148 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  25.  1898. 
AGrLAONEMA  COSTATUM. 
The  beautiful  Aroid,  Aglaonema  oostatum  (fig.  27).  concerning  which 
“  G.  O.  Lingard  ”  desires  particulars,  was  first  exhibited  by  Messrs.  J. 
Yeitch  &  Sons  in  1892,  when  it  was  greatly  admired.  It  is  a  dwarf 
foliage  plant  of  great  distinctness  and  beauty,  introduced  by  the  exhi¬ 
bitors  from  the  Perak  region.  The  leaves  are  about  4  inches  long  and 
2§  to  3  inches  broad.  The  spreading,  broadly  ovate  blade  is  dark  glossy 
green,  and  thickly  sprinkled  with  creamy  white  spots,  the  midrib  being 
of  the  same  colour  as  the  latter.  The  plant  is  of  dwarf  habit,  attaining 
a  height  of  4  to  5  inches,  and  this,  combined  with  its  attractively  marked 
foliage,  renders  it  extremely  useful  ;  moreover,  it  is  very  effective  in 
artificial  light.  It  requires  a  stove  temperature,  but  is  of  easy  culture, 
little  subject  to  insect  attacks,  and  the  old  foliage  retains  its  freshness 
for  a  long  period. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
SHREWSBURY.— August  17th  and  18th. 
This  quaint  and  picturesque  old  town,  with  its  narrow,  winding, 
hilly  streets,  presented  a  scene  of  great  life  and  animation  on  the  above 
dates,  for  the  inhabitants  are  proud  of  their  wondrous  Show,  which  has 
become  an  object  of  national  interest,  and  stands  pre-eminent  among 
the  horticultural  exhibitions  of  England.  The  whole  country  side  for 
miles  around  gather  for  the  great  event ;  packed  excursion  trains  irom  far 
and  wide  rush  onward  to  Shrewsbury,  and  swell  the  throng  into  a  mighty 
host,  among  which  many  a  fair  Salopian  may  be  seen  in  tasteful  attire. 
Gardeners  and  horticulturists  make  it  a  rendezvous  ;  some  come  from 
across  the  border,  others  from  the  Emerald  Isle,  to  meet  in  friendly,  if 
keen,  rivalry,  or  to  exchange  greetings  with  kindred  spirits,  who  at  other 
times  are  scattered  throughout  the  land. 
°  * 
The  show,  held  in  the  pretty  public  resort  known  as  the  “Quarry” 
on  the  above  dates,  was  a  magnificent  one.  Fruit,  cut  flowers,  groups, 
and  plants  were  grand  ;  400  bunches  of  Grapes  w'ere  staged,  89  bouquets, 
and  collections  of  Carnations  occupied  20  yards  run  of  tabling,  and  in 
all  2700  entries  were  sent  in.  Great  things  have  been  done  tor  many 
years  at  Shrewsbury,  still  we  think  the  latest  show  must  have  exceeded  all 
previous  ones  in  magnitude  when  taken  as  a  whole,  yet  S3rstem,  order, 
and  calmness  prevailed  among  the  officials  throughout  the  busy  hours 
preceding  the  opening.  Good  men  and  true  were  at  the  helm  in  Messrs. 
Adnitt  and  Naunton,  the  Hon.  Secretaries,  and  their  capacity  for 
organisation  wins  the  admiration  of  all  who  see  the  inner  working  of  the 
arrangements.  In  carrying  out  the  details  they  have  the  assistance  of  an 
energetic  and  intelligent  Committee,  which  could  not  easily  be  beaten. 
To  these  facts  the  wonderful  success  of  the  Society  must  be  principally 
due.  We  live  in  a  record-breaking  age,  and  in  the  matter  of  attendance 
we  seem  to  expect  a  record  each  year  at  Shrewsbury.  On  the  opening 
day  this  year  the  amount  taken  at  the  gates  exceeded  by  upwards  of  £100 
the  takings  of  any  “first  day”  in  bygone  years.  The  weather  was 
splendid,  and  doubtless  the  second  day  brought  off  another  record,  for  as 
we  left  the  show  tents  late  on  Thursday  morning  visitors  were  flocking  in  in 
shoals.  Proceeding  down  the  main  street  toward  the  station,  from  the 
rising  ground  at  one  end,  we  saw  a  stirring  scene,  for  the  narrow  undulating 
streets  appeared  packed  with  people,  all  pressing  onward  to  the  show,  and 
the  gaily  coloured  flags  which  fluttered  in  the  breeze  above  them  seemed 
to  complete  the  festive  scene.  It  was  found  no  easy  matter  to  “squeeze” 
to  the  station,  and  when  that  was  at  last  reached,  shoals  of 
excursionists  still  kept  pouring  in.  Where  they  could  all  find  standing 
room  in  the  “  Quarry  ”  is  a  matter  which  has  since  been  puzzling  us. 
The  show  has  evidently  outgrown  its  site  ;  cannot  it  be  enlarged  ?  Plenty 
of  attractions  were  provided  during  both  days,  but  an  unintended  one 
occurred  on  Thursday  morning  just  before  the  show  was  reopened— the 
fireworks  tent  caught  fire  ar.d  was  totally  destroyed.  During  the  process 
there  was  a  lively  ten  minutes  of  sound,  fury,  and  flame.  The  Royal 
Horse  Guards,  Coldstream  Guards,  and  Scots  Guards  discoursed  delightful 
music  during  both  show  days. 
Groups  and  Plants,  Open  to  All. 
The  big  plant  classes  have  always  made  a  marvellous  display  at 
Shrewsbury  ;  some  of  the  specimens  are  invariably  the  best  to  be  seen 
anywhere  during  the  season,  and  in  groups  arranged  for  effect,  originality 
in  design,  combined  with  superbly  finished  workmanship,  each  year 
supply  visitors  with  pleasant  surprises,  as  the  liberal  prizes  offered 
induce  exhibitors  to  do  their  utmost  to  surpass  themselves.  In  the  latter 
respect  Shrewsbury’s  latest  show  will,  I  think,  be  generally  considered 
as  remarkable.  The  handsome  prizes  of  £25,  £17  10s.,  and  £10  were 
offered  for  a  “  group  of  miscellaneous  plants,  in  or  out  of  bloom,  arranged 
to  produce  the  best  effect,  and  occupying  a  space  of  300  square  feet.” 
This  was  splendidly  won  by  that  renowned  veteran  Mr.  J.  Cypher, 
Cheltenham.  Surprising  works  of  art  as  this  exhibitor’s  groups  invariably 
are,  he  has  probably  never  put  up  a  better  than  that  under  notice. 
A  large  cork-covered  arch  served  as  a  foundation  for  the  background. 
This  was  surmounted  by  an  elegant  Phoenix,  having  gracefully  drooping 
fronds.  A  mass  of  Panicum  variegatum  completely  hid  the  base  of  the 
Phoenix,  which  appeared  to  be  growing  out  of  the  trailers.  The 
sides  of  the  arch  were  thinly  draped  with  trailing  plants,  with  Ferns  and 
Fuchsias  springing  from  them  here  and  there  ;  a  telling  spike  of  Orchid 
drooped  from  the  arch  near  the  centre.  Underneath  was  a  pool  of  water, 
backed  up  by  a  rock-like  formation,  from  which  water  was  constantly 
trickling — like  a  natural  “dripping  well”  sometimes  encountered 
among  the  hills  and  glens  of  Wales.  Two  smaller  arches  jutted  out  into 
the  body  of  the  group,  these  being  draped  with  suitable  plants  and  topped 
by  graceful  ones.  Bold  mounds  were  formed  near  the  front  corners  of 
the  group,  and  others  of  various  sizes  at  well  chosen  points.  Then  from 
the  groundwork  of  moss  feathery  foliaged  plants,  highly  coloured  Crotons, 
and  Caladiums  sprung  up  in  a  light  and  natural  way.  A  fine  plant  of 
Cattleya  Sanderiana  occupied  a  conspicuous  position,  other  Orchids  and 
flowering  plants  being  also  employed  to  give  colour.  Not  the  least  con¬ 
spicuous  feature  in  this  ideal  arrangement  was  the  fine  effect  produced  by 
two  tall  plants  of  Humea  elegans,  which  rose  well  above  surrounding 
objects,  and  drooped  in  thread-like  trails.  Lightness  and  finish  were 
strong  characteristics  of  this  exhibit,  which  won  unstinted  admiration. 
The  second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  W.  Finch,  Coventry,  who  put  up  a  very 
attractive  group.  A  continuous  bank  formed  the  background,  near  the 
front  was  a  huge  mound  surmonnted  by  a  good  telling  Palm  ;  and  dotted 
with  Crotons  and  trailing  plants,  small  mounds  rose  here  and  there  from 
the  usual  groundwork  of  moss.  Ixoras,  Lilies,  and  Crotons  were  a  good 
feature  in  this  exhibit,  being  used  with  telling  effect.  The  third  prize 
went  to  Mr.  C.  Roberts,  gardener  to  Miss  Wright,  Oswestry,  who  made  a 
good  display  with  Iventias,  Liliums,  Crotons,  Carnations,  Begonias, 
Coleus,  and  Ixoras.  The  finish  was  good,  but  originality  was  lacking. 
A  new  feature  of  the  show  this  year  was  the  introduction  of  a  class  for 
group  of  ornamental  foliaged  plants,  Palms,  and  Ferns,  arranged  to 
produce  the  best  effect,  to  occupy  a  space  of  200  feet  (flowers  and  plants 
in  flower  excluded).  The  same  amount  was  offered  for  each  of  the  three 
prizes  as  in  the  foregoing  class.  Mr.  J.  Edmonds,  Bestwood,  Notts, 
in  this  scored  a  great  triumph  in  securing  the  premier  position  with  a 
wonderfully  bold  and  striking  arrangement,  which  well  qualified  judges 
consider  has  never  been  surpassed  for  effect  in  a  flowerless  group.  A  large 
mound  was  raised  in  the  centre,  from  which  towered  a  fine  Kentia, 
brightly  coloured  Crotons,  Ferns,  Dracaenas,  and  other  plants  being 
massed  beneath.  Numerous  other  mounds  rose  from  the  groundwork  of 
moss,  these  being  surmounted  in  the  usual  way  with  graceful  Palms  or 
other  plants  ;  but  high  above  these  miniature  mounds  rose  light  plants  of 
Bamboos,  Cocos  plumosus,  and  green  Maize  ;  in  some  cases  these  were  fully 
9  feet  in  height,  and  produced  a  light  wavy  surface.  The  most  distinct 
feature  of  the  arrangement  has,  however,  yet  to  be  dealt  with — it  was 
produced  by  the  introduction  of  several  grand  plants  of  Acalypha  fully 
6  feet  in  height.  These  were  confined  to  single  stems,  which  were  clothed 
with  magnificently  coloured  leaves  right  down  to  their  base,  and  the 
striking  effect  they  produced  may  by  some  be  imagined,  but  cannot  well 
be  described . 
Mr.  Cypher  was  a  good  second,  his  group  being  arranged  on  a  similar 
plan  to  that  adopted  successfully  in  the  previous  class,  but  without 
flowering  plants.  The  effect  was  quite  different.  Beautifully  coloured 
Crotons  were  in  this  freely  used,  in  suitable  positions,  and  the  whole 
arrangement  well  carried  out  ;  and  though  it  showed  evidences  of  more 
originality  than  the  winning  group,  the  striking  plants  and  bold  outline 
produced  by  Mr.  Edmonds  fairly  won  him  the  coveted  award.  Mr. 
Finch  was  third  in  this  class  with  a  fair  arrangement. 
Specimen  Plants. 
Another  new  and  important  class  was  that  for  “  thirty  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants,  in  pots  not  exceeding  10  inches  (Orchids  excluded), 
not  less  than  twelve  in  bloom,”  prizes  of  £25,  £17  10s.,  and  £10  being 
also  offered  in  this.  Mr.  T.  Lambert,  gardener  to  Lord  Harlech, 
Oswestry,  was  deservedly  placed  first  with  an  exhibit  of  good  quality 
throughout.  Some  of  the  Crotons,  Ixoras,  Dipladenias,  and  Palms  were 
particularly  “  smart  ”  and  well  grown,  and  to  succeed  in  so  large  and 
important  a  class  when  a  Cypher  competes  is  an  honour  anyone  may 
well  feel  proud  of.  Mr.  Cypher  contentedly  took  the  second  position, 
as  he  knows  as  well  as  anyone  when  he  is  beaten,  and  is  not  weak  enough 
to  withhold  due  praise  from  his  vanquisher.  The  third  prize  foil  to  Mr. 
Bremmell,  gardener  to  H.  H.  France  Hayhurst,  Esq.,  Wellington. 
One  other  great  plant  class  has  yet  to  be  dealt  with.  In  this  Mr. 
Cypher  was  invincible,  and  easily  secured  the  premier  award  of  a  cup, 
value  £25,  or  cash,  which  was  offered  as  the  prize  lor  twenty  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants,  in  bloom  or  foliage,  not  less  than  twelve  in  bloom. 
In  this  class  he  staged  those  superb  examples  for  which  he  has  so  long 
been  renowned.  The  varieties  were  Phcenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi,  Statice 
profusa,  and  S.  intermedia,  Ericas  Barnesi  and  Irbyana,  Bougainvillea 
glabra,  Ixora  Dnffi,  Clerodendron  Balfouriana,  Erica  Austiniana,  Allamanda 
nobilis,  Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  Crotons  Chelsoni,  Queen  Victoria, 
Sunset,  and  angustifolium,  Latania  borbonica,  and  two  Kentias.  An 
extra  prize  of  £10  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Finch  for  a  good  exhibit  of  even 
quality  throughout.  For  a  single  specimen  Mr.  Cipher  was  successful 
with  a  pretty  example  of  Erica  Austiniana,  being  followed  by  Messrs. 
Finch  and  Lambert. 
For  six  exotic  Ferns  Mr.  E.  Jones,  gardener  to  A.  Barber,  Esq., 
Wellington,  was  first  with  fine  examples  ;  second,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Slaney, 
Wellington  ;  third  Mr.  G.  Burr,  Oaklands,  Shrewsbury.  For  a  like 
number  of  Dracsenas  Mr.  A.  Birch,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Watkins,  Shotton 
Hall,  Shrewsbury,  was  first  with  well  developed  plants,  Mr.  T.  Lambert 
being  a  good  second.  Mr.  R.  Lawley,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Darby,  Adcote, 
won  for  six  Caladiums.  A  good  display  was  made  in  the  class  for  four 
Coleuses  pyramidal  in  shape  ;  the  first  prize  went  to  Mr.  A.  Myres,  Shrews¬ 
bury,  who  had  perfectly  trained  brightly  coloured  plants  ;  Mr.  T.  Steven¬ 
son,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Slaney,  being  second  ;  and  J.  Barber,  Esq.,  third. 
