54 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  16,  1897. 
to  two  occasionally  during  that  time.  This  will  not  prevent  some  from 
trying  it,  and,  for  the  benefit  of  these  it  may  be  said  that  this  “  Tnfted 
Soapwort  ”  is  a  neat  habited  plant,  with  its  linear  leaves  in  tufts  like 
those  of  a  dwarf  Thrift.  The  flowers,  should  they  be  formed,  may  be 
expected  to  appear  in  June  or  July,  and  are  produced  a  few  together  in 
a  cluster  cn  very  short  stems.  They  are  bright  rose  in  colour.  S.  caespi- 
tosa  likes  a  sunny  airy  position  in  sandy  soil.  It  is  increased  by  division 
or  by  seed. — Alpinus. 
(To  be  continued.) 
HORTICU  LTURAL  SHOWS. 
FARNHAM. — June  30th. 
The  twenty-seventh  annual  Show  of  the  Farnham  Amateur  Rose 
and  Horticultural  Association  was  held  in  the  Gardens  of  Farnham 
Castle  on  Wednesday,  June  30th,  by  the  kind  permission  of  the  Bishop 
of  Winchester.  The  Show  was  certainly  one  of  the  largest  and  best 
that  has  ever  been  held  by  the  Society,  and  the  four  large  tents  were 
closely  packed  with  exhibits,  which  even  overflowed  on  to  some  staging 
placed  under  the  Castle  wall. 
In  the  open  classes  for  Roses  there  were  some  splendid  blooms 
exhibited,  Mr.  Taylor  of  Hampton  being  first  in  the  class  for  twenty- 
four  ;  Mr.  West,  Reigate,  second  ;  and  Mr.  Bide,  Farnham,  third. 
It  is,  however,  in  the  members’  classes  that  one  best  sees  how  strong 
a  hold  Rose  growing  has  taken  in  the  neighbourhood,  for  in  the  class 
for  the  Association’s  challenge  cup  there  were  as  many  as  twelve  com¬ 
petitors.  Mr.  Knight,  Leigh  House,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
successful  members  of  the  Society,  was  first,  with  Mr.  Anderson  of 
Waverley  Abbey,  an  equally  successful  member,  and  donor  of  the 
present  challenge  cup,  second. 
Mr.  Knight  also  showed  the  best  bloom  in  the  members’  classes  in  a 
“  Her  Majesty,”  Mr.  Anderson’s  Catherine  Mermet  being  the  best 
Tea.  The  best  bloom  in  the  whole  show  was,  however,  found  in  the 
open  classes,  an  Ulrich  Brunner,  shown  by  Mr.  West. 
If  Roses  were  good  at  the  show,  herbaceous  plants  were  better,  and 
the  two  large  exhibits,  not  for  competition,  made  by  Mr.  Prichard, 
Christchurch,  Hants,  and  Messrs.  G,  Jackman  &  Co. ,  Woking,  were  quite 
the  grandest  feature  of  the  show,  completely  filling  as  they  did  one  of 
the  tents.  The  local  exhibits  of  hardy  flowers  were  also  good. 
The  arrangement  of  flowers  in  vases  and  baskets  has  always  been 
noteworthy  at  this  show  ;  and  this  year,  though  hardly  as  many  as  last, 
the  tasteful  decorations  showed  that  the  hands  of  the  ladies  of  the 
district  had  not  lost  their  cunning.  In  groups  of  plants.  General 
Marsack  was  first  with  a  fine  arrangement,  containing  many  Orchids  and 
other  good  things,  the  Bishop  of  Winchester  being  second  with  a  group 
nearly  as  good.  Strawberries  were  not  so  good  as  last  year,  and  the 
same  may  be  said  of  Potatoes  and  Peas,  but  there  were  some  fine  dishes 
of  Tomatoes  shown. 
During  the  afternoon  the  mounted  band  of  the  Royal  Artillery  played 
on  the  lawn  of  the  Castle,  and  at  five  o’clock  the  prizes  were  distributed 
by  Mrs.  Davidson,  the  wife  of  the  Bishop  of  Winchester. — M.  P,  T. 
HANLEY.— July  2nd. 
Well  done,  Hanley  1  may  be  exclaimed  on  this  the  first  attempt 
of  the  busy  Staffordshire  town  to  hold  a  flower  show,  and  the  promoters 
of  it  are  greatly  encouraged  by  the  satisfactory  results  that  are  forth¬ 
coming.  The  show  was  held  in  the  new  park,  which  is  85  acres  in  extent, 
with  all  the  modern  conveniences,  grand  buildings,  a  fine  lake,  and  well- 
kept  grounds.  Five  years  ago  this  place  was  a  disused  fen  and  swamp, 
now  it  is  a  most  enjoyable  place  for  the  recreation  of  the  public.  One 
can  hardly  imagine  in  the  densely  populated  district  to  find  such  an 
extensive  place.  There  are  many  difficulties  also  to  overcome  in 
gardening,  for  the  park  is  surrounded  by  manufactories.  Various  styles 
of  gardening  suitable  for  the  district  are  well  carried  out,  over  200,000 
plants  of  various  kinds  having  been  bedded  out.  The  grounds  are  hilly, 
there  are  fine  terraces,  and  the  place  is  greatly  appreciated  by  the 
inhabitantp, 
A  better  arranged  show  we  have  never  seen  for  a  first  one.  Four 
enormous  marquees  were  arranged  side  by  side,  all  being  provided  with 
that  grand  illuminant  at  night,  the  electric  light.  This  was  a  great 
novelty  and  happy  introduction  ;  the  plants,  flowers,  and  fruit  looked 
remarkably  well  under  the  strong  light.  Water  was  also  laid  down  in 
each  tent,  while  in  the  Secretary’s  office  a  post  office  and  telephone  were 
introduced,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  many.  To  Mr.  Joseph  Kent,  the 
Superintendent,  we  offer  our  congratulations  upon  the  splendid  arrange¬ 
ments  he^  made  for  the  exhibitors  ;  everything  was  well  studied  and  as 
well  carried  out.  The  show  was  a  great  success  in  every  way  ;  over 
20,000  people  paid  admission  the  first  day,  and  considerably  more,  we 
should  say,  the  second  day.  There  is  a  most  promising  future  for  this 
Society,  which  we  trust  it  may  long  live  and  prosper. 
The  principal  feature  at  most  shows  now  are  the  groups  arranged  for 
effect.  It  was  so  here.  With  300  square  feet  groups  there  were  five 
competitors.  Varioi.s  strong  opinions  were  freely  expressed  by  many 
regarding  the  awarding  of  the  first  prize,  which  went  locally  to  Messrs. 
Jeukinson  &;  Son,  Newcastle,  Staffs,  but  many  persons  thought  the 
second  should  have  had  the  honoured  position — viz.,  that  shown  bv 
Messrs.  J.  Cypher  &  Son,  Cheltenham.  The  prize  was  £20  and  a  special 
“  heraldic  porcelain  flower  centrepiece,”  presented  by  Mr,  W,  H.  Goss. 
In  the  class  for  a  group  of  Oichids  arranged  for  effect,  in  space  not 
exceeding  100  square  feet,  Messrs.  W.  Thompson,  Stone,  Staffs,  and 
Messrs.  J.  Cypher  &  Son  were  the  successful  competitors.  These  famous 
exhibitors  also  took  premier  honours  for  specimen  plants  in  flower, 
Palms,  Ferns,  and  Orchids.  Other  successful  exhibitors  in  the  above 
classes  were  the  Duke  of  St.  Albans,  and  Messrs.  C.  H.  Wright,  Oswestry  ; 
W.  Vause,  Leamington  ;  F.  Maddock,  Alsager  ;  and  A.  S.  Dix,  Skelton. 
Roses  were  admirably  represented,  as  will  be  understood  from  the 
prize  list  as  under.  Forty  eight  distinct  varieties. — First  and  special 
(presented  by  Messrs.  Beck  &  Moss),  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Son,  County 
Down,  Ireland  ;  second,  Messrs.  Hsrkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  Yorkshire  ; 
third,  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  Broadheath,  Worcester.  Thirty-six  distinct 
varieties,  three  blooms  of  each  variety. — First  and  special  (presented  by 
Mr.  Pennington),  Messrs.  Harkness  k.  Sons  ;  second,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend 
and  Sons  ;  third,  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Sons.  Twenty-four  distinct 
varieties. — First,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &;  Sons  ;  second,  Messrs.  A. 
Dickson  &  Sons;  third,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons.  Twelve  distinct 
varieties. — First,  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Sons ;  second,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend 
and  Sons  ;  third,  Messrs.  Harkness  <fe  Sons.  Twelve  distinct  Teas,  three 
blooms  of  each. — First  and  special  (presented  by  Mr.  R.  Hastings), 
Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons  ;  second,  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  k  Sons. 
Decorative  arrangements  of  Roses,  not  exceeding  12  feet  by  5  feet. — 
First  and  special  (presented  by  Mr.  J.  R,  Howlett),  Messrs.  M.  Jenkin- 
son  k  Sols  ;  second,  H.  Chandos  Pole  Gell  ;  third,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend 
and  Sons.  Twelve  Hybrid  Perpetual,  one  variety. — First,  Messrs. 
A.  Dickson  k  Sons  ;  second,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  k  Sons  ;  third,  Messrs. 
Harkness  &  Sons. 
Fruit  and  vegetables  were  excellently  represented.  Good  collections 
of  fruit  were  staged  ;  black  Grapes  were  very  good,  but  many  bunches 
of  white  Grapes  were  not  finished.  It  seems  a  pity  to  cut  Muscats  so 
green,  though  the  bunches  were  very  fine.  The  prizes  in  the  chief 
fruit  were  adjudicated  in  the  following  order  : — Collection  of  nine 
dishes  of  fruit. — First  and  special  (presented  by  Messrs.  Bratt  and 
Dyke)  and  second,  divided  between  the  Earl  of  Harrington  and  Lord 
Bagot :  third,  Duke  of  St.  Albans  ;  fourth,  Earl  of  Carnarvon.  Two 
bunches  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes. — First,  Lord  Bagot,  Rugeley  ;  second, 
Earl  of  Harrington,  Derby  ;  third,  Alderman  Ridgway.  Two  bunches 
black  Grapes,  any  other  variety. — First,  Earl  of  Carnarvon  ;  second. 
Lord  Bagot;  third,  H,  H.  France  Hayhurst,  Wellington,  Two  bunches 
White  Muscat  Grapes. — First,  Lord  Bagot ;  second,  J.  Bratton  ;  thirds 
T.  Bolton.  Two  bunches  of  Grapes,  any  other  variety,  white. — First,  Earl 
of  Carnarvon;  second.  Lord  Bagot;  third,  J.  C.  Waterhouse.  Six 
Peaches. — First,  Mrs.  Meakin,  Cresswell  Hall ;  second,  Duke  of  Suther¬ 
land  ;  third,  C.  H.  Wright.  Six  Nectarines. — First,  Earl  of  Carnarvon  ; 
second.  Duke  of  Sutherland  ;  equal  third.  Lord  Bagot  and  Mrs.  Meakin. 
One  Melon,  green-fleshed. — First,  H.  H.  France  Hayhurst  ;  , second", 
B.  Fitzherbeit,  Swynnerton  Park  ;  third,  J.  C.  Waterhouse.  One  Melon, 
scarlet-fleshed. — First,  Duke  of  St.  Albans  ;  second,  Duke  of  Sutherland ; 
third.  Lord  Bagot.  In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  nine  dishes  of 
vegetables,  first  and  special  (presented  by  Mr.  J.  G.  Fenn,  Stoke-on- 
Trent)  Lady  Guest  ;  second,  Earl  of  Carnarvon  ;  third,  H.  H.  France 
Hayhurst ;  fourth,  C.  H.  Wright. 
Commendable  and  successful  endeavours  were  made  to  encourage 
school  children  to  grow  plants  and  flowers,  and  exhibit  bouquets.  This 
section  was  under  the  patronage  of  a  special  Committee,  with  the 
Mayoress  as  President.  The  object  of  the  Committee  was,  as  far  as 
possible,  to  encourage,  especially  amongst  the  poorer  portion  of  the 
inhabitants,  a  love  of  flowers,  and  the  knowledge  and  methbd  of  their 
cultivation.  Subscriptions,  limited  to  Is.  each  person,  were  invited,  and 
these  were  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  prizes.  Booted  cuttings  were 
supplied  to  the  children  who  applied  for  them  by  Mr.  Kent,  the  donors 
being  Messrs.  Wallis  of  Keele,  Roberts  of  Oswestry,  Bolas  of  Wirks- 
worth,  and  Hill  of  Spot  Acre,  whilst  Mr,  R.  Sydenham,  of  Birmingham, 
gave  a  large  quantity  of  seeds.  Numerous  prizes  were  forthcoming,  and 
the  result  was  a  very  successful  show,  in  which  great  interest  was  taken. 
There  were  over  350  entries,  and  the  exhibits  were  excellent  in  quality. 
The  Mayor  of  Hanley,  M.  Tunnicliffe,  Esq.,  opened  the  show,  and  also 
presided  at  the  luncheon.  In  all  respects  the  exhibition  appeared  to  be 
a  gratifying  success. 
DISS. — July  6th. 
Wanted,  by  a  gentleman  beginning  to  call  himself  elderly,  and 
obliged  to  do  all  his  work  himself,  a  nice  quiet  Rose  show,  in  a  secluded 
country  spot,  where  he  can  escape  such  severe  competition  as  is  to  be 
found  in  the  company  of  Messrs.  Orpen  and  Pemberton.  Diss  seemed  to 
answer  the  advertisement,  but  things  are  not  always  what  they  seem. 
The  show  was  held  in  the  Rectory  grounds,  which  are  conveniently  close 
to  the  station,  and  moreover  have  the  reputation  (not  lost  in  this 
instance)  of  securing  fine  weather  for  the  Rose  show. 
In  the  trade  class,  thirty-six  Roses,  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  was  easily  first 
with  a  fine  stand.  His  most  remarkable  Rose  was  a  magnificent  bloom 
of  Luciole,  wonderful  in  size,  shape,  and  qplour.  Soft  as  this  Rose  is, 
with  not  many  petals,  it  often  ”  stands”  well,  and  I  believe  has  generally 
been  in  Mr.  B.  Cant’s  seventy-two  at  the  Palace.  It  ought,  I  think,  to 
be  restored  to  the  N.R.S,  list  of  exhibition  Roses.  A  grand  bloom  of 
Mrs.  Sharman  Crawford,  with  good  examples  of  La  Boule  d’Or  and 
Comte  Raimbaud,  were  also  here,  Messrs.  Frank  Cant  k  Co.  were  second, 
some  way  behind,  but  a  fine  specimen  of  Victor  Hugo,  which  has  been 
good  this  year,  was  shown  by  him. 
In  the  amateurs'  class,  of  twenty-four  Roses,  for  the  challenge  cup 
m  memorial  of  Mr.  Frere,  Mr.  Orpen  was  a  good  first,  his  magnificent 
Teas  and  neat  method  leading  him  to  a  decided  victory.  Comtesse  de 
Nadaillac.  Cleopatra,  Maman  Cochet,  Madame  Cusin,  and  Kaiserin 
Augusta  Victoria  were  among  his  besL  Rev.  A.  Foster-Melliar  was- 
