July  22,  1897 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
19 
J.  Tullett,  J.  Cocker,  and  G.  Lonsdale.  Collections  of  four  dishes  of 
fruit  (Pines  excluded),  distinct  kinds  (black  and  white  Grapes  allowed 
as  separate  dishes),  Mr.  J.  McTndoe,  Mr.  J.  Cocker,  and  Mr,  G.  Lonsdale, 
as  named.  For  four  bunches  Grapes,  not  less  than  two  varieties. — First, 
Mr.  J.  Tullett ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe;  third,  Mr.  L.  Thompson,  Two 
bunches  Grapes  (White  Muscat). — First,  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe.  Two  bunches 
Black  Hamburgh  Grapes. — First,  Mr.  L.  Thompson  ;  second,  Mr.  J. 
Mclndoe  ;  third,  Mr.  J.  Lonsdale.  Dish’  of  Peaches. — First,  Mr.  G. 
Lonsdale  ;  second,  Mr.  F.  Nicholas  ;  third,  Mr.  L.  Thompson.  Dish  of 
Nectarines. — First,  Mr.  J.  Tullett ;  second,  Mr,  J.  Mclndoe  ;  third,  Mr. 
F.  Nicholas.  Collection  of  six  dishes  of  Strawberries  (six  named 
varieties). — First,  Mr.  W.  G.  Macfarlane.  Dish  of  Strawberries. — First, 
Mr.  W.  G.  Macfarlane ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Macfarlane ;  third,  Mr.  F. 
Nicholas.  For  a  collection  of  vegetables,  five  distinct,  to  include  two  of 
Messrs.  Webb’s  varieties,  which  must  have  been  grown  from  seed  supplied 
direct  from  their  establishment  in  1896. — Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  first. — 
(“Newcastle  Daily  Leader.’’) 
WOLVERHAMPTON.— July  12th,  13th,  14th. 
Favoured  by  three  days  of  ideal  “  flower  show  ”  weather,  this,  the 
ninth,  exhibition  of  the  very  enterprising  and  successful  Society  proved 
to  be  even  more  of  a  success  than  the  fine  show  of  last  year.  It  was 
held,  as  usual,  in  the  West  Public  Park,  than  which  no  more  convenient 
and  suitable  position  could  well  be  found  or  desired,  affording,  as  it 
also  does,  by  virtue  of  its  well-kept  and  attractive  grounds,  an  additional 
pleasure  to  the  visitors  after  inspecting  the  products  in  the  five  large 
marquees.  Much  credit  is  due  to  the  Secretaries  and  their  coadjutors 
for  the  excellent  arrangements  made  for  the  staging  of  the  vast 
array  of  exhibits  fa(rourable  to  the  work  of  the  competitors,  judges,  and 
reporters  alike.  Owing  to  indisposition  Mr.  W.  A.  Green,  the  Secretary, 
was  unable  to  be  at  the  show  on  either  day,  and,  by  request,  Mr.  A. 
Outram  took  over  the  management,  and,  it  is  needless  to  add,  gave  great 
satisfaction. 
Plants  and  Flowers. 
In  the  open  class  for  sixteen  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  Mr.  J. 
Cypher,  Cheltenham,  secured  the  £20  first  prize  easily,  with  a  very  fresh 
and  bright  exhibit,  consisting  of  well-bloomed  specimens  of  Bougain¬ 
villea  glabra  Cypheri.  B.  Sanderiana,  a  grand  Statice  profusa,  Erica 
Parmentierlana,  and  Stephanotis  floribunda  ;  also  very  good  representa¬ 
tives  of  Erica  ventricosa  Bothwelliana,  Ixora  Williamsi,  and  a  huge 
though  somewhat  sparsely  flowered  Phoenocoma,  Anthurium  Scherzeri- 
anum,  and  two  excellent  Crotons,  Baron  James  Rothschild  and  Queen 
Victoria,  supplemented  by  gigantic  Palms,  such  as  Latania  borbonica, 
Kentias  australis,  Fortune!,  and  Belmoreana.  For  second  honours,  Mr. 
W.  Vause.  Leamington  Spa,  supplanted  his  rival,  Mr.  Finch,  gardener 
to  James  Marriott,  Eeq.,  Coventry,  with  also  a  most  creditable  lot — the 
third  prize  being  accorded  to  Mr.  Finch. 
For  six  plants  in  flower,  Mr.  Cypher  again  led  off  with  excellent 
specimens  of  Ixora  Williamsi,  Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  Ericas  ventri- 
cosa,  Bothwelliana,  and  Parn^entieriana,  a  very  good  Clerodendron 
Balfouri,  and  an  excellent  Anthurium  Scherzerianum,  whilst  Mr.  Vause 
secured  the  second  prize  as  the  only  other  competitor  with  a  good 
collection.  -  , 
For  six  Palms,  Mr.  Cypher,  Mr.  Macdonald,  gardener  to  S.  H.  Kenrick, 
Esq.,  Whetstone,  Bdglaston  ;  and  Mr.  Vause  won  in  the  order  named  with 
very  fine  specimens.  In  the  class  for  six  exotic  Ferns,  Mr.  R.  Sharpe, 
gardener  to  H.  Lovatt,  Esq.,  Lowhill,  Bushbury,  secured  the  first 
prize  with  excellent  examples  of  Cyathea  australis,  Dicksonia 
antarctica,  Gleichenia  Mendeli,  Lomaria,  two  very  good  Todea  superba, 
and  Trichomanes  radicans,  closely  followed  by  Mr.  Macdonald  with 
fine  specimens,  such  as  Cibotium  spectabile,  Davallia  polyantha, 
Nephrolepis  davallioides,  Goniophlebium  appendiculatum,  and  Dicksonia 
antarctica.  Mr.  Thos.  Clayton  was  placed  third.  In  the  class  for  eight 
exotic  Orchids  Mr.  Cypher  unfortunately  was  the  only  exhibitor,  and 
was  accorded  the  first  prize  for  examples  including  a  very  good 
Epidendrnm  vitellinum,  also  Vanda  suavis,  Calanthe  veratrifolia,  Vanda 
suaveolens,  Cypripedium  Parish!,  Oncidium  macranthum,  Cattleyas 
Mossise  and  Mendeli. 
The  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  of  450  square 
feet  were  decidedly  the  leading  feature  of  the  show.  There  were  six  r  ntries, 
exceeding  by  one  those  of  last  year.  Mr.  Cypher  was  facile  princeps 
with  a  splendid  arrangement  of  Orchids  and  ornamental  foliage  plants 
with  the  indispensable  Humea  elegans.  It  was  a  beautiful  arrangement 
and  well  worthy  of  the  prize,  £20.  Mr.  Finch  was  a  good  second  with 
a  somewhat  similar  display.  The  third  position  was  occupied  by  Mr. 
Vause.  and  Mr.  Macdonald  was  a  very  close  fourth-prize  man.  Messrs. 
Tom  B.  Dobbs  &  Co.,  and  J.  B.  Knight,  both  of  Wolverhampton,  were 
highly  commended  for  two  very  creditable  and  attractive  groups. 
The  groups  shown  by  gentlemen’s  gardeners  in  this  class  were  also 
marked  by  good  taste  in  arrangement,  and  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to 
J.  A.  Kendrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  was  worthily  accorded  the  premier* 
prize  ;  Mr.  R.  Sharpe  being  placed  second,  with  al8>  a  very  good  group  ; 
whilst  Messrs.  T.  Clayton  and  Enoch  Horton  of  Bescot  were  respectively 
third  and  fourth.  Mr.  Macdonald  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  six  Orchids, 
and  for  which  the  second  prize  was  awarded.  Oaladiums  were  repre¬ 
sented  by  two  entries,  the  first  prize  being  awarded  to  Mr.  T.  Clayton, 
and  the  second  to  Mr.  R.  Sharpe.  Exotic  Ferns  were,  as  in  the  open 
section,  a  prominent  feature,  and  Mr.  Macdonald  took  the  lead  with 
fine  examples,  the  second  and  third  prizes  being  respectively  awarded  to 
Messrs.  T.  Clayton  and  R.  Sharpe. 
For  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  not  less  than  three  varieties  in 
bloom,  Messrs.  T.  Clayton,  A.  Cryer,  and  Macdonald  were  placed  as  in 
order  named  for  creditable  examples.  Begonias  were  sparsely  shown. 
For  twelve  plants  Mr.  A.  Cryer  and  Mr.  R.  Sharpe  were  respectively 
awarded  the  first  and  second  prizes  for  fair  examples. 
Roses  were  a  very  strong  feature,  the  display  being  the  largest  ever 
seen  here.  The  competition  was  extremely  keep,  as  may  readily  be 
conjectured  when  such  notable  and  large  growers  as  Messrs.  Harkness, 
Cant,  and  Perkins  of  Coventry  are  taken  in  account,  and  the  four  dozen 
boxes  staged  along  one  side  of  a  long  tent  made  an  imposing  scene.  In 
the  class  for  seventy-two  blooms  Messrs.  Harkness  were  placed  in  the 
first  position  for  the  valuable  prize  of  £7  lOs.,  including  £5  5s.  presented 
by  the  Mayor  of  Wolverhampton,  Alderman  Craddock.  There  were  so 
many  blooms  equally  meritorious  in  the  collection  that  it  would  be  almost 
invidious  to  particularise  them.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  B.  R. 
Cant,  Colchester,  who  was  a  close  and  excellent  competitor,  while  the 
third  and  fourth  prizes  were  awarded  respectively  to  Messrs.  R.  Mack 
and  Son  and  Cranston’s  Company,  Hereford. 
In  the  class  for  forty-eight  blooms  the  positions  were  reversed, 
Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  taking  the  lead,  closely  followed  by  Messrs.  Harkness 
and  Sons,  with  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry,  and  Messrs.  Townsend 
and  Sons,  Worcester,  placed  in  the  order  named.  With  twenty-four 
distinct  varieties,  three  trusses  of  each,  Messrs.  B.  R,  Cant,  Harkness  and 
Sons,  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  and  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Slough,  were  the  respec¬ 
tive  winners.  With  twenty-four  single  blooms,  Messrs,  J.  Townsend, 
J.  Mattock,  Oxford,  and  C,  Turner  were  the  successful  exhibitors,  whilst 
an  extra  prize  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry.  For 
twelve  distinct  varieties  of  1894,  1895,  and  1896,  Messrs.  B.  11.  Cant  and 
Perkins  &  Sons  were  the  only  exhibitors  in  a  close  run,  the  former  firm 
having  greater  diversity  of  colour. 
For  twelve  blooms  of  one  dark  coloured  variety,  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  was 
awarded  the  premier  prize  with  an  excellent  stand  of  Horace  Vernet,  the 
second  prize  being  secured  by  Messrs.  Townsend  &  Sons  for  a  box  of 
A.  K.  Williams.  For  twelve  blooms,  one  light  variety,  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant 
was  placed  first  with  a  splendid  box  of  Her  Majesty,  the  second  prize  being 
secured  by  Messrs.  Harkness  with  an  excellent  exhibit  of  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  and  the  third  prize  to  Mr.  J.  Mattock  for  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac. 
For  twelve  blooms  of  Teas  ,  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  was  to  the  fore  with  a 
beautiful  stand  of  distinct  varieties,  Messrs.  J,  Mattock  and  Townsend 
being  respectively  in  the  second  and  third  positions.  For  the  most 
decorative  arrangement  of  Roses,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons  were  worthily 
accorded  the  first  prize  of  £5  for  a  most  varied  and  elegant  arrange¬ 
ment,  the  second  prize  being  taken  by  Mr.  J.  Mattock,  and  the  third  by 
Messrs  Townsend  &  Sons. 
In  the  class  open  to  gentlemen’s  gardeners  and  amateurs  only, 
thirty -six  distinct  varieties,  single  blooms,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton 
was  placed  first,  and  Mr.  J.  Bgginton,  Wolverhampton,  second.  For 
eighteen  trusses  of  distinct  varieties  Mr.  J.  Egginton  was  placed  first  as 
the  only  exhibitor. 
The  miscellaneous  cut  flower  and  bouquet  section  was  a  very  attrac¬ 
tive  one,  and  in  the  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  stove  and  greenhouse 
flowers  Messrs.  Cypher,  Jenkinson  &  Son,  Newcastle,  Staffs,  and  Mr.  W. 
Vause  were  the  respective  winners  with  very  rich  and  fresh  blooms. 
Bouquets  for  the  hand  formed  an  imposing  feature,  Messrs.  Perkins  and 
Sons  winning  the  premier  prize  with  a  beautiful  and  graceful  arrange¬ 
ment  of  Odontoglossum  Alexandrse  and  other  Orchids  chiefly,  with 
Messrs.  Jenkinson  &  Son,  and  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  respectively 
second  and  third  competitors.  For  a  bridal  bouquet  Messrs.  Perkins- 
were  again  to  the  front,  with  Messrs.  Jenkinson  &  Son  and  Miss  H.  M. 
Stevens,  Western  Arcade,  Birmingham,  following.  For  a  bridesmaid’s 
bouquet  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry,  were  represented  by  a  lovely 
arrangement  of  Orchids  chiefly,  the  second  prize  being  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Jenkinson  &  Son,  and  the  third  to  Miss  H.  M.  Stevens  for 
exquisite  effects  in  this  line. 
For  an  arrangement  of  hardy  border  flowers,  occupying  a  space  not' 
exceeding  12  feet  by  3  feet,  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Messrs. 
Harkness  &  Son,  and  the  second  and  third  prizes  to  Mr.  W.  F.  Gunn, 
Birmingham,  and  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  London,  and  forming  altogether 
an  attractive  display.  The  dinner-table  decorations  were  of  a 
comparatively  mediocre  description,  yet  there  was  considerable  merit 
observed  in  the  first  prize  example  by  Miss  H.  M.  Stevens,  whilst  Miss 
A.  L.  Vernon  and  Mr,  W.  Vause  had  heavier  anangements.  For  the 
most  tasteful  arrangement  of  Pansies  and  Violas  there  was-  only  one 
competitor,  Mr.  M.  Campbell,  High  Blantyre,  who  was  awarded  the  first 
prize  for  a  very  good  and  striking  arrangement.  The  remaining  four 
classes  were  very  well  represented  by  other  exhibitors,  including  Mr. 
Campbell,  who  took  the  leading  position  nearly  throughout. 
Carnations  and  Pinks  formed  an  attractive  feature,  contributed  to  by 
several  exhibitors.  Sweet  Peas  were  in  strong  force,  and  next  to  the 
Roses,  if  not  equal  to  them,  and  were  declared  to  be  the  largest  and 
best  exhibit  of  these  popular  flowers  ever  seen  in  this  country.  They 
were  set  up  with  good  effect  in  the  glasses  and  vases,  but  in  some 
instances  the  effect  would  have  been  greatly  enhanced  had  the  respec¬ 
tive  rows  been  raised  so  as  to  present  a  better  and  more  direct  front  to 
the  spectator.  In  the  class  for  an  arrangement  of  Sweet  Peas  for 
effect,  at  least  twenty  varieties,  the  gold  medal  was  won  by  Messrs. 
Jones  &  Son,  Shrewsbury,  with  a  highly  meritorious  exhibit ;  the  silver 
medal  being  secured  by  Mr.  V,  B.  Johnson,  Tettenhall,  Staffs  ;  and  the 
bronze  medal  by  Mr.  W.  F.  Gunn,  Olton,  near  Birmingham.  A  magnifi¬ 
cent  collection  of  the  best  and  newest  varieties,  remarkable  for  size, 
substance,  and  colour,  was  most  effectively  arranged  by  Mr.  H.  J. 
Eckford,  Wem. 
A  very  interesting  and  pleasing  feature  were  the  wild  flower  exhibits 
