March 57, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
245 
Tulips. —These throughout were a magnificent display, and in the very 
best of condition. For twelve pots, six varieties, Mr. W. Mease was to the 
front with grand examples of Keysers Kroon, Rose Pepin, Vermilion Brilliant, 
Touis d’Or, Joost Van Vondel, and Globe de Rigaud. Mr. T. Stephenson, 
Park House, Waterloo, was a good second, and had good Rouge Luisante, 
<Jrand Duchess, and Grand Due de Russie. Mr. W. Minshull, gardener to 
H. Nash, Esq., Ullet Road, was third. For six pots Mr. E. Green took the 
lead with good White Pottebakker, Keysers Kroon, and Couronne Cardinal. 
Mr. C. Copple.and Mr. J. Lowndes, gardener to S. S. Parker, Esq., Wood¬ 
lands Road, Aigburtb, were second and third. For ten pots of double varie¬ 
ties,. not less than five distinct kinds, Mr. W. Mease was again successful, 
having good Golden Tournesol, Tournesol, Couronne des Roses, and Coche- 
Tielle; Mr. T. Stephenson second, and Mr. W. Evans, gardener to Mrs. Lockett, 
third, the last collection being a little uneven. For six pots Mr. James Hurst, 
gardener to W. B. Bowering, E?q., was the successful competitor. Mr. W. 
Bustard, gardener to J. Lewis, Esq., St. Anns, Aigburth, was awarded alfirst 
prize for pots_of Crocuses, his collection being the only exhibit in that class. 
The schedule provided one class for Amaryllises, and Messrs. W. Mease, W. 
Bustard, and J. Hurst were the prizewinners. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —Though by no means numerous, the 
plants staged reflect the greatest credit upon the exhibitors. In the class 
for six, three in flower and three fine-foliage, Mr. Mease was the most 
•successful, having a noble plant of Latania borbonica, Croton Williamsii, 
and Croton Disraeli, very fine plants ; Rhododendron Victoria Regina, 5 feet 
liigh and 3 feet through and covered with light yellow blooms, was very 
■conspicuous, and the same may be said of his plant of Imantophyllum 
miniatum maximum, a grand form of this useful and showy plant. His 
other plant was a large well-flowered specimen of Azalea Bernard Andreas. 
Mr. A. R. Cox was placed second, the fine-foliage plants in this collection 
'being good, while the three flowering plants were weak. For one stove 
plant in flower the same exhibitor was first with a large profusely flowered 
plant of Clerodendron Balfourianum, wonderfully fine for the season. Mr. 
-J. Jellico was second with a well-flowered Phaius grandifolius. In the 
■corresponding class for one greenhouse plant Mr. J. Lownes took the-lead 
with a large Chorozema cordatum splendens flowering freely. Second Mr. 
■J. Stephenson, gardener to Mrs. Horsfall, Grassendale Priory, with a noble 
plant of Imantophyllum miniatum ; and third Mr. M. Wood, gardener to 
Lieut.-Col. Wilson, The Hermitage, St. Michaels, with the same variety. 
Tor one foliage plant Mr. Mease was first with his large plant of Croton 
Weismanni 7 or 8 feet through ; Mr. A. R. Cox second, and Mr. W. Evans 
third, both staging healthy specimens. 
Palms and Ctcads. —These were very well represented, and the plants 
generally were large and healthy. In the class for three plants Mr. T. 
Jellico was placed first with large but not the most healthy plants. Mr. S. 
"Whitfield, gardener to J. T. Cross, Esq., Beechwood, Aigburth, was second 
with a little smaller but very healthy plants of Phoenix rupicola, Latania 
"borbonica, and Areca sapida. Mr. E. Thrupp, gardener to Mr. Walmsley, 
Westwood House, Wigan, third, having a good Cycas revoluta. For one 
plant Mr. S. Whitfield was deservedly first with a very large specimen of 
Iventia australis in the best possible condition. Mr. J. Hurst following. 
Ferns. —The competition in the classes devoted to these plants was keen, 
•and the plants staged were large well-grown specimens. Mr. J. Stephenson 
look the leading position for four plants with Davallia Mooreana, large ; 
Alsophila Moorei, Adiantum formosum fully 5 feet through, very good ; 
and Gymnogramma chrysophylla. Mr. J. Phythian second, having a plant 
of Adiantum excisum 3 feet through, and a fair A. farleyense ; Mr. A. R. 
“Cox being the remaining prizetaker. For one plant Mr. W. Evans was first 
with a wonderful specimen of Goniophlebium subauriculatum ; Mr. Jellico 
second with a large plant of Davallia Mooreana ; and Mr. S. Whitfield third 
with a similar plant to that shown by the first-prize winner, but not quite 
•so large. 
The prizes offered for a group of miscellaneous plants arranged for effect, 
not to exceed a space of 50 square feet, arranged in semicircular form, only 
brought one exhibitor, Mr. W. Mease, who staged a very neat collection of 
small flowering plants. 
Table Plants. —At this Society’s exhibitions table plants are generally 
well shown, and on this occasion six or seven competitors entered in each 
■class. The plants throughout were small and neat. For six Mr. J. Agnew, 
gardener to Mrs. Watts, Grassendale Park, was placed first. His best plants 
were Croton interruptus aureus, C. Chelsoni, Cocos Weddeliana, Pandanus 
Veitchii, and Dracmna Guilfoylei. Mr. M. Wood was second with a good 
Dracaena Cooperi and D. gracilis ; and Mr. A. R. Ffarrington, gardener to 
Mr. Gilbert Park, Mariebonne, Wigan, third. For three plants Messrs. E. 
Thrupp, C. Copple, and W. Bustard were the prizetakers in the order named. 
Azaleas. —These were an attractive feature of the Exhibition, and dis¬ 
played a marked improvement over those staged last spring both in the size 
and condition of the plants generally. Three collections were staged in the 
■open class for six distinct varieties. Mr. W. Evans took the lead with large 
profusely flowered pyramidal plants not named, followed by Mr. W. Mease 
with very much larger plants, but not so well flowered, except plants of 
Flower of the Day and Grandis. Mr. E. Green was third. For three plants 
Lour competitors staged, and the premier position was accorded Mr. W. 
Mease for profusely flowered large plants of Souvenir de Prince Albert and 
Reine des Beiges. Mr. J. Lowndes was second with good Stella and Queen 
-of Beauties ; and Mr. J. Hurst third, having a well-grown plant of Flag of 
Truce. For one plant the successful exhibitors were Messrs. J. Lowndes, 
"T. Gowan, gardener to — Cunningham, Esq., Mossley Hill, and Mr. W. Mease. 
For four plants in pots not exceeding 8 inches in diameter Mr. Gowan was 
again first with neat well-flowered plants, the blooms being of large size. 
The varieties were Bernard Andreas, Princess Alice, good; Appollon, and 
Hercules. Second Mr. W. Evans, with a little larger plants well bloomed, 
but the flowers were much smaller than in the first collection. Third Mr. E. 
Green with rather looser specimens. For six plants of Azalea mollis Messrs. 
W. Bustard and W. Mease were the prizetakers, both showing compact 
bushes. 
Cinerarias were all that could be desired, many of the plants having 
heads of bloom 2 feet or more over, and the plants not more than 18 inches 
high. The competition was good, eight lots being staged. Mr. J. Agnew 
took the lead, followed by Messrs. J. Stephenson and J. Wilson, the last 
having smaller but very dwarf plants with large flowers. Primulas were not 
so good as we have seen them, the majority of the plants being large with 
small flowers. 
Cyclamens, Lily of the Valley, and Callas were fairly represented in the 
various classes, the last-mentioned being particularly good ; while the Lily 
of the Valley was very fine, the spikes of some of the examples being large 
and the foliage very rich. The principal prizetakers were Messrs. J. Jellico, 
Stephenson, W. Evans, G. Bennett, W. Mease, Wilson, and Copple. 
Other forced plants added very much to the interest and beauty of the 
Exhibition. For six, Mr. Lowndes gained the first position with a good col¬ 
lection, including a good plant of Azalea amcena, Azalea Appollis, a beautiful 
yellow ; A. mollis, Rhododendron Vesta, and Deutzia gracilis. Mr. Mease was 
second with a striking plant of Rhododendron fragrans, Rhododendron Mad. 
Wagner, and Azalea amoena. Roses were not numerous nor extra good. 
For twelve cut blooms there were two exhibits, the flowers were not large, 
but very creditable for this time of the year. Mr. A. Collins, gardener to 
S. Smith, Esq., Prince’s Park, took the first award, and Mr. G. Park the 
second. 
Only'two collections of hardy herbaceous and bulbous plants were staged 
for the three prizes offered, and this is to be regretted, for nothing in the 
Exhibition created greater interest or attraction. Messrs. J. Dickson and 
Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, were accorded the premier position, and 
Mr. W. Meason second for a very neat and interesting collection. The most 
striking in the Chester collection were Primula villosa nivea, white ; P. Sie- 
boldi, good; P. rosea, Narcissus laurifolius Emperor, N. bicolor Empress, 
N. odorus, N. Trumpet Major, Mertensia virginica, and Iris Beauty. 
Orchids. —The prizes offered for these popular plants were well contested 
for, and their delicate curious flowers attracted great interest, for the public 
crowded round them the whole of the day. Mr. E. Green took the lead for 
four plants, having a good Phalaenopsis Schilleriana, Dendrobium chryso- 
toxum with eight spikes of flowers, and D. thyrsiflorum, a fine plant with the 
same number of spikes, and a fair plant of Cattleya Triante with nine flowers. 
Mr. J. Wilson was second with Odontoglossum Alexandras, good variety, 
large spike, Odontoglossum aureum purpureum, Dendrobium Wardianum, 
healthy ; and D. nobile, a well-flowered specimen. Third, Mr. J. Edwards, 
gardener to Shadford Walker, Esq., 88, Rodney Street, Liverpool, with Den¬ 
drobium crassinode, with seven flowering bulbs ; Cattleya Trian8e,five flowers : 
D. Wardianum, fair ; and Odontoglossum maculatum superbum. For one 
Orchid Mr. E. Green was first with Phalasnopsis Schilleriana. Mr. A. 
Smith, gardener to D. de Yborrondo, second with Dendrobium crassinode, and 
Mr. R. G. Michie, gardener to E. L. Wigan, Esq., Sefton Park, third, having 
a good Dendrobium primulinum, fine form with four large-flowering pseudo¬ 
bulbs. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Aigburth Nur¬ 
sery, contributed a magnificent display of Hyacinths and Tulips, some 250 
or 300 of the former. The same firm also had a group of that useful sweet- 
scented plant, Choisya ternata, and Staphylea colchica in very fine condition. 
The Horticultural Company (John Cowan), Garston, had about 100 plants 
of a dwarf large-flowered strain of Cinerarias. The plants were not more 
than 9 inches to 1 foot high, and the head of bloom nearly as much in dia¬ 
meter, many of the individual flowers being 3 inches over ; they also staged 
a collection of foliage and spring-flowering plants associated together, and 
edged with Adiantum Pacotti. Messrs. Davies & Co., Wavertree, had a 
mixed collection of spring-flowering plants, which were highly effective and 
most creditable to them. Mr. A. Waterer, Knap Hill Nursery, Woking, 
staged a magnificent display of Primroses and Polyanthuses in pots, which 
were much admired ; also plants of Andromeda japonica splendidly flowered, 
for which a certificate of merit was awarded. Mr. J. Gore, gardener to 
T. Holden, Esq., Ullet Road, a splendid plant of well-bloomed Imantophyllum 
miniatum, and for which a cultural certificate was awarded. Mr. Wells staged 
his new Violet Wellsianum, which was highly commended, the Judges not 
thinking it sufficiently free for a first-class certificate. H. Holland, Esq., 
contributed a number of Orchids, and Messrs. J. Dickson & Sons a small 
collection of choice named Auriculas. Mr. James, the well-known grower of 
florist flowers, showed a collection of Cineraria blooms, principally seifs, 
which for shape and colour could not be surpassed. The arrangement of 
the Exhibition throughout reflected great credit upon the Chairman, Mr. 
Richardson, Mr. Gore the Secretary, and the Committee. 
A NOTE ON RHUBARB—-HAWKES’ CHAMPAGNE. 
It appears to me that Rhubarb as a garden crop has a peculiar 
position. By some gardeners it is talked about and treated with a 
half contemptuous sneer on the lip, as if it was just tolerated in the 
garden by reason of some fad of the owner’s. By others it is grown 
anyhow in any corner, with a “Oh, it doesn’t signify, it’s only 
Rhubarb, you know ” remark when spoken to about it ; whilst there 
are gardeners who care for Rhubarb much, and who give large 
attention to it, both as to its cultivation and the many varieties there 
are in growth now-a-days. Rhubarb has also a peculiar position as 
to its own identity. With many it is erroneously considered to be.a 
fruit, having, as it has, the juicy properties of fruit, and even in 
the minds of those who ought to know better, when these fruit 
properties are taken into account, there is an amusing amount of 
confusion as to whether it is a fruit or a vegetable. In America it 
is almost invariably called the Pie Plant, and the name is expressive. 
That settles the purpose at any rate, if not the position, of Rhubarb. 
Commercially Rhubarb ought to occupy a good position in every 
garden. Its value in the market is great, and its value as a factor in 
the sum of the public health is greater still. Rhubarb coming freely 
into use in the critical spring months of the year has an influence on 
the health of the body politic which is worth more than a passing 
consideration. 
Culturally Rhubarb is the easiest crop to grow of any in the 
garden. Deep well-manured soil, an open position, with the proper 
