August 21, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
813 
was again first ; second, Mr. Plobden ; third, Mr. 
Dennis. For a single specimen foliage plant, Mr. J. 
Dennis was first with a good Areca sapida ; while Mr. 
Portnell and Mr. Hobden were placed equal first for 
specimen flowering plants, one showing a good Alla- 
manda grandiflora, the other a superb Bougainvillea 
glabra. For six table plants, Mr. Bishop, gardener to 
F. Pease, Esq., carried the premier prize. Begonias 
were only fairly done ; first, Mr. Gadd. A nice half- 
dozen Ericas well grown, and nicely flowered from Mr. 
Portnell, were easily first, his varieties being Austiniana, 
Irbyana, Exquisite, femula, retorta major, and 
McNabiana. It was quite a treat to see half-a-dozen 
such good Ericas as these. In the section devoted to 
amateurs and gentlemen gardeners, again we found 
Mr. Portnell first for six stove and greenhouse plants, 
and also for ornamental foliage plants, Fuchsias, Pelar¬ 
goniums, and Ericas, the whole lot showing the exhibitor 
to be a thorough good plant grower. Groups of plants 
arranged for effect, both in the open competition and in 
that for amateurs, were far too crowded, and not up to 
what one might expect to see. In the open class the 
first prize went to Mr. Hobden ; and that in the 
amateurs to Mr. Portnell. 
Cut Flowers : Asters, Dahlias, Phloxes, Poses, Ver¬ 
benas, &c., were shown in quantity, but call for no 
special comment. The flowers staged in the class for 
twenty-four varieties were, however, superb. First, 
Mr. Portnell; second, Mr. C. Nicholl, gardener to Mr. 
Fisher ; third, Mr. Bolton. Bouquets for the hand : 
First, Mr. Bishop ; second, Mr. E. Wollard ; third, 
Mr. Gilbert, Brentford, but they can only be classed as 
second-rate. The epergnes and baskets were far better. 
In the open class for the former, a nice graceful lot, 
put up by Mrs. Seale, Sevenoaks, was easily first; 
while in that for lady amateurs Mrs. Gilmour was first. 
Fruit was well shown, both in the open classes and 
by amateurs, and the competition was very keen with 
collections. In the open class for eight dishes, Mr. 
Portnell, who had good Muscat and Black Hamburgh 
Grapes, Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, Nec¬ 
tarines, and Melons, was first ; second, Mr. Gore, 
gardener to Captain Taylor ; third, Mr. Jupp. Grapes, 
three bunches of Black Hamburgh : First, Mr. Gable ; 
second, Mr. Allen, gardener, Normanhurst ; third, Mr. 
Crossman. These were all of first-class merit. For 
white Grapes, superb Muscats from Mr. Allen were 
first; although these were smaller than the others 
shown, they were perfectly ripe and highly finished. 
Apples, Cherries, Filberts, Melons, Nectarines, and 
Peaches were shown in quantity and of good quality, 
the competition being keen, and the same may also be 
said of the amateur classes. 
Vegetables were contributed in first-class style all 
round. The first prize for nine sorts was awarded to 
Mr. Crossman in a strong competition. Potatos, 
Beans, Peas, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrots, Onions, &c. 
were well shown and in great quantity. Cottagers : A 
word of praise is due to those who exhibited in the 
various classes allotted to cottagers, the plants, cut 
flowers, and vegetables being good, and reflecting great 
credit upon those who competed. 
Mr. Gilbert, of Hastings, who has retired from the 
field, showed a grand group of foliage and flowering 
plants, occupying one end of the cut flower tent; this 
group contained many well-grown plants, both flowering 
and foliage. Mr. Eelfe also showed a group of stove 
and greenhouse plants not for competition, comprising 
many useful things well grown. A very interesting 
feature in the grounds was a tent devoted to exhibits 
by Mrs. M. Smout, of Hastings, marine florist, whose 
abilities were displayed by exhibiting tastefully laid- 
out dinner-tables, consisting of ornaments of sea-weed, 
sea-shells, coral, and such like, showing how beautifully 
these marine wonders of the deep are when utilised in 
the manner shown by this artist; they are simply 
charming. It is gratifying to relate that everything 
passed off most satisfactorily. The decision of the 
judge was never questioned, although in many in¬ 
stances it required a referee to give his decision, so 
close in point of merit were many of the objects ex¬ 
hibited. 
Taunton Deane Horticultural.— Aug. 12th. 
—This busy Somersetshire town fully maintained its 
reputation as a provider of a popular entertainment in 
the form of a large and interesting floral exhibition, 
which took place, as usual, in Vivary Park, Taunton, 
which is close to the town and easily reached by 
visitors. It was the nineteenth annual exhibition, and 
those who have been accustomed to visit the show from 
its commencement were heard to say that, taking it as 
a whole, it was one of the best exhibitions yet held. 
The entries contrasted favourably with those of former 
years, and four spacious tents, in addition to a smaller 
one which contained the table decorations, &c., were 
required in which to stage the various exhibits ; and in 
too many instances they were inconveniently crowded, 
making the work of judging in a few instances some¬ 
what doubtful. Thanks to the exertions of a number 
of active stewards, the exhibits were arranged ready for 
the judges soon after eleven o’clock, and it was finished 
by one o’clock. Then the company began to arrive, 
and by three o’clock the tents were crowded with 
visitors. The present hon. secretaries, Messrs. Howard 
Maynard and Alex. Hammett, are new to their work, 
but they managed admirably, assisted by several mem¬ 
bers of the committee well up to show work. There 
must have been a great number of exhibits, but inferior 
subjects were few and far between. Some of the 
specimen stove and greenhouse plants showed signs of 
having been pretty well made use of during the present 
summer. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —These were as 
usual a very fine feature at Taunton. The leading 
class in the division open to all England was for twelve 
stove and greenhouse plants in flower, handsome prizes 
being offered. Mr. James Cypher, nurseryman, 
Cheltenham, was placed first, being far ahead of the 
second lot, showing in grand form Ixora Pilgrimi, I. 
Duffii, with some truly wonderful trusses of bloom ; I. 
Fraseri, Phoenocoma prolifera Barnesii, Statice profusa, 
Allamanda Hendersoni, A. nobilis, Dipladenia hybrida, 
D. amabilis, Erica Marnockiana, E. Irbyana, and E. 
ampullacea Barnesii, all fresh and bright. Second, Mr. 
Lock, gardener to B. W. Cleave, Esq., Newcome House, 
Crediton, his leading plants being Eucharis amazonica, 
Clerodendron Balfourianum, Allamanda nobilis, A. 
Hendersoni, Dipladenia amabilis, &c. Third, Mr. E. 
Wills, gardener to Mrs. Pearse, Bassett, Southampton. 
Mr. J. Cypher was the only exhibitor of six plants, 
having small but nicely grown and flowered examples 
of Hiemanthus magnifica, Khododendron Duchess of 
Connaught, Statice profusa, Erica Fiarieana, Ixora 
coccinea, and one other, the name of which we over¬ 
looked. In the amateurs division there was a class for 
twelve stove and greenhouse plants, and one also for six 
plants, a note being appended to each to the effect that 
1 ‘foliaged plants may be exhibited, but preference will be 
given to plants in bloom.” While giving full consider¬ 
ation to this, the judges had no alternative but to award 
the first prize to a dozen plants shown by Mrs. Pearce, 
although eight of these were foliage plants ; fine speci¬ 
mens of Crotons Queen Victoria and Andreanus, 
Phylotenium Lindeni, a very fine piece; Cycas revoluta, 
very fine ; Verschaffelti splendida, Alocasia metallica, 
Areca lutescens, and Dasylirion acrotrichum, and the 
following flowering plants : Statice profusa, Eucharis 
amazonica, Bougainvillea glabra, and Stephanotis flori- 
bunda. Second, Mr. Lock, with all flowering plants, 
but a decidedly weak lot, two or three of them being 
quite stale, and scarcely one of high class merit. Still 
the prizes were sharply criticised, those who objected to 
the award were found admitting that the best collection 
had the prize, but that the preference ought to have 
been given to the flowering plants. This view of the 
matterjwe cannot accept, on the ground that it handicaps 
quality by giving undue preference to inferiority, Had 
both collections been equal in point of merit, then the 
preference should have been given to the blooming 
plants. The only exhibitor in the class for six plants 
was W. G. Marshall, Esq., The Elms, Staplegrove, 
Taunton, all the plants being in bloom and fairly well- 
grown. Mrs. Pearce had the best four plants, Mr. Wills 
staging a fine Clerodendron Balfourianum, Erica Aitonia 
Turnbulli, E. oblata purpurea, and Barnes’ variety of 
Phceconoma prolifera ; the second prize being awarded 
to Mr. W. G. Marshall. 
Foliaged Plants. —These were, as might be ex¬ 
pected, a very fine feature, and the collection of eight 
shown by Mr. Lock were of a very high order of merit, 
the plants consisted of Crotons Warreni, Williamsi and 
Johannis ; Latonia borbonica ; Eneephalartos villosus 
ampliatus ; Cycas revoluta ; a huge and finely grown 
Gleichenia speluncee and Kentia Balmoreana. Second, 
Mr. J. Cypher, with Crotons Sunset, Johannis and 
Prince of Wales ; Cordyline indivisa ; Cycas revoluta ; 
Iventias Canterburyana and Fosteriana; and Cycas 
circinalis. Mr. Lock had the best six in the amateurs 
division, setting up a fine Croton Disraeli, Dasylirion 
acrotrichum, Latania borbonica, Alocassia Thibautij 
ana, Kentia Fosteriana and Cycas intermedia; second, 
Mr. Wills, with smaller but healthy specimens. Coleus 
may come under this heading, Mr. W. G. Marshall had 
the best six, large plants with bold growth, but a little 
wanting in colour. Mr. E. Broadbem, gardener to W. 
B. Holland, Esq., the Chestnuts, Taunton, came in a 
good second, with plants of smaller size but nicely 
grown and bloomed. 
Ferns.— Some commanding specimens of Ferns were 
present; the best eight were staged by Mr. Lock, who 
had Cyathea dealbata, Davallia polyantha, Gleichenia 
rupestris glaucescens, G. Mendeli, D. Mooreana, D. 
Fijiensis, Mic.rolepia hirta cristata and Marattia Cooperi; 
second, Mr.Wills, with a very good collection indeed ; the 
third prize going to Mr. Lewis, gardener to J. E. Cole, 
Esq., Chandos Lodge, Weston-Super-Mare. Mr. Lock 
also had the best six varieties in the amateurs division, 
smaller, but nicely grown plants. Mr. Lewis being 
placed second. Hardy Ferns were well shown by Mr. 
Lock, large and well grown specimens ; Mr. Wills being 
again second. Mr. Lock had the best six exotic Mosses, 
and after this group there was a decided falling off ; 
Mr. Huxtable, gardener to F. W. Newton, Esq., Barton 
Grange, Taunton, was second. 
Miscellaneous Flowering Plants. —Among these 
Zonal Pelargoniums (called Geraniums in the Schedule) 
held a prominent place: the specimens are grown in large 
pots generally, and rather too severely trained, still the 
growth of the plants and heads of bloom were both 
good. Old sorts appeared to be in the ascendant, and 
were newer sorts grown in smaller pots, we think the 
flowers would be finer. The best eight came from Mr. 
II. Godding, nurseryman, New Taunton, who had Lord 
Gifford, White Vesuvius, Plenri Jacoby, I’rancer, Mrs. 
Headly, Princess of Wales, &c. Mr. Godding also had 
the best eight nosegay varieties, his leading plants 
being Bondflier, Lizzie, Triumph, Mrs. Blizzard, 
Emily, Wellington, Apple Blossom, and Indian Yel¬ 
low ; second, Mr. S. Tottle ; Superintendent H. James, 
Cemetery, Taunton, with a good lot also. Mr. T. Tid- 
bury, Northdean, Taunton, had the best eight varie¬ 
gated Zonals, staging good old varieties, well grown 
and coloured ; and Mr. H. Godding was second with a 
very good collection also. In this class few golden 
and fern silver-edged varieties competed. Mr. G. Hen- 
bury, gardener to T. Woodland, Esq., Taunton, had the 
best four double Zonals, staging well grown and 
flowered plants of Guitlon Lauzier, F. V. Raspail, 
Wonderful, and Madame Rendatler. In the amateur 
division there were six classes for Zonal Pelargoniums— 
single, double, nosegay, and variegated, and a good 
competition resulted ; some of the gold and bronzed 
varieties being finely grown and coloured. 
Begonias were a fine feature, but, unfortunately, the 
specimens proved larger than was anticipated, and they 
were inconveniently crowded, making the task of cor¬ 
rect judgment a difficult one. In the open class Mr. 
H. Godding was first with a remarkably good lot, con¬ 
sisting of Mammoth, Golden Gem, Vesuvius, Sensation, 
Wonderful, double, Mont Blanc, very fine, Le Grand, 
and Tony Laing ; Mr. S. Tottle was second. In the 
amateur division the competition was very keen, and two 
equal first prizes to Mr. T. Woodland and Mr. W. B. 
Holland. Fuchsias were fairly good, but nothing like what 
can be seen at Trowbridge, Bath, and in the Devizes 
district generally. Cockscombs were fairly well shown, 
but appeared to want finish. Mr. W. G. Marshall had 
the best four Japanese Lilies, all of the L. speciosum 
type ; Mr. F. W. Newton being a good second. Mr. 
W. G. Marshall had the best four Achimenes, two 
of them being very fine specimens ; Mr. John Parish, 
gardener to Mr. Eden, Taunton, being second, his 
plants being smaller, but nicely grown and flowered. 
Cut Flowers. —These were numerously shown. 
Phloxes in spikes, in twelve varieties, were a fine lot; 
the first prize going to Mr. John Mattock, nursery¬ 
man, Oxford, with good sorts ; Mr. H. Godding being 
second. Roses were a leading feature, but the blooms 
generally were small, the best forty-eight single 
blooms came from Mr. Mattock, who is generally in 
good form in mid season, who had Ulrich Brunner, 
Innocenta Pirola, Charlie Lefebvre, Dr. Hogg, Alfred 
Colomb, Princess of Wales, Madame Victor Verdier, 
Dupuy Jamain, Rubens, Marie Rady, Perle des 
Jardins, Comtesse Nadaillac, Dr. Andry, Duchess 
of Bedford, A. K. Williams, Annie Wood, Charles 
Darwin, Jean Ducher, &c.; second, Mr. G. Campbell, 
gardener toS. P. Budd, Esq., 8, Gay Street, Bath, with 
some smaller, but nicely fresh flowers. In the class 
for twenty-four varieties, three blooms of each, Mr. S. 
P. Budd was placed first, and Messrs. Geo. Cooling & 
Sons, nurserymen, Bath, second. Mr. Mattock, being 
awarded an extra second prize. In the amateurs 
classes, cut Roses were fairly well shown for the season, 
an excellent lot of twenty-four blooms of Dahlias were 
shown by Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., nursery¬ 
men, Salisbury, who had finely developed blooms of 
William Rawlings, Joseph Ashby, Colonist, Royal 
Queen, Henry Walton, Illuminator, Constancy, Messrs. 
Cannell, &c., and were awarded the first prize ; there 
was no other competitor. In the class for twelve 
blooms, Mr. J. Nation, nurseryman, Staple Gore, 
Taunton, was first. In that for twelve fancies, Messrs. 
Keynes & Co. was again first with a very fine lot ; Mr. 
J. Nation being second. Mr. John Mattock had the 
best twelve single blooms of Dahlias ; Messrs. Keynes 
& Co. taking second place. Dahlias were also pretty 
well shown by amateurs, Mr. William Smith, King’s 
Wood Hill, Bristol, had the best twenty-four Holly¬ 
hocks, and he had the best twelve blooms also ; Mr. 
J. Jones, gardener to J. S. Pope, Esq., Laurel Lodge, 
Bath, was a good second, with twelve blooms. 
Asters were numerous : the quilled varieties were 
very good, the French varieties not so highly developed. 
With twelve blooms of the former, Mr. J. Jones was 
first, and Messrs. G. Cooling & Son, second. The 
prizes in the class for French varieties were similarly 
awarded. Mr. H. Godding won the first prize with 
twenty-four spikes of Hollyhocks, Mr. S. Tottle being 
second. Verbenas were shown in bunches of twenty- 
four and eighteen varieties, and by amateurs in lesser 
quantities. In the larger classes, the best came from 
Mr. T. W. Davis, Bear Hotel, Bath, and Mr. G. Hux¬ 
table. Asters, Gladioli, &c., were also largely shown 
by amateurs ; and in this division, one very interesting 
feature was the class for collections of annuals in not 
less than twelve sorts. Here Mr. Thomas Pratt, the 
Brewery, Ilminster, was first with a very fine lot in¬ 
deed, Mr. G. Hopkins, gardener to Mrs. W. C. King- 
lake, Shovel Hill, Bridgewater, being second. 
In the miscellaneous class, Messrs. Kelway & Son, 
of Langport, sent up a very fine collection of Gladioli, 
including several new varieties, First Class Certificates 
of Merit being awarded to the following:—Lady 
Salisbury and D. Tarrant ; also boxes of Gaillardias, 
Hollyhocks, &c. Mr. E. J. Jarman, seedsman, Chard, 
had cut blooms of Roses, Carnations and Gaillardias ; 
and Mr. T. F. Bartlett, Florist, Crewkerne, had blooms 
