July 3, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
15 
both in numbers and quality fully maintaining the good name this Society 
has gained in the neighbourhood of London. It is in all respects the best of 
the local exhibitions within equal distance of the metropolis, and under the 
guidance of its present energetic and courteous Secretary, Mr. J. H. Ford, it 
is likely to still further increase in importance. Plants and flowers were 
remarkably well shown, but the fruit classes were poorly filled, and in several 
instances, as at other shows this season, the exhibits were quite second-rate 
in quality. Four large marquees were filled, one being devoted to cut 
flowers, amongst which Roses predominated, stands of flowers, bouquets, and 
other floral decorations. The next was filled with groups and collections of 
stove and greenhouse plants, fine-foliage plants. Orchids, Pelargoniums, and 
Ferns. A third contained the fruit and vegetables ; the fourth being appro¬ 
priated to the cottagers’ produce, and the competition for some of the special 
prizes. The arrangements throughout were very satisfactory, the Secretary 
being ably assisted by a good Committee, amongst whom Messrs. W. Bates, 
W. Bovvell, Kinghorn, and G. Nicholson merit especial commendation. 
Stove and greenhouse plants formed a good display in the principal 
marquee, three collections of nine specimens being entered. Messrs. Jackson 
and Son, Kingston, were first with healthy plants, the most notable of which 
were Epacris Eclipse, globular in form, about G feet in diameter and well 
flowered ; Allamandacathartica, Franciscea calycina, and Pimelea spectabilis. 
Mr. H. James, Castle Nursery, Lower Norwood, was a close second, his 
Anthurium Andreanum and Erica depressa being effective plants. G. Bell, 
Esq., Garbrand Hall, Ewell (gardener, Mr. Child), followed with specimens 
which have already figured prominently at several London shows. The 
special prize offered by F. Colman, Esq., Cumberland House, Kew, for the 
best specimen plant in flower was also gained by Mr. Child, who had Erica 
depressa in first-rate condition, very closely followed by Miss Evans, Beech 
House, New Hampton (gardener, Mr. Bond), with Bougainvillea glabra 
trained in globular form, and bearing a profusion of unusually richly 
coloured flowers. Pelargoniums were an attractive portion of the Exhi¬ 
bition, and formed a beautiful bank at the entrance to the large marquee. 
All the plants were remarkably well flowered healthy specimens, and 
some of them have been seen at several London shows this season. For 
six Show varieties H. Little, Esq., Hillingdon Place, Uxhridge, was first 
with good specimens, followed by Mr. C. Turner, Slough, and W. Clay, 
Esq, Kingston (gardener, Mr. Wiggins). In the corresponding class 
for six Fancy varieties Mr, Turner was the most successful exhibitor, his 
plants being in charmingly fresh condition, Messrs. Little and Clay securing 
the second and third prizes. Mr. Bond had the best Zonal Pelargoniums, 
which were flowering profusely, but several other collections in this class 
were rather poor. Fuchsias were not extensively shown, but the premier 
collection of six from Mr. Bond were very handsome and well-flowered 
specimens after the style of those for which the west of England growers 
are so justly famed. 
Orchids were rather more largely represented than is usual at this Show, 
three good collections of six being staged. Mr. H. James, Norwood, won the 
chief position with large showy specimens, comprising Cattleyas Mossire and 
Mendeli in good condition, Dendrobium suavissimum with twelve spikes, 
Masdevallia Harryana with thirty-six flowers, Epidendrum vitellinum majus, 
and Cypripedium Stonei. Mr. Child was a very close second with admirably 
grown genuine specimens of Aerides Lobbi, Stanhopea tigrina superba, and 
Vanda suavis amongst others. Mr. H. Little took the third place, his best 
plants being Cypripedium Veitchii and Odontoglossum crispum. 
Fine-foliage plants were strongly shown, several collections being of more 
than ordinary merit. Particularly noteworthy were the Ferns in the class for 
eight plants, in which J. S. Rutter, Esq., The Cedars, Richmond (gardener, 
Mr. Morrell), won the leading honours with most creditable examples of good 
culture. Davallia Mooreana was in vigorous health, as fresh as could be 
desired ; Adiantum farleyense was similarly clean and strong, Microlepia 
hirta cristata in fine condition ; Dicksonia davallioides, a very graceful Fern 
seldom exhibited ; Blechnum corcovadense, Cheilanthes cordifolia in excellent 
condition, and two beautiful Gymnogrammas, one a gold-coloured seedling 
with very large and handsomely coloured fronds, and the other peruviana 
argyrophylla, a compact plant with sturdy well-developed fronds copiously 
dusted with silver farina. Though these plants were not of the enormous 
dimensions sometimes distinguishing exhibition Ferns, they formed as clean 
and good a collection as could he wished. Messrs. Fromow & Co., Turnham 
Green, were placed second. Devallia bullata and Hypolepis repens being 
the best of their plants. E. M. Nelson, Esq., Hanger Hill House, Ealing 
(gardener, Mr. Chadwick) was third with healthy plants, Lygodium 
Bcandens, of globular form and very healthy, attracting much attention. 
For six Ferns Mr. Morrell gained premier honours, his examples of 
Davallia Mooreana and Adiantum farleyense meriting notice, as did also 
his twelve hardy Ferns, which won the first place in their class, all of which 
indicated the same good culture as the previously mentioned Ferns from 
The Cedars. A class was provided for nine Palms; Mr. Bates, The Gardens, 
Poulet Lodge, Twickenham, securing chief honours with admirable speci¬ 
mens of Areca Verschaffelti, Cocos WeddeUiana, Phmnix rupicoli. Geonoma 
gracilis, Kentia Belmoreana, and Calyptronoma Swartzi. Mr. Brown fol¬ 
lowed with healthy plants. The best six fine-foliage plants were from Mr. 
Munro, which included some well-grown Dracaenas, Crotons, and Palms. 
Mr. Chadwick, who was second, also had a fine Alocasia Veitchii and Croton 
angustifolius. Messrs. Hooper & Co.’s third-prize group including Croton 
Weismanni finely coloured. Mr. Kinghorn of Richmond offered prizes 
for the best specimen fine-foliage plant, the premier award being secured 
by Mr. Bond for Pandanus Veitchii, a large, vigorous, and handsome speci¬ 
men. Mr. Chadwick was second with Livistonia borbonica in good con¬ 
dition ; a well-grown Cycas revolata from Mr. Bates, and a large Phormium 
tenax variegata from Mr. Child being unnoticed, though in the opinion of 
several they both deserved recognition. 
Groups of plants are invariably a great attraction at the Richmond 
Show, and this occasion was no exception to the rule. The principal class 
was for a group not to exceed 100 square feet, in which there were five 
competitors. Mr. Bruckham, manager to Messrs. Hooper & Co., Twicken¬ 
ham, took the lead with a graceful, light, and effective group, containing a 
due proportion of foliage and flowers, the Tuberous Begonias rendering it 
very bright. Messrs. Fromow & Son, Turnham Green, were second with a 
pretty arrangement of Gladiolus ColviUi, Odontoglossums, with Palms, 
Ferns, and a few other foliage plants. Mr. H. James had several good 
Orchids in his third group, which was a trifle too heavy; and an extra prize 
was adjudged to Mr. Brown, St. Mary’s Grove, Richmond, for a bright hut 
slightly crowded collection. Special prizes were in addition offered by 
C. Turner White, Esq., Kew, for groups not exceeding 50 square feet, and 
for these there were four competitors, premier honours being secured by 
F. Wigan, Esq., Clare Lawn, East Sheen (gardener, Mr. East), a fine central 
plant of Cattleya gigas being much admired, Dieffenbachias, Dracaenas, and 
Odontoglossum vexillarium being the other chief features in his group. J. R. 
Gears, Esq., Hatfield House, Twickenham (gardener, G. Fitsell), was second 
with a compact but rather heavy arrangement, but having a neat margin of 
Gloxinias, small Cockscombs, and Isolepis. Mr. Chadwick was third, his 
group consisting chiefly of Pelargoniums and foliage plants. 
In miscellaneous smaller classes for Mignonette, Achimenes, Tuberous Be¬ 
gonias, Hydrangeas, Gloxinias, and Coleuses, all of which were well shown, 
the leading prizes were secured by A. Chancellor, Esq., The Retreat, Rich¬ 
mond (gardener, Mr. G. Hughes) ; j. J. Flack, Esq., Hampton Road, Twicken- 
enham (gardener, Mr. Sallons) ; Mr. Coombs, Mr. Morrell, and Mr. Bond. 
Cut flowers were excellently represented, and in the early part of the day 
were fresh and beautiful, but the heat of the tent was so great that long 
before the close of the Exhibition many of them had a poor appearance. 
Roses were capitally shown, but these suffered more than anything from 
the heat. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, had the best thirty-six Roses, three 
trusses of each, beautiful, fresh, highly coloured blooms, especially good 
being Francois Louvat, Camille Bernardin, Francois Michelon, A. K. 
Williams, Ulrich Brunner fils, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Star of Waltham, 
and Souvenir d’Elise. Messrs. Paul it Son, Cheshunt, were second, also 
with fine blooms, but they were first with twenty-four triplets, fresh and 
handsome blooms. The amateurs’ productions were not quite of such good 
substance, but T. B. Haywood, Esq., Woodhatch Lodge (gardener, Mr. 
Ridout) ; J. W. Girdleston, Esq., Sunningdale ; and J. 0. Kitchener, Esq., 
Manor House, Hampton, showed bright and neat blooms. In the miscel¬ 
laneous cut-flower classes Mr. Bates, Messrs. Hooper & Co., and Mr. Brown 
were the prizetakers. 
The prizes for three vases of flowers brought no less than nine compe¬ 
titors, their stands differing greatly in merit. First honours were accorded 
to J. Rains, Esq., Nightingale Lane, Balham (gardener, Mr. W. Clark), for 
a graceful arrangement of Etoile d’Or Chrj santhemums. Cornflowers, 
Rhodanthes, Odontoglossums, and Masdevallias, with a vase of Roses, 
Eucharises, and Ericas. Miss Curd, 6, Oxford Terrace, Lower Addiscombe, 
Croydon, secured the second place with a very elegant and tastefully 
arranged stand, in which Rhodanthes, Cornflowers, Aquilegias, and Grasses 
were freely employed. Mr. Chard, Clapham Common, was third, Geums, 
Aquilegias, and Odontoglossum flowers being effectively disposed, the stem 
of the stand being wreathed with the golden-netted Honeysuckle. _ An 
extra prize was adjudged to Mr. Brown for a pretty stand. The competition 
was also keen in the class for two stands, bouquets and buttonholes being 
well shown. 
In the fruit tent the tables had a bare appearance, the classes being very 
poorly filled. Only one collection of six dishes of fruits was entered, for 
which Mr. Bates secured the chief prize. His Black Hamburgh and Buck- 
land Sweetwater Grapes were fairly ripened, and Stirling Castle Peaches 
were good in size and colour. The best four dishes of fruits were staged by 
E. 0. Paul, Esq., Cambridge House (gardener, Mr. J. Munro), which included 
Melon Best of All, neat and well-coloured; Black Hamburgh Grapes, fair ; 
and Elruge Nectarines, fine. T. Cane, Esq., Queenberry House (gardener, 
Mr. Campin), was second with Dr. Hogg Peaches of good quality. Black 
Grapes were well shown by W. E. Grahame, Esq., Richmond (gardener, Mr. 
Barnes), and Mr. Bates, who took the prizes for three bunches in that 
order, both having Black Hamburgh. In the white Grape class Mr. Bates 
was first with Foster’s Seedling, well ripened ; and Mrs. Langworthy, Geys 
House, Maidenhead, followed with Cannon Hall Muscat, green and unsatis¬ 
factory. In some other classes Messrs. Barnes, Munro, Campin, and 
Coombs were the prizetakers. Mr. Bates had the only Pine Apple, a good 
fruit of the Queen variety. Melons were shown by Mr. East, who was first in 
the scarlet-flesh class with Scarlet Premier. Mr. Morrell obtained a similar 
position in the green-flesh class with Bellamore Hybrid, and Messrs. Munro 
and East. The Noblesse Peaches from E. Ascherson, Esq., Twickenham, 
were first in their class ; large and well coloured Violette Hative from 
Mr. Lake equally good, securing a similar place in the Nectarine class. 
Cucumbers were very well represented, eight braces being staged. Mr. J. 
Rooke, The Gardens, Asgill House, won the chief place with Carter’s Model, 
even and bearing an excellent bloom, followed by Mr. Smith, Ormond 
Lodge Gardens, Richmond, with Improved Telegraph, and Mr. East with 
Duke of Albany. Messrs. Sutton it Sons’ prize for Melons was won by Mr. 
Morrell with Sutton’s Incomparable, fine well-netted fruits ; and Mr. 
Coombs with Hero of Lockinge of capital colour. The same firm’s prizes 
for Cucumbers were competed for by six exhibitors, Mr. Fitsell being first 
with Victory of Manchester, and Mr. Buckland was second with Duke of 
Connaught, both very good samples, clean and even. Messrs. Carters’ 
prizes for Model Cucumbers brought five competitors, Messrs. Buckland, 
J. Shroud, and Morrell winning the prizes with neat fruits. Mr. Morrell 
was also the best exhibitor of Carter’s Blenheim Orange Melon, showing 
two extremely fine fruits. 
Vegetables were of excellent quality, but in moderate numbers. For a 
collection of nine sorts Mr. Morrell and Mr. Coombes were awarded equal 
first prizes, Mr. Sallons being first in a smaller class. 
Miscellaneous contributions from nurserymen added much to the interest 
of the Show. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, had a pretty group of hardy 
herbaceous and alpine plants. Messrs. C. Lee & Son, Hammersmith, staged 
a most effective and beautiful group of hardy shrubs and trees, chiefly of 
variegated forms, and several boxes of Rose blooms ; Mr. B. S. Williams, 
Upper Holloway, contribitted a fine group of Orchids and new plants ; 
klessrs. Jackson & Son, Kingston, staged a group of stove and gremihouse 
plants ; Mr. C. Turner, Slough, sent collections of Carnations and Picotees ; 
Mr. Brown had several crosses and wreaths of flowers ; and Messrs. J. Veitch 
and Sons, Chelsea, showed several boxes of magnificent Rose blooms. 
FICAEIAS. 
To all appearances these plants are true Ranunculus. Upon close 
examination, however, a difference will be found in the construction of 
