August 26, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER , 
181 
Pearson, Pursar, and Thurtle. The Auditors are Mr. R. Pool and Mr. 
V. C. L. Crump ; the Hon. Treasurers, Mr. W. Phillips and Mr. J. Vine. 
_ Three marquees were devoted to the exhibits, the most spacious con¬ 
taining the specimen plants ; the next, which was much longer but not so 
wide or lofty, contained the fruit, vegetables, and flowers; and the third was 
appropriated to the cottagers. The great feature of the Show as regards 
numbers and quality was the fruit, of which a grand display was provided, 
no less than 290 bunches of Grapes being staged, a total that is seldom 
equalled even at International Shows. 
Plants. —At mid-August shows we do not expect to find very extensive 
displays of flowering stove and greenhouse plants, as the large specimens 
that take such an important place at the earlier shows are past their b.st, 
and those that succeed them are generally of a less effective character. It 
was therefore Bomewhat surprising to find so many fine specimens at Shrews¬ 
bury when the season for such plants has almost concluded. A magnificent 
marquee was devoted to the principal plant classes, and it may be here 
remarked that there is a point often overlooked in providing tents for the 
exhibits—namely, they are frequently too small, and the plants in conse¬ 
quence have a crowded appearance. The Shrewsbury marquee, however, 
was well proportioned, nearly 300 feet long, 70 or 80 feet broad, and very 
lofty, the result being that the huge Cheltenham specimens could be Been 
to the best advantage. The groups arranged for effect and other plants 
were similarly satisfactory, and the general display excellent. 
The large specimens were chiefly shown in the class for twenty stove 
and greenhouse plants (ten foliage and ten in flower), for which prizes of 
£25, £20, and £15 were offered. In accordance with the regulation in force 
at this Show, Mr. J. Cypher of Cheltenham was enabled to secure two of 
these awards—the first and third, and very few, if any, plant cultivators 
could stage forty specimens as well grown and fresh as these were. The 
honours were tu refore well merited, but it is questionable if the principle is 
a good one, and it certainly has a tendency to check other exhibitors from 
entering when an especially strong competitor is in the lists. Mr. Cypher’s 
first-prize collection comprised grand examples of the following, which have 
won him many honours at previous shows : Dasylirion acrotrichum, Kenlia 
canterburyana, Thrinax elegans, Latania borbonica, Cycas revoluta, Areca 
Baueri, Crotons Queen Victoria, mijesticus, Bvansianus, and Johannis, all 
well coloured, but the last-named remarkably so. The best flowering plants 
were Ericas ampullacea Barnesi, Irbyana, and Eweriana flowering most 
profusely, Statice Gilberti, Ixora Fraseri, Allamanda nobilis, Dipladenia 
nybrida, Stephanotis floribunda, and Cattleya crispa with three racemes of 
six flowers each. Mr. C. Roberts, gardener to A. Nicholson, Esq., Highfield 
Hall, Leek, was placed second with very meritorious plants, not quite so 
large as those from Cheltenham, but healthy neat specimens admirably 
adapted for exhibition. They included the following : Dipladenia profusa, 
a globular specimen capitally flowered ; Clerodendron Balfourianum of 
similar size and shape; Erica Shannoni, fresh and well flowered; Ixora 
Williamsi 4 feet in diameter ; Dipladenia splendens, fine flowers; Ixora 
coccinea, Phcenocoma prolifera Barnesi, Gloriosa superba trained in globular 
form, 4 feet in diameter, and bearing numbers of its bright and curious 
flowers. Ixora javanica was also good amongst the flowering plants. The 
foliage specimens comprised strong plants of Cycas revoluta with a crown 
of fruit-bearing leaves, Dion edule, Croton variegatus 8 feet in diameter, an 
immense specimen ; Croton majesticus 6 or 7 feet in diameter, highly 
coloured ; Asparagus plumosus,Encephalartos villosus, Croton angustifolius, 
and Thrinax elegans. Mr. Cypher’s third-prize collection contained some 
smaller specimens, but clean and bright; Htemanthus magnificus with ten 
heads of flowers, Croton Johannis, Dipladenia amabilis, Gleichenia Mendeli, 
Ixora Westi, and Allamanda Hendersoni being especially noteworthy. 
An open class was also provided for nine stove and greenhouse plants, 
but exhibitors in class 1 were debarred from competing in this. The prizes 
were £10, £t>,and £4, which were gained by Mr. C. Roffill, gardener to H. 
Lovatt, Esq., Low Hill, Shrewsbury, Messrs. Pritchard and Sons, Shrewsbury, 
and Mr. J. Farrant, gardener to Mrs. Juson, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, 
in the order named. Mr. Roffill’s principal plants were excellent samples 
of Allamanda Hendersoni, 3 feet in diameter, very healthy ; Bougainvillea 
glabra 4 feet in diameter, Erica ampullacea 3 feet across, Lapageria rosea, 
and Erica ampullacea. One of Messrs. Pritchard’s best plants was Erica 
Marnockiana 2J feet in diameter ; Mr. Farrant having Erica remula and 
Franciscea calycina in good condition. In the gentlemen’s gardeners’ class 
for six stove oi greenhouse plants, not less than four in flower, Mr. C - 
Roberts was first, showing Croton Baroness Rothschild, beautifully coloured; 
Clerodendron Balfourianum, Dipladenia amabilis, Kalosanthes coccinea, 
Allamanda nobilis, and Latania borbonica, excellent, fresh, and well grown 
plants. Mr. Roffill and Mr. E. Sheppard, gardener to the Misses Banner- 
man, Roden Hall, followed, both showing neat specimens. For six plants in 
flower Mr. C. Roberts took the lead with a most meritorious half-dozen, 
including Bougainvillea glabra, Erica Marnockiana, Lapageria alba, Alla¬ 
manda Hendersoni, Erica tricolor superba, and Dipladenia Brearleyana. 
Mr. J. Cypher’s plants were not many points behind the first, and Mr. C. 
Roberts was a good third, these three collections being capital models of 
good culture. 
Fuchsias are too seldom seen at exhibitions in their best condition like 
they are shown in the neighbourhood of Bath and the west of England gene¬ 
rally. It was therefore quite pleasing to see them so well represented in 
quality at Shrewsbury, though only by a few collections. In the class for 
four Messrs. Pritchard & Sons won the first and second prizes with tall 
conical specimens 6 to 7 feet high and 4 or 5 feet in diameter at the base, 
well clothed with foliage, and flowering abundantly. The varieties in the 
first collection were Beauty of Wilts, filegance, Mrs. Marshall, and Mrs. 
Huntley. In the second collection, which were rather smaller, the varieties 
were Earl of Beaconsfield, Royal Standard, Puritana, and Venus de Medici. 
In another class (in the cut flower tent) for three Fuchsias, shown by 
amateurs, Mr. W. Wyley, Council House, Shrewsbury, and Mr. John Barker, 
were the winners, the latter taking second and third prizes, but none of the 
specimens was so fine as those in the previous class. 
Zonal Pelargoniums formed a bright addition to the floral attractions of 
the large marquee, and all the leading prizes were secured by Messrs. 
Pritchard & Sons, who had both single and double Zonal varieties in good 
condition, some of the plants being 4 feet in diam-.t r and covered with 
flowers. Of the single Zmals the Rev. Atkinson, Lady Bailey, Lizzie 
Brooks, and Mrs. W. Paul were notable ; while among the doubles, Candi- 
dissimum plenum, F. V. Raspail, Wonderful, Madame Thibaut, and Sylvia 
were the best varieties. Mr. E. Shepherd was awarded a third prize in 
the double Zonal class with smaller plants. Messrs. Pritchard were also 
the principal exhibitors of Tuberous Begonias, being first and second with 
good varieties. 
Several excellent collections of Ferns were entered in competition, their 
bright green fronds making a refreshing bank near the end of the marquee. 
For six exotic Ferns Mr. J. Farrant won the chief prize with Cyathea 
medullaris, a magnificent specimen, having enormous fronds. Adiantum 
crrdiochloena, Davallia Mooreana, a Nephrolepis, Adiantum excisum, and 
Dicksonia antarctma were also good examples, and, like Ferns always 
should be seen at exhibitions, fresh and vigorous. Mr. R. Milner, gardener 
to the Rev. J. D. Corbet, Sundorne Castle, and Mr. J. Lambrrt, gardener 
the Colonel Wingfield, Onslow House, Shrewsbury, were second and third 
respectively, the former with a fine Neottopteris and the latter with Micro- 
lepia hirta-cristata in excellent condition. In the open cla-s for the same 
number of Ferns Mr. J. Lambert was first, showing half a dozen admirable 
plants, Hymenophyllum demissum, Adiantum cuneatum, Davallia Mooreana, 
Alsophila australis, and a Neottopteris attracting especial attention. Mr. 
Cypher had the second prize six, in which were Gymnogramma Alstoni, 
Gleichenia Mendeli, and Davallia fijiensis in fine condition. Messrs. 
Pritchard & Sons following, shoving Platycerium alcicorne and Gleichenia 
dichotoma very good. 
Classes were provided for Dracaenas, Coleuses, and Caladiums, in which 
there were several entries, the Dracaenas being especially well grown. Mr. 
J. Lambert was first and third with six varieties of the latter, the plants 
3 to 4 feet high and finely coloured. Baptisti, Anerleyensis, Amabilis, 
Thomsoni, Gladstonei, and W’esmanni were the varieties represented in 
the first-prize collection. Mr. E. Shepherd was awarded the second prize 
for similar plants, except that they were not so well coloured. Mr. J. Laing, 
Cherry Orchard, Shrewsbury, was placed first with four Coleuses, bright 
and well coloured, Mr. R. Milner being second with neat conical highly 
coloured plants. Messrs. Pritchard & Sons took the lead with six Caladiums, 
each about 3 feet high. Mr. C. Roffill was second with large and prefer¬ 
able specimens ; Mr. Farrant being third with smaller and more irregular 
plants. 
The groups in the large marquee were very tasteful, and were distin¬ 
guished by a certain similarity of style that was rather remarkable. In all 
the predominating plants were Ferns, chiefly Adiantums, and the irregular 
“ mound and dell ” style of arrangement was adopted, something like the 
groups of Ferns occasionally seen at Manchester and some of the southern 
shows, as at Brighton, for instance. The employment of a few flowering 
plants, however, added greatly to the beauty of the groups, and the only 
point that could be seriously objected to in any of them was the mirrors 
which were used in one of the third prize groups, a piece of artificiality that 
spoiled an otherwise artistic and tasteful arrangement. Messrs. Pritchard 
and Sons secured first honours with a group mainly composed of Adiantums, 
forming a dense irregularly mounded groundwork, from which arose a few 
Cocos Weddelliana and other elegant Palms, variegated Grasses, narrow¬ 
leaved Crotons, Caladium argyrites, and a few handsome Odontoglossum 
Alexandras and cirrhosum. This was most informal, fresh, and beautiful. 
Messrs. Jones & Son were awarded the second and third prizes for tasteful 
arrangements, but more flowering plants were employed, and the objection¬ 
able mirrors were in the third prize group. Messrs. Pritchard & Sons were 
also awarded an equal third for an elegant group, differing principally from 
the others in the cork stems used and covered with Panicum and 
Adiantums. 
These completed the exhibits in the large marquee, the other competing 
collections being arranged in the fruit and flower tent. For a group of 
fifty miscellaneous plants Messrs. Pritchard & Sons were first and second, 
shovvingsmallexamples of Begonias, Ixoras, Odontoglossums, Bougainvilleas, 
Vincas, Heliotropes, Pelargoniums, &c., which formed a bright display and 
occupied considerable space on one of the side stages. Messrs. Jones & Son, 
who were third, also had a good showy collection. Dr. E. Burd, Newport 
House, the Hon. Major-General Herbert, Prestfeld, and H. Owen, Esq., 
were the prizetakers for twenty-five miscellaneous plants, each showing neat 
little sp-cimens. With twelve table plants Mr. J. Lambert won first honours 
for excellent graceful samples, admirably adapted for the purpose. Those 
represented were Dracaena Duke of Connaught, Croton variegatus, Croton 
Heathi elegans, Croton angustifolius, Croton interruptus aureus, Croton 
Disraeli, Croton Chelsoni, Cocos Weddelliana, Aralia Veitchi, Pandanus 
Veitchi, and Dracaena Guilfoylei. Messrs. Jones & Son and Mr. J. Farrant 
were second and third in the order named, both showing neat plants. 
Cut Flowers. —One side of the long tent containing the fruit, vege¬ 
tables, die., was devoted to the cut flowers in competition, and a hamdsome 
display they produced. Roses for so late in the season were very bright and 
of good quality, especially so being the first twenty-four from Messrs. Perkins 
and Son, Coventry. Mr. E. Murrell, Shrewsbury, also showed well in the 
same class, taking the second prize; while with eighteens Mr. W. Stubbs of 
Nantwich, Messrs. Burrell & Co., Cambridge, and E. Wright, Esq., Halston, 
were the prizetakers. Dahlias were capitally represented, Messrs. Heath 
and Son, Cheltenham, winning first honours for a superb stand of thirty-six 
blooms, the majority of which were in grand exhibition form, distinguished 
by their symmetry, clear bright colours, and good substance. As one of the 
first good stands yet shown we give the names of the best varieties included : 
J. Service, Mrs. Hobbs, Flag of Truce, John Downie, Mrs. Langtry, James 
Huntley, Mrs. Harris, James Vick, Henry Walters, John Bennett, Constancy 
Queen of York, Lady G. Herbert, Champion Rollo, Prince Bismarck, Harrisi n 
Weir, Henry Bond, Gaiety, Statesman, Mrs. Gladstone, Reporter, Mrs. 
Stancombe, G. Rawlings, Goldfinder, Royal Purple, Vice-Pre-ident, James 
Cocker, Hugh Austen, J. C. Reade, Muriel, and W. H. Williams. Mr. W. 
Shaw, Blakebrooke, was second and third in the same class, and Messrs. 
Heath & Son were again first with twenty-four Dahlias, followed by the same 
exhibitor. The Rev. J. H. E. Charles, Severn Villa, also showed well. Asters 
were numerous and good, particularly those from Mr. A. Myers, Shrewsbury. 
Gladioli were well represented by collections from Messrs. Burrell & Co., 
and W. Shaw ; the prizes for hardy flowers being secured by Messrs. 
Burrell & Co., Pritchard & Son, Heath & Sons, in the order named. Messrs. 
Pearson & Sous had a beautiful collection of Zonal Pelargoniums for which 
