504 
JOURNAL OF 'UORTIGULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 6,189(. 
Probably the part of the United Kingdom which affords the 
greatest scope for improvement in this matter of planting trees or 
afforesting is Wales, and we are very pleased to know that Mr. E. 
Stafford Howard, Her Majesty’s Commissioner of Woods and Forests, 
has determined to try some experiment on the Crown lands in this 
direction by having an experimental plantation made at a high altitude, 
and in a very exposed situation. If this experiment results favourably 
we hope not only the Commissioners, but landowners generally, will 
carry out from year to year improvements and extensions in a similar 
way. That plantations are wanted, and that they would pay ultimately 
goc^ interest on capital invested, should be obvious to all acquainted 
with the climate of Wales, which equals that of the Channel Islands 
and parts of the Continent from whence large portions of our supplies 
of timber, and of lesser articles, such as eggs, poultry, fruit, flowers, 
and dairy produce are drawn. 
The connection between these articles of our import trade and 
plantations may not at first be seen, but if we could persuade Agricul¬ 
ture to learn lessons from her young sister Horticulture, she would see 
the importance of shelter from winds as shown in the garden and the 
tree nursery. In both, this is provided for by planting either hedges 
that are allowed to attain a good height and width, or by borders of the 
hardier trees on the outer boundaries of a garden. Inside these shelters 
tender plants and shrubs flourish vigorously, which would die outright 
if planted in the full exposure. In a similar way about the farm more 
trees should be planted in order to give shelter from the strong winds 
and sea blasts. If this was done early vegetables, fruits, such as Straw¬ 
berries, poultry, and cattle, all would benefit thereby. Wales has the 
climate for early and profitable production of all these articles, and with 
industry, skill, and outlay of capital on the part of her children, with a 
little fostering care and leading the way by the “ powers that be,” she 
might ultimately supply the great markets of Liverpool, Manchester, 
and the North with many thousands of pounds of produce that the 
foreigner supplies. It is considerations like these that make us welcome 
the experiment now being made as a step in the right direction. 
We understand that Mr. W. H. More, crown agent for Wales and Co. 
Monmouth, of Harlech, has the supervision of the work, and that the 
Commissioner has, on his recommendation, appointed Mr. T. Lewis, 
jun., Arthog, Dolgelly, to carry out the planting. Messrs. Clibran & Son 
have supplied specially selected trees from their Llandudno nurseries, so 
that all that skill and care can do to make the experiment a success will 
be done. The public generally will owe a debt of gratitude to the Com¬ 
missioner and Crown Agent for their efforts in the direction of pro¬ 
moting tree planting in Wales, and we trust that success will attend the 
experiments now in hand.— Feuitman. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
MANCHESTER.— May 31st. 
On Friday last the annual Whitsuntide exhibition was opened at 
the Botanical Gardens, and the opinion, formed by competent judges 
who have attended almost annually since the formation of these grand 
shows, was that for beauty of effect and brightness there has been no 
previous show to compare with this one. This applies more especially 
to the grand display of Orchids, which completely filled the grand exhi¬ 
bition house from end to end; The central stage was a gorgeous bank, 
relieved from stiffness by stately Tree Ferns and Palms towering up 
to the roof, whilst similar banks arranged on each side had handsome 
backgrounds of Palms and draped pillars, the end being filled to the 
extent of some 300 feet with a fine group of Orchids exhibited by 
F. Hardy, Esq, Tyntesfield, Ashton-on-Mersey. 
Coming to the annexe, and taking a view from the steps, the effect 
was even more pleasing. Below were the handsome first, second, and 
third prize groups put up with admirable effect by Mr. Wilkes, gardener 
to Miss Lord, Oakleigh, Ashton-on-Mersey, whose first prize was most 
worthily won. To attempt a description would only be to court failure ; 
but it stood as an object lesson to all visitors, and shows Mr, Wilkes a 
true exponent of the beautiful in Nature. The second prize, exhibited 
by Mr. Elkin, gardener to Mrs. Agnew, Fairhope, was admirably done, 
whilst the third, by Mrs. Blair, was lacking in lightness of material. 
Stretching beyond for a distance of 112 yards on each side were 
irregular banks of Rhododendrons gorgeous in colour, the tall standards 
inserted prominently adding much to their beauty. These came from 
Messrs. Jno. Waterer & Co., Ltd., Bagshot, Surrey. The centre space 
was devoted to nurserymen’s exhibits, and here the same regard to effect 
had been carried out. In some cases tables had been absolutely neces¬ 
sary, but any formality was relieved by groups in between. The first to 
come under notice was the Reading firm of Sutton & Sons, and after the 
note on the Temple show in our issue of a fortnight ago little remains 
to be added. The unique Peas and Tomatoes, the handsome Gloxinias, 
herbaceous Calceolarias, and Begonias which stamp the firm A1 in 
quality in every respect. A gold medal was accorded to Messrs. Sutton 
and Sons for this exhibit. If the Temple show was robbed of Mr. Jno. 
Laing’s support not so here, for his group of Caladiums, which was 
deservedly awarded the gold medal, was arranged in the best possible 
form. Another noted firm who has been absent for many years we 
hail with pleasure—viz., Messrs. T. Rivers & Son of Sawbridgeworth, 
their thirty pots of Nectarines forming a pleasing feature, in addition 
to giving visitors some idea of the splendid culture carried out. The 
gold medal was unanimously awarded. The sorts exhibited were Early 
Rivers and Cardinal. 
Hardy cut flowers were superb, everything good and noteworthy 
being brought together. Messrs. Cutbush & Sons’ table was most taste¬ 
fully arranged, the flowers being in miniature groups, with an edging of 
moss. Paeonies, Pyrethrums, Crimson Giant Mignonette, Leschenaultia 
biloba major, Turner’s Crimson Rambler Rose, the beautiful new 
border Carnations The Countess and Mrs. H. Cutbush, Calla Elliottiana 
being a few of the many good plants staged. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale 
Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, had a handsome arrangement, conspicuous 
for the beautiful Irises, Eremurus himalaicus. Lychnis, and Improved 
Pink Carnation. Dickson’s, Ltd., Chester, showed a charming collec¬ 
tion, comprising Irises, Pyrethrums, Poppies, Eremurus himalaicus, 
Cypripedium macranthum, Amorphophallus campanulatus, and Sene- 
cillis carpatica. An interesting exhibit of some 150 pots of Violas, 
comprising many new varieties not yet in commerce, and about 100 cut 
Pansy blooms was much admired. Miss Hopkins, Mere Cottage, Knuts- 
ford, exhibited a useful collection of herbaceous cut flowers and Violas. 
Arranged in this part was the first prize collection of hardy herbaceous 
and alpine plants, arranged by Mr. Plant, gardener to R. P. Gill, Esq., 
Ashton-on-Mersey, a most interestine feature of the exhibition. 
Coming to tbe Orchids, a prize of £20 was offered, Edwd. Ashworth, 
Esq., Harefield Hall, Wilmslow, gaining first honours with a remarkably 
fine stand set in a bank of Ferns. To enumerate all the choice varieties 
would take up too much space, but it may safely be said that the 
quality and quantity were everything to be desired. Fred Hardy, Esq., 
as previously mentioned, had fine examples, particularly Laelia purpnrata, 
but there was rather a lack of finish to the group. Mr. Cypher of 
Cheltenham came in a capital first in the collection for nurserymen, 
and it is questionable if he has ever exhibited anything better. Lrelia 
purpurata in variety, Odontoglossums, and Masdevallias were all superb. 
Messrs. Heath & Son, Cheltenham, were a very fair second, and Mr. 
Jno. Robson, The Dawns, Bowdon, third. 
For the best collection of Cattleyas and Lselias, Thos. Statter. Esq., 
Stand Hall, Whitefield, had vigorous and beautifully flowered specimens 
of Lselias purpurata and grandis, the Cattleyas represented being 
Mossise, Mendeli, and gigas gigantea ; E. Ashworth, Esq., being second. 
Beautiful in this stand were Cattleyas Mossise, Reineckiana, var. Jno. 
Ashworth and Beatrice Ashworth, the former being—with the exception 
of a tinge of violet with orange marking in throat—almost pure white. 
For ten specimen Orchids in bloom Mr. Ashworth was again in splendid 
form, grand being Cattleya Mossise, Dendrobium Dalhousianum, and 
Gramatophyllum Measuresianum. Messrs. Heath & Son were an 
excellent second, Dendrobium Dalhousianum, Phalsenopsis grandiflora, 
and Cypripedium Lawrenceanum being very good. The third went to 
Mrs. Hodgkinson, Bowdon. Mr. Cypher won the silver cup for Den- 
drobiums in bloom, Falconeri and Beusonise being fine. Mr. Ashworth 
was a smart second. For the best collection of Cypripedinms in bloom 
four competed, Mr. Billington, gardener to W. R. Lee, Esq., Beech Lawn, 
Audenshaw, having Winifred Hollington, superbiens, and Goweri as his 
best. F. Hardy, Esq., was a capital second ; Thos. Statter, Esq., third. 
Thos. Statter, Esq., won in the class for Cypripedium? in bloom, the 
best amongst them being T. B. Haywood ; Ed. Ashworth, Esq., being a 
fair second. Odontoglossums are always a great feature here, Mr. 
Stevens, gardener to W. Thompson, Esq., Slone, having a collection 
which, for merit in arrangement, good culture, and high quality, would 
be difficult to excel. F. Hardy, Esq., for second place, had some superh 
forms, the effect, to both flowers and artistic taste, being lost by the 
absence of greenery to furnish. S. Hinchcliffe, Esq., was a fair third. 
W. R. Lee, Esq., was awarded honours for new hybrid Orchid with 
Laelio-Cattleya Aphrodite; E. Ashworth, Esq., with Cypripedium 
Lawrenceanum X Curtisi, partaking much of the former parent; 
F. Hardy, Esq., third with (Enanthum superbum. 
Amongst the trade exhibits not for competition the place of honour 
must certainly be accorded Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, who, to 
quote an expression of one of the Judges, staged the flnest collection 
which has ever been seen in Europe, the large gold medal, which is the 
highest award granted, being worthily bestowed. Messrs. B. S. Williams 
and Son and Hugh Low & Co. vied with each other with stands of the 
highest possible merit. Messrs. Charlesworth & Co. had a pleasing stand.. 
Messrs. J. Cowan & Co. (Limited), Garston, Liverpool, had a most 
superior collection, the best of which were Brassia verrucosa major with 
over a score of handsome spikes, a grand variety of Cypripedium 
caudatum (very dark), Lslia purpurata Boisseriana, and Brassia 
Keilliana trista, with a smah collection of Amaryllis. Messrs. W. L. 
Lewis & Co., Southgate, had a small but choice display. 
A most meritorious collection of fruit, consisting of two bunches of 
Black Hamburghs and one Foster’s Seedling Grapes, Tomatoes, and 
seeds of Cycas reroluta. was staged by James Watts, Esq., Abney Hall, 
Cbeadle, and a dish of Brown Turkey Figs and a new Melon May Queen,, 
a handsome, well flavoured, scarlet flesh variety by Mr. E. Gilman, 
Ingestre Gardens, Stafford. 
Most deserving was the first-class certificate for the beautiful plant 
of Cattleya Mendeli Her Majesty, which was exhibited by Mr. Turner, 
gardener to F. Jacomb, Esq , Cheam Park, Surrey : also to Edward 
Ashworth, Esq., for Cattleya superba Ashworthi, a charming variety, with 
white sepals and petals, the throat faintly suffused with lemon and slight 
violet blotch. Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son gained a first-class certificate 
for Pescatorea Roezli alba, slightly past its best; and a bo'anical 
certificate for Brassia Keeliana trista. Other certificates were granted, 
but owing to their not being placed at the time the report wag taken 
they must be left for a short note next week. Messrs. R. Halliday & Co., 
Manchester, had a grand exhibit of horticultural buildings, to suit 
every taste. The Stott Company’s trial of the new steam lawn mower 
