82 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 27, 183S. 
pilgrimages to see the wondrous sight when the broad masses are in 
bloom, and that their beauty is indescribable. I can well believe it, for 
my mind recalls the extraordinary picture in the late Mr. McIntosh’s 
garden at VVeybridge, where there could not have been a third of the 
plants which clothe the hillsides at Chatsworth. Beautiful salmon- 
coloured masses of Ghent Azaleas also arrest attention, and here and 
there a pause has to be made to admire a noble Conifer. A splendid 
Pinus nobilis 60 feet high overhangs a lake, and not far away are a 
grand pair of Abies orientalis 30 to 40 feet high. A wonderful specimen 
•of A. Douglasi, which had an altitude of nearly 70 feet, has unfortunately 
been torn by the wind. A. Nordmanniana, 30 feet high, is very beautiful 
in the tender hue of its young growths. Cryptomeria japonica is 
splendidly represented, as are Araucarias,'Firs, Larches, and Austrian 
Pines. The lake referred to with its dotting of yellow Irises and border 
of Willow Herbs and yellow Broom is a beautiful picture. 
In the trees, shrubs and flowers, in the banks, glades and dells, there 
is a diversity of beauty and interest which no pen could describe. It is 
not a tree, but a thousand trees, not rods, but acres of wild garden and 
woodland with their countless numbers of shrubs, ferns and flowers 
which have to be seen before the mind can form a conception of the 
beauties and glories of Chatsworth. My pleasure in the visit was shared 
by hundreds of excursionists from Sheffield, Manchester, and other places, 
and I am told there is a similar influx every day. I turn from an 
imperfectly fulfilled task with the sense that this noble place must 
exercise powerful influences for good in opening up conceptions of the 
beautiful to thousands of toilers to whom the joys of gardening are, 
from circumstances beyond their control, forbidden.—W. P. W. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
TRENTHAM.— July 20th. 
When it is considered that the annual exhibitions held in the 
Ducal Grounds of Trentham are the outcome of the local Cottage 
Garden Society we are foreibly reminded of the truth of the axiom that 
“ Great results from little causes spring.” The first attempt at extension, 
a very few years ago, was prompted by a desire to provide more 
attractive features than a cottagers’ show could afford, and the results 
have exceeded the most sanguine anticipations. But while the general 
exhibitions of high class produce in the form of the artistic arrange¬ 
ments of plants, great displays of Roses and other cut flowers, and superior 
fruit have attained national fame, the original object of the society has 
not been lost sight of, and the greatest number of classes are still to be 
found in the amateurs’ and cottagers’ portion of the schedule. Moreover, 
the prizes offered in these classes considerably exceed the average value 
of the majority that are provided in shows of this nature. This is tery 
satisfactory, and it is also gratifying to observe that the competition in 
these classes increases and improves from year to year. The society is 
therefore accomplishing the object it was established to promote—better 
tilled gardens and more attractive home surroundings in the district. 
Geoups of Plants. 
With that reference to what may be termed the foundation of the 
Show, we pass to the general exhibits as being of wide general interest. 
It may be premised that no prizes are offered for large specimen plants 
at Trentham, but instead special attention is devoted to groups. For 
these the prizes offered exceed those in a similar class at any show in 
the kingdom, and as a consequence the competition is the best that can 
be produced. Perhaps nothing could better indicate the superiority of 
the groups that were arranged last week than the fact of the formidable 
Mr. Cypher being placed in the third position, and surely never before 
did such a beautiful arrangement fail to win a higher place. Still, the 
prize was not small. The first prize provided in this 300 feet space 
arrangement was £20 with a “special,” value £10 10s., added ; second 
prize, £20; third, £13 ; fourth, £9 ; or a total of no less than £70 10s. 
in this one class. That is the way to secure the highest competition, 
and the groups arranged were worth a long journey to see. 
The fortunate winners of those prizes were the Duke of St. Albans 
(gardener, Mr. J. Edmonds), first ; J. H. Manners Sutton, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. Webb), second ; Mr. Cypher third ; and C. H. Wright, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. Roberts), fourth. The character of the groups may 
be briefly referred to, anything like a detailed description of them being 
out of the question. The space appeared to have been set out in 
squares. Mr. Edmonds occupied his with a magnificent Kentia as a 
central plant, elevated on a mound of Ferns, from which sprung, with 
telling effect, noble scarlet heads of Hsemanthus. There were some 
eight or nine smaller mounds, in some of which single-stemmed, well 
grown, and highly coloured Crotons commanded attention ; in others 
were graceful Palms, and in one a beautiful plant of Dracaena indivisa 
Yariegata. At the base of these elevated plants were Ferns interspersed 
with flowers, such as Begonias, a few Orchids, and Francoas, but this 
was lightly done, while Caladium argyrites and variegated Grasses 
were placed here and there in the miniature dells between the eleva¬ 
tions. Richness, with freedom, was the prevailing characteristic of the 
group ; but if it had a fault it was just a little overdone, but still a 
beautiful arrangement, or it would not have won its high position at the 
hands of such Judges as Messrs. Bruce Findlay, F. Sander, and John 
Wills. 
Mr. Webb’s arrangement was similar in character, and he ran his 
rival closely. He formed a bold mound right in the foreground, 
surmounted by a noble Palm, and had smaller mounds near the corners 
occupied with handsome foliage plants, including splendid Crotons ; 
scarlet Anthuriums, and other flowers, associated with Ferns, Panicums, 
and Caladiums, enlivened the group, which was undoubtedly a good one, 
but the background perhaps a little weak. Mr. Webb must be regarded 
as a formidable competitor in classes of this nature. 
Mr. Cypher’s group was wholly different. It was composed of a 
clear groundwork of moss with a large central and smaller front mounds 
of Orchids arranged round a Palm in each case. There was plenty of 
space between the mounds, in which a pair ol Tiger Lilies were effective : 
but the group was undoubtedly weakened by small patches of blue 
Lobelias, and the linking of the front mounds by a formal chain of 
Caladium argyrites did not strengthen the arrangement. The back¬ 
ground was composed of Hydrangea paniculata. Crotons, and slender 
Bamboos—too light for the position, and not a sufficient foil to the 
plants in the foreground. Formalism is a cardinal fault in arranging 
plants for effect in the eyes of most experienced judges. 
Mr. Roberts’ group in the class under notice was similar in style to 
the first and second prize arrangements, but rather too many plants 
were employed, and the leading features did not stand out so clearly as 
is desirable, though the group was superior to many that have w’on first 
honours at many shows. In the local group class the chief prize was 
won by J. P. Maddock, Esq. (Mr. G. H. Smith, gardener), a background 
of well grown specimen plants, with a free undulated arrangement in 
front—and altogether a creditable display. The whole of the groups 
made a show in themselves of great attractiveness to the crowds of 
visitors. 
Feuit and Vegetables. 
Not less important and meritorious was the display of fruit, and 
nothing approaching it in extent and quality had been se«n at any 
show of the season. The prizes were good—£10, £6, and £3 being 
offered for nine dishes, and £6, £3, and £2 for six dishes, also similar 
amounts for four bunches of Grapes, while sufficient inducements were 
provided to bring plenty of entries in the smaller classes. The numbers 
show this clearly, and the list is worth giving. In the nine dish class 
there were seven entries ; for six dishes, nine ; for four bunches of 
Grapes, fourteen ; for three bunches of Black Hamburghs, twenty-one ; 
for three of any other black Grape, seventeen; for three Muscats, 
eleven ; for three of any other white Grape, sixteen ; for a green flesh 
Melon, twenty; scarlet flesh, seventeen; Peaches and Nectarines, 
fourteen each ; and Cherries, ten entries. A sufficient foundation it will 
be admitted for a fine show, and a fine show it was, though, of course, 
all the fruit brought was not staged, and the Committee will have to 
consider the desirability of providing more prizes in these classes. 
In the large class for nine dishes, including three bunches each of 
black and white Grapes, a Melon, and a Pine, Mr. J. Mclndoe, The 
Gardens, Hutton Hall, was first with a splendid collection, fine Muscat 
and good Gros Maroc Grapes, excellent Bellegarde Peaches, Humboldt 
Nectarines, Negro Largo Figs, Souvenir du Congres Pears, and a fine 
cluster of well ripened Bananas. This collection was also granted a 
valuable pedestal and vase offered for the “ most meritorious exhibit in 
the Show,” and Mr. Mclndoe went home happy. Mr. J. Goodacre was 
second in this class, his Black Hamburgh Grapes and Elruge Nectarines 
being very good indeed. Mr. Dawes, Temple Newsam, third with well- 
grown produce. 
In the class for six dishes Mr. G. Reynolds, Gunnersbury Park, had 
the honour of placing Mr. Mclndoe in the second position, sufficient 
proof that Messrs. Rothschild’s fruit was of high merit. The Muscat 
and Black Hamburgh Grapes were particularly good, and a fine Melon 
had much weight. Mr. Edmonds followed, but not far distant, with 
excellent fruit. 
Mr. Crawford, gardener to J. Grant Morris, Esq., secured the premier 
position with four bunches of Grapes in two distinct kinds with superior 
examples of Madresfield Court and Black Hamburghs. Mr. Alsopp, 
gardener to Lord Hotham, was a close second with finely finished 
Muscats and Buckland Sweetwater; third, Mr. J. Wilkes, gardener to 
Mrs. Meaken, Cresswell Hall, the Hamburghs being finely finished. For 
three bunches of Black Hamburghs the prizes went in order to Mr, J. G. 
Morris, Mr. J. Roberts (Gunnersbury), and Rev. Bulkeley Owen, all 
staging admirable examples of culture. In the any other black class, 
Mr. A. G. Young (Tanybryn, North Wales) well won the first place with 
grand full bunches of Muscat Hamburghs (also awarded a special for 
the best three bunches of Grapes in the Show), Mr. Grant Morris 
second, and Mr. J. Edmonds third, both with Madresfield Court in 
admirable condition. In the Muscat class Mr. Alsopp was clearly first, 
Mr. N. C. Curyan second, and Mr. J. Hudson third. Both bunches and 
berries were very good in this class, but the date evidently too early 
for general high finish. In the any other white class Mr. Alsopp again 
took the lead with remarkably fine Buekland Sweetwater, Mr. Banner- 
man following with good Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Carnarvon’s 
gardener being third with Bucklands. The special prizes offered by 
Messrs. W. Innes & Co. for three bunches of any variety grown with 
“Fertilitas” were won first by Mr. W. Elphinstone, Shipley Hall 
Gardens, with noble specimens of Cannon Hall. Second, the Earl of 
Shrewsbury, with Madresfield Court; third, N. C. Curzon, Esq, with 
Black Hamburghs. It may be added that Mr. Elphinstone cut thirty 
similar bunches of Cannon Hall at the same time from one Vine with 
three rods—a noteworthy achievement, if not unparalleled, in a gentle¬ 
man's garden. Mr. Miller Mundy should be proud of his Vine. The 
display of Grapes in the above classes was magnificent, and dozens of 
exhibits not in the charmed circle would have been well within it at 
most shows held during the present year. 
In the green fieshed Melon class Mr. Gcodacre was first with the 
