152 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August X4, ISSi. 
bition of the Society the day was changed from Friday to Wednesday with the 
same results. It has always been a one-day show. As much as a thousand 
pounds have been taken at the gates, the pitmen coming in great quantities 
in all the available cheap trains from a distance. Right royal Queen's weather 
prevailed on Friday last, and the old historic town of Bishop Auckland was 
seen at its brightest. The Show is held in Bishop Auckland Park, by kind 
permission of the Bishop of Durham, Dr. Lightfoot. A more picturesque and 
suitable place it would not be easy to find than where the Society had 
pitched their exhibition. It was a little east of the Bishop’s palace, where a 
gentle stream meanders in the vale, on the right of which, on an eminence, 
is the palatial residence of his lordship. 
The Show was arranged in three tents some distance from each other, 
and we think the Society would do better in having the exhibits all in one 
large pavilion ; they could be better arranged and more readily accessible 
to the public. The receipts, we understand, were about .£800; we hope, 
therefore the Society will be restored to its former position, when such 
veteran competitors as Mr. Baines were accustomed to exhibit here. 
Plants. —For six flowering plants, Mr. E. H. Letts, gardener to the Earl 
of Zetland, Aske Hall, was first with a good Stephanotis floribunda, Anthu- 
rium Schertzerianum, Phoenocoma prolifera Barnesi, and Ixoras. Mr. John¬ 
son, Elmridge, was second ; Erica Shannoni, Ixora Williamsi, and Cleroden- 
dron Balfourianum were handsome. Mr. Noble, gardener, to Theo. Fry, Esq., 
Woodside, Darlington, was third. For six exotic Ferns Mr. Johnson was 
first with good specimens of DavalliaMooreana, Gleichenia rupestris, Dicksonia 
antarctica, Adiantum farleyense, Gleichenia Speluncse. Mr. J. C. Ford was 
second, and Mr. Noble third. The groups of miscellaneous plants was one 
of the most striking and pleasing features of the Show. It is the first time 
the Society have offered prizes for such. The spirited competition must have 
been gratifying to the Society. Mr. Noble was here first again with a tasteful 
arrangement of flowering plants. Palms, all encircled with groups of Adiantum 
Ferns. Mr. Johnston was second. For six handsome foliage plants Mr. 
E. H. Letts was first with plants similar to those exhibited by him at 
Newcastle. 
For nine Gladioli spikes Mr. A. Brown, Whitburn, was first with good 
blooms of Eglantine, Mons. Legrove, Penelope, Admiral Brongniart, and 
Amathea. Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bedale, Yorkshire, second with good 
blooms of Ondine, Orpheus, Mejmrbeer, »fcc. For a beautiful bridal bouquet 
Mr. Rutherford, Durham, was awarded first prize. 
Cut Flowers. —For forty Dahlias Messrs. Harkness received a special 
prize, which were good so early in the season. Mr. Geo. Finlay, gardener to 
Mrs. Maynard, East Layton, Darlingtor;, showed some excellent African 
Marigolds, a seedling Hollyhock, and was highly commended. 
For three Balsams Mr. James Moore, Auckland, was awarded first prize. 
His plants were 4 feet high and 2 feet through ; they were splendid examples 
of the culture and skill, and highly creditable to the grower, whose occupa¬ 
tion is that of a miner. Mr. Thos. Pearson, Old Shildon, was a creditable 
second. For forty-eight Roses, single blooms, E. R. Whitwell, Esq., Barton 
Hall, was first with good blooms. Messrs. Harkness it Son were first for 
thirty-six Roses, and Mr. Frettingham, Nottingham, second. For twenty-four 
Mr. E. R. Whitwell was again first; and for twelve Roses, dissimilar, Messrs. 
Harkness were first. In the B class Mr. Finlay won the first prize for eighteen 
blooms, and first for twelve dissimilar blooms. 
Fruit.— For a collection of fruit, eight dishes, Mr. W. Jenkins, Aldin 
Grange, Du-ham, was first with Black Hamburgh Grapes, Nectarines, 
Peaches, Strawberries, and Gooseberries. These were all creditable dishes. 
The same exhibitor was first for two bunches of Black Grapes ; Mr. West- 
cott, Raby Castle, being first for six bunches of Grapes. The same exhibitor 
was first for a Queen Pine, Peaches, and Nectarines. 
The amateurs’ show was highly creditable, and specially maybe mentioned 
the stove plants of Mr. James Moore, Eldon Lane. Vegetables were also 
shown of first-rate merit. 
The Show was in every department creditable to the promoters. There 
seems but little doubt that this fine old Exhibition will now be restored to 
its former position by an energetic Committee and the indefatigable Secretary, 
Mr. R. W. Thompson. 
BRAVOA GEMINIFLORA. 
The Bravoa geminiflora is a half-hardy plant, producing a tunicated 
bulb, about the size of a moderately large Hyacinth root, but more 
elongated. From this bulb proceed three to four pointed leaves, 18 to 
20 inches or more long, and from 1^ to 2 inches broad ; they are keeled 
at the back, and usually quite erect. The seape or flower-stem springs 
directly from the bulb, and is not uncommonly from 3 to 4 feet high, of 
a round tapering form, and bearing several pointed half-sheathing bracts 
arranged alternately at distances of 5 or G inches from each other. 
The raceme of flowers terminates the stem, and consists of about six¬ 
teen pairs of blossoms, at the base of each of which is a small trifid bract; 
in the early stages of their growth they are quite erect, and pressed close 
to the scape, but as they expand the tube of the flower becomes gradually 
curved outwards, until at length its mouth points downwards. Each 
flower is about 1 inch or 1;^ inch long, of a cylindrical form, and divided 
at its mouth into six short rounded lobes, w’hich, when the flower is fully 
developed, are slightly spreading ; at this period their tint is a delicate 
salmon or flesh colour, tinged with green at the base, where the perianth 
coheres with the seed-vessel. 
The Bravoa may be cultivated either as a window bulb or in the open 
border, where it succeeds perfectly in a warm aspect and suitable soil. 
The only objection to its cultivation in the window is its liability to 
become “ drawn ” from deficiency of light and air ; but, in all other 
points, no plant can be more manageable. It should be potted in a good 
friable loam, with which a little silver sand should be mingled, unless the 
soil contains naturally a fair proportion of silicious matter. This is 
necessary to ensure the requisite porosity; but, unless a considerable 
proportion of good loam is also present, the growth of the plant will be 
weak. The bulb should be planted with its neck level with the surface of 
the soil, in a 4 or 5-inch pot, which will be found amply sufficient, except 
for the largest bulbs. During the winter months, when the {plant is 
dormant, the soil may be kept nearly dry, but when in activity it requires 
to be freely watered. It usually commences its growth about the end of 
April or beginning of May ; and, in a warm window, will make rapid 
progress, producing its flowers about the end of July. After the blossoms 
have faded the pot should be placed out of door.s in a sunny situation to 
ripen the bulb, and when the foliage has decayed it may be returned to 
its winter quarters, which may be any airy place inaccessible to frost. 
In the open ground its treatment may be inferred from what we have 
just stated. If planted out in April, while dormant, it should be covered 
with a hand-glass to protect it from spring frosts ; if kept on the window 
or in a cold frame until the middle of May it may then be plunged into 
the borders without this precaution. In this situation its height will be 
less than under glass, and the colour of the flowers deepen to red. It is 
easily increased by offsets, which may be separated every second or third 
Fig. 27.—Bravoa geminiflora. 
year, and also by seeds, which may be ripened in the greenhauacoc 
window if the plant is grown on after flowering. 
The Bravoa geminiflora is a native of Mexico. Its name was cotEfecred 
in honour of the Mexican botanist, Bravo.—W. T. 
FROME FLOWER SHOW. 
This, the first exhibition of plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables, was held 
on August 4th, and on the whole may fairly be termed a great success. Et 
was at first intended that it should be a cottagers’ show only, but the lending 
inhabitants of the district having subscribed most liberally funds were avail¬ 
able for the extension of the prize schedule, and a fair number of classes were 
provided for gentlemen’s gardeners. This, though late in being decided upon, 
was the means of bringing together a fairly attractive display and saved the 
Show from being a failure. Cottagers are capable of growing vegetables 
and the commoner kinds of fruit and flowers most creditably, but they cannot 
make a generally interesting display, and this the founders of eotUgers' 
shows will do well to bear in mind. 
In the gardeners’ classes the largest prizewinner was Mr. B. Hopkins, 
gardener to John Baily, Esq., Frome, this exhibitor being a crediUble first 
in the classes for fine-foliaged plants. Pelargoniums, collection of vege¬ 
tables, collection of six varieties of fruit; second for an unlimited group 
of plants, &c. The first-prize group was arranged by Mr. E. J. Wiloox, 
gardener to Mrs. Sinkins, Frome, and included a considerable ntimber 
of well-grown specimens of flowering and fine-foliaged plants. Mr. 
Wilcox was also a good first for specimen exotic Ferns ; the socorid prize 
going to Mr. G. Taylor, gardener to A. R. Baily, Esq., Frome. The l*ttec 
exhibitor was also first for a group of Fuchsias, these being very well 
flowered. Mr. W. Stringnell, Marston Gardens, Frome, was a good first 
in the classes for hand and buttonhole bouquets, and for a vase, showing 
good taste in each instance, and in these classes Mr. W. Stay, gardener to 
E. H. Dickenson, Esq., also exhibited successfully. Cut Roses were ehewa 
by Mr. E. Brown, Chapmanslade, and Mr. Hopkins ; and Mr. F. Lindsey, 
Spring Gardens, Frome, was first with cut Dahlias, Mr. Hopkins again being 
a good second. The latter’s first-prize collection of fruit included good 
Grapes, Peaches, Melons, and Apples. An extra first prize was awarded to 
E. R. Trotman, Esq., The Elms, Frome, for a well-grown group of Gloxinias. 
There were no less than sixty classes for cottagers and amateurs, and in 
most of them the competition was fairly good. Fruit, as might be expected., 
was not largely shown. In the amateurs’ classes Miss Browne, Beckingtoa; 
