August  13,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTiCULTURF  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
159 
Ib  the  centre  was  a  large  Palm,  and  Crotons  were  dispersed  in  the 
most  prominent  positions.  The  plants  were  well  placed,  so  that  the 
group  was  elegant  from  whichever  point  it  was  viewed,  and  well 
deserved  the  award.  Flowering  plants  were  not  largely  used,  but 
Crotons,  Dracmnas,  and  Humea  elegans  were  dispersed  to  great 
advantage.  Mr.  J.  McIntyre,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Gurney  Pease,  Darling¬ 
ton,  was  placed  second  with  an  eilective  group,  which  had  only  one 
fault,  that  of  being  rather  too  scanty  at  the  back.  The  same  class  of 
plants  was  used  as  in  the  former  case,  but  generally  they  were  smaller. 
The  third  award  was  granted  to  Mr.  J.  Roderick,  gardener  to  T.  H. 
Sykes,  Esq.,  Cheadle,  and  Mr.  J.  Breen,  gardener  to  J.  Mosford,  Esq., 
was  fourth. 
Mr.  J.  Cypher,  Cheltenham,  easily  won  the  1120  prize  for  a  group  of 
Orchids  with  a  really  magnificent  exhibit,  which  was  almost  beyond 
criticism,  in  any  way.  The  Orchids,  which  were  choice,  were  pleasingly 
dispersed  on  mounds  and  in  miniature  valleys  among  Maidenhairs,  Palms, 
Asparagus,  and  such  like,  while  green  moss  and  virgin  cork  was  used  to 
great  advantage  in  the  arrangement.  Only  three  exhibitors  appeared  in 
this  class,  and  the  second  and  third  prizes  went  to  Mr.  J.  Robson, 
Altrincham,  and  Mr.  J.  Edwards,  gardener  to  E.  S.  Clarke,  Esq.,  Wrex¬ 
ham,  in  the  order  named,  though  there  appeared  to  be  a  scantiness  of 
Orchids  in  both  instances. 
Specimen  Plants. 
Specimen  plants  occupied  a  large  space,  but  among  those  in  flower 
evidence  of  fading  was  noticeable  on  the  first  day.  The  fact  that  Mr.  J. 
Cypher  was  well  represented  is  sufficient  to  prove  that  the  exhibits  were 
of  a  high  order  of  merit,  excellent  specimens  also  being  shown  from 
private  establishments.  Mr.  Jas.  Cypher  won  the  first  prize  for  twelve 
stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  flower  with  a  superb  collection,  though 
several  of  the  plants  showed  signs  of  fading.  The  exhibit  comprised 
Phoenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi  ;  Ixoras  Williamsi,  salicifolia,  and  Prince 
of  Orange ;  Ericas  Thompsoni,  Aitoniana,  and  Austiniana ;  Statices  prof  usa 
and  Gilberti  ;  Allamandas  grandiflora  and  nobilis  ;  and  Bougainvillea 
Sanderiana.  Mr.  B.  Cromwell,  gardener  to  T.  S.  Timmis,  Esq.,  Liverpool, 
was  second,  and  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington,  third. 
Mr.  Roderick  was  a  good  first  with  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants 
in  flower,  showing  fine  examples  of  Ixora  Williamsi,  Allamandas 
Hendersonl  and  Williamsi,  Gloriosa  superba,  Stephanotis  floribunda,  and 
Dipladenia  amabilis.  Mr.  Jas.  Cypher  was  first  for  a  single  specimen 
greenhouse  plant  in  flower  with  Phoenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi,  also  taking 
the  premier  place  for  a  single  specimen  stove  plant  in  flower  with  Ixora 
Prince  of  Orange.  In  each  instance  the  second  prize  went  to  Mr. 
J.  Roderick.  Mr.  W.  Edge,  gardener  to  Charles  Wigg,  Esq.,  Chester, 
was  first  with  twelve  Caladiums ;  Mr,  B.  Cromwell  second  ;  and  Mr. 
H.  Price,  gardener  to  B.  C.  Roberts,  Esq.,  Chester,  third.  Mr.  B.  Crom¬ 
well  won  first  prize  for  four  Crotons,  distinct,  with  fine  specimens  of 
Countess,  Mortefortiensis,  Queen  Victoria,  and  Williamsi,  Mr.  Jas. 
Cypher  was  a  good  second,  also  showing  well  coloured  specimens.  Mr. 
B.  Cromwell  was  also  to  the  front  with  six  exotic  Ferns,  showing  good 
examples  of  Adiantum  cuneatum,  Microlepia  hirta  Ciistata.  Gonio- 
phlebium  subauriculatnm,  Nephrolepis  rufescens  tiipinnatifida,  Davallia 
fijiensis,  and  Nephrolepis  davallioides  furcans.  Mr.  Roderick  was  second, 
and  Mr.  J.  McIntyre  third.  Other  classes  were  provided  for  table  plants 
— Begonias,  Gloxinias,  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Liliuma,  and  Fuchsias,  but 
with  one  or  two  exceptions  the  competition  in  these  instances  was  not 
keen. 
Cut  Floweeh, 
The  cut  flower  section  was  an  attractive  one  throughout.  Roses, 
considering  the  date,  were  good.  Carnations  exceptionally  so,  and  hardy 
flowers  varied  and  attractive.  As  stated  last  week,  £25  were  offered 
for  a  display  of  cut  flowers,  and  here  the  first  prize  of  £10  was  won  by 
Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  whose  exhibit  took  the  form  of  floral 
designs  in  various  shapes.  Amongst  others  were  a  harp  formed  of  white 
Lilies ;  and  baskets,  screens,  bouquets,  and  buttonholes  were  also 
included.  The  flowers  were  mostly  white,  shown  against  a  background 
of  black  velvet,  and  the  display  was  much  admired.  The  second  award 
fell  to  Messrs.  W.  Jenkinson  &  Son,  Newcastle,  Staffs  ;  and  the  third  to 
Mrs.  E.  Lowe,  Stamford,  whose  arrangement  was  rather  too  flat, 
Messrs,  J.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen,  won  first  prize  with  twenty-four 
cut  Roses,  showing  good  blooms  of  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Due  du  Rohan, 
J.  S.  Mill,  Horace  Vernet,  La  France,  Caroline  Testout,  Dr.  Andry, 
Ulrich  Brunner,  Heinrich  Schultheis,  Madame  Eugene  Verdier,  Marie 
Baumann,  Madame  Hoste,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Cleopatra,  Louis  Van 
Houtte,  Mrs.  Sharman  Crawford,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Merveille  de  Lyon, 
Anna  Ollivier,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  Captain  Hayward,  Marie  Rady,  and 
Madame  de  Watteville.  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Son,  Bedale,  were  second  ; 
aad  Messrs.  D.  &  \V.  Croll,  Dundee,  followed  as  the  third.  Mr. 
W.  Stubbs,  Nantwicb,  had  the  best  twelve  blooms,  but  here  the  quality 
was  rather  indifferent.  Messrs.  Harkness  were  placed  first  with  twelve 
Teas,  but  the  flowers  afforded  evidence  that  the  season  was  far 
advanced.  Messrs.  J.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen,  took  the  highest 
award  for  twenty-four  Teas,  showing  fair  blooms  of  Madame  Iloste, 
Souvenir  deS.  A.  Prince,  Anna  Ollivier,  Cleopatra,  Niphetos,  Devoniensis, 
Bridesmaid,  Medea,  Rubens,  Innocenfe  Pirola,  Ernest  Metz,  Comtesse  da 
Nadaillac,  The  Bride,  and  others.  The  second  prize  fell  to  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  there  being  no  other  exhibitors. 
Mr.  M.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  was  first  with  a  collection  of  Carna¬ 
tions  and  Picotees  arranged  with  their  own  foliage.  The  blooms,  which 
were  not  dressed  in  any  way,  were  remarkably  fine,  and  comprised  such 
varieties  as  Crimson  Pearl,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Mrs.  Audry  Campbell, 
Mrs.  Dunlop,  Mrs.  Eric  Hambro,  and  Jessie  Stevenson,  very  fine,  together 
with  a  collection  of  superb  seedlings.  Messrs.  Laing  &  Mather,  Kelso, 
were  justly  awarded  the  second  prize.  A  third  collection  exceeded  the 
stipulations  of  the  schedule,  and  the  added  Pern  fronds  certainly  did  not 
enhance  the  beauty  of  the  blooms. 
Mr.  J.  Edwards,  Blackley,  Manchester,  had  the  best  dozen  Carnations, 
showing  fine  blooms  of  Arthur  Medhurst,  Mrs.  Rowan,  E,  Henrvood, 
Master  Fred,  J.  S.  Hedderley,  Gordon  Lewds,  Mr.  J.  Smith,  Clara, 
Daisy  Baldry,  Edward  Rowan,  Admiral  Curzon,  and  John  Lakin.  Mr. 
Campbell  took  the  second  place,  and  Mr.  A.  R,  Brown,  Birmingham,  third. 
For  twelve  distinct  Picotees,  Mr.  J.  Edwards  was  first,  with  Dr.  Epps, 
Evlyn,  Campania,  .Brunqjtte,  Nelly,  J.  Smith,  Lena,  Muriel,  Polly  Brazil, 
Mrs.  Gorton,  Mrs.  Wilson,  and  Edith  D’Ombrain.  Mr.  Kenyon  Bury 
took  the  second  place  with  a  good  exhibit,  and  Mr.  Campbell  followed 
with  the  third.  For  twelve  Carnations  and  Picotees,  distinct,  Mr.  A.  R. 
Brown  was  first  with  The  Dey,  Janira,  Mrs.  A.  Tait,  Monarch,  President 
Carnot,  Cardinal  Wolsey,  Germania,  Romulus,  Miss  Audry  Campbell, 
George  Cruickshank.  Mm,  Douglas,  and  Mrs.  Gooden.  Mr.  .1.  Edwards 
took  the  second  award,  and  Mr.  Campbell  the  third. 
Messrs.  M.  Jenkinson  &  Sons  had  the  best  ball  and  bridal  bouquets, 
the  former  bciug  a  pleasing  arrangement  of  Orchids,  and  the  latter  was 
composed  of  pure  white  flowers.  Miss  Hambertson,  Chester,  was  placed 
first  with  a  collection  of  twelve  bunches  of  hardy  flowers.  Included  in 
the  exhibit  were  Chrysanthemum  maximum,  Lilium  lancifolium,  and 
Veratrum  nigrum.  Mr.  M.  Campbell  was  second,  and  Messrs,  Harkness 
and  Sons  took  the  third  place.  Only  one  exhibitor  appeared  in  the 
class  for  thirty-six  spikes  of  Gladioli,  this  being  Messrs.  Harkness,  who 
were  awarded  first  prize.  Mr.  W.  Edge  was  the  only  exhibitor  of 
twelve  spikes,  and  was  awarded  second  prize. 
Fruit. 
In  this  section  twenty-two  classes  were  provided,  most  of  which  were 
well  filled  with  highly  creditable  exhibits.  The  principal  class  was  for 
a  display  of  fruit,  in  which  £,'<0  was  offered  in  prize  money.  It  is  some¬ 
what  surprising  that  such  substantial  prizes  did  not  bring  together  a 
keener  competition,  the  reason  perhaps  being  that  few  gardeners  are  io 
a  position  to  exhibit  eighteen  dishes  of  fruit  as  stipulated  in  the 
schedule.  Only  two  exhibitors  put  in  an  appearance,  but  on  each  table 
were  noticed  superb  examples  of  cultural  skill. 
The  premier  award  of  £15  fell  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  gardener  to 
Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle.  On  the  table  was  a  floral  decora¬ 
tion  of  Carnations,  and  amongst  the  fruit  placed  in  dishes  all  round 
were  fine  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Madres- 
field  Court,  and  Foster’s  Seedling  Grapes,  Royal  George  Peaches,  Lord 
Napier  Nectarines,  Kirk’s  and  Jefferson’s  Plums,  La  Grosse  Samoa 
Strawberries,  Moor  Park  Apricots,  Read’s  Scarlet  Melon,  Souvenir  du 
Congi^s  Pears,  Morello  Cherries,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  and  Nectarines, 
The  fruit  throughout  was  magnificent,  and  the  prize  justly  awarded. 
Mr.  J.  Meindoe,  gardener  to  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Hutton  Hall,  was  second, 
but  here  the  decoration  was  not  so  effective,  and  the  Grapes  lacked 
the  superb  finish  noticeable  in  the  first  prize  exhibit.  Golden  Champion 
Grapes  were  good,  as  also  were  Clapp’s  Favourite  Pears,  Alexandre 
Noblesse  Peaches,  July  Green  Gage  Plums,  Spencer  Nectarines,  Scarlet 
Model  Melon,  Figs,  Cherries,  and  Apples. 
Mr.  F.  Harris,  gardener  to  Lady  Henry  Somerset,  Eastnor  Castle, 
was  first  with  a  collection  of  six  kinds  of  fruit,  showing  good  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  Grapes,  well  coloured  Stirling  Castle  Peaches,  fine  Lord 
Napier  Nectarines,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Bigarreau  Napoleon  Cherries, 
and  a  seedling  Melon.  Mr.  J.  Riddell,  gardener  to  the  Karl  of  Carlisle, 
Castle  Howard,  was  second,  his  best  dishes  being  Brown  Turkey  Figs 
and  Moorpark  Apricots  ;  and  the  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  Thos.  Banner- 
man,  gardener  to  Lord  Bagot,  .Rugeley.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  and  Mr. 
J.  Riddell  were  placed  equal  first  for  a  Pine,  Mr.  MeIndoe  being  third. 
Mr.  J.  H.  Hall,  gardener  to  J.  C.  Waterhouse,  Esq.,  Preston,  won  the 
first  prize  for  three  bunches  of  white  Grapes,  with  fine  examples  of  Foster’s 
Seedling.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  was  second  with  the  same  variety ;  and 
Mr.  W.  Atkin,  gardener  to  F.  A.  Brace,  Esq,  Doveridge  Hall,  Derby, 
third,  also  showing  Foster’s  Seedling.  Mr.  Alfred  Crisp,  gardener 
to  W.  Pritchard,  Esq.,  Little  Neston,  won  the  premier  prize  with  six 
bunches  of  Grapes,  three  black  and  three  white,  showing  magnificent 
bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Black  Alicante.  Mr.  J.  H.  Good- 
acre  took  the  second  place  with  good  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria, 
Foster’s  Seedling,  Madresfield  Court,  and  Black  Hamburgh  ;  and  the 
third  prize  went  to  Mr.  W.  .Mkins. 
Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  was  first  with  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburghs, 
showing  fine  well  coloured  examples.  Mr.  F.  Harris  was  second  :  and  Mr. 
Geo.  Bolas,  gardener  to  H.  Chandos  Pole  Gell,  Esq.,  Wirksworth,  third. 
For  three  bunches  of  any  other  black  Grapes  Mr.  A.  H.  Hall,  gardener 
to  J.  C.  Waterhouse,  Esq.,  Macclesfield,  was  first  with  fine  bunches  of 
Madresfield  Court.  Mr.  W.  Edge  was  second  with  the  same  variety  ;  and 
Mr.  Geo.  Bolas  took  the  third  place.  Mr.  W.  Coates  was  first  with  three 
bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  showing  well  coloured  examples. 
Mr.  W.  Atkins  was  second  with  larger  bunches,  which,  however,  lacked 
colour  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Edwards  third. 
Mr.  J.  Meindoe  was  first  for  a  collection  of  hardy  fruits,  showing  in 
good  form  Plums  The  Czar,  Early  Transparent  Gage,  and  Prince  Engel¬ 
bert;  Pears,  Souvenir  du  Con^iSs,  Brockworth  Park,  and  Marguerite 
Marillat,  Early  Jnlyan  Apples,  Large  Apricots,  Early  White  Transparent 
Currants,  and  Emperor  Francis  and  Bigarreau  Napoleon  Cherries.  The 
second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  E.  Severn,  gardener  to  Viscount  Combermere, 
for  an  exhibit  not  so  fine  ;  and  Mr.  Worker,  gardener  to  Mrs,  Blomfield, 
Chester,  was  a  fair  third,  Mr.  W.  Coates,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Verden,  Esq  , 
