JOURNAL  OF  ffORTiaULTURF  AND  COfTAQE  GAHTjENFR. 
July  le,  189B. 
G4 
Mr.  Finch  was  seconi  with  a  good  exhibit,  conspicuoas  amongst  which 
were  a  very  fine  Erica  tricolor  major  and  well-flowered  Ixora  regina. 
Tn  the  class  for  six  fine-foliaged  plants  Mr.  Cypier  was  again  to  the 
front  with  Croton  Cheleoni,  a  saperb  specimen  ;  C.  angHstifolium, 
Latania  borbonica,  Cordyline  indivisa  and  Kentia  australis,  K, 
Fosteriana,  Mr.  Vause  taking  the  second  poaition  with  creditable 
examples  of  Palms  and  somewhat  small  plants  of  Crotons.  For  six 
Palms  Mr.  Cypher  took  the  lead  with  gigantic  specimens,  Mr.  Finch 
occupying  the  second  position.  For  six  exotic  Ferns  Mr.  W.  V. 
Macdonald,  gardener  to  J.  H  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  Birmingham, 
secured  the  first  prize  with  fine  specimens  of  Nephrolepis  davallioides, 
Davallia  fijiensis,  D.  polyantha,  and  very  good  examples  of  Alsophila 
australis,  Cibotium  spectabile,  and  Dicksoniaantarctica,  and  Mr.  Fewkeg, 
gardener  to  Thos.  Clayton,  Esq.,  was  second  with  an  admirable  group, 
and  in  which  was  a  fine  plant  of  Microlepia  hirta  cristata. 
Grmji)t  of  Plants. — Seven  exhibits,  arranged  along  the  centre  of  a 
large  tent,  each  occupying  a  space  of  450  square  feet.  Mr.  Cypher 
easily  won  the  first  prize,  £20,  with  an  artistic  and  somewhat  novel 
design.  In  the  centre  of  the  group  was  an  arched  canopy  5  or  6  feet  in 
height  formed  of  cork  bark,  and  the  four  pillars  supporting  it  covered 
with  pockets  for  the  reception  of  small  plants.  A  graceful  large  Palm 
occupied  the  summit,  below  which  depended  a  charming  variety  of 
flowering  and  foliaged  plants.  The  outline  of  the  group  formed  a  pleasing 
square,  with  irregular  mounds  at  the  four  corners  and  sides,  and  the 
whole  of  the  groundwork  was  composed  of  dried  moss  and  pieces  of 
virgin  cork  to  represent  verdured  rockery.  Plants  of  Hurnea  elegans, 
slender  Palms,  and  Bambusa  gracilis  surmounted  the  exterior  mounds, 
whilst  elegant  and  richly  coloured  Crotons  were  disposed  about  the 
interior  of  the  group,  supplemented  by  Orchids  and  other  charming 
plants.  Mr.  W.  Finch  was  second  for  also  an  elegant  and  effective 
arrangement.  Messrs.  Dobbs  &  Co.  were  placed  third  for  a  very  good 
but  somewhat  artificial  group,  and  Mr.  Macdonald  had  to  be  content 
with  fourth  honours.  In  the  group  class  assigned  for  gardeners  very 
creditable  productions  were  contributed  by  Mr.  H.  Lovatt  with  an 
elegant  arrangement ;  Mr.  J.  Keynolds,  a  good  and  tasty  combination  ; 
and  Mr.  J.  H.  Cryer  with  a  creditable  display,  the  prizes  being  awarded 
in  the  order  named. 
Roses — These,  as  usual,  proved  a  very  attractive  feature,  and 
considering  the  unpropitiousness  of  the  season  there  were  numerous 
examples  of  fine  blooms  staged.  In  the  class  for  seventy -two 
blooms,  distinct,  Messrs,  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  w'ere  placed  in  the 
premier,  many  of  the  blooms  being  of  exceptional  quality,  Messrs. 
Mack  &  Son  following  with  a  strong  contingent ;  and  Messrs.  Perkins 
and  Sons,  Coventry,  were  awarded  the  third  prize  with  a  creditable 
display,  the  prolonged  drought  having  proved  inimical  to  their  chance 
of  greater  success  on  the  present  occasion.  There  were  but  three 
contestants  in  the  foregoing  class,  whilst  there  were  six  exhibitors  of 
eighteen  varieties,  Messrs,  A.  Dickson  &  Sons,  Newtownards,  gaining 
the  first  position  with  a  meritorious  complement ;  Messrs.  Harkness  and 
Sons  and  Mr.  IT.  Merryweather,  Soathwell,  being  respectively  second 
and  third  in  the  contest.  In  the  class  for  thirty-six  varieties  there 
were  eight  exhibitors,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  being  awarded  first,  Mr. 
H.  Merryweather  second,  and  Messrs.  Dickson  &  Sons  the  third  prizes. 
In  the  class  for  twenty-four  blooms  a  very  good  competition  took  place 
amongst  the  seven  competitors,  Messrs.  Dickson  &  Sous  taking  chief 
honours  wdth  some  remarkably  fine  examples  ;  Messrs.  Townsend  and 
Son,  Worcester,  second  ;  and  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  third.  The  class 
for  the  most  decorative  arrangement  of  Roses,  occupying  a  space  12  by 
6  feet,  proved  to  be  a  most  charming  feature.  Mr.  J.  Mattock  was  first 
for  an  elegant  combination  of  Tea  Roses,  over  a  sheet  of  black  plush, 
and  supplemented  with  baskets  and  bouquets. 
Of  twelve  new  Roses  Messrs.  Dickson  A  Sons,  Newtownards,  were 
the  only  exhibitors.  Their  collection  contained  Souvenir  de  President 
Carnot,  Marchioness  of  Londonderry,  Muriel  Graharae,  Tom  Wood, 
Marchioness  of  Downshire,  Kathleen,  Marjorie,  Mrs.  R.  G.  S.  Cranford, 
Marquise  Litta,  Captain  Hayward,  Clio,  and  Helen  Keller,  the  first  three 
varieties  being  remarkably  good. 
With  twelve  blooms  of  one  variety  of  light  Rose,  Messrs.  Dickson 
and  Sons  took  the  first  prize  with  Marchioness  of  Londonderry.  Mr. 
H.  V.  Machin,  Gateford  Hill,  was  second  with  Her  Majesty,  and  the 
third  was  won  by  Messrs.  Mack  &  Son  with  Caroline  Testout. 
Cut  Flowers, — For  the  best  arrangement  of  hardy  flowers,  occupying 
a  space  not  exceeding  12  by  5  feet,  variety  and  arrangement  to  be  the 
test  of  merit,  Messrs.  Dickson,  Limited,  Chester,  won  the  first  prize  of 
2  guineas,  presented  by  Alderman  Dickenson,  and  1  guinea  by  the 
Society,  with  a  very  representative  snd  well  arranged  collection.  In 
the  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers  Mr. 
M.  Jenkinson,  Newcastle-under* Lyne,  exhibited  a  box  of  unnamed 
Orchids,  elegantly  arranged,  and  which  worthily  won  the  first  prize. 
Mr.  J.  Cypher  securing  the  second  for  a  charming  array  of  Orchids  and 
stove  flowers  ;  Mr.  W.  P'inch,  Coventry,  the  third  for  a  beautiful  display. 
liouqueU. — This  attractive  class  was  represented  by  about  a  dozen 
exhibitors,  and  the  first  prize  for  a  bridal  bouquet  was  won  by  Messrs. 
Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry,  with  a  most  elegant  arrangement,  the  second 
being  accorded  to  Messrs.  Jenkinson  &  Son  for  a  nearly  equal  example. 
For  a  bridesmaid’s  bouquet  the  competitors  retained  the  same  positions 
with  no  less  beautiful  products,  whilst  in  the  class  for  a  hand  bouquet 
the  positions  were  reversed. 
The  International  challenge  prize  for  the  most  tasteful  arrangement 
of  Pansies  and  Violas  brought  forward  three  competitors,  Mr.  J.  Smellie, 
Busbey,  Glasgow,  being  awarded  the  first  prize  for  some  stands  of  fine 
pansies.  Mr.  Campbell,  Plan  tyre,  was  a  very  good  second. 
Fruit. — For  a  collection  of  nine  dishes,  a  fine  collection  exhibited  by 
Mr.  F;  Harris  easily  secured  the  first  prize.  It  consisted  of  Foster’s 
Seedling  Grapes  (hardly  ripe),  Golden  Perfection  Melon,  Brown  Turkey 
Figs,  Smooth  Cayenne  Pine,  Hales’  Early  and  Bellegarde  Peaches, 
Pitmaston  Orange  Nectarine,  Bigarreau  Cherries,  and  Black  Heart 
Cherries.  Mr.  G.  Reynolds,  gardener  to  Baron  Rothschild,  Gunnersbury 
Park,  proved  a  capital  second.  The  third  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  Good- 
acre,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington. 
For  four  bunches  Grapes,  distinct  varieties,  Mr.  J.  Read  was  awarded 
the  first  prize  for  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Buckland  Sweetwater,  Black 
Hamburgh,  and  Madresfield  Court  ;  the  second  prize  was  secured  by 
Mr.  Goodacre,  Elvsston  Castle  Gardens;  Mr,  T,  Bannerman,  Blithfield, 
was  third.  With  two  bunches  of  white  Mr.  S,  Bremmell,  gardener  to 
H.  H.  F.  Hayhurst,  Eeq.,  was  first  with  fine  Foster’s  Seedling;  Messrs. 
Bannerman  and  Read  were  second  and  third.  For  two  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburghs  the  first  prize  was  given  to  Mr.  J.  Gray,  gardener  to  Sir 
G.  Meyrick,  Anglesea;  Mr.  Banner  was  second,  and  Mr.  Stead  third. 
The  best  six  Peaches  were  shown  by  Mr.  F.  Harris  with  fine  fruit  of 
Bellegarde  ;  Mr.  Gray  second  with  Crimson  Galande,  and  Mr.  Wallis, 
Keele  Hall  Gardens,  third  with  good  Stirling  Castle.  Mr.  Goodacre 
staged  a  very  fine  dish  of  Lord  Napier  Nectarine  ;  Mr.  Read  was  second 
with  very  good  fruits  of  the  same  variety  ;  and  Mr.  Banner  was  third. 
Strawberries  were  sparsely  shown,  and  Mr.  G.  Ambrose,  gardener  to 
Colonel  Cotton,  Brewood,  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  three  dishes,  with 
very  good  fruit  of  Latest  of  All,  Oxonian,  and  Waterloo.  Mr.  H.  H. 
France  Hayhurst,  and  Mr.  Ambrose  respectively,  had  the  best  single 
dishes. 
Vegetables  were  remarkable  more  for  quality  than  quantity,  there 
having  been  a  considerable  falling  off  in  the  entries.  There  were  several 
exhibitors  for  the  prizes  offered  by  Messrs,  Sutton  &  Sons.  Mr.  C,  J. 
Waite,  Esher,  won  the  prize  with  a  good  all-round  collection,  there  being 
but  one  prize.  For  the  prize  also  offered  by  Messrs.  Sutton  for  six 
dishes  Mr.  Bremmell  was  the  recipient  for  an  excellent  lot,  Mr.  A.  Cryer 
second,  and  Mr.  Boycott  third.  There  was  a  very  good  competition  for 
Messrs.  Webb  &  Co.’s  prizes,  Messrs.  Carter  &  Co.’s  prizes  for  six  dishes 
of  vegetables  were  not  strongly  contested .  Mr.  Waite,  Mr.  Mahood,  and 
Mr.  Read  were  the  successful  competitors. 
The  large  collection  of  Sweet  Peas,  elegantly  arranged  with  a  few 
sprays  of  greenery,  formed  an  attractive  feature,  and  Mr.  Henry 
Eckford  was  awarded  a  gold  medal.  Mr.  A.  F.  Godfrey,  nurseryman, 
Stourbridge,  was  given  a  certificate  of  merit  for  two  baskets  of  very 
fine  Gloxinias.  Mr.  Robert  Lowe,  nurseryman,  Wolverhampton,  con¬ 
tributed  an  effective  group  of  plants.  Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard, 
Somerset,  sent  a  collection  of  Sweet  Peas  and  Roses.  Messrs.  Hewitt^ 
and  Co.,  Solihull,  staged  herbaceous  flowers  and  tuberous  Begonias. 
Messrs.  Thomson,  Sparkhill  Nurseries,  Birmingham,  exhibited  flowering 
plants,  to  which  a  bronze  medal  was  awarded, 
Messrs.  W.  &  J.  Birkenhead,  Sale,  W'ere  awarded  a  gold  medal  for  a 
select  collection  of  Ferns.  Messrs.  Prichard  &  Son,  Shrewsbury, 
exhibited  a  beautiful  collection  of  Picotees  and  Carnations.  A  large 
group  of  Begonias,  sent  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham, 
was  w'orthily  awarded  a  gold  medal.  Mr.  William  D.  Bason,  Finchfield, 
Wolverhampton,  exhibited  a  novel  arrangement  of  Mushroom  spawn  in 
combination  with  a  few  plants  and  flowers.  An  attractive  and  note¬ 
worthy  feature  in  the  show  was  a  collection  of  Mr.  Brownhill’s  annual 
Chrysanthemums,  remarkable  alike  for  their  size  and  purity  in  colour, 
Messrs.  Anthony  Waterer  &  Son,  Knap  Hill  Nurseries,  were  granted  a 
certificate  of  merit  for  a  group  of  the  dwarf  growing  and  effective  Spiima 
Anthony  Waterer. 
TUNBRIDGE  WELLS.— JULY  8tu. 
This  was  a  very  attractive  show,  but  the  majority  of  the  exhibits 
were  scarcely  up  to  the  standard  found  here.  The  chief  failures  were  in 
plants  and  fruit.  Groups  were  also  somewhat  smaller  and  less  tastefully 
set  up. 
In  the  open  class  for  four  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  (Orchids  ex¬ 
cluded)  Mr.  J.  Mason,  gardener  to  H.  J.  Wood,  Esq.,  Bulborough,  Kent,  won ; 
Mr.  S.  Pope,  gardener  to  J.  J.  Barrow,  Esq.,  Holmwood,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  beating  him  in  a  class  for  a  similar  number  of  ornamental  foliage 
plants  ;  while  Mr.  T,  Portnell  beat  Mr.  S.  Pope  for  four  exotic  Ferns. 
As  already  remarked,  groups  were  not  so  good  as  usual,  Mr,  J.  Howes, 
gardener  to  W.  Cobb,  Esq.,  3.S,  Broadwater  Down,  just  beating  Mr. 
L.  Dupond,  Southborough.  Mr.  J.  Howes  was  well  in  front  for  nine 
Orchids  ;  Mr.  J,  Mason  was  second,  and  Mr.  L.  Dupond  third. 
Cut  flowers  and  floral  designs  were  up  to  the  average ;  herbaceous 
flowers  better  than  usual.  Mr,  J.  Charlton  had  a  fine  collection  of 
twenty-four  species,  and  beat  Mr.  Ware,  gardener  to  Rev.  F.  Tillard, 
The  Glebe,  Penshurst,  Kent.  Mr.  R,  Edwards,  Beechey  Lees,  Sevenoaks, 
won  for  three  pieces  of  table  decorations,  Mrs.  A,  Hatton,  Sevenoaks, 
snaking  a  good  second.  Mr.  S.  Cook,  gardener  to  De  B.  Crawshay,  Esq., 
Seveucaks,  was  first  for  a  single  piece,  decorated  with  Roses  only,  Mr. 
R.  Edwards  following.  For  a  collection  of  stove  and  greenhouse  cut 
flowers,  eighteen  varieties,  Mr.  T,  Portnell  won.  Wreaths  and  floral 
designs  were  good,  the  first  for  a  wreath  going  to  Mr,  J.  Gore,  florist, 
Polegate  ;  second  to  Mr.  F.  Webber,  Tonbridge,  for  a  very  prettily 
designed  anchor ;  and  third  to  Mr,  J.  Charlton,  Tunbridge  Wells.  Mr, 
J,  Charlton  was  well  ahead  for  a  bride’s  bouquet,  and  also  for  a  hand 
bouquet.  In  both  classes  Mrs.  A.  Hattqn,  Sevenoaks,  and  Mr.  S  Cook, 
gardener  to  De  B,  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Sevenoaks,  were  second  and  third. 
Mr.  J.  Howes  was  in  front  of  Mr.  Webber  for  a  shoulder  or  breast  spray, 
but  the  positions  were  decidedly  reversed  in  a  class  for  buttonholes. 
