310 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ April 21, isai. 
a sufficient number to fill a centre vase and stand for the dinner 
table, and also to have sufficient Camellia blooms for four specimen 
glasses for the drawing-room. These are now filled with Azaleas, 
which will probably last until the Tea Roses from the wall gladden 
our eyes, as it is to be hoped this bitter east wind, which keeps 
everything back, will not always continue. 
Now, I do not lay claim to anything of superior cultivation, but 
simply to this, that by a judicious selection of plants to be grown 
and by a certain amount of care bestowed upon them I am enabled 
to have a great deal of pleasure out of a very limited space, and 
thereby to offer some encouragement to those who are similarly 
situated, and who are often dispirited because the directions given 
for culture and the plans to be adopted involve a much greater 
expenditure of money and a larger amount of space than they 
have at their command.—D., Deal. 
BIRMINGHAM SPRING SHOW SOCIETY. 
April 18th and 19th. 
The first Exhibition of spring flowers held by this Society took 
place on Monday and Tuesday last in the Town Hall, Birmingham, 
the satisfactory results achieved auguring well for the future excel¬ 
lency of what is likely to be an annual Show of considerable interest. 
The weather, that most important factor in the success of floral exhi¬ 
bitions, proved all that could be desired, the first day being particu¬ 
larly fine, encouraging intending competitors to bring their produc¬ 
tions and the public to visit them. Although some of the prizes were 
not very keenly contested for, the exhibits on the whole were of good 
quality, freshness and vigour characterising the majority of plants 
staged, while plants were abundant and diversified. They were all 
shown to excellent advantage by the taste exercised in the general 
arrangement, which was creditable alike to the exhibitors and to 
those entrusted with the management. The bulk of the plants occu¬ 
pied three cables extending the entire length of the Hall; the central 
one, 14 or 15 feet broad, bearing the stove and greenhouse plants, 
several groups and miscellaneous collections ; the other two being 
occupied with Cinerarias, Hyacinths, Tulips, Spiraeas, Ferns, and Mr. 
B. S. Williams’ pretty group. In the corners of the Hall were taste¬ 
ful and bright groups from several local nurserymen, which assisted 
materially in imparting an agreeable finish to the general pleasing 
effect. 
The classes were in two sections, the first forty-eight being devoted 
to gentlemen’s gardeners and amateurs, while ten were open to all 
exhibitors. A great variety of plants were provided for ; the prizes, 
though by no means extravagant in value, being in the chief classes 
at least sufficient to induce interesting, and in a few instances close, 
competition. In some classes there was room for much improvement, 
but another year probably these defects will be in a great measure 
remedied. No doubt if the financial results of the Exhibition prove 
satisfactory more liberal prizes will be given, stimulating growers 
and exhibitors to greater efforts, and resulting in the production of a 
really first-rate spring Show. 
Bulbs .—Taking the gardeners’ and amateurs’ classes in the order 
they are enumerated in the schedule, the first demanding notice are 
those devoted to bulbous plants, of which the Hyacinths were the 
most numerous. The chief class was for eighteen Hyacinths not less 
than ten varieties, three collections of average merit being staged. 
The prizetakers were J. E. Wilson, Esq., Edgbaston (gardener, Mr. W. 
Jinks), C. E. Matthews, Esq., Edgbaston (gardener, Mr. W. Jones), 
and J. Jaffray, Esq. (gardener, Mr. F. Denning), in the order named. 
Three other classes were also devoted to Hyacinths, but the general 
quality was below the average, several collections appearing to be 
very much drawn, as though they had been either grown some dis¬ 
tance from the glass or crowded by other plants. The spikes, too, 
were rather weak and the colours dull, but some of these defects 
were possibly due to its being somewhat late in the season for such 
plants. Two classes were appropriated to Tulips, but in neither were 
first-rate collections staged. Mr. W. Jinks had the best six six single 
varieties, and L. Hayman, Esq., Edgbaston (gardener, Mr. G. Newell) 
held a similar position in the class for six double varieties ; the other 
collections being very irregular, including a few good specimens, and 
many that were of very inferior quality. 
Miscellaneous .—Following the classes for bulbs were a number 
devoted to miscellaneous flowering plants, especially Dielytras, 
Spiraeas, and Deutzias. For two specimen Dielytras Mr. W. Jinks and 
T. Webley, Esq., Selby Oak (gardener, Mr. W. H. Dyer), were the 
principal exhibitors, both contributing very well-grown specimens 
flowering freely. The premier collection of three Deutzias was from 
Mr. Jinks, the plants being 4 feet in diameter and flowering most 
profusely ; indeed they were some of the finest we have seen this 
season, although not trained in any shape. Messrs. W. Jones and 
W. H. Dyer followed with smaller examples of this useful plant. 
Spiraeas were well represented, especially in the first-prize collection 
of six staged by Mr. Jinks; they were in excellent condition with 
abundant blooms. T. Chatwin, Esq., Edgbaston (gardener, Mr. C. 
Lusted), and Mr. Neivell securing the other chief prizes with plants 
but little inferior to those already named. One collection only of 
Roses in pots was staged—namely, those in the class for three, for 
which Mr. W. H. Dyer obtained the first prize; they were moderately 
healthy but backward, very few of the flowers being expanded. A 
few good Azaleas were shown, but the majority of the specimens were 
thin and uneven, though flowers were abundant, large, and brightly 
coloured. The chief prizetakers were Messrs. W. H. Dyer, "VV. Jinks, 
and W. Jones. One large pyramidal specimen of Fielder’s White 
from the first-named was probably the best in the Show ; it was about 
6 feet in height, well trained, and clothed with blooms from the rim 
of the pot to the highest branches. Cinerarias were represented by 
several neat collections, the best being contributed by Mr. W. H. 
Dyer in the class for six ; these were compact, the flowers of mode¬ 
rate size and brightly coloured. The first prize awarded for them 
was well merited. Messrs. F. Denning and W. Jones secured the 
remaining prizes both in this class and in that for three plants with 
specimens a little less compact than Mr. Dyer’s. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —These, though not very numerous, 
produced a pleasing display on the central table. For six specimens 
Mr. F. Denning was the most successful exhibitor, as he easily 
secured the premier award with neat examples of Diosma capitata, 
a good pyramidal Azalea Iveryana, and a well-flowered Rhyncho- 
spermum jasminoides ; but the finest specimen of all, both in this and 
the other collections, was a plant of Dendrobium nobile in a 10-inch 
pot. On a rough estimation there could scarcely have been less than 
one hundred growths, some of which had over a dozen flowers. Mr. 
W. Jones was second with smaller specimens, notably a well-flowered 
Ixora Williamsi. For three stove and greenhouse plants Mr. W. 
Jinks was first with a tall Ixora alba, a large Tabemaemontana 
coronaria flore-pleno, and an example of Medinilla magnifica nearly 
rivalling the Dendrobium nobile referred to above ; it was in admir¬ 
able health, and had not less than fifty large pendulous panicles of 
coral-like flowers. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —In the class for three plants with ornamental 
foliage in pots not exceeding 12 inches in diameter, Mr. W. Jinks 
again obtained the chief position with a fine specimen of Dracaena 
Mooreana 6 feet high, bearing broad deeply coloured leaves ; Croton 
variegatum of good colour, and Dieffenbachia Bausei with ten vigo¬ 
rous growths and pretty mottled foliage. Mr. W. Jones followed 
with Pandanus Yeitchi in satisfactory condition ; and among others 
Mr. W. H. Dyer obtained the third place with small but clean speci¬ 
mens. There was only one entry for three Fern-—viz., those from 
Mr. W. H. Dyer, comprising Davallia Mooreana 5 feet in diameter, 
with large healthy fronds ; Gleichenia dichotoma, also fine, 3 feet in 
diameter ; and G. speluncse, smaller but similarly fresh and vigorous. 
Mr. F. Denning was the only exhibitor of three Palms, securing the 
premier award for graceful examples of Kentia Fosteriana, Phoenix 
sylvestris, and Latania borbonica. 
Orchids. —These were by no means so strongly represented as might 
have been expected, for only one collection was staged—namely, that 
from C. Winn, Esq., Selby Oak (gardener, Mr. T. Shields). This, 
which received the first prize, comprised Zygopetalum crinitum 
caeruleum with two large spikes of its peculiar blue marbled flowers ; 
Odontoglossum triumphans with four fine panicles ; and Dendrobium 
Bensoniae in beautiful form with white sepals and petals, and a yellow 
lip blotched with maroon. 
In the open class the display was chiefly confined to Auriculas, 
those from Mr. Sharp, Perry Barr ; Sir Josiah Mason, Erdington ; 
and Messrs. Pope & Sons, King’s Norton, being the best, and securing 
the principal prizes for their owners. Cut flowers were not very 
abundant, but several of the exhibitors already enumerated contributed 
stands of blooms, the Orchids from Mr. C. Winn being particularly 
noticeable. 
Groups. —Without the groups contributed by the nurserymen the 
display would have been considerably less effective and interesting. 
One of the most important and beautiful was that fi’om Mr. B. S. 
Williams of Upper Holloway, which attracted much attention from 
the visitors. It contained an assortment of choice Orchids, Palms, 
Ferns, and many other plants, among which the Cyclamens were 
particularly noteworthy for the size of their flowers. A handsome 
specimen of Oncidium sarcodes was also observable, with a panicle 
of richly coloured flowers over 4 feet in length. Plants of Azalea 
Mrs. Carmichael well indicated the excellent qualities of this variety ; 
and among many other plants in flower comparatively rarely seen 
were Rudgea macrophylla with a dense head of white flowers, and 
Toxicophltea spectabilis, also bearing white flowers in axillary 
clusters. Near this group m one corner of the Hall was a very taste¬ 
ful group from Hans Niemand, Edgbaston. It had a groundwork of 
Palms, Tulips, Dielytras, Spiraeas, Heliotropes, and Mignonette, 
among which in raised cork baskets were a few selected Palms and 
Ferns, imDarting a very pleasing effect to the arrangement. Mr. 
Thoma.s Hewitt, Solihull, had a corresponding group at the opposite 
corner of the Hall, consisting chiefly of Pelargoniums and baskets of 
seedling Auriculas and Primroses. Among the Auriculas a double 
maroon-coloured variety with large flowers was especially note¬ 
worthy. A basket of Anthurium Schertzerianum edged with Lilies 
of the Yalley was attractive, the contrast between the scarlet spathes 
of the Anthurium and the white flowers of the Lilies being very 
striking. Mr. R. H. Yertegans, Chad Yalley Nurseries, Edgbaston, 
contributed a large group, which occupied one end of the central 
stage. This was principally composed of Hyacinths, Tulips, Lilies of 
the Yalley, and double Cinerarias, which were gracefully arranged 
with Variegated Maples, Palms, Ferns, and similar plants. In addi¬ 
tion to these there were a group of Pelargoniums from Messrs. Pope 
