March 24, 1888, 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
477 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King St., Covent Garden, was greatly 
admired. The collection contained all the varieties 
that are most esteemed, from the little Minimus up to 
that giant achievement of floricultural art, N. Horsfieldii, 
and the new varieties of the Leedsii strain, which is also 
a plant of especial interest to Manchester, having been 
raised in the immediate neighbourhood. There are 
many still living who remember admirable old John 
Horsefield, the hand-loom weaver of Besses-o’-th’-Barn, 
in whose trim little garden this kind of Daffodil was 
raised as a seedling about forty years ago. The Leedsii 
varieties commemorate in their name the late Mr. 
Edward Leeds, of Longford. Fine as were the Daffodils, 
the Primulas exhibited by Mr. R. P. Gill were of an 
equally praiseworthy character. Messrs. J. Dickson & 
Sons, of Chester, also showed Daffodils in great variety, 
and of first-rate quality. Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, 
of Highgate, London, exhibited, as on many former 
occasions, exceedingly good examples of greenhouse 
plants. Among these, new forms of Epacris were 
especially noteworthy. ¥e would commend also 
to everyone who has a greenhouse the very pretty 
little bushes of P.ernettya, loaded with berries, which 
retain their freshness and purity of colour for 
many months, or from autumn till Easter. In 
the Highgate collection also were choice Cyclamens, 
Azaleas, and similar well-known decorative plants. 
Mr. James Mason, of Victoria Street, had a large space 
filled with Orchids, and excellent miscellaneous plants. 
Another very large space was filled by Mr. "William 
Hooley, of Stockport, in the middle of which there 
was a perfect gem—a capital example of the Dendrobium 
speciosum. Messrs. Dickson, Brown, & Tait, of Man¬ 
chester, had fine Hyacinths, which were quite equal to 
their reputation. Mr. "W. Owen, Hartford, near North- 
wich, had a nice display of Orchids; and a fine collection 
of miscellaneous plants was shown by the Liverpool 
Horticultural Co. (John Cowan). Nothing, after all, 
could be more delightful to those who take pleasure in 
the sweet attractions of Ferns than the beautiful 
display noticed on entering the show made by Messrs. 
"W. & J. Birkenhead, of Sale. They have introduced a 
new feature, in the shape of albums of dried Ferns, 
certainly very pretty and useful of their kind. The 
judges were Dr. Ainsworth and Mr. Samuel Barlow, 
who made the following awards :—Gold Medal of the 
society : Mr. G. B. Blair, Whallev Range, for specimens 
of Dendrobium nobile. Silver Medal of the society : 
Mr. Thomas Statter, of Stand, for Orchids. Cultural 
Certificates were awarded to Messrs. Barr & Son, 
London, for Daffodils ; Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, 
Chester, for Daffodils; Mr. R. P. Gill, for hardy 
Primulas ; Messrs. Dickson, Brown, & Tait, Man¬ 
chester, for Hyacinths ; Mr. James Marson, of "War¬ 
rington, for miscellaneous plants ; Messrs. "W. Cutbush 
& Son, London, for Cyclamens ; Mr. John Hooley, 
Stockport, for miscellaneous plants ; Mr. T. A. Sykes, 
Cheadle, for Primulas ; Mr. James Mason, Manchester 
and Ashton-on-Mersey, for miscellaneous plants ; the 
Liverpool Horticultural Co., for Cinerarias ; Mr. I. 
Davies, Ormskirk, for a new Rhododendron ; and Mr. 
S. Barlow, for Hellebores. 
Preston and Fulwood Horticultural.— 
March 21 st and 22tw7. 
The tenth spring show of this society, held on Wed¬ 
nesday and Thursday last, proved to be a decided 
success. There were 220 entries, embracing upwards of 
3,000 plants forwarded from the conservatories of some 
of the principal inhabitants of the district. The Public 
Hall, a spacious building well adapted for floral display, 
presented a charming appearance, and especially so 
when viewed from the balconies, the plants, staged with 
the greatest taste, being in many instances profusely 
covered with bloom, and in the highest state of culti¬ 
vation. Down the middle of the room were tables con¬ 
taining Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, dinner-table 
decorative plants, Orchids, and cut flowers ; at the sides 
were arranged the groups for effect and the miscellaneous 
collections; in the centre stood a number of splendid 
plants forwarded by Mr. Rowbotham, the curator of 
the Corporation Parks. 
The scene, the rich perfume arising from the exhibits, 
and the sweet strains from the military band in atten¬ 
dance combined to afford a real treat to visitors. The 
principal exhibitors were the Misses ffarington, Worden 
Hall, Leyland, gardener, Mr. R. Frisby; Mrs. Birchall, 
Ribberton Hall, gardener, Mr. J. Clark ; Jas. B. Dixon, 
Esq., Ashton House, gardener, Mr. John Sharpies ; W. 
H. Wilding, Esq., Fulwood, gardener, Mr. J. Rigby ; 
Robert Smith, Esq., Longridge, gardener, Mr. Geo. 
Leazell; M. B, Copland, Esq., Farington Lodge, gar¬ 
dener, Mr. E. Wright ; Thos. R. Taylor, Esq., High- 
field, Pemberton, gardener, Mr. D. Dunn; Joseph Smith, 
Esq., Whittingham House, gardener, Mr. P. Rigby. 
The contestants in the amateur department were Mr. 
Chas. Parker, Preston ; Mr. Wm. Morris, Preston ; Mr. 
John Lister, Fleetwood; and Mr. John Atherton, Cadley. 
The competing nurserymen were Mr. Wm. Troughton, 
Walton-le-Dale ; Mr. Ed. Payne, Fulwood; and Mr. 
Hy. Winwood, Ashton. And the cottagers’ section 
consisted of entries sent by Mr. W. H. Newton, Mr. 
Jas. Ryan, and Miss Mary Jane Cirope. On examin¬ 
ation it was plainly perceptible that the show of 
Hyacinths was inferior to that of previous years, the 
spikes evidencing signs of having been overdrawn ; a 
circumstance doubtless attributable to the strong 
forcing required through the sunless and exception¬ 
ally inclement weather experienced during this year. 
Other plants showed that it had been impossible to 
correctly calculate upon their appearance on a given 
day. Mr. J. B. Dixon, who gained a large number of 
prizes, exhibited six splendid Azaleas, four of which 
were literally covered with bloom ; three Deutzias, white 
with bloom, and several well-developed foliage plants. 
The Misses ffarington figured prominently in the prize 
list, and among their exhibits were splendid specimens 
of Pandanus, Franciscea, Anthurium crystallinum, A. 
Scherzerianum, and Himantophyllum miniatum. Mrs. 
Birchall, who was awarded numerous premiums, had in 
her collection one of the finest Cycas revoluta to be 
found in the neighbourhood, as well as some beautiful 
varieties of Roses in full flower. Mr. Charles Parker, 
as an amateur, whose only resource is a small green¬ 
house in his back-yard, showed a number of Orchids of 
merit and an excellence of cultivation that would 
be a credit to those in possession of greater advantages. 
Mr. William Morris, who has for his conservatory 
simply an old shippen, carried off prizes with Ferns 
and foliage plants. The nurserymen made three fine 
groups for effect: the one belonging to Mr. Payne was 
awarded the chief honour, his product for the most 
part heavily laden with bloom ; Mr. W. Troughton, 
who came next, had a collection of far more valuable 
plants, including two new varieties of Azaleas of a rich 
bright colour ; Mr. Winward came in third. The show 
was opened on Wednesday afternoon by Alderman 
Galloway, in the presence of a goodly company. He 
offered words of congratulation on the continued success 
that attended the efforts of the officers (Mr. J. B. 
Dixon, treasurer, Mr. John Atherton, secretary) and 
the committee, all of whom laboured assiduously for 
the welfare of the society ; he spoke of the educational 
influence of floral exhibitions, and referred to the 
excellent papers contributed at the monthly meetings 
of the members ; he also alluded to the treasurer’s 
favourable balance, and expressed thanks to those 
who contributed so liberally to the funds. Subse¬ 
quently, the president (Alderman Galloway) entertained 
a number of gentlemen to luncheon, after which 
various toasts were honoured. The adjudications were 
made by Mr. Edward Cooper, gardener to the Right 
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., Birmingham, and 
Mr. George Smith, gardener to James Simpson, Esq., 
Ashton - on-Mersey.— Cor. 
Royal Botanic. —March 21 st. 
The exhibition, as usual at this time of year, was held 
in the conservatory and the corridor leading thereto. 
Owing, probably, to the severe nature of the weather 
for some time past, there was a falling off in the number 
and size of the hardy plant collections, as well as in 
Azaleas. The forced plants—especially Hyacinths, 
Polyanthus Narcissus, Crocuses, and Lily of the Valley— 
were equal, if not better, than on previous occasions. 
The first award for greenhouse Azaleas to amateurs 
was won by Mr. II. Eason, gardener to B. Noakes, 
Esq., Hope Cottage, Highgate. His plants were 
hemispherical bushes, but not quite in full bloom. 
Mr. R. Scott, gardener to Miss Foster, The Holme, 
Regent’s Park, was second. In the class for nurserymen, 
Mr. R. Wells, Longton Nursery, Sydenham, was first 
for small bushy plants, and was followed by Mr. 
Henry James, Castle Nursery, Norwood. Messrs. H. 
Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, had the best 
Chinese Primulas ; and Mr. W. Kemp was second with 
smaller plants. The best collection of hardy Primulas 
came from Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbourn, 
Esq., Great Gearies, Ilford, who exhibited numerous 
specimens of Primula viscosa nivalis, P. marginata, and 
others. He was followed by Mr. J. Clements, gardener 
to L. H. Hicks, Esq., Springfield House, Muswell Hill. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, had 
the largest collection of, and took the first prize for, 
hardy herbaceous plants, including Narcissi, Saxifragas, 
Dielytra, Primulas, Ophrys tenthredenifera, and others. 
Mr. J. Douglas was second. Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, had the only collection of Roses, receiving 
the first prize. The first prize for Deutzias went to 
Mr. J. Douglas, and the second to Mr. H. Eason, both 
having very large specimens. In the open class Mr. 
John May, Gordon Nurseries, St. Margaret’s, Twicken¬ 
ham, took the first prize for Cyclamen, with well- 
flowered and dwarf specimens ; Mr. John Odell, Gould’s 
Greer., Hillingdon, was second. In the amateurs’ class 
Mr. D. Phillips, Langley Broom, Slough, carried off 
the first award ; Mr. J. Clements being second. In 
both cases the plants were well flowered, but in the 
second prize lot they were smaller. The largest and 
best-flowered Lily of the Valley was shown by Messrs. 
H. Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, who were 
followed by Mr. J. R. Chard, Brunswick Nursery, 
Stoke Newington. Mr. James Douglas had the best 
Hyacinths in the amateurs’ class ; and Mr. H. Eason 
followed him. In the nurserymen’s class for Hyacinths 
Messrs. H. Williams & Sons took the first prize with 
well-flowered specimens ; followed by Mr. H. R. Wright, 
Turner Road, Lee, Kent. Mr. J. Douglas had certainly 
the largest-flowered Tulips in the amateurs’ class ; and 
Mr. R. Scott was second. In the nurserymen’s class 
for Tulips Mr. H. R. Wright was first, and Messrs. H. 
Williams & Sons were second. The same order of 
merit as the last was observed in the open class for 
twelve pots of Narcissus. Mr. R. Scott had by far the 
finest pots of Crocuses, although those of Mr. Jas. 
Douglas were also very fine and varied in colour. The 
first prize for Amaryllis went to Mr. J. Douglas, 
whose best varieties were Vesuvius, Endymion, Red 
Gauntlet, and Lady Hulse; Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, followed with more striped varieties in their 
collection. The latter exhibitors had the first prize for 
twelve bulbous plants, most or all of which were hardy. 
The miscellaneous exhibits made a fine show in the 
corridor owing to the size of the groups, most of which 
were forced stuff, hardy herbaceous and alpine plants 
and Roses. A large Silver Medal was awarded to Mr. 
B. S. Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper 
Holloway, for a large group of Hyacinths, Daffodils, 
Tulips, Azaleas, Amaryllis, Clivias, and others. A 
similar award was made to Messrs. H. Williams k. 
Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, for a similarly ex¬ 
tensive group of forced plants. A small Silver Medal 
was awarded to Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, 
for their group of Hyacinths, Azaleas, Palms, and 
Laburnum on a ground-work of moss. The surface was 
undulated or thrown up in a series of mounds. Large 
Bronze Medals were won by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
Chelsea, for a well-flowered group of Hyacinths ; by 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, for a group of Roses 
including Lady Alice, Mignonette as a standard, Wm. 
Allen Richardson and others ; and by Messrs. H. Lane 
& Sons, Berkhamstead, for a group of Azalea mollis 
varieties. Certificates were recommended to Messrs. 
Barr & Son, Coven t Garden, for a group of Daffodils, 
Poet’s Narcissus, Chionodoxas, Iris, Scillas, &c.; to Mr. 
T. S. Ware for a similar group of Narcissi, Anemones 
and others ; to Mr. J. James, Woodside, Farnham 
Royal, for a group of dwarf, well-flowered Cinerarias, 
containing some of the richest colours in seifs, zones 
and the new striped type ; and to Mr. John Odell for a 
group of dwarf, well-flowered Cyclamens. A collection 
of hardy herbaceous and alpine plants, including 
Saxifragas, Cyclamens and various bulbs were shown by 
Messrs. Paul & Son. A large mass of forced Lilac in 
pale shades and also pure white was shown by Mr. K. 
Drost, Kew Nursery, Richmond. 
Notts. Horticultural and Botanical.— 
March 14 th. 
A monthly meeting of this society was held at the 
Mechanics’ Institute, Nottingham, Mr. H. N. Pownall 
(Lenton Hall Gardens) in the chair. A paper on the 
“ Hyacinth ’’was read by Mr. Steward, who hoped that 
it would be the means of opening up a discussion on the 
great question of how to “ crop ” the land so that it will 
pay the occupier and the owner. He should endeavour to 
show them that money could be made by growing bulbs 
and other floweringrootsaswellasitwas done in Holland. 
Mr. Steward then traced the history of the Hyacinth 
from its introduction from Greece in the year 1594. 
Since then Dutch growers had taken up the growth of 
this flower, the soil and situation of the Haarlem 
district being particularly favourable for its de¬ 
velopment. The district in question was 1,487 acres 
in extent, and it was estimated that the imports of 
