218 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 8, 1892. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
BATH. 
Once more the Committee of the Bath Floral Fetes have met with 
a serious disappointment, one of the best exhibitions they have ever had 
being completely marred by the wretchedly bad weather experienced on 
the opening day. The attendance was good on the second day, but the 
deficit on the whole undertaking must be very heavy, and ttr's is much 
to be regretted, the finances already being in a poor plight owing to a 
aeries of bad days having taken place. 
Fuchsias invariably occupy the most prominent position on the prize 
list and in the show tent, and these, though very well shown, were 
scarcely so good as usual. The best nine specimens were shown by tte 
veteran grower and raiser, Mr. J. Lye, gardener to the Hon. Mrs. Hay, 
who had tall, neat, and beautifully flowered pyramids of Charming, 
Abundance, Annie Earle, Duchess of Fife, Lye’s Rival, Doel’s Favourite, 
Miss Balfour, Mrs. Rundle, and Final. Mr. G. Snell, gardener to Mrs. 
Counsell, Bath, staged much larger specimens, but not so well flowered 
as Mr. Lye’s, and wa3 placed second, Mr. J. H. Willcox being third with 
dwarf, very well flowered pyramids. For six specimens Mr. W. Marchant, 
gardener to Jerome Murch, Esq., Bath, was easily first, showing Final, 
Arabella, Doel’s Favourite, Bountiful, Lye’s Favourite, and Charming 
in good condition. Mr. A. F. Cray, Frome, was a creditable second. 
The principal prizewinners in the other classes for Fuchsias were 
Messrs. Marsh, Doherty, Lye, Snell, and Marchant, the exhibits being 
highly creditable in each instance. 
With stove and greenhouse plants Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, was 
well to the front, taking first prizes in numerous classes with his well 
known specimens ; Messrs. Heath & Son, Cheltenham, and Mr. J. Curry, 
Salisbury, following in the order named in the class for eighteen plants. 
The first prize for six flowering plan’s was well won by Mr. McBennett, 
gardener to C. W. Mackillop, Esq., Bath, who had Ixora Regina, 
Bougainvillea glabra, Dipladenia Brearleyana, Allamanda nobilis, Ixora 
Pilgrimi, and Clerodendron Balfourianum in good condition. Mr. 
G. Tucker, gardener to Major Clarke, Trowbridge, was a close second. 
Orchids were not extensively shown. The bt'st six, these consisting 
of Cattleya aurea, Odontoglossum grande, Vanda ccerulea, Odontoglossum 
Harryana, Dendrobium Phalmnopsis Schrodtriana, and Cypripedium 
Harrissianum, were staged by Mr. Cypher, the second prize going to 
Mr. R. B. Cater. Zonal Pelargoniums were well stiown, though Mr. G. 
Tucker was easily first for six varieties, the second prize going to 
F. J. Tate, gardener to W. Pumphrey, Esq., Bath ; and the third to 
Mr. E. Hall, Bath. With four varieties Mr. W. Marchant was first, and 
R. B. Cater, Esq., second ; while for Ivy-leaf varieties Mr. W. J. Stokes 
was first, and Mr. A. Cray second. Gloxinias were fairly numerous and 
good, Mr. Tucker having the best, Mr. J. A. Timmins also showing well. 
Three classes were provided for Liliums, all being well filled. The 
principal prizewinners were Messrs. Cole & Son, W. Marchant, T. Carr, 
and E. A. Jones. Messrs. Cooling & Son were first for very fine Cocks¬ 
combs, a little overpotted perhaps, the second prize going to Mr. R. B. 
Cater. Tuberous Begonias were very good, notably those which gained 
Mr. J. B. Blackmore the first prize in the classes for both single and 
double flowering varieties ; Mr. F. Mead, gardener to J. Stuckey, Esq., 
and Mr. J. A. Timmins also showing wel 1 , and taking prizes. Ferns were in 
admirable condition. The first prize for twelve exotic specimens went 
to Mr. J. Deacon, gardener to H. J Harris, Esq., Caine; the second to Mr. 
G. Tucker; and the third to Mr. E. Dagger, gardener to Mrs. Simms. The 
bast British Ferns were shown by Messrs. Cole & Sons, Brown & Son, 
Frome, being a very close second. Coleus were considerably above the 
average, notably those which gained Mr. McBennett the first prize and 
the second prize lot staged by Mr. J. Lye. 
There were four competitors in the class for groups arranged for 
effect on a space not less than 100 square feet; but although all made 
very creditable displays, the old stiff greenhouse arrangements that used 
to prevail at Bath being departed from in each instance, the Judges had 
no difficulty in awarding Mr. J. Cypher the first prize. The premier 
prize group was generally considered the most effective ever seen at 
Bath, and was one of the principal features in a generally excellent 
show. The background was sufficiently heavy and imposing to form an 
admirable foil for a series of charming isolated groups composed of 
central elegant Palms with a base of choice Orchids and Ferns in the 
foreground. The intervening spaces were mossed over, and were 
relieved by a few choice yet showy plants at wide intervals or in 
conspicuous positions. Mr. J. Deacon took the second prize with an 
arrangement consisting principally of a groundwork of Maidenhair 
Fern with numerous well grown Palms, Dracaenas, Crotons, Orchids, 
Cockscombs, and other plants dotted at rather too regular intervals 
among them. Mr. McBennett had a somewhat similar arrangement, 
but, the materials were scarcely so good, and was third ; while an extra 
prize went to Mr. J. Curry, who displayed more taste and originality 
than either Mr. Deacon or Mr. Bennett, but his plants were not 
sufficiently fresh to please the Judges. 
Cut flowers were most extensively shown, several fine stands being 
unavoidably passed over, more especially where there was no limit to 
the number of bunches, in favour of those comprising the greater number 
of varieties—a state of affairs that several persons thought ought to be 
prevented another year. Gladioli were surprisingly good, notably the 
grand stand of thirty-six spikes, as shown by W. H. Fowler, Esq., 
Taunton. Mr. S. Bird, gardener to F. H. Fox, Esq., was a very credit¬ 
able second in this class ; and Mr. A. A. Walters, Bath, a close third. 
For twelve varieties Mr. S. Tottle, Taunton, was first; Mr. J. Nation, 
also of Taunton, second ; and Messrs. Cole & Son third. The best 
twenty-four Dahlias were shown by Mr. G. Humphries, Chippenham, 
included among these being grand blooms of Mrs. Davis Saundeis, Henry 
Walton, Maud Fellowes, W. Rawlings, Reliance, John Walker (a fine 
white), and Mrs. Humphries (pearl-pink, a distinct improvement on 
Mr. G. Rawlings). Mr. J. Nation was a good second ; and Mr. F. 
Harris third. For twelve varieties Mr. T. Hobbs, Bristol, was well first; 
Mr. J. Newman being second, and Mr. T. Haskins third. The first prize 
for twelve Fancies went to Mr. G. Humphries, among these being 
perfect blooms of Mrs. J. Downie, J. Coooer, Mrs. Saunders, and Sala¬ 
mander. Mr. J. Nation was second; and Mr. W. Smith third. With single 
Dahlias Mr. A. A. Walters was well first; Mr. T. Carr being second ; 
and Mr. T. A. Vickles3 third. A grand box of new Cactus Dahlias, 
shown by Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, received very high 
commendation from both the Judges and visitors. The varieties were 
Kynerith, St. Catherine, Baron Schioder, Lady Skelmersdale, Bertha 
Mawley, Countess of Radnor, Apollo, and Countess of Gosford. Roses 
were fairly numerous and good, Bath amateurs, however,having matters 
very much their own way. For twenty-four single blooms, distinct, 
Dr. Budd was well first, some of his best being Francois Michelon, 
Captain Christy, Camille Bernardin, Souvenir de la Malmaison, A. K. 
Williams, Alfred Colomb, Marie Rady, Marie Margot, and C. Lefebvre. 
Mr. A. Hill Gray was a creditable second. Similar positions were 
occupied by these growers in the class for twelve varieties, but for a like 
number of Teas Mr. Gray succeeded in turning the tables on his formid¬ 
able rival. His blooms of Marshal Niel, Souvenir d’Elise Varden, 
Madame Lambard, Madame C. Kuster, Madame Camille de Rohan, 
Alba rosea, and Comtesse de Nadaillac being particularly good. A 
certificate of merit was awarded to Messrs. G. Cooling & Sons, Bath, 
for a grand display of Teas in bunches, four boxes of these being 
staged. Verbenas, Asters, Pelargoniums, and Hollyhocks were all 
numerously and well shown ; the principal prizewinners being Messrs. 
G. Garraway, W. F. Catlin, W. J. Jones, A. A. Walters, R. B. Cater, 
G. Tucker, E. Hall, J. Burgess, and W. Smith. Five competed with 
twenty-four bunches of stove and greenhouse flowers, distinct, and a 
very beautiful display they made. Messrs. E. Cole & Sons were first, 
H. Pocock second, G. Tucker third, and H. C. F. Applegate highly com¬ 
mended. Messrs. Cooling & Sons had a grand lot of hardy herbaceous 
flowers in bunches, all the best species and varieties in cultivation being 
represented, and were rightly awarded the first prize; Mr. A. A. 
Walters following with a remarkably well set up collection. Mr. G. 
Garraway was third, and there were six other lots shown. Annuals 
in bunches were also numerously shown, the first prize going to Mr. F. 
Hooper, Bath ; the second to Mr. A. H. Newman ; aDd the third to Mr. 
J. Stucliley. Mr. Cypher was well first for a vase ; Mr. E. S. Cole being 
second, and Mr. T. Meakins third ; while for a hand bouquet the 
prizes went to Mr. F. Case, Cardiff ; C. Dobson, Clifton ; and Brown and 
Son in the order named. 
The fruit tent is always very popular at this Show, and was even 
better than usual. Some idea of the extent of the display will be 
gathered from the fact that upwards of 250 bunches of Grapes were 
shown, there being enough of these to extend completely round a fairly 
large tent. Four competitors staged a collection of twelve dishes of 
fruit, but Mr. W. Nash, gardener to the Duke of Beaufort, Badminton, 
was easily first, having excellent Alicante and well-coloured Muscat of 
Alexandria Grapes, Golden Gem and Hero of Lockinge Melons, Violette 
Hative and Stirling Castle Peaches, Rivers’ Orange and Galapin 
Nectarines, Morello Cherries, Hemskerk Apricots, Prince of Wales Plum, 
and Williams’ Bon Chretien Pears, all in perfect condition, the good 
colour throughout being very marked. Mr. J. Cray was a good second, 
and Mr. Pymm, gardener to Mrs. Goldsmith, Trowbridge, third, the 
Grapes in this case being somewhat poor. 
Five competed with a collection of eight bunches of Grapes in four 
varieties, but Mr. W. Taylor, gardener to Alderman Chaffin, Bath, was 
well first, having grandly finished clusters of Muscat of Alexandria, 
Alicante, Alnwick Seedling, and Madresfield Court. Mr. J. Gibson, 
gardener to Earl Cowley, Chippenham, was a highly creditable second ; 
and Mr. J. Bury, gardener to C. Bayer, Esq., London, a good third. No 
less than eighteen growers competed with three bunches of Black 
Hamburgh, the first prize for which went to Mr. J. Gibson, who had 
fine, well-finishedibunches ; Mr. J. Marshall, gardener to J. Dole, Esq., 
being a good second; and Mr. W. R ffiinson, gaidener to Lord Justice 
Lopes, Westbury, a close third. Fifteen competed in the class for any 
other black variety, and here Mr. W. Taylor was a good first with 
Madresfield Court in perfect condition ; Mr. W. Nash being second with 
very fine Alicante; and Mr. S. Bryant, gardener to Dr. Grace, Kings- 
wood, third with very good Muscat Hamburgh. Nine staged Muscat of 
Alexandria, but Mr. W. Taylor was easily first with fine, well- 
coloured bunches ; Mr. P. Davidson, gardener to Lord Wolverton, 
Shaftesbury, being second ; and Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to Lady 
Theodore Guest, Blandford, third, the bunches being well finished in 
both instances. In the class for any other white variety ten competed. 
Mr. J. Marshall was first with grand Buckland Sweetwater ; Mr. Wilkins 
being second with Foster’s Seedling, in better condition than is often 
seen ; and Mr. W. Trevillian third with good Buckland Sweetwater. A 
local class for Grapes also attracted good competition, several growers 
exhibiting very creditably. Mr. Marchant was first with good Black 
Hamburgh ; Mr. Tickle, gardener to Mrs. Stodhert, being a close second ; 
and Miss Marriott third. 
Melons, though fairly numerous, were not of great merit. The prin¬ 
cipal prizewinners with these were Messrs. R. Hull, Chippenham j H. 
