July 24, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
77 
Milford, Derby, Miss Watson Taylor, Headington, Oxford, and Mr. P. S. 
Budd were awarded honours in the order named. Nine boxes of eighteen 
distinct varieties, single blooms, were staged, but some of them were rough 
and small. The leading collections were good, the premier one being first- 
rate, some magnificent blooms being noticeable, especially Baronne de Roth¬ 
schild, which measured G inches across, and very smooth and full. This 
collection was staged by A. R. Tate, Esq., Woolton, Liverpool, and beside 
the variety named were the following ;—Mr. Laxton, ,Tohn Hopper, Pierre 
Notting, Paul Verdier, Dr. Andre, Sophie Fropot, Madame V. Verdier, 
Emile Hausburg, Marie Rady, Charles Darwin, John Stuart Mill, Capitaine 
Christy, Etienne Levet, La France, Countess of Oxford, IMdlle. M. Verdier, 
and Charles Lefebvre. Mr. T. P. Budd, Bath, and Mr. William Boyes were 
second and third respectively. In the class for nine Teas or Noisettes Miss 
Watson Taylor, Headington, Oxford, was easily first with charmingly smooth 
and even blooms of Comtesse de Nadaillac, Niphetos, Souvenir d’Elise 
Vardon, Mad. Willermoz, Madame Welche, Souvenir d’un Ami, Belle Lyon- 
naise, and Catherine Mermet. Mr. A. Evans, Oxford, and A. Tate, Esq., 
Woolton, second and third in the order named. 
OPEN CLASSES, 
The classes for twelve blooms of a single variety were well filled and 
occupied considerable space. For twelve trusses of any white variety Mr. 
B. Cant, Colchester, was well to the front with a magnificent tray of Mer- 
veille de Lyon, in every particular perfect, containing some of the best 
blooms of this favourite variety in the Show. Messrs. Paul & Son were 
second with the same variety—this was also a meritorious stand ; and Mr. 
G. Prince of Oxford was third with Innocente Pirola. In the corresponding 
class for twelve blooms of any crimson Rose there were numerous entries. 
Mr. Henry Frettingham took the lead with a magnificent stand of Alfred 
Colomb. A close second was gained with the same variety by Mr. George 
Prince of Oxford, and Messrs. Paul it Son were third with the same variety, 
while an equal third was accorded to Mr. John House for a charming stand 
of A. K. Williams, perfect, smooth, but rather small blooms. In the class 
provided for twelve blooms of any Rose Mr. B. Cant was first with Alfred 
Colomb, and these blooms were charmingly fresh and bright. 
DISTRICT-GROWN ROSES. 
Classes were provided for Roses grown within twenty miles of Man¬ 
chester Town Hall, but they were not well filled, and some of the blooms 
were poor. In the class for twelve distinct blooms R. Hardwick, Esq., 
Ashton-on-Mersey, was first, and in the collection there were good examples 
of Etienne Levet, Capitaine Christy, Pierre Notting, and Prince Arthur. 
Mr. G. Burgess, Tabley, Knutsford, was second. James Brown, Esq., 
Heaton Mersey, was first for six distinct varieties with an admirable lot, to 
which a silver medal was also awarded. The collection consisted of Dr. 
Hogg, Madame E. Verdier, Comtesse de Serenye, Mens. E. Y. Teas, Baronne 
de Rothschild, and John Hopper. The second prize was gained by W. H. S. 
Watts, Esq., Flixton. It is surprising that these classes were not more 
keenly contested. 
A very beautiful collection of Ferns in great variety was staged by Messrs. 
W. & J. Birkenhead, Fern Nursery, Sale, near Manchester, forming a very 
interesting and beautiful addiiion to the Roses, and Messrs. Dickson and 
Robinson of Manchester exhibited an interesting series of hardy flowers, in 
which Lilium testaceum and Gladiolus Colvillei “ The Bride ” were conspi¬ 
cuous. Considerable exhibits of Roses were also made, but not in competi¬ 
tion, by Messrs. Paul & Son ; Messrs. J. Jefferies & Son, Cirencester ; W. & J. 
Yates, Manchester, &c., which were very attractive. 
LEEK. 
Rose Societies differ very much in character—some large, some small; 
some open to all, some exclusive, confining themselves to a certain district; 
some sufficiently attractive to draw the large growers for sale and the lead¬ 
ing amateurs, and some only able to rely on their own unaided efforts ; but 
I think the Leek Rose Society is sui generis. All its exhibitors are what 
we should call small men, none growing more than 500 plants, and, with one 
or two exceptions, cultivating their own plants. Another feature of it is 
that there are no Tea Roses grown or shown. I do not think there was one 
in the Exhibition ; there were a few Noisettes, but no Teas. The reasons 
for this are that Leek, being situated among the Staffordshire hills, and is 
peculiarly subject to rains, and very unfavourable for the outdoor growth 
of Teas, and the exhibitors are not such as can afford to grow them indoors. 
They have persevered amidst most disadvantageous circumstances. This is 
the first year that I have been here on an exhibition day that it has not been 
a downright wet day, with usually a wet evening before the show day, and 
it was a pleasure to be present at a show without wet; and if perseverance 
deserves success, then the Leek Society assuredly deserves it, and it must 
have been gratifying to them to find fresh exhibitors coming forward. 
Like all the Rose shows this year the flowers showed the effects of the 
unfavourable character of the weather in the month of June, but there was 
a decided improvement notwithstanding in the blooms, especially in the 
smaller classes. There is still room for improvement in some respects. The 
naming of the flowers was in some cases very curious, and although the 
setting-up was very improved, there was need for a further improvement, 
especially in the setting-up of trebles. These were generally (except in one 
case) crammed together into one tube instead of being inserted in three, and 
consequently the effect was spoiled. 
In the class for twenty-four, to which the National Society’s gold medal 
was awarded, Mr. S. Eyre was first with an excellent box containing good 
blooms of Countess of Oxford, Duke of ^Yellington, Dr. Andry, Madame 
Gabriel Luizet, Marie Baumann, Madame Hippolyte Jamain, E. Y. Teas, 
Duke of Edinburgh, La Rosiere (I think the best bloom of this variety I 
ever saw). La France, Etienne Levet, General Jacqueminot, Baroness Roth¬ 
schild, Xavier Olibo very good, Alfred Colomb, Dupuy Jamain, Madame 
Lacharme, Maurice Bernardin, Victor Verdier, Marguerite Brassac, Cheshunt 
Hybrid, Madame Prosper Langier, Jean Liabaud, and Madame Charles Wood. 
In the class for eighteen Mr. Arthur Johnson was first with Gabriel Luizet, 
Dr. Andry, Louis Van Houtte, La France, Duke of Connaught, A. K. 
Williams, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Gloire de Dijon, Marie Baumann, 
Macaulay, Beauty of Waltham, John Hopper, Le Havre, Madame Clemence 
Joigneaux, Charles Lefebvre, La Rosiere, and Elie Morel. Mr. Gilman was 
second, and Mr. ,1. Chadwick third. In the class for twelve Roses Mr. 
Larpin Bratt was first with Alfred Colomb, Gendral Jacqueminot, Duke of 
Wellington, Lord Macaulay, Madame Hippolyte Jamain, Louis Van Houtte, 
Marechal Niel, Maurice Ilernardin, President Thiers, Charles Lefebvre, 
Camille de Rohan, and Beauty of Waltham. Mr. Johnson was second, and 
Mr. W. H. Nixon third. In the class for six Mr. Nixon was first with Charles 
Lefebvre, Dupuy Jamain, A. K. Williams, Marguerite de St. Amand, General 
Jacqueminot, and La Fi ance. In the class for six dark Roses Mr. A. John¬ 
son was first—Dr. Andry, A. K. Williams, Charles Lefebvre, Louise Van 
Houtte, La Rosiere, and Mrs. Baker. Mr. Samuel Eyre was second. In the 
class for six light Roses Mr. J. Gilman was first with Capitaine Christy, 
IMarquise de Mortemarte, Gabriel Luizet, Duchesse de Vallombrosa, 
Baroness Rothschild, and La France. Mr. A. Johnson was second in the class 
for six blooms of any one Rose. Mr. S. Eyre was first with Maurice Ber¬ 
nardin, and Mr. A. Johnson second with La France. In the class for twelve 
of any one Rose Mr. Gilman was first with La France, and Mr. Hilden second 
with Charles Lefebvre. 
Besides the Roses there were as usual some excellent stove and greenhouse 
plants. Ferns, and Fuchsias, those from E. Cliffe Glover, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. Roberts) being as usual very fine. His plants were Croton Baroness 
Rothschild, Kentia australis, Clerociendron Balfourianum, Ixora coccinea. Erica 
ferruginea major, Dipladenia amabilis, Latana borbonica, Allamanda cathar- 
tica, Imantophyllum miniatum, Croton Queen Victoria, Paudanus Veitchii, 
and Cocos Weddelliana. His Ferns were Cibotium Barometz, Cyathea medul- 
laris, and Adiantum pedatum. His Fuchsias were Wave of Life, Rose of 
Castile, Marksman, and Sybil. All these obtained first prizes in their re¬ 
spective classes. There were also some excellent Pansies shown. Nor must 
I omit a beautiful dinner-table stand contributed by Mrs. A. Johnson, com¬ 
posed entirely of Orchids—Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cattleya Mossiae, &c. ; 
they were tastefully and elegantly arranged, not one crowded, and, mingled 
with Maidenhair Fern, the effect was very beautiful. 
LOUTH. 
Althougr there were many attractions at the attractive town of Louth 
Lincolnshire, on the 17th and 18th inst., Roses were a prominent feature and 
had a marquee “ all to themselves.” Oue of the best prizes of the season 
was offered in the leading class—namely, £10 for forty-eight varieties, open 
to all England. This prize was well won by Mr. B. R. Cant of Colchester 
with the following varieties—Mdlle. Marie Finger, Abel Carriere, Marquise de 
Castellane, FrauQois Louvat, Souvenir de Madame Boll, Reynolds Hole, Sir 
G. Wolseley, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Marie Baumann, Merveille de Lyon, 
Scar of Waltham, Baronne de Rothschild, Duke of Edinburgh, Marbchal Niel, 
Le Havre, Louis Van Houtte, Catherine Mermet, Xavier Olibo, Prince Camille 
de Rohan, Dr. Andry, Auguste Rigotard, Jean Soupert, William Boelle, Mrs. 
Jowitt, Madame Eugdnie Verdier, Charles Lefebvre, Comtesse de Serenye, 
Madame Prosper Langier, Sophie Coquerelle, Alfred Colomb, Madame Marie 
Verdier, Ulrich Brunner, A. K. Williams, Madame Caillot, Dr. Sewell, La 
France, Comtesse d’ Oxford, Baron de Bonstetten, Duke of Teck, Madame 
Hippolyte Jamain, FranQois Michelon, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Madame C. 
Crapelet, Horace Vernet, Pride of Waltham, Marguerite de St. Amand, and 
Prince Arthur. The blooms were neat, fresi, and beautifully staged, but the 
visitors to the Louth did not by any means see “ Cant at his best.” Mr. 
Merry weather, Southwell, was placed second in this class with a collection 
including many fine blooms, notably Louis Van Houtte and Merveille de 
Lyon. Messrs. W. & J. Brown, Stamford, had the remaining prize, running 
Mr. Merryweather closely. 
Mr. B. R. Cant secured the prize offered for twelve Roses of 1881, 1882, 
and 1883 with Lecocq Dumesnil, a dark Rose of the Abel Carriere type; 
Eclair, a beautifully formed symmetrical bloom, not large but firm, the 
margins of the outer petals recurving ; colour reddish crimson—a variety of 
promise ; Ulrich Brunner, good ; Merveille de Lyon, undoubtedly the finest 
bloom in the Show; Earl of Pembroke, Duke of Albany, Duchess of Con¬ 
naught, Baronne Nathaniel de Rothschild, Violette Bouyer, Colonel Felix 
Breton, like a glowing Charles Lefebvre ; Lady Sheffield, and a remarkable 
Tea Rose, Souvenir de Therese Levet. This bloom attracted much attention 
by its extraordinary colour—velvety crimson scarlet—far surpassing in rich¬ 
ness any other Tea Rose. If this bloom was a fair typical example of the 
varietv. Souvenir de Madame Therese Levet must become a general favourite. 
Mr. Pennell, Lincoln, also exhibited a most creditable stand in this class. 
Mr. Cant also secured the chief prize in the class for twelve Teas and Noisettes 
with charmingly fresh but not large blooms. 
In the class for thirty-six Roses the competition was exceedingly close 
between Messrs. J. & W. Brown and Mr. Pennell. The former exhibitor 
won by, we believe, one point in the blooms and better foliage. Had they 
been judged an hour or two later the prizes would in all probability have been 
reversed. Mr. Lingard had the third prize. In the class for twenty-four 
blooms there was good competition, the Stamford and Leicester blooms being 
equal in merit, but the former, being slightly the fresher and with better 
foliage, secured the first position, Mr. Norton having the third prize. 
competition was still greater in the class for twelve Roses, and here Mr. 
Pennell well won the premier place, followed by Messrs. Brown and Meredith. 
Altogether the Show was a very creditable one, but it was easy to see evidence 
of the beginning of the end of the Rose season, and most if not all the com¬ 
petitors would have staged better a week earlier. 
In another large tent there was a great and good exhibition of vegetables, 
and the finest display of small fruits we have seen this season. Gooseberries, 
Currants, Raspberries, and Strawberries being of great excellence ; and the 
finest Strawberry was the native of the town, Forman’s Excelsior. 
It was most refreshing to see the earnestness of the well-to-do officials in 
the administration of the Exhibition ; the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Lucas, 
also the Mayor of the town—in fact, all the members of the Committee 
working like troopers. 
The Exhibition was held in the well-wooded grounds of Joseph Bennett, 
Esq., close to the splendid church. The day was a general holiday, and the 
efforts of the directorate to make everything agreeable to everybody 
certainly merited, and we trust commanded, general approval and financial 
success. 
WIRKSWORTH. 
The spirited little town of Wirksworth, about four miles from Matlock 
Bath, already the seat of a successful and established horticultural society. 
