May 26, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
621 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Manchester Botanical and Horticultural. 
Great National Exhibition. 
It would have seemed to be well-nigh impossible at 
the end of last autumn to get the well-known gardens 
at Old Tralford in complete order again in time for the 
great annual Whitsuntide Floral Festival, but we are 
pleased to say that it has been accomplished, and in a 
most satisfactory manner. The alterations necessitated 
by the grounds being incorporated with the Jubilee 
Exhibition were many and extensive, but the process 
of rehabilitation enabled Mr. Findlay to introduce 
many improvements in the general design of the 
garden ; and the alterations once decided upon, were 
expeditiously carried out by Mr. Clapham, of Stockport, 
who had the contract, and who completed the work the 
day before the opening of the exhibition, to the satis¬ 
faction, we believe, of all concerned. Of course there 
is an air of newness about the place, and especially 
about the admirable bit of new rock-work which Mr. 
Clapham has put up, that cannot for the moment be 
altogether obviated, but when toned down by the 
hand of time, the general effect all round will be 
exceedingly good. 
Of the exhibition itself, we can speak generally 
in the highest terms, for while certain features, which 
have for some years been dominant ones here, such, 
for instance, as the flowering and fine-foliaged plants 
and specimen Ferns, were not up to the Manchester 
standard, there were other subjects that have, perhaps, 
never appeared to better advantage, and so the 
balance was well maintained with this advantage 
over preceding exhibitions, that the glazing of what 
was called the annexe, and the re-arrangement of the 
beds and walks therein, have furnished the executive 
with a place second only to the famous show ground at 
Regent’s Park, and which allows of striking effects 
being realised by judicious grouping, as was done on 
this occasion. Entering the old show house first, we 
missed the specimen Orchids that have found their 
way here from Timperley on former occasions ; the 
handsome fine-foliaged plants from Lord Zetland’s 
garden at Aske ; the glorious Crotons and Dracaenas 
from the Messrs. Ker, of Liverpool; and the very 
choice things that Mr. Broome used to show ; but there 
was plenty to interest us all the same. In the 
amateurs’ classes for Orchids, that rising young grower, 
Mr. Cragg, gardener to A. Heine, Esq., Fallowfield, 
secured the whole of the six first prizes in a style that 
spoke well for the extent of the collection and the skill 
of the grower. These awards were secured for the best 
collection of Orchids, Ferns, Palms, &c., arranged for 
effect, twelve exotic Orchids in flower, six exotic 
Orchids in flower, ten exotic Orchids ( bond-fide 
specimens), ten Cattleyas in flower, and three Vandas 
in flower, and in the various groups we noted immense 
bushes of Dendrobes, and large handsomely flowered 
masses of Cattleya and Lielias, &c. The collection 
which had the post of honour—the border at the end 
of the house—was a very fine one and most tastefully 
arranged. The other awards in this class went to F. 
Statter, Esq., Stand Hall ; and Mr. Blair, gardener at 
Trentham, whose small group was especially rich in 
Masdevallias. Mr. R. Elphinstone, Stretford, was a 
good second with twelve Orchids. In the two classes 
for nurserymen, Mr. H. James, Norwood, secured the 
second prize for a collection, and beat Mr. Cypher, of 
Cheltenham, with ten plants in flower, both collections 
being good ones. Mr. Cypher had all his own way 
with flowering and fine-foliaged stove and greenhouse 
plants, securing both first prizes, as also that for 
Ericas. In the first-named collection was the finest 
plant in the exhibition, a noble specimen of Pimelia 
spectabilis, superbly bloomed and perfectly fresh ; also 
a superb example of Erica ventricosa magnifica. 
The miscellaneous collections were more interesting 
than usual, especially the contribution made by Mr. B. 
S. "Williams, of Holloway, who, as if to mark the 
coming of age of this series of exhibitions, and his 
attendance at them all, staged the brightest group we 
remember to have seen here from the famous Victoria 
and Paradise Nurseries. The group included over 200 
flowering Orchids, specially notable among them being 
a Vanda suavis rubiana with three grand spikes, and an 
Oncidium sarcodes with a branched spike of 352 flowers. 
Here also was the singular Ataccia ciislata, which on 
account of the weird character of its flowers, Mr. Leo 
Grindon has dubbed the Witch of Endor Lily, and 
which, in consequence, was frequently asked for by the 
visitors. The Liverpool Horticultural Co. (John 
Cowan), Limited, also contributed an extensive group 
of small-flowering Orchids ; and a smaller one came 
from Mr. J. Charleswortli, of Heaton, near Bradford. 
The small stove and greenhouse plants of Messrs. R. P. 
Ker k Son, Liverpool ; the Gloxinias of Mr. R. 
Elphinstone ; the cut flowers of Cattleyas, &c., from 
Mr. W. Owen, Hartford and Greenbank Nurseries, 
near Northwich ; and the small but choice Ferns of 
Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, of Sale, all demand 
honourable mention. 
In the annexe, now callei the grand avenue, were 
many superb competing collections of decorative plants, 
Roses, Rhododendrons, hardy herbaceous plants, 
Ferns, &c. The first prize in the class for an 
effective group, open to the trade, again went to 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son, whose arrangement for 
brightness of colouring—furnished mainly by Crotons 
—and elegance of design left little to be desired. 
The second prize went to Mr. J. Mason, Ashton-on- 
Mersey, whose group was also marked by great good 
taste in arrangement, and by the admirable quality of 
the plants used, which were of the best description. 
In the corresponding class for amateurs, a bold and 
handsome arrangement, not over done with flowers, 
secured the highest award for Mr. S. Baerlein, of Dids- 
bury. The other awards went to Mr. S. Lord, Brook- 
lands ; Mr. G. B. Blair, Whalley Range, and Mrs. 
Hodgkinson. Other special attractions were very fine 
groups of hardy herbaceous plants, from Messrs. James 
Dickson & Sons, and Messrs. F. & A. Dickson & Sons, 
of Chester, which for quality reminded us of the fine 
displays Mr. Robert Parker used to make a few years 
ago ; a very fine group of pot Roses from Messrs. Paul 
& Son, Cheshunt; a capital group of stove and green¬ 
house plants, &e., from Messrs. Cutbush & Son, High- 
gate ; very fine collections of Japanese plants, such as 
Maples, Conifers, &c., and flowering Rhododendrons, 
shown by Messrs. John Waterer & Son, Bagshot ; an 
extensive and pretty collection of small Rhododendrons 
and greenhouse plants from Mr. John Hayward, 
Cheadle ; a very interesting group of hardy and exotic 
Ferns from the Messrs. Birkenhead, ol Sale ; a very 
showy collection of varieties of Primula cortusoides 
Sieboldi, of which some four sorts were certificated, 
from Messrs. Ryder & Son, Sale ; Alpine plants from 
Messrs. Stansfield Bros., Southport; a splendid box of 
Marechal Neil Roses, from Mr. Lambert, gardener to 
Col. Wingfield, Onslow Hall, Shrewsbury ; a most 
lovely stand of a dozen blooms of Tea Roses from Mr. 
James Marshal, of Buckley ; and one of the finest 
collections of Pansies in pots that it has been our 
fortune to see, even in Manchester. There were several 
exhibitors, but the leading awards among nurserymen 
went to Mrs. Mellor, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and Mr. 
T. Robinson, of Sale ; and to Mr. S. Mellor, of Dids- 
bury, amongst amateurs. 
The display of fruit, as was to be expected from the 
character of the season, was small, and calls for little 
comment. Mr. Mclndoe, gardener, Hutton Hall, 
Guisborough, was awarded the first prize for a collection, 
and similar awards in classes for one Pine Apple, a 
dish of Peaches, and a green-fleshed Melon ; while the 
best Strawberries, Cherries and pot Strawberries came 
from Mr. Blair, Trentham. Mr. W. Brotherton, of 
Chorley, staged the best sample of black Grapes, and 
Mr. Chuck, gardener to P. Thelluson, Esq., Brodsworth 
Hall, Doncaster, had the finest sample of white 
varieties. 
The weather was all that could be desired on Friday, 
Saturday and the early part of the current week, and 
the attendance, as usual, has been very large. 
Royal Horticultural. —May 22nd. 
Following on the big shows of last week, and the 
Bank Holiday, the meeting on Tuesday last was 
smaller than those of previous occasions, as might be 
expected. There were, however, a considerable number 
of small exhibits, and some of exceptional merit amongst 
Orchids and various other natural orders. The large 
groups of Daffodils were absent, and we may expect to 
see little or no more of them this season. Cinerarias, 
Pansies, Japan Maples, hardy plants, and stove subjects 
constituted the principal features. 
A fine group of stove and greenhouse plants, for 
which a Silver-gilt Banksian Medal was awarded, came 
from Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill. 
Caladiums were a special feature of the group, and 
included such grand things as Marquis F. d’Albertas, 
for which a vote of thanks was awarded ; Comte de 
Germiny, which was certificated ; and Madame Soupert 
Kcechlin. Some single and double Begonias were also 
certificated, and Cocos, Aralias, Adiantums, Pteris, 
Clivia miniata sulphurea and other things made up a 
group of no ordinary merit. A vote of thanks was 
given for Gloxinia virginale, which was pure white. 
A Silver Banksian Medal was awarded to Messrs. H. 
Cannell k Sons, Swanley, Kent, for a fine group of 
Calceolarias in forty distinctly-coloured varieties. The 
plants were broad, dwarf, and bushy, with large 
flowers in self colours, and also others with creamy 
white, yellow, orange, crimson, red, carmine, and 
maroon grounds, spotted and marbled with red, 
crimson and other markings of a darker colour. A 
similar award was made to Messrs. Kelway & Sons, 
Langport, Somerset, for a group, consisting of nine 
boxes of Tree and other Paeonies. Amongst the Tree 
varieties we noticed Elizabeth (rosy pink), Caroline 
(blush and pink centre), Comte de Flandres (satiny 
pink), Mrs. Lowe (carmine pink), Lumen (white and 
piuk centre), and Ida (rose-pink, almost white at the 
margin). All these were doubles ; but Moutan simplex 
was single, and white with a purple base. There were 
several other kinds, varieties of other species. A like 
award was made to Mr. W. Gordon, The Nurseries, 
Twickenham, for a beautiful group of Japan plants, 
chiefly Maples and Tree Paeonies. A variety of the 
latter was certificated. Amongst the Maples were Acer 
circinatum, A. palmatum, A. p. atropurpureum, A. 
p. dissectum, and many others beautifully cut and 
variegated or coloured. A Bronze Banksian Medal 
was awarded to Mr. John Forbes, florist, Hawick, 
Scotland, for a large, fine and very varied group of 
Pansies, which, considering the nature and lateness of 
the season, were admirable. Lizzie Allardyce was 
purple-maroon with a white margin ; Prizetaker, a 
parti-coloured fancy variety; Brilliant, yellow; Donald 
Sinclair, red and black ; Arab, violet-purple with a 
white margin and of great size ; R. S. Head, a striking 
fancy form ; and Gold Digger, large and dark, were 
some of the more prominent which we noted. They 
consisted of stems and foliage as well as flowers, and 
were arranged on moss. 
Messrs. Paul k Son, Cheshunt, exhibited a group of 
hardy herbaceous and alpine plants and Roses. Votes 
of thanks were accorded for each of the following— 
namely, a fine pan of Arnebia echioides, Gentiana 
ciliata, Cortusa Matthioli grandiflora, Geum miniatum, 
Polemonium himalayense, Pulmonaria paniculata, Acer 
negundo variegata and Camassia Leichtlinii. Eritri- 
chum nanum and Marechal Niel Roses were also 
exhibited. An interesting group of various plants was 
contributed by the Royal Gardens, Kew, including 
Disa racemosa, Masdevallia triaristella, Haberlea 
rhodopensis, Phaius Mannii, Onosma tauricum, Lotus 
peliorhynchus with scarlet flowers, Exacum ma- 
cranthum with intense blue flowers, Primula Rusbyi, a 
pretty purple-flowered species, and a dwarf Daisy-like 
Aster with purple flowers and trailing stems. The 
erect flower stems did not exceed 3 ins. in height. 
Two of these plants were certificated, and altogether 
the group was of a varied and attractive kind. A 
mixed group of various things was exhibited by Mr. G. 
F. Wilson, Heatherbank and Oakwood. Pinguicula 
caudata and a form of Cvpripedium macranthum were 
very prominent, while Primula.Reedii, P. obtusifolia, 
P. glabra, and seedling Auriculas were all interesting 
to the plant lover. Carnations were exhibited by Mr. 
J. Hall, Florist, Castle Street, Cambridge. We noted 
Wm. Bourne, a scarlet-red ; Mrs. W. Tepla, white, 
suffused with blush ; Wm. Dean, finely striated with 
red on a white ground, were among the many kinds 
staged. 
Mr. G. Duffield, gardener to H. K. Mayor, Esq., 
The Ivies, Winchmore Hill, N., also showed a 
group of cut blooms of Carnations, including Mrs. W. 
Bright, yellow ; Jessie Page, red, striped maroon ; 
Prince of Orange, yellow, striated carmine, and many 
others. A small but fine group of Calceolarias was 
exhibited by R. H. Alexander, Esq. (gardener Mr. G. 
Spriugthorpe), Gifford House, Roehampton. The plants 
were dwarf, busby, well grown, and beautifully marbled. 
Messrs. James Veitch k Sons, Chelsea ; Messrs. Hugh 
Low k Co., Clapton ; and Mr. Ballantine, gardener to 
Baron Schroder, The Dell, Egham, were amongst the 
exhibitors of Orchids, and had several things cer¬ 
tificated. R. B. White, Esq., Arddairock, Dumbarton¬ 
shire (gardener, Mr. W. Kidd), exhibited Cattleya 
Mendelii alba, for which a vote of thanks was accorded, 
and C. Mossiee superba. A vote of thanks was accorded 
to Mr. W. Gordon, Twickenham, for some varieties of 
Cattleya Mossios. A beautiful Cattleya was shown by 
Mr. C. Cowley, gardener to F. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley 
House, Hammersmith. It was named C. Mossiai 
Studleyanum, and was pure white with the exception 
