JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
104 
[ August 4,1881. 
pretty and well worth growing wherever they can be accommo¬ 
dated.—X. 
(To be continued.) 
THE ROYAL SOUTHAMPTON HORTICULTURAL 
SHOW. 
Gradual favourable progress is, in the general affairs of life, 
the surest, most substantial, and most satisfactory mode of advance¬ 
ment, and it seems that horticultural societies are no exception to 
the rule. Twenty years ago a few energetic and persevering 
horticulturists succeeded in establishing on a firm though modest 
basis, in the ancient city of Southampton, a Society which had for 
its chief object the encouragement of gardening in the locality. 
Difficulties had to be encountered, as is the case in every effort of 
the kind. Patrons, subscribers, and exhibitors had to be found, 
shows had to be inaugurated, and their occasional unavoidable want 
of success in a financial point of view combatted by further 
strenuous efforts, yet through all the Society has steadily made its 
way to a sound and high position amongst associations of the kind. 
The Exhibition held on Saturday and Monday last must have 
afforded such of the original projectors as were present an unbounded 
satisfaction at the admirable results that had been achieved by 
continuous ardent perseverance. Both in extent and quality the 
Show was undoubtedly one of the best which has been held in the 
provinces this season, and the advance in the number of exhibits 
since last year was remarkable. Two hundred additional entries 
represent not only a considerable total extension of the display of 
fruit, plants, and vegetables, but it also gives the best indication 
of success and promise of future prosperity, a greatly increased local 
and general interest in the Society’s exhibitions. 
The usual site was selected—namely, Westwood Park, an elevated 
and picturesque position north of the town, admirably suit ;d for the 
purpose, but unfortunately, owing to the rapidly increasing value 
of the land for building purposes, it is extremely improbable that 
the Society will be able to obtain it another year. In view of this 
approaching difficulty a meeting is to be called (see page 106) on 
Wednesday next to consider the possibility of securing land that 
could be used as a garden and as a permanent site for the Exhibition. 
The necessary capital it is proposed to raise by the issue of shares. 
It is desirable that this project may receive substantial support, 
as if carried into execution in a judicious manner Southampton will 
obtain an additional attraction of considerable importance. 
At the Show now under consideration five large marquees were 
fully occupied with the exhibits in the various and numerous 
classes. Three, each 60 or 70 yards in length, were placed side by 
side, and these contained the majority of the plants, groups, 
collections, and single specimens. Another of similar dimensions 
included the table decorations and bouquets, while the fifth was 
occupied with fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers. Most of the classes 
were well filled, and in some the competition was so keen that the 
Judges had no slight difficulty in determining the relative position 
of the exhibitors ; indeed, the Judges seemed altogether rather 
hardly worked, and a little more assistance in that department would 
effect a great improvement. Most of the arrangements were 
satisfactory and creditable alike to the Committee, the Secretary, 
Mr. C. S. Fuidge, and the enthusiastic Chairman of the Show 
Committee, Captain Gibbs. The following notes upon the chief 
classes will convey some idea of the extent and merit of the display. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —The most important class 
as regards the money value of the prizes was that for twelve stove 
and greenhouse plants, six in bloom, the first consisting of £20, 
subscribed by Southampton and county, the second and third being 
respectively £15 and £10. Three collections were staged, the chief 
honours being secured by Mr. E. Tudgey, gardener to T. F. G. 
Williams, Esq., Henwick Grange, Worcester, who contributed some 
of his magnificent specimens in their best condition. Among the 
most noteworthy was a magnificent Pritchardia pacifica, Dipladenia 
amabilis, well flowered and extremely brightly coloured ; Erica 
Parmentieri rosea, 6 or 7 feet in diameter, globular in form, very 
healthy, and flowering freely; Erica ampullacea Williamsi, very 
beautiful; Croton Queen Victoria, good colour ; with Ixora Dixiana, 
Cordyline indivisa, Geonoma gracilis, Latania borbonica, and An- 
thurium Schertzerianum, also noteworthy for their vigorous health. 
Mr. T. Cypher, Queen’s Road, Cheltenham, was placed second with a 
handsome collection, in which a grandly coloured Croton Disraeli, 
Allamanda nobilis with very fine flowers, Latania borbonica, En- 
cephalartos villosus, and Cordyline indivisa of great size and in 
admirable health, were the principal features. Mr. C. Rann, gardener 
to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, followed, having 
gigantic examples of Latania borbonica, Areca superba, and Cycas 
revoluta ; Allamanda Wardleana, Gleichenia rupestris glaucescens, 
Croton variegatum, and Statice Gilberti being also well represented. 
These three collections were very close in merit, all the plants being 
fine, and it required some careful consideration to determine the 
awards. 
Groups. —Following the order of the schedule, the next class which 
requires notice was that for collections of plants arranged for effect 
as central conservatory groups in a space of II feet by 10 feet. The 
first prize, consisting of £6, was presented by the President of the 
Society, Hans Sloane Stanley. Esq.; the second, third, and fourth 
prizes being respectively £4, £3, and £2. There were eight groups 
staged, all very similar in composition and nearly equally formal. 
They were of pyramidal form, the plants being closely placed, in 
some instances approaching to crowding ; and if there was one portion 
of the Show that admitted of improvement it was in the class for 
groups, for though the plants were healthy and fresh the arrange¬ 
ment was not all that could be desired. Mr. E. Wills, gardener to 
Mrs. Pearce, The Firs, Bassett, was adjudged the premier position for 
a miscellaneous collection of fine-foliage and flowering plants in ex¬ 
cellent condition, and not so crowded as in some of the other contri¬ 
butions. Mr. J. Kingsbury, nurseryman, Bevois Valley, was second 
with a bright and effective group. Mr. Philp and Mr. J. Arnys, gar¬ 
dener to the Hon. Mrs. Eliot Yorke, Netley Fort, taking the third and 
fourth positions with collections varying chiefly in the number of 
flowering plants they contained. 
Collections op Plants. —Four or five classes were devoted to 
collections of miscellaneous plants—that is, groups containing stated 
numbers of plants but not arranged for effect, the merit of the 
individual specimens alone being taken into consideration. For 
eighteen plants, not less than six in bloom, Mr. E. Wills was the 
chief prizetaker, staging some well-grown examples, among which 
the following were notable :—Maranta roseo-picta, very large, vigo¬ 
rous, and the foliage well coloured ; Alocasia metallica, a handsome 
specimen over 6 feet in diameter, the peculiar metallic lustre of the 
foliage being superbly developed ; Alocasia Lowii was similarly fine. 
Dieffenbachia Bowmanni and Maranta Mackoyana were also well 
represented. Mr. N. Blandford, gardener to Mrs. Haselfoot, Moor 
Hill, took the second position ; a remarkably handsome globular- 
trained Lasiandra macrantha, a healthy well-flowered Eucharis grandi- 
flora, Dicksonia antarctica, Allamanda nerifolia, Dipladenia amabilis, 
Hibiscus Cooperi, and Croton Disraeli being neat and fresh among 
others. The plants in this group, though general^ smaller than the 
preceding, were characterised by a very creditable, clean, healthy 
appearance. Mr. J. Amys was third, having good examples of Vinca 
alba, Lygodium scandens, Cycas revoluta, and Adiantum cuneatum, 
the principal defect being a slight weakness in the flowering plants. 
For fifteen miscellaneous plants Messrs. Jackson & Son, Kingston- 
on-Thames, were awarded the chief prize for the usual satisfactory 
specimens exhibited by this firm. Stevensonia grandifolia, Allamanda 
Hendersoni, Erica Fairrieana, PhyllotEenium Lindeni, Statice Butcheri, 
and Ivalosanthes Dr. E. Regel were all of considerable size, healthy, 
and effective. The Ivalosanthes in particular was remarkably beau¬ 
tiful, the variety being one distinguished for the great size of flowers 
and truss and the strikingly rich colour; the specimen, too, was of 
even globular form, the trusses being very numerous. Mr. J. Kings¬ 
bury bad neat specimens of Begonia Weltoniensis, Justicia rosea, 
Begonia metallica, and Swainsonia galegifolia alba, a pretty old 
papilionaceous plant that is not too frequently seen in gardens now. 
Messrs. Oakley fa Watling, St. Mary’s Road, were third with smaller 
but well-grown plants, the most noteworthy being one that is seldom 
staged at exhibitions—namely, Posoqueria longiflora, an ally of the 
Bouvardias, with long white flowers. Collections of nine plants were 
exhibited by Mr. E. Moiyneux, gardener to W. H. Myers, Esq., Swan- 
more Park, Bishop’s Waltham ; and Mr. J. Burden, gardener to C. Y. 
Mercer, Esq., Hillfield, Bassett, who were first and second respec¬ 
tively, the latter having a very pretty example of the variegated 
Vine, Vitis heterophylla variegata. A class was provided for a col- 
leclion of nursery stock to occupy a space of 16 feet by 3 feet, the 
pots not to be larger than 8 inches in diameter. Mr. J. Kingsbury 
was placed in the foremost position with a very large and diversified 
assortment of Coleuses, Pelargoniums, Lobelias, Fuchsias, Verbenas, 
Begonias, and many other plants, some small specimens of the free- 
flowering Begonia parviflora being especially noteworthy. Messrs. 
Oakley & Watling were second, and Messrs, j. C. & H. Ransom, Hill 
Gardens, Hill Lane, third, eacn with healthy little plants. 
Orchids were not largely represented, but the two exhibitors had 
some neat specimens. Mr. J. Osborn, gardener to H. C. Buchan, 
Esq., Wilton House, secured the chief honours with a good collection 
of healthy plants. Cypripediums were particularly well shown, the 
forms being C. Parishi, C. Lowii, C. Stonei, C. Veitchii, and C. Domi- 
nianum. Oncidium Weltoni and O. dasystile were also noteworthy, 
with Masdevallia bella and Epidendrum vitellinum majus. Messrs. 
Jackson & Son followed, having Dendrochilum filiforme, Saccolabium 
Blumei majus, and Disa grandiflora in good condition among many 
others. 
In the two classes for Begonias some well-flowered plants were 
staged, though the competition was not very keen. The Hon. Mrs. 
Eliot presented the first prize for eight Begonias in flower, and this 
was won by Mr. E. Wills, chiefly with tuberous varieties, the plants 
being healthy, and bearing a number of brightly coloured flowers. 
Mr. Blandford was a close second, the most noteworthy plant in his 
collection being a seedling tuberous variety named White Beauty, 
which had large white flowers, and appeared to be very free. For 
four Begonias Mr. J. Osborne carried off the chief prize with good 
plants of Kallista, Emperor, and Vesuvius among several unnamed 
seedlings ; Mr. Burden taking the second place with smaller plants, 
but otherwise of good quality. Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Celosias, 
Achimenes, and Coleuses also contributed to the display, the most 
successful exhibitors being Mr. Allen, gardener to J. Bailey, Esq., 
Elmfield Hill; Mr. Blandford, Mr. Moiyneux ; Mr. R. West, gardener 
