July 2, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
knew no better. He might well have made a worse choice.—A. B. Alex' 
ander, Shedfield Vicarage. 
RICHMOND SHOW. 
Favoured by exceedingly fine weather the Richmond Horticultural 
Society held their annual summer Show last week (June 24th) on the usual 
site—the Old Deer Park—and again large numbers of exhibitors and 
visitors were attracted to what is invariably one of the most satisfactory of 
suburban shows. In some of the classes the competition has been keener 
in previous years, and there were not quite so many miscellaneous non-com¬ 
peting groups, yet there was abundance of well-grown produce—plants, 
fruit, and vegetables, to which three marquees were devoted. That appro¬ 
priated to plants was one of the largest (240 feet long by GO feet wide) 
and most handsome we have seen, and only needed Mr. Cypher’s giant 
specimens to have rendered its appearance all that could be desired. 
Unfortunately, however, there was a lack of large plants, such as were 
required to form the central back in a marquee of such dimensions, and in 
consequence it did not seem well filled. A central line of tall Palms would 
have served to remove somewhat of this appearance, and had the stove and 
greenhouse plants occupied a more prominent position near the entrance 
they would have still further assisted in the improvement. In all other 
respects the arrangement and general manageme nt of the Show were all 
that could be wished, the Committee having rendered their courteous and 
energetic Secretary, Mr. Ford, much assistance in his arduous duties. 
Plants .—One of the chief features of this Show for several years past 
has been formed by the groups in competition, and some extremely tasteful 
productions have been seen there, especially from Mr. Hudson, who set an 
example in grouping that has been successfully followed by many others 
since. The great fault with the majority of groups, and it also applies to 
floral decorations generally, is too great a heaviness, and those engaged in 
this work appear slow to realise the fact that the best effects are produced 
by the graceful disposition of a few light plants or flowrrs, with the colours 
harmonising rather than violently contrasting. Bold masses of brilliant 
colours are only suitable where effects have to be viewed from a distance ; 
for near inspection quieter results are much more satisfactory. In the 
nurserymen’s classes Messrs. Cooper & Co., Covent Garden, secured first 
honours for a charming group such as their manager, Mr. Bruckhaus, has 
so frequently staged on previous occasions. There were central Palms and 
tall Dractenas, with a prominent plant of Croton Andreanus beautifully 
coloured; a groundwork of Ferns, amongst which were interspersed 
Gloxinias, Disas, Tuberous Begonias, and the useful little Caladium argy- 
rites. The whole was neatly margined with Cyperus variegatus, Isolepis, 
and Panicum. Messrs. W. Fromow & Son, Chiswick, were, after some con¬ 
sideration on the part of the Judges, placed second with an admirable 
group, but scarcely sufficiently well filled, and the employment of a few 
more Ferns in the foundation would have been advantageous. Orchids 
were liberally used in this group, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, and Cattleyas 
being very showy ; but the most effective of all were the Saccolabiums, of 
which the curving spikes of purple and white flowers were most beautiful. 
Lilium longiflorum was also employed with excellent effect, a bold central 
plant of the variegated Pine Apple and a neat margin of small Ferns 
finishing a bright, varied, and pretty group. Mr. H. James, Castle Nursery, 
Lower Norwood, was third with a rather heavier but effective group, in 
which Hydangea paniculata, Chrysanthemum frutescens, and numerous 
Orchids were the chief materials. 
In the gardeners’ class the competition was also close, the principal exhi¬ 
bitors being Mr. G. R. Geaves, Hatfield House Gardens, Cambridge Park, 
J. Wigan, Esq., Mr. Chadwick, and Mr. Bowell. Mr. Geaves had a graceful 
combination of Ferns, Gloxinias, Cockscombs, and Coleuses, with taller 
Crotons, Palms, and Lilium auratum. Mr. Wigan showed some choice 
Orchids in his group; both Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Bowell also exhibited 
well. 
The principal collections of stove and greenhouse plants were the two 
entered in the class for nine from Messrs. T. Jackson & Son, Kingston, and 
Mr. H. James, Lower Norwood, who were placed respectively first and 
second. The Kingston specimens were even, fresh, and well flowered, the 
most notable being Dracophyllum gracile, Erica Dennisoniana, Pimelea mira- 
bilis, Franciscea calycina, and Clerodendron Balfourianum. Mr. B. James’s 
plants have been frequently seen before this season, but Allamanda grandi- 
flora and a Stephanotis were in excellent condition. With six plants Mr. 
Bates, Poulett Lodge Gardens, Twickenham, took the lead with Sobralia 
macrantha, Bougainvillea glabra, Allamanda Hendersoni, Cattleya Mossise, 
and Dipladenia hybrida, all in capital health. Mr. Bowell was placed second, 
his be st plant being a large Oleander well flowered. The Pelargoniums from 
Messrs. H. Little and W. Clay added much to the beauty of the large 
marquee, and the large group of seedling Pelargoniums raised by Mr. 
Wiggins occupied a prominent position. Messrs. James, Jackson, and Little 
were the exhibitors of Orchids and the prizewinners in that order, Mr. 
James having large masses bearing an abundance of flowers : his Cattleyas 
and Epidendrum vitellinum were particularly showy. Messrs. Jackson's 
Dendrobium suavissimum with two dozen spikes was handsome, and Mr. 
Little’s Dendrobium Dearei with thirteen spikes, some having ten flowers 
each, was one of the best examples of this pretty Orchid that has been 
exhibited. Palms, Ferns, Caladiums, and miscellaneous plants were fairly 
represented, but were not of remarkable merit. The principal prizes were 
won by Messrs. Hooper <is Co., Bates, Bowell, East, Munro, Wheeler, 
Chadwick, and Sallow. 
Cut Flowers .—These were not quite so numerous as usual, and the com¬ 
petition with Roses was much less keen. Messrs. Paul & Son were the 
premier exhibitors of thirty-six and twenty-four blooms ; Mr. Mitchell, 
Rainham, Essex, having the best twenty-four H.P.’s and the best twelve 
Teas; T. W. Girdlestone, Esq., following in the former class and J. P. 
KitcheD, Esq., Hampton, in the latter. All the blooms were fresh, but 
Messrs. Paul’s were of excellent substance and exceedingly rich in colours. 
Mr. J. R. Chard, Clapham’ Common, was the most successful exhibitor of 
flower vases and bouquets, the vases being light and graceful, but the 
bouquets were too crowded to be satisfactory, and a similar remark applies 
to nearly all the bouquets shown. There was good competition for the 
table decorations, Mr. Thos. Butcher, South Norwood, securing the first 
prize given by Lady Ellis for a light tasteful arrangement, in which white 
Begonias, Rhodanthes, white Irises, Tuberous Begonias, and Odontoglossums 
with Lygodium fronds, formed the chief features. Mr. J. R. Chard followed. 
Two other contributions from ladies were commended, but in both these 
the mistake had been made of attempting too much, and the tables had a 
heavy appearance that could please but few. 
Fruit .—Several exhibitors staged praiseworthy samples of fruit in these 
classes. For six dishes of fruit Mr. Munro secured the lead, having Black 
Hamburgh Grapes of good colour, Elruge Nectarines, Best of All Melon, 
Sir Joseph Paxton Strawberry, Negro Largo Figs, and Grosse Mignonne 
Peaches (large). Mr. Bates was a close second, his Black Hamburgh Grapes 
being finely coloured. Mr. Osman, Ottershaw Park Gardens, Chertsey, had 
the finest Black Hamburgh Grapes, large in bunch and berries, and hand¬ 
somely coloured, Messrs. Feist and Bates following. Mr. Osman also took 
the lead in the white Grape class, having Buckland Sweetwater very large, 
and was followed by the same exhibitors as in the previous class with 
Muscat of Alexandria and Foster’s Seedling. In a local class Mr. Bates was 
first with three bunches of Alicante Grapes, well coloured, and Mr. Coombs 
Fig. 3.—Iris Madame Chereau. (See page 8.) 
obtained the same position in the corresponding white variety class with 
Muscat of Alexandria. 
Vegetables were extremely fine, the premier collection of twelve sorts 
from Mr. C. J. Waite, gardener to Col. the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Glenhurst, 
Esher, deserving every praise. Mr. Coombs also competed very closely. 
Messrs. Sutton's prizes for Cucumbers were won by Messrs. E. R. Geaves, 
F. Wigan, and J. Atkins. 
The principal non-competing exhibits were groups of plants from Messrs. 
Jackson & Son ; Lee & Son, Hammersmith ; J. Vander Rees, Tooting ; 
J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill; and R. Drost, Kew Nursery. 
CHERTSEY DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
For twenty years this Society has been established and greatly contri 
buted to the excellence of the gardening in one of the most pleasant parts 
of Surrey. The annual exhibitions of the Society are held in different 
places, some gentleman usually, if not invariably, placing his park or grounds 
at the disposal of the Committee—an act of generous kindness that is 
appreciated by managers and visitors alike. The last Show, and probably 
