JuTy JO, 1893. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
59 
covered with various climbing plants, including Ampelopsis, Ivy, Roses, 
and the Grape Vine. An old orangery near the house is of exceptional 
interest, although Nature holds the sway on this beautiful place, but 
few attempts at artificial decoration being noticeable. In the gardens 
Vines, Peaches, and Cherries are evidently well cared for under glass, 
and fruit is extensively grown in the open air. Vegetables, too, form a 
feature, and it would appear that flowers for cutting are required in 
bulk. Carnations are extensively grown, as also are other plants that 
give an abundance of blossom. At G P.M. visitors partook of tea in the 
hall, and at 8 P.M. most of them assembled at the railway station on the 
homeward journey, evidently tired but satisfied with their day’s outing. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
WOLVERHAMPTON.— July 11th, 12th, 13th. 
The character of the Roses exhibited on the occasion of the great 
floral fete held in this busy Midland town was indicated last week, and 
the names of the successful competitors in the chief classes recorded. 
There was, however, a great and meritorious display in other sections— 
specimen plants, groups, flowers, fruit, and vegetables, to which reference 
must be made without any pretence to giving a detailed report and full 
list of prizewinners. This would be too exacting on space during a 
period of pressure, while a great deal of the matter would possess local 
interest only. It is true the Wolverhampton Shows are local, but it is 
equally true they are much more than this, for the more important 
classes are open to all comers ; and so great have been the successes 
during past seasons, that in the course of five years the floral fete has 
won for itself an honourable position among the great provincial 
gatherings of the kingdom. This is due mainly to a generous, yet well- 
considered policy adopted by a Committee of large views and business 
capacity, whose services are recognised by the municipal authorities as 
well as by the inhabitants of the town and surrounding district. The 
Mayor of Wolverhampton (T. C. Mander, Esq.) is President of the 
Society, and takes an active interest in its prosperity. In response to 
his invitation the town was decorated from end to end, and everything 
was joyous—till the rain came down. 
The rain 1 It was not a drizzling that fell at wide intervals, but 
exactly the reverse, for the rain almost came down in sheets, and only 
the best of tents could have afforded shelter from the downpour. The 
canvas was, however, good, and a large extent was necessary for accom¬ 
modating the exhibits. Five marquees, each apparently 150 feet long 
or more, and 40 or 50 feet wide, were well filled in every case. But what 
of the officials 1 They must not be pictured with doleful countenances. 
“ The rain would do good, the Treasurer was well fortified, the weather 
would clear and the crowds come before the three fete days were over.” 
That appeared to be predominating theme, and a more cheerful body of 
officials were never seen under the watery circumstances, but they had 
their equal at Woodbridge in Suffolk three days later ; of that, however, 
more anon, and we will now take a glance at some of the Wolverhamp¬ 
ton exhibits. 
Specimen Plants and Groups .—Of these there was a wonderfully fine 
display, as there ought, considering that close upon £80 were offered in 
the two classes. The first was for sixteen stove and greenhouse plants, 
not less than eight in bloom. When it is said that Mr. Cypher put forth 
his full strength it will be conceded there was something to see. He 
won the £20 prize with a grand collection. His chief flowering plants 
were Erica Parmentieriana rosea, a huge fleecy mass ; Kalosanthes 
coccinea, a glowing semi-globe ; Allamanda nobilis and Statice profusa 
like a huge bouquet. The foliage plants were also noteworthy for size 
and excellence. The second prizewinner, Mr. Finch, gardener to 
J. Marriott, Esq., Coventry, w'as a powerful antagonist, and well won 
the £15 with, among others, a symmetrical and densely flowered example 
of Erica impressa, a large Aphelexis and still larger Ixora, with a neat 
Allamanda grandiflora, fine Palms, and a splendid specimen of Croton 
Morti. Mr. Dyer, gardener to Mrs. Marigold, Edgbaston, won the 
remaining prize of £10 with a highly creditable assortment. Messrs. 
Cypher and Finch were the respective winners in the class for six 
flowering plants with fine examples. In foliage plants the first-named 
exhibitor was prominent, his Croton angustifolius, 8 feet in diameter, 
resembling a fountain of gold. In the class for six exotic Ferns, Mr. 
R. Sharpe, gardener to J. Lovatt, Esq., Bushbury, was the premier 
exhibitor with large and admirably grown plants, Mr. Dyer following— 
a strong second. Among the six Orchids with which Mr. J. Palmer, 
gardener to Wm. Bown, Esq., Birmingham, won the chief prize, was a 
remarkable plant of Epidendrum prismatocarpum with twenty-seven 
vigorous spikes and hundreds of sparkling flowers. This plant was in 
consideration for the medal offered for the gardener’s or amateur’s 
exhibit that displayed the best culture in the Show, but Mr. Finch’s 
great and good contribution of specimens overwhelmed it. Mr. Palmer 
a’so had Cattleya Sanderiana in admirable condition. 
Groups .—Prizes of £15, £10, £5, and £3 were offered in the open 
class for plants arranged for effect in space not exceeding 450 square 
feet. There were five competitors, whose collections were arranged down 
the centre of a large tent, and produced in the aggregate a picturesque 
display. Mr. Cypher was the premier exhibitor with a somewhat 
diamond shaped arrangement. The ground was covered with Adiantum 
cuneatum, forming a level surface, in which was lightly dotted small 
Palms, Crotons, and Orchids. The four corner points of the diamond 
each contained larger Palms and Orchids, and in the centre was a bold 
free mound of Hydrangea paniculata in a groundwork of Ferns, sur¬ 
mounted by a graceful specimen of Phoenix rupicola. It was a charming 
arrangement without the least suspicion of crowding, every plant 
showing itself fully, and all good. The second prize was well won by 
Mr. Francis Denning, Moseley, Birmingham, with a somewhat similar 
shaped group, but with more points—no improvement. Libonias were 
effectively disposed with Palms, Liliums, Crotons, Caladiums, and 
Statices amongst Ferns. A good group but rather crowded. Mr. W. H. 
Dyer was third with a richly coloured group of well grown plants, but 
rather too many of them. The fourth prize was won by Mr. J. Wright, 
nurseryman, Wolverhampton, who also employed too many plants. 
Prizes of £6, £4, and £3 were also offered for groups not to exceed 
400 square feet, open to gardeners in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, 
Warwickshire, and Shropshire. Mr. W. A. Powell, gardener to G. H. 
Kenrick, Esq., Edgbaston, was the premier exhibitor with a circular 
arrangement of well-grown plants—Liliums, Palms, and ornamental 
foliaged kinds, brightened with Libonias and Clerodendron fallax, 
margined with Isolepis. Mr. S, Horton, gardener to W. Fowler, Esq., 
Sedgley, was second, Francoas being effectively associated with Crotons, 
Orchids, Bouvardias, and Ferns. The remaining prize was won by 
Mr. Dyer. 
Fruit .—The display of this was not remarkable for extent, while the 
quality of several dishes left much to be desired, still there were credit¬ 
able examples of cultirre in the chief prizewinning collections. 
With a collection of ten varieties, including black and white Grapes, 
Mr. Gilman, gardener to the Earl of Shrewsbury, Ingestrie Hall, took 
the lead with a good Pine, excellent Black Hamburgh and good Foster’s 
Seedling Grapes, a fine Melon, with excellent dishes of Peaches, 
Nectarines, Figs, and Waterloo Strawberries. Mr. Bannerman, gardener 
to Lord Bagot, was a rather close second, with excellent produce; and 
Mr. John Bailey third. 
In the class for four bunches of Grapes, distinct, Mr. J. Wilkes, 
gardener to Mrs. Meakin, won first honours with Madresfield Court, 
Black Hamburgh, Foster’s Seedling, and Muscat of Alexandria, not 
large, but all ripe and good. Mr. Sidney Brammill, gardener to 
W. H. F. Mayhurst, Esq., was second with larger but less ripe bunches 
of Alicante, Foster’s Seedling, Gros Maroc, and Muscat of Alexandria; 
Mr. Bannerman third with Foster’s Seedling, Alnwick Seedling, Duke 
of Buccleuch, and Black Hamburgh, neat bunches, good berries, ripe, 
but rubbed. With two bunches of white Grapes Mr. C. Froud, Coventry, 
won first with good Muscats, Mr. Brammill second with fine Foster’s 
Seedlings, and Mr. Bannerman third with small bunches but clean and 
good berries of Duke of Buccleuch. In the corresponding class for 
black Grapes Mr. Froud was first with Black Hamburgh, and Mr. 
Brammill second with Alicante. In the local class for six dishes of 
fruit the prizes were won by Messrs. Brammill and Bannerman, both 
staging excellent collections. Mr. F. W. Plant, Bilston, staged most 
creditable Black Hamburgh Grapes, not for competition, grown on 
banks formed by the excavations from coal mines, and perhaps some¬ 
thing else. They deserved a mark of high commendation. The best 
Peaches and Nectarines were staged by Mr. Waite, gardener to Col. the 
Hon. W. P. Talbot, Glenhurst, Esher, who also took the lion’s share of 
prizes for vegetables offered by Messrs. Buttons, Webbs, and Carters, 
closely followed by Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to Lady Guest, Inwood 
House, Blandford. The collections were excellent. 
Out Floioers .—In the open classes only two stands of twenty-four 
varieties of hardy herbaceous flowers were staged. First, Messrs. 
Townsend & Sons, Worcester ; second Mr. G. Newell, gardener, Birming¬ 
ham. Mr. Alderman Dickinson, Chairman of the Baths and Parks 
Committee, offered a two-guinea prize for twenty-four varieties of 
hardy flowers most suitable for park decoration, but there was only 
one exhibit made by Messrs. Townsend & Sons, and these were chiefly 
annuals, and some of not a very decorative character. The idea is a 
good one, but it will be well in the future to make the schedule more 
definite. Mr. Paul Lutz, of Wolverhampton, offered as a first prize a 
handsome gold medal for the best display of Pansies and Violas, and 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, won it with a superb display well 
staged. The Viola sprays, a large number, were especially attractive 
amongst the newer kinds. In addition, and as a part of Messrs. 
Dobbie’s display, there was a good display of the choicest Sweet Peas, 
some superb African and striped French Marigolds, Pelargoniums, Carna¬ 
tions, and herbaceous flowers, to all of which a handsome silver medal 
was awarded. The second prize for collection of Pansies and Violas 
was awarded to Messrs. Paul & Co. ; third to Mr. Campbell, both well- 
known Scottish florists. Messrs. Perkins & Sons won the prizes for 
bouquets. 
Miscellaneous ExliiUts.—Tl'he^.e. were extremely numerous, and in 
many instances of excellent quality. Messrs. Smith & Co., Worcester, 
had a display of herbaceous and other blooms; Messrs. Birkenhead, 
Sale, Manchester, their usual fine display of choice Ferns ; Mr. J. H. White, 
nurseryman, Worcester, a bright effective display of cut herbaceous 
blooms, Carnations, and Begonias; Mr. C. F. Thurstans, Wolverhampton, 
fine Carnation and Picotee blooms ; Messrs. Edwards & Sons, Sherwood, 
Nottingham, a pretty display of Edwardsian pottery and Ferns ; 
Messrs. Webb & Sons, vegetables ; Mr. Bason, Wolverhampton, his 
famous Mushroom spawn ; Messrs. Hewitt & Co., Solihull, Birmingham, 
a fine display of Begonia, Carnation, and herbaceous blooms; Messrs. 
Thomson & Co., Sparkhill, Birmingham, some good border Carnations 
and other flowers ; and Messrs. Dobbs & Co., Wolverhampton, and Mr. 
R. Lowe, Wolverhampton, also had honorary exhibits. 
Garden accessories were in evidence outside the tents, and medals 
were awarded to Messrs. Wright k Holmes, Birmingham, for excellent 
