JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . [ August 2 *,i8 82 
foliage imparts to the mounds an agreeable appearance, while 
when in flower dwarf bushes of several feet in diameter are very 
beautiful. It also grows well in beds and borders, and succeeds 
in soil in which Rhododendrons flourish. In some gardens this 
Rhododendron is plentiful, and, in good condition, never fails to 
contribute to their attractiveness during May and June ; but in 
others it is not represented. It is a distinct and good old flower¬ 
ing shrub, and ought to be grown everywhere, being extremely 
hardy, and always admired when covered with its small bright 
flowers. It has been tried as a forcing plant for the conservatory, 
but does not appear to like a high artificial temperature. 
Ihe woodcut (fig. 29) is a reduced representation of a small 
spray, and well indicates the floriferous habit of the plant. 
SHREWSBURY HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 
August IGth and 17th. 
The above Society is one of the most flourishing in the kingdom 
and the finances have enabled the Committee to greatly improve the' 
Quauy Grounds, in which the Exhibition is held. It is now a pleasant 
situation for a summer show, and the inhabitants of the town and 
neighbourhood indicate their appreciation by visiting the grounds in 
thousands. The days of the Exhibition are regarded as a general 
holiday, and the chief approaches are festooned and draped with fla^s 
and banners. The Show, like the grounds, has steadily improved each 
year, while the one opened on Wednesday was considerably the best 
yet seen at Shrewsbury. Three years ago it was mentioned that an 
improvement was necessary in placing on the prize cards ; and this 
year the South Kensington system was adopted, and the whole was 
done without hurry or confusion. The plants were of superior quality 
in the open classes except the Tuberous Begonias and Achimenes 
which were poor. ^ The amateurs* classes showed a marked improve- 
ment in the quality of the exhibits, while the groups arranged for 
effect were very attractive. The fruit was good, except the Muscat 
Grapes, many of them being far from ripe but good in other respects. 
The cue flowers were superb, especially the Dahlias and Gladiolus, 
v egetables were of satisfactory quality, and shown in large quantities. 
Stove and Greenhouse Flowering and Foliage Plants— In the class 
for twenty plants, not less than ten in bloom, there were three 
entnes. Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, took the lead, followed closely 
by Mr. Tudgey, gardener to J. F. G. Williams, Esq., Henwick Grange 
W orcester. Mr. J. F. Mould, Pewsey, Wilts, third with an uneven 
collection of much smaller size. The first-prize collection contained 
grand examples of Ixora Pilgrimii, Allamanda nobilis, Lapageria 
rosea, very good; Clerodendron Balfourianum, Ixora Duffii a very 
fine plant with twenty large trusses, some more than 10 inches in 
diameter; Ixora Williamsii well bloomed, Bougainvillea glabra, Erica 
semula and E. Austmiana, neat and in the best of health. The prin¬ 
cipal fine-foliage plants were Croton Disraeli, C. majesticus, Thrinax 
clegans, Cycas revoluta, Eatania borbonica, Dasylirion acrotrichum 
Gleichenia flabellata, and Cordyline indivisa ; while Mr Tudgey 
staged good well-grown plants of Croton Queen Victoria, C. Andre- 
anus, C. Johannis, Dipladenia amabilis well flowered, Ixora amabilis 
An thulium Scbertzeriauum, a large specimen and a very fine variety • 
rupestris, Cycas circinalis and C. revoluta, Dipladenia 
hybnda, Erica Fairrieana and E. ampullacea. Mr. Mould’s best 
plants were Dracaena Goldieana, Statice profusa and S. Butcherii. In 
the corresponding class for nine plants, not less than five in bloom 
there were six entries. Mr. C. Roberts, gardener to E. Cliffe Glover 
Esq., Highfield Hall, Staffordshire, took the lead with a good Ixora 
\\ uliamsii, Allamanda Hendersoni, Eucharis amazonica 4 feet in 
diameter and remarkably well flowered, Croton majesticus, and 
Clerodendron Balfourianum. Mr. W. Pratt, gardener to Lord Hill, 
Hankstone, Salop, followed closely, showing a good Alocasia metal- 
hca and Nepenthes Hookerii. Mr. Purser, gardener to J. Watson 
Esq., was the other successful exhibitor, and staged a good Vinca 
a ba. In the amateurs’ class for six plants, not less than four in 
bloom, H. Owen, Esq., The Cedars, Shrewsbury, was first, having 
amongst others a good Begonia metallica. Mrs. Wace and L Burd 
Esq., were second and third respectively. ’ 
Eneas— These were not shown in large numbers, as the schedule 
only provided one class, which brought out three competitors— 
Messrs. Cypher, Tudgey, and Mould. Those shown by the first- 
named exhibitor were neat, healthy, and profusely flowered plants 
Ihe varieties were E. Marnockiana, E. McNabiana, E. Turnbullii’ 
E. mmula, E. Austiniana, and E. Maidstoniensis. Mr. Tudgey’s were 
rather smaller but yery fresh, E. Lindleyana, E. insignis, and E tri¬ 
color Wilsoni being good ; while Mr. Mould staged a grand E. cerin- 
thoides coronata. 
Palms. There were three exhibitors in the class for six tall Palms 
and the plants staged were large, well furnished, and in admirable 
condition. Mr. Cypher was first with Pritchardia pacifica, Kentia 
Iostenana, good; Thrinax elegans, Kentia australis, and Verschaf- 
feltia splendida. Mr. Tudgey second with rather smaller plants • 
Geonoma gracilis and Thrinax elegans were very fine. Mr. C Roberts 
was third with much smaller plants. 
Draccenas. There were only three collections staged in the class 
tor six plants, which were of good quality but not large, being dwarf 
and well coloured. Messrs. Pratt, Purser, and Roberts were the 
prizetakers in the order named. The first-prize collection did not 
contain a faulty plant, the varieties being Leopoldi, Reginae, good; 
Mooreana, very fine ; Baptistii, Berkeleyi, and Fraseri. Mr. Purser 
staged grand plants of splendens and hybrida, while the third col¬ 
lection included good examples of Willsii and Elizabeth®. 
Caladiums this year showed a marked improvement, and the first 
and second collections were very creditable. The prizetakers were 
Messrs. Pritchard & Sons, Shrewsbury; Mr. J. C. Slater, gardener to 
G. D. Lees, Esq. ; and Mr. Farrant, gardener to Mrs. Juson. 
Coleuses were well represented, and all of pyramidal shape, as 
stipulated in the schedule. In the class for six distinct varieties 
those shown by Mr. Purser were very neat. The plants were about 
6 feet high and perfect in shape, while the bright colours of the 
foliage were all that could be desired. His plant of Lady Burrell had 
not a sportive leaf upon it, while Mrs. G. Simpson, Zanzibar, Ajax, 
Soliel, and Smart were very fine. Mr. J. Morris, gardener to Mrs. 
Shuker, and Mr. G. Pearson, gardener to Lord Berwick, were second 
and third w'ith good plants, but not so neat as the first collection. 
Mrs. Wace, E. Burd, Esq., and H. Owen, Esq., were the successful 
exhibitors in the amateurs’ class for three plants. 
Fuchsias were also in better condition than last year; the plants 
were considerably larger and much more profusely flowered, although 
there is still room for improvement. For six plants, distinct varieties, 
Messrs. Pritchard & Sons were first with creditable plants well 
flowered, the best being Blushing Bride, Charming, and Crimson 
Globe. Messrs. R. J. Niven and A. Myers were second and third. 
The plants in the amateurs’ class for three were even and better 
flowered than in the preceding class. Mr. H. Owen first with good 
examples of Avalanche and Rose of Castile, Mrs. Wace second with 
smaller but neat plants, while Mr. L. Burd was second with larger 
but poorly flowered examples. 
Begonias, Balsams, Achimenes, and Gloxinias were of inferior 
quality, and need no further remark, except those in the amateurs’ 
class, which were much the best flowered. 
Table Plants. —These are always good at Shrewsbury, the plants 
generally being of small size, neat, and well-coloured. Messrs. Jones 
and Sons, Shrewsbury, took the lead with a grand lot, the most striking 
being Croton interruptus aureus and C. majesticus, Dracaena gracilis, 
Pandanus. Veitchii, Cocos Weddelliana, Aralia gracillima, and A. 
elegantissima. Mr. Farrant was a good second, and staged a beauti¬ 
ful Croton Johannis, Geonoma gracilis, and Yucca filamentosa varie- 
gata. Mr. W. Pratt followed closely with neat and even plants. 
There were six competitors, all staging well. 
Groups. —These occupied the left hand side of the large plant tent, 
and created considerable interest, as the competition was good and 
keen, seven or eight groups being staged. They were arranged for 
effect on a space not exceeding 100 square feet, and were on the 
whole more tastefully disposed than we have seen them at this 
Society’s previous exhibitions. Mr. Pratt won chief honours with 
a light and effective group of choice plants. Most of the groups 
contained a number of flowering plants, but in Mr. Pratt’s there was 
none. The principal objects of the group were Crotons, Thomsonii 
grandly coloured, Disraeli, Johannis, Andreanus, and Evansianus; 
Aralias, Palms, and Dracaenas rising out of a groundwork of Ferns, 
small Crotons, Coleuses, Caladiums, and edged with Panicum varie- 
gatum, Sonerilas, and a number of well-berried Nertera depressa. 
Messrs. Pritchard & Sons, Frankwell Nurseries, were second with a 
rather heavier group, and Mr. J. W. Pritchard, 63, New Street, third. 
In the class for fifty miscellaneous plants grown in 5-inch pots, not 
less than thirty in bloom, there were four competitors ; the ex¬ 
hibits were arranged on narrow stages, and added materially to the 
effect of the large tent. Messrs. Jones & Sons took the lead, having 
a number of Odontoglossums, Dendrobiums, and Cattleyas ; several 
Rhododendron Princess Royal were also in flower. Messrs. Pritchard 
and Sons were second with a grand assortment of well-grown small 
plants, and would, but for the few Orchids in the first-prize collection, 
have had a higher position. Mr. H. Purser was awarded the remain¬ 
ing prize. 
Zonal Pelargoniums. —These constituted an imposing feature in the 
large tent, the plants being of moderate size and fresh, with very 
large trusses of flowers. In the class for six doubles Messrs. Oldroyd 
and Co. were first with well-flowered examples of Madame Thibaut, 
Prince Noir, Adelaide de Blanche, Wonderful, and Asa Giey. Messrs. 
Pritchard ife Sons were second, having a good Sylvia and Victor Lemoine. 
Mr. J. R. Jones third with larger but not such well-flowered plants. 
In the corresponding amateurs’ class for three plants, Messrs. L. B. 
Burd and H. Owen were the prizetakers, both staging very neat 
plants. For six singles Messrs. Oldroyd & Co. were again first, show¬ 
ing Hettie, Mrs. Vickers, Pirate, Lady Sheffield, Ellen, and Turner’s 
Bride, all good. Mr. J. R. Jones was second, having a good John 
Gibbons and Arthur Rogers, Messrs. Pritchard ife Sons were third. 
There were four entries. For three plants H. H. Treasure, Esq., first 
with good plants not named ; Mr. H. Owen second, having a grand 
plant of White Vesuvius ; Mr. L. Burd followed, having a fresh well- 
flowered plant of Henry Jacoby. 
Ferns. —Though not extensively shown the plants were large in the 
open classes and in excellent condition. For nine exotic Ferns Mr. 
Cypher staged large well-grown specimens of Woodwardia radicans 
cristata, Gleichenia flabellata, 6 feet through ; Dicksonia antarctica, 
Microlepia hirta cristata, very fine; Gleichenia Speluncae, Cibotium 
princeps, Davallia Mooreana, and a grand Adiantum trapeziforme. Mr. 
