438 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 28, 1885. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —Ten magnificent specimens gained Mr. John 
Rylands the first prize in the amateurs’ class, the finest examples being 
Cibotinm regale, Latania borbonica, Alocasia Lowi, Pritchardia pacifica of 
gigantic proportions, Croton Williamsi well coloured, and Gleichenia 
rupestris. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, Bart., was placed second with healthy 
plants of Crotons, Cycads, Palms, and Dasylirions. E. Cliff Glover, Esq., 
Highfield Hall, Leek (gardener, Mr. C. Roberts), followed with very large 
Palms, Cycads, Tree Ferns, Crotons, and Anthuriums. 
The chief nurserymen’s collection of eight fine-foliage plants was that 
from Mr. J. Cypher, which included the giants that figured so prominently 
at the Regent’s Park on Wednesday, and which appeared none the worse 
for their journey. Mr. H. James secured the second place with Stevensonia 
grandiflora, hearing three magnificent leaves nearly G feet in diameter. 
Several other Palms were also admirably represented. Mr. E. Tudgey 
followed with healthy plants. The best four Palms were from S. Baerleine, 
Esq., Didsbury (gardener, Mr. G. Williams), who had Kentia australis, 
Geonoma Schottiana, Areca lutescens, and Cocos Weddelliana. Sir Wil¬ 
frid Lawson, Bart., M.P. (gardener, Mr. Henwood), was second with 
Acanthorhiza aculeata, an uncommon Palm with deeply divided palmate 
leaves, Areca Baueri, Phcenix rupicola, and Chammrops elegans. With 
twelve Dracaenas Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son, Aigburgh, won the first prize 
for grand plants of Hendersoni, Amabilis, Gladstonei, Bausei, Lindeni, 
Baptisti, Wiesmanni, speciosa, Robinsoniana, Mooreana, nigrescens, and 
recurva. Mr. H. James was second with healthy well-coloured plants 
of Shepherdi elegantissima, Amabilis, Mooreanus, Gladstonei, Goldieana, 
Nycterinia, Youngi, and Regina. Mr. A. G. Brace, Charlton, was third 
with smaller plants. 
Ferns. —The principal amateurs’ class was that for eight Ferns, in which 
Mr Schloss won the leading prize with the grand specimens of Gleichenias, 
which have been repeatedly admired at Manchester. They are all in won¬ 
derful health, and the gigantic G. Speluncae, about 12 feet in diameter, is 
probably the finest plant in the country. G. flabellata, G. rupestris, 
G. glaucescens, and G. Mendeli were uncommonly fine. Goniophlebium 
subauriculatum was a handsome centre plant. R. P. Gill, Esq., Woodheys 
Hall, Ashton-on-Mersey (gardener, Mr. Plant), was a good second with 
Adiantum Williamsi, Davallia Mooreana, and Dicksonia antarctica, very fine 
amongst others. 
Hardy Ferns. —For twelve distinct varieties Arthur Birley, Esq., 
Pendlebury, was first with a very beautiful collection, the most conspicuous 
of which were Athyrium Felix-foemina plumosum, A. F.-f. stipitum, A. F.-f. 
Craigii, Polystichum aculeatum plumosum, and Osmunda gracilis. In the 
class for nurserymen Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead took the lead with hand¬ 
some examples, including Osmunda gracilis, very fine ; Adiantum pedatum, 
Dennstasdtia punctiloba, Polystichum Braunii, and P. angulare plumosum ; 
Mr. Rylands being second, and Messrs. W. & F. Stansfield third, each lot 
being very creditable. 
Crotons. —Very handsome were the ten specimens with which Messrs. 
R. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, gained premier honours, the plants being 
4 to 6 feet high and as much in diameter, the foliage grandly coloured, and 
the plants clothed with leaves to the base. The varieties represented were 
Carrierei with narrow gold and green leaves ; Mortefontanensis, red, gold, 
and green ; Hawkeri, pale yellow and green ; Morti, very handsome, with 
broad gold veins; Evansianus; Countess, with narrow dark green leaves, 
mottled and striped with gold ; Disraeli, Bergmanni, and Baroness 
Rothschild. In the amateurs’ class for six specimens Sir Wilfrid Lawson 
secured the chief position with very richly coloured plants of Williamsi, 
Rex, Earl of Derby, interruptus aureus, and several seedlings. Mr. J. 
Broome was a good second, his plants being healthy and dark in colour, 
but not quite so bright as the first. 
Hardy Herbaceous and Alpine Plants. —These plants formed a 
very effective and interesting part of the Exhibition, the number of classes 
being augmented. For the best collection of herbaceous, bulbous, and 
alpine plants (confined to nurserymen), Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, 
Newton Nurseries, Chester, were first with a large and very attractive 
group, prominent in which was their new Narcissus Sir Watkin, crowded 
pots of fine flowers ; N. Bulbocodium was admirably shown, alsoN. poeticus. 
Among the other most conspicuous plants were Lilium Hansoni, L. auratum, 
L. eximium, Tulipa fulgens, Cheiranthus alpinus, C. Marshall!, Spirasa 
Aruncus, Saxifraga Wallacei, Spiraea japonica, Delphiniums, Phloxes, 
Auricula Etna, Scilla campanulata in variety, Leucojum sestivum. For 
sixty herbaceous and bulbous plants Mr. Thomas Walkden, Marsland Road, 
Sale, waB first with a bright floriferous group, but was run closely by 
Messrs. James Dickson & Sons of Chester, who were second. In the premier 
collection the following plants were especially conspicuous :—Trillium 
grandiflorum, Dodecatheon Meadia album, Gentiana acaulis very fine, 
Lilium auratum, testaceum, candidum, and croceum, all well shown— 
indeed, the best features of the group ; Aquilegia glandulosa. Doronicum 
plantagineum excelsum, Saxifraga pyramidalis, Aster alpinus, Primula 
farinosa, Primula acaulis double Cloth of Gold, Polemonium reptans, Saxi¬ 
fraga Wallacei, andTrollius euro pans were similarly fine. Messrs. Dicksons’ 
collection included some excellent examples of culture and selection; 
prominent were strong potfuls of Lilium Harrisi, L. auratum, Spiraea 
japonica, Aruncus, and palmata elegans, Delphinium Belladonna and other 
varieties, Narcissus Sir Watkin, Cypripedium Calceolus, Ranunculus aconiti- 
folius fl.-pl., Tulipa fulgens, Trillium grandiflorum, Campanula glomerata, 
dahurica, and Van Houitei, Gladiolus The Bride, Narcissus biflorus, 
Paeonia tenuifolia fl.-pl., Narcissus poeticus ornatus, Trollius americanus, 
Tulipa retrofiexa, Carnation Souvenir de la Malmaison, and Anthericum 
liliastrum. In the class for forty Alpines, in or out of flower, Messrs. AY. A. 
Stansfield of Sale were for some reason known only to the Judges placed 
first ; the decision was questioned on all grounds, as there was nothing in 
the series staged of exceptional merit ; not less than twenty-three of the 
plants had no flowers expanded. Messrs. James Dickson & Sons of Chester 
were placed second with a very bright and attractive group, all in flower 
but three, which most of the specimens were as usual in fine condition. 
As examples we may mention Anthemis Aizoon, Campanula muralis, 
Antirrhinium asarina, Linaria pallida, Auriculas President and Mercury, 
Polemonium reptans, and Phlox pilosa. Other very showy plants were 
Gentiana verna, Ranunculus aconitifolius, Erinus alpinus, Sedum Sieboldii 
Tariegatum, Saxifraga peltata, and Onosma taurica. For twenty-four 
Py rethrums the first prize went to Mr. T. Walkden, Sale, the only collection 
staged, forming a very creditable lot. The best were Haage et Schmidt, 
Solfaterre, Mont Blanc, Amethyst, J. N. Twerdy, La Vestale, niveum 
plenum, and Nancy. In the amateurs’ classes the premier collection of 
thirty border and bulbous plants was staged by Mr. Entwistle, and con¬ 
tained a most interesting and showy lot. Conspicuous were Lilium croceum 
and dalmaticum, Thalictrum species, Cardamine pratensis fl.-pl., Caltha 
palustris fl.-pl., Geum aurantiacum, Dianthus petraeus, and Trillium grandi¬ 
florum. In the class for thirty Alpines in or out of flower there were three 
lots staged, the first prize falling easily to Mr. Entwistle for a charming group, 
including several rare and many very pretty specimens. Special mention may 
be made of Campanula abietina, Arnebia echioides, Campanula Portenschla- 
giana, Linum alpinum, Campanula thyrsoidea, Bellium rotundifolium 
ccerulescens, and Sempervivum arachnoideum. The second and third prizes 
fell to Mr. James Mellor, Didsbury, and Mr. Sargent, Temple Yilla, Sale, in 
the order named. Mr. Mellor’s collection was tastefully arranged and very 
attractive, including nice specimens of Gentiana verna, Saxifraga Wallacei, 
S. atropurpurea, Yaleriana dioica alba, and Silene maritima fl.-pl. The 
third collection was also most creditable, but badly named. The labelling 
in Mr. Entwistle’s groups was extremely neat and very accurate. In the 
class for twelve Alpines the same exhibitor was again to the front with a most 
beautiful selection, including Alyssum alpestre very fine, Phyteuma comosa 
—perhaps the finest plant ever staged in the country—Anemone Pulsatilla, 
Campanula Warneri, Dianthus glacialis, &c. The second prize was taken 
by Mr. Mellor with a good lot, and the third by Mr. Edmund Wright, 
Church Yiew, Northenden, in whose collection was a good plant of Saxifraga 
Macnabiana. Hard by these collections were two very fine plants of the 
Chatham Island Forget-me-not, Myosotidium nobile, exhibited by Mr. 
Shortt, gardener to E. G. Loder, Esq., of Weedon, and to which, a first-class 
certificate was awarded. Mr. Shortt evidently knows how to grow this rare 
plant, and we understand he has a very fine stock of it. A very fine pan of 
Gentiana verna, shown by the Botanical Society of Manchester, was also 
very attractive. For three pots of Lilium auratum Mr. W. Hayes, jun., 
Charlton House, Sale, was first with well-grown plants, dwarf, and very 
copiously flowered, indeed we have seldom seen finer. 
Pansies and Violas. —These were a very important feature in the 
Exhibition, most of the prizes being well contested, and many of the flowers 
being of almost exceptional merit. In the' class for six Show Pansies in 
8-inch pots, Mr. J. Blower of the Children’s Hospital, Pendlebury, was an 
easy first, while Mr. T. Entwistle and Mr. George Wilkes, Heaton Bank, 
Cheadle, were second and third respectively. The premier collection included 
Dr. Hardy, Alpha, and Cloth of Gold, seifs; Capt. Spiers and John Open- 
shaw, white grounds, and C. Brooks, yellow ground. For six Fancy Pansies in 
8-inch pots Mr. Blower again took the lead with admirable pots, including 
Mrs. Crawley, John Currie, Golddigger, Mrs. E. H. Wood, Champion, and 
AValter Shearer. Mr. G. Sargent, Sale, was second with a very excellent lot, 
Thomas Grainger, Mrs. Birkmyre, and Mrs. E. H. AYood being particularly 
good. The third prize went to Mr. Entwistle. For six Violas Mr. Blower 
again gained premier position, as indeed they well merited it ; the varieties 
were Duchess of Sutherland, Acme, Piliig Park, Archibald Grant, CouDtess 
of Kintore, and Queen of Yellows. D. M’Clure, Esq., Heaton Mersey, and 
Mr. Entwistle were second and third respectively, the second collection 
being really fine, especially the pots of Pilrig Park and Picturata. In the 
nurserymen’s classes for twenty 8-inch pots of Show Pansies the premier 
position was gained by Mr. E. Mellor, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, with a very 
excellent collection, even, of good size, and well flowered. The best of the 
seifs were George Rudd, rich yellow; Blue Stone, Dr. Audrey, and Cloth of 
Gold ; other notable varieties were Roebuck, Maggie, Mrs. Harvey, and Mrs. 
Felton. The second and third prizes went to Mr. J. Heywood, Cheadle, and 
Mr. AVm. Sanders, Leek, in the order named. In the corresponding class for 
twenty Fancy varieties Mrs. Mellor again took the lead, but was very closely 
followed by.Mr. Thos. Walkden, Sale; both these collections were magnificent, 
containing flowers of the first merit. The most conspicuous flowers in the 
leading batch were Thomas Grainger, Countess of Home, White Lady, 
Nelly Moran, Queen of Yellows, Mrs. E. H. Wood, William Liney, Mrs. J. 
Taylor, and George Vair. Mr. Walkden’s collection included very fine pots 
of Thalia, Victoria, Lady Falmouth, Lady Clark, Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Jameson. 
In the class for twenty Violas in the same sized pots, Mr. John Haywood, 
Cheadle, was well to the front; Mr. Brace, Chorlton, second; and Mr. E. 
Mellor, Chorlton, third. The first collection included excellent specimens 
of Countess of Kintore, Sovereign, Beauty of Sale, an excellent white; 
Picturata, Mrs. Beatson, Pilrig Park, one of the finest whites; Spring 
Bedder, a first-class yellow ; Alpha and Acme. 
Primula Sieboldi Varieties.— An extra prize was awarded to Mr. G. 
Geggie, Waterloo Nursery, Bury, for a very attractive series of new varieties 
of his own raising. The most noticeable were Purity, pure white; Crimson 
King, rich lake; Victor, deep pink, very large; Brilliant, bright crimson 
pink; Novelty, white, tinged with lilac, fringed margins; Purple King, 
flowers mauve purple, very free; Princess Beatrice, pure white, very large, 
with copiously fringed margins, and of excellent habit. 
Roses. —Amateurs’ class.—For six specimens in pots Mr. J. Grier, 
gardener to James Brown, Esq., Heaton Mersey, was first with Annie 
Wood, Marquise de Castellane, and Boule de Niege, Niphetos, La France, 
and Comtesse de Serenye. Second Mr. Elphinstone, gardener to John 
Heywood, Esq., Stretford, the best of which were Duke of Edinburgh and 
Charles Lawson. In the nurserymen’s class for twenty in pots not more 
than 9 inches in diameter, the second prize was awarded to Mr. John 
Hooley, Stockport, the adjudicators not considering the collection worthy of 
higher honours. Nice specimens of the following were staged :—Souvenir 
d’un Ami, Lady Cole, General Jacqueminot, and Paul Neyron. For a group 
of thirty Roses, the size of pot no object, the only exhibitors were Messrs. 
G. and W. Yates, Market Place, Manchester, to whom the second prize was 
awarded, the plants being rather weak. The best were Prince Camille de 
Rohan, Madame Lacharme, Gbndral Jacqueminot, Marquise de Castellane, 
and Magna Charta. 
Groups Arranged for Effect.— In the spac’ous exhibition tent the 
groups produced a most beautiful effect, and never have the competitors 
displayed their taste and skill to better advantage than on this occasion. 
It is true that some trifling defects were apparent, but the general style 
was so great an improvement upon the formal banks too frequently seen 
