August  15, 1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
163 
priie  of  the  Committee  in  offering  increased  valuable  prizes  was  more 
than  repaid  'oy  the  increased  number  of  exhibitors  and  of  exhibits, 
which  totalled  about  250  more  than  in  the  previous  year.  The  quality, 
too,  showed  an  improvement  generally  in  every  class,  excepting,  however, 
in  the  specimen  and  of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  which  were  com¬ 
paratively  small  in  size  and  in  numbers,  a  circumstance  chiefly  owing  to 
the  fact  that  the  class  was  comparatively  small — only  six  plants  required 
to  form  a  collection— and  the  prizes  correspondingly  low. 
The  class  for  a  “  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,”  space  not  to 
exceed  18  feet  by  9  feet,  half-circle  shape,  brought  forth  considerable 
competition.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to 
J.  A.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  for  an  attractive  display,  in  which  ixoras, 
Francoas.  Dracmnas,  and  Japanese  Liliums  in  variety  were  particularly 
noticeable.  A  certain  monotony,  however,  in  the  arrangement  of  the 
taller  plants  tended  somewhat  to  mar  the  effect  of  the  whole.  The 
second  honours  fell  to  Mr.  Macdonald,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Kenrick,  Esq., 
also  of  Edgbaston,  for  a  most  striking  arrangement,  and  bat  a  com¬ 
parative  weakness  at  the  back  of  the  group,  also  a  lack  of  brilliant 
plants  in  flower,  the  decision  of  the  Judges  probably  would  have  been 
reversed. 
For  six  exotic  Ferns  Mr,  Scarf  and  Mr.  Macdonald  were  respectively 
first  and  second  with  very  nearly  equally  fine  specimens  of  Cibotium 
spectabile,  Gymnogramma  chrysophylla,  Nephrolepic  davallioides, 
Alsophila  Mooreana,  and  a  healthy  Adiantum  cuneatum.  The  second 
collection  contained  a  fine  plant  of  Davallia  polyantha,  Cibotium 
spectabile,  Dicksonia  antarctica,  and  very  fine  plants  of  Davallia  fijiensis, 
Nephrolepis  davallioides,  and  a  neat  and  healflay  Lomaria  gibba.  For 
three  Palms,  Mr.  Macdonald  was  an  easy  first  with  grand  specimens  of 
Kentia  Fosteriana,  K.  Belmoreana,  and  Phoenix  rupicola,  Mr.  G.  E, 
Wright,  with  almost  equally  fine  plants  of  Kentia  Fosteriana,  Kentia 
Belmoreana,  was  second,  Mr.  A.  Cryer  securing  third  prize  with  much 
smaller  plants.  Tuberous  Begonias,  which  are  always  a  notable  feature 
at  the  Society’s  shows,  made  a  grand  display  in  pots.  For  single  varieties 
of  six,  Mr.  J.  T,  Grice  was  awarded  first  with  fine  specimens,  also  a  like 
award  for  equally  fine  plants  of  double  flowered  varieties.  Mr.  A.  Cryer 
second  with  very  good  specimens,  all  well  bloomed. 
Dahlias  were  well  represented,  especially  the  Cactus  varieties,  the 
first  prize  being  awarded  to  Messrs.  Perkins  A  Son,  Coventry,  with  a 
choice  assortment  of  the  newer  varieties,  their  seedling,  named  Master¬ 
piece,  with  its  perfect  shaped  rich  dark  crimson  purple  petals,  being 
especially  attractive.  Messrs.  Kimberley  &  Son,  Coventry,  proved  a 
close  second  with  a  rich  display.  In  the  case  of  double  Dahlias  their 
positions  were  reversed.  A  certificate  of  merit  was  bestowed  on  Messrs. 
Pope  &  Son  for  a  new  Pompon  named  Miss  Ida  Pope,  a  bright  rich 
scarlet,  with  well  defined  twisted  petals.  For  twenty-four  Roses  Messrs. 
Perkins  &  Son  obtained  the  first  prize  with  clean  and  well  coloured 
blooms  ;  Messrs.  Kimberley  &  Son  and  Mr.  W.  F,  Gunn  followed  with 
fair  exhibits. 
The  prizes  for  Carnations  and  Picotees  were  claimed  by  Mr,  W.  F. 
Gunn  and  Mr.  R.  Ryland.  Hybrid  bouquets  were  not  a  very  strong 
feature  in  point  of  numbers.  Messrs.  W.  F.  Gunn,  George  Newell, 
and  Kimberley  &  Son  were  the  respective  winners.  Hardy  herbaceous 
flowers  were  exceedingly  well  staged  by  Messrs.  W.  B.  Child,  Thos. 
Freeman,  and  W.  F.  Gunn,  the  prizes  being  awarded  in  their  respective 
order. 
For  six  dishes  of  fruit  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr,  G.  Walker 
with  very  good  Grapes  and  Peaches,  second  Messrs.  Kimberley  «fe  Son, 
and  third  Mr.  G.  E.  Wright.  For  two  bunches  of  black  Grapes  Mr. 
E.  Perks  was  awarded  the  first  prize  with  fairly  good  fruit  ;  and  Mr. 
Cryer  secured  first  prize  for  two  bunches  of  Muscats,  not  fully  ripe  ; 
and  Mr.  G.  E.  Wright  the  second  prize.  Special  prizes  were  awarded 
to  Messrs.  J.  Smith,  A.  Cryer,  and  Mr.  Macdonald  for  collections  of 
vegetables.  A  certificate  of  merit  and  a  bronze  medal  were  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Thomson  &  Sons,  Birmingham  for  a  collection  of  plants  ;  to 
Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons,  King’s  Norton,  a  certificate  and  the  Society’s  silver 
medal  for  a  most  elegant  device  and  a  ”  shower  ”  bouquet  of  Cactus 
Dahlias.  Similar  honours  were  also  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  F.  Gunn,  Olton, 
for  hardy  herbaceous  fiowers.  To  Messrs.  Kimberley  &  Sons  and  Messrs. 
Hewitt  &  Co.,  Solihull,  for  large  collections.  Mr,  W.  B,  Child,  Acock’s 
Green,  obtained  a  certificate  of  merit  and  the  Society’s  silver  medal  for 
a  fine  collection  of  hardy  herbaceous  flowers,  while  a  certificate  of  merit 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Andrews  and  to  Mr.  Mosley  for  floral  designs, 
and  a  certificate  and  special  prize  to  Mr.  J.  T.  Grice,  Olton. 
The  show  altogether  proved  to  be  a  great  success,  and  reflected  much 
credit  upon  the  management  of  the  executive  Committee,  and  the 
energetic  Honorary  Secretaries,  Messrs.  A.  Sydenham  and  H.  Kinder. 
TAUNTON. — August  9th. 
Foe  the  first  time  during  the  past  quarter  of  a  century  the  Taunton 
Committee  had  to  face  the  possibility  of  a  deficit  owing  to  unfavourable 
weather.  Luckily  the  rain  held  off  till  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  by 
that  time  the  usual  large  attendance  of  visitors  had  passed  into  Vivary 
Park,  where  the  shows  are  held.  At  few  other  places  are  so  many 
people  attracted  to  a  horticultural  exhibition  and  hear  good  music 
only  ;  but  then  the  Society  enjoys  the  well-earned  reputation  of  being 
sufliciently  liberal  and  enterprising  to  keep  pace  with  the  times. 
W.  H.  Fowler,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  Taunton,  is  a  well-known  enthusiast  on 
flower  culture,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
Society,  and  the  Honorary  Secretaries,  Messrs.  Hammett  and  Taylor,  are 
very  capable,  as  well  as  courteous  to  all  who  have  occasion  to  transact 
business  with  them. 
As  usual  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  Cheltenham,  was  well  to  the  front  with 
stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  his  collection  comprising  grand  specimens 
of  Erica  Austiniana,  E.  Thompsoni,  E.  obovata  purpurea.  Bougainvillea 
Sanderiana,  Statice  profusa,  Allamanda  grandiflora,  and  Stephanotis 
floribunda.  Mr.  W.  Rowland,  gardener  to  W,  Brock,  E>q  ,  Exeter,  took 
the  second  prize,  his  best  being  Bougainvillea  glabra  and  Lapageria 
rosea.  Mr.  Finch,  gardener  to  J.  Marriott,  Esq  ,  Coventry,  was  third. 
With  six  flowering  plants  Mr.  Cypher  was  again  first,  Mr.  Rowland 
taking  the  second  prize,  and  Mr.  W.  Peel,  gardener  to  Miss  Todd,  the 
third.  There  was  also  good  competition  in  the  class  for  eight  fine- 
foliaged  plants.  Mr.  J.  Cypher  was  first,  Mr.  W.  Rowland  second,  and 
Mr.  W.  Peel  third.  Only  two  competed  in  the  open  class  for  groups  of 
miscellaneous  plants  occupying  a  space  of  100  square  teet,  and  both 
were  highly  creditable  exhibits.  Mr.  Rowland’s  first  prize  arrangements 
had  a  groundwork  of  Maidenhair  Fern,  water  being  also  introduced  with 
good  effect  ;  a  wealth  of  Humea  elegans.  Bamboos,  elegant  Crotons, 
Campanulas,  Liliums,  and  Grasses  tastefully  grouped  giving  the  whole  a 
very  attractive  appearance.  Mr.  W.  Peel  was  a  good  second. 
Tuberous  Begonias  were  shown  splendidly  by  local  growers,  such  a 
fine  collection  of  grandly  flowered  double  and  single  varieties  never 
before  being  seen  in  the  West  of  England.  Mr.  W.  Thomas,  gardener 
to  Wilfred  Marshall,  Esq.,  was  first ;  Mr.  W.  Bond,  gardener  to  P.  V.  A. 
Reid,  Esq.,  second  ;  and  Mr.  G.  Hawkins,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Fowler, 
Esq.,  third.  With  Zonal  Pelargoniums  Mr.  H.  Mockridge  w'as  first,  and 
Mr.  H.  Gadding  second ;  while  the  principal  prizewinners  with 
Fuchsias  in  the  various  classes  provided  for  them  were  Messrs.  H. 
Godding,  S.  Tottle,  and  W.  Peel.  Mr.  W.  Rowland  was  first  in  the  open 
class  for  exotic  Ferns,  and  Mr.  Peel  occupied  a  similar  position  in  the 
class  confined  to  amateurs.  A  fine  plant  of  Adiant.um  fragrantissimum 
gained  Mr.  T.  Essex,  gardener  to  C  B.  J.  Esdaile,  Esq.,  the  first  prize  for 
a  single  specimen.  In  the  amateurs’  tent  the  local  growers  named  again 
showed  Begonias,  Fuchsias,  Pelargoniums,  Achimenes,  Cockscombs, 
Petunias,  and  such  like  remarkably  well.  Mr.  Rowland  had  the  best 
collection  of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants.  Mr.  H.  Godding,  Mr.  W. 
Peel,  Mr.  T.  Essex,  and  others  also  distinguishing  themselves  in  that 
department. 
The  first  prize  for  a  small  group  went  to  Mr.  W,  Rowland,  Mr.  T. 
Essex  following  closely  with  an  arrangement  in  which  well  flowered 
Clerodendron  fallax.  Bougainvilleas,  and  Gloxinias,  with  brightly 
coloured,  elegant  Crotons  and  neat  Caladiums  figured  largely.  Only  a 
comparatively  few  Orchids  were  shown.  In  the  open  class  Mr.  J. 
Cypher  was  first  with  Cattleya  Gaskelliana,  Oncidlum  macrauthum, 
Cypripedium  grande,  and  Calanthe  veratrifolia  in  excellent  condition. 
Mr.  A.  H.  Murrell,  gardener  to  D.  H.  Milton,  Esq.,  Clifton,  was  second. 
Mr.  W.  Thomas  was  first  in  the  amateurs’  class. 
Cut  flowers  are  always  a  great  feature  at  these  shows,  and  in  this 
instance  they  were  as  numerous  and  good  as  ever.  With  thirty-six 
varieties  of  Roses  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  were  easily  first, 
their  stands  comprising  grand  blooms  of  Alfred  Colomb,  Mrs.  J.  Laing, 
A.  K.  Williams,  Comte  de  Raimbaud,  Duke  of  EJinburgh,  Barthelemy 
Joubert,  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  Gustave  Piganeau,  Marie  Baumann, 
Dr.  Andry,  Etienne  Levet,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  Marie  Rady,  Duke  of 
Wellington,  and  Mons.  B.  Y.  Teas.  Messrs.  Townsend  &  Son,  Worcester, 
were  placed  second,  and  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Salisbury, 
third.  Similar  positions  were  held  by  these  competitors  in  the  other 
open  classes  for  Roses,  the  exhibits  being  very  praiseworthy  in  each 
instance.  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were  also  first  for  twelve  Dahlias, 
Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.  following  with  smaller  but  more  perfect 
blooms  ;  the  third  prize  going  to  Messrs.  Townsend  &  Son.  For  Fancy 
Dahlias  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.  were  first ;  Mr.  G.  Humphries, 
Chippenham,  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  W.  Smith,  Kingswood,  third.  Mr. 
A.  A.  Waters,  Bath,  was  first  for  single  Dahlias,  and  Messrs.  Townsend 
and  Son  for  decorative  and  Cactus  varieties  ;  the  second  prize  in  this 
instance  going  to  Mr.  R.  West,  gardener  to  Captain  Wigram,  Salisbury. 
Pompons  were  well  shown  by  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Mr.  G. 
Humphries,  and  Mr.  J.  Arding,  gardener  to  W.  Fligg,  Esq.,  Bishops 
Lydiard,  who  took  the  prizes  in  the  order  named. 
Asters  were  largely  shown,  and  with  these  Messrs.  W.  J.  Jones, 
Bath  ;  C.  H.  Vickery,  Bath  ;  A.  A.  Walters,  and  Townsend  &  Son  were 
the  principal  prizewinners.  There  was  a  fine  display  of  Gladioli,  and 
with  twenty-four  varieties  of  these  Mr.  F.  H.  Fox,  Wellington,  was 
first,  and  Mr.  G.  Hawkins  second.  Messrs.  T.  Hobbs,  Bristol,  and 
W.  Smith,  Kingswood,  were  most  successful  with  Hollyhocks  ;  and  fine 
collections  of  Carnations  were  shown  by  Captain  O.  Von  Keitzing, 
Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Bxmouth,  and  Mr.  W.  Smith.  With  Begonias  Mr. 
J.  B.  Blackmore,  Bath,  was  moat  successful  ;  Mr.  E.  Price,  Wellington, 
and  Mr.  Reid  also  taking  prizes.  Choice  cut  flowers  were  very 
beautiful,  as  also  were  the  collections  of  herbaceous  flowers.  With  the 
former  Mr.  W.  Marshall  was  first,  and  Mr.  Shelton,  gardener  to 
W.  K.  Wait,  Esq.,  Clifton,  second  ;  while  the  prizewinners  with  the 
latter  were  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  and  Mr.  A.  A.  Walters,  Bath. 
Amateurs  also  made  a  fine  display  in  the  division  set  apart  for  them. 
For  twenty-four  and  twelve  blooms  of  Roses  Mr.  T.  Hobbs  was  first  and 
Dr.  Budd,  Bath,  second,  the  first  prize  for  twelve  Teas  going  to  Mr.  A. 
Hill  Gray,  Bath,  who  had  fine  blooms  of  Maiechal  Niel,  Madame 
Bravy,  Innocente  Pirola,  Madame  Charles,  Francisca  Kruger,  Catherine 
Mermet,  The  Bride,  and  Marie  Van  Houtte.  Mr.  Hawkins  was  second. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Fowler’s  Gladioli  were  in  this  instance  preferred  to  those 
shown  by  Mr.  F.  H.  Fox,  and  Captain  Von  Keitzing  scored  once  again 
with  Carnations,  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  T.  Every,  Bath.  The 
last  named  had  the  best  German  Asters,  Mr.  J.  Lloyd  following  closely. 
