128 
' JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 9, 1S8S. 
VEGETABLES FOR EXHIBITION. 
I have read your correspondent’s notes under this head (page 66), 
and upon the whole been much interested in them ; but there is one 
point that I take a decided exception to—namely, in reference to Globe 
Artichokes. I fail to see the qualifications of this to take at any time a 
full number of points of any one kind of vegetable. I know it is a 
favourite with some exhibitors, but I fail to see the merits in any 
particular. I should class it amongst oddities—place it in the same 
position in a collection as it usually is in the garden—that is, where 
Horseradish, Rhubarb, &c. is in the roughest part of the garden. Neither 
is the Artichoke a populai vegetable, so that at any time I should place 
many kinds before it. Indeed, I hardly think it equal to a dish of 
tender and good young Cabbage. Of course, my opinion may be out of 
the usual fixed course, still I should be interested a little further to see 
the opinions of a few growers on this point. There is no difficulty in 
growing ah Artichoke. How many per cent, care for it after it is 
grown ? Would not your correspondent himself prefer good Cabbages 
to it any day ? 
One vegetable he makes no mention of which is a most deserving one 
popularly—the Leek. It will stand the severest winter, and is most 
wholesome if properly used. Certainly it can scarcely be called a 
summer vegetable, but good early ones might be put on a par nearly 
with Celery in August. The tastes of judges it is well known vary 
greatly, and the Artichoke, it seems to me, is one of so little consequence 
that they are seldom asked for, and I should be inclined to dispute your 
correspondent’s opinion, in a friendly way, on the point.—AN OCCA¬ 
SIONAL Exhibitor. 
LIVERPOOL SHOW. 
The Liverpool Horticultural Society’s Exhibition was held, as usual, 
in Sefton Park, on Saturday, August 4th, and Monday, the 6th, and, on 
the whole, was equal to those of previous years. The large tent devoted 
to stove and greenhouse plants has, perhaps, never been better filled, 
nor have exhibits been so nearly equal in so many instances. The Show 
was a brilliant success, but financially it was probably a complete 
failure, as rain fell before the judging was completed, and continued the 
remainder of the day. The tents in consequence were practically 
deserted. This is to be regretted after the heavy losses of last year, the 
signal failure of the spring show, and just when the Society anticipated 
widening its base of operations. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants.— In the class for. twelve plants, 
six flowering and six foliage, three collections were staged, and the com¬ 
petition between Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, and Mr. Roberts, gardener 
to A. Nicholson, Esq., Highfield House, Leek. Staffs, was remarkably 
close, the former gaining the premier position by one or two points. Mr. 
W. Finch, gardener to J. Marriott, Esq., Queen’s Road, Coventry, was 
third. The first collection contained Kentia australis, Kentia Fosteri- 
ana, Crotons Victoria and C. angustifolius, good; Cycas revoluta, 
Latania borbonica, Erica depressa, 4 feet through, and a mass of bloom ; 
Erica Marnockiana, Statice profusa, Allamanda nobilis, Kalosanthes 
coccinea, and a good Phrenoeoma prolifera. The second contained 
magnificent plants of Kentia australis, Cycas circinalis, Encephalartos 
villosus, Ixora Williamsi, 5 feet through and full of flower, and a large 
profusely flowered Dipladenia amabilis. In the corresponding class for 
eight plants Mr. B. Cromwell, gardener to T. S. Tinnis, Esq., Clovelev, 
Allerton, was well first with grand plants, amongst them beinz Croton 
Disraeli, 5 to 6 feet through and a good colour ; Croton Queen Victoria, 
considerably larger than the last and superbly coloured, being by far 
the finest Croton in the Exhibition. A good plant of Gleichenia 
dichotoma. 5 feet in diameter, and Ixora Pilgrimi were also conspicuous. 
Mr. A. R. Cox, gardener to W. H. Watts, Esq., Elm Hall, Wavertree, 
lollowed, having a fine Phamocoma and Ixora coccinea, Mr. Finch 
being third for creditable plants. Mr. A. Crosbie, gardener to B. Hall, 
Esq., Dudlow House, Wavertree, was awarded an extra third. For six 
plants in bloom Mr. Cypher took the lead with Ixora Williamsi, Alla¬ 
manda nobilis, Erica Thompsoni, E. retorta major, Kalosanthes coc¬ 
cinea, and Statice profusa. Mr. Roberts was a close second, and had 
good plants of Ixora Pilgrimi, Erica Jubeana, and Dipladenia Brearley- 
ana. Mr. W. Finch was third with much smaller examp’es. In the 
corresponding class for four plants Mr. B. Cromwell was first with neat 
well grown examples. Mr. A. R. Cox second, and Mr. J. Jellico, 
gardener to F. H. Gossage, Esq., Camp Hill, Woolton, third. For one 
stove plant in flower Mr. Roberts was first with Dioladenia splendens, 
Messrs. W. Finch and A. Crosbie being second and third, the former 
showing Sobralia macrantha, and the latter Eucharis amazonica. For 
one greenhouse plant in flower Mr. J. Cropper, gardener to H. A. Vlasto, 
Esq., took the lead with Hydrangea hortensis, 7 feet through. Mr. 
Gowen, Mossley Hill, second with a fair Kalosanthes, but past its 
best. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —These were shown in about the usual 
style and numbers. For eight plants Mr. J. Jellico gained the highest 
award with grand examples of Pritchardia pacifica, Dion edule, 
Dicksonia antarctica, Thunia elegans, Latania borbonica, Croton War- 
reni, Croton Countess, and Goniophlebium subauriculatum. Mr. Cpyher 
was second, and Mr. Finch third. For six plants Mr. B. Cromwell was 
well first with healthy moderate sized specimens of Gleichenia Mendelli, 
Anthurium crystallinum, Kentia Fosteriana, Croton aureo-marmoratus, 
and Phoenix rupicola. Mr. A. R.Cox secured the second place, and had 
in his collection Kentia Fosteriana and Croton angustifolius good. 
Palms need no special comment. The prizewinners for three plants were 
Messrs. A. Crosbie, Thos. Jones, and C. Roberts ; for one plant Messrs. 
C. Roberts and A. Crosbie. 
Ericas were not numerous, and those staged were below the average. 
Mr. Cypher was first with fair plants, Mr. A. R. Cox second, and Mr. 
Roberts third with small examples. 
Ferns.— Particularly good were the Ferns, especially exotic varieties', 
while hardy varieties were scarcely up to the mark. For eight exotic 
varieties, distinct, Mr. Thos. Gowan was first with a splendid lot of plants 
that would average nearly 4 feet through them, and in the best possible 
condition. Gymnogramma argyrophylla, Adiantum Lindeni, Davallia 
scaberula, Davallia Mooreana, and Goniophlebium subauriculatum were 
conspicuous. Mr. B. Cromwell was a good second, having splendid 
examples of Davallia tenuifolia Veitchiana, D. fijiensis both very fine,, 
and Nephrolepis davallioides furcans. Mr. A. R. Cox secured the last 
award. For four plants, six or seven collections were staged. Mr. J. 
Hughes, gardener to D. Mclver, Esq., Elmwood, Woolton, Mr. Thos. 
Jones, gardener to W. Clark, Esq., Aigburth Drive, and Mr. J. Hurst 
were the winners in the order named. For six Selaginellas Mr. Harrison, 
gardener to Mrs. G. Bateson, New Heys, was first with capital 
well grown plants. For two Filmy Ferns Mr. J. Foster took the lead 
with two fine Todeas, followed by Mr. J. Jenkins, gardener to J. E. 
Tinnie, Esq., Mersey Road, and Mr. W. Finch. For six hardy varieties 
Mr. J. Foster, gardener to J. Brancher, Esq., was first, and Mr. P- 
Barber, gardener to A. Barnsley, Esq., second. 
Begonias were far behind those staged a few years ago, and except 
the exhibits from Mr. Cox they could only have been termed the poorest 
of examples. His plants were young, but strong and well flowered. 
For six plants the competitor named was first, followed by Mr. A. 
Crosbie and Mr. B. Cromwell. For three, the same exhibitor was again 
first, the last second, and Mr. James Hurst third. For one plant Mr. 
A. R. Cox was again first. 
Caladiums were good, and for six plants Mr. J. Warrington, gardener 
to J. Bright, Esq., was first, followed by Mr. J. Harrison. Achimenes, 
Petunias, and Fuchsias need no special comment. Coleuses were good, 
but too formal. . Mr. Gowan was placed first, Mr. Bustard second, and 
Mr. T. Jones third. Cockscombs were good, and Mr. A. Agnew gained 
the chief honours, and Mr. R. Johnson, gardener to Mrs. White, Derwent 
Lodge, Wavertree, was first for Gloxinias, which were superb. Mr. T. 
Winkworth was second, and Mr. Agnew third. 
Groups. —Only four were staged for the six awards offered. In the 
open class for a group of miscellaneous plants not to exceed 250 square 
feet, Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons was the only exhibitor, and the arrange¬ 
ment was in their usual light and effective style, for which the first prize: 
was awarded. In the corresponding class for one not to exceed 150 
square f et there were three competitors, and Mr. A. R. Cox was suc¬ 
cessful with a neat telling arrangement of clean choice plants. Mr.. 
J. Jellico was an excellent second, and at a first glance the most pleasing 
of the two, but upon close inspection the Judges’ decision was found to- 
be right. Mr. T. Jones was third with a heavier group that lacked 
lightness and colour. Zonal Pelargoniums were on the whole good. 
For six single Varieties Mr. Gowan took the lead; for three Mr. D. 
McKellar was first; for four double Mr. Gowan occupied the same 
position, and Mr. J. Stoney for six Ivy-leaf varieties which were well 
done. 
Orchids.— The plants contributed for the six prizes offered for 
these plants were highly creditable to the unsuccessful competitors as- 
well as those that gained the prizes. The competition was very keen, 
and the plants in every instance healthy and well flowered. For four 
plants Mr. J. Cypher took the lead with Cattleya crispa having six 
fine spikes ; C. Gaskelliana pallida was equally good with the same 
number of spikes. Saccolabium Blumei wa9 striking with three spike 0 ,, 
while Cypripedium caudatum had two fine flowers. H. Tate, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. J. Edwards), was second, and had a fine dark variety of 
Odontoglossum Harryanum with three spikes. Third, Mr. R. Johnson, 
gardener to Thos. Slatters, Esq. For one plant Mr. W. Tunnington 
was well first with Oncidium Lanceanum ; Mr. J. Edward second with 
Odontoglossum Harryanum, having'a fine spike of ten flowers ; third,. 
Mr. R. Johnson for Miltonia spectabilis having twenty flowers. 
Table plants as usual were light and of a very suitable size for that 
purpose. For six plants Mr. C. Evans, gardener to Willwood Maxwell, 
Esq., Holmfield, Aigburth, was first with Pandanus Veitchi, Dracaena, 
gracilis, Croton aigburthensis, Croton Chelsoni, Dracaena albo-mar- 
ginata, and an Aralia. Mr. J. Agnew was second, and Mr. J. Bounds- 
third, both showing well. There wa£s a large number of entries in this- 
class.' 
Cut Flowers.— The prizes for these were well contested, especially 
those offered for stove and greenhouse varieties, but the display of Roses; 
did not quite equal expectations, for they were not of such good quality 
as we have seen them at this Show. Of forty-eight Roses, distinct 
blooms, no less than six collections were staged, and the first and second 
were very close. Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bedale, secured the premier 
position with fresh and bright, but rather smaller blooms than those- 
which gained the second award. The names of the whole of the varie¬ 
ties in this collection have been given several times this season, that 
they need not be repeated here. Messrs. A. Dickson & Sons, New- 
tonards, and Messrs. R. Mack & Sons were'second and third winners 
For eighteen blooms of Teas, Hybrid Teas, and Noisettes, three collec¬ 
tions were staged ; the same exhibitor was again successful, and had 
good Souvenir d’un Ami, The Bride, Rubens, Madame Caroline Kust -r, 
Madame Willermoz, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, Francisca Kruger, David 
Pradel, Alba Rosea, Catherine Mermet, Niphetos, Maiame Cusin. 
