110 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  lip  139s. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
FROME.— August  1st. 
Without  actually  attaining  to  the  front  rank,  the  Frome  Bank 
Holiday  fixture  is  always  a  success  as  far  as  exhibits  are  concerned,  and 
the  attendance  of  visitors  was  on  this  occasion  most  encouraging.  What 
tends  to  make  the  show  a  great  success  are  the  grand  banks  of  plants 
arranged,  not  for  competition,  by  Mr.  J.  Trollope,  gardener  to  the 
Marquis  of  Bath,  Longleat,  and  Mr.  Young,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Cork,  Marston  House,  who  occupied  the  ends  of  one  extra  large  tent. 
The  Palms  in  the  Longleat  group  were  most  imposing,  while  Mr.  Young 
depended  largely  upon  the  effect  of  a  grand  mass  of  highly  coloured 
Crotons. 
The  best  stove  and  greenhouse  flowering  plants  were  shown  by  Messrs. 
Stokes  &  Son,  Trowbridge,  and  Mr.  Pymm,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Gouldsmith, 
Trowbridge,  who  took  the  prizes  as  named.  For  fine-foliaged  plants 
Mr.  Pymm  was  first,  and  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  gardener  to  Col.  Drexel,  Rood 
Ashton,  Trowbridge,  second,  Mr.  G.  Bridgeman,  gardener  to  E.  R. 
Trotman,  Esq.,  Frome,  was  first  for  six  fine  Fuchsias  ;  second  Messrs. 
.T.  Cray  &  Sons,  Frome.  Messrs.  Stokes  &  Son,  G.  Bridgeman,  and 
Phillips, gardener  to  Mrs.  Baily, Frome, were  most  successful  with  Ferns; 
and  other  prizewinners  with  plants  were  Mr.  G,  Tucker,  Trowbridge ;  Mr. 
W.  Nash,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  R.  Gordon,  Frome  ;  and  Mr.  Cutter, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Le  Gros,  Frome. 
In  ths  cut  flower  classes  the  competition  was  keen.  Messrs.  Jarman 
and  Co ,  Chard,  took  two  first  prizes  for  Roses,  the  second  prizes  in  both 
instances  going  to  Mr.  G.  Garraway,  Bath.  For  choice  cut  flowers  the 
prizes  went  to  Messrs.  Tucker,  Stokes  &  Son,  E.  Yiner,  Frome  ;  G.  Pymm, 
and  R.  Morse,  gardener  to  Captain  Knatchbull,  Babington.  Mr.  H.  F. 
Barker,  Frome,  staged  the  best  Carnations,  arranged  for  effect ;  second 
Mr.  H.  A.  Laverton,  Frome.  Messrs.  Cray  &  Sons  were  first  in  both 
classes  for  Dahlias  ;  Mr.  Humphries,  Chippenham,  not  showing  in  his 
best  form.  There  were  various  other  classes  for  cut  flowers.  The  Frome 
Flower  &  Fruit  Co.  were  easily  first  in  the  classes  for  a  hand  bouquet, 
ladies’  spray,  and  buttonhole  bouquets. 
Fruit  was  shown  in  moderately  large  quantities.  Mr.  Strugnell  and 
Mr.  Pymm  were  placed  equal  first  for  a  collection  of  six  dishes,  both 
having  good  Grapes,  Melons,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Figs.  Mr.  Morse 
was  a  creditable  third.  Mr.  E.  D.  Bourdillon  was  first  for  excellent 
bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  and  Mr.  Hobby,  gardener  to  Sir  S. 
Ponsonby-Fane,  Yeovil,  a  good  second.  Mr.  J.  H.  Shore,  Whatley, 
showed  the  best  Muscats,  second  Mr.  Hobby.  Mr.  Pymm  was  first  for  a 
Melon,  and  Mr.  Strugnell  second.  The  Frome  Flower  &  Fruit  Co.  took 
a  first  prize  for  a  grand  dish  of  Sea  Eagle  Peaches,  this  also  gaining  the 
Toogood  silver  medal  for  the  most  noteworthy  exhibit  in  the  fruit  classes. 
Mr.  J.  H.  Shore  was  second.  Very  fine  fruit  of  Pineapple  gained  Mr. 
Pymm  the  first  prize  for  Nectarines,  second  Mr.  J.  H.  Shore.  The  best 
collection  of  hardy  fruit  was  shown  by  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  all  of  excellent 
quality  ;  second  Mr.  E.  Fisher. 
Numerous  classes  were  also  provided  for  vegetables,  and  the  com¬ 
petition  was  good.  Special  prizes  were  offered  by  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Webb  &  Sons,  Bourne  &  Sons,  Beckington.and  Garraway  &  Co.,  Clifton;  and 
the  principal  prizewinners  were  Messrs.  G.  Garraway,  Acland,  gardener 
to  A.  G.  Hayman,  Esq.,  Frome  ;  J.  Hall,  Wells  ;  T.  Harrison,  Yeovil  ; 
E.  D.  Bourdillon,  H.  A.  Laverton,  and  F.  H.  Hancock,  Frome.  Tomatoes 
were  well  shown  by  several  growers.  The  first  prize  went  to  the  Frome 
Flower  &  Fruit  Co.  for  handsome  fruit  of  Rolfe’s  Exhibition,  second  the 
Somerset  Fruit  Co.  The  first  named  were  also  winners  with  Cucumbers, 
second  Messrs.  Cray  &  Sons.  The  best  collection  of  Potatoes  was  shown 
by  Mr.  E.  D.  Bourdillon,  second  Mr.  H.  A.  Laverton. 
WEST  DERBY. — August  1st. 
On  Bank  Holiday  this  beautiful  Liverpool  village  was  en  fete ,  the 
occasion  being  the  annual  Show  and  athletic  sports.  A  large  marquee 
was  erected  in  a  field  adjoining  the  Rectory  grounds,  and  thanks  to 
Mr.  Arthur  Rose,  the  respected  schoolmaster  and  Secretary  of  the  Show, 
assisted  by  members  of  an  excellent  Committee,  the  exhibits  were 
displayed  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the  highest  commendation. 
On  entering  the  tent  the  visitor  could  not  fail  to  be  impressed  with  the 
splendid  tables  staged  by  Mr.  C.  A.  Young,  of  the  Floral  Nurseries  ;  and 
Mr.  F.  Roberts,  of  the  Leyfield  Nurseries.  Mr.  Young  had  a  background 
of  Hydrangea  paniculata,  then  followed  Phloxes  and  Begonias  in  choicest 
variety,  a  row  of  Sweet  Peas,  with  blooms  of  his  celebrated  Carnations, 
an  edging  of  Maidenhair  Fern  completing  the  grand  exhibit.  Seldom,  if 
ever,  have  Liverpool  people  had  anything  approaching  the  superb  fruit 
grown  in  the  neighbourhood  as  that  staged  by  Mr.  Roberts,  every  dish 
being  fit  for  exhibition.  It  well  deserved  the  special  certificate  granted,  a 
similar  award  being  given  to  Mr.  Wm.  Rowlands,  of  the  Green  Lane 
Nurseries,  for  a  group  of  Cannas  and  Zonal  Geraniums. 
A  special  word  of  praise  is  due  to  Mr.  E.  Bache,  gardener  to  E. 
Bencke,  Esq.,  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect.  Mr.  G.  Osborne, 
gardener  to  Dr.  Duffus,  was  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  Henry  Ogden  third. 
A  capital  twelve  herbaceous  cut  flowers  won  the  prize  for  Mr.  W.  Cross, 
gardener  to  Miss  Wright,  Mr.  Osborne  following,  the  positions  being 
reversed  in  the  Rose  classes,  which  were  only  moderate.  In  all  the  other 
cut  flower  classes  the  competition  was  good. 
Fruit  was  excellent  throughout,  Mr.  Cross  having  the  distinction  of 
being  awarded  honours  for  six  dishes  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  and  Black 
Hamburgh  Grapes  and  fine  Pineapple  Nectarines,  in  each  case  being 
closely  followed  by  Mr.  E.  Bache,  who  had  weighty  bunches  not  quite 
finished.  Mr.  Bache  won  with  six  dishes  of  hardy  fruit,  Strawberries  and 
Gooseberries  being  choice.  Mr.  Cross  was  second.  Vegetables  were 
first  rate,  Mr.  John  Rothwell  winning  the  twelve  class  ;  the  prominent 
ones  seen  being  Celery,  Cauliflowers,  Carrots,  Beet,  and  Onions.  Mr. 
Osborne  was  a  good  second.  The  same  quality  was  maintained  in  the  six 
dishes,  good  Onions,  Runner  Beans,  and  Cauliflowers  helping  materially 
to  win  the  prize  for  Mr.  E.  Bache. 
The  Committee  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  wise  provision  of  classes 
in  the  schedule,  suitable  for  assistant  gardeners  and  cottagers,  the 
response  being  such  as  to  gladden  the  hearts  of  any  committee.  Mr.  C.  A. 
Young  makes  an  ideal  President,  whilst  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Coop  as  Hon. 
Treasurer  enters  into  the  good  work  with  a  zest  that  is  highly  appre¬ 
ciated.  The  weather  was  fortunately  fine,  the  large  crowds  testifying  to 
the  popularity  of  the  show. 
LEICESTER. — August  1st  and  2nd. 
Favoured  by  beautifully  fine  weather  the  annual  horticultural  exhi¬ 
bition,  held  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Leicester  Corporation,  took 
place  in  the  delightful  grounds  of  Abbey  Park,  an  extensive  and  well 
laid-out  public  resort,  of  which  this  advancing  town  is  justly  proud. 
Unfler  the  direction  of  the  able  superintendent,  Mr.  J.  Burns,  the 
arrangements  of  the  show  were  well  carried  out,  and  the  various  features 
in  interest  in  the  grounds  were  seen  at  their  best.  Although  the  entries 
in  many  of  the  classes  were  not  so  numerous  as  in  former  years,  the 
quality  of  the  exhibits  was  good  throughout,  especially  in  the  fruit 
classes. 
In  the  plant  classes  the  principal  interest  centred  in  the  contest  for 
the  prizes  offered  for  the  most  tastefully  arranged  groups,  to  occupy 
150  square  feet,  the  prizes  being  £10,  £7,  £3  10s.,  and  £2.  The  premier 
position  was  well  won  by  Mr.  II.  Rogers,  Gipsy  Lane  Nurseries,  Leicester. 
In  his  group  a  grand  Kentia  surmounted  a  mound  forming  the  centre, 
the  sides  of  the  mound  being  made  up  of  cork  and  moss,  thinly  draped 
with  creepers  ;  highly  coloured  Crotons  and  graceful  foliaged  plants 
springing  up  between  other  mounds  of  smaller  dimensions  formed  the 
corners  of  the  group,  these  being  centred  with  elegant  and  well  grown 
Palms,  such  as  Cocos  Weddelliana,  draped  and  lightly  arranged  with 
Liliums,  Ferns,  and  Grasses.  A  groundwork  of  moss  with  dainty 
looking  creepers  trailing  over  it  here  and  there  ;  richly  coloured  Crotons, 
and  choice  flowering  plants  thinly  disposed  completed  the  arrangement, 
displayed  both  the  cultural  skill  and  artistic  taste  of  the  exhibitor.  Mr 
H.  Blakeway,  gardener  to  P.  Muntz,  Esq.,  Rugby,  won  the  second  prize 
with  an  excellent  arrangement.  A  fine  spreading  Bamboo  on  a  raised 
mound  formed  the  centre,  moss  being  here  also  used  as  groundwork, 
Palms  and  Dracaenas  as  “dot”  plants,  with  flowering  plants  springing 
from  their  base. 
The  last  named  exhibitor  came  to  the  front  for  six  stove  and  green¬ 
house  plants  (three  flowering  and  three  foliage).  The  superiority  of  this 
exhibitor’s  flowering  plants  placed  him  ahead  of  his  rival,  Mr.  Rogers, 
who  was  strong  in  Palms,  but  lost  on  his  flowering  plants.  For  six  exotic 
Ferns,  Mr.  Blakeway  was  again  first,  being  closely  followed  by  Mr. 
Rogers.  Mr.  J.  Wright,  GranbyStreet,  Leicester,  won  for  six  single  tuberous 
rooted  Begonias.  A  beautiful  half  dozen  Coleus  were  staged  by  Mr. 
Rogers,  which  were  deservedly  awarded  first  honours,  Mr.  G.  Perkins, 
Burstall  Lane,  Leicester,  being  placed  second.  Mr.  Rogers  was  again 
successful  with  four  Fuchsias  in  dissimilar  varieties,  staging  well  grown 
and  profusely  flowered  specimens.  The  same  exhibitor  also  won  for  six 
table  plants  and  a  double  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Mr.  Wright  being  first  for  six 
singles.  The  first  prize  offered  for  the  best  plant  in  bloom  was  won  by 
Mr.  J.  G.  Harrison,  Belgrave,  Leicester,  with  a  well  flowered  Stephanotis. 
Cut  Flowers. 
Roses  were  not  shown  in  large  numbers,  but  the  winning  stands  were 
fine,  and  contained  many  blooms  of  exceptional  merit.  In  the  open  class 
for  thirty-six  singles,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  scored  an  easy 
victory  with  the  finest  stand  of  blooms  in  the  show.  A  grand  blopm  of 
Her  Majesty  being  selected  as  the  best  Rose  in  the  show.  For  twenty- 
four  blooms,  the  same  firm  secured  the  coveted  award,  being  followed  by 
Mr.  G.  Green,  Colchester,  and  Mr.  R.  Bonnet t,  Bedford.  The  prizes 
offered  for  twelve  Teas  brought  out  a  better  competition,  but  Harkness 
and  Sons  scored  also  in  this  class,  Messrs.  J.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen, 
being  second,  and  Mr.  Bonnett  third.  In  the  Carnation  and  Picotee 
classes,  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Co ,  Sparkhill,  Birmingham,  were  the  most 
successful  exhibitors  ;  but  in  each  of  the  two  classes  for  single  blooms, 
Mr.  J.  F.  Smith,  Birmingham,  won  the  first  prize.  Mr.  E.  C.  Carnell, 
Leicester,  and  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Co.  were  the  most  successful  exhi¬ 
bitors  of  bouquets,  sprays,  and  baskets  of  cut  flowers.  Messrs.  J.  Cocker 
and  Sons,  Aberdeen,  scored  a  great  win  in  the  class  for  a  collection 
of  hardy  herbaceous  flowers  to  occupy  a  space  of  15  feet  by  5.  Their 
blooms  were  all  of  wonderful  size,  and  pure  and  brilliant  in  colour. 
Fruit  and  Vegetables. 
For  a  collection  composed  of  eight  distinct  dishes,  three  varieties  of 
Grapes  being  allowed  (two  bunches  of  each),  one  Pine  and  one  Melon 
only,  four  prizes  were  offered  —  viz.,  125s.,  75s„  35s.,  and  10s.,  but 
strangely  enough  only  two  competitoi  s  entered  the  field,  these,  however, 
were  “  old  hands,”  and  staged  exhibits  of  superb  quality.  The  premier 
position  was  well  won  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle,  Derby  ;  he  showed  Muscat,  Muscat 
Hamburgh,  and  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  in  fine  condition  ;  a  beautiful 
well-ripened  Queen  Pine,  a  superb  Countess  Melon,  good  Royal 
George  Peaches,  Pineapple  Nectarines,  and  a  grand  dish  of  Lady  Sudeley 
Apple.  Mr.  A.  McCulloch,  Newstead  Abbey  Gardens,  was  a  good 
second,  but  his  collection  was  weakened  by  the  absence  of  a  Pine.  His 
Grapes,  however,  were  wonderfully  fine  and  well  finished,  especially  the 
