2 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 1, 1886. 
THE EXHIBITION. 
The Schedule was carefully considered and deserves a few remarks, as the 
classes have been framed to render it as representative as possible, and the 
prizes throughout are of liberal amounts, the total being £1200. Taking 
them in the order of arrangement, the first sixty are devoted to plants, 
the premier class being that for twelve stove and greenhouse plants, six in 
flower and six foliage, for which £20, £15, and £10 constitute the first, 
second, and third prizes. That is open to all exhibitors, but the next for 
nine specimens is confined to nurserymen, and the third for six to 
amateurs, the prizes in both being of the same amounts—namely £10, 
£7, and £5. Hardwooded New Holland plants in flower do not often 
have a class set apart for them, but this is done at Liverpool, and if other 
Societies provided some encouragement for these beautiful greenhouse 
plants it would serve to re-awaken an interest in their culture. Fine- 
foliage plants invariably form an important portion of large exhibitions, 
and including Ferns, Crotons, Palms, Dracaenas, Caladiums, and 
Coleuses, firteen classes are appropriated to them the prizes ranging from 
£10 to £1. Orchids constitute another important feature, liberal provision 
having been made for these plants for a group of twenty-fitje 
arranged with Palms and Ferns, the prizes are £20, £15, and £10. 
Two classes are also provided for twelve exotic Orchids from amateurs 
and nurserymen respectively, the prizes being £15, £10, and £7. There 
is an amateurs’ class for six Orchids, with £8, £6, and £4 a3 prizes ; 
while the Liverpool Horticultural Company offered a cup value twenty- 
five guineas and ten guineas in cash for the best twelve Orchids in 
flower. Then still following the order of the schedule are two classes for 
new and rare plants not in commerce (nurserymen), or sent out during 
1884, '85 and ’86 (open). Bromeliads, Nepenthes, Ericas, Azaleas, Roses, 
Clematises, Rhododendrons, Pelargoniums, Fuchsia?, Tuberous Begonias, 
Gloxinias, Liliums, hardy plants, ornamental trees and shrubs, and groups 
of plants are all specially provided for, the prizes ranging from £i2 
to £1. 
Cut flowers have twenty classes devoted to them, seven of which are 
for Roses, the great class being that for seventy-two blooms, the first 
prize £8, the second £6, and the third £4. Three are for Pelargoniums, 
and the others comprise Orchids, stove and greenhouse flowers, hardy 
flowers, Gloxinias, &c. The table decorations and bouquets constitute an 
interesting section of twelve classes, the first for a dinner-table 10 feet by 
5 feet laid for eight persons, the prizes £8, £5, and £3. Table plants, 
vases, bouquets, and flower sprays are also well provided for. 
To fruit twenty-two classes are appropriated, two being devoted to 
collections, one for eight kinds, including black and white Grapes, and 
the other for six kinds excluding Grapes and Pine Apples. Seven classes 
are enumerated for Grapes, Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, Muscat 
of Alexandria, Foster’s Seedling, and Buckland Sweetwater having a class 
each, three bunches being required of the varieties, and the prizes are the 
same—namely £3, £2, and £1. Pine Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, Straw¬ 
berries, Cherries, Figs, and Melons constitute other features in the same 
section. For vegetables there are twelve classes, the leading one for a 
collection of eight distinct kinds (£6, £4, and £3) attracting the most 
attention, together with that for the best collection of garden produce to 
include plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables, arranged in a space of 100 
square feet (prizes £5, £3, and £2). The latter is an innovation intended 
to give gardeners an opportunity of exhibiting who could not enter the 
large special classes. Several prizes are contributed by Messrs. James 
Carter & Co., High Holborn, for Melons and Peas ; Messrs. Sutton and 
Son, Reading, for vegetables and Melons; and Messrs. Webb & Son, Stour¬ 
bridge, for Peas and Melons, which induced many competitors to enter. A 
novel class is provided for illustrations of horticulture on board ship, with 
examples of plants, vegetables, &c., grown on ships and the appliances 
used, lor which medals were offered according to the merit of the exhibits. 
Another large section is that for horticultural and botanical literature, 
science, and art, the exhibits in which are classed in four divisions, but no 
prizes were offered. The first division is for the literature of gardening, 
including British and Colonial periodical works, educational books for 
young gardeners, standard reference works, books illustrative of the 
history of gardening and botany, foreign garden literature, models, 
diagrams, and apparatus suitable for the instruction of gardeners in 
chemistry, physics, or vegetable physiology, and specimens illustrating the 
methods of grafting and budding. The second division is devoted to 
technical avt, including plans of gardens and parks, garden structures, &c.; 
and the third division is for botanical and decorative art, comprising 
drawings of flowers and fruits, photographs, chromo-lithographs, drawings 
in water or oil, and flower painting on terra-cotta vases, tiles, plates, &c., 
for which silver-gilt, silver and bronze Banksian medals were offered. 
A very important portion of the schedule is that for implements, 
garden structures, tools, and appliances, and considerable space is devoted 
to the exhibits in the twenty-one classes, which comprise a great variety 
of subjects, the awards consisting of certificates and medals. The boiler 
trial, of which the results will be described, was also a very interesting 
feature in this section, 
THE LARGE PLANT MARQUEE. 
One of the great features of the Exhibition is the marquee described 
on page land represented on page 5. A most diversified and beautiful 
appearance is presented by the groups and collections in this marquee, 
which are displayed to the best advantage, the only drawback being that 
the canvas is somewhat dark, but in bright weather this was not so notice¬ 
able. The general effect would have been much improved if the eaves of 
the spans bad been higher, and if less timber had been employed, or it had 
been of a lighter character. 
The entrance to the marquee is at the southern end, and passing in that 
way the first group which attracts prominent attention is that from Messrs. 
R. P. Ker it Sons, Liverpool, of which the principal features are the mag¬ 
nificent Crotons, which in colouring could not be surpassed, and many are 
also of considerable size, all very healthy and handsome, 5 to 6 feet high, 
and as much in diameter. Facing the entrance is a group of miscellaneous 
flowering plants; at the left-hand side are groups of hardy flowers and 
dwarf Roses in pots from Mr. C. Turner, Slough ; while on the right are 
several collections of Tuberous Begonias and a circular group of Palms, 
Crotons, and miscellaneous foliage plants from Messrs. F. and A. Dickson 
and Sons. Following the path to the right the visitor passes the exhibits in 
the classes for stove and greenhouse plants, including beautiful examples 
of Dipladenias, Ixoras, Ericas, Anthurium Schertzerianum, Clerodendrone, 
and Allamandas, which furnish a variety of rich colours. Then come 
groups of stately Palms, well-coloured Crotons, large vigorous Gleichenias, 
and Coleuses. A fine collection of Palms forms the end group, and from 
these towards the entrance (still round the side) are Pelargoniums, both 
show and zonal varieties, hardwooded plants; and Messrs. Laing A Co.’s 
brillliant Tuberous Begonias from Forest Hill. Turning to the centre of 
the marquee it will be noticed that there are four crescent-shaped beds, 
two of these on the right hand side being devoted to groups from Messrs. 
J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, and Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway ; and 
the other two are occupied with the Orchids in competition, which make a 
charming display. Messrs. Yeitch & Sons’ group contains a choice assort¬ 
ment of new and rare plants, some large specimens of (the lovely Hydrangea 
paniculata grandiflora being very noticeable, bearing numerous large 
trusses of white flowers. 
In the foreground are some beautiful Gloxinias, arranged with Adian- 
tums most tastefully, and graceful plants of Asparagus plumosus, with a 
background of grand specimens of Anthurium Veitchi and others. Mr. 
B. S. Williams’s group contains an excellent selection of Orchids, about ICO 
being included, and there are also some of the best new stove and green¬ 
house plants, together with well-grown representatives of older and better- 
known useful plants. The Orchids in the competing collections are very 
handsome, and form a charming feature in the centre of the marquee, a 
most tasteful system of arrangement being adopted with the majority. 
Ferns are freely employed, especially Adiantums,wiih excellent effect, their 
light green graceful fronds contrasting admirably with the bright or soft 
tints of the Orchids. Occupying the centre of the tent is a pool of water 
and rockery constructed by Mr. Clapham of Stockport, which, though very 
unpretentious, is most artistic and natural in appearance. Huge slabs of 
imitation red sandstone are irregularly disposed, jutting out into the water 
and upon these are planted Ferns, Aspidistras, Cotoneasters, and other suit¬ 
able plants. 
The large terminal space shown near the end of the plan is occupied 
with Orchids at the front at the lowest part of the slope, with small Palms 
in the centre with tall Fuchsias and Messrs. Laing & Co.’s splendid specimen 
Caladiums, some of the best grown plants that are seen at txhibitions now. 
Near the entrance on the right hand side of the tent Messrs. W. <fe J. Birken¬ 
head, Sale, Manchester, have one of their charmingly fresh groups of Ferns, 
which comprise a great number of sp eies of Adinntums, Pterises, Selagi- 
nellas, GI ichenias, Osmundas, and others. A pan of the violet-scented 
Nephrodium fiagrans was noticeable, the plant being Very healthy. 
Having given a brief outline of the appearance of the exhibits in the 
large tent we may refer to the classes in detail. 
STOYE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
The principal class was that for twelve specimens, six in flower and six 
foliage, and the entries in this formed a grand bank at the side of the 
marquee. The premier honours are accorded to Mr. James Cypher, Chel¬ 
tenham, for his customary grand specimens in magnificent health and of 
great size The flowering plants are Erica Cavendishiana, 5 fe t high and 
as much in diameter ; Allamanda Hendersoni, over 5 feet in diameter and 
well flowered ; Erica tricolor Wilsoni, 4 feet in diameter, very even and 
admirably trained; Anthurium Scheitzerianum, extremely vigorous, with 
forty-four bright spathes; Dipladenia amabilis, globular in form and 
bearing some charmingly coloured flowers ; Ixora regina, 4 feet across, 
with fine trusses of flowers. The foliage plants comprise Cycas revoluta, 
Kentia Canterburyana,andLataniaborbonica very large,and Kentia australis 
graceful. The second plac - is taken by Mr. J. Mould. Pewsey, Wilts, with 
smaller but very fresh and beautiful plants. Dipladenia amabilis, Ixora 
coccinea, Erica Fairrieana, Stephanotis floribunda, and Bougainvillea glabra 
are the most remarkable for their bright healthy condition. Mr. Henry 
James, Cabtle Nursery, Lower Norwood, is third with good specimens, but 
not so fresh as the others ; Pimelea, mirabilis, 4 feet in diameter, being the 
best plant in bis dozen. 
In class 2, for nine specimens in flower, Mr. Cypher is again victorious 
with most beautiful brightly coloured examples of Ixoras Pilgrimi and 
Williamsi, Allamanda Hendersoni, Pimelea deeussata, Anthurium Schert¬ 
zerianum, and Cypher’s Allamanda nobilis, Erica Cavendishiana, and 
Azalea Brilliant. These plants, which are slightly smaller than those in the 
preceding class, are some of the brightest and best in the Show, and as they 
occupy a prominent position on a mound they are very effective. _ Mr. .H. 
James is second, Rondeletia speciosa major and Dracopbyllum gracile being 
the most praiseworthy plants. 
In the amateurs’ class fer six specimens Mr. A. R. Cox, gardener to 
W. H. Watts, Esq., Elm Hall, Liverpool, is deservedly awarded the first 
priz j for well-grown plants, including three Ixoras regin®, Dixiana, and 
coccim a, the last named a fine mass of flowers and foliage nearly 6 feet in 
diameter and as healthy as could be desired ; Statice Holfordi, mest 
vigorous ; Allamanda Hendersoni, Ixora Dixiana, and Clerodendron Bal- 
fouriauum being the other plants. Mr. Charles Paul, gardener to S. Schloss, 
Esq., Osborn Villa, Bowden, takes the second prize with healthy plants, a 
Stephanotis 5 feet high and conical in form and Boronia elat or beiDg the 
two finest plants 
Heaths.— Six neat specimen Ericas are shown by Mr. J. Cypher, who 
secures the first prize with them ; E. Parmentieriana, E. tricolor Wilsoni, 
E. ventrico-a grandiflora, E. depressa, E. ampuilacea obbata, and E. ferru- 
ginea, all capitally flowered, being the varieties represented. 
Feiins. —An amateurs’ ass for six exotic Ferns is provided, in which 
