1G6 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 23, 1883. 
very pretty collections were staged. Mrs. Wace took the lead with a very 
neat lot, followed closely by the Rev. J. H. E. Charter. 
Table Plants. —In past years the table plants have generally been a 
marked feature in the Exhibition, and we are sorry to record a great falling- 
off in this very interesting class. There were only two exhibitors of twelve 
plants—Messrs. Pritchard & Son and Farrand, who staged very creditable 
examples. 
Ferns. —These were fairly numerous, and on the whole very creditable. 
In the open class for nine exotic Ferns four collections were staged. Mr. J. 
Cypher was placed first with his well-known good plants. Mr. R. Burton 
was a good second, having fine examples of Adiantum formosum, Asplenium 
Belangeri, Asplenium bulbiferum, and Gymnogramma Laucheana. Mr. C. 
Roberts secured the remaining prize with healthy specimens. For six plants, 
distinct, four lots were staged. Mr. Farrand took the lead, followed by 
Messrs. Pntchard & Sons and Mr. Watson. The first collection contained 
good plants of Adiantum formosum, A. farleyense, and Dicksonia antarctica. 
For four plants the prizetakers were Messrs. R. Cooper, J. Brown, and G-. 
Barr. Six collections were staged, and the plants throughout were creditably 
grown. 
For six hardy Ferns Mr. J. W. Harding was first with neat small plants, 
and Messrs. G. Burr and Pritchard & Sons second and third. 
Gloxinias and Achimenes. —The former were remarkably good, some six 
■competitors staging for the three prizes offered. Mrs. Wace took the lead 
with splendid plants, and Mr. H. Owen the remaining two prizes with plants 
very little inferior. The Achimenes were poor and need no comment. 
Petunias and Balsams were only moderately represented. Messrs. Owen, 
Fox, and Shuker were the prizewinners for the former, and Messrs. Shuker 
and G-. Fox for the latter. 
Ericas. —These were not of average quality. Mr. J. Cypher’s collection 
was the only one that contained creditable specimens, and he staged good 
plants of McNabiana, Irbyana, mrnula, and ampullacea Barnesii. Mr. E. 
Tudgey and Mr. C. Roberts were second and third with rather small uneven 
plants. 
Begonias. —There is plenty of room for improvement in the cultivation 
of these plants, scarcely a really good example being staged in the four 
collections of six plants. The prizetakers were Messrs. J. Watson, H. 
Myers, and the Rev. J. H. E. Charter. The plants in the amateurs’ class 
for three plants were superior to the above. The prizetakers were Mrs. 
Shuker, first; Messrs. L. Burd and C. W. Campbell second and third, five 
collections being staged. 
Coleuses. —These plants displayed a very marked improvement in their 
condition in both classes devoted to them. For six pyramid plants some 
grand examples of cultivation were staged. Mr. J. Watson gained the pre¬ 
mier position with superb specimens of Ajax, Royal Purple, Zanzibar, Delier, 
Mrs. G. Simpson, and a most beautiful coloured plant of Lady Burrel; Mrs. 
Shuker was a very good second. For three plants (amateurs only) Mr. L. 
Burd was first with a good even lot, a plant of Mrs. G. Simpson being very 
fine ; H. Owen, Esq., was second, and had a remarkably fine plant of The 
Queen ; Mrs. Shuker was third with scarcely less inferior plants. 
Fuchsias. —These were numerous and generally large and well bloomed. 
For six plants Messrs. H. Owen and A. Myers were placed equal first, both 
staging well; Messrs. Pritchard & Sons were placed third with larger but 
scarcely such well-flowered plants. Four lots were staged. For three plants 
Mrs. Wace and Mr. L. Burd and R. J. Niven were the prizetakers. 
Zonal Pelargoniums. —These were staged in much better condition than 
they have ever been seen before at this Society’s exhibitions. In the class 
for six double varieties Messrs. Oldroyd & Co., Shrewsbury, staged large 
well-flowered plants ; in fact, we have never seen double varieties in better 
condition or more profusely bloomed, Candidissima plena, very fine ; Prince 
Noir, Wonderful, Asa Grey, and Madame Thibaut were all superb. The same 
competitor was awarded the second for smaller but equally well-grown plants. 
In the amateurs’ class for three plants Messrs. H. Owen and L. Burd were 
the only exhibitors, and were awarded prizes in the order as named. For six 
single varieties five collections were staged, and Messrs. Oldroyd & Co. were 
again successful, and obtained the whole of the three prizes offered. It must 
be understood that each exhibitor was allowed to take as many prizes as he 
could in each class. Some of the most noteworthy varieties were Hettie, 
Guinea, Lady Sheffield, Mrs. Yickers, Laura Strachan, Constance, Nelly 
Thomas, and Jessie Moir. For three plants the successful exhibitors were 
Messrs. G. J. Fox, H. Owen, and L. Burd, all staging very neat specimens. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
Roses. —These were by no means numerous, but much better in quality 
'than we anticipated, considering the unfavourable weather of late. In the 
•class for twenty-four blooms Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, and Messrs. 
•J. Dickson & Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, were awarded the prizes in 
the order named, the former having good blooms of Countess of Rosebety, 
©uchessede Caylus, Madame Victor Yerdier, Lady Sheffield, Sir G. Wolseley, 
Mdlle. Annie Wood, and Marie Baumann. Mr. R. Tanner was placed third. 
For eighteen blooms the prizetakers were Messrs. T. W. Wood, E. W. 
Pritchard, and Mr. Lambert. In the smaller Rose classes the principal 
prizetakers were Messrs. Campbell, Tanner, and Roberts. 
Dahlias both single and double were remarkably fine. Mr. W. Shaw was 
the only exhibitor in the open class for thirty-six blooms, and was awarded 
the first prize. This collection contained large flowers of Hon. Mrs. Wynd- 
ham, Chang, Lady Herbert, Monarch, Gaiety, Peacock, Woman in White, 
Goldfinder, Helen Macgregor, and Walton. For twenty-four the same 
exhibitor was again first with larger and finer blooms than in the collection 
of thirty-six. Messrs. T. Speake and R. J. Niven were second and third. 
Messrs. Niven and Groves were the successful exhibitors of stands of nine 
•blooms. Nine stands of twelve single varieties were staged, and the suc¬ 
cessful were Messrs. Biddles & Co., Campbell, and Pritchard & Sons. Mr. 
W. Shaw was the only exhibitor of thirty-six Gladioli spikes, and staged a 
very fine collection ; and Mr. Lambert, the only exhibitor, was awarded the 
first prize for twenty-four spikes. Mr. J. B. Jones was successful in the 
■remaining class. 
Asters, Marigolds, Stocks, and Pansies were numerous and good, and the 
most successful exhibitors were Messrs. Biddles & Co., C. M. Campbell, G. 
Townsend, E. W. Pritchard, G. Mitchell, and R. J. Niven. 
Stove and Greenhouse Cut Flowers. —These were much better than we have 
before seen them at Shrewsbury. For twelve bunches Messrs. Jones and 
Sons took the lead with Allamanda, Stephanotis, Erica, Bougainvillea, Gar¬ 
denias, Gloxinias, Odontoglossum Alexandras, Rhododendron Princess Royal. 
Messrs. Pritchard & Sons were placed second, and Messrs. Biddles & Co. 
thud. Mr. C. Roberts’ collection was arranged differently from the rest, 
and was awarded an extra prize. For twelve bunches of hardy herbaceous 
flowers eight collections were staged. Messrs. Biddles & Co. were placed 
first, and Messrs. Pritchard & Sons second and third. 
The blooms of Zonal Pelargoniums were not so good as usual, two lots 
only being staged. Messrs. Pritchard & Sons took the lead, and were awarded 
the second prize. The same exhibitors were first in the class for twelve 
bunches of Show or Fancy Pelargoniums. This contained grand bunches of 
Triomphe de St. Mande, Robert Green, Duchess of Bedford, George Sands, 
Jewess, Marie Lemoine, and others. Messrs. Show and Speake were success¬ 
ful for Verbenas, and Messrs, Biddles & Co. and C. Chandler for Phloxes. 
Mr. Speake took the chief prize for Carnations, and Mr. Fox for Picotees. 
Bouquets. — These were really magnificent. For one bridal bouquet 
Messrs. Perkins <fc Sons were awarded the premier position. This bouquet 
was all that could be desired, being of fair size, light yet full, and the flowers 
were by no means crowded. It was principally composed of Eucharis, Pan¬ 
cratium, Stephanotis, Bouvardias, a few white Rose buds, and the young 
fronds of Adiantum cuneatum. Mr. J. Cypher was second, and Messrs. 
Jones & Sons third, both firms showing remarkably well. The prizewinners 
were the same, and in the same order as above for one ball or hand bouquet. 
For three buttonhole bouquets, which were good, the same exhibitors were 
successful, only Messrs. Jones & Sons were second, and Mr. Cypher third. 
The principal exhibitors in the three corresponding classes were Messrs. 
E. W. Pritchard, A. Myers, G. Townsend, and R. Tanner. 
The stands of cut flowers for table decoration, base not to exceed 
18 inches, were remarkably well shown, and the competition was keen 
and close. Throughout these vases were light, elegant, and beautiful. Mr. 
J. Cypher was placed first, the base being formed with Adiantum cuneatum, 
which was allowed to hang freely over the edge, and amongst this were 
dotted flowers of Allamanda, Dipladenia, Ixora, Lapageria alba, and a few 
Grasses. The three branches and the centre were filled with Orchids, 
Begonias, and a flower or two of Gloriosa superba, freely mixed with Fern 
fronds and Grasses. The second-prize one was equally beautiful, only of a 
slightly different style. A round dish or tin formed the base, and from it 
rose a small Palm out of a groundwork of Selaginella. Amongst this were 
dotted white Camellias, Ixoras, Allamandas ; and rising above these, flowers 
of Masdevallias and good spikes of Odontoglossum Alexandrse and 0. cirro- 
sum. Messrs. Jones & Sons were also third with an arrangement very 
similar to the one staged by Mr. Cypher. Mr. J. C. Rose was awarded an 
extra prize. In the amateurs’ class Mr. E. W. Pritchard was the leading 
competitor. 
FRUIT. 
The schedule provided fifteen classes, and these were, on the whole, well 
filled with really good fruit. For a collection of twelve dishes, to include 
one Pine, there were four exhibitors. Mr. Goodacre, gardener to the Earl 
of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, was well first, and staged good dishes of 
Muscat of Alexandria and Madresfield Court Grapes, a Conqueror of Europe 
Melon, Stirling Castle Peach, good; Brown Turkey Figs, Violette Hative 
Nectarine, and Rivers’ Early Favourite Plum. Mr. Hannagan, gardener to 
R. C. Naylor, Esq., Hooton Hall, Chester, was a good second, having splendid 
examples of Golden Champion and Madresfield Court Grapes, the latter 
scarcely finished ; a good Conqueror of Europe Melon, Grosse Mignonne 
Peach, Pond’s Seedling Plum, and a good Queen Pine. Mr. R. Milner, 
gardener to J. D. Corbett, Esq., was third with good Grapes, Peaches, and 
Pears. For nine dishes Mr. J. Watson took the lead, having good Muscat 
of Alexandria and Black Hamburgh Grapes, Reid’s Scarlet-flesh Melon, 
Bellegarde Peaches, Green Gage Plums, and Jargonelle Pears. Mr. Lambert, 
gardener to Col. Wingfield, was a good second, having fair Grapes and good 
Peaches and Nectarines. Lord Berwick received the remaining prize. Four 
collections were staged. 
Grapes. —For six bunches of black Grapes, three varieties, Mr. Goodacre 
secured first honours with good Muscat Hamburghs, Madresfield Court, and 
very fine Black Hamburghs. Mr. W. Elphinstone, gardener to E. M. Mundy, 
Esq., Shipley Hall, Derby, was a close second, and with bunches superbly 
coloured of Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, and Muscat Hamburgh. 
Mr. R. Milner was placed third, and staged splendidly finished bunches of 
Lady Downe’s and Black Alicante. The Hon. C. H. Whynn and Mr. C. 
Roberts were awarded extra prizes for their collections. 
In the class for three bunches of black Grapes, open only to the two 
counties referred to above, some five or six lots were staged. Mr. Lambert 
was deservedly placed first with rather small bunches with good berries and 
well finished. * Mr. E. T. W. Wood was second with larger bunches than the 
first, but not so well finished. Messrs. J. Watson and F. L. B. Laden were 
third and fourth in the order named. 
Eighteen bunches were staged in the amateurs’ class for two bunches of 
black Grapes. Mr. W. W. Humphreys was first with not large but well- 
finished Black Hamburghs ; Rev. J. H. Charters second with the same variety 
well finished, the third prize going to the first-named exhibitor. For two 
bunches of whites (amateurs) Messrs. G. Barr and E. Lea were first and 
second respectively, both staging Foster’s Seedling; Mr. H. H. Treasure 
securing the remaining prize, five collections being staged. Forty-eight 
bunches were staged in the open class. Mr. R. Milner was accorded the 
premier position with really fine Muscat of Alexandria, large in the bunch 
and berry, but scarcely finished. Mr. Elphinstone was a good second with 
the same variety, finished in his usual good style, but rather small in the 
berry ; Mr. Hannagan, the remaining successful competitor, and had very 
fine Golden Champion. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —These were not largely shown, as only two classes 
were provided for them. Mr. Goodacre took the lead with splendid fruit of 
Bellegarde, followed closely by Mr. Elphinstone with the same variety, and 
Mr. Shaw third with Grosse Mignonne, good ; ten dishes were staged. Only 
six dishes of Nectarines were staged, and the Hon. C. H. Whynn was first 
with fair fruits of Pine Apple, Messrs. Lambert and R. Milner second and 
third in the order named. For six Apricots four dishes were exhibited, and 
the prizewinners were Messrs. T. B. Jones, T. Glowes, and R. Milner. 
Melons, Plums, and Cherries. —The first named were plentiful, and for one 
