Jane 17, 1386. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
491 
successful competitors in the order named, the several exhibits being highly 
satisfactory. 
Ericas. —These plants were not very largely shown, but the first prize 
collection of Mr. J. Cypher for Bix plants contained some remarkably well- 
flowered plants of E. Cavendishiana, E. depressa, E. ventricosa hirsutt, alba. 
In the amateurs’ class for the same number of plants Mr. A. Cole took the 
lead with capital plants, well flowered and healthy, but rather uneven in 
size. His best were E. Cavendishiana, E. ventricosa coccinca minor, E. v. 
tricolor, E. v. alba tincta, and E. splendida. Mr. G. Williams was second 
with smaller examples, and Mr. J. F. Mould third. Azaleas need no special 
note, for those staged for the prizes offered were of poor quality. 
Ferns. —The class for eight stove and greenhouse Ferns was well 
represented, and some excellent specimens were staged. Mr. G. Paul took 
the lead with remarkably large plants fully 7 feet through of Gleichenia 
Mendelii, Gleichenia Speluncse. G. rupestris glauca, and G. flabellata; 
Goniophlebium subauriculatum was a magnificent plant, and also Dicksonia 
antarctica, Alsophila Williamsi, and Cibotium regale. Mr. Hesketh, gar¬ 
dener to A. Birley, Esq., was a good second, and Mr. W. Plant, gardener to 
It. P. Gill, Esq., third. In the open class for twelve hardy varieties, Mr. C. 
By lance, nurseryman, Aughton, was well to the front with large handsome 
plants of Athyrium F.-f. plumosum, A. F.-f. Craigi, A. F.-f. Fortitie, A. F.-f. 
corymbiferum, A. F.-f. Fieldise, Lastrea F.-m. cristata angnstata, L. F.-m. 
grandiceps, Polystichum proliferum, and Athyrium F.-f. Vernonise. Messrs. 
W. Si J. Birkenhead, Sale, Manchester, were second with a superb col¬ 
lection of Ferns. Amongst the most striking were Osmunda regalis 
cristata, Adiantum pedatum, good; and Polystichum angulare plumosum. 
Mr. J. Hesketh was placed third, and also staged good plants, having very 
fine Athyrium F.-f. Fieldi® and A. F.-f. Craigi. In the amateurs’ class for 
the same number of plants, Mr. T. Tyldsley, Worsley, was a good first with 
good examples of Athyrium F.-f. todeoides, Athyrium F.-f. acroclidon, 
Lastrea F.-m. grandiceps, and others, the same as named in the open 
class. Mr. Broadman, gardener to Mrs. Hodgkinson, Bowden, was a close 
second, and Mr. F. W. Stansfield, Sale, third. 
Gloxinias. —On the whole these were good. The plants were not large, 
but fresh and profusely flowered. For ten plants Mr. G. Worthington, 
gardener to A. Ward, Esq., Didsbury, was first; and Mr. J. Eden, gardener 
to Mrs. C. Sergeant, Sale, second; these being scarcely so large as the 
first prize collection. 
Clematises. —These plants were not well represented in the class pro¬ 
vided for them, and only one collection was staged by Mr. Bennett, gardener 
to T. Dickens, Esq., Higher Broughton. This collection was well grown 
and profusely flowered, and well deserved the first prize accorded to them. 
Calceolarias. —It is very seldom that finer or better-grown specimens 
are staged than the first prize collection staged by Mr. R. Elphinstone in 
the class for eight plants. The plants were from 2 to 3 feet through them, 
and did not exceed 18 inches in height. Second Mr. T. Grosvenor, gardener 
to A. W. Bradley, Esq., Congleton. Third Mr. G. Worthington, gardener 
to Z. A. Ward, Esq., Didsbury. 
Nepenthes and Sarracenias. —These were remarkably fine, and the 
competition very good in the two classes devoted to these plants. For ten 
plants in the open class Mr. H. James was first with a capital assortment, 
followed by Mr. A. J. A. Bruce, Chorlton ; and Mr. J. F. Mould, who staged 
healthy but rather small plants. In the amateurs’ class for the best collec¬ 
tion Mr. A. Cole was well to the fore with the finest collection in the 
Exhibition, and comprised grand plants of Nepenthes Broomiana with large 
dark patches, N. Hookeri, N. Henryana, N. Mastersiana, very fine ; Cepha- 
lotus follicularis was very fine, so also were Sarracenias Swaniana, S. Chel- 
soni very good, S. illustrata, S. fliva, S. maxima, and S. Mitchelliana. Mr. 
J. Morton, gardener to J. Feides, Esq., second with a very good collection, 
but smaller than the preceding. 
Pelargoniums. —For eight show varieties Mr. C. Rylance was the only 
exhibitor, and staged very fresh, large, neatly trained plants of Prince 
Leopold, Madame Hilliare, Kingston Beauty, Edward Perkins, Duke of 
Edinburgh, Queen Bess, and Venus. Mr. Rylance was the only exhibitor 
in the corresponding class for eight fancy varieties. These plants were 
remarkably good, being very fresh. The best were Duke of Edinburgh, 
Exquisite, Evening Star, Helen Beck, Sarah Turner, and Barbet. 
Roses in Pots. —In the nurserymen’s class for thirty plants in any 
size pots, including standards arranged in a group, Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, secured the premier position with a number of standards 
arranged in the centre, and dwarfs round them, with a groundwork of 
Adiantum cuneatum. The effect of this arrangement was all that could be 
desired. The standards had even-sized heads, and comprised the following :— 
Alfred Colomb, Niphetos, Innocente Pirola, Celine)Forestier, Madame Cusin, 
Anna Ollivier, Catherine Mermet, Centifolia Rosea, and La France. The 
best of the dwarfs were Madame Victor Verdier, Duke of Teck, Souvenir 
d’un Ami, Benoit Comte, very bright; Madame Lacharme, Etoile de Lyon, 
Francois Levet, Souvenir de There30 Levet, and Alba Rosea. Mr. J. F. 
Mould was placed second with a very creditable collection. For twenty 
plants in pots not more than 9 inches in diameter Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Old Nurseries, Cheshu it, secured the first award, and Mr. J. Harley, nur¬ 
seryman, Stockport, the second, both staging well-flowered fresh examples. 
For six plants (amateurs) J. Brown, Esq., Heaton Mersey, was a capital 
first, and staged fine plants of La France, Paul Ricaut, Madame Lacharme, 
and Madame Willermoz; second Mr. Bennett, gardeuer to T. Dickens, 
Esq.; and third Mr. R. Elphinstone, both showing well. Mr. Bennett was 
awarded an extra prize for a group of Roses not for competition. 
Pansies and Violas. —The pots of these were particularly fine this 
year, and occupied nearly the whole side of one of the large tents. In the 
six classes devoted to them the competition was very good, and in many 
instances very close. In the open class for twenty fancy varieties Mr. S. 
Robinson, Sale, took the lead with a capital lot, followed closely by Messrs. 
E. Mellor and J. Heyw >od. For the same number of Pansies Messrs. E. 
Mellor and J. Hey wo >d again took the lead in the order named. For 
twenty Violas, Mr. Johu Heywood, nurseryman, was first, Mr. J. Mellor, 
Didsbury, second, and Eliza Mellor third. In the amsteurs’ class for 
six pots Mr. G. Wilkes took the lead. For six Fancies Messrs. G. Wilkes, 
girdenerto 8. Lord, E-q., and Mr. J. Elen were the prizetakers. For six 
Violas Mr. W. Rose, gardener to D. M'Clure, Esq., Heaton Mersey, first 
with fine pots, second Mr. G. Wilkes, and third Mr. J. Eden. 
Herbaceous and Alpine Plants. —These have never b foreseen staged 
in such large numbers or in such admirable condition. With the Orchids 
they certainly were the great features of the Exhibition. If the whole of 
these plants had been grouped together in one of the large tents they 
would have more than filled it. In the nurserymen’s class for sixty her¬ 
baceous and bulbous plants only one exhibitor staged plants—namely, 
Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, for which the 
first award was made. This collection was the admiration of all, and con¬ 
sisted of Jlarge well-developed plants of Gladiolus Ardens, pure white, rosy 
spots, very fine ; Blushing Bride, another fine form ; Tne Bride was also 
well done : Pseonia_ sinensis Virginie, P. s. Paganini, P. Pottsi fl. pi., P. s. 
odorata were all good and well flowered. Delphinium Mrs. Mary Russel- 
and D. Wilsoni were attractive and showy. Liliums were very good, espe¬ 
cially L. longifolium, L. giganteum, L. testaceum, L. Browni, L. Harrisi, 
L. davuricum grandiflorum, L. tigrinum, and L. caudatum. Carnations 
Gloire de Nancy and the old Crimson Clove were striking, while Phloxes 
Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. James Ross were very effective. Campanulas were 
good, especially such as C. azurea, C. Van Houttei, and C. persicifolia 
fl.-pl., Lupinus polyphyllus albus and its light blue form were most striking. 
Anthericum liliastrum was very good, and also several German Iris. Dian- 
thus magnificus was particularly fine, and the same may be said of Ceu- 
taurea rubra and Pyrethrum Madame Baltet. In the corresponding clas3 
for an unlimited collection of plants the same exhibitor again secured the 
hghest honours. There was no competition in this class, but the group under 
notice could not well have been excelled. It contained no less than 100 different 
viarieties, and the whole were healthy, in full flower, and most effectively 
arranged. These two groups were arranged in the large tent on the ground 
opposite each other, and were undoubtedly the most attract’ve featue of 
this tent. In the same division of the schedule, Messrs. F. W. & H. Stans¬ 
field, nurserymen, Sale, were well to the front for forty Alpines in or out 
of flower. The collection was neat and very effective. Mr. James Mellor, 
Didsbury, was second, and Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, third ; Messrs. 
James Dickson & Sons being awarded an extra prize for their collection in 
this class. At first sight this collection appeared the most showy, but upon 
examination it could readily be seen that the plants had been somewhat 
unduly forced or retarded too long. The four collections were, however, 
wonderfully fine. In the amateurs’ class for thirty herbaceous and bulbous 
plants, Mr. W. PlaLt was well ahead with a grand assortment of well-grown 
plants. In this collection it may be noticed the clumps of plants were 
naturally grown. For instance, the pan of Saxifraga pyramidalis had not 
had flowering crowns only selected in making up the specimens, as 
was the case ic others. Some of the most noteworthy plants in this col¬ 
lection wre Spiriea Aruncus, Spiraea palmata with forty-three flowers (very 
fine), Anthericum liliastrum, Aquilegia chrysantha, Cypripedium specta- 
bile, Erigeron speciosum, Centaurea montana rubra, Phlox grandis, Phlox 
Countess of Horn. Mr. A. Cole was a good second, and Mr. T. Dickens, 
gardener to H. Bennett, Esq., Higher Broughton, a good third. For thirty 
Alpine plants, Mr. A. Cole took the lead with a choice and well-grown col¬ 
lection ; Mr. E. Wright second, and Mr. W. Plant the remaining award. 
For twelve plants, Mr. A. Cole was again first, Mr. R. Tyldesley second, and 
Mr. E. Wright third. 
Cut Flowers. —These were not numerous, and consisted entirely of 
Roses, which were very praiseworthy considering the time of the year. In 
the amateurs’ class for twelve Tea varieties T. B. Hall, Esq., Rock Ferry, 
was deservedly placed first with a stand of grand well developed blooms of 
Alba Rosea, Niphetos, Madame Margottin, Souvenir d’un Ami, Madame 
Willermoz, Innocente Pirola, Anna Ollivier, Francisca Kruger, and Madame 
Cusin. For eighteen Tea blooms in the nurserymen’s class Messrs. G. Paul 
and Son were placed first, this being the only exhibit. This collection con¬ 
tained good blooms of Marbchal Niel, Niphetos, Souvenir d’uu Ami, 
Comtesse de Nadaillac, Alba Rosea, and Francisca Kruger, very fine. For 
twelve blooms, others than Tea kind, Mr. J. Grier, gardener to J. Brown 
Esq., was the only exhibitor who staged very creditable blooms, to which the 
first prize was accorded. 
Fruit. —The display of fruit was good considering the season, and the 
exhibits were not only much more numerous but of better quality than on 
past occasions. For a collection of eight dishes, distinct kinds, Mr. G. T. 
Miles, gardener to Earl of Carrington, Wycombe Abbey, was awarded the 
post of honour. This collection contained excellent examples of Foster’s 
S edling and Black Hamburgh Grapes, a Queen Pine, Longleat Perfection 
Melon, good; Stirling Castle Peaches, Lord Napier Nectarines, large and 
splendidly coloured ; Black Caucasian Cherries, and Dr. Morie Strawberries, 
very fair. Mr. J. Mclndoe, gardener to Sir J. W. Pease, Bart., Hutton Hall, 
a good second, with Best of All Melon, Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, very 
good for the time of year; fair Black Hamburghs, good Barrington 
Peaches, and Brown Turkey Figs. Mr. R. Davies, gardener to Hon. Mrs. 
Meynel Ingram, Temple Newsham, the remaining prize, and had good 
Queen Pine, Black Hamburgh Grapes, and La Grosse Sucrhe Strawberries. 
For two bunches of black Grapes several competitors staged excellent fruit. 
Mr. J. Hollingsworth, gardener to J. F. Campbell, Esq., Woodseat, Uttoxeter, 
was placed first with two perfect bunches as regards colour and size of 
berry, the bunches being smaller than the second prize exhibit, 
contributed by Mr. J. Lowden, gardener to T. Barnes, E-q., The 
Quinta, Chirk. These bunches were large and the berries good, 
but the points of the bunches were a little deficient in colour. Mr. J. 
Mclndoe received the remaining award with moderate sized bunches well- 
finished, but the berries were under-sized. For two bunches of whits Grapes 
Mr. G. T. Miles took the lead with capital examples of Buckland Sweet¬ 
water ; Mr. J. Breese, gardener to Mrs. Ackers, Congleton, second with 
Duke of Buccleuch; and W. Bretherton, Esq., Euxton, Chorley, third with 
Foster’s Seedling. For two Pines Mr. H. Goodacre, gardener to the Earl 
of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, Derby, and Mr. J. Mclndoe were the prize- 
takers, being awarded second and third, the first prize being withheld. The 
fruit in the corresponding class for one dish was very poor. Fo" one dish 
of Peaches the competition was very good, and some excellent well-coloured 
fruit was staged. Mr. W. Elphinstone, gardener to E. M. Mundy, Esq., 
Shipley Hall, Derby, was placed first with very fine fruit of Royal 
George, Mr. J. Wallis, Keele Hall, second with Hale’s Early, ani Mr. G. T. 
Miles third. For one dish of Nectarines the last named exhibitor was 
place! first with a grand dish of Lord Napier. Mr. J. Bannerman, gardener 
