May 31, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
621 
Manchester Royal Botanical and 
Horticultural. 
The twenty-fourth great National Whitsuntide Horti¬ 
cultural exhibition which was opened on the 23rd inst. 
and closed on Wednesday night was in every way worthy 
of the Old Trafford record—a fine floral display which 
included all sections of plants in season, and repre¬ 
sentations of the highest art of cultivation. Fashions 
change to some extent from year to year at 
Manchester, as elsewhere, and this year we missed some 
of the large specimen stove and greenhouse plants 
and the noble exotic Ferns which graced former 
exhibitions ; but, still, there were enough to show that 
the art is not quite lost, though fast on the wane. The 
Orchids as usual provided glorious masses of colour, and 
nothing was wanting in that section to make our cup of 
pleasure run over. Perhaps the predominant feature of 
the exhibition was the wonderful competitions with 
groups, of which there were three, and of each class it 
is impossible to say too much in praise, either of the 
admirable taste displayed, or the quality of the materials 
used. 
The groups, five in number, shown in the premier 
class, were arranged on one side of the permanent show 
house, and to say which was the best of the leaders took 
the judges some three quarters of an hour to determine, 
so close and keen was the competition between Mr. Blair, 
gardener to the Duke of Sutherland at Trentham, and 
Mr. Cragg, gardener to A. Heine, Esq., Fallowfield. 
The effect of Mr. Thacker’s successful visit last year 
was clearly seen in all the groups, though some, and 
notably Mr. Blair, had grasped his ideas more 
completely than others—indeed, he may be even 
said to have beaten his mentor. Mr. Thacker 
always illustrated the useful art _to the gardener 
of working out the prettiest artistic effects with 
the smallest amount of materials, and it was simply 
neglect of the latter point which cost Mr. Cragg the 
honour of victory. He had a grand lot of plants to 
deal with, and disposed his subjects with a bold and 
effective hand, but had too much colour and not 
enough Fern and moss. The Trentham plants also 
were all that could be desired, and the grouping was 
most artistic, every bit of telling colour being effectively 
placed and abundantly set off with the neutral tints of 
the Maidenhair. Mr. Cragg has now made two 
splendid bids for the highest honour, and we could 
have wished him greater success on this occasion ; but 
he was too near home, and the verdict was correct. 
Another able “decorator,” Mr. McIntyre, gardener to 
Mrs. Gurney Pease, Darlington, secured the third 
prize with a capital group, but somewhat wanting in 
colour. Extra prizes were awarded to Mr. Elphinstone, 
gardener to Clement M. Royds, Esq., Rochdale, and 
Mr. J. Currey, gardener to Colonel Pepper, Salisbury. 
The other groups were arranged in the large annexe j 
and added much to the handsome decoration of that 
admirable structure. In the nurserymen’s competition 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son again secured the premier 
award, although a bold bid for the honour was made 
by Mr. A. J. A. Bruce, of Chorlton-eum-Hardy. In 
the amateurs’ division the respective gardeners of S. 
Barlein, Esq., Didsbury ; T. Agnew, Esq., Eccles ; and 
Miss Lord, Ashton-on-Mersey, took the awards in the 
order named, and all greatly distinguished themselves 
by the exquisite taste they displayed. 
The amateurs’ competition with twelve Orchids was 
dubbed the Battle of the Dukes, from the fact of Mr. 
Blair, of Trentham, and Mr. T. Whillans, gardener to 
the Duke of Marlborough, being the leading com. 
petitors. His Grace of Blenheim, however, sent the 
strongest lot, and scored first honours with a very fine 
group, including a large mass of Cypripedium barbatum, 
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, 4 ft. through; a superb 
Cattleya Mendelii, with two dozen blooms ; Cypri¬ 
pedium Isevigatum, with six spikes ; a glorious mass 
of Dendrobium Dearii, 2 ft. across ; Lselia purpurata, 
with sixteen spikes ; Cypripedium caudatum, with the 
same number ; Cattleya Skinneri, 3 ft. over, &c. 
With six specimens Mr. Blair easily beat Mr. T. 
Statter, Stand Hall, showing very fine examples of 
Cypripedium caudatum, Dendrobium Dearii, Cattleya 
Mossiae, and C. intermedia, &c. For ten Orchids Mr. 
Cragg, gardener to A. Heine, Esq., beat Mr. Blair and 
Mr. Statter, having in his group splendid masses of 
Vanda teres, Lslia purpurata alba, and Cattleya 
Skinneri alba, &e., the latter specimen having some 
three dozen blooms. Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, 
secured the highest award in the nurserymen’s compe¬ 
tition in his well-known style. 
The most successful exhibitors with stove and 
greenhouse plants were Mr. Cypher and Mr. Nicholson, 
gardener to the Earl of Zetland, Upleatham, and some 
grand specimens of old favourites were staged by both. 
Mr. Nicholson had the finest piece of Anthurium 
Andreanum we have ever seen, with nine enormous 
spathes ; also a grandly-bloomed Franciseea calycina 
major nearly 4 ft. over. Mr. Nicholson had also the 
best fine-foliaged plants, a splendid group, and Mr. 
Cypher the best among nurserymen. In other compe¬ 
titions Colonel Pepper was first, with four Palms ; 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son with Crotons and Draceenas, 
much smaller than usual; Mr. Blair and Mr. A. J. A. 
Bruce, with Nepenthes and Sarracen ias ; Messrs. Paul 
& Son and Mr. J. Brown, Ashton-on-Mersey, with 
Roses ; Messrs. Rylance, with Pelargoniums ; Messrs. 
Dicksons, Limited, with herbaceous plants, a very fine 
group ; Messrs. Paul & Son and Mr. It. P. Gill, with 
Alpine plants ; Messrs. Ryder & Son, with Begonias ; 
Mr. F. Blower, Pendlebury, and Mr. S. Robinson, Sale, 
with Violas and Pansies. 
Of miscellaneous groups, we noted the usual neat 
collection of plants from Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son ; 
a very attractive group of Orchids from Messrs. Charles - 
worth & Shuttlewortli, Bradford ; smaller groups from 
Messrs. F. Sander &. Co. and The Liverpool Horticul¬ 
tural Company ; and a capital lot of Rhododendrons 
and Japanese Maples from Messrs. Waterer, Bagshot. 
Of fruits, the display was very good indeed for the 
season. Mr. Mclndoe secured the highest awards for a 
collection and for two Pines, and took an extra for a 
miscellaneous collection, containing several dishes of 
admirably-preserved Apples and Pears. Mr. Blair was 
second, with a collection ; and Mr. Craven, gardener to 
D. Grant Mortis, Esq., Allerton Priory, Liverpool, 
third. Mr. Loudon, The Quinta, Chirk, with a very 
fine dish of Black Hamburghs, and some well-ripened 
Muscats, won both firsts for Grapes in good competitions. 
Mr. Upjohn had the finest Peaches, Hale’s Early ; and 
Mr. Davies, Temple Newsam, the finest Nectarines, 
Lord Napier. The scarlet-fleshed Melon, Masterpiece, 
shown by Mr. Craven, was the best in its section ; and 
Mr. Blair’s High Cross Hybrid, the best green-fleshed. 
Mr. Upjohn, with a good sample of La Grosse Sucre, 
was first for Strawberries ; and in a capital competition 
with pot Strawberries, Mr. Blair won with a well-done 
lot of Sir Harry, Mr. Upjohn coming in a close second 
with the same variety, and Mr. Craven third with 
President ; while an extra prize for cultivation was 
awarded to S. Barlow, Esq., who had a splendidly- 
finished lot of Laxton’s Noble, a gay deceiver, as regards 
flavour, when pitted against older sorts. 
In the afternoon the council of the society invited the 
judges and principal exhibitors to dine with them under 
the presidency of Mr. Broome, one of the vice-presidents, 
Mr. Samuel Barlow, J.P., occupying the vice-chair. 
After the usual loyal toast, the chairman proposed 
“The Exhibitors.” In doing so he remarked that for 
many years shows had been held in the Botanical 
Gardens, and every exhibition seemed to be superior to 
the preceding one. In point of quality, he did not 
remember a show that excelled the one which had 
been opened that day. It was one of the finest ex¬ 
hibitions that they had ever held. He hoped that 
such progress would ever be maintained. If the society 
lost the reputation which they possessed of showing 
the best that could be produced, the gardens and the 
Whitsuntide show would fall in the estimation of the 
public. He was glad to find that the amateur exhibitor 
had shown himself in as good “form” as on any 
previous occasion. Mr. Blair briefly responded. Mr. 
Barlow submitted the toast of “The Judges,” to which 
the Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain responded. Mr. Shirley 
Hibberd proposed “Prosperity to the Manchester 
Botanical Society.” He compared the society with 
institutions of a similar kind in London, and said that 
there was nothing in the metropolis like the Whitsun 
show of the Manchester Botanical Society. He hoped 
that the society would be firm to the policy which it 
had initiated and carried out, and that the Manchester 
show would continue to occupy the proud position it 
had gained. The chairman, in replying to the toast, 
said the council could not do with the system that 
obtained in London. In Manchester they worked well 
together, and were not disposed to work in the direction 
of varied interests and varied inclinations. They 
prosecuted the work like one man, and that was one of 
the reasons why they had succeeded in raising the 
society to its present high position. Mr. J. W. 
Maclure, M.P., proposed “The City of Manchester,” 
and coupled with the toast the name of the Mayor of 
Manchester, Mr. Alderman Mark, who acknowledged 
the compliment. On the proposition of Mr. Ross, the 
health of Mr. Bruce Findlay was most cordially drank, 
and unstinting acknowledgment made of the many 
and valuable services he had rendered to the society 
and to horticulture. 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Batty Langley’s “ Pomona.”—I have a copy of this work 
(published in 1729) in a good state of preservation. What would 
be a fair money value to put upon it ? I should be glad of any 
information.— G. B. 
Cattleya Bloom. — James Moir: The flower you sent was 
that of Cattleya Mendelii, not C. Triana;, and we consider you 
have been very fortunate, although it did not turn out to be the 
last named. The flower was large and well-formed for the kind. 
The sepals and petals were of a uniform pale hue, but they 
served as a beautiful contrast to the rich colour of the lip, the 
lamina of which was of a rich dark amethyst-purple. The 
undulations of the crisped and folded margin were unusually 
numerous, adding greatly to the value of the flower. The large 
white blotch on either side of the mouth of the tube, with the 
golden or orange-yellow striated blotch in the throat were also 
typical and characteristic. 
Fairy Rings on Lawn.— G. T. F. : The only effectual way of 
getting red of the fungus is to dig out and remove the spawn- 
infested soil, and replace with fresh loam and turf. 
Manure Water. — Stella : Put a peck of sheep droppings and 
half-a-peek of soot into 50 gallons of water. Tie them up in a 
piece of old sacking with a stone to sink the package, and in a 
few hours you can commence to draw off for use. 
Names'.of Plants. — IF. M.: 1, Kerria japonica flore pleno ; 2, 
Prunus padus, the Bird Cherry. J . Cocker: The Orchid is 
Cymbidium Lowianum (a good form); the other is Rhodo¬ 
dendron ealophyllum in fine form. T. Stirling: 1, Viburnum 
species, not recognised ; 2, Akebia quinata. 
Night-Scented Stock. — J. Parnell: The specimen you sent 
is evidently that of Mathiola bicornis ; but you ought to have 
sent a leafy shoot as well. This species, although usually 
treated as an annual in this country, is stated to be a half-hardy 
sub-shrub, a native of Greece, and if that is the case it would be 
perennial, as has been stated to you. 
Odontoglossum crispum with Malformed Flowers.— J . 
Brown: The specimen sent us exhibited an unusual vigour of 
growth, and it would appear that the vegetative potentiality of 
the plant had overcome the reproductive power. The sepals, 
petals, and indeed all the parts of the flower were formed, but 
their growth becoming arrested, they became fleshy instead of 
completing their development. The variety would evidently 
have been a good one if it had perfected its flowers, for the petals 
(although only half-an-inch in length) are already strongly 
toothed on the margin, as usually occurs in broad, imbricated 
ones. We should think they would flower all right next year if 
you grow them a little less strongly. We figured a specimen of 
Lselia purpurata, which behaved in a similar way, in The Gar¬ 
dening World, June 9th, 1888, p. 645. The accompanying 
information would seem to indicate an over-lux'iriance of 
growth, as in your case. 
Odontoglossum nebulosum. — C. Haig: The raceme of flowers 
received is that of Odontoglossum nebulosum guttatum, the 
characters of which are that the basal half of the sepals and 
petals, and the greater part of the lip, are spotted or blotched 
with brownish purple. Yours is rather a fine form, as the 
blotches extend along more than half the length of the sepals 
and petals. Some of the blotches along the edge are of a pale 
brown, next to which is a line of purple blotches, while those 
along the centre are stained with brown. The distribution of 
colour on the lip is similar ; but, in addition, there are some 
tawny brown blotches in front of the calli; while the latter are 
striated on the sides with light orange-brown, as well as the 
cup formed by the crest. The flowers were also of large size, 
and showed evidence of good culture. 
Primula obconica.— A Victim: Washing the hands in a solu¬ 
tion of carbolic acid is the best remedy we can suggest for 
poisoning by this plant. 
Seeds of Sugar Cane.— IF. G. M.: What you sent us con¬ 
sisted of the flower glumes in various stages of growth. Some of 
them had not opened, and contained stamens, with the dried up 
remnants of the young ovary. In some cases the glumes had 
attained a good size, but none contained perfect seeds. Some of 
those you retained may, however, contain perfect seeds. Sow 
them in well-drained pots or pans in loam made sufficiently 
porous with clean silver sand, and stand them in a stove or 
propagating pit with plenty of heat, and keep them continually 
moist, but not sodden. The plants like plenty of moisture when 
growing, but the drainage must be good to prevent the soil 
becoming sodden and sour. Treatment like what should be 
given to Celosias or Balsams would meet their requirements in 
the early stages, after which you will find no difficulty. Good 
seeds of the Sugar Cane are rare, and have only recently been 
obtained. What are sometimes sent home as seeds of the Sugar 
Cane may not be so. Some seeds sent to Kew have turned out 
what are believed to be seedlings of Sorghum. 
"White Polemonium.— ./. Pariull: Yes, you would be right in 
calling it a white form of Polemonium coeruleum dissectum, as 
the leaves are characteristic of that variety which is sometimes 
named P. sibiricum in gardens. It would be very interesting if 
you have raised the cut-leaved form from the ordinary white- 
flowered P. ereruleum, as affording additional proof of the affinity 
of the two, although even in the absence of such proof there 
could be little doubt about it. 
Communications Received. —S. & S.—E. R. C.—J. C.—W. M. 
—R. R.—W. T.—H. & B.—W. G.- J. S.—R. W.— Ayrshire Tam 
—E. S. D. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
May 28th. 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Artichokes, Globe,doz. 3 0 6 0 
Asparagus ....per 100 3 0 5 0 
Beans, French, per lb. 1 6 2 6 
Beet .per dozen 2 0 3 0 
Cabbages_per doz. 16 2 6 
Carrots .... per bunch 0 6 
Cauliflowers, English, 
per dozen 3 0 6 0 
Celery .... per bundle 2 6 
Cucumbers .... each 06 10 
Endive, French, doz. 2 6 3 0 
s.d. s.d. 
Herbs .... per bunch 0 2 0 4 
Horse Radish, bundle 3 0 5 0 
Lettuces .. per dozen 16 2 0 
Mushrooms, p. basket 13 2 0 
Onions.... per bushel 3 6 5 0 
Parsley... .per bunch 0 6 
Radishes .. per dozen 1 6 
Small salading,punnet 0 4 
Spinach, per strike ..20 
Tomatos _per lb. 1 6 2 0 
Turnips _per bun. 0 6 
Potatos.— Kent Regents, 80s. to 100s. per ton; Kent Kidneys 
80s. to 100s. per ton ; Champions, 70s. per ton. 
