450 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 5, 1884. 
the general arrangement of the group being all that could be desired. Many 
admiring comments were passed upon this group by the visitors, and Messrs. 
Ker deserve the greatest praise for the care they gave to the work. Second 
honours were gained by Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, Sale, for an exquisitely 
graceful arrangement of Ferns, comprising a large number of choice varieties 
disposed in the most elegant manner imaginable. It has already been 
proved at the Brighton Shows what beautiful effects can be produced by 
tastefully arranged groups of Ferns ; and Messrs. Birkenhead’s group was 
welcome evidence that similar attempts to popularise this style of decoration 
are being made in the north. It is true that it is impossible to obtain from 
Perns that brilliance which is sometimes desiiable in a show, but as a rule 
there is abundance of flowers, and the soft varied shades of green form a 
most agreeable contrast and relief to the floral portion of an exhibition. In 
the group in question there was a central branching tree-like stem of cork, 
which was covered with Selaginellas and Ferns, the general foundation of 
the group being formed of Adiantums of approved species and varieties, with 
taller plants suitable introduced to vary the surface. The whole group was 
well finished, with the exception perhaps of the margin, which would have 
been improved had the pots been concealed. 
The amateurs’ classes contained three exhibits, but with the exception of 
the first-prize group from Mr. G. Smith they were rather deficient in taste¬ 
fulness of arrangement. The leading group contained a due proportion of 
flowering and fine-foliage plants on a ground of small Ferns, Panicums, 
Crotons, and Caladiums, with a neat margin of Gloxinias. Mr. Roberts was 
second with a bright group, flowering plants predominating ; and Mr. Paul 
was third with a rather rough group, including several very poor Azaleas. 
NEW PLANTS. 
Foremost with twelve new and rare plants were Messrs. R. P. Ker- & Son, 
who staged good plants of the following, which have been previously 
described in these pages :—Davallia fijiensis, Azalea rosseflora, Anthurium 
ferrierense, Schismatoglottis Robelini, Ficus elastica alba variegata, Aralia 
amboinensis, Licuala grandis, Areca Verschaffelti pendula, Cyathea Dregei, 
Carludovica atropurpurea, Croton Flambeau, and Pritchardia Yuylstekiana. 
Mr. H. James took the second place with Dieffenbachia Jenmani, Acer 
polymorphum sanguineum, Anthurium Schertzerianum Hendersoni, Panax 
Victoria, Nepenthes Mastersiana nigra, a very dark-pitchered form ; Masde- 
vallia Chelsoni, Selaginella involvens variegata, Anthurium ferrierense, 
Odontoglossum polyxanthum, Cypripedium superciliare, Lalia purpurata 
virginalis, and Oncidium nigratum. Mr. Cole had the best six new and rare 
plants, which comprised the following :—Sarracenia Swanniana, S. Atkinsoni- 
ana, Nepenthes bicalcarata, with twelve grand pitchers and fully 6 feet in 
height, a magnificent specimen ; Dracaena Lindeni, and Nepenthes robusta. 
STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
The principal class was that for ten specimens, in which three collections 
were staged, including some beautiful plants. Mr. Cypher was adjudged 
premier honours for a fresh and handsome collection, comprising Erica 
Cavendishiana, grandly flowered and in most vigorous health, Dracophyllum 
gracile was similarly praiseworthy ; Hedaroma tulipifera, Franciscea eximia, 
Erica depressa, 5 feet in diameter and superbly flowered, Aphelexis macrantha 
purpurea, and Bougainvillea glabra were other noteworthy specimens in 
what was by far the best collection of these plants in the Show. Mr. II. 
James secured the second place with good examples of E. Cavendishiana, 
Statice profusa. Genetyllis Hookeri, Anthurium Andreanum, and Erica 
depressa. Mr. E. Tudgey was third with several well-grown Heaths. The 
first position with eight specimens was gained by Mr. C. Paul, who had 
Stephanotis floribunda of globular form, Erica Cavendishiana profusely 
flowered, and Acrophyllum venosum very beautiful. Mr. G. Smith followed 
closely, his two best jflants being Erica perspicua nana 5 feet in diameter, and 
Allamanda grandiflora about the same size. Mr. Roberts was third with 
smaller specimens. 
Ericas .—Four collections of six Ericas were staged, two in the amateurs’ 
and the same number in the nurserymen’s class. In the former Mr. Cole 
took the lead with even healthy specimens, followed by Mr. G. 'Williams; 
while in the other class Mr. Cypher was the most successful, having half a 
dozen charming plants, 3 to 4 feet high, globular in form and profuselv 
flowered. E. Cavendishiana, E. ventricosa coccinea minor, E. affinis, E. 
ventricosa magnifica, and E. ventricosa rosea were the varieties. Mr. Tudgey 
was a close second with neat plants well flowered. 
Azaleas were not so good as might have been desired, with the exception 
of Mr. C. Turner’s plants, which won him premier honours. These, as 
already noted, formed a beautiful central group, and were, as the Slough 
plants always are, in grand condition. The best Pelargoniums, both Show 
and Fancy varieties, were also from Mr. Turner, superbly flowered speci¬ 
mens, which Mr. C. Rylance of Ormskirk could not equal, though he showed 
some good specimens. The amateurs’ productions in these classes were not 
of first-rate merit, Cinerarias being also rather poor. 
Clematises were grandly represented by Messrs. Richard Smith of 
Worcester, -who secured the first-prize for fifteen plants, globular specimens, 
well flowered and evenly trained. Messrs. G. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, had the 
premier position with twenty Roses in pots. The plants were 3 to 4 feet 
high, compact, healthy, and beautifully flowered, the colours of the blooms 
being especially rich and clear. Messrs. G. & W. Yates, Manchester, were 
second in the same class with dwarf specimens, and Mr. Tudgey was third 
with small plants. 
Gloxinias and Calceolarias made a good display, the former being par¬ 
ticularly well flowered. For ten Gloxinias Mr. F. Long, Prestwich, secured 
the first position with healthy plants bearing two or three dozen flowers. 
Mr. J. Franklin, gardener to P. Am. Ende, Esq., Whalley Range, and Mr. 
T. Eden, gardener to Mrs. Sargent Sale, following amongst seven exhibitors. 
Eight collections of ten Calceolarias were staged, Mr. G. Coulson, gardener 
to A. Schill, Esq., Didsbury, leading with compact healthy plants of a good 
strain. Mr. J. Hay, gardener to Mrs. Tootal, The Weaste, Pendleton, fol¬ 
lowed ; and Mr. C. Collings, gardener to J. M. Heatherton, Esq., Victoria 
Park, was third. In the nurserymen’s class for twelve plants Messrs. R. P. 
Ker & Son and Mr. J. Taylor, Huyton, Liverpool, were the prizetakers. 
Table Plants .—The competition was exceedingly keen in the class for six 
table plants, no less than eleven collections being staged, all neat and suit¬ 
able plants. Mr. J. Hill, Rochdale, was first with graceful little specimens 
of Aralia leptophylla, A. elegantissima, Kentia Belmoreana, Pandanus 
Veitchii, Cyperus alternifolius variegatus, and Dracaena Bausei, the surface 
of the soil being covered with Sibthorpia europrea and Selaginellas. Mr. 
G. Park, gardener to R. H. ffarington, Esq., Wigan, and Mr. T. Moss, 
Preston, were the other prizetakei-3, each showing neat elegant plants. 
Bouquets. —Several very tasteful bouquets were entered. In the amateurs’ 
class for two Mr. Plant, gardener to R. P. Gill, Esq., Woodheys Hall, Aslaton- 
on-Mersey, was first with a choice arrangement of Orchids, Roses, Gloxinias, 
Stephanotis, Ixoras. Dipladenias, and Ferns. Mr. Collins was second, chiefly 
with Eucharis and Orchids, while Mr. Elphinstone, gardener to J. Heywood, 
Esq., The Grange, Stretford, was third with a combination of Mardchal Niel 
Rose buds and Epidendrum vitellinum flowers. For three bouquets Mr. 
Cypher was first, having handsome bouquets of Orchids, Pancratiums, and 
white Lapagerias; Mr. Chard, Clapham Common, Mr. T. Walkden, Sale, 
and Messrs. Sherratt & Pointon, Congleton, following. 
. FRUIT. 
Though the display of fruit was not large it was good for the time of 
year, the black Grapes being especially well shown, good in bunch and berry, 
and generally well coloured. Mr. G. T. Miles, gardener to Lord Carrington, 
Wycombe Abbey, was the premier exhibitor of eight dishes of fruit, showing 
Foster’s Seedling and Black Hamburgh Grapes, the former of good size and 
the latter well coloured. A neat Queen Pine weighing 3J lbs., good Elruge 
Nectarines, fine Stirling Castle Peaches, ripe Brown Turkey Figs, and a 
richly coloured Golden Gem Melon. Mr. Mclndoe, gardener to Sir Joseph 
Pease, Bart., M.P., Hutton Hall, Guisborough, was second with Early 
Saumur, Frontignan, and Madresfield Court Grapes, the latter well coloured, 
Best of All Melon finely netted, Bellegarde Peaches large, and Lord Napier 
Nectarines scarcely ripe. Mr. Upjohn, gardener to the Right Hon. Lord 
Ellesmere, Worsley Hall, was third, having Black Hamburgh Grapes rather 
wanting in colour, and Peaches and Nectarines scarcely so ripe as might 
have been desired. 
Fourteen exhibitors competed with two bunches of black Grapes ; Mr. 
Church, gardener to C. S. A. Mellussen, Esq., Brodsworth Hall, Whitefield, 
leading with Black Hamburgh, fine in bunch and berry and handsomely 
coloured. Mr. J. Londen, gardener to Thos. Barnes, Esq., The Quinta, Chirk, 
was second with the same variety smaller in berry ; and Mr. C. Breese, gar¬ 
dener to Mr. Ackers, Moreton Hall, followed with small bunches. Nine 
pairs of white Grapes were entered, Mr. Londen securing the first position 
with Muscat of Alexandria not fully ripe. Mr. R. J. Anson, gardener to 
W. Bretherton, Esq., Euxton, Chorley, was second with Foster’s Seedling; 
and Mr. Miles third with the same. Canon Hall Muscat and Duke of Buc- 
cleuch were also shown, but were not in good condition. For one Pine Apple 
Mr. G. T. Miles was first with a Queen weighing 4 lbs., beautifully even and 
wrfl ripened. Mr. Clayton, Grimston Park, was second with Smooth Cay¬ 
enne neat and even. Mr. Miles was also first with two Pines, Queens, 4^ and 
5 lbs. respectively. Mr. Mclndoe was second with a smaller Queen, and Mr. 
Breese third with the same variety. Strawberries in pots were not very 
fine, Mr. G. Smith, Mr. Chuck, and Mr. Upjohn securing the prizes, the 
varieties best represented being Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and La 
Grosse Suciee. 
There was a fair show of Asparagus, Mr. G. T. Miles securing the first 
prizes for eighty and fifty heads, Mr. Campbell, gardener to T. Higson, Esq. 
Oakmore Hall, Mr. T. Pitt, gardener, Berry Hill, and Mr. Mossman, gardener 
to G. Pollock, Esq., Windlesham, following. 
Miscellaneous. —A large number of groups and collections were contributed 
not for competition, and added considerably to the interest of the Exhibition. 
Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, was the principal exhibitor, and had a 
magnificent group in the exhibition house, comprising a large number of 
choice Orchids, new and rare flowering and fine-foliage plants very tastefully 
arranged. Messrs. F. and A. Dickson & Son, Chester, had a choice collection 
of stove and greenhouse plants, including a good plant of Asparagus 
virgatus, with a good proportion of the bright and pretty Boronia elatior ; 
Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London, had a large and handsome 
collection of greenhouse plants, including a great number of well-grown 
hardwooded plants ; Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, London, sent some 
new tuberous Begonias and Caladiums ; Mr. C. Turner, Slough, showed a fine 
group of Roses in pots; Messrs. J. Waterer & Co., Bagshot, had extensive 
banks of Rhododendrons ; The Liverpool Horticultural Company (John 
Cowan) limited, had a miscellaneous collection of Palms, Pelargoniums, and 
Hydrangeas ; Messrs. R. B. Laird & Son, Edinburgh, sent several boxes of 
Violas, representing many choice varieties ; and Mr. T. Bethell, Liverpool, 
sent samples of their unique folding boxes. Mr. Miles had a fine dish of 
Stamfordian Tomatoes; Mr. Milne, Vale Royal, dishes of Nectarines and 
Strawberries. For most of the above extra prizes were awarded. 
THE FLOWER TENT AT THE BATH AND WEST OF 
ENGLAND SHOW AT MAIDSTONE. 
June 2nd to Gth. 
This tent was as usual under the able and tasteful management of the 
Rev. J. T. Boscawen, and the general effect of the Exhibition was greatly 
admired, and never before have the Kent folks been treated to such a show of 
Orchids. The entrance was an improvement on former shows, as the local 
nurserymen, Messrs. George Bunyard A Co., had planted trees and shrubs, 
with a border of Rhododendrons, giving it a bright appearance ; at the lower 
end a fine rockery was erected, and so naturally that it looked as if it 
had growed there,” and formed a feature in the tent. The stone used w r as a 
limestone belonging to the lower greensand foimalion, locally known as 
Kentish rag, and supplied from the Iguanodon quarries of Messrs. II. H. 
Bansted & Son (this firm sent a quantity to Broxbourne for Messrs. Paul’s 
new rock garden). On entering, a prominent feature were the Orchids from 
D. Bain Crawshay, Esq., of Rosefield, Sevenoaks, among which were a fine 
series of Cattleya Mossise, examples of C. gigas, C. Mendelli and Warnerii, a 
fine variety of the latter having flowers 9 inches across, the corolla being 
very wide ; the central plant was a grand Odontoglossum vexillarium with 
fifty flowers. Other fine examples being Epidendrum vitellinum majus, Mas- 
devallias Harryana, Chimaera, and H. lilacina ; Phalsenopsis grandiflora fine, 
