December 6, if 88. ] 
523 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
highly creditable exhibition of Apples by Mr. James Thomson, Shaw- 
don. The ball was neatly decorated with plants from the Castle 
Gardens, under the supervision of Mr. Geo. Harris. 
The following Committee have worked arduously for the success 
of the Show Messrs. M. Armstrong. J. Simpson, W. Bell, G. Harris, 
J. T. Stott, D. P. Bell, M. Swan. The duties of Treasurer were ably 
carried out by Mr. G. H. Thompson, and those of Secretary by Messrs. 
G. Simpson and J. Ferguson. 
The chief prizes for plants were won by Mr. Paul Blanchard. Sunni- 
ford Park ; for cut blooms by Messrs. J. Short, T. J. Wheeler, D. P. 
Bell, J. Pringle, and G. Shotton. For miscellaneous exhibits, fruits, 
and vegetables, the prizes were accorded to Messrs. Wheeler, Blanchard, 
Pringle, Finch, Bell, Oliver, Robson, A. McIntosh, Stott, and Logan. 
ECCLES.— November 3Ctii and December 1st. 
Tms young Society held their second Exhibition in the Town Hall, 
and it was in every respect a very good one, and considerably in advance 
of the one held last year. The Committee increased the number of 
classes and prize money consequent on their first exhibition proving 
such a success financially. The schedule comprised forty-six classes^ 
twenty being open to all, sixteen open to amateurs, and the remainder 
devoted to the members of the Patricroft Linnman Society. 
Cut blooms were more numerous and of better quality than we had 
expected to have found them. For eighteen blooms, half incurved and 
half Japanese, Mr. J. Lambert, gardener to Col. Wingfield, Onslow Hall, 
Shrewsbury, was the only exhibitor, and staged capital blooms of 
Gloriosum, Madame J. Laing, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Madame C. 
Audiguier, Mdlle. Lacroix, Criterion, L’Or du Japan, Madame de Sevin, 
and M. Astorg ; incurved, Golden Empress. Queen of England, Lord 
Alcester, Princess of Wales, Alfred Salter, Jardin des Plantes, Princess of 
Teck, Mrs. C. Gibson, and a sport from Lord Alcester. For twelve 
incurved varieties the same exhibitor was again first with grand flowers 
of the sport from Lord Alcester, Queen of England, Alfred Salter, 
Empress of India, Jeanne d’Arc, Princess of Teck, Lord Alcester, 
Golden Empress, Barbara, Jardin des Plantes, Eve and Princess of Teck. 
Mr. J. Walker was second with smaller and flatter blooms, and A. N. 
Earle, Esq., third. In the corresponding class for twelve Japanese Mr. 
J. Lambert was again first with fresh, fair sized blooms of Baronne de 
Prailly, Jeanne D^laux, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Dormillion, Japonais, 
Criterion, Yal d’Andorre, Madame J. Laing, Duke of Albany, E. Moly- 
neux, Gloriosum, and M. Astorg. Mr. J. Walker was again second, and 
A. Knowles, Esq., third. For twelve blooms, six Japanese and six 
incurved, the winners were the same as in the preceding class. For 
nine blooms, three Japanese, three incurved and three Anemone, Mr. J. 
Walker was first, and also for six blooms of Anemones. In the amateur 
class for eighteen blooms, any variety, staged for effect, Mr. H. Huber 
was first, and Mr. W. Crawshaw second, both showing well. For twelve 
blooms, six Japanese and six incurved, Mr. Crawshaw again took the 
lead, followed closely by Mr. Royles. For six incurved Mr. Crawshaw 
was first, and also for six Japanese. For twelve blooms, half Japanese 
and half inburved, in the third section, Mr. H. Huber took the lead. For 
six incurved Mr. R. Johnson, and the same exhibitor was first for six 
Japanese. 
Chrysanthemums in pots were considerably better than is the case 
at most exhibitions. Those in the open classes were all that could be 
desired, while those in the amateurs’ sections were highly praiseworthy. 
For a group of plants, any varieties, arranged for effect, space not to 
exceed 9 feet by 6 feet, four groups were contributed. G. II. Leigh, Esq., 
was placed first with grand examples of culture; none of the plants 
exceeded 3 feet high, and many of them not more than 2, with dark 
healthy foliage to the base, the plants carrying six and eight good blooms 
each. N. A. Earle, Esq., was a close second with most of the plants 
equal to those in the first collection. Mr. W. Russell was placed third. 
For six plants, large flowering varieties, Japanese excluded, Mr. N. A. 
Earle was well first with excellent examples of Emily Dale, Qreen of 
England, Mr. Bunn, Empress of India, Barbara, and Princess of Teck. 
J. Reddaway, Esq., was placed second with rather taller plants. For 
six Japanese Mr. N. A. Earle took the lead with well grown plants of 
L’Adorable, Elaine, E. Molyneux, and Val d’Andorre. In the corre¬ 
sponding class for six plants, three incurved, and the remainder Japanese, 
Mr. N. A. Earle was aga ; n first, and Mr. J. Reddaway second. For 
three Pompons Mr. Earle was again first with fair plants. For a group 
of miscellaneous plants arranged for effect, space not exceed 7 feet by 
5 feet, Mr. Tbos. Agnew, Eccles, was well first with the most tastefully 
arranged group we have seen for a long time. Mr. N. A. Earle was 
placed second with a very good arrangement. Table plants were very 
good, being light and of a suitable size for that purpose, Mr. J. Fountain 
was placed first. Mr. F. Reddaway took the lead for Roman Hyacinths, 
which were Well shown. Mr. N. A. Earle was first, Poinsettias, good 
pots full, with fair sized bracts. Primulas were below the average, Mr. 
N. A. Earle was deservedly accorded the premier position. The same 
exhibitor was also first for Calanthes. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were numerous and added largely to the 
attractiveness of the Exhibition. Messrs. Clibran & Son, Oldfield 
Nursery, Altrincham, staged several hundred blooms of Chrysanthemums, 
also boxes of Pelargoniums and miscellaneous collection of plants. 
Messrs. R. Smith & Co., Worcester, contributed a collection of Apples 
and Pears, about twenty-six dishes of fine fruit ; Mr. Thos. Agnew, 
Eccles, a number of Crotons and Palms, large healthy plants ; Messrs. 
Dickson, Brown & Tait, Manchester, splendid boxes of Roman Hyacinths, 
a few Cyclamen, and other plants ; Messrs. Dickson & Robinson, Man¬ 
chester, Erica hyemalis, Cyclamens, and small Palms ; Mr. W. Grange, 
florist, Eccles, contributed a table of Grapes, Pines, Apples, Pears, and 
Mushrooms, intermixed with flowering and foliage decorative plants-; 
Mr. J. Derbyshire, fruit grower, Liverpool Road, Patricroft, a collection 
of Apples. 
It will be seen from the brief outline given that the Exhibition was 
a thoroughly representative one, and highly creditable to all who took 
part in its management. 
HARDWOODED PLANTS AT CHELTENHAM. 
Only those who follow out exhibiting week by week fully realise 
the great amount of hard work incurred by competitors. By continued 
practice, however, the anxiety is considerably lessened. The skilled 
exhibitor knows to a nicety what plants will be ready for this or that 
show on a particular day; whether this plant will need retarding, or 
that one pushing on, to be in condition at the right moment. Plants- 
are judged upon their merits at the time they are viewed by the judges, 
and not what they were a week previous, or what they may be a week 
hence. From time to time, for years past, the writer has had many 
pleasant conversations with Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham, whose fame as 
an exhibitor is widely known in England. Those of your readers who 
frequent our larger exhibitions cannot fail to notice the clean, fresh, 
healthy appearance of Mr. Cypher's plants whenever seen, so of this I 
will say nothing, but turn briefly to the specimens on their return home, 
or in other words—“ after the battle.” 
The collection of hardwooded plants grown at Cheltenham for 
exhibition purposes is, perhaps, one of the finest extant, many of the 
individual examples reflecting the highest possible credit on the cultural 
skill which has brought them to such perfection. Some of these plants, 
particularly the hardwooded Heaths, do duty at a - series of exhibitions 
during the period in which they are in flower. In taking these from 
place to place they are of necessity subjected to a variety of change, 
both of temperature as well as in the supplies and the quality of the water 
which must of necessity be given them. Nothing is more conducive t» 
making some of these fastidious Ericas present a sickly appearance than 
changes of this kind ; and while a thorough knowledge of their usual 
behaviour under such conditions reduces losses to a minimum, yet plants, 
and particularly hardwooded Heaths, that have attained the age of 
thirty or even fifty years, will and do become unhealthy now and then, 
despite all attempts to the contrary. It is only those with keen judg¬ 
ment, decisive action, and an ever-watchful eye that can hope to become 
successful cultivators of such plants. One of the first steps taken by 
Mr. Cypher after the plants have done their season’s work is to clear 
them of all their flowers, in itself a rest, if momentary, to the plants 
themselves. Though a tedious operation, this picking over the plants 
is soon accomplished by practised fingers, and the plants are again ready 
to make tbeir new growth for flowering the next year. When it is 
known that some of these grand specimens are fully G feet high and as 
much through, it is obvious that they must when well flowered carry an 
enormous mass of bloom ; and at any time they arc well worth inspect¬ 
ing, for cleanliness, health and vigour are apparent with everything to 
which Mr. Cypher puts his hand. Some of the more prominent of these 
giant Heaths are E. C-avendishiana, E. depressa, E. remula, E. ampul- 
lacea Barnesi, E. Iveryana, E. tubiformis, E. Aitoniana Turnbulli, 
E. Austiniana, E. ferruginea major, E. Parmentieriana rosea, E. McNah- 
biana, and E. Marnockiana. Most of the above are in fine specimen 
form, of a vigorous uniform growth, which tells its own tale. Some 
grand specimens of E. Cavendishiana are coming on, clean vigorous 
pieces, which in all probability will be seen in the first half of the 
ensuing year. These are but young examples, but they are excellent 
specimens, and serve to illustrate the means employed to keep a stock of 
fair-sized plants, for although there are giants, and it is known exactly 
when and where they will be needed, there are also quantities of 
admirably grown compact plants which present a freshness and vigour 
seldom s en. 
Then there are Aphelexes, Phcenoeomas, Acrophyllum venosum, a 
most difficult plant to manage, with Allamandas, Dracophyllum gracile, 
Statices, and others. Particularly noticeable was one fine example 
of the latter for its superb colour. Pimeleas, again, are here well done, 
and seemingly perfectly happy ; a large piece of P. spectabilis was 
5 feet through. It is specimens of this size that require really good 
judgment and every care to keep them in good health. Of Bougain¬ 
villea glabra there were some fine pieces splendidly flowered ; but these, 
unlike many plants grown here, seem to take affront at being moved 
about, and soon take cold, so much so that the same plant will not do 
for two shows in successive weeks, as the majority of the buds fall off 
after the fourth or fifth day, no doubt the result of a chill at the roots. 
Both Crotons and Ixoras are grown in large numbers of the best 
varieties. Mr. Cypher col urs his Crotons in a way which always makes 
them conspicuous at exhibitions, and plenty of heat, full sun, close to 
the glass, and abundance of moisture are the lines worked upon. A 
severe system of pruning is always indulged in for both, and that as 
soon as the plants can be dispensed with ; after this they are kept 
moderately dry at the root till they show signs of breaking, being 
encouraged the while by light syringings. Apart from this class of 
plants, many rare specimen Palms and Cycads are to be seen, and 
gigantic specimens too are some of them. A good deal of attention is 
given to Anthuriums, all the best kinds being grown. A. Cyphen may 
well be stvled the prince among this group, but as yet it is barely 
