June 5, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
449 
FINE-FOLIAGE PLANTS. 
Next in importance to the Orchids were the fine-foliage plants, and these 
were all uncommonly well shown both as regards numbers and general good 
quality. The principal class for amateurs was for ten specimens ; and in this 
Mr. G. Smith, gardener to J. Rylands, E^q, Stretford, won the leading 
honours with an extremely well-grown collection, comprising magnificent 
plants of Croton Weismanni, Pritchardia pacifica, Cibotium Schiedei, Cycas 
revoluta, Areca lutescens, and Alocasia Lowii of great size, and in the case 
of the Croton and Alocasia finely coloured. A close second position was 
gained by Mr. Paul, gardener to S. Schloss, Esq., Bowdon, who had particu¬ 
larly good examples of Anthurium Yeitchi, Cycas revoluta, Zamia Lindeni, 
and Gleichenia Mendelli. Mr. Roberts, gardener to E. Cliffe Glover, Esq., 
Leek, was third, showing Latania borbonica, Ptychosperma Alexandras, and 
Kentia Belmore'ana, handsome in size and health. In the nurserymen’s class 
for eight specimens Mr. Cypher, Cheltenham, gained the premier prize with 
praiseworthy examples of Cordyline indivisa, Cycas circinalis, Latania bor¬ 
bonica, . Cycas revoluta, Croton Williamsi, and Kentia Canterburyana, the 
remaining prizes being secured by Mr. H. James of Lower Norwood, London, 
and Mr. E. Tudgey, Waltham Cross, whose plants have already this season 
made a good appearance at several leading shows in the south of England. 
Crotons. — These were magnificent, of special importance being the 
beautiful collection of ten from Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, which 
secured them first honours in the nurserymen’s class. The Liverpool plants 
are remarkable alike for their clean vigorous growth, their rich colours, and 
for the fact that they are mostly confined to one stem, a mode of culture 
which appears to suit them admirably. The varieties represented were 
princeps. Queen Victoria, interruptus aureus of wonderful colour, Baroness 
Rothschild, Hawkeri, Evansianus, Weismanni, Warreni, and Williamsi. 
Mr. H. Cole, gardener to J. Broome, Esq., Wood Lawn, Didsbury, was the 
most successful amongst the amateurs in the class for six Crotons, showing 
fresh highly coloured plants of Andreanus, Prince of Wales, Williamsi, 
Evansianus, and Queen Victoria, 3 to 4 feet high, bushy and handsome 
specimens. Mr. Roberts took the second place with similarly well-grown 
plants, his best specimens being Hawkeri in grand condition, Johannis very 
elegant, and Baron F. de Rothschild. Mr. C. Paul was third with rather 
poorly coloured plants. 
Draccsnas .—In the nurserymen’s class for twelve specimens Messrs. R. P. 
Ker & Sons were the premier exhibitors, showing a beautiful collection, 
which, like the Crotons, were finely coloured. The varieties were Macleyi, 
Rebeccas, .Alba marginata, Gladstone] - , Mooreana, Goldieana, Salmonea, 
recurva, Lindeni, Mrs. G. Freake, and Baptisti. They were from 2 to 5 feet 
high, well proportioned, and clothed with foliage down to the pots. Mr. H. 
James was a good second, having especially fine examples of Shepherdi and 
Mooreana. Mr. Cole won the first position in the amateurs’ class for six 
Dracaenas, staging fresh healthy plants 3 to 5 feet high of Goldieana, anerley- 
ensis, Baptisti, Shepherdi, Youngii, and Weismanni; Mr. Williams, gardener 
to S. Baerlein, Esq., Didsbury, being second with fine plants of Lindeni, indivisa, 
and Rossi amongst others ; and Mr. Kemp, gardener to Mrs. Sykes, EIgley 
House, Stockport, was third with a similar collection of smaller plants. 
There were six competitors in this class, and the exhibits were very close in 
merit. Palms were well shown by Messrs. Tudgey, Cypher, and James in 
the nurserymen’s class, and by Mr. G. Williams in the amateurs’ class, all 
having large well-grown specimens. 
Yuccas were well staged by Mr. G. Smith, who had the best four plants, 
5 feet high and ■well coloured, the varieties being quadricolor and aloifolia 
variegata. Mr. Cole was second with dwarfer but very healthy examples of 
Stokesi and aloifolia variegata. 
Ferns .—Very rarely is such a magnificent collection of Gleichenias seen 
at shows as that with which Mr. C. Paul gained the premier prize in the 
class for eight stove and greenhouse Ferns. These were 6 or 7 feet in 
diameter and in perfect health, covered with vigorous fresh green fronds, 
which had a beautiful appearance behind the Orchids. The species repre¬ 
sented were G. Speluncse, G. glaucescens, G. flabellata, and G. Mendelli. 
With them were shown good specimens of Dicksonia antarctica and Gonio- 
phlebium subauriculatum. Mr. Baillie, gardener to the Earl of Wilton, 
followed closely, having smaller but well-grown plants of Adiantum Flem- 
ingii, Acrophorus immersus, and Davallia bullata. Mr. Roberts was third, 
his best plants being Dicksonias and Cyatheas. 
For twelve hardy Ferns Mr. R. Tyldesley, Worsley, secured chief honours 
for a wonderfully handsome collection of large vigorous specimens. Espe¬ 
cially notable were Athyrium Filix-foemina Vernoniae, Osmunda regalis pur- 
purascens, Athyrium F.-f. Craigii, Polystichum angulare plumosum very 
beautiful, Lastrea furcans, and Polystichum angulare Wollastoni. This 
exhibitor is a collier, and, like many working men in the north of England, 
he makes a special study of Ferns, devoting all his spare time to their culti¬ 
vation. Mr. Broadman took the second prize, his best plants being Athyrium 
Filix-feemina fissidentatum and Onoclea sensibilis. Mr. J. Hesketh, gardener 
to H. Birley, Esq., Pendlebury, followed with several handsome Polystichums, 
O-mundas, and Lastreas. Mr. G. Smith had the best collection of six Filmy 
Ferns, very pretty specimens of Todea superba, Hymenophyllum demissum, 
Todea pellucida, T. radicans, and T. superba. 
Pitcher Plants .—A surprisingly fine display of these was formed, and 
seldom is so large a number of such plants seen at exhibitions. They con¬ 
stituted a feature of great interest in the Exhibition house, and attracted 
almost as much attention from the visitors as the Orchids did. Mr. Cole 
had the best ten specimens in the amateurs’ classes—wonderfully fine plants, 
some of them, as Nepenthes Rafflesiana, bearing dozens of grand pitchers, 
while M. Mastersiana with ten large deeply coloured pitchers has probably 
never been surpassed ; N. Kennedyana and N. Williamsi were also good. 
The Sarracenias were in similarly creditable condition, one example of 
S. purpurea being over 3 feet in diameter and grandly coloured. Mr. 
Holmes followed, chiefly with Sarracenias, splendidly coloured plants of 
S. Mitchelliana, S. purpurea, S. Chelsoni, and Nepenthes Hookeri being the 
chief features of his collection. Mr. J. Morton, gardener to J. Fildes, Esq., 
Chorlton-cum-Hardy, was third with healthy but not so brightly coloured 
specimens. Only one collection was entered in the nurserymen’s classes for 
ten plants, Mr. H. James being awarded the premier prize for the large 
specimens which were so much admired at the Crystal Palace Show recently. 
Sonerilas .—It is seldom that a class is provided for these beautiful little 
plants, but at Manchester they receive the attention they so well merit. Two 
collections of six plants were staged, Mr. Cole being first with charming 
specimens in pans, the foliage being beautifully marked; especially pretty 
were margaritacea, Hendersoni, and argentea. Mr. G. Williams followed 
with similar plants and varieties, except amcena, an extremely pleasing form 
with silvery dots on a deep green ground. 
HERBACEOUS AND ALPINE PLANTS. 
In the amateurs’ class for thirty herbaceous and bulbous plants in or out 
of flower the first prize was taken by Mr. H. G. Bennett, gardener to 
T. Dickens, Esq., Higher Broughton, followed very closely by Mr. T. Ent- 
wistle, gardener to Joseph Broome, Esq., of Didsbury. In the first collection 
the most conspicuous plants were Thalictrum aquilegifolium, Saxifraga 
pyramidalis, Hemerocallis flava, Trollius asiatic.us, and Pseonia tenuifolia 
fl.-pl. The second collection was on the whole, we consider, equal to if not 
superior to the first, but adjudication was difficult on account of the groups 
being arranged in different tents. The following plants were especially well 
shown :—Lamiurn longiflorum, Lilium philadelphicum, L. Browni, L. tigri- 
num fl.-pl. ; Geum aurantiacum, Achillea tomentosa, Pyrethrum Penelope, 
P. amethyst, Delphinium Belladonna, Thalictrum purpurascens, Dodecatheon 
integrifolium, ifec., all of which give evidence of the best culture. In the 
class for thirty alpines Mr. Entwistle was well to the front with a most inter¬ 
esting and prettily arranged collection, neatly labelled, and in every way 
most commendable, including good pans of Veronica prostrata, Saxifraga 
Maweana, Saxifraga pyramidalis, S. Valdensis (very fine), Campanula Por- 
tenschlagiana, Saxifraga carinthiaca, <fcc. In the class for twelve alpi'ne3 the 
same exhibitor was a long way ahead with a charming group, including a 
magnificent pan of Sempervivum arachnoidcum about 18 inches across, 
prettily covered with its white web ; Phyteuma comosum well in flower, Cam¬ 
panula thyrsoidea with a magnificent spike over a foot long of its bell¬ 
shaped sulphur-coloured flowers ; this and the last plant are very rare, and 
were never seen in better condition ; Dianthus glacialis, Allium ped j mon- 
tanum well in flower, and Delphinium nudicaule. The second prize wa3 
secured by Mr. James Mellor of Didsbury. 
In the classes provided for nurserymen the premier position for sixty 
herbaceous and bulbous plants in or out of flower was awarded to Mr. A. 
Walkden of Sale with a very neat collection, mostly varieties of florists' 
flowers, including numerous Pyrethrums, doub’e Rockets, Pinks, Aquilegia 
cserulea, Cheiranthus Marshalli, Primula farinosa (the best pan in the collec¬ 
tion), Delphinium nudicaule, Anthericum liliastrum, Geum coccineum fl.-pl. 
Thalictrum aquilegifolium, &c. Messrs. Jam’s Dickson A Sons, Newtou 
Nurseries, Chester, were a very close second, and their collection included 
some very fine plants, including a very large specimen of LTium longi¬ 
florum, some of the stems carrying five fine flowers ; the variegated form of 
this Lily was also good, and for such a rare form very striking ; Cypripediutn 
pubescens, Narcissus bulbocodium, Gladiolus The Bride, Orchis foliosa, very 
fine, with nine large spikes of bloom ; Aquilegia rubra-alba plena, very 
showy; Phlox ovata, Lilium auratum, Dianthus hybridu3 floribundus, 
D. hybridus Napoleon III., Iberis gibraltarica hybiida, Ranunculus aconiti- 
folius fl.-pl., Baptistia lutea, &c., the whole forming a very attractive group. 
In the nurserymen’s class for forty alpines Messrs. James Dickson & Sons of 
Chester were well to the front with a rich collection, including Saxifraga 
cochlearis major, Ramonda pyrenaica (a good pan), Androsace lanuginosa, 
Phyteuma Scheuchzeri, Tropaeolum polyphyllum, Erinus alpinus, Campanula 
Portenschlagiana, Sibthorpia europsea and its variegated form ; Edelweiss, a 
very fine pan ; Onosma taurica, a most beautiful specimen, ifcc., the whole 
forming a most interesting and very much-admired group. Messrs. F. V. 
and H. Stansfield, nurserymen, Sale, were second, whose collection included 
a beautiful pan of Saxifraga McNabiana, one of the finest of the encrusted 
section. 
Pansies and Violas .—Amateurs’ classes.—Six Show in 8-inch pots : First 
Mr. T. Entwistle with Jupiter, Queen, Clonard, Marquis, Royalty, Tickle—a 
well-shown fine lot. Second Mr. James Mellor, Didsbury ; third Mrs. C. 
Sergeant Sale. Six Fancy varieties in the same sized pots : First Mr. J. 
Blower, Pendlebury. with Champion, Mrs. E. H. Wood, Richard Tonge, 
Gold-digger, Mrs. Scott, Plummer, and Mrs. Jamieson. A very close 
second was gained by Mr. Entwistle with Thomas Grainger, John Strattan, 
John Currie, Mrs. Felton, Christine, Miss Freeman. Third Mrs. C. 
Sergeant, Sale. The Fancy varieties were excellent, and there was close 
competition, all the collections being good. Six Violas in 8-inch pots.— 
These were especially well shown. First Mr. Rose, gardener to D. McClure, 
Esq., Heaton Mersey, with Pilrig Park, Holyrood, Picturata, Admiration, 
Alpha, and Sovereign. Second Mr. T. Entwistle with fine pots. Third Mr. 
H. G. Bennett, gardener to Thos. Dickens, Esq., Higher Broughton. 
Nurserymen’s classes.—Twenty Show varieties in 8-inch pots : There was 
very close competition in this class, the premier position falling to Mr. John 
Hayward of Cheadle near Manchester. Amongst the best varieties were 
Yeilow Queen, Black Sam, Duke of Perth, Dr. Hardy, A. Grant, Col. Wedder- 
burn, Leith Walk Hero, &c. Second Mr. W. Saunders, Leek. Twenty Fancy 
varieties in 8-inch pots : Mr. Hayward again taking the lead with a very 
even lot, although the flowers were not so large as could be desired. 
Amongst the best were W. P. Fairgrieve, George Wood, Emblem, T. Grainger, 
Lady Hay, Countess of Strathmore, Miss Darling, Major Molesworth, 
Wm. Melville, and Mrs. Birkmyre. Second Mr. F. Walkden. Sale ; third 
Mrs. Eliza Mellor, Chorlton. Twenty Violas in 8-inch pots.—In this class 
Mr. Hayward most conspicuously took the lead with charming pots, very 
evenly put up, including Pilrig Park, Sovereign, Admiration, Countess of 
Kintore, Beauty of Sale, Archibald Grant, Max Kolb, and King of the Blues. 
GROUPS. 
Two classes were devoted to these, one for groups 30 by 15 feet, and the 
other 25 by 12 feet. In the first named there were two entries, both rem irk- 
ably beautiful and novel, and though differing greatly in character they 
were nearly equal in merit as regards the taste manifested in their arrange¬ 
ment. Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son were awarded first honours for a group 
which could scarcely be surpassed in effectiveness and grace. There was a 
bold central mound of Palms, Azaleas, Crotons, Ferns, and Cordylines, the 
general groundwork being an undulating surface of Adiantums, with small 
Crotons, Dracmnas, Caladiums, and Pelargoniums, with taller examples of 
the slender-leaved and drooping Crotons rising from amongst them. There 
was a neat margin of pink Pelargoniums alternating with variegated Grasses, 
