448 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 1, 1882. 
Lathomi, a pretty graceful Fern in the way of A. concinnum ; 
Stepkanotis floribunda (Rlvaston variety), a distinct form, remark¬ 
able for producing its flowers very freely when in a small state ; 
Asparagus plumosus nanus, a dwarf Fern-like plant with beautiful 
feathery leaves ; Azalea Miss Buist, a form somewhat intermediate 
between the A. indica and A. amoena types, the flowers beautifully 
formed and pure white ; Doodia aspera multijida , a dwarf Fern, with 
neat pinnate fronds divided or crested at the tips ; and Philangium 
elegantissimum, a graceful plant with long narrow tapering varie¬ 
gated leaves. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —In the class for eight fine-foliage plants Mr. 
Cypher was first with large healthy examples of Latania borbonica, 
Kentia Fosteriana, Cocos Weddelliana, Cordyline indivisa, and Croton 
majesticus, the latter well coloured and 6 feet through. Mrs. E. 
Cole & Sons were second with excellent specimens of Pritchardia 
pacifica, Gleichenia Mendelii, and Croton Disraeli. In the class for 
ten plants Mr. John Rylance was awarded the premier prize for fine 
plants of Alocasia Lowii, Pritchardia pacifica, Croton Disraeli, Cycas 
revoluta, Cibotium Schiedii, and Areca lutescens. Second, Mr. E. 
Elkin with good plants of Cibotium regale, Latania borbonica, and 
Phormium tenax variegata. R. B. Dodgson, Esq., took the third prize, 
and staged a fine Cycas revoluta and Hyophorbe Verschaffelti. 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Aigburth, Liverpool, and Mr. James 
Cypher took the prizes in the order named in the open class for ten 
Crotons. The first-prize plants were splendid—well furnished and 
remarkably well coloured. The plant of C. interruptus aureus was a 
wonderful specimen, and the best of that useful variety that has 
ever been exhibited. C. Hawkerii was grand, as also were the plants 
of C. Evansianus, C. Bergmani, C. Disraeli, and C. Prince of Wales. 
For six plants Mr. Schloss took the lead with large and well-coloured 
specimens. R. B. Dodgson, Esq., followed with plants in fair 
condition. 
In the open class for twelve Dracaenas Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons 
again took the lead with grand examples of D. Regina, jucunda, alba 
marginata, Gladstonei, amabilis, Hendersoni, ferrea, and pictus. Mr. 
Henry James. Lower Norwood, was second, having good plants of 
Mooreanus, Fraseri, Goldieana, and Shepherdi. For six plants R. B. 
Dodgson, Esq., was first with plants fully 5 feet high and well fur¬ 
nished to the base, the best being Baptisti, Excelsior, Berkleyi, ama¬ 
bilis, and Mooreanus. Joseph Broome, Esq., was second, having 
Thomsonii, Youngii, and Robinsoniana good ; third, Mr. W. Pratt, 
gardener to Lord Hill, Hawkstone. For four Palms Mr. Baillie, gar¬ 
dener to Earl of Wilton, Heaton Park, Manchester ; Mr. J. Hill, and 
Mr. Irvine were the prizetakers as named, Mr. Baillie staging clean 
healthy plants of Cocos pacifica, Cocos Weddelliana, Kentia Foster¬ 
iana, and Latania borbonica. 
Ferns. —These throughout were shown in excellent condition, and 
those staged by S. Schloss, Esq., in the class for eight stove or green¬ 
house kinds were marvels of cultivation, and were rightly awarded 
the first prize. The whole of the plants were from 7 to 8 feet 
through, and consisted of the following kinds :—Davallia Mooreana, 
Gleichenia rupestris, G. speluncm, G. Mendeli, G. flabellata, G. ru- 
pestris glauca, and Davallia tenuifolia; A. Birley, Esq., Pendlebury 
(gardener, Mr. J. Hesketh), was a close second, and staged a good 
Cyathea medullaris and Gleichenia speluncae. There were several 
entries in the class for six Adiantums. R. B. Dodgson, Esq., took the 
lead with splendid plants of A. tenerum, Williamsi, concinnum latum, 
formosum, excisum. and cuneatum. Mr. Broadman, gardener to G. 
Hodgkinson, Esq., Haigh Lane, Bowden, was a good second with 
fine examples of farleyense, macrophyllum, and gracillimum. Third, 
Mrs. Leech, Gorse Hall, Staleybridge, having a good plant of amabilis 
and Veitchii. J. G. Silkenstadt, Esq., Rose Bank, was awarded a 
fourth prize. For six Filmy Ferns Messrs. J. Rylance, The Grange, 
Stretford, and R. B. Dodgson were the prizetakers. In the former 
collection Trichomanes radicans, Hymenophyllum demissum, and 
Todea snperba were good, while the plants in the latter were very 
creditable. Hardy Ferns were shown in good condition throughout. 
Mr. Robert, Tydesley, Hazelhurst, Worsley, took the lead with 
twelve plants, and staged good plants of Athyrium F.-f. plumosum, 
Polystichum Wollastonii, and Osmunda regalis purpurea ; W. Brock- 
bank, Esq., Didsbury. second with good Polystichum angulare ra- 
mulosum, Athyrium F.-f. corymbiferum, A. F.-f. plumosum, A. F.-f. 
Craigii, and Lastrea Filix-mas ramosissima. A. Birley, Esq., Wood 
Bank, third with good Lastrea grandiceps and A. F.-f. Fieldise. 
Groups. —In the large exhibition building the groups were a pro¬ 
minent feature, especially those in the amateurs’ section, which were 
both numerous and tasteful. Mr. G. Smith, gardener to J. Rvlands, 
Esq., Longford Hall, Stretford, obtained first honours for a large 
group containing well grown and healthy plants, some very good 
specimens, and arranged in a rather uncommon style, the larger 
plants forming a central ridge ; Anthurium crystallinum, Palms, and 
Bougainvilleas predominating, on each side being hollows filled with 
Ferns, amongst which were scattered a few flowering plants to 
impart a little brightness to the whole. Mr. Elkin, gardener to 
T. Agnew, Esq., Eccles, followed with healthy floriferous plants, 
Azaleas being numerous and bright. Mr. C. Paul, gardener to J. 
Schloss, Esq., Bowden, and A. Hodgkinson, Esq., Bowdon, exhibited 
well, each having fresh tasteful groups, and taking the remaining 
prizes in that order. In the nurserymen’s class it was a close contest 
between Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son and Mrs. E. Cole & Sons, but the 
former were successful in obtaining the chief place with a combina¬ 
tion of Crotons, Dracaenas, Palms, Rhododendrons, Anthuriums, and 
Gloxinias, with Ferns in abundance. In the second-prize group the 
pidncipal defect was a rather too noticeable thinness, though the 
plants were healthy and good. 
The important groups of Rhododendrons from Messrs. John 
Waterer & Sons, Bagshot, deserve notice here, although they were 
not in competition, for they occupied an extensive portion of the 
permanent marquee, being planted out in beds at an opposite end to 
the Clematises, the central plant—a handsome specimen of Per- 
spicuum, with light pinkish mauve flowers in dense heads very freely 
produced—being one of the most noteworthy plants in the Exhi¬ 
bition. Decorator with rich rosy flowers, and Kate Waterer with 
very large deep rose flowers in beautifully formed heads, were other 
good and effective varieties. 
1lardy Plants .—The collections staged for competition in the nur¬ 
serymen’s and amateurs’ classes produced a beautiful display, forming 
one of the most important features of the Exhibition, and attracting 
almost as much admiration as the Orchids. In the nurserymen’s 
class for eighty plants Mr. W. Brownhill, Sale, won leading honours 
with a beautiful selection of choice and handsome species and varie¬ 
ties, the specimens being mostly well grown and profusely flowered. 
A few of the best in such a large collection can only be briefly noted, 
the following being represented by good plants :—Veronica gentian- 
oides, Anbrietia grseca, Dodecatheon alba, Saxifraga Wallacei, 
Opuntia Rafinesquiana, Verbascum phmniceum album, Geum coc- 
cineum fl.-pl., Thalictrum aquilegifolium, Ajuga reptans, Myosotis 
Weirleigh Surprise, Dianthus hybridus, Iberis corifolia, and Veronica 
rupicola. Messrs. J. Dick.-son & Son, Newton Nurseries, Chester, 
followed wdth a very similar collection, containing fewer large speci¬ 
mens, but numerous choice and rare plants. Meconopsis nepalensis, 
Gnaphalium Leontopodium, Hesperis matronalis fl.-pl., Saxifraga 
altissima, Campanula nobilis, Ourisia coccinea, Spiraea palmata, and 
Narcissus poeiicus fl.-pl. were particularly noteworthy. 
Two collections were also staged in the amateurs’ class for thirty- 
six plants, the principal honours being secured by Mr. T. Entwistle, 
gardener to Joseph Broome, Esq., Wood Lawn, Didsbury, for well- 
grown and carefully selected plants, which formed an attractive 
group at one end of the tent. In addition to the good condition of 
the plants the neat and accurately written labels were highly com¬ 
mendable, for too frequently considerable carelessness is displayed in 
this respect. Some of the most notable plants were Lilium auratum 
with thirteen flowers, a fine pan of Sempervivum arachnoideum, 
Funkia ovata variegata, and F. Sieboldiana flowering well, Lychnis 
Haageana with large richly coloured flowers, Arenaria balearica, 
Saxifraga Wallacei, Delphinium nudicaule, Hesperis matronalis fl.-pl., 
Spiraea Ulmaria fl.-pl.. a fine specimen of a pretty plant; a large speci¬ 
men of the double Poet’s Narcissus, Armeria cephalotes, Saxifraga 
granulata fl.-pl., Saxifraga pyramidalis, Lamium longiflorum, very 
pretty, Onosma taurica, in good condition ; Lychnis coronaria 
atrosanguinea, and Orchis maculata. The second place was accorded 
to W. Brockbank, Esq., Brockhurst, Didsbury, who had smaller plants 
but mostly choice and healthy ; Ramondia pyrenaica, Cistus algar- 
vensis, Saxifraga McNabiana, Onosma taurica, and Globularia tricho- 
santhes being a few of the best. 
Violas and Pansies .—The contributions in the six classes devoted 
to these plants were numerous and good, most of them bearing 
abundant well-formed richly coloured flowers of choice varieties. 
The best amateurs’ six Fancy varieties were shown by Mr. T. 
Entwistle, who had excellent specimens of John Curran, Mr. Felton, 
Thalia, and Wm. Melville, with others similarly good; Messrs. G. 
Whitfield, Bowdon, and J. Critchley, gardener to H. Joynson, Esq., 
Ashfield, Sale, were respectively second and third with vigorous but 
less floriferous specimens. Messrs.Whitfield, Critchley, and C. Sergeant 
secured the prizes for Show varieties in that order, most of the speci¬ 
mens being good examples of fine varieties. For twenty Fancy 
Pansies in 8-inch pots, three handsome collections were staged in the 
nurserymen’s class, Mr. J. Walkden, Marsland Road, Sale, taking the 
lead with large profusely flowered specimens, amongst w T hich Mrs. 
Birkmyre, Mrs. J. Watt, Mrs. Jamison, Thos. Grainger, Duchess of 
Edinburgh, Thalia, and Mrs. Feltcn ; Mr. II. Hooper was second with 
plants finely flowered ; and Mr. J. Hayward, Cheadle, took the third 
place. Mr. H. Hooper was again the leading exhibitor with twenty 
Violas, having a good selection in which Holyrood, Magenta Queen, 
Forerunner, Countess of Pembroke, and Beauty were particularly 
notable ; Messrs. J. Hayward and Brownhill followed closely with 
similar plants. 
Table Decorations and Bouquets .—In the class for dinner-table 
completely laid out for tw'elve persons, so as to show the best means 
of utilising fruits and flowers in its adornment, there were seven 
competitors, and they created an attractive feature to the Exhibition. 
Mr. Cypher received the premier honour, and his table was light and 
elegant. In the centre a plant of Cocos Weddelliana, with the base 
covered with Selaginella and Ferns lightly resting upon the cloth. 
Dotted amongst the Selaginella were Cattleya, Masdevallia, and other 
Orchid flow’ers, which were relieved wdth a few Fern fronds. Round 
this a number of horseshoe-shaped glasses were filled sparingly wdth 
Dendrobium, Ixora, and Erica flowers, intermixed with small fronds 
of Adiantum cuneatum. At each end of the table was a vase lightly 
filled with Orchids, Ferns, Spiraea, Gloriosa, and other flowers. 
Besides these were a dozen small specimen glasses filled wdth flowers, 
the fruit consisting of a Pine, Melon, Strawberries, Peaches, and 
