120 
[ August 9, 1883. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
variously called ? I bought and planted this year half a stone of the old 
Ashleaved Kidney, at least the seedsman said they were. On four of the 
plants apples have appeared. I have been planting Ashleaved Potatoes 
for forty years and never saw seed apples on them in all that time — 
X., Lovghgall. 
LIVERPOOL SHOW. 
August 4th to 6th. 
Sixce the resuscitation of the Liverpool Horticultural Association five 
years ago no such Exhibition, taking it in all the sections, has been provided 
m the beautiful Sefton Park as the Show under notice. Perhaps the large 
marquee has been more crowded on some future occasions, but if what 
are termed “ foreign ” exhibits were less numerous than before, the gardeners 
of the locality compensated abundantly by the excellence of their products. 
To say that the usually redoubtable competitor, Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham, 
was defeated in two classes is sufficient to indicate the high character of the 
Show in specimen plants ; while the fruit was in all probability the finest 
display that has been held this year, the vegetables being both superior and 
staged in large quantity ; and cut flowers, generally speaking, very fine 
indeed, those in the collections being of extraordinary quality. In every 
■department it may be truly stated that only the growers of the very finest 
produce could obtain a place; while not a few exhibitors, though staging 
admirably, had to be content with the honour of contributing to the general 
display. 
PLANTS. 
In Class 1, for twelve stove and greenhouse plants, open to all, prizes to 
the aggregate amount of £30 were offered ; the first prize £15, second £10, 
and third £5. Mr. W. Mease, gardener to C. W. Neumann, Esq., Wyncote 
Allerton, secured the premier place with a grand collection, which included 
some enormous specimens, several of them, no doubt, the finest of their kind 
in the country. In the back row Crotons Queen Victoria and Weismanii 
were 8 to 9 feet across and in splendid colour ; Latania borbonica and Areca 
lutescens between them being of noble proportions. In the front row were 
Statice profusa rather thin, Allamanda Hendersoni a 5-feet globe, Bougain¬ 
villea glabra of the same size, Clerodendron Balfourianum larger, Gleichenia 
Mendelli 6 feet, \ inca aloa equally large, and Erica retorta major about 
3 feet in diameter. Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham was placed second ; Pritch- 
ardia pacifica grand, Erica semula superb, Dipladenia amabile tellinc, Clero¬ 
dendron Balfourianum very good, and splendid examples of Cycas circinalis 
and Dasylinon acrotrichum. Perhaps Mr. Cypher did not stage in his best 
style, but at any rate he probably never had a more formidable antagonist. 
Mr. Leadbetter, gardener to H. Tummins, Esq., Aigburth, was an exceedingly 
close third, and could only have lost the second position by the comparative 
weakness of his fine-foliaged plants, as his flowering specimens were fresher 
and generally better than the Cheltenham plants. Ixora Dlxiana, Stephan- 
otis, Clerodendron, and Dipladenia amabilis were unsurpassed in the Exhi¬ 
bition ; while Crotons Disraeli, Weismani, and Queen Victoria, also Glei¬ 
chenia dichotoma,. Alocasia macrorhiza, and a Dicksonia were admirably 
shown. This exhibitor undoubtedly jmssesses the skill, and only requires 
time and space to become a still more powerful competitor. 
In Class 2, for ten stove and greenhouse plants (local), several highly 
creditable collections were staged, the first position being secured by Mr. 
B. Cromwell, gardener to Thomas Moss, Esq., Aigburth, with admirable 
examples of Ericas semula and Irbyana, Alocasias metallica and crystal- 
lma, a Kentia, Dicksonia, Croton Weismanni 5 to G feet, and a Bouvardia. 
Mr. A. E Cox gardener to W. H. Watts, Esq., Elm Hall, Wavertree, was a 
close and excellent second ; Dicksonia antarctica being in grand condition, 
.as also were the flanking Crotons angustifolius and Queen Victoria, with 
an effective globe 4 feet in diameter of the good old Plumbago capensis. 
Mr. Fmnigan gardener to W. Burnyeat, Esq., was third, his striking plant 
being Acalypha musaica < to 8 feet high and 4 to 5 feet in diameter. 
Class 3, six stove and greenhouse plants, was open, and here Mr W. 
Mease repeated his feat of defeating Mr. Cypher. The first-prize plants 
comprised Allamanda nobilis, a globe of 5 to 6 feet; Statice Butcheri, 5 feet: 
with fine Bougainvillea, Stephanotis, Allamanda Hendersonii, and an Erica. 
The best of the Cheltenham plants was Anthurium Andreanum with twelve 
•spathes. Mr. Leadbetter was third. In the class for four plants (local) the 
prizes were won by Messrs. Cromwell and Leadbetter with creditable 
collections. In the specimen plant class the last-named exhibitor was first 
with Dipladenia Brearleyana, not large but very fresh ; Mr. Mease following 
with Allamanda grandiflora 6 feet in diameter. In the specimen greenhouse 
plant class Mr. Gowen, gardener to J. Cunninghame, Esq., Mosslev Hall, 
was first with a model example of Kalosanthes coccinea 4 feet in diameter 
■and a sheet of flowers. Mr. Wright, gardener to E. Lawrence, Esq., Aig¬ 
burth, second with an umbrella-shaped specimen of Lapageria alba, which 
will be fine some day if it has good treatment. 
Ferns.—hi the class for eight plants Mr. Cromwell was first with remark- 
ably fresh and fine examples of Pteris scaberula, Adiantum Veitchianum, 
Gleichenia flabellata, Nephrolepis. davallioides furcans, Lomaria zamioides, 
Adiantum farleyense, and Asplenium Nidus-avis ranging from 3 to 5 feet 
in diametei. Mr. Stevenson, gardener to Mrs. Horsfall, Grassendale, was 
•second with very healthy plants, Adiantum Sanctse-Catherinm being the 
most noticeable. For six exotic Ferns the first prize was won by W. Bath- 
bone, Esq., M.P., avertree ; Alsophila excelsa, Cybotium Scheidei, and 
Davallm Mooreana being large and fresh. Mr. A. R. Cox was a close 
second, Nephrolepis exaltata, and a seedling form of Gymnogramma peruvi- 
ana being very fine-and Mr. Hurst, gardener to W. B. Browning, Esq., 
Aigburth, third Mr. Whitfield, gardener to J. T. Cross, Esq., Aigburth, was 
first in the single specimen class with Goniophlebium subauriculatum, fronds 
S feet long; Mr. Cromwell second with a grand example of Adiantum 
mrleyense, and Mr. Fmnigan third with Gleichenia speluncse. Hardy Ferns 
were small, Mr. Wright being first, and for Selaginellas Mr. Hurst. 
Fine-foliage Plants .—In the open class for eight plants Mr. R. Cubbon, 
gardener to Mrs. Alison Johnson, Woolton Heys, was in the premier place 
with excellent examples—Cibotium princeps 10 feet across and in fine 
colour, Dicksonia antarctica, Cycas revoluta, Areca lutescens, Alocasia 
macrorhiza variegata, and two Crotons, very good. In the local class for 
six plants Mr. W. Mease was first with a magnificent group; Croton 
Princess of Wales, a grand weeping pyramid 5 to 6 feet high and a basal 
diameter of Ah feet, being probably unsurpassed in Europe. Crotons 
Disraeli and Williamsi were still larger, Alocasia macorhiza variegata 
superb, A. metallica fine, and a good specimen of Thrinax elegans.- Mr. F. 
Jellico, gardener to J. H. Gossage, Esq., Woolton, was a worthy second, 
his best plants being Croton variegatus 7 by 6 feet, Davallia Mooreana, and 
Pritchardia pacifica. 
Ericas were not numerous. In the open class for four plants Mr. Cypher 
was first with young and fresh examples of maidstoniensis, semula, saville- 
oides, and tricolor profusa; in the local class for three plants the prizes 
going to Messrs. W. Mease and Cromwell. The prizes for Caladiums fell to 
Messrs. Mease, Warrington, gardener to Tyndall Bright, Esq., Aigburth, and 
Stevenson, the first-prize group being of remarkable excellence, the specimens 
as fine probably as have ever been seen anywhere, and the others good. 
Zonal Pelargoniums were a great improvement on former years, prizes being 
offered for both pyramid and flat-trained plants. The former were 4 feet 
high and 2 h feet in diameter at the base, excellently trained, with good 
foliage and capital trusses of good flowers, the prizes being won by Messrs. 
Whitfield, and Evans, gardener to Mrs. Lockett, Grassendale House. The 
flat-trained plants were also admirably shown—not so large as at York, yet 
large enough for all decorative purposes. For six plants the prizes fell to 
Messrs. Stevenson, Whitfield, and Hurst, Messrs. Whitfield and Finnigan 
winning the chief honours in the class for three plants. 
Orchids were only sparingly exhibited. First in the class for six plants 
was Mr. Edwards, gardener to Dr. Shadford Walker, Liverpool, with Sacco- 
labium Blumei majus, Cattleya Mossiae, Odontoglossum Alexandrse, and 
Aerides suavissimum with four spikes ; Mr. Wilson, gardener to J. E. Rey¬ 
nolds, West Derby, being the only other exhibitor, and receiving the second 
prize. For one specimen plant Mr. Mease was first with Saccolabium Blumei 
majus with three very fine spikes; Mr. Cubbon second with Cattleya 
Leopoldi with two spikes and over twenty of its very dark blooms ; Mr. 
Anderson, gardener to J. M. Heap, Esq., Claughton, secured the remaining 
prize with seven spikes. There were several exhibitors in this class. 
Achimenes were better than we usually see them now-a-days, the prizes 
for four pairs going in the order named to Messrs. Mease, Gowen, and 
Bustard. Gloxinias were splendid, the finest we have ever seen staged, the 
prizes for six plants going respectively to Messrs. Gowen, Mease, and Agnew. 
The foliage was excellent, and the fine flowers, twenty or thirty on a plant, 
neatly staked. 
Tuberous Begonias made a brilliant display, a great number of admirably 
grown specimens being placed in competition. In the class for nine plants 
Mr. Hurst was first with the finest examples we have ever seen staged by a 
gardener, the plants being 2 to 4 feet in diameter, good varieties with fresh 
healthy foliage and large blooms. Messrs. Stevenson and Evans followed in 
the order named. Mr. Mease staged the best specimen plant, a wonderful 
example of Vesuvius, 5 feet in diameter. We failed to obtain the awards in 
the minor classes, in which, however, the competition was good. In Fuchsias 
there is plenty of room for improvement, yet the winning collections of 
Messrs. Hurst, Wilson, Bustard, and Whitfield were fairly good. Mr. War¬ 
rington staged the best Coleuses, which were fresh and well coloured ; Messrs. 
Stevenson and Hurst securing the prizes for single and double Petunias : and 
Messrs. Leadbetter, Agnew, and Gowen for Cockscombs, with plants in both 
classes of average quality. 
Groups .—These were fairly represented, and filled the centre of a large tent. 
The arrangement of Messrs. 3L P. Ker & Sons in the open class was decidedly 
the best in the Exhibition, and was not only more tastefully arranged, but 
the plants on the whole were of a choice description. A large well-grown 
Dracaena formed the centre, which was well elevated and surrounded with 
choice Ferns and Begonias. The groundwork throughout was formed of 
Ferns and Grevillea robusta, amongst which were most judiciously disposed 
small Crotons, Dracaenas, hardwooded plants in flower, Amaryllis, and Fancy 
Pelargoniums. Dracaenas, Crotons, Palms, and Lilium auratum formed the 
chief of the plants that rose from the groundwork. This was the only 
exhibit in this class, but well deserved the first prize awarded to it. In the 
local class for a circular group to cover a space of 150 square feet six were 
arranged for competition. They were much after the same style as the one 
described, but none was equal in effect to it. Mr. W. Mease took the 
lead with decidedly the best, followed closely by Mr. A. R. Cox, and Mr. G. 
Leadbetter, gardener to W. H. Watts, Esq. 
Table Plants .—These were well shown, and the competition was keen for 
the prizes offered. The whole of the exhibits were good, and very even in 
size throughout. Mr. G. Leadbetter took the lead with a really beautiful lot 
of plants, comprising Pandanus Yeitchii, Croton interruptus aureus, 
Dracaena gracilis, and Aralia gracillima. Mr. Q. Warrington, gardener to 
Mrs. Watts, was a good second with similar choice well-grown examples, 
and Mr. Joseph Wood third. Eight or nine collections were staged, and the 
whole were creditable to the exhibitors. 
HOSES AND COT FLOWERS. 
Roses on the whole were of superior quality and numerous considering 
the number of classes devoted to them. In the open class for forty-eight 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, well deserved the premier position accorded 
them. Messrs. Cranston & Co., Hereford, followed closely, and Messrs. R. 
Mack & Sons, Catterick Bridge, in the order named. The first contained 
grand blooms of Louis Peyronny, Devienne Lamy, Star of Waltham, Emilie 
Hausburg, Mdlle. Annie Wood, Madame Marie Verdier, Marie Baumann, and 
a grand bloom of Harrison Weir. A few of the best and most striking in 
the second collection were Teas Jean Ducher, Comtesse de Nadaillac, and 
Madame Lambard. Amongst H.P.’s Helen Paul, Lady Sheffield, John Stuart 
Mill, Prince Camille de Rohan, and Mdlle. Marie Rady. The third collection 
contained grand blooms of Lady Sheffield, E. Y. Teas, Madame Graville 
Mouville, Beauty of Waltham, and Niphetos. In the corresponding local 
class for twenty-four blooms Mr. Gittens, gardener to T. B. Hare, Esq., Rock 
Ferry, was the only exhibitor and staged a box of beautiful flowers, amongst 
them being good blooms of Glory of Cheshunt, Marie Van Houtte, Alfred 
Dumesnil, Magna Charta, A. K. Williams, and Alfred Colomb. Messrs. 
Cranston & Co. took the lead in the open class for twelve Tea or Noisette 
blooms, amongst them being fine examples of Jules Finger, Comtesse Riza 
du Parc, and Madame Lambard. Mr. Gittens was a good second, having 
