226 
[ September 13, 1883. 
JOURNAL OF HORTIOULl URE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
The Exhibition of last week, taking it in its entirety, was considered the 
finest that has ever been held in Bath, although the fruit was below the 
average, and cut flowers had been injured by the storm of the first two days 
of the month ; yet these were excellent—Dahlias, Roses, Phloxes, Gladioli, 
and especially Asters, these being admirably represented ; while the display 
of wild flowers, neatly staged and accurately named, was the most creditable 
wc have seen at any exhibition. Vegetables were also good ; but the feature 
of the Show were the Fuchsias, which were of extraordinary merit, and the 
grand specimen stove and greenhouse plants staged by the redoubtable and 
ubiquitous Mr. Cypher. 
PLANTS. 
Fuchsias. —These had the place of honour in the schedule, and well did 
they merit their position. There are numbers of persons in the country who 
consider themselves good Fuchsia growers, founding their claim probably 
on their success at local or metropolitan exhibitions ; but let all whom it 
may concern be very respectfully told that if they have not seen the 
specimens that are grown in the counties of Wilts and Somerset they do not 
know what a good Fuchsia is. The third-prize specimens at this Show, and 
even some of the plants that did not win a prize at all, would be easily first 
at most of the shows in the kingdom that are held beyond the radius of this 
Fuchsia-growing district. After this rather bold yet perfectly sober assertion 
not a few readers will be anxious to know what the specimens were like. 
To adequately describe them is impossible, but a general idea of their 
character may perhaps be conveyed. 
The most valuable prizes were offered for nine plants, the amounts being 
£5 10s., £3 10s., and £2 10s. These prises were won, and more than merited, 
by Mr. Tucker, gardener to Major W. P. Clarke ; Mr. Lye, gardener to the 
Hon. Mrs. Hay; and Mr. Wilcox, gardener to Miss Barrow respectively. 
Mr. Tucker’s specimens were magnificent pyramids, 9 to 10 feet high, and 
S.j feet in diameter at the base, the pots being almost obscured by the 
pendant growths, and every inch of the plants from base to summit covered 
with flowers, resting on clean and healthy foliage. The following are the 
varieties Charming, Bountiful, Doel’s Favourite, Elegant, and Load-me- 
well (darks); and Queen Victoria, Flower of the Flock, Arabella, and Emily 
Doel (lights). Mr. Lye’s plants were close columnar specimens of wonderful 
symmetry, clothed with fine foliage, and bearing large fresh and beautiful 
flowers, in the latter respect far surpassing the first-prize examples; but 
they did not equal them in size, nor did the drooping sprays hide the pots. 
They were about 8 feet high, and nearly 3 feet in diameter at the base. The 
varieties were similar to those above named, except Mr. Bright, which 
was perhaps the finest light Fuchsia in the Exhibition, and the Hon. 
Mrs. Hay, a superior dark variety. Mr. Wilcox’s specimens were less 
formally trained—grand, free, vigorous, obtuse pyramids, 4 feet in diameter 
at the base, and from 5 feet to 7 feet high. A plant of Arabella was 
of marvellous excellence, the pot being quite hidden, and the flowers resting 
on the ground. For luxuriance of foliage and size and substance of blooms 
these were unequalled ; it, in fact, seemed hard to have to admit that such 
splendid examples of culture should only obtain a third prize. Without 
questioning the justice of the awards it may be observed that the natural 
elegance of the Fuchsia is better displayed by plants of this nature than by 
hard, close, and severely formal training. This latter, however, appears the 
“ fashion ” in this district, but is there not a danger of its being overdone ? 
At any rate, we consider the plant of Arabella referred to the premier 
Fuchsia of the Show. 
Only briefly can the remaining classes be referred to. Mr. Fletcher, gar¬ 
dener to C. H. Gabriel, Esq., was well placed first in the class for six plants 
with beautiful pyramids 6 to 7 feet high and 2^ to 3 feet in diameter at the 
base. Mr. Snell, gardener to Mrs. Counsell, was second with equally large 
but less dense specimens, and Mr. Drummond third. Whether Mr. Drum¬ 
mond is the owner of the plants or the cultivator we are unable to say, the 
prize cards failing to indicate this, as they did in many other classes, while 
in few, if any, cases were the addresses of the exhibitors given. If the Bath 
shows are to win more than local fame, as they should do, the prize cards 
cannot be too complete. The excellent and evidently too hard-worked 
Secretary needs more assistance, or rather the entire system of placing the 
awards needs remodelling ; but more of this in a future issue. 
To resume. In the class for four specimens the prizes were awarded to 
Mr. Riddick, gardener to Mrs. Pinder; Mr. Bailey, gardener to Mrs. Phayre ; 
and Mr. Wilcox in the order named, all with admirable examples of culture. 
In the single-specimen class (light varieties) Mr. Wilcox was first with 
Emilie Lye, 0 by 3 feet; and Mr. Lye second with Harriett Lye, by 2-feet 
columns. In the corresponding class for dark varieties Mr. Tucker was first 
with Charming, 9 by 3 f. et; and Mr. Wilcox second with the same variety, 
7 by 4 feet, only two prizes being offered in these classes. 
In reference to such specimens as the above many admirers of the 
Fuchsia may not unnaturally remark that they have no room for growing 
similar examples, as their houses are not sufficiently large and lofty. The 
growers of some of the plants under notice would not admit this as a valid 
excuse, for the simple and sufficient reason that the best plants were not 
grown under glass at all, but in the open air. If anyone should smile 
incredulously that will be conclusive proof that he has something to learn 
ia the cultivation of Fuchsias. They succeed just as well outdoors as Chrys¬ 
anthemums do, and both are better out than in provided they are rightly 
treated. The largest plants above alluded to are really “trees” several 
years old, having trunks as thick as a man’s wrist. They are rested, pruned, 
placed outdoors to break, shaken out, repotted, and grown outdoors, being 
placed under shelter, not necessarily under glass, during stormy weather 
after the flowers are expanded. There is nothing surprising about all this 
when it is considered that if Fuchsias are planted m rich soil in the garden, 
just as they are starting into growth in May or early June, they will grow 
far more healthily and flower much more profusely than plants will that are 
grown in an ordinary greenhouse. The cultivators above mentioned have 
simply recognised this fact and acted on it. They have read the lesson that 
Nature has taught them, and deserve great praise for their aptness at learn¬ 
ing ; especially, perhaps, to Mr. Lye is credit due both as a raiser of superior 
varieties and a pioneer in this simple path that has led to success. 
Now a word on varieties may not be out of place. Let it be remembered 
that only those of naturally free growth are suitable for making huge speci¬ 
mens in a reasonable time ; and also it should not be forgotten that these 
same varieties are not as a rule the best adapted for growing, as small com¬ 
pact decorative examples in 5-inch pots. Here endeth—what some not very 
successful grower may possibly term—this “ fuss about Fuchsias.” 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants in Bloom. —Time after time during the sea¬ 
son the plants exhibited under this head have been enumerated, and we have 
no intention now of repeating a string of names that are quite sufficiently 
familiar to all readers. In the class for nine plants Mr. Cypher was a com¬ 
petitor, and of course first, staging most effective specimens, as the premier 
exhibitor invariably does. Mr. W. Long, gardener to C. Gardiner, Esq., was 
a most creditable second, Ixora Williamsi being splendid, and most of the 
others very fine indeed. Miss Ethel Brown secured the third prize ; whether 
this lady was the cultivator or not, or whether she keeps a gardener 
the card did not denote, but at any rate the grand old autumn plant 
Vallota purpurea was brilliant with its fifty or sixty heads of flowers. Prizes 
were offered also for six plants, but the small boys who were entrusted to 
attach the cards were too busy racing and “boxing” to. get them placed 
before we left the tent. Mr. Cypher secured the chief prize in the class for 
single-specimen stove plants with Ixora Duffii, bearing brilliant trusses a 
foot in diameter—the most effective plant in the classes. Mr. Long followed 
worthily with an admirable example of I. Williamsi. This exhibitor was 
first in the corresponding class for greenhouse plants with Lapageria alba, 
Mr. Cypher, by way of a change, being placed second with Phcenocoma pro- 
lifera Barnesii. 
0niamental-foliaged Plants. —These were not so striking as we usually 
see them at large exhibitions. In the class for sixteen varieties Mr. Cypher 
was prominent, followed by Mr. Mould, gardener to E. G. Bryant, Esq., with 
fresh, bright, and clean examples which are destined probably to win future 
honours, as, though not large now, they were in excellent condition, and 
evidently in good hands. Mr. J. F. Mould, gardener to somebody we pre¬ 
sume, secured third honours with a creditable collection. Mr. Shadwell, 
gardener to J. Chandler, Esq., and Mr. Bloodworth were the representative 
winners in this class for ten plants, both exhibiting fresh medium-sized 
healthy specimens. Messrs. Cooling distanced all competitors with Lilium 
auratum. The above plants were arranged in a marquee 200 feet long, and 
the general effect was highly imposing. The following were arranged in 
another tent:— 
Miscellaneous Classes. —The best six Orchids were staged by Mr. Cypher, 
these including Saccolabium Blumeii, Cypripedium niveum, Odontoglossum 
Roezlii superba, and Cattleya Eldorado, all in good condition ; Mr. W. C. 
Drummond was second. Mr. Cypher also had the best six Heaths, these 
including E. Marnockiana, E. tubreformis, E. McNabiana, and E. ampul- 
lacea Barnesii. Mr. G. Hart, gardener to Mrs. General Studd, had among 
others good plants of E. cerinthoides coronata and E. Bandoniana, and was 
deservedly awarded the second prize. Three Heaths were well shown by 
Mr. Gardiner and Mrs. West. Mr. W. J. Mould, gardener to E. C. Bryant, 
Esq., took the lead with six stove and greenhouse plants, among these being 
well-flowered specimens of Erica Eweriana, Clerodendron Balfourianum, 
Allamanda nobilis, and Ixora amabilis. Mr. Tucker was a very good second, 
his best specimens being Bougainvillea glabra, Lapageria rosea, and Statice 
profusa. Mr. H. Jones, gardener to General Doherty, took the third prize, 
his best plants being Dipladenia Brearleyana and Eucharis amazonica. In 
the corresponding class for three plants Mr. Hawkins, gardener to T. Jolly, 
Esq., was first, among these being a good Stephanotis floribunda ; the second 
prize was awarded to Mr. Cole, gardener to Mr. R. B. Cater ; the third prize 
going to Mrs. West, the exhibits in each instance being very creditable. 
Single-specimen flowering plants were well shown by Messrs. Cypher, Mould, 
and Long. Several capital groups of Ferns and Lycopods were arranged, 
the best twenty, staged by Mr. Tucker, including good specimens of Adiantum 
concinnum latum, A. farleyense, A. gracillimum, Gymnogramma sulphurea, 
and G. peruviana cristata. Mr. J. Coke, gardener to A. P. Stancombe, Esq., 
followed closely, his best plants being Adiantum rubellum, Cibotium Schiedii, 
and Gleichenia speluncse. The third prize was worthily awarded to Mr. 
W. C. Drummond. With twelve Ferns and Mosses Mr. E. Smart, gardener 
to H. Brook, Esq., was a good first, and the remaining prizes were well won 
by Messrs. L. Carr and F. Mould. Messrs. H. Jones, E. Smart, and J. Lye 
were the successful exhibitors of Coleuses, as were Messrs. Cooling & Son, 
T. Jolly, and H. Kemp of Lilium auratum ; J. Lye andE. Smart of Petunias ; 
T. Jolly, Verbenas ; W. Jordan, T. Jolly, and J. Lye of Cockscombs, the ex¬ 
hibits and competition generally being very close and good. Ten good lots 
of Tuberous-rooted Begonias were shown, Mr. H. Hooper taking the lead 
with fair-sized plants of such fine sorts as Queen of Yellows, Mrs. Laing, 
Sulphur Queen, Mr. R. Whyte, A. J. Soomes, and Mrs. Freeman. The second- 
prize group of Mr. H. C. Mayel included good examples of Prince of Den¬ 
mark and Duchess of Edinburgh. The third prize was awarded to Mr. W. 
Clifford. Geraniums were well represented. The first-prize six staged by 
Mr. Tucker were remarkably fine, the varieties being Lucius, Craven Fox, 
Rev. Atkinson, President, Lizzie Brooks, and Jenny Dodds. Messrs. H. Jones 
and E. Hall were respectivaly second and third, both staging creditably. 
Variegated Pelargoniums were well shown by Messrs. J. Lye, C. H. Gabriel, 
Mrs. Counsell, C. Smart, and E. Hall. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
A great quantity of these were shown, every class being well filled, and 
following so soon after storms the quality generally was surprisingly good. 
Mr. S. Brown had a grand stand of thirty-six spikes of Gladioli, and was 
followed by Messrs. H. Hooper, and A. R. Tanner, who also had many good 
spikes. Twelve Gladioli were creditably shown by Messrs. _ S. Tottle, 
W. C. Drummond, and A. R. Tanner, who were awarded the prizes in the 
order named. The twenty-four Dahlias which won Messrs. Keynes & Co. 
the first prize were particularly good, and Mr. T. Hobbs was a close second ; 
the third prize going to Mr. J. Nation for another good lot. Mr. J. Hum¬ 
phries had the best twelve Dahlias, and was followed by Messrs. G. Horsell 
and J. Nation. Messrs. Keynes & Co., W. Shaw, and G. Humphries were the 
successful exhibitors of Fancy Dahlias. Very attractive and good were the 
boxes of single Dahlias as shown by Messrs. G. Cooling & Son, G. Humphries, 
and A. A. Walters. They were shown in bunches, and among Messrs. Cool¬ 
ing’s premier collection the most conspicuous were Magenta Queen, Paragon, 
Distinction, Sir W. Scott, Hon. J. T. Boscawen, and White Queen. Single 
and Pompon Dahlias were also extensively shown by Messrs. Keynes & Co. 
Roses were rather the worse for the rough weather experienced, but the first- 
prize stand of twenty-four bunches put up by Mr. J. Mattock were still most 
