193 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. f September 1, 1881. 
in each prize being offered for six in the other class. Pour collections 
of ten were staged, all very close in merit and nearly equally well 
coloured. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson of Edinburgh were deservedly 
awarded premier honours for specimens such as are seldom seen, for 
in symmetry, health, and colour they could scarcely have been sur¬ 
passed. Some of the smallest did not exceed 3 feet in height, while 
others reached 8 or 9 feet, and 4 or 5 feet in diameter. The varieties 
were C. majesticus, C. Disraeli, C. Princess of Wales, C. Etna, a hand¬ 
some and richly coloured form ; C. fasciatus, extremely fine, foliage 
large and brightly coloured ; C. Weismanni, a grand example ; C. an- 
gustifolius, C. interruptus aureus, C. pictus, and C. Queen Victoria, a 
well-known variety, superbly represented. Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper 
Holloway, London, and Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, were awarded 
equal second prizes for collections that were very little inferior to 
Messrs. Ireland & Thomson’s handsome group, and their respective 
merits were such that any other disposition of the awards would 
have been unjust to one of the exhibitors. Mr. Williams’ plants 
were of good size and beautifully coloured, the best being C. Warreni, 
C. Truffautianus, C. Johannis, C. Williamsi, and C. Stewartii. Mr. 
Cypher had excellent specimens of C. Queen Victoria, C. Sunset, very 
bright; C. Johannis, and C. Weismanni. An extra prize was awarded 
to Messrs. B. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, for moderate-sized specimens 
of C. Disraeli, C. Hanburyanus, C. undulatus, and C. Mortii, all 
beautifully coloured. Only two collections were contributed in the 
amateurs’ class, Mr. W. Lingard, gardener to H. Samson, Esq., 
Bowdon, securing the chief award for well-grown specimens of 
C. pictus, C. Queen Victoria, C. Weismanni, C. angustifolius, C. Dis¬ 
raeli, and C. majesticus ; Mr. C. Paul, gardener to S. Schloss, Esq., 
Bowdon, being placed second with well-coloured but not such even 
specimens. 
Draccencts .—Two classes were also devoted to Dracaenas—for twelve 
and six specimens—the first from nurserymen the second from ama¬ 
teurs, the prizes being £8, £5, £3, and £5, £3, and £2. The best 
dozen plants were staged by Messrs. Ker & Sons, the specimens 
being healthy, of moderate size, very even, fresh, and bright in 
appearance. The varieties were D. picta, D. Hendersoni, D. amabilis, 
D. nigrescens, D. recurva, D. speciosa, D. regina, D. Bausei, D. Goldie- 
ana, D. Salmonea, and D. Gladstonei. Mr. B. S. Williams followed 
closely, having admirable specimens of D. Thomsoni, D. Goldieana, 
D. albo-marginata, D. recurva, D. Duke of Connaught, and several 
others. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson took the third position with 
very satisfactory examples of attractive varieties. The best ama¬ 
teurs’ six were from Mr. W. Pratt, gardener to Lord Hill, Hawkstone, 
all good and satisfactory specimens—healthy, brightly coloured, and 
of moderate size, Mr. J. Hammond, gardener to Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 
Bart., M.P., Brayton Hall, securing second honours with very similar 
specimens but not quite so bright; while Mr. Beard, gardener to 
J. G. Adams, Esq., Ashton-on Mersey, was placed third for creditable 
plants very close to the preceding in merit. 
Palms .—Though not shown in large numbers some good specimens 
of these were staged, and were very effective in the general arrange¬ 
ment. In the nurserymen’s class for six Mr. B. S. Williams had the 
premier collection, large handsome specimens of the useful and hand¬ 
some Palms Chamserops Fortnnei, C. humilis, the almost indis¬ 
pensable Cocos Weddelliana, Geonoma Seemanni, Kentia australis, 
and K. Belmoreana, both graceful forms. Mr. Cypher was second 
with very large specimens, but not quite so even and compact as 
the first-named. Kentia Posteriana, Thrinax elegans, Pritchardia 
pacifica, and Areea lutescens were the most noteworthy. Messrs. J. 
Dickson & Sons, Chester, followed with healthy well-grown plants. 
In the amateurs’ class for four Palms the prizetakers were Mr. Lin¬ 
gard, Mr. J. Hammond, and Mr. E. Tudgey, gardener to J. F. G. 
Williams, Esq., Worcester, who all contributed satisfactory speci¬ 
mens, mostly of good size, and differing but slightly in their respec¬ 
tive merits. 
Ferns. —In the one class for ten exotic Ferns from amateurs three 
handsome collections were contributed, the plants being equally 
remarkable for their size and vigorous health. Several Gleichenias 
and Davallias were particularly well shown, and they all reflected 
considerable credit upon the exhibitors. Mr. Paul was adjudged the 
principal honours for meritorious specimens, that had evidently 
received intelligent and careful treatment. The finest plant was an 
example of Gieichenia dichotoma, (j or 7 feet in diameter, and as fresh 
as could be desired. G. fiabellata, G. Mendelli, and G. rupestris were 
also of considerable size and equally healthy, while the fine exhi¬ 
bition Fern Davallia Mooreana was admirably represented. Mr. W. 
Lingard proved a formidable competitor, but after careful considera¬ 
tion on the part of the Judges he was awarded the second prize. 
Gieichenia dichotoma, G. speluncte, G Mendelli, 0 feet in diameter, 
G. dicarpa, and G. rupestris were the chief features in the collection, 
being of great size and healthy. Mr. J. Hesketh, gardener to Arthur 
Birley, Esq., Woodbank, Pend'lebury, followed with clean, fresh, and 
vigorous plants, Cibotium princeps and. Cyathea medullaris being the 
best. 
The Tree Ferns were placed in the large marquee, being arranged 
at intervals in front of the groups, and thus producing a pleasing 
break in the view. Two classes were reserved for them, but the com¬ 
petition was confined to nurserymen. Mr. B. S. Williams gained the 
most important award for half a dozen beautiful specimens, very even 
in size, each about 10 feet high ; Cyathea Smithii, C. dealbata, 
C. Burkei, Alsophila australis, A. Williamsi, and Dicksonia antarctica 
were the species shown, the Cyatheas being especially noteworthy for 
their gracefulness. Messrs. J. Dickson & Son, Chester, had the second 
prize for healthy specimens, one Dicksonia antarctica, about 9 feet 
high and with a handsome crown of fronds, being scarcely surpassed 
in the Show. Cyathea dealbata was also admirably represented 
among several other species of that genus and of Alsophila. Mr. 
Cypher had a less regular collection, and was accordingly adjudged 
the third position, though in the beauty or rarity of the kinds shown 
and the quality of the plants he was little behind the other compe¬ 
titors. Alsophila elegantissima, Cibotium Schiedel, and Cibotium 
regale were the most noteworthy. 
Filmy Ferns are comparatively rarely seen at exhibitions, at least 
in any quantity. A few specimens are occasionally shown amongst the 
specialities of nurserymen’s groups, but as a rule they are confined 
to two or three of the most common and best known species and 
varieties. There is one good reason for this customary absence— 
namely, that Ferns with fronds of such delicate texture are quite 
unsuited for the rather severe ordeal of being exposed in ordinary 
exhibition tents even for a single day, and plants of considerable 
value may be injured beyond all hope of recovery in a very short 
time after their arrival at the show, even though they may be con¬ 
veyed thither safely. The advantages of the close glass house at the 
Manchester Botanic Garden, however, induced four exhibitors to send 
collections of these charming little Ferns, about twenty specimens 
being staged, mostly in good condition. In the nurserymen’s class 
for eight specimens Mr. B. 8. Williams was the only exhibitor, and 
was deservedly awarded the first prize for the following : Tricho- 
manes maximum, T. humile, T. auriculatum, the delicately pretty 
T. trichoideum, Todea superba, T. intermedia, Hymenophyllum hir- 
sutum and H. demissum, some of the best forms in each of the three 
genera. The plants were mostly growing upon stumps of Tree Ferns, 
one end of which was plunged in a deep pan of fine spar, the delicate 
kinds being covered with a bellglass. Though Mr. Williams won 
uncontesttd honours, the amateurs’ class was better filled, as three 
collections of four plants each were staged, and the plants generally 
differed very slightly in merit. Mr. C. Goodall, gardener to Mrs. 
Leech, Stalj bridge, was first with Todea pellucida, healthy ; T. su¬ 
perba, fine ; Trichomanes radicans, and Hymenoj)hyllum demissum. 
Mr. Tudgey was a close second with similar kinds to the first-named, 
healthy and fresh. Mr. G. Smith, gardener to John Hylands, Esq., 
Stretford, was a close second, having Todea hymenophylloides and 
Hymenophyllum tunbridgense very fine. 
NEW PLANTS. 
The new plants that had not been previously exhibited were few, 
but most of the best introductions of the past year were represented 
in the four classes provided. Stweral plants which are likely to prove 
of sterling value were shown, but, taking the classes generally, there 
was an absence of striking novelties. 
For twelve new plants in or out of flower three collections were 
entered, Mr. B. S. Williams being placed first with healthy and neat 
specimens of the following— Delabechia rupestris, an elegant plant 
with palmate leaves ; the leaflets narrow, divergent, and dark green, 
In a small state it is well suited for table decoration. Encephalai tos 
Frederici Gulielmi, a very distinct Cycad with rigid pinnate leaves ; 
the pinnae being narrow, closely set, and slightly woolly beneath. 
Cycas vndulata , also a distinct Cycad, having leaves much less rigid 
than is usual in the genus, pinnate, somewhat short; the pinnae bright 
green and with slightly undulated margins. Aralia spimilasa, a 
handsome form with pinnate leaves; the leaflets oval-elliptical, 
bright green, and distantly placed upon the petioles. Alucasia 
Thibautiana, a very fine plant, having heart-shaped leaves 2£ feet 
long by 2 feet broad, with a very dark green ground colour, the veins 
being strongly marked and white. Croton Stewartii, one of the section 
with leaves of moderate breadth, elliptical lanceolate in form, pos¬ 
sessing rich tints of crimson and yellow, which in the specimen exhi¬ 
bited were very finely developed. Aralia spectabilis, a noble Aralia, 
certainly one of the most distinct and imposing in the genus. The 
leaves are pinnate, 2 to 3 feet long, with long pinna; very deeply and 
irregularly cut. It is of spreading habit, and has a fine effect among 
other plants of more slender appearance. Dracaena Lindeni, very 
distinct from the majority of Dracaenas ; the leaves are elliptical, 
broadly streaked with light and dark green, and a peculiar shade of 
yellowish white. Philodendron elegans, a form with pinnately divided 
leaves about a foot in length, the divisions being narrow and bright 
green ; and Aralia Ckabrieri, an extremely graceful plant and likely 
to become a general favourite, especially for table decoration, as it 
possesses a most pleasing lightness and elegance of appearance. The 
leaves are very narrow, linear or tapering, extremely dark green, with 
deep red midribs. 
Messrs. H. P. Ker A Son secured the second position with neat and 
well-grown specimens of the following among others— Zamia Watzeri, 
a peculiar spiny-leaved Cycad, suggestive of Encephalartos horndus 
without the fine characteristic glaucous hue. Draccena Bella, a 
dark crimson narrow-leaved Dracaena, well suited for table decoration. 
The margins of the leaves are a very bright shade of crimson. Pelar¬ 
gonium Gloire d’Orleans , one of the Ivy-leaved section which has been 
repeatedly exhibited and certificated in the neighbourhood of the 
metropolis. It is remarkable for the bright pink hue of the neatly 
double flowers. And Croton Warreni, a handsome Croton, with 
spirally twisted leaves of a rich crimson and yellow tint. Mr. J. 
