August 25, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
175 
C. Smith, and K. Baldwin were the prizewinners in the class for one 
dish, all showing clean, well-grown tubers. Magnum Bonums were very 
fine and clean, especially those staged by Mr. G. Barclay. Mr. T. 
Baldwin was first with four dishes, Messrs. Barclay and R. Baldwin 
being second and third. American Rose, though less popular generally, 
apparently still remains a favourite with the Kentish cottagers, some 
grand specimens being staged on this occasion. Mr. K. Baldwin had a 
remarkably fine dish, for which the first prize was awarded. Peas, 
Vegetable Marrows, Cabbages, Parsnips, and other vegetables were also 
of good quality. 
Messrs. Cannell Sc Sons sent various miscellaneous exhibits. These 
comprised a collection of Cactus Dahlias, the flowers being remarkably 
fine ; a group of foliage plants, amongst which Crotons, Palms, Coleuses, 
Caladiums, and Ferns were conspicuous ; and a number of Tigridia 
blooms, these being most gorgeous, especially T. pavonia grandiflora. 
Messrs. Cannell also showed a brace of their Kentish Hop-pole Cucumber, 
an appropriate name, considering the length of the fruit. 
Honey was shown by various local bee-keepers and by the Kent Bee¬ 
keepers’ Association. Mr. E. D. Till, Eynsford, staged a hive of working 
bees as well as supers of honey, and Mr. Wheeler of the same village 
likewise showed samples nf honey made by his bees. 
SHREWSBURY.— August 17th and 18th. 
Shrewsbury at show time presents a sight not soon to be forgotten 
by visitors whose eyes are not trained to see the extraordinary interest 
that is taken in the event of the year. The ancient capital of the border 
county is decorated for the occasion in almost a lavish manner, and not 
in tawdry style. Train after train brings its thousand and more 
passengers, taxing the resources of the railway officials to cope with the 
traffic. The main street from the station to the Quarry Grounds is full 
of animation by a stream of people who file in at one end and out at the 
other to the number of some 50,000. The park-like grounds suggest the 
resemblance to an army encampment, as dozens if not scores of 
marquees are seen scattered round the noble semicircle, outlined by 
magnificent Limes, which form a noble skirting boulevard. Many of the 
great marquees represent the commissariat, for it has to be remembered 
that an army has to be fed—a civil army of sightseers—that could not 
possibly be kept civil if hungry. There is no occasion to be hungry at 
the Shrewsbury Show, and it would be difficult to imagine an equal 
mass of people better dressed, more orderly, or more intent on 
obtaining pure enjoyment. The attractions provided are of the best—the 
best music, at a cost of some £300—the best produce of gardens, involving 
an outlay of say thrice that amount ; then when dusk succeeds daylight 
the best fireworks follow. Everything that is considered worth doing is 
■done well, and it is the experience of the Committee and the experienced 
Secretaries, Messrs. Adnitt and Naunton, that the more generous the 
action the more generous the response. 
It may be said the affairs of the Shropshire Horticultural Society 
are conducted iD a statesman-like manner, and with what success the 
records show. The two gentlemen named have worked together for 
eighteen years, during which time the Society has attained a position 
almost, if not quite, unparalleled. Though hundreds of pounds have 
been spent in improving, furnishing, and beautifying the Quarry 
Grounds, and transforming a swampy dell into a charming garden, yet 
the invested capital yields a substantial annual income. The present 
year was commenced with a fund of over £4000, and tickets to the 
amount of £700 were sold by the Secretaries in a few days prior to the 
•Show. While, therefore, fine weather is always hoped for and generally 
•enjoyed, ample provision is made for the proverbial “ rainy day ” that 
has too often brought weaker societies to the verge of ruin. Last year 
the receipts of the Shrewsbury Show were £370 in excess of those of any 
previous season, and the gross profits upwards of £900. It is almost too 
much to hope that such a result can be exceeded this year, with the 
outlay greater than ever ; but however that may be, the Society rests 
“ broad based upon the people’s will,” because the policy of the 
•directorate has distinctly won the confidence of the population of the 
district. 
The Show this year was greater than ever, and even better in every 
department; indeed, it is not too much to say that each section was a 
show in itself. For instance, if we take the huge marquee that con¬ 
tained the specimen plants and superb groups the mind must travel far 
■to find its equal, and then perhaps fail. Much the same may be said of 
the cut flowers having regard to their numbers and variety. Fruit was 
in larger force than ever, and the display of black Grapes has never 
been equalled at Shrewsbury, nor perhaps excelled elsewhere. Vege¬ 
tables may, perhaps, fittingly be described as prodigious, and “ wonderful, 
but too large,” was the comment of old growers who have more regard 
to high quality than mere size, yet it must be conceded that not a few 
of the specimens combined both of those properties, and judges were 
impelled to observe “ there was no getting away from them.” Compli¬ 
mentary exhibits were also very numerous, and contributed materially 
to the general effect. It will be well to point out some of the leading 
■features and indicate the chief prizewinners in the different sections of 
this really great Show. 
Plants. 
A very large tent was devoted to stove, greenhouse, and other plants, 
also to the six superb groups staged in competition, each in a space of 
BOO square feet, for prizes of £20, £10, £14, and £12, and they were 
grand. Mr. Peter Blair, Trentham Gardens, was well first with a truly 
artistic group, having a lovely background of Bamboos with a Palm in 
the centre. In a central small group was a fine Cocos Weddeiliana, 
surrounded by Orchids, Asparagus, and Maidenhair Ferns, and a few 
small bright Caladiums. Two corresponding groups were near the sides, 
a Palm in each, and Orchids, and other plants. Several fine plants of 
Dendrochilum filiforme were in raised positions in front. It was alto¬ 
gether an exceedingly well worked-out arrangement. Second, Mr. J. 
Cypher, Cheltenham, who had a very fine group with Cattleyas, Vanda 
ccerulea, and other Orchids, the whole consisting of smaller groups 
artistically displayed. Third, Mr. C. II. Wright, Halston Hall, Oswestry. 
Fourth, Messrs. Jones and Sons, Shrewsbury. Extra, Mr. Allum, Tam- 
worth ; but, with the exception of the first and second groups, there was 
an overcrowding of the plants. 
In the class for sixteen stove and greenhouse plants, not less than 
eight in bloom, Mr. Cypher easily won the first prize with grand 
specimens, in which were very fine examples of Ericas Austiniana, 
Aitoniana, Thompsoni (a very fine plant), and obbata purpurea, 
Allamanda Hendersoni, A. nobilis (a grand plant), a very fine Statice 
profusa, Croton angustifolium, and Ixora Pilgrimi. Second, Mr. W. 
Finch, gardener to Mr. Alderman Marriott, Coventry, who had fine 
examples of Ixora Duffi, Dipladenia amabilis, Erica Marnockiana and 
other plants. Third, Mr. Mould, Pewsey, with smaller but very even 
and well grown specimens, amongst them being Ericas Marnockiana, 
temula, and a very large Eweriana superba, a fine Statice Gilberti, and 
an excellent Alocasia Lowi. Mr. Cypher also staged a group of 
twenty plants, not for competition. In the class for six stove and 
greenhouse plants, open, equal firsts were awarded to Mr. Cypher and 
Mr. Finch for two very fine lots. In the former were Bougainvillea 
glabra, Ixora Pilgrimi, Allamanda nobilis, Phoenocoma prolifera Barnesi, 
and very fine Ericas Austiniana and Marnockiana. Mr. Finch’s included 
a grand Ixora Duffi with twenty-five trusses, and superb Ericas Irbyana 
and Marnockiana. Third, Mr. Mould. 
For six stove and greenhouse plants, open to gentlemen’s gardeners 
in Salop, first, Mrs Juson, Shrewsbury; second, Mr. H. H. France, 
Hayhurst; third, Lord Berwick. Some very fine Ferns were staged. 
For a group of not less than twenty Orchids, Mr. Cypher was first with 
about sixty plants, well staged amongst Ferns and other plants. In this 
group were some choice forms, especially a superb specimen of the 
very lovely Sobialia xantholeuca, of a rich cream colour, with orange 
centre, flowers large, and of great substance ; Dendrobium Phalasnopsis 
in variety ; Vanda ccerulea, superbly flowered ; Dendrobium 
Deari, and superbiens ; Cattleyas Dowiana and Dayana ; Oncidiums 
dasystyle (the Bee Orchid), Gardnerianum, macranthum, with very 
large flowers ; Aerides Sanderiana ; Odontoglossum Harryanum : and a 
very fine Cypripedium grande. Mr. Blair was second, and in his group 
were some very fine specimens of Oncidium macranthum. Mr. Blair 
also showed a plant in flower of a fine Bilbergia, but it was unnamed. 
For four Orchids (Salop only) Mr. A. W. Darby was first, Colonel 
Lloyd second, and Mr. J. Watson third. For six Palms Mr. Cypher w r as 
first, Mr. Marriott second, and Mr. Blair third. His six first-prize 
Dracaenas were excellent. Caladiums and Coleus were plentiful and 
very well grown. There were also some good Fuchsias, especially the 
first prize four staged by Mr. A. Myers, Shrewsbury, which were well 
giown and well flowered specimens. The same exhibitor was first in each 
class for six double and six single Zonal Pelargoniums, superb speci¬ 
mens, not too large, as sometimes seen, but of good size and admirably 
grown and flowered. The Zonals generally were fine. Some good 
Begonias were staged, especially Mr. W. Beacall’s first prize collection. 
The gentlemen’s gardeners’ classes were well filled, Mr. G. Burr taking 
first prizes for six stove and greenhouse plants and four exotic Ferns. 
For twelve plants for table decoration, first Mr. Blair, second Mrs. 
Juson, third Messrs. Pritchard & Son. For fifty miscellaneous plants in 
5-inch pots Messrs. Jones Sc Sons first, General Herbert second, and Mrs. 
Watkins third. 
Cut Flowers. 
The cut flower section of the Exhibition was a very strong one, larger 
than usual. For twenty-four Roses, Messrs. Harkness & Sons were 
first, Messrs. Perkins Sc Sons second, Dicksons, Chester, third. All were 
excellent stands for this time of year. Large prizes were offered for 
collections of Dahlias, and Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, 
were first with a fine display at judging time, but the shields filled with 
blooms had a wretched appearance in the afternoon through the flowers 
not being in water. It would be well in the future to stipulate for the 
flowers being staged in an ample supply of water. Mr. G. Humphreys, 
Chippenham, showed well, but his arrangement was rather flat. It was 
neatly set up. His front blooms of Show Dahlias were not so fine as in 
the Salisbury stand. Third, Messrs. Jones & Sons, with well set up 
flowers with their own foliage and weak front blooms, but Dahlias 
staged in this way make a very effective display. In the class for 
thirty-six Dahlias some very good stands were staged. First, Messrs. 
Kimberley & Son, Coventry ; second, Mr. C. Humphreys; third, Mr. J. 
Walker, Thame. For twenty-four, Mr. Walker was first, Messrs. Keynes 
and Co. second, Messrs. Kimberley third. Excellent prizes for a col¬ 
lection of Gladioli brought out only one exhibit from Messrs. Jones and 
Sons, and a second prize was awarded. There was a very fine display 
of hardy herbaceous flowers, the silver medal and first prize being 
awarded to Mr. Michael Cutbbertson, Rothesay, for a well arranged and 
extensive lot. Second, Messrs Dickson, Chester ; third, Messrs. Hark¬ 
ness & Sons. For twelve bunches for Salopian growers, first Rev. T. M. 
Bulkley-Owen, second Messrs. Jones & Sons. Some excellent Carnations 
and Picotees were staged, Mr. R. Sydenham taking first for twelve 
Carnations and twelve Picotees ; Messrs. Thomson & Co. second for 
Picotees and third for Carnations : and Mr. A. R. Brown second for 
