August 18,1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
145 
compost being the principal cause of innumerable failures. The prin¬ 
cipal portion of the old wood is kept on the balloon-shaped trellises, the 
plants being well raised to the light, and the young growths trained up 
strings or allowed to grow freely over the roof trellising. This is 
necessary to induce free flowering, as it is quite possible to grow 
Dipladenias strongly and yet not flower them well. They are easily 
taken down and trained as required. Mealy bug is the greatest enemy 
to them, and hand-picking is the safest method of keeping them in 
check, any kind of insecticide or careless cleaning quickly injuring the 
foliage. The syringe should keep down red spider. 
Bougainvillea glabra and ClerodeDdron Balfourianum are extensively 
grown, these by good management being available and very effective at 
both the early and late shows. The former thrives in a loamy compost, 
likes plenty of water and liquid manure, and may be rested or flowered 
in a cool house. Those for the early shows are rested in the autumn 
and started early in the new year, while those required in August or 
later are induced to grow strongly in the late autumn and winter months, 
and after being rested and lightly pruned these are re-started in May’ 
Clerodendrons are given a peaty compost, are not rested in a cool house, 
this if tried sometimes proving fatal to them ; but in other respects 
their treatment is very similar to that of the Bougainvilleas. Pimeleas 
of sorts are wonderfully fine, these being principally grown for the 
spring shows, and are now either just cut back or breaking strongly. 
Hedaromas, Aphelexis, Phcenocomas, and Statices, all indispensable to 
the exhibitor, are in excellent health, and include some of the best 
specimens in the country. Light and airy greenhouses are the positions 
for these, and they must have plenty of room and careful waterings. 
Anthuriums are more within the reach of the generality of plant 
growers, and popular as they are, still more would grow them if it was 
known how little heat they really require. Mr. Cypher has a grand 
lot of plants growing in a comparatively cool house, and, if I remember 
rightly, a lean-to with a north aspect. Such a number of large freely 
flowered plants, not a poor variety among them, and including such 
grand sorts as Schertzerianum, Cypheri, Wardi, and some fine forms of 
Andreanum, is a sight not easily forgotten. All are rooting in a coarse 
Orchid-like compost, with a good surfacing of sphagnum, and with 
plenty of moisture at all times, and free syringings, very little else is 
needed. A little soot water appears to benefit tliem, and perhaps this is 
the safest fertiliser that can be given. At one time they had a grand 
lot of Eucharis amazonica, large specimens being frequently included 
in the groups of flowering plants. Now they can-do nothing with them 
owing to the destructiveness of the Eucharis mite. The old stock was 
gradually burnt, and a new lot established in another part of the 
nursery, but these are also affected, and present a miserable appear¬ 
ance. Various remedies, or so-called remedies, have been tried, all to no 
purpose, and Mr. Cypher is beaten for once. Of Pancratium fragrans 
they have several wonderful specimens in 20-inch pots, and fully 
7 feet through. They receive large quantities of water and liquid 
manure, and are grown constantly in a moderately high temperature. 
As many as thirty large flower spikes are developed on each in one 
season. 
Fine-foliaged plants are not so numerous as flowering plants, the 
same giants doing duty at various places. A large span-roofed house is 
devoted solely to Crotons, and of these there are many very fine 
specimens. A high temperature is maintained early in the season, but 
more air is given when it is necessary to prepare the plants for the 
shows. They are shaded from bright sunshine, the blinds on each side of 
the house being run up or down according as the sun is on or off. 
Blinds are also freely used in a similar manner over the various 
plants previously alluded to, plenty of light being essential, but fierce 
sunshine is guarded against. The best Crotons for exhibition 
are Queen Victoria Reginus, Sunset, Thompsoni, Warreni, angustifolius, 
Williamsi, Montfortensis, Prince of Wales, majesticus, Countess (in the 
way of but superior to Johannis), and Neumanni. For table decoration 
Mr. Cypher recommends angustifolius, Countess, majesticus, inter¬ 
rupts aureus, Aigburthensis, and elegans. 
Orchids are grown in very large numbers, and all appear to be in 
excellent condition. The Cattleyas, for which a span-roofed house 
50 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 16 feet high was built a few years ago, 
were alone worth journeying a long way to see. Most of the valuable 
forms of Mossise, Mendeli, Trianae, and labiata were flowering freely, 
as well as a few extra choice varieties of which Mr. Cypher holds the 
stock. Laelias, Dendrobes, Masdevallias, Epklendrums, Cypripediums, 
Odontoglossums, Vandas, in fact all the best Orchids, are well repre¬ 
sented, and nowhere else can be seen healthier plants. 
Although best known as an exhibitor of plants, Mr. Cypher attaches 
more value to the cut flower trade, and largely cultivates all the most 
serviceable classes of plants, both indoors and out. Orders are received 
from all parts of Great Britain and Ireland, more especially for wreaths, 
crosses, and bouquets. No one is ever refused admittance into these 
interesting nurseries, and many gardeners beside myself might with 
profit spend an hour or two with the Messrs. Cypher, the beautiful town 
of Cheltenham, too, being well worth a visit.— A Visitor. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
TAUNTON. 
The notes of our reporter of tbe plant and flower department of this 
Show having failed to reach in time for publication, we print what appears 
to be a very good description of that section from the Somtrset Gaze te. 
The report of the fruit and vegetable departments is from one of our 
correspondents. 
The twentieth annual Show of the Taunton Deane Horticultural and 
Floricultural Society was held on the 11th inst. in Vivary Park, Taunton 
and notwithstanding the dryness of the season the exhibits in all depart- 
ments were of extraordinary excellence. The interest manifested in the 
Exhibition by the inhabitants of the town and countv showed no falling off 
and throughout the day the park was visited by several thousand people’. 
The Committ e issued a request to the tradesman of the town to decorate 
their establishments on the evening previous to the Show, and on Thursday 
morning most of the houses of business in the main streets exhibited flago, 
banners, and bunting in great variety. The bells of St. Mary’s church rano- 
out merry peals, and the Union Jack was hoisted on several of the public 
buildings. The Show, coming as it does in the wake of several important 
exhibitions in the west, is invariably favoured with high-class exhibits, and 
the Committee have of late years made their prize-list more attractive, with 
the result that the competition in all departments has grown exceedingly 
keen. For several years past a gratifying improvement in tbe quality of 
the exhibits has been noticeable, and in the opinion of those most competent 
to judge this year’s Show was considerably in advance of any exhibition, 
previously held under the auspices of the Society. 
The whole of the arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by the 
Committee, while the secretarial duties were efficiently performed by Messrs. 
Maynard and Hammett, with the assistance of a staff of clerks. 
The exhibits were staged in five large marquees. No. 1 tent, which was 
160 feet long, contained a magnificent collection of plants and flowers. The 
first prize for twelve stove and greenhouse plants in flower (in pots) was 
awarded to Mr. B. W. Cleave of Crediton, who has figured largely in pre¬ 
vious years’ prize lists in this department, Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham, who 
is also a well-known prizewinner at West of England shows, being second. 
The plants of both exhibitors were a splendid lot. Mr. Cl ave’s collection 
comprised the followingErica remula, Lapageria rosea, Ixora Williamsi 
Eucharis amazonica, Allamanda Hendersoni, Erica Eweriana superba 
Allamanda nobilis, Clerondendron Balfourianum, Bougainvillea glabra, Ixora 
Prince of Orange, Erica obbata purpurea, and Ixora Fraseri. Great credit is 
due to Mr. Lock, the gardener to Mr. Cleave, for the care and attention 
which he evidently bestows upon the plants. This year he has Bhown at 
Southampton and WeBton-super-Mare with similar success. Mr. Cypher's 
collection included a number of good-sized and well-grown plants, admit¬ 
tedly a fine lot, but in the opinion of those most competent to judge thev 
were hardly so fresh as Mr. Cleave’s. Th re was an excellent Phcenocoma 
prolifera Barnesi, and two good Ericas—Tbompsoni and Aitoniana. In 
Class 2, for six stove and greenhouse plants, Mr. Cypher was awarded first 
with a very good collection, which included an Erica Marnockiana and a fine 
Erica Irbyana. The second prize went to Mrs. Pears”, a well-known 
exhibitor from Southampton. Mr. Cypher was first in Class 3 for eight fine 
foliaged and variegated plants (distinct varieties). The collection included 
a Cycas circinalis, Cordyline indivisa, Kentia Fosteriana, and a Dasylirion 
acrotrichum. Mr. Cleave was second, his exhibits including a Latania 
borbonica and a very fine Croton Williamsi, which were shown at Souths 
ampton and Weston with the flowering plants. The first prize for eight 
exotic Ferns (distinct varieties) was taken by Mr. Cleave with a grand lot 
of plants, with which he has gained similar honours wherever they have 
been shown. Geraniums were a very fine show, though some of the flowers 
were a little deficient in colour, owing, no doubt, to the hot weather. Ia 
this department Mr. Godding cleared the board of most of tbe prizes, taking 
in all no less than six firsts. Mr. Tidbury, another local exhibitor, was to 
the front in the class for Geraniums, variegated leaves, eight plants—a very 
meritorious lot. Two excellent plants were shown in the class for a newly 
introduced plant with ornamental foliage; the first prize went to Mr. 
Cypher, and the second to Mr, John Marshall. Mr. Cypher also took a first 
for Orchids. 
Roses were a splendid show, and here the well-known growers, Messrs. 
Cooling & Sons of Bath, were to the front. Mr. J. Nation of Staplegrove 
was awarded first for Dahlias in three classes, his flowers being wonderfully 
fine. Mr. Smith of Bristol took two firsts for Hollyhocks. Some good> 
Verb-nas were shown, Mr. A. Guy-Evered taking first in both classes. Mr. 
Godding was successful in the class for Gladioli, twenty-four spikes. Com¬ 
petition in tbe class for cut flowers (twelve bunches distinct varieties) lay 
between the Earl of Cork and Mr. Jno. Marshall. The collection from Bel¬ 
mont included some extraordinary fine flowers, which reflected credit on the 
head gardener, Mr. Lucas. The Judges placed Mr. Marshall first in the class. 
Mr. Cypher was first in the class for Orchids, one of his plants being an ex¬ 
cellent specimen of Cattleya eldorado virginalis. In this tent Messrs. Kel- 
way & Son, seedsmen, Langport, exhibited, not for competition, forty-eight 
spikes of Gladioli, and they were awarded certificates of merit in respect to 
three—Hilda, a creamy whi e tinted with carmine; Howard Maynard, a 
bright scarlet; and Ciris, a white, shaded mauve and cream spot on the 
lower petal. The collection included some of the splendid specimens for 
which the Langport nurseries are noted. Mr. R. H. Poynter of Taunton ex¬ 
hibited, not for competition, a splendid collection of Petunias and other plants 
in good condition and of fine growth, which were certificated. Messrs. Kel- 
way also showed two excellent specimens of Gaillardia, for one of which— 
William Kelway—they were awarded a certificate of merit. 
The amateurs’ exhibits, which were staged in the second marquee, were 
an exce’lent lot all round, the cut flowers being especially fine considering 
the difficulties which have attended their cultivation this year. It must 
have required an immense amount of care to bring the exhibits to the high 
standard of excellence. Mr. Cleave followed up his successes in the other 
department by clearing the board of the first prizes in five classes for stove 
and greenhouse plants and exotic and hardy Ferns, the second prizes going 
to Mrs. Pearse, Mr. John Marshall, Mr. W. G. Marshal], and Mr. F. W. 
Newton. Mr. W. G. Marshall was to the front in the class for Japan Lilies 
with four specimens that did credit to his head gardener. Mr. Thomas. Mr. 
Tottle was awarded first for Fuchsias, Mr. W. B. Hellard for Begonias, anil 
Mr. John Marshall for Gladioli. There were some wonderfully fine 
Geraniums shown, aud the first prizes were pretty evenly divided between 
Mr. Hellard and Mr. Tottle. Mr. VV. G. Marshall took first in the classes, 
for Achimenes and Gloxinias, and Mr. Manley was similarly honoured for 
Petunias and Balsams. Mr. Pope of Bath was to the fore in the classes for- 
German and French Asters, and Mr. Nation took a first for Dahlias. The 
fi st prizes in the classes for Verbenas went to Mr. Guy Evered. Mr. C. L. 
