194 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  31,  1899. 
in  conception,  and  splendidly  executed.  A  good  background  was  formed 
Of  Palms  and  Bamboos,  in  front  of  which  the  great  feature  stood  out 
boldly.  Th“  idea  of  this  seemed  to  be  a  huge  basket  having  pockets 
and  projections,  the  whole  being  covered  with  moss.  From  the  centre  rose 
a  shapely  plant  of  Cocos  plumosa,  and  around  some  of  the  lower  leaves 
long  trails  of  a  yellow  Orchid  seemed  to  climb  in  a  natural  way.  Bonpath, 
the  Cocos,  Odontoglossums.  and  Masdevallias  were  freely  intermixed 
with  light  foliage  plants  and  Mosses,  the  projections  being  also  dotted 
with  similar  materials,  and  trailing  plants  draped  the  sides  of  the  basket 
with  Orchid  peeping  between  them  here  and  there.  Prominent  mounds 
weTe  formed  near  the  corners  of  the  group,  these  being  lightly  arranged 
with  Orchids  and  foliage  plants,  and  topped  with  Cocos  Weddelliana.  A 
couple  of  tall  slender  plants  of  Dracaena  Sanderiana  occupied  prominent 
positions;  other  little  mounds  rose  here  and  there,  and  Odontoglossum 
sprang  from  a  basket  of  moss  and  plants  of  lowly  growth,  the  pot  being 
well  finished  with  Lycopodium  Apollo,  Orchids,  and  elegant  folinged 
plants.  The  great  idea  was  the  centre  ;  this  stood  out  boldly,  and  every 
other  plant  employed  could  be  clearly  seen,  not  at  a  glance,  but  by 
changing  the  position  to  get  an  additional  pretty  peep. 
The  veteran  from  Cheltenham,  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  followed  extremelv 
close  with  one  of  his  characteristic  arrangements.  A  lofty  Kentia  formed 
the  central  object  near  the  background,  which  was  flanked  on  either  side 
with  Bamboos,  and  filled  in  beneath  with  flowering  and  foliage  plants. 
Near  the  corners  in  front  two  cork  arches  were  raised  ;  these  were  each 
surmounted  by  plants  of  Ilumea  elegans,  the  arches  being  draped  w  ith 
creepers  and  dotted  with  brightly  coloured  flowers  and  foliage.  A  wavy 
outline  of  irregular  mounds  formed  the  front,  this  beinj;  dotted  thinly 
with  plants.  The  body  of  the  group  was  filled  in  with  Orchids  and  other 
choice  flowering  plants  in  variety,  with  prominent  little  specimens 
springing  tip  here  and  there,  the  whole  forming  an  extremely  showy  and 
effective  combination  with  plenty  of  features,  yet  with  no  single  feature 
9'anding  out  boldly  from  the  rest.  The  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  W. 
Finch,  Coventry,  who  also  arranged  a  fine  and  effective  group  in  which 
arches  and  cork  were  employed  to  advantage.  The  plants,  too,  were  well 
grown,  the  whole  arrangement  a  credit  to  the  exhibitor.  An  extra  prize 
£5  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Yause,  Leamington,  who  also  arranged  an 
<  xcellent  group. 
Prizes  of  the  same  value  as  those  in  the  preceding  class  were  offered 
for  groups  of  foliage  plants  to  occupy  a  space  of  300  square  feet.  The 
premier  position  in  this  was  splendidly  won  by  Mr.  Cypher.  A  bold 
arch  crowned  with  a  beautiful  specimen  of  Phoenix,  and  lightly  dressed 
with  Ferns,  Crotori3.  and  trailing  plants,  formed  the  background  ;  under¬ 
neath  the  arch  was  placed  a  grandly  coloured  Croton.  Other  arches  were 
formed  near  the  corners,  prominent  mounds  raised  in  the  body.of  the 
group  and  foreground  ;  these  were  arranged  with  great  skill,  a  due 
proportion  of  tall  Cocos  Weddelliana  and  other  graceful  plants  being 
employed,  while  brightness  was  supplied  with  Crotons,  Caladiums,  and 
Begonias.  A  series  of  pretty  peeps  and  good  individual  features  were 
thus  obtained,  and  the  arrangement  was  certainly  one  of  Mr.  Cypher’s 
greatest  achievements. 
Mr.  Mee,  the  Floral  Depot,  Nottingham,  was  second.  A  towering 
Kentia  was  a  prominent  feature  in  the  background  of  his  group,  and 
Cocos  plumosa,  C;cos  Weddelliana,  and  Dracasna  Sanderiana  were 
conspicuous  features  at  other  points,  where  mounds  of  various  sizes  were 
raised.  The  whole  was  well  finished  and  lightly  arranged,  but  lacked 
the  individuality  of  the  winner.  The  third  prize  went  to  Messrs. 
Artindale  &  Sons,  Sheffield,  for  a  very  showy  exhibit,  yet  lacking  distinct 
features.  A  special  yrize  of  £7  10s.  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Roberts, 
gardener  to  Miss  Wright,  Halston,  for  an  effective  arrangement, 
representing  a  model  garden.  Mr.  Yause  received  a  special  award  of  £5, 
and  a  similar  honour  tell  to  Mr.  Brummell,  gardener  to  H.  H.  France 
Hayhurst,  Esq.,  Wellington,  Salop. 
For  a  group  to  occupy  a  space  of  150  feet,  open  to  the  county  of  Salop 
only,  Mr.  E.  Roberts,  gardener  to  Miss  Wright,  Oswestry,  was  a  good 
first,  winning  the  £10  offered  with  an  attractive  arrangement,  in  which 
cork  covered  arches  were  a  prominent  feature.  The  second  prize  of  £6 
went  to  Mr.  Tugwood,  gardener  to  E.  Kynnersley,  Esq.,  Leighton  Hall, 
Ironbridge,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  Grimmex,  gardener  to  W.  Phillips,  Esq., 
Berwick  House. 
Specimen  Plants. 
These  were  shown  in  exceptional  condition,  and  the  lofty  Palms, 
huge  Crotons,  and  flowering  plants  made  a  grand  display  in  the  centre  of 
the  large  tent,  which  was  300  feet  in  length.  For  twenty  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants,  not  less  than  twelve  to  be  in  flower,  the  first  prize  was 
£25,  and  the  second  £15.  The  post  of  honour  was  easily  secured  by  Mr. 
Cypher,  who  staged  magnificent  Palms,  grandly  coloured  Crotons,  and 
the  following  flowering  plants:  —  Ixora  Duffi,  fully  5  feet  through, 
carrying  enormous  trusses  of  flower,  probably  the  finest  specimen  of  its 
kind  ever  staged  ;  Phcenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi,  upwards  of  6  feet  in 
diameter  ;  Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  fine  ;  Stephanotis  floribunda, 
densely  flowered  ;  Allamanda  nobilis,  Statice  intermedia,  Ixora 
Williamsi,  ard  the  following  Ericas — otdata  purpurea,  Marnockiana, 
and  Aitoniana.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  B.  Cromwell,  gardener  to 
T.  S.  Tirnmis,  Esq.,  Allerton,  Liverpool,  who  staged  many  large  plants  of 
Ixoras,  but  they  were  not  as  a  whole  well  flowered.  The  Palms  and  a 
large  Stephanotis  were,  however,  grand.  As  no  third  prize  was  offered 
a  special  of  £5  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Pinch  for  an  exhibit  not  greatly 
behind  the  second  prize  one. 
The  class  for  thirty  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  pots  not  exceeding 
10  inches  and  not  less  than  twelve  in  bloom,  was  an  interesting  one,  and 
brought  Mr.  Cypher  to  the  front  again  with  a  smart  exhibit.  The 
Ixoras  in  particular  carried  highly  coloured,  well-developed  flowers.  The 
most  noteworthy  plants  were  Ixora  regina,  Ixora  Williamsi.  S  atice  Gib 
beiti,  Ixora  Duffi,  and  Crotons  Mortefontainensis  and  Johunni9,  bril- 
hantly  coloured.  Mr.  F.  Lambert,  gardener  to  Lord  Harlecb,  Brog}ntyn, 
Oswestry,  was  tecond  with  larger  plants,  but,  except  in  a  few  instances, 
they  were  not  quite  so  well  flowered  or  so  well  finished  as  those  of  the 
winner,  still  they  made  a  fine  display  ;  third  Mr.  Cromwell.  The  prizes 
in  this  class  were  £20,  £15,  and  £10  respectively,  and  an  extriof£5 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  Mee, 
For  a  single  specimen  in  flower.  Mr.  Cypher  won  with  a  good 
example  of  Erica  Ewerana  ;  second  Mr.  Vnuse,  with  Allamanda  Hender- 
soni  ;  and  third  Mr.  Lambert,  with  Ixora  Williamsi.  For  six  Draemnas, 
the  last  named  exhibitor  scored  with  well  coloured  plants,  the  second 
prize  goin  >  to  Mr.  J.  Bird,  gardener  to  C<ipt.  H.  G.  Butler,  Shotton  Hal*, 
Shrewsbury,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  Cromwell.  The  latter  exhibitor  also 
won  for  a  like  number  of  Caladiums  with  fresh,  highly  coloured  specimens, 
Mr.  R  Lawlev,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Barley,  Adcote,  being  a  good  second. 
Coleus,  though  trained  in  a  rather  formal  pyramidal  style,  were  in  some 
instances  very  good.  The  first  prize  for  six  was  won  bv  Mr.  J.  Cartex, 
gardener  to  j.  Scott,  Esq.,  Bestrea  House,  second  Mr.  T.  Stewart,  gar¬ 
dener  to  J  H.  Slaney,  Esq.,  Wellington  ;  third  Mr.  Evert y,  gardener  to 
Dr.  E.  Bird.  Sh' ewsbury. 
Mr.  A.  Myers,  Shrewsbury,  won  for  six  Fuchsias,  being  followed  by 
Mr.  Cartex  and  Mr.  A.  Bateman  in  the  order  named.  Air.  E.  Jones, 
Wellington,  won  for  six  Begonias,  Mr.  Bateman  being  second,  and  Air. 
Cliffe  third.  Six  double  “ Geraniums.” — First  Air.  B  itemsn,  second  Air. 
Alyeis,  third  R.  Taylor,  Esq.,  Abbey  Foregate.  Six  Zonal  “Geraniums” 
were  well  shown,  the  winner.  Air.  A.  Alyers.  Shrewsbury,  staging  dwarf, 
densely  flowered  specimens,  second  Air.  A.Biteman,  third  Mr.  Chile.  The 
prizes  for  Gloxinias  were  won  by  Mes>rs.  Barber,  Bateman,  and  Smith  in 
the  order  named.  For  twelve  table  plants,  Air.  Alee  was  first  with  light 
graceful  specimens  in  every  wav  suitable  for  the  purpose. 
The  best  half  dozen  exotic  Ferns  came  from  Air.  C  Jones,  gardener  to 
A.  AI.  Barber.  Esq.,  Field  House.  Wellington,  who  was  strong  in  choice 
Adiantums.  Spcond,  Mr.  Alee,  Nottingham.  Third,  Air.  F.  Stevenson, 
Sunny  Croft,  Wellington. 
Miscellaneous  Plants. 
In  a  colhction  of  thirty  grown  in  yot°,  not  exceeding  5  inches,  not 
less  than  twenty  being  in  bloom,  the  prizes  were  won  by  Captain  Butler, 
Air.  C.  J.  Alee,  and  Air.  G.  Buir,  Snrewsbury,  in  the  order  named. 
Salopian  Classes. 
These  were  generally  well  filled,  and  the  quality  was  distinctly  ahead 
of  that  of  some  former  years.  For  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  £6, 
£4,  and  £3  were  the  amounts  offered  as  prizes.  Air.  T.  Lambert  was  a 
safe  first,  and  staged  among  othfrs  a  fine  Kentia,  good  Dipladenia 
hybrida,  and  well  flowered  Eucharis  umazenica.  Second,  Mr.  R.  C. 
Townsend,  gardener  to  Cob  Lloyd.  Ashton  Hall,  Oswestry.  Third,  Air. 
J.  Carter,  gardener  to  W.  Scott,  Esq. 
Eor  six  stove  and  greenbou*e  plants  not  less  than  three  to  be  in 
flower,  the  prizes  went  to  Mr.  G.  Burr,  Air.  R.  Taylor,  and  Mr.  W.  Scott 
in  the  order  named.  Competitors  in  the  previous  class  were  debarred 
from  entering  in  this.  Air.  Bateman  won  for  Fuchsias,  Air.  Barber  for 
Begonias,  and  Air.  J.  Scott  for  both  double  and  single  Geraniums. 
.  Floral  Decorations. 
The  classes  devoted  to  these  exhibits  were  well  filled,  except  in  the 
great  one,  in  which  six  bouquets  and  the  same  number  of  baskets  were 
required.  Only  two  exhibits  staged  in  this,  and  the  famous  firm  of 
Perkins,  of  Coventry,  was  unfortunately  not  represented  ;  still  the 
winning  exhibits  in  some  classes  were  marvels  of  artistic  taste  and  good 
fiaish. 
The  handsome  prizes  of  £15,  £12,  and  £10  w'ere  offered  in  the  great 
class  for  baskets,  staged  in  a  space  10  feet  bv  5  feet,  tasteful  staging 
being  considered  by  the  Judges  in  addition  to  the  flowers  exhibited. 
The  winners  proved  to  be  Alessrs.  Jenkinson  &  Sons,  Newcastle,  Staffs. 
The  flowers  in  each  of  their  bouquets  were  arranged  in  a  groundwork  of 
Asparagus,  with  long  trails  hanging  from  ihe  sides.  They  were  shapely 
and  lightly  formed,  the  finish  being  good  ;  but  the  addition  of  a  few 
lighter  sprays  of  flowers  would  iu  some  instances  have  been  an  improve¬ 
ment,  ns  in  the  attempt  to  conceal  the  wires  many  of  the  flowers  were 
kept  rather  low,  and  the  greenery  a  little  too  freely  employed  ;  the 
exhibit  was,  however,  undoubtedly  placed  in  the  right  position.  One 
striking  bouquet  was  formed  of  Atasdevallias  and  Oncidium  flexuosum  ; 
others  with  Oncidiums  and  Epidendrums,  or  Cattleyas,  Odontoglossums, 
Pancratium  and  Eucharis  being  conspicuous  in  another,  the  baskets  being 
generally  arranged  with  similar  materials  in  a  freer  style.  Alessrs.  Jones 
and  Sons  were  second  with  light  and  free  arrangements,  which  lacked 
the  finish  of  the  winner.  A  special  prize  of  £5  was  given  by  the 
President  of  the  Society,  Rev.  T.  M.  Berkeley  Owen,  to  the  victor  in  this 
class. 
Alessrs.  Jones  &  Sons  scored  in  the  class  for  ball  and  bridal  bouquets 
with  tasteful  arrangements,  one  being  formed  principally  with  Odunto- 
glossums  and  Pancratiums  ;  the  other  with  Cattleyas,  Odontoglossums, 
and  Carnations.  Alessrs.  Pope  &  Sons,  Birmingham,  were  second  with 
larger  and  heavier  arrangements.  Third,  Alessrs.  Artindale  &  Sons, 
Sheffield.  For  two  similar  bouquets.  Orchids  excluded,  Mr.  W.  Treseder, 
Cardiff,  was  a  good  first  with  most  tasteful  exhibits,  in  which  the  flowers 
stood  well  up.  Eucharis,  Pancratium,  and  Fra>  coa  were  conspicuous 
in  one  ;  Lapagerias,  Lilies,  and  pink  Roses  in  another. 
For  a  bouquet  of  Dahlias,  Air.  Treseder  was  deservedly  first  with  a 
stylish  arrangement,  only  one  variety  being  employed,  this  was  Countess 
