JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ June 17, 1886. 
4 90 
ROYAL BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
OF MANCHESTER. 
This Society’s great Show is open for a week, commencing on the 11th 
and continuing until Friday the 18th inst. This Society is so well known 
to be the most prosperous in this country, and at none are such collections 
of Orchids ever brought together. On the present occasion they are finer 
than usual, and competent authorities state it is the finest display of these 
plants ever seen at Manchester. The same view is expressed about the 
herbaceous and alpine plants. The fruit has also wonderfully improved, 
both in the quality and number of the exhibits. Great credit is due to Mr. 
Bruce Findlay, the Council of these Gardens, and all who assist to render 
these exhibitions successful. The entire management being in the hands 
of Mr. Findlay, some of the success of this Exhibition is undoubtedly due to 
the kindly welcome extended to all who visit these Shows. 
Ouchids. —It is indeed questionable if ever before were such a display 
of Orchids to be seen in bloom at the great Exhibition of this Society. The 
plants exhibited numbered about 500, and half of these were in competition 
in the eight classes provided for them. The display of Orchids were indeed 
lovely, and they extended all round the large exhibition house, which we 
do not think has ever before been the case on any previous occasion. G. 
Hardy, Esq., Timperley, may be regarded as the premier competitor, for he 
succeeded in carrying oil four of the leading prizes in six classeB. In the 
class for fifteen exotic Orchids Mr. G. J. Hill, gardener to G. Hardy, Esq., 
Pickering Lodge, was welt ahead with some magnificent plants of Dendro- 
bium Wardianum with fifteen spikes, Beveral of the pseudo-bulbs being 
4 feet in length and furnished with flowers nearly the whole of that length. 
Dendrobium Paxtoni was another grand specimen, fully 5 feet in height 
and 4 feet through, and covered with its drooping panicles of yellow flowers. 
Lmlia purpurata was grand with over forty of its delicate and gorgeous 
flowers. Cattleya Mossiaswas also very fine, being from 3 to 4 feet through 
and cohered with large fine flowers. Cattleya Skinnerii was lovely with 
about twenty-five spikes of bloom, many of them carrying four and five 
flowers each. The number of flowers and spikes on Odontoglossum vexil- 
larium it was impossible to count, for the plant, which was about 3i feet 
in diameter, was covered with its large flowers. A dark form of this 
beautiful Odontoglossum was equally well flowered, and was about 2 feet 
C inches across. A fine healthy plant of Yanda suavis had seven large spikes. 
The fine old Aerides odoratum majus had no less than thirty spikes, while 
Cattleya Mendelli, a fine form, had no less than thirty-four flowers. 
Cyp'ipedium Lawrencianum was a noble specimen with nearly forty 
flowers, while C. caudatum roseum had seven of its curious flowers. 
C. Stonei had five branching spikes, and C. superbiens was covered 
with blooms, being between 2 and 3 feet across. Dendrobium suavis- 
sima was about 2 feet across, and well bloomed. Some idea of the 
effect of this collection may be gained from the enormous quantity of 
flowers and the size of each of the various plants. Mr. J. Cragg, gardener 
to A. Heine, Esq., Fallowfield, was placed second in this class, and although 
the plants were good they were poor in comparison with those which gained 
the premier position. The most striking plants, however, were Cattleya 
Mossiae, 3 feet in diameter and covered with bloom, and Dendrobium 
thyrsiflorum. Mr. A. Cole, gardener to Joseph Broome, Esq., Didsbury, 
gained the remaining award, and staged capital examples of Odontoglossum 
crispum and Aerides Fieldingi. 
For nine plants, Mr. J. Cragg took the lead with large healthy well- 
flowered plants. This collection was remarkably good. Cattleya Mossiae, 
a large p tnful (made up), 4 feet in diameter, had about 125 flowers ; 
Cattleya Mendelii, thirty-six, very good ; Calanthe veratrifolia, twenty-two 
spikes, several of them being 4 feet high. Dendrobium Devonianum was 
especially good, being fully 3 feet high and as much through, covered with 
blooms. Dendrobium Paxtoni was also good, being 5 feet high and from 
3 to 4 feet through, and well flowered. Odontoglossum crispum was 3 
feet 6 inches through, and one mass of bloom. O. Roezlii was very fine, 
being nearly 3 feet over and well flowered. Cypripedium Lawrencianum was 
remarkably well grown, having forty-five flowers. Another form of Cattleya 
Mossiae with forty flowers completed this beautiful collection. Mr. G. J. 
Hill was a good second with Laelia purpurata, seventeen flowers ; Dendro¬ 
bium Jamesianum, well-bloomed, and about 3 feet through; Cypripedium 
Parishi was very handsome, with eleven spikes. A light form of 0. vexil- 
larium was well bloomed, being 3 feet across; Cattleya Mossise was about 
the same size, with plenty of flowers ; Masdevallia Harryana was also very 
good. Mr. Elphinstone, gardener to John Hey wood, Esq., Stretford, was 
accorded the remaining prize. 
For six plants, Mr. J. G. Hill took the lead, having a grand Laelia pur¬ 
purata, fifteen flowers; Odontoglossum citrosmum roseum, with nine large 
spikes; O. vexillarium, twenty-five spikes; Cattleya Mossise, 2 feet in 
diameter and well bloomed. Dendrobium clavatum was also fine, the 
flowers being bright yellow. Dendrobium Wardianum, a well-flowered 
plant, completed this collection. Mr. R. Elphinstone was a good and close 
second with Laelia purpurata, with the same number of flowers as in the 
previous collection ; Cattleya Mendeli, with twenty-one flowers; Cattleya 
citrina, a large plant on a block, with thirty-one fine flowers ; Odontoglossum 
caudatum, with twenty-one spikes; and a well-flowered Cattleya MosBirn, 
3 to 4 feet through. Mr. R. Johnston, gardener to T. Shalter, Esq., third, 
having particularly noteworthy Mormodes luxatum eburneum, and a very 
fine dark-coloured form of Cattleya Mendelii. 
For ten bona fide specimens—made up plants disqualified in this class— 
Mr. G. J. Hill was again to the fore with grand examples of Aerides 
Veitchii, with three large branching spikes, Dendrobium crassinode with 
twelve well-flowered pseudo-bulbs, Cypripedium Stonei three spikes, and a 
very good plant of Odontoglossum vexillarium. Mr. A. Cole was second, and 
staged most creditable plants, Cattleya Lawrenciana with five flowers on 
one spike, and Sobralia macrantha with seven of its beautiful flowers. Mr. 
J. Cragg was awarded the remaining prize and staged most creditable 
plants. For thr.-e Yandas Mr. A. Cole was the only exhibitor, and was 
deservedly awarded the first prize for Yanda teres, a magnificent plant with 
100 fu ly expand d flowers and in good health. Another of the same species 
with half the number and V. suavis, very fine with seven spikes of bloom. 
For six Cattleyas Mr. G. J. Hill was well to the front with a light form of 
Cattleya Mossise, C. Skinneri, C. Mendeli, and two other dark forms of 
C. Mossise. These plants were about 3 feet in diameter and in grand health 
Mr. J. Cragg was placed second, and had in his collection three very credit¬ 
able plants, although smaller than those in the previous exhibit. 
In the nurserymen’s class for sixteen plants Mr. James Cypher, Chelten¬ 
ham, was well first, and staged well-flowered plants of Cattleya Mendeli 
grandiflora 3 feet through, C. Mossiae about the same size, a fine form of 
C. Mendeli with nine flowers, C. Mossiae Rothschildiana, very good with a 
remarkably large lip; Odontoglossum citrosmum roseum, the finest dark 
lip variety in the Exhibition ; Anguloa Clowesii with fourteen flowers, Vanda 
suavis with three spikes, Laelia purpurata Brysiana particularly good, 
Epidendrum vitellinum majus, between 2 and 3 feet through, one mass of 
blooms, and a good pan of Cypripedium Lawrencianum. Messrs. Heath and 
Sons, Cheltenham, were placed second, and Mr. H. James, Castle Nursery, 
West Norwood, third. The second collection contained Aerides Lobbii, very 
good, with eight large spikes; Aerides virens, with the same number; a 
large pan of Dendrobium Parishi, and a good specimen of D. Dearei, with 
seven or eight spikes of its pure white flowers. For ten plants Mr. H. 
James took the lead, followed by Mr. Cypher and Messrs. Heath & Sons in 
the order named. The first collection comprised Cypripedium barbatum 
superbum, Masdevallia Harryana, Cattleya Mendeli, a large plant of 
Cypripedium Lawrencianum with thirty flowers, a dark form of Odonto¬ 
glossum vexillarium, Cattleya Mossise, and C. Warneri, all being in good 
health and well bloomed. Considering the enormous quantity of Orchids 
staged both for and not for competition, scarcely a plant amongst the whole 
could be considered unhealthy, the foliage throughout being green and 
the plants and flowers perfectly fresh. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants —These, perhaps, were not so numerous 
or so excellent as we have been in the habit of seeing at this Society’s exhibi¬ 
tions in the past. Many of the plants, however, were excellent examples 
of culture. In the amateurs’ class for ten plants in flower Mr. F. Nicholson, 
gardener to the Earl of Zetland, Upleatham, was well to the front with 
neat well-grown examples of Anthurium Schertzerianum, fine ; Clerodendron 
Balfourianum, Stephanotis floribunda, very good; Statice profusa, about 
4 feet through and profusely flowered; Allamanda grandiflora, very fine; 
Dracophyllum gracile, very healthy and fresh ; Aphelexis macrantha pur¬ 
purea, good; and Franciscea calycina major. Mr. G. Paul, gardener to 
S. Schlo3s, Esq., Bowdon, was a close second, and staged grand examples 
of Boronia elatior, well bloomed; a grand Stephanotis floribunda, 5 to 6 feet 
through and full of bloom ; a good Bougainvillea glabra, and Azalea Sir 
Charles Napier. Mr. Roberts, gardener to A. Nicholson, Esq., third, having 
a fine Anthurium Schertzerianum, Stephanotis, and an Aphelexis. In the 
corresponding nurserymen's class for ten plants three collections were 
staged. Mr. J. Cypher was accorded the premier position with handsome 
well-grown plants of Erica Cavendishiana, 5 feet through and entirely covered 
with bloom; Erica depressa, about the same size, was equally good; 
E. tricolor elegans and E. affinis were also superb ; Ixora Williamsi, about 
5 feet high and as much through, was covered with its very large trusses of 
bloom; Dracophyllum gracile, very fine; Clerodendron Balfourianum, 
Anthurium Schertzerianum, good ; Azalea Souvenir de Prince Albert, well 
flowered, a large plant; Aphelexis macrantha, superb ; and the same may 
be said of Hedaroma tulipifera. Mr. J. F. Mould, Pewsey, was placed 
second, and Btaged well-grown plants of Statice profusa, Ixora coccinea, 
Dipladenia profusa, very fine ; and a large well-flowered plant of the old 
gloriosa superba. Mr. H. James received the remaining prize. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —Considering the foliage plants on the whole 
they were equal to those of past years, while the collection staged by Mr. 
W. Nicholson in the amateurs’ class for ten plants have rarely if ever been 
excelled at any exhibition. This collection was well first, and comprised 
Croton Warreni, 7 feet in diameter and perfect in colour ; C. Johannis, very 
fine, 6 feet in diameter, colour good ; C. majesticus, about the same size 
and in the same excellent condition ; Davallia fijiensis plumosa 7 feet 
across, very fine, a perfect example of cultivation; and the same may be 
said of Kentia Fosteriana. Chamaerops humilis, Dion edule, and 
Kentia Belmoriana were also handsome effective plants. A large Cycas 
revoluta and Gleichenia Mendeli 5 feet through, fresh and healthy, com¬ 
pleted the collection. Mr. C. Roberts was placed second, and also staged 
large, noble healthy plants of Cycas circinalis, Lnc phalartos viilosus, 
Thrinax elegans, Latania borbonica, and Croton Johannis. Third Mr. G. 
Paul, his best plants being Anthurium Veitchii, very good, Cocos Weddel- 
liana, Gleichenia rupestris, and G. Mendeli. Mr. G. Williams, gardener to 
S. Baerlein, Esq., Didsbury, was awarded an extra prize in this class. In 
the nurserymen’s class for eight plants Mr. Cypher was well to the fore 
with large well-grown examples of Croton Victoria, Cycas revoluta, 
Kentia canterburyana, Latania borbonica, Kentia Fosteriana, and Thrinax 
elegans ; Messrs. H. James and J. F. Mould being the remaining prize¬ 
winners in the order named. 
Drac/enas. —The°e plants, as usual, were very fine, and Messrs. R. P. 
Ker & Sons, Aigburth, Liverpool, secured the first position for twelve 
plants with excellent examples of D. superba, Goldiana, Weismanni, 
Gladstoni®, recurva, Robinsoniana, picta, and vivicans. Mr. H. James was 
a good second, and also staged noteworthy plants Mr. J. F. Mould secured 
the remaining prize, four collections being stiged. In the amateurs’class 
for six plants Mr. A. Cole took the lead with very finely developed plants 
of Robinsoniana, Baptisti, Lindeni, Youngii, Shepberdi, and a particularly 
large plant of D. Anerleyensis. Mr. G. Williams avas placed s cond with 
rather smaller plants ; and Mr. G. Kemp, gardener to Mrs. Sykes, Stock- 
port, third with well-furnished healthy plants. 
Crotons. —These plants were not up to their usual standard of excellence. 
The fine examples generally contributed by Messrs. R. P. Ker ifc Sons were 
missed. In the nurserymen’s class only one exhibitor staged, and the plants, 
although large and well furnished, were rather deficient in colour. Mr. 
J. F. Mould, was, however, awarded the first prize. In the corresponding 
amateurs’ class for six plants Mr. A. Cole was placpd first with moderate 
sized plants of C. Queen Victoria, C. Disraeli, C. Prince of Wales, and 
C. Evansianus, this being the only exhibit. 
Palms and Yuccas. —Only two collections were staged for the prizes 
offered for four plants, and Mr. Williams was deservedly placed first for 
capital examples of Kentia australis, Cocos Weddeliana, and Latania bor¬ 
bonica. Mr. Roberts secured the second award. For four Yuccas, not less 
than two kinds, Messrs. A. Cole, R. Elphinstone, and G. Kemp were the 
