182 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 26, 1880. 
and Balsams were poorly represented ; Mr. R. W. Withers, Mr. B. 
Blyth, and Mrs. Shuker taking the principal prizes. 
In the class for twelve table plants, pots not to exceed 6 inches, 
eight collections were staged, and the whole were good and much 
admired, Mr. Pratt gaining first honours with beautiful even plants 
about 8 to 10 inches high, some of the most noticeable being Croton 
Prince of Wales, Aralia Veitchii gracillima, Dracaena Ernesti, Areca 
aurea, Dracaena Guilfoylei, Croton interruptus aureus (a new light 
elegant form, recently sent out by Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, 
Edinburgh), Geonoma gracilis, and a well-coloured Croton angusti- 
folius ; Mr. Farrant gaining second prize with rather larger plants, 
the neatest being Aralia Veitchii and Croton Wiesmani. C. C. Coales, 
Esq. (Mr. Davies), was awarded the third prize. Messrs. F. & A. 
Dickson and Sons and Mr. Cypher were also exhibitors in this class. 
For a collection of fifty miscellaneous plants in 5-inch pots, thirty 
in bloom. Six lots were staged in this class, and arranged upon 
staging 4 feet wide in the large plant tent. These collections were 
very effective, and excited much attention. Messrs. Pritchard & Sons 
were first with a choice assortment of Palms, Liliums, Heaths, 
Coleuses, Ferns, Caladiums, Bouvardias, Fuchsias, Petunias, Dra¬ 
caenas, &c.; second Mr. H. H. Treasure (Mr. Cooper) with a similar 
assortment; Achimenes and Vallotas were most striking, Messrs. 
Pritchard & Sons secured the third prize. 
Ferns. —These were not numerous, but really good specimens were 
exhibited. For nine exotic specimens Mr. J. Cypher was first with 
Davallia Mooreana, 8 feet through ; Alsophila elegantissima, Adian- 
tum cardiochlajna, Cibotium regale, and Gleichenia speluncse. Second 
Mr. Williams, with fine plants of Gleichenia rupestris, G. Mendelli, 
G. dichotoma. Third Mr. Pratt, with good examples of Adiantum 
amabilis and Nephrolepis davallioides. For six exotic Ferns Mr. 
Warrender was first with plants about 5 feet in diameter of Also- 
phila australis, Adiantum trapeziforme, A. formosum, Phlebodium 
aureum, and Microlepia hirta cristata. Second Mr. Farrant, the most 
noteworthy being Cyathea medullaris and Lomaria gibba. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were principally arranged in the large plant 
tent, and added materially to the general effect of the Show. Messrs. 
James Yeitcli & Sons, Chelsea, staged a most attractive group of 
plants, principally in small pots, including several Orchids in flower. 
Rhododendrons, such as Princess Royal; Coleuses were repre¬ 
sented by G. Simpson, Mrs. Geo. Simpson, Dean Swift, and others. 
Isolepis elegantissima was also shown quite distinct, and an im¬ 
provement upon the species. Nepenthes, Crotons, Dracaenas, Lilium 
auratum dotted in the group, and many other valuable plants com¬ 
pleted the collection. Messrs. James Dickson & Sons also staged an 
interesting collection of plants in 5 and G-inch pots, including Palms, 
Dracaenas, Crotons, and Bertolonias of the newest types. The same 
firm also showed a very fine box of Roses, not for competition, con¬ 
taining the finest blooms in the Show. Messrs. F. & A. Dickson and 
Sons, The Upton Nurseries, also staged effective collections of stove 
and greenhouse plants, and groups of choice shrubs in pots, with 
plants of Lilium auratum, and fine boxes of Nertera depressa, the 
plants crowded with their bright berries. Messrs. Pritchard & Sons 
a’so exhibited groups of plants, including Ferns, Achimenes, Cala¬ 
diums, &c. Messrs. Oldroyd & Co. sent groups principally of Ferns, 
Palms, and small Zonal Pelargoniums in flower. Messrs. Jones and 
Sons, Coton Hill, also staged similar groups. 
Cut Flowers. —These were shown in quantity and in capital condi¬ 
tion, especially the bouquets, Dahlias, Gladioli, and Phloxes. Roses 
were not very numerous, but in fair condition considering the lateness 
of the season. In the class for thirty-six, Mr. Griffiths, Hereford, 
showed good blooms of Mdlle. Victor Verdier, Alfred Colomb, 
Niphetos, Belle Lyonnaise, and Francois Michelon, and was awarded 
the first pi'ize; the second going to Messrs. F. & A. Dickson and 
Sons, their best blooms being Lord Macaulay, Marie Baumann, Mdlle. 
Marie Rady, and Charles Lefebvre. For twenty-four blooms the 
successful exhibitors were Mr. G. H. Berrington, Ludlow, and Mr. W. 
Shaw, Blakebrook. the first-prize lot having good blooms of Black 
Prince, Reynolds Hole, Niphetos, and Baronne de Rothschild. For 
nine blooms Mr. Berrington was again first, Mr. C. Crump second, and 
Mr. G. Townsend third. For thirty-six Dahlias, distinct, Mr. Shaw 
gained the first prize with fine even blooms, those of John Bennett, 
Burgundy. Duke of Edinburgh, Flag of Truce, Victory, and Oracle 
being really beautiful. Mr. Griffiths of Hereford was second with 
blooms nearly equal to the first-prize stand, but smaller in size ; 
his best examples were Norfolk Hero, Donald Beaton, Vice-President, 
Lord Napier, Charles Wyatt, Monarch, and Rev. J. B. M. Camm. For 
twenty-four Dahlia blooms, first, Mr. J. Sparke, Breadenheath ; J. 
Bodenham, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Lawrence), second, with much the 
same varieties as those enumerated. Mr. Shaw and Messrs. Jones and 
Sons were the principal exhibitors of Gladioli, and staged some fine 
spikes. In the class for twelve trusses of stove and greenhouse 
flowers Mr. Pratt was first with fine fresh examples of red and 
white Lapagerias, Stephanotis, Ixoras, Dipladenias, Ericas, and others. 
Second, Messrs. Pritchard & Sons ; equal second, Messrs. Jones and 
Sons ; third, Sir C. Rouse, Broughton. Twelve bunches of hardy 
flowers, Messrs. R. W. Withers, Townsend, and Jones, were the prize- 
takers in the order named ; the chief prizewinners in the classes for 
Phloxes being Messrs. Pritchard & Sons, Messrs. Oldroyd & Co., and 
Mr. R. Cooper. In the classes for Stocks, Carnations, Marigolds, and 
Pansies, Messrs. Shaw, Myers, Phillips, Cooper, Shuker, and Mrs. 
Hunter were the successful exhibitors. The bouquets were good and 
numerous. For the bridal bouquet Messrs. Jones & Sons gained the 
first prize ; Mr. IL Jones, Coton Hill, second ; and Mr. Cypher, third. 
For the ball bouquets the same exhibitors gained honours in the order 
stated. 
Fruit. —This was shown extensively and well, principally by local 
exhibitors. R. C. Naylor, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Hanagan), staged 
some excellent fruit in the collection of nine dishes, including good 
Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, Madresfield Court being well coloured 
and large in the berry; fine Grosse Mignonne Peaches, Pitmaston 
Orange Nectarines, Jargonelle Pears, White Heart Cherry, Brown 
Turkey Figs, Green Gage Plums, and Bloxholm Hall Melon. Mr. 
Pratt was second with a good collection, including fine Black Ham¬ 
burgh and Foster’s Seedling Grapes. Mr. Warrender was third. For 
the collection of Grapes an extra prize was given by Lord Hill. Mr - . 
Pratt obtained the first prize with good well-finished bunches of 
Black Damascus, Black Hamburghs, and Madresfield Court; G. D. 
Lees, Esq., second with Black Hamburghs, Alicante, andLady Downe’s; 
Lord Forester, Willey Hall (Mr. Stevens), also staged good examples. 
Seven collections were staged in the class for white Grapes—first, 
Viscount Boyne (Mr. W. Boddy), with fine large bunches of Muscat 
of Alexandria ; second, Sir C. Rouse, Broughton (Mr. Bean), with fine 
bunches of Buckland Sweetwater. Mr. Pratt was first with a Pine 
Apple with a large fruit of Charlotte Rothschild. Dish of Peaches, 
Sir F. Smythe, Bart. (Mr. J. Edwards), was first with large fruit of 
Albatross ; Mr. Shaw second with fine coloured Grosse Mignonne ; 
third, C. G. Wingfield, Esq. (Mr. J. Lambert). In the class for 
Nectarines Mr. Bean, Mr. Hanagan, and Mr. Warrender all showed 
Pitmaston Orange, the two first named staging very fine fruit. For 
a dish of green or yellow Plums, Mr. Hazledine, Lord Berwick, and 
J. Watson, Esq. (gardener, Mr. H. Purser), obtained the prizes. In 
the corresponding class for red or purple W. H. Harrison, Esq., and 
Mr. Williams, Ludlow, took the prizes. In the class for a green- 
fleshed Melon, first Lord Berwick, second Mr. Owen, third R. C. 
Naylor. For a scarlet-fleshed Melon, first, Mr. Owen, with Hero of 
Bath ; second, R. W. 0. Withers, Esq.; third, Miss Drownwood. 
Vegetables. —These were shown in great quantities, and from 
what we have seen at various shows this undoubtedly proved the 
best display of the year. The vegetables occupied three parts of 
the side staging round a tent 250 feet long, the stage being about 
3 feet G inches wide. In the class for a collection of vegetables, 
twelve varieties, there were fifteen entries. C. C. Coates, Esq., ob¬ 
tained the premier award, staging Snowball Turnip, Dell’s Beet, 
Schoolmaster Potatoes, Fulmer’s Forcing Bean, Telephone Peas, 
Clarke’s Red Celery, Veitch’s Autumn Giant Cauliflowers, Hathaway’s 
Excelsior Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrows, and Globe Arti¬ 
chokes. Second, R. C. Naylor, Esq., with the neatest and most suitable 
collection for table purposes in the Show; the best dishes being a 
fine brace of Telegraph Cucumbers, Marvel Peas, Early London 
Cauliflowers, Schoolmaster Potatoes, and good Intermediate Carrots. 
Third, Mr. Lambert. The Cucumbers and Celery were good in this 
collection. Good collections were also staged by Mr. Pratt, Lady 
L. H. Coates (J. McLean), and G. D. Lees, Esq. In the class for six 
dishes of Potatoes eighteen competitors appeared. Mr. Edwards gained 
the first prize with good examples of Beauty of Hebron, Porter’s 
Excelsior, International, Grampion,and Woodstock Kidney. Second, 
Rev. R. D. Corbett with Webb’s Surprise, Fox’s Seedling, the other 
varieties the same as mentioned above. Third, Mr. Lambert with 
similar varieties. In the class for three dishes equally as many were 
staged ; Mr. J. Williams, Rev. R. D. Corbett, and Mr. A. Myers 
taking the prizes. The prizes for Tomatoes were taken by Lord 
Berwick, Mr. Pratt, and Mr. J. Watson. The remaining vegetable 
prizes were well contested, and the principal prizetakers being the 
same as given in the other vegetable classes. 
Cottagers’ Classes. —This Society sets a good example to many 
others in providing in their schedule thirty-seven classes entirely 
devoted to cottagei-s, and a large tent 200 feet long was devoted to 
them. The plamts exhibited only require a passing note, but the 
inducement of prizes encourages the masses to grow window plants, 
and this is worthy of acknowledgment. The hardy cut flowers were 
numerous and very satisfactory. Vegetables and small fruits occupied 
the greater portion of the tent, the former being most numerous, 
especially Potatoes, some thirty competitors staging single dishes. 
Carrots, Parsnips, and Onions were really good, and in many cases 
much superior to some shown in the open and amateurs’ classes. 
The Committee deserve the warmest congratulations for the manner 
in which the Show was conducted ; and the improved system adopted 
over that of last year in placing the prize cards upon the exhibits. 
The success of the Society in a large measure is due to the indefati¬ 
gable exertions of the two Honorary Secretaries, Messrs. Adnitt and 
Naunton. 
EXHIBITING ORCHIDS. 
I, FOR one, quite agree with your correspondent “ N.” (page 
184), that the way Orchids are now exhibited requires serious 
consideration. If the system of bedding-out dwarf-growing 
Orchids at exhibitions is to be encouraged, by all means let there 
be a class or classes provided in the schedule for such ; and if 
single specimens be encouraged let the judges be empowered to 
use all legitimate means to detect made-up specimens: and where 
an attempt at fraud is detected, let the exhibit be at once 
