SCO 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  27,  1898. 
_  An  Immense  Arboretum,  —  For  several  years  past  Mr. 
Vanderbilt  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  woodlands  which 
extend  over  many  thousands  of  acres  on  his  estate  at  Asheville.  The 
Biltmore  Forest  of  6000  acres  has  been  placed  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
Gifiord  Pinchot,  who  has  been  trained  in  European  schools  of  forestry, 
and  it  is  now  proposed  to  form  an  aboretum  on  a  large  scale  at  Bilt¬ 
more.  In  this  will  be  gathered  all  the  trees  and  shrubs  of  the  temperate 
regions  of  the  world,  which  will  form  a  museum  of  the  greatest  interest. 
It  will  cover  some  800  acres  of  land,  distributed  along  both  sides  of  a 
road  twelve  miles  in  length.  Here  the  nurserymen  and  foresters  of  the 
entire  country  will  be  at  liberty  and  have  full  opportunity  to  study 
and  gain  information  as  to  the  character  and  growth  of  important  foresc 
trees  not  to  be  obtained  elsewhere.  In  connection  with  this  aboretum 
and  the  general  scheme  of  forest  management  at  Biltmore,  it  is  said 
to  be  Mr.  Vanderbilt’s  intention  to  establish  and  eq’np  a  school  of 
forestrv  on  or  near  his  estate.  Already  a  number  of  students  are 
residing  near  the  place,  taking  practical  lessons  in  the  science  from 
Mr.  Pinchot  and  his  chief  assistants,  who  are  resident  foresters.  They 
also  have  free  access  to  the  notable  collection  of  valuable  books  in  the 
library  connected  with  the  arbotetum. 
SHREWSBURY  SHOW. 
August  19th  and  20th. 
“  What  a  wonderful  show  !  ”  seemed  to  be  the  general  expression 
made  use  of  by  both  gardeners  and  visitors  on  the  opening  day  of  the 
great  Shropshire  gala.  Wonderful  it  was  without  doubt,  and  never  in 
t^e  history  of  the  Quarry  Grounds  has  a  finer  combination  of  the  horti¬ 
cultural  resources  of  the  country  been  placed  before  the  public, 
surpassing  in  magnitude  and  general  excellence  any  of  its  twenty-one 
predecessors.  As  stated  in  the  brief  report  that  appeared  in  our  last 
issue  the  arrangements  were  in  the  hands  of  the  two  well-tried  and 
energetic  Honorary  Secretaries,  Messrs.  Adnitt  and  Naunton,  with  the 
assistance  of  an  efficient  and  hard-working  Committee,  and  it  would  be 
impossible  to  speak  too  highly  of  the  superb  manner  in  which  the  whole 
of  the  arduous  and  complicated  business  was  conducted. 
What  the  Horticultural  Society  has  done  in  the  past  for  the  town  of 
Shrewsbury  and  its  institutions  has  been  previously  told  in  the  Journal 
of  HortieulHre.  What  it  will  do  in  the  future  has  yet  to  be  told  ;  but 
if  the  exhibition  of  1896  is  any  criterion  (and  surely  it  must  be)  then 
this  town  of  no  great  significance  will  long  be  able  to  boast  of  possessing 
the  most  prosperous,  benevolent,  and  efficient  horticultural  society  in 
the  kingdom. 
On  the  evening  preceding  the  show  the  straggling  main  street  of  the 
quaint  old  town  presented  an  animated  appearance,  and  it  was  easy  to 
see  that  a  red-letter  day  was  at  hand.  Gaily  coloured  bunting  floated 
over  the  highway,  and  here  and  there  were  to  be  seen  emblazoned 
banners  bearing  the  inscription,  “  Success  to  Horticulture.”  Gardeners 
congregated  everywhere,  hotels  were  packed,  and  all  night  long  vehicles 
rumbled  to  and  from  the  show  ground.  Some  exhibitors  worked  all 
night,  others  were  at  it  at  an  early  hour  on  Wednesday  morning  ;  but 
by  ten  o’clock,  the  time  appointed  for  the  Judges  to  commence,  all  was 
in  readiness,  and  here  we  pause  to  congratulate  the  executive  on  its 
punctuality — a  great  point  in  the  inauguration  of  flower  shows. 
No  less  than  twenty-four  competent  Judges  were  appointed  to  make 
the  awards,  and  arduous  though  their  task  was  they  completed  their 
duties  with  dispatch,  and  the  public  were  allowed  ingress  sooner  than 
might  have  been  expected.  This  year  the  munificent  sum  of  ^800  was 
offered  in  prize  money,  in  addition  to  trophies  in  the  shape  of  medals, 
and  had  the  effect  of  bringing  together  a  large  and  keen  competition. 
To  single  out  any  one  section  of  the  great  show  and  say  it  was  better 
than  another  would  be  a  mistake,  though  naturally  much  interest  was 
centred  in  the  new  departures,  particulars  of  which  have  already 
appeared  in  our  columns.  Here  again  the  executive  scored  a  point  in 
departing  somewhat  from  the  beaten  track  and  introducing  something 
novel. 
In  addition  to  the  usual  capacious  marquees  the  temporary  Church 
Congress  Hall  was  made  use  of,  and  here  were  accommodated  the  groups 
and  specimen  plants.  The  centre  of  the  large  tent  was  occupied  by  the 
fruit  classes  and  dessert  tables,  the  long  lines  of  Grapes  and  other  exhibits 
presenting  an  almost  bewildering  display.  On  each  side  were  banks  of 
bloom  tastefully  arranged,  choice  and  fresh,  while  to  get  near  the  floral 
designs  was  highly  difficult.  Another  tent  was  filled  with  vegetables  in 
fine  condition,  and  further  on  was  the  cottagers’  section,  equally  important 
on  a  smaller  scale.  The  trade  was  well  represented  by  numerous  miscel¬ 
laneous  exhibits  which  were  highly  attractive.  The  show  wasj  of  course. 
the  great  attraction,  and  after  feasting  their  eyes  there  the  crowds  of 
people  dispersed,  some  to  the  bee  tent,  others  to  hear  the  music  under 
the  able  direction  of  Messrs.  Charles  and  Dan  Godfrey,  watch  the 
balloon,  or  enthusiastically  clap  the  numerous  performances  that  went 
to  make  up  the  programme. 
On  the  early  morning  of  Wednesday  the  atmosphere  was  hazy  and 
thick,  and  later  on  rain  fell  heavily,  continuing  at  intervals  throughout 
the  day.  Only  to  a  limited  degree,  however,  did  this  damp  the  ardour  of 
the  visitors,  as  the  money  taken  at  the  entrances  amounted  to  £679  9s., 
or  only  £47  11s.  less  than  last  year,  when  £727  was  realised.  On  the 
second  day,  however,  there  was  a  decided  improvement  in  the  weather, 
and  the  attendance  in  consequence  was  wonderful.  Seventy  special 
trains  arrived  at  the  station  during  the  day,  and  at  an  early  hour  visitor* 
began  to  arrive  from  all  parts.  At  eleven  o’clock  the  officials  at  the 
gates  commenced  the  money-Laking  business,  and  continued  all  day 
without  intervals.  An  apparently  never-ending  stream  of  excursionista 
poured  into  the  Quarry,  and  it  is  stated  that  63,000  people  passed  the 
turnstiles,  leaving  in  the  cash  boxes  the  substantial  sum  of  £1736  4s.  2d,, 
or  £2424  ISs.  2d.  for  both  days,  which,  with  other  receipts,  made  up  the 
grand  and  unprecedented  total  of  over  £4300.  This  is  highly  satisfactory, 
and  is  convincing  proof  that  the  exhibition  promoted  by  the  Shropshire 
Horticultural  Society  is  far  and  away  ahead  of  any  other  in  the  kingdom. 
Though  surging  masses  of  people  passed  to  and  fro,  the  crowd  was  most 
orderly  and  well  behaved.  Reporters  found  themselves  pushed  and 
jostled  here  and  there,  as  also  did  thousands  of  others,  but  there  was  a 
marked  absence  of  rowdyism,  no  accidents  occurred,  and  everything 
passed  off  without  a  hitch,  this  speaking  volumes,  not  only  for  the  excel¬ 
lence  of  the  arrangements,  but  for  the  orderliness  of  the  immense  crowd 
of  visitors.  Again  has  the  claim  of  Salopians  that  their  floral  ffite  stands 
pre-eminent  in  the  country  been  put  to  the  test,  and  again  has  this  claim 
been  justified.  Below  is  given  an  account  of  the  principal  exhibits  and 
prizewinners. 
Plants. 
Gvoui^s,  —  The  most  important  feature  in  the  Church  Congress 
temporary  hall  was  the  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect.  As 
previously  stated  the  Society  offered  the  substantial  sum  of  £63  as  prize 
money  in  this  class,  the  result  being  that  a  large  area  of  this  spacious 
building  was  occupied  in  the  accommodation  of  groups,  in  which  was 
displayed  the  skill  of  the  cream  of  our  exhibitors  in  this  particular  line, 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  crowds  of  visitors  who  saw  them.  Five 
exhibitors  competed  in  the  premier  class  for  a  group  of  plants  occupying 
300  square  feet,  and  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  Cheltenham,  followed  up  hia  success 
of  last  year  by  winning  the  first  prize  (£26).  The  group  was  a  fine 
display  of  artistic  and  decorative  skill,  and  well  deserved  its  position 
at  the  head  of  the  list.  In  the  centre  was  a  complete  rustic  grotto, 
formed  of  cork  bark,  from  which  were  suspended  the  pendulous  flowers 
of  graceful  Fuchsias  and  trailing  foliage  plants.  A  moderate-sized  Palm 
occupied  a  conspicuous  position  at  the  front  of  the  grotto,  a  peep  through 
which  displayed  a  backgi  ound  of  richly  coloured  Crotons,  Lilies,  and 
other  ornamental  plants.  Crotons,  Palms,  and  Dracaenas  were  raised  at 
prominent  positions  in  the  group.  The  gracefcl  plumes  of  Humea 
elegans  added  effect,  and  rich  Orchids  were  dotted  about  here  and  there 
in  charming  profusion.  Moss  formed  the  groundwork,  and  any  flatness 
that  might  have  arisen  was  done  away  with  by  small  Ferns,  Palms, 
Caladiums,  and  other  decorative  flowering  and  foliage  plants  that  were 
dispersed  throughout.  Without  being  unduly  heavy  in  any  point,  the 
group  was  fully  and  admirably  furnished  with  suitable  plants.  An 
important  feature  of  the  exhibit  was  that  from  whatever  point  it  was 
surveyed  no  suspicion  of  sameness  appeared,  and  a  clear  view  through 
was  obtainable.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  C.  J.  Mee,  Nottingham, 
who  also  showed  an  elegant  arrangement,  though  perhaps  the  foliage 
was  a  little  too  heavy.  A  background  was  formed  of  Bamboos,  Crotons, 
and  other  foliage  plants.  A  large  Palm  occupied  a  conspicuous  pos  tion 
in  the  centre.  Acalyphas  were  effectively  dispersed  with  Orchids  and 
Lilies,  but  more  flowers  might  have  been  used  throughout  the  group 
with  advantage.  Mr.  J.  Edmonds,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  St.  Albans, 
Bestwood  Lodge,  was  placed  third,  but  there  was  a  lack  of  finish 
noticeable  along  the  front.  The  plants  used  were  choice  and  tastefully 
dispersed,  but  the  effect  would  have  been  better  if  the  stakes  in  the 
Croton  pots  had  been  less  conspicuous  from  the  front.  Mr,  W.  Finch, 
Coventry,  also  set  up  an  effective  group  for  the  fourth  prize.  Three 
exhibitors  appeared  in  the  class  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for 
effect,  nurserymen  excluded.  Mr.  F.  Tugwood  was  placed  first  with  an 
arrangement  which  did  him  credit,  though  a  few  more  flowering  plants 
might  have  been  used  with  advantage  ;  Mr.  S.  Bremmell  was  second, 
and  Mr.  C.  Roberts  third. 
Specimens. — Mr.  das.  Cypher  sent  a  grand  exhibit  in  the  class  for 
twenty  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  which  was  awarded  first  prize  (£25). 
The  collection  comprised  superb  specimens  of  Ixoras  Pilgrimi,  Williamai, 
and  regina ;  Allamandas  nobilis  and  Hendersoni  ;  Crotons  Queen 
Victoria,  Sunset,  Johannis,  angustifolius  ;  Kentias  Fosteriana  and 
Belmoreana ;  Ericas  Eweriana,  obbata  purpurea ;  Clerodendron  Balfouri- 
anum,  Cycas  revoluta,  Rondeletia  speciosa,  Pbcenocoma  prolifera  Barneai, 
Latania  borbonica,  Statice  profusa,  and  Bougainvillea  Banderiana.  Mr, 
W.  Finch  was  a  fair  second,  winning  the  only  other  prize  (£20)  ;  though 
