of this handsome flower. 



Special certificates were awarded to Mr. J, "W, Wimsett, of the Ash- 

 burnham Park Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, London, for a very fine 

 collection of new Coleuses ; also to Messrs. Dickson &: Brown, of 

 Manchester, for a very fine collection of cut Roses. These were 

 wonderfully fine for such a trying season as we have had ; they were 

 also exhibited iu tliat neat style peculiar to this celebrated establish- 

 ment. 



In this department there was, as already stated, a very spirited 

 competition. In Class 20, for six dishes of fruit, distinct, there were 

 six entries. Mr. G. Smith, of Liscard Hall, Birkenhead, was first 

 with a nice collection, containing splendid Muscat of Alexandria and 

 Black Hamburgh Grapes, two bunches of each, a good Hybrid Cash- 

 mere Melon, Jefferson Plums, Elruge Nectarines, and Walburton Ad- 

 mirable Peaches. Both of the latter were exceedingly fine. The 

 second and third prizes in this cla^s were respectively awarded to Mj„ 

 Simpson and Mr. D. Davics for very fine collections, which contained 

 many fruits of first-rate quality. 



In Class 21, for four kinds of Grapes, there was also a very spirited 

 competition, Mr. G. Smith taking the lead with a collection containing 

 good examples of well-coloured Muscat of Alexandria, Black Ham- 

 burgh, Bowood Muscat, and Black Alicante (Meredith's), as black as 

 Sloes, and beautifully grown and finished. Second, Mr. W. Cardwell, 

 gardener to T. Hobsou, Esq., W'ilmslow, who had good Muscat of 

 Alexandria, Lady Dowue's, Black Hambui-gh, and Black Alicante- 

 Mr. W. McMillan was third with a similar collection. 



Class 22, for two bunches of Black Hamburgh, was also well con- 

 tested. Mr. Woolley, gardener to W. Jackson, Esq., of Bu-keuhead, 

 took the first prize with two finely finished bunches. Mr. Smith was 

 second, and extra prizes were awarded to the Earl of Crawford's 

 gardener and to Mr. Meredith, who had two splendid bunches, each 

 weighing 4 lbs., and so much alike that they might to all appearance 

 have been cast in one mould. Unfortunatelj', however, one of the 

 bunches was very much spoilt in appearance owing to a light just 

 above where it gi-ew having been accidentally left unfastened. The 

 berries, however, in each bunch were very even and finely coloured. 



Class 23. In this class, for any other kind of Black Grape, Mr^ 

 Smith again took the first prize with two fine bunches of Lady Dowue's, 

 beautifully finished ; and Mr. D. White, gardener to Mrs. Smith 

 Barry, of Northwich, Cheshire, was second with fine bunches of 

 Black Alicante, the bloom of which had been spoilt by syringing, or 

 some other cau^e. The third prize in this class was awarded for two 

 bunches of badly-gi'own Trentham Black. 



In Class 21, for two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, the first 

 prize went to Mr. Gr. Smith, the second to Mr. W^. Cardwell, the third 

 to Mr. W. Milford. In Class 25, for any other kind of white Grape, 

 tho first prize was awarded to Mr. G. Smith, the second to Mr. R. 

 Jason, gardener to F. Staller, Esq., who had two bunches of Canon 

 Hall Muscat, which were some of the finest I have ever seen for 

 size of berries, for these being well set, and for compactness of 

 bunch. The third prize was taken by Mr. G. Whitefield, gardener to 

 G. Galloway, Esq., who had two fine bunches of Buckland Sweet- 

 water. 



Class 2G was for one Queen Pine Apple. Mr. J. Wallace, gardener 

 to J. Dixon, Esq., was first ; Mr. Simpson, gardener to Lord Wham- 

 cliffe, second. In Class 28, for any other kind, the fii-st prize was 

 awarded to Mr. G. Warde for the handsomest Smooth-leaved Cayenne 

 I have ever seen, weighing TJ lbs. Second, Mr. A. Williams, for 

 Smooth-leaved Cayenne. Thii-d, Mr. W. Allen, with a nice fruit of 

 the same variety. 



In Class 29, for six Peaches, Mi*. McMillan, gardener to G. Gort- 

 schalck, Esq., was first with a vci-y handsome dish of Chancellor 

 Peach; R. O. Loycestcr, Esq., second; Mr. G. Silcock, gardener to 

 Sir Charles Shakerley, of Somerford, near Congleton, third. 



Class 30 was for the best di^h of Nectarines. In this Mr. Silcock 

 took the fiist prize with a splendid thsh of Elruge ; Mr. G. W. Ferney _ 



