188 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 27, 1885. 
Liadeni and Alternanthera aurea. Leucophyton Browni and Kleinia 
repens, narrow rows, were arranged between two bands of Alternanthera 
amoena, edged with Setnpervivum tabulaeforme and Herniaria glabra. 
This was a charming bed. Behind it was a very suitable and telling back¬ 
ground of stately plants of Brugmansia Knighti in full bloom, with single 
Dahlias beneath them, Pentstemons and Pelargoniums in the front, with 
a margin of Pelargonium tomentosum (peppermint-scented variety). A 
bed of the variegated Vine (Vitis heterophylla variegata) was very beau¬ 
tiful, being well-coloured, with Acacia lophantha rising from amongst it, 
banded with a ring of Lonicera aurea reticulata, variegated Arabia, Alter¬ 
nanthera, and Spergula pilifera aurea. Pelargonium Mrs. Turner made a 
pretty bed, and was full of bloom of a rich pink colour, edged with Miss 
Kingsbury and Lobelia. 
Very effective was another carpet bed in front of a splendid mass of 
dark-foliaged Cannas. The central plant of the carpet bed was Chamoo- 
peuce diacantha, surrounded with Alternanthera magnifiea and Mesem- 
bryanthemum cordifolium variegatum, dotted with Rochea falcata, half- 
circular figures being formed of Alternanthera amoena, edged with 
Echeveria secunda glauca and Sedum acre elegans. Convolvulus mauri- 
tanicus was again most conspicuous, forming an edging to single Petunias 
and a splendid mass of Erythrina crista-galli in full beauty. A large 
square b;d was the next notable feature, with raised cushions of Mentha 
dotted with fine Yuccas, the centre one being variegated, alternately with 
Dracasna congesta and D. gracilis, edged with Kleinia repens. Small 
cushions were also formed in the angles with Sedum glaucum, each con¬ 
taining three plants of Echeveria glauca metalliea, edged with Leuco- 
phyton Browni, the groundwork of the bed being formed of Sedum 
glaucum margined with Lobelia pumila, and edged with Sempervivum 
tabulceforme and Herniaria glabra. 
Under a large Willow tree a very natural arrangement had been 
effected with Philodendron protusum trained up the stem, probably more 
beautiful than it would appear in its natural habitat. Beneath the tree 
in the grass was the old Sanseviera zealanica with large succulents and 
Palms, such as Seaforthia elegans, peeping out in the background. Close 
to was a striking mass of Acer Negundo variegata that was shown to 
great advantage by the surrounding dark foliage. The Acors were small 
standards, their legs being hid from view by Carnations tied to them, 
many of which were in bloom, but the dry weather had told upon them 
considerably. Pelargonium Mrs. Pollock, mixed with Agathea coelestis, 
with its blue Cineraria-like flowers, edged with Lobelia, made a simple yet 
very effective bed. 
The coffin-shaped beds, as they are termed, were really perfect examples 
of carpet bedding, having most beautifully shaped designs, with different 
varieties of Alternantheras margined with Kleinia repens, with scrolls of 
Leucophyton Browni intersected with Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 
variegatum, margined with Alternanthera amoena 4 inches wide, and 
edged with Echeveria secunda glauca, Kleinia repens running through 
the whole design. The other bed of the same shape was equally beautiful, 
having Mesembryanthemum in the place of Leucophyton Browni, and 
Mentha in the place of the first mentioned, the Alternantheras used being 
darker varieties. Another distinct and striking bed was arranged with 
large plants of Bonapartea gracilis and B. tenuifolia with their long 
narrow rush-like leaves, a plant of the latter producing its enormous 
spike of bloom, each plant being surrounded with a row of a Golden¬ 
leaved Pelargonium, the ground of the bed filled with a blue Lobelia and 
Alyssum saxatile variegatum, a band of Alternantheras encircled the 
whole, while the edging was composed of Sempervivum ciliare. A very 
imposing group was formed with dark-foliaged Castor Oil Plants (Ricinus), 
with Heliotrope in full beauty beneath, bronze Pelargoniums and Euony- 
mus radicans variegata forming an edging to the bed. 
The scroll beds were very well carpeted, being planted with Alter¬ 
nantheras ; between single lines of Pyrethrum and Kleinia repens were 
Alternanthera amoena, A. versicolor, A. aurea, and Leucophyton Browni, 
the groundwork being composed of Mentha, and the bed margined with 
Lobelia, Echeveria, and Sedum. This was really a charming bed, and 
displayed that high finish which renders the appeaiance of these beds so 
delightful. Another bed no less beautiful had the ground carpeted with 
Sedum acre elegans, panelled with Leucophyton Browni and Alter¬ 
nantheras between narrow rows of Pyrethrum, Leucophyton, and Kleinias ; 
circular pieces of Rochea falcata were conspicious with Coprosma Baueriana 
variegata in the angles being very dwarf and effective. The edging was 
similar to that named in the previous bed; the artistic scrolls in these 
beds being really past description. A simple, yet very pretty carpet bed, 
was effected by Rochea falcata in half-circular figures, Iresine Lindeni 
and Centaurea candidissima being also prominent in various shaped figures, 
with a ground work of Mesembryanthemum cord ifolium variegatum, Mentha' 
and Alternanthera. In a very suitable position close to what may be 
termed the alpine garden, was a very effective group of Acanthus longi- 
folius with its large spikes of white flowers and leathery, bright, deeply 
cut foliage. The alpine portion was very effective, with pointed mounds 
made to represent hills in the background, their summits covered with the 
silvery foliage of Antennaria tomentosa, while Mesembryanthemums in 
great variety, Yuccas, various succulents, and other suitable low-growing 
plants were established on the slopes, the ground beneath them being 
carpeted with Sedums, Mentha, Herniaria glabra, and other similar small¬ 
growing plants. This was a pretty interesting corner, and a beautiful 
change from the large quantities of fine-foliage and flowering plants to be 
seen elsewhere, the most conspicuous of which have been noted above. 
Last, but not least in importance, are the lovely, natural, cool shady 
groves of hardy and exotic Ferns that are so tastefully arranged. These 
Fern groves are charming, and I do not hesitate in saying that such 
another piece of outdoor decoration equal to this cannot be found in this 
country. Many of us have doubtless seen most beautiful masses of Ferns 
growing luxuriantly where Nature has placed them, but they have been 
less effective than the group under notice, because the surroundings have 
not been such as to show them off to the very best advantage. The Fern 
groves are beautiful, and it is very difficult to fully describe them, for to 
really appreciate them they must be seen. 
I wandered from this Park by the river entrance, where the cornice 
6 tyle of bedding had been adopted, but I shall not stay to describe it. 
Before closing, however, I must here thank Mr. Rodger for his kind 
attention and courtesy, and must congratulate him and his able foreman 
upon their success, for I do not remember ever seeing this Park in such 
admirable condition before.—B. 
DEVON AND EXETER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Aooitst 21st. 
The above Society held its annual summer Show of plants and flowers, 
fruits, and vegetables on Friday last, under favourable circumstances as re¬ 
gards the weather, number and quality of the exhibits staged, not forgeting 
the financial proceeds of the day, so that on the whole the Exhibition may 
be pronounced a decided improvement upon any of its immediate predeces¬ 
sors. Plants were shown largely and well. Mr. Lock, who had done so well 
at Weston, Taunton, and Salisbury, secured the silver cup for ten stove or 
greenhouse plants in flower, with plants similar to those enumerated in our 
reports of the shows indicated. The same exhibitor was also first in most 
of the leading classes for fine-foliage, stove and greenhouse plants. Follow¬ 
ing him in the same classes were Mr. Brock and Mrs. Ensor’s gardener, 
whose name did not appear. Mr. A. Truman and Mrs. Panget’s gardener 
were also successful exhibitors in classes for Ferns, &c. 
The large marquee in which the plants were arranged was rendered very 
effective by several tastefully set up groups of miscellaneous plants, for the 
best of which a silver cup was offered, and which was secured by Mr. Brock 
for an excellent arrangement of suitable plants covering a stage 25 feet by 5 
feet. Mr. Lock was a good second. Lord Fielding’s gardener was first for 
six Fuchsias and twelve Gloxinias, i&c. Lord Coleridge’s gardener showed 
some good Cockscombs. Mr. Brock was first for six Orchids. Mrs. Ensor 
was first for a group—an excellent one, too—of miscellaneous plants ar¬ 
ranged on a stage 15 feet by 5 feet. Cut flowers were shown well—that is, 
Roses and Dahlias, and Gladiolus, by Messrs. Curtis, Sanford & Co., Mr. 
Nation, Rev. T. J. Yarde, Mr. S. Dobree, Captain Christy, who had the best 
twelve Roses distinct. Asters were shown well for the season by Mrs. Hart, 
Mr. Drew, and also by Mr. Nation, who also had the best Dahlias in the 
Show. 
FnuiT.—137 bunches of Grapes were staged, many of them being of a 
high order of merit, but the awards in several of the classes were made in 
the most indiscriminate manner possible, except in cases where size of bunch, 
form, and finish went together. Red-berried Hamburghs, Madresfield Court, 
Lady Downe’s, Alnwick Seedling, and Mrs. Pince, and green-berried Duke 
of Buccleuch, Golden Champion and Foster’s Seedling had no weight what¬ 
ever with the Judges in question (we are going by their awards) so long as 
the bunches were larger. Neither had symmetry of outline anything to do 
with a show bunch of Grapes unless it had size also to commend it to their 
notice. Such was the standard of excellence set up by the gentlemen who 
made the awards on this occasion. The most palpable errors of judgment 
were manifest in the collection of six varieties, the three-bunch Black 
Hamburgh class, and the second prize stand in the any other black 
variety class, as well as the stands in the collection of six bunches, 
distinct, to which first prize was awarded, most decidedly should 
not, in the opinion of competent judges present at the Show, have 
been placed in the prize list at all. Having made the above remarks, which 
the necessity of the case and the interest of the Society, exhibitors, and 
Grape culture in the district cal 1 for, we will proceed with a summary of 
the awards as they were made. 
For a selection of six bunches of Grapes distinct—First, Mr. W. C. 
Rafarel, showing Madresfield Court, Duchess of Buccleuch, Alnwick Seed¬ 
ling, Duke of Buccleuch, Lady Downe’s, and Golden Champion. Second, 
Mr. H. W. Ward, with Gros Maroc, Madresfield Court, Foster’s Seedling, 
Muscat of Alexandria, Black Prince, and Alnwick Seedling. Extra, Mr. 
James, gardener to Sir John Walrond. Six collections were staged. Four 
good collections of ten kinds of fruit were staged in competition for the 
silver cup presented by Messrs. R. T. Veitch dr Son, the well-known 
nurserymen of Exeter. First, Mr. H. W. Ward, Longford Castle, Salisbury, 
showing three bunches each of Muscat of Alexandria and Alnwick Seedling 
Grapes, Providence Pine Apple, Captain Lark’s Melon, Pine Apple Nectarine, 
Dr. Hogg Peach, Moor Park Apricot, Old Orleans Plums, Morello Cherries, 
and Brunswick Figs, which was the weakest dish in the collection. Mr. 
D. C. Powell, gardener to the Earl of Devon, Powderham Castle, was a 
very good second, showing good Grapes, Pine Apple, &c. Mr. Bull, gardener 
to General Buffer, also showed well in this class. 
There were nine lots of Black Hamburgh Grapes staged, the first prize 
being awarded to Mr. G. P. Benmore for three immense bunches, consisting 
of medium-sized red berries. Second, Mr. James, with medium-sized com¬ 
pact, well-finished bunches. Several other good lots were staged in this 
class. For three bunches of Muscats there were four entries—first, Mr. 
J. H. Stevens, gardener to C. D. Cave, Esq., for three grand bunches. 
Second, Mr. J. Barnes, gardener to P. C. Daniels, Esq.; the same exhibitor 
being again easily first with well-proportioned and superbly finished 
bunches of Alnwick Seedling in the class for any other black variety 
than Hamburgh, the second being awarded to three rather loose bunches of 
the same excellent Grape, the berries being somewhat green about the foot¬ 
stalks, in preference to three large well-formed and well-coloured bunches 
of Madresfield Court belonging to some local grower. There were seven 
exhibits of any other white than Muscat of Alexandria shown. First, Mr. 
H. W. Ward with Buck'and Sweetwater, the three weighing over 12 lbs. 
Second, Mr. J. Barnes with three loose bunches, but having large well- 
coloured berries. 
Mr. Bull had the best Pine Apple, and Mr. Ward the second best. Mr. 
