August 31, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
203 
in the pots bafore inserting the cuttings, and sprinkle a little sand 
upon the surface of the soil after the cuttings are in and watered. 
This helps to prevent damping. Be careful that the cuttings do not 
flag much before being placed in the frame, leaving a little air on at 
the top so as the vapour may escape. Attention is necessary after¬ 
wards to see that the cuttings do not flag, and are well shaded from all 
sunshine till rooted. When this has taken place air may be gradually 
admitted more freely, and the plants put in pots or boxes as is most 
convenient If they be kept in a suitable temperature during the 
winter, and not over-watered, grand plants will be at hand for quickly 
increasing the stock to the required number.—Gr. Gaeneb. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
SHREWSBURY.— August 23ed. 
Once again has the famed and beautiful Quarry Grounds of historic 
and picturesque Shrewsbury been seen in a manner to be remembered. 
The best specimen plants that Britain can boast, with beautiful groups 
half filling one of the huge marquees; cut flowers in extraordinary 
numbers and superior quality, with floral arrangements of the first order 
of merit, and in some respects unique ; fruit in enormous quantity and 
superb condition—the premier display of the year; vegetables as if 
grown for an army of giants; the best music the kingdom affords— 
the bands of the Royal Horse Guards and the Grenadiers, led by the 
“ two Godfreys,” with sundry other attractions of a very miscellaneous 
order; with Pain’s fireworks and 40,000 people on the green sward, 
encircled by towering Limes, we have an aggregate of a very remarkable 
character brought together on the occasion of the “ Floral and Musical 
FSte ”—the nineteenth of the series—the greatest and the best that has 
yet been provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, 
The Society, as represented by the records of its shows, appears to 
have started well, and to have gone on improving with no checks worth 
mentioning, until it has reached its present commanding position in the 
horticultural world. The total receipts from the first Show in 1875 was 
£790, an amount it may be noted only a little above the sum allocated 
for prizes during the present year. The receipts last year from all 
sources were £3740. This year they may be a little less in consequence 
of the unfortunate disturbance in the coal trade, and thousands of men 
“ out ” of the class which, with their families, attend the great Pro¬ 
vincial Festival. The takings on the first day (£535) were greater than 
on the corresponding day in any other year, while those on the record 
day amounted to £1400—a wonderful result under the circumstances. 
There was no falling off in the competition ; but on the contrary, an 
increase of 200 entries, bringing the total up to 2400. This speaks well 
for the confidence that is reposed in the Society. Exhibitors are 
treated in no niggardly fashion, but every encouragement that can rightly 
be given is extended, as is instanced by the number of medals and special 
prizes granted for miscellaneous exhibits of a meritorious character. In a 
word a generous policy is pursued, and it is this which has mainly 
made the Society what it is. Societies that work on the principle of 
getting as much from and giving as little as possible to those who are 
in a position to support them, seldom if ever win a high position and 
gain the confidence of the horticultural community. Of such magnitude 
was this last Show at Shrewsbury that no less than twenty-two Judges 
were engaged, and they could only just complete their duties in time 
for the public admittance. The following were the adjudicators in the 
different sections :— 
Specimen Plants and Groups, — Mr. Outram, B. S. Williams 
and Co., London ; Mr. Ranger, R. Ker & Sons, Aigburth Nurseries, 
Liverpool ; Mr. Chapman, gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard 
Park, Rugeley. 
Cut Flowers, Floral Designs, Bouquets, &c.— Mr. W. Dean, 
Sparkhill, Birmingham ; Mr. Wright, Journal of Horticulture Office, 
London; Mr. Blair, gardener to the Duke of Sutherland, Trentham ; 
Mr. Barnes, gardener to the Duke of Westminster, Eaton Hall. 
Fruit. —Mr. 0. Thomas, gardener to H.M. The Queen, Windsor; 
Mr. Coleman, gardener to Lady H. Somerset, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury ; 
Mr. Miller, gardener to the Earl of Craven, Combe Abbey ; Mr. Rabone, 
gardener to the Earl of Shrewsbury, Alton Towers. 
Vegetables. —Mr. Muir, gardener to Miss Talbot, Margam Park, 
Glamorgan ; Mr. Lambert, gardener to the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, 
Welshpool ; Mr. H. W. Ward, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, Longford 
Castle, Salisbury ; Mr. N. Pownall, gardener to F. Wright, Esq., Lenton 
Hall, Nottingham. 
Wild Flowers. —Mr. W. Beacall and Mr. T. P. Blunt, Shrewsbury ; 
and Rev. W. Serjeantson, Acton Burnell. 
Cottagers. —Mr. J. Jones, gardener to A. P. Heywood-Lonsdale, 
Esq., Cloverley ; Mr. J. Wallis, gardener to R. Sneyd, Esq., Keele Hall ; 
Mr. T. B. Field, gardener to Sir H. Thyrwhitt, Bart., Stanley Hall ; and 
Mr. Farrant, gardener to Mrs. Juson, Shrewsbury. 
Only the chief features of the Show can be noted, and the prize¬ 
winners in some of the principal classes recorded. 
Groups and Specimen Plants. 
Groups. —The schedule opened with a class for a “group of miscellane¬ 
ous plants, in and out of bloom, arranged to produce the best effect, and 
occupying a space of 300 square feet.” The prizes offered in these classes 
were £20, £16, £14, and £12 respectively, and it may be said that the 
winners of the third and fourth prizes were as well entitled to the amounts 
allocated as were the first and second prizewinners to the relative greater 
sums. Five groups were arranged in squares and produced an imposing and 
diversified effect. After long and close examination the premier prize 
was awarded to the group of J. H. Manners Sutton, Esq., Kelham Hall, 
as arranged by Mr. A. Webb, gardener. It may be described as strong 
and rich, though perhaps a trifle heavy, yet it could scarcely be 
described as overcrowded, though undoubtedly, to use the familiar term 
of gardeners, there was “stuff enough in it.” It was, however, good 
“ stuff,” the plants being bright and healthy. The arrangement con¬ 
sisted of a bold central mound of Crotons, Dracaenas, and Ferns, sur¬ 
mounted with a spreading Palm. There were five or six smaller mounds 
of a similar character supporting isolated plants of Crotons, Dracaenas, 
and small Palms in excellent condition. The ground, or dells between 
the elevations, was furnished with small brightly coloured plants and 
Ferns, not packed closely together, but dotted in the moss, and plenty 
of space between them. The background consisted of Palms, Crotons, 
and Liliums. The contour and character of every plant was displayed, 
instead of, as is so often the case, one spoiling the effect of the other by 
crushing and crowding. 
That great prizewinner at shows, Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham, who has 
also the reputation that so many persons appreciate, of being a “ good 
loser,” just lost the first prize in this class but well won the second, an 
extremely light and chaste arrangement, but not, as some thought, quite 
rich enough. White as represented by Francoas and Caladium 
argyrites predominated under a canopy of Ferns. The plants were 
thinly disposed, and in that respect, perhaps, excelled all others, and the 
effect of the whole would have been enhanced with fewer variegated 
plants as a background. Mr. F. Denning, Birmingham, was placed 
third with a good but rather heavy arrangement, though lightened with 
a group of Tuberoses springing from a mass of Asparagus plumosus or 
allied form—an attractive combination. This is the best group we have 
seen from this exhibitor, who seems to possess the spirit of perseverance 
that usually brings success sooner or later. The remaining prize was 
worthily adjudged to the group of C. H. Wright, Esq., Halston Hall 
(Mr. Roberts, gardener), and was composed of bold masses of Liliums 
associated with Palms, interspersed with small Crotons and other 
plants—effective and ran its rival rather closely. The fifth group was 
arranged by Messrs. Jones & Son, Shrewsbury. Its merit was recognised 
by an extra prize of £5, and the exhibitors will now perhaps fortify 
themselves for another contest. 
Specimen Plants .—The class for sixteen stove and greenhouse plants, 
half to be in bloom, created a good deal of interest, as it seemed to be 
understood that Messrs. Cypher and Finch (Mr. Marriott’s able gardener) 
were showing their best for the premier (£20) prize. Some persons 
thought that the latter’s magnificent Ixoras and brilliant Crotons would 
“ pull him through,” but the predominating view was that “ Cypher 
would overweight him,” and so it was. He won with a grand collection. 
His Ericas Eweriana, Marnockiana, and Aitoniana, also Allamanda 
Hendersoni, Dipladenia amabilis, Statice profusa, and Clerodendron 
were highly effective, and admirably supported by magnificent 8 feet 
Crotons angustifolius. Sunset, and Queen Victoria, and these well 
backed by lofty Palms—a ponderous contribution, as it had to be to 
hold the position against the Coventry contingent. Mr. Pinch’s Ixora 
Duffi was remarkable by the richness of its massive heads. Its equal 
has probably never been seen, and the Williams’ Memorial medal was 
awarded for it as the best flowering stove plant in the Show. Mr. 
Finch had other fine Ixoras, a splendid Erica, fine Allamanda, good 
Lapageria, and glowing Crotons Prince of Wales and Warreni, but his 
Palms lacked weight. He well won the £15 prize, and £2 extra with 
the Williams’ medal. There were no other competitors, and luckily, 
perhaps, for the large tent was overcrowded with exhibits. 
Amongst these the plants in the class for Shropshire gardeners con¬ 
tributed effectively to the display. The first prize for six specimens 
was won by Mr. Pearson, gardener to Lord Berwick, Attingham Hall, 
with two Ixoras, an Allamanda, Dipladenia, Palm, and Croton, all in 
good condition, as were the plants with which Mr. Farrant, gardener to 
Mrs. Juson, Shrewsbury, won the second prize. Ferns were admirably 
represented, and the specimens of Salopian gardeners were most credit¬ 
able, those of Mr. Penson, gardener to Lord Forester, Willey Park, 
Broseley, perhaps especially so. His plants comprised Microlepia hirta 
cristata, Nephrolepis davallioides, Polystichum capense, Adiantum 
decorum, Davallia Mooreana, and Adiantum farleyense, wonderfully 
fresh and healthy. Messrs. Bremmell and Steventon were also successful 
exhibitors. Tuberous Begonias, Fuchsias, Coleuses, Dracmnas, and 
Caladiums were effectively shown by Messrs. Lambert, Leith, Bremmell, 
and other gardeners ; but Orchids could not be expected to be numerous 
so late in the season. Messrs. Cypher and Shuttleworth & Co. (Brad¬ 
ford) were successful in the nurserymen’s class, winning the prizes of 
£12 and £8 respectively, A. E. W. Darby, Esq. (Mr. Dawes, gardener), 
being the only exhibitor in the amateurs’ section. The prizes for 
Palms were won by Messrs. Cypher, Finch, and Webb. 
In the same plant tent Messrs. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, had a 
splendid collection of Tuberous Begonias, for which a gold medal was 
awarded, a similar mark of distinction being granted to a most^exten¬ 
sive and varied exhibit of plants by Messrs. Pritchard & Sons, Shrews¬ 
bury, and a silver medal to the Liverpool Horticultural Company for a 
fine group of Tea Roses, 
Cut Flowers. 
The cut flower section is always a heavy one. There were thirty-six 
classes in the division open to all. In the class for a collection of cut 
Roses, in space 12 feet by 6 feet, two admirable exhibits were staged, 
both from Scotland. Messrs. James Cocker & Son, Aberdeen, were well 
