August  24,  1839. 
165 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
SHREWSBURY  FLORAL  FETE. 
By  Wire. — August  2:3rd. 
In  the  exhibition  that  opens  to-day  (Wednesday)  and  continues  over 
Thursday,  the  Shrewsbury  authorities  outdo  themselves  in  the  extent, 
variety,  and  magnificence  of  the  display.  On  no  previous  occasion  has 
’he  Society  achieved  such  a  remarkable  success — at  least  from  a  horti¬ 
cultural  point  of  view — and  it  is  almost  beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt  that 
the  financial  returns  will  be  equally  a  matter  for  congratulation.  As  each 
►  uccessive  year  brings  increased  excellence  at  these  world -famed  gathe  r¬ 
ing'*.  visitors  are  constrained  to  ask  what  the  ultimate  end  will  be.  Let 
us  hope  that  when,  if  ever,  the  stage  is  reached  which  permits  of  no 
tnrther  advance,  the  standard  may  be  maintained  to  continue  the  good 
work  in  horticultural  education  that  was  commenced  at  Shrewsbury  a 
■quarter  of  a  century  ago. 
When  the  groups  are  so  varied  and  so  excellent,  the  specimen  plants  so 
■magnificent,  the  cut  (lowers  so  diversified  and  rich,  the  fruit  sir  extensive 
and  in  such  perfect  condition,  and  the  vegetables  so  handsome  and  clean, 
ft  is  well-nigh  impossible  to  say  precisely  which  section  is  the  best. 
However,  after  the  closest  inspection,  and  the  most  careful  consideration, 
we  must  give  pride  of  place  to  the  group  and  plant  classeo,  though  the 
<rrapes  are  almost  equally  complete  and  excellent.  Tnere  is  or.e  thing 
that  has  to  be  reckoned  with  in  a  floral  fete,  and  that  is  weather,  which 
may  make  or  mar  a  record  attendance.  To-day  it  is  pleasant  to  say  the 
•weather  is  perfect  and  visitors  are  coming  in  thousands.  It  is  obviously 
beyond  our  power  to  provide  a  full  report,  and  we  therefore  give  the 
■results  in  thirteen  of  the  principal  classes. 
There  are  two  classes  for  groups  that  stand  on  a  level  as  regards 
importance,  and  both  of  them  always  bring  forth  the  best  products  of 
►  onto  of  our  most  skilful  artists  in  grouping.  One  is  for  miscellaneous 
plants  in  or  out  of  bloom,  an  1  the  other  is  to  be  exclusively  composed  of 
ornamental  foliage  plants.  In  each  case  the  allotted  space  is  3i'0  square 
•feet,  and  an  important  point  lies  in  artistic  arrangement.  In  the  lormer 
'  ho  successful  competitors  are  Messrs.  1’.  Blair,  Trentham  ;  J.  Cypher, 
Cheltenham  ;  and  R.  Finch,  Coventry  ;  while  in  the  latter  Mr.  J.  Cypher 
f  ecu  res  the  premier  position,  and  is  followed  by.  Messrs.  C.  .T.  Mee, 
Nottingham,  and  R.  Artindale  &  Son,  Sheffield.  The  sum  of  100  guineas 
sot  aside  for  these  two  classes. 
Two  prizes  only  are  allocated  to  the  class  for  twenty  stove  or  green- 
1'ouie  plants,  of  which  not  less  than  twelve  must  be  in  bloom,  these 
being  of  the  respective  value  of  £25  and  £15.  Mr.  ,T.  Cypher  appropriates 
i  he1  leading  position,  with  Mr.  B.  Cromwell,  Cleveley,  Liverpool,  in  the 
second  place.  Messrs.  J.  Cypher  and  W.  Lambert,  Oswestiy,  in  the 
order  here  given  take  the  awards  in  the  class  for  thirty  stove  or 
greenhouse  plants,  in  pots  not  exceeding  10  inches  in  diameter  (Orchids 
excluded),  and,  as  in  the  preceding  case,  not  less  than  twelve  had  to  be 
in  bloom.  Needless  to  say  there  are  some  superb  examples  of  culture  in 
both  these  classes. 
Salopians  alone  were  permitted  to  compete  in  the  following  class, 
mad  well  they  uphold  the  credit  of  their  count}-.  For  a  group  of 
miscellaneous  plants,  in  or  out  of  bloom,  to  occupy  a  space  of  150  square 
(•■et,  the  prizes  are  taken  by  Messrs.  Roberts,  gardener  to  Miss  Wright, 
Oswestry  ;  Tugwood,  Leighton  Hall  :  and  Grimmex,  Berwick. 
A  class  at  Shrewsbury  that  never  fails  to  attract  attention  is  that  for 
a  display  of  bouquets  and  baskets  of  flowers,  for  which  a  space  of  10  feet 
by  5  feet  is  allowed.  Referring  to  this,  the  Committee  says  in  the 
schedule,  “In  class  24  tasteful  staging  will  be  considered  by  the  Judges 
in  addition  to  the  flowers  exhibited.”  Thus  it  is  that  there  are  always 
some  peculiarly  artistic  arrangements  observable.  The  premier  position 
is  secured  by  Messrs.  M.  Jenkinson  &  Sons,  Newcastle,  Staffs  ;  Messrs. 
•Jones  &  Son  are  second.  For  two  bouquets  the  prizewinners  are 
Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  W.  Pope  &  Son,  Birmingham,  and  R.  Artinda'e 
and  Son. 
The  honour  of  securing  the  first  prize  of  £26  and  a  gold  medal  in  the 
greatest  class  for  Grapes  that  has  ever  been  scheduled  falls  to  Mr.  T. 
Lunt,  Ivier  House,  Dunblane,  who  scored  96  points.  He  is  a  justifiably 
proud  man  this  day.  Considering  that  the  class  has  been  the  one  topic 
of  keenest  interest  in  the  horticultural  world,  it  is  perhaps  superfluous 
lo  say  that  sis  varieties  were  essential,  and  two  bunches  of  each.  The 
judging  was  done  entirely  by  points  on  a  basis  stated  in  the  schedule.  Mr. 
A.  Kirk,  Norwood,  Alloa,  with  89{  points  is  the  second  prizewinner,  and 
Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  Elvastoo,  with  79£  points  the  third  ;  Mr.  J.  Camp¬ 
bell,  gardener  to  J.  Newton,  Esq.,  Derby,  with  76  points  was  fourth  ;  Mr 
J.  Langley,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  B.  Owen,  with  69  points  fifth  ;  and  Mr) 
J.  Bannerman,  gardener  to  Lord  Bagot,  with  63  points  sixth.  Needless 
to  add,  there  are  many  magnificent  bunches,  but  of  these  more  next  week. 
A  splendid  clasi,  from  an  educational  pfint  of  view,  is  that  for  a  des¬ 
sert  table  decorated  with  plants  in  pots,  flowers  (Orchids  excluded),  and 
foliage.  Not  only  does  it  call  forth  the  most  skilful  culture,  but  also 
artistic  tasto  in  so  staging  the  produce  as  to  make  the  most  attractive 
exhibit.  Point  judging  is  here  again  resorted  to,  and  this  time  it  told  in 
favour  of  Mr.  J.  II.  Goodacre,  who  thus  takes  premier  position  :  Mr- 
J.  McTndoe,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisborough,  is  second  ;  ar.d  Mr.  G.  Mullins* 
Eastnor  Castle,  third. 
Two  very  important  classes  are  -or  twelve  dishes  of  fruit,  distinct,  and 
for  nine  dishes  distinct,  respectively,  of  which  the  former  is  open  to  all 
comers,  while  the  latter  is  limited  to  growers  within  the  boundaries 
of  the  county  of  Shropshire.  In  that  for  twelve  dishes  Mr.  J.  H. 
Goodacre  is  first,  Mr.  Mullins  second,  and  Mr.  Jones.  York  House, 
Malvern,  third.  In  the  Salopian  class  Messrs.  J.  Langley,  Tedsmore 
Hall,  Felton  ;  Roberts,  Ilalstone,  Oswestry  ;  and  Bruminell  are  in  great 
form,  and  secure  the  awards  as  named. 
It  may  possibly  have  been  thought  that  the  special  Grape  class  would 
completely  overshadow  all  others,  but  such  was  not  the  case,  ami  some 
grand  bunches  are  to  bo  seen.  In  the  class  for  four  bunches  of  black 
Grapes  Mr.  A.  Kirk  stands  first,  Mr.  ,T.  Campbell  second,  and  Mr. 
'Waterhouse,  Macclesfield,  third  :  whiie  for  a  similar  number  of  white 
Grapes  Messrs.  J.  II.  Goodacre.  T.  Lunt,  and  J.  Lambert,  gardener  to 
Lord  Harlech,  annex  the  first  three  prizes. 
Next  week  a  complete,  detailed  report  of  this  remarkable  horticultural 
reunion  will  be  given  in  these  columns. 
GOOSEBERRIES  AND  CURRANTS  FOR 
DESSERT. 
Every  garden  possesses  its  quarter  of  Gooseberries  and  Currants, 
but  often  their  office  is  to  supply  the  requirements  of  i lie  kitchen 
rather  than  to  figure  on  the  sideboard  among  the  fruits  for  dessert. 
Yet  why  should  this  he  ?  The  Gooseberry  is  generally  admitted  to 
he  one  of  the  most  do'icious  and  wholesome  of  fruits;  an  1  Currants, 
Red  and  White,  though  not  so  universally  appreciated,  have  a  flavour 
all  their  own,  and  when  well  grown  and  allnwe  l  to  hang  (ill  late  in 
the  season  their  qualities  are  their  own  recommend ition.  It  will 
perhaps  he  urged  that  both  these  fruits  are  in  their  season  sent  to 
table  for  dessert.  Quite  so,  but  then  are  they  grown  specially  for 
the  purpose,  and  has  there  been  any  selection  of  the  most  suitable 
varieti  s  for  the  purpose,  or  are  they  from  the  same  stock  as  the  cook 
makes  her  tarts,  and  when  ripe  draws  lnr  supplies  for  transforming 
into  preserve  ?  Both  Goosehetrics  and  Currants  arc  benefited  by  good 
cultivation,  and  in  order  to  get  fine  dessert  fruit  suitable  varieties  must 
be  chosen. 
It  does  not  follow  that  a  Gooseberry  to  he  good  must  be  large, 
yet  there  are  some  sorts  that  possess  both  these  qualifications,  and 
tin  s  i  are  well  suited  for  the  purpose  I  have  named.  The  method  of 
gro  ving  cordon  Gooseberries  to  get  fine  dessert  fruits  is  one  that  recom¬ 
mends  itself.  The  plants  in  this  form  are  well  adapted  lor  the  covering 
of  low  walls  where  there  is  not  sufficient  space  for  other  fruit  trees  to 
do  themselves  justice,  and  trained  to  stakes  nr  wires  along  the  edges 
of  the  walks  in  the  kitchen  garden,  they  simply  luxuriate.  This 
system  of  culture  does  not  demand  a  great  amount  of  labour,  because 
when  once  the  foundation  is  laid  such  timely  operations  as  pinching 
and  tying  are  readily  disposed  of.  Gooseberries  in  a  young  state 
lend  themselves  readily  to  different  methods  of  training,  but  the 
perpendicular  gridiron  shape  is  that  generally  adopted. 
The  mnBt  important  matter  is  obtaining  good  varieties.  There  is 
selection  enough  to  suit  the  taste  of  the  most  fastidious,  hut  many 
sorts  lack  flavour,  and  a  fruit  deficient  in  this  important  quality  is  not 
likely  to  meet  with  favour  in  the  dining  room.  Red,  yellow,  white, 
and  green  are  colours  all  represented,  and  among  the  former  Dan’s 
Mistake  is  large,  free-cropping,  and  of  excellent  flavour.  Companion 
and  Speedwell  are  both  reds  worthy  of  inclusion.  Prince  Regent  is  in 
favour  as  a  dessert  variety,  as  its  flavour  is  very  good  indeed.  AmoDg 
yellows,  of  which  there  is  a  large  number  of  varieties,  Stella  is  doubt¬ 
less  among  the  best.  Not  only  is  it  a  heavy  cropper,  hut  the  flavour 
is  excellent,  and  the  skin  thin.  Trumpeter  deserves  honourable 
mention,  and  the  qualities  of  both  Leader  and  Leveller  are  good, 
though  I  do  not  consider  them  equal  to  the  two  previously  named. 
Criterion  is  also  good,  but  for  flavour  there  is  probably  none  superior 
to  the  old  yellow  rough,  which  is  common  in  most  gardens.  White 
and  green  sorts  are  not  so  largely  represented,  and  of  the  former  Alma 
and  Snowdrop  may  be  recommended.  Two  good  grten  varieties  are 
Ma tchles-i  and  Telegraph,  both  of  which  bear  well,  and  are  fairly  good 
in  flavour. 
The  fruit  on  cordon  and  other  trained  Gooseberries  is  not  hidden 
and  shaded  by  the  foliage,  as  is  the  ease  with  thick  hushes,  conse¬ 
quently  it  is  finer,  and  ripens  more  efficiently.  After  the  foundation 
has  been  laid  by  laying-in  the  main  branches,  pruning  consists  of 
shortening  back  the  superfluous  growth.  This  may  he  done  in  the 
