March J4,1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
231 
and intending contributors need be under any apprehension that the 
money collected will be expended on “ bricks and mortar.”] 
THE LIVERPOOL SHOW. 
March 16th. 
Tar. fifth spring Exhibition of this Society was equal to any of its pre¬ 
decessors. The severs weather experienced of late was against the pro¬ 
spects of a good show, but exhibitors were not undaunted, and the 
competition keen in most classes. The morning was piercingly cold, and a 
dense fog overhung the city, which fortunately cleared by the time of 
opening, and visitors attended in good numbers. 
Hyacinths in Pots .—These formed an i mposing exhibition a’one, although 
in quality they were generally below the average of past years. In the 
class for eighteen Mr. James Kelly, gardener to R. Singlehurst, Esq., took 
the lead with a capital collection, which comprised good spikes ; Mr. C. 
Wearing, gardener to J. Aikin, Esq., Princess Park, was a good second; 
Mr. A. Eaton was placed third with much lighter and thinner spikes. In 
the corresponding class for twelve plants Mr. A. R. Cox, gxrdener to 
W. Watts, Esq, Elm Hall, Wavertree, was well ahead with some of the 
finest spikes in the Exhibition ; Mr. W. Kneale, gardener to Major Gaskell, 
Hillcliffe, Woolton, was a good second; and Mr. J. V. Thompson, gar¬ 
dener to AY. P. .Sinclair, Esq., a very even third. For six plants the last- 
named exhibitor was first, followed by Mr. J. Kelly and Mr. A. Eaton. 
Fox six pots with three bulbs in each pot there was good competition. Mr. 
P. Barber, gardener to M. Barnsley, Esq., Michael's Hamlet, was deservedly 
placed first; Mr. J. Bounds, gardener to A. L. Jones, Esq., Oaklands, 
Aigburth, was second ; and Mr. J. Bound*, gardener to S. S. Parker, Esq., 
Aigburth, third. For twelve plants in glasses, prizes given by Mr. Henry 
Middleburst, seedsman, Manchester Street, the prizewinners were Messrs. 
C. Wearing, Barker, and J. Bounds. Five or six collections were [staged, 
the first-prize collection being well grown. 
Narcissus. —These were not stiged in large numbers, only two classes 
being provided in the schedule. For eight pots, Polyanthus varieties 
excluded, prizes given by Mes rs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Basnett Street, only 
one collection was staged, which was rightly accorded the premier award. 
Mr. C. Copple, gardener to S. Rogerson, Esq., was the successful exhibitor. 
For six pots, not less than three varieties, the competition was good, and 
some tine (xamples were exhibited. Mr. J. Lounds took the lead with 
Mont Blanc, La Parfaite, and Queen of the Yellows. Messrs. P. Barber and 
J. Hurst, gardener to AY. Bewaring, Esq., Aigburth, were second and third 
respectively. 
Tulips. —These were of average quality only. Mr. A. Collins, gardener to 
S. S. Smith, Esq , Princess Park, was successful for twelve pots, not less 
than six varieties; Mr. T. Stephenson, gardener to R. Cornelius, E*q., 
Aigburth, beiog second : and Mr. J. Leather, gardener to H. Nash. Esq., 
Princess Park, third. F^r six pots, the prizes being given by Mr. G. 
Downes, Edge Lane, there was a good competition. Mr. A. R. Cox took 
the load, followed by Messrs. P. B irber and J. Bounds. With ten pots of 
double varieties J. B. Dixon, Esq.. Pr ston, was the only exhibitor, to whom 
the first prize was accorded. With six pots Mr. P. Barber was first, fol¬ 
lowed by Mr. J. Lounds and Mr. W. Bustard, gardener to J. Lewis, Esq. 
The Amaryllis staged for the three prizes offered were excellent. M’\ 
J. Hurst was deservedly first with two specimens, Mr. W. Bustard a good 
second, and Mr. Bostock, gardener to E. Harvey, Esq., third with Empress 
of India, Ackermani, and Andersoni. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —These were fairly numerous, and in 
equally as good condition as has been the case in previous spring exhibi¬ 
tions. For three flowering and three fine-foliage plants Mr. J. Jellico, 
gardener to G. Gossage, Esq , Camp Hill, Woolton, was well to the fore with 
a magnificent plant of Pritchardia pacifica, Latania bo bonica, healthy and 
well grown ; Croton Queen Victoria, 6 feet in diameter and well coloured ; 
Azalea Reine des Pays Bas, well bloomed ; a fine Chorozema caadatum 
splendens ; and a large plant of Azalea Fieldingi, white. Mr. A. Crosbie, 
gardener to B. Hall, Esq., was a close second, having good Latania bor- 
bonica, Erica Wilmoreana, very fine, 5 feet in diameter and profusely 
flowered ; Croton Mooreana, also in superb condition; Rhododendron 
Gibsoni, 6 fe t high and I feet in diameter at the base, full of bloom ; a 
good Cycas revoluta ; and Azalea indica alba. For one stove plant Mr. H. 
Cunningham took the lead, followed by Mr. F. Fleetwood, gardener to T. F. 
Harrison, Esq., Mr. A. Crosbie and Mr. J. M'Grath being placed equal thirds, 
the former showing Phajus grandifolins, and the latter a large plant of 
Eucharis grandifiora. The two first competitors also staged well flo vered 
examples of Phajus. For one greenhouse plant Mr. G. Rhodes, gardener to 
Mrs. Horsfall, was given the premier position fer a large specimen of Iman- 
tophyllum miniatum ; Mr. A. Crosbie was second with Erica Wilmoreana, 
S feet in diamet r ; and Mr. J. Loundes third with Chorozema caudatum 
splendens, a large profusely bloomed plant. For one greenhouse Rhododen¬ 
dron Mr. G. Rhodes was first. Table plants were shown in excellent con¬ 
dition by Messrs. C. Evans, J. Jellico, T. Fleetwood, G. Park, Wigan, W. 
Crosbie, and J. Hurst. Ferns were shown in good condition by Messrs G. 
Rhodes, A. R. Cox, and Mr. Bustard, For three Palms or Cycads Mr. A. 
Crosbie was first, also for one plant. 
Azaleas. —These have been steadily improving every year, and the 
examples staged for the prizes offered were considerably better than the 
previous year. For six plants Mr. AY. AYilson, gardener to H. Cunningham, 
Esq., Corsey Cop, Wavertree, was well to the front with large profusely 
flowered specimens of Queen of AVbites, Broughtonii, Alba Stria'a. 
Vesuvius, Criterion, and (Phoenix. Mr. Barber was placed second with 
rather uneven plant*, and Mr. A. Crosbie third with muoh smaller plant! 
of newer varieties remarkably well flowered. The same exhibitor took the 
lead with small profusely flowered examples. Messrs. J. Bounds and 
T. Gowan, gardener to J. Cunningham, Esq., were second and third in the 
order named. M-. J. Lounds was first with three plants, followed by Mr. 
Jellico and Mr. AY. Bustard. For one plant Mr. J. Lounds was to the fore 
with a larze well-grown plant of Reine des Pays Bas, Mr. A. R. Cox second, 
and Mr. AA r . Bustard third. Azilea molli3 was stag d in admirable condi¬ 
tion, and the various examples wore covered with their large striking 
flow rs. For four plants Mr. J. Lounds was to the front, followed closely 
by Mr. Jellico and Mr. W. Bustard. For one plant the same competitors 
were successful, and in the same order as in the preceding class. 
Roses were not numerous, but in better condit oo generally than has 
been the case on previous occasions. Mr. A. R. Cox was first with four 
plants—Homere, La France, Reine Marie Henristte, and Souvenir d'Elise, 
Mr. A. Crosbie the only other exhibitor, was plioei second. For one plant 
Mr. A. R. Cox was again first with Horn ire. 
Forced Plants. —These were staged in grand condition. Forsixp'ants 
Mr. J. Hurst was deservedly placed first with fine plants of Clematis Lady 
Nevill, Deutzia gracilis, Azalea amoena profusely flowered, Azalea mollis, 
and a very fine Ghent variety. Mr. A.Crosbie was a good second, having 
Clemitis The Queen, Dlelytra spectabilis, and Azalea Purity. Mr. AY. 
Bustard was third also with highly creditable example?. 
Cinerarias wire much better than usual, some very good well-grown 
examples being staged. Mr. J. Harrison, gardener to Mrs. Bateman, New 
Hayes, Allerton, was first for six plants ; Mr. T. Fergusson, gardener to 
Mrs. Patterson, second; and Mr. AY. H. Jolliffe, gardener to Mrs. H. 
Graham, Mossley Hill, third, 
Callas were particularly good, especially those from Messrs. Jellico, 
G. Rhodes, and Mr. T. Stephenson. Mr. J. Agnew. gardener to Mrs. AVatts, 
secured first honours for six pots of Lily of the Valley. Mr. AY. Crosbie, 
gardener to G. C. Gale, Esq., was first for six Cyclamens, and the plants 
staged were all that could be desired. For six cut blooms of Roses Mr. 
Hannagan, gardener to R. C. Naylor, Esq., Horton, was first, and also for a 
dish of Seakale. For a dish of Mushrooms Mr. J. Lounds was successful, 
and also for a dish of “ buttons.” For Fr nch Beans Mr. R. Singlehurst 
gained the premier place, while Mr. J. Smeatham, gardener to F. D. 
Nuttall, Esq., was first for two bunches of Grapes. The class provided for 
groups only brought two competitors. The space to be occupied was sixty 
square feet. Mr. A. R. Cox gained the premhr award for a very light, 
tolling arrangement. Mr. Jellico was a very good second, but his group 
was slightly more formal. 
Orchids. —The schedule only provided two classes for these, but the com¬ 
petition was remarkably keen. Perhaps so many good Orchids have not 
before been seen in St. George’s Hall. For four plants Mr. A. R. Cox was 
first with a grand plant of Dendrobium nobile with over 350 flowers, 
Phalsenopsis Schilleriana with two spikes bearing forty flowers, Cattleya 
intermedia with eighteen fine flowers, and Cattloya Trianae, Popayan 
variety, with six flowers. Mr. J. Edwards, gardener to H. Tate, Esq , The 
Benches, All rton, was a close second, having a good O iontoglossum, being 
a very dark form of O. triumphans, a fine form of Phalmnop is Schilleriana, 
and a large Coe’ogyne cristata (Chatsworth variety). Mr. Moss, gardener 
to AY. Holland, Esq., was third, having a very fine Odontoglossum Halli, 
Lycaste Skinneri with seven flowers, and Odontoglossum Rossi majus (these 
two collections were very close, and the one left out was well worthy of an 
award). For one plant Mr. J. AYilson, gardener to R. E. Reynolds, Esq , 
AVest Derby, was first with a large pan of Ccelogyne cristata; Mr. D. 
Heary, gardener to — Schintz, Esq., Mossley Hill, was second with Den¬ 
drobium densiflorum with fifteen spikes ; Mr. R. Ford, gardener to E. F. 
AYigan, Esq., third, with Dendrobium primulinum, very good, with six or 
seven well flowered pseudo-bulbs. 
Hardy Herbaceous and Bulbous Plants. —In the open class for ten plants 
only two collections were staged; one by Mr. Bostock, who took primter 
honours, followed closely by Messrs. F. and A. Dickson & Sons, Chester. 
Some thought th se should have had a higher position, for the Narcissi, 
of which the collection was composed, were certainly well grown. The 
oth'r collection, however, had mors varieties, being equally well grown. 
The four collections staged in the class provided for eight plan's formed a 
feature of the Exhibition. Mr. J. Hurst was successful with capital 
examples of Scilla siberica, Lily of the Valley, Spiraea japonica, Narcissus 
Bulbocodium, a pot of Polyanthus Narcissus, Dielytra spectabilis, and a 
grand pan of Triteleia uniflora; Mr. Bostock was a good second, having 
imposing plants of Helleborus Dr. Denary, Iris re'iculata (very tine), ami 
Chionodoxa Lucili® ; Mr. J. Bounds being third. Tne prizewinners for 
six pots of Crocuses were Messrs. J. Hurst, W. Bustard, and P. Birber. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —These were numerous. Messrs. R. P. Ker and 
Sons staged a handsome group of Azaleas, for which they were awarded a 
certificate of merit. Similar awards were made to the Horticultural Com¬ 
pany (John Cowan), for Cinerarias and other decorative plants ; to Messrs. 
F. and A. Dickson & Sons, Chester, for a tine collection of border Narcissi, 
Hepaticas, and other plants; to Mr. H. Middlehurst, for Hyacinths and 
Narcissus; to Messrs. T. Davies k Co., Wavertree, for flowering plants, 
Lily of the Valley being especially fine ; to Messrs. Fishlock Brothers, for 
a collection of wreaths, crosses, aud bouquets. Mr. Winkworth, gardener 
to R Brocklebank, Esq., contribut id six pots of Lichenaba Nelsoni splen¬ 
didly grown, one bulb having produced nine spikes. Mr. J. M'Grath hid 
an Oncidium named B meri with twelve spikes, bearing 1198 small flowers, 
some of the spikes being 15 feet in length. 
The Exhibition on the whole was most perfectly arranged, and reflect'd 
great credit upon the Committee and tho=e in charge. The only drawba' k 
was the non-lab lling of many of the plants. Tne Comm ttee in futun 
would do well to bring into force their rule on this mitter, though som: 
label the r exhibits in a highly creditable manner—for examp'e, Messrs. 
A. R. Cox and C. Wearing. 
The Snake’s Head Iris (Iris Tuberosa). —For three successive 
seasons I have tried and failed to flower this Iris. Being a native of the 
warmer parts of the south of Europe it does not usually receive sufficient 
sunshine to ripen its tubers or rhizomes, but 1 have at last succeeded, 
mainly, I think, by keeping this fact in mind. It cannot compare in 
brilliancy with many others of the species, but is still very curious, and 
not less so in flowering in the middle of March. It has a mild scent, 
not so strong as Iris reticulata, with foliage similar, four-angled leaves, 
but a month later in blooming, both being potted in a cold frame, 
October 21st last. The shape of the flower is cruciform, with the 
external divisions of the richest black velvety maroon. Puling to light 
greenish yellow in the throat, internal divisions of a curious brilliant 
I silvery sheer. Though it may be planted in a warm sunny nook or a 
