May 23, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
439 
that they dessrved the greatest commend ition. The surface was gracefully 
undulated with an undergrowth of small Ferns, Palms, and flowering plants 
from which arose tallsr Crotons, Dracaenas, or other plants ; but in several 
cases the exhibitors erred in rendering the centres too heavy and quite out 
of accordance with the surrounding portions of the group. Consistence of 
style is very important in any kind of grouping, and the effect of an other¬ 
wise excellent arrangement is often marred by want of attention to this 
matter. Messrs. Ker’s group deservedly attracted much admiration both for 
the quality of the plants it contained and the graceful manner in which 
they were associated. Messrs. Birkenhead’s group of Ferns was as graceful 
as usual, but perhaps it might have been improved by the addition of a few 
more plants, as it was not quite so full as last year. The amateurs’ group, 
especially that from Mr. Smith, were equally tasteful. 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son, Aigburth Nurseries, Liverpool, took the lead 
with a most effective and tastefully arranged group, occupying space not 
exceeding 30 feet by 15 feet. Maidenhair Ferns formed a groundwork dotted 
with Azaleas, Pelargoniums, brilliant Crotons, Palms, and margined with 
Selaginellas and Dactylis, relieved with Cordylines, Lilium candidum, and, 
large Crotons, the centre well banked up to a large Palm. Messrs. W. & J. 
Birkenhead, Fern Nursery, Sale, received second honours fora very effective 
collection of Ferns; the groundwork was composed of a choice selection of 
tender and hardy Ferns, tastefully relieved with Dicksonias and Lomarias 
and fringed with small groups of choice Ferns and Selaginellas; the 
numerous examples of Lomarias, B'echnums, Adiantum pedatum, Poly- 
stichums, Osmundas, Cyrtomiums, various Lady Ferns, Ac., well maintained 
Messrs. Birkenhead’s fame as Fern-growers. 
In the corresponding class for amateurs for a group occupying space not 
exceeding 25 feet by 12 feet, there were four competitors, the highest honours 
falling to Mr. Smith, Longford Hall Gardens, Stretford, for one of the finest 
groups we have seen; a groundwork of Adiantum gracillimum, A. cuneatum, 
Ac., fringed with Panicum, Isolepis, and Selaginella, being most tastefully 
brightened with Dracaenas, Azaleas, Gloxinias, Ericas, Richardia aethiopica, 
Coleuses, Iv.oras, Impatiens Sultani, Odontoglossum vexillarium, Ac.; the 
centre was a fine Palm, well dressed with Ferns and other pretty foliage 
plants, other smaller Palms similarly supplemented occupying suitable 
positions. Mr. Paul, Osborne Villa Gardens, Bowdon, was second with a 
very excellent group, but rather lacking colour. Some splendid examples of 
Anthurium Schertzerianum were conspicuous, and a charming margin was 
formed of Maidenhair Fern, Isolepis, and Caladium argyrites. Mr. 
Roberts, Highfield Hall Gardens, Leek, was third with a really good group, 
but rather too crowded. A lovely margin was formed of white and blue 
Forget-me-nots, Maidenhair Fern, and Isolepis, while the remaining prize 
went to Mr. Boardman, gardener to Mrs. Hodgkinson, High Lawn, Bowdon. 
Fiujit. —There was not a large display of fruits, but they were good for 
the season and the competition was close. The only collection was that 
{rom Lord Carrington, Wycombe Abbey (gardener, Mr. G. T. Miles), who 
was awarded the first prize for neat bunches of Foster’s Seedling and Black 
Hamburgh Grapes, the berries of the latter small, but well coloured. Black 
Circassian and Elton Cherries were fine. Brown Turkey Figs, ripe; Golden 
Gem and Scarlet Premier Melons, excellent; and a Pine Apple that was 
rather green near the crown. Eight collections of two bunches of black 
Grapes (all Black Hamburgh) were staged. J. F. Campbell, Esq., Woodseat, 
Uttoxeter (gardener, Mr. Hollingworth), was first with finely coloured 
bunches of moderate size. Thomas Slatter, Esq., Stand Hall, Whitfield 
(gardener, Mr. R. Johnson), and Mrs. Ackers, Moreton Hall, Congleton 
(gardener, Mr. W. C. Breese), were second and third, the berries in both cases 
being larger than the first, but not quite so well coloured. Seven competitors 
entered with white Grape3. Mr. G. T. Miles being first with Foster’s 
Seedling, very fine. Mr. Breese took the second place with two small 
bunches of Duke of Buccleuch, the berries very irregular in size. Mr. 
Hollingworth was third with Foster’s Seedling, large bunches, but small 
berries. 
Pine Apples. —Mr. G. T. Miles was first with two Pine Apples, both 
Queens, weighing4 lbs. and 4 lbs. 6 ozs. The Right Hon, Lord Penrhyn, Pm- 
rhyn Castle, Bangor (gardener Mr. Speed), was second with two good Smooth 
Cayennes ; and C. E. Thornycroft, Esq., Crewe (gardener Mr. H. Harrison), 
third with Queens. Mr. Miles had the best single Pine, a Queen of 3 lbs. 
11 ozs.; Mr. Speed being second with a large well-ripened Smooth Cayenne. 
The Hon. W. Magnell Ingram, Temple Newsome (gardener Mr. R. Dawes), 
The Earl of Ellesme’e, Worsley Hall (gardener Mr. W. B. Upjohn), and 
A. T. Woodcock, Esq., The Elms, Wigan, (gardener Mr. P. Mottershead), 
were the prizetakers for twelve pots of Strawberries in the order named. 
Extra prizes were awarded to Mr. Thorneycroft for a dish of Elruge 
Nectarines ; to Mr. Miles for dishes of Acme and Stamfordian Tomatoes, very 
fine fruits; and to Mr. W. Speed for a new white-flesh Melon of excellent 
flavour, named Penrhyn Seedling. It is of medium size with a plain un¬ 
netted yellow skin. A certificate was awarded for it. An extra prize was 
also awarded to G. B. Blair, Esq., Whalley Range, for six braces of Cucum¬ 
bers, Telegraph and All the Year Round. 
Miscellaneous. —A handsome group of plants from Mr. B. S. Williams 
occupied considerable space in the conservatory, forming a bright and varied 
bank on the centre stage. Orchids were prominent amongst these plants, 
Cattleyas and Laslias of numerous varieties being shown in great numbers. 
Cattleya Mossiae and Lselia purpurata were beautifully represented, other 
notable forms being Dendrobium Jamesianum, Masdevallia Ilarryana, 
purpurea and laeta, the last a distinct rose-coloured variety with die points 
of the sepals incurved. Calanthe veratrifolia, Oncidium concolor, Odonto¬ 
glossum Alexandra, and Cypripedium Lawrencianum were all well shown 
with innumerable others. Of miscellaneous stove and greenhouse plants 
there was a fine selection, including Heaths, Azaleas, Pelargoniums, the 
white Volonte Nationale Album being fine among6t the latter, Amaryllises, 
Guelder Roses, Gardenias, with a due proportion of Ferns, Palms, Dracasnas, 
and Crotons completed one of the most interesting collections of plants 
staged. From Messrs. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, came an effective group of 
Crotons and other fine-foliage plants, with Azaleas, Anthuriums, and the 
graceful Spiraea astilboides. A pretty specimen of the broad-leaved Licuala 
grandis occupied the centre of the group, highly coloured examples of 
Croton Morti, C. triumphans, and C. Hawkeri. A good pan of Selaginella 
grandis was notable for its healthy condition, the graceful Asparagus tenuis- 
simus with Adiantums lightening the collection materially. 
Messrs. W. A J. Birkenhead, Sale, Manchester, showed a pleasing group of 
choice Ferns, comprising a large number of species and varieties from their 
extensive collection, the bold Selaginella grandis being prominent amongst 
the others. 
Messrs. Francis and Arthur Dickson A Sons, 101, Eastgate Street, Chester, 
had a handsome group of Crotons, Dracaenas, Azaleas, and miscellaneous 
fine-foliage plants. Some of the most notable were Croton chrysophyllus, 
an elegant narrow gold and green-leaved variety; Pandanus graminifolius, 
with long narrow dark green grass-like leaves ; Solanum hybridum varie- 
gatum, with neat white and green leaves, and Azalea Reine des Roses, with 
large bright rose-coloured flowers. 
The Liverpool Horticultural Company exhibited a small but pretty 
group of Ferns, chiefly Adiantums, Pterises, and Aspleniums, but comprising 
several graceful varieties, also a number of Tree Ferns, Palms, Cycads, and 
miscellaneous plants. 
Messrs. W. CutbushASon (Limited), Highgate, London, staged a most 
effective bank of stove and greenhouse plants, conspicuous in which were 
the Azaleas, with two varieties worked on the same stock. They were 
splendidly flowered, and the contrast between the varieties was very 
striking—as Prince Albert, white, above Prince Albert rosea. The other 
part of the group consisted of Ericas, Pimeleas, Azaleas, Boronia serrulata, 
Palms, Ferns, Ac., with examples of their noted Milltrack Mushroom 
spawn. Mr. James Cypher staged a group of specimen stove and green¬ 
house plants, of which we may mention Franciscea eximia, Pimelea Hender- 
soni, Bougainvillea glabra, Erica Cavendishiana, and for which a special 
prize was awarded. The bottom of the large tent with large banks at the 
sides was filled by Messrs. John Waterer A Son, Bagshot, Surrey, with 
evergreen Rhododendrons, Deutzia gracilis, Ghent Azaleas, Ac.; a charming 
group of specimen Japanese Maples was an especial feature in this collec¬ 
tion, several exquisite varieties being most tastefully arranged with Acer 
Negundo variegatum. Mr. John Howard, nurseryman, Cheadle, near 
Manchester, had a large circular group of admirably grown Rhododendrons 
in many sizes very effectively arranged just inside the large tent, the 
approaches to which were decorated by the same grower. Messrs. John 
Laing A Co., Forest Hill, London, staged eighteen plants and two stands of 
cut flowers of their noted Tuberous Begonias. 
Mr. Frederick Perkins staged two fine plants of his new Pelargonium 
Volonte Nationale alba, to which a first-class certificate was awarded. The 
flowers are large, pure white, of excellent form and consistency, and is 
likely to become one of the most popular of all the white-flowered varieties. 
The weather on Friday and Saturday proved very unfavourable, with 
frequent rain, but on Monday it was fine, and a large number of visitors 
assembled, no less than 18,000 passing the gates, nearly the largest total in 
one day that has ever been obtained in the Botanic Gardens. 
At a General Meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society held last 
Tuesday, Dr. Masters, F.R.S., in the chair, the following candidates were 
unanimously elected Fellows :—viz., Hen. S. Benjamin, Richard Berry, 
H. V. Dobson, G. W. Dray, R. S. Gowdie, A. Gravely, G. Hardy, P. 
Hayman, C. T. Ingram, Daniel Jacobs, Albert Lambert, Joseph Lambert. 
F. M. D. Lawrence, J. H. Lewi’, Tbos. Lidstone, G. Lillywhite, W. A. 
MacGregor, Mrs. A. J. MacGregor, C. F. Matier, Mrs. Nelson, T. Radford, 
W. F. Reynolds, Mrs. Barnard Smith, Mrs. R. Murray Smith, Capt. F, 
Courtenay Terry, W. Thompson, W. Williams, Tbos. Willis, A. W. Wills. 
- Welcome showers have fallen during the past few days in the 
neighbourhood of the metropolis, and there is a slight and much-needed 
rise in temperature. It still, however, remains abnormally low, and 
vegetation is consequently unusually late. Frosts have been of nightly 
occurrence, and in some districts have injured the fruit crops and cut 
down Potatoes. 
- We have to record the death of Me. James Deewitt, which 
occurred at lvingston-on-Thames on the 14th inst. (where for the last 
seven years he had lived in retirement with his brother) at the ripe 
old age of eighty-five. He carried his age wonderfully well, and up to 
a few weeks before his death he took his daily long walks in the neigh¬ 
bourhood with the firm step of a man much less advanced in years, and 
indicative of a life carefully and well spent. He retained his faculties to 
the end, and passed peacefully away, highly honoured and much respected. 
For twenty-five years the deceased was in charge of the gardens of 
G. Cubitt, Esq., at Denbies, near Dorking, retiring from them about 
eleven years ago on a comfortable stipend from his late employer. Mr. 
Drewitt was a fine old English gardener, and in every way a most 
estimable man. 
-Me. Major’s Indian Rhododendrons have been very fine this 
spiing at Cromwell House, Croydon. We saw the other day a noble 
plant of R. Dalhousese bearing fully a thousand flowers, pale yellow 
