Aaguab  Id,  1S97. 
JOtJRl^AL  OF  HOnTlOULWRE  AUD  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
163 
but  the  ropes  were  not  strong  enough  to  resist  the  sudden  strain 
to  which  they  were  subjected,  and  surprise  and  regrets  are  heard 
on  every  hand.  Some  of  Mr.  Marriott’s  plants  were  also  injured. 
The  town  is  gay,  hotels  filling  fast,  exhibitors  jostling  each 
other  at  the  station,  and  porters  having  a  lively  time.  A  famous 
hotel,  “The  Raven,”  is  the  rendezvous  of  the  R.H.S.  contingent, 
except  the  President  (“Sir  Trevor”)  who  with  the  Yery  Rev. 
(and  horticultural)  Dean  Hole,  are  the  guests  of  Lord  Kenyon. 
The  officials  of  the  Shropshire  Society,  including  Lieut.-Col  Peele, 
Mayor  of  Shrewsbury,  with  Messrs.  G.  M.  Salt  (Chairman),  W. 
Phillips  (Treasurer),  and  Adnitt  and  Naunton  (Hon.  Secretaries), 
met  the  London  visitors,  who  consisted  of  Messrs.  H.  J.  Veitch, 
T.  Statter,  S.  Courtauld,  P.  Crowley,  J.  Douglas,  H.  Self e  Leonard, 
W.  Crump,  J.  Smith,  T.  F.  Rivers,  A.  Outram,  J.  Wright, and  the 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  at  dinner  in  the  evening.  It  was  not  a  ceremonial 
but  friendly  gathering,  speeches  being  reserved  for  the  luncheon  on 
the  morrow,  which  is  to  be  attended  by  Lord  Kenyon  and  his  guests. 
This  great  commemorative  Show  was,  but  for  the  mishap  to  the  tent, 
an  unqualified  success  from  a  horticultural  point  of  view.  The  exhibits 
were  never  more  numerous,  and  the  quality  was  superb.  In  every  section 
— plants,  groups,  cut  flowers,  fruits,  vegetables — a  standard  was  reached 
that  is  rarely  seen  in  or  out  of  Ihe  metropolis.  Amidst  such  general 
excellence  it  may  appear  somewhat  invidious  to  give  one  the  pre-eminence 
over  the  remainder,  but  none  the  less  we  think  we  may  safely  say  that 
the  fruit  section  was  the  best  of  all.  Magnificent  indeed  were  the 
vegetables,  while  the  display  of  cut  flowers  was  of  exceptional 
beauty.  We  cannot  give  a  detailed  report — time  will  not  permit  of  it — 
but  our  representative  has  wired  the  foregoing  facts  with  the  prize¬ 
winners  in  the  subjoined  classes.  The  enormous  crowd  prevented  the 
awards  being  secured  in  several  of  the  other  important  classes,  while  the 
unfortunate  mishap  of  yesterday  to  the  large  tent  made  the  arranging  of 
the  groups  very  late.  The  weather  was  rather  showery.  We  trust  it 
will  be  fine  to-morrow,  when  thousands  of  visitors  will  fleck  to  the 
Quarry.  Next  week  a  complete  account  will  be  found  in  our  columns. 
One  of  the  most  attractive  classes  in  this  magnificent  Show  was  that 
for  a  display  of  floral  arrangements  in  a  space  of  12  feet  by  5  feet.  Any 
design  in  flowers  was  admissible,  entirely  at  the  discretion  of  the  exhi¬ 
bitor.  The  exhibits  were  very  lovely  indeed,  and  showed  what  can  be 
done  with  flowers  and  foliage  in  skilful  hands.  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son, 
Coventry,  who  are  past  masters  in  the  art  of  floral  decorations,  deservedly 
secured  premier  honours,  and  were  followed  by  Miss  Stevens. 
The  fruit  division  of  the  Shrewsbury  S^ow  is  always  a  very  fine  one, 
and  this  year’s  was  in  no  respect  behind  its  predecessors.  For  a  dessert 
table,  decorated  with  plants  (in  pots  not  exceeding  5  inches),  cut 
flowers,  and  foliage — table  10  feet  by  4  feet  6  inches.  Not  more  than 
sixteen  dishes  of  fruit  selected  from  a  given  list.  Each  table  to 
be  covered  with  a  white  cloth,  and  twelve  dessert  plates  will  be  pro¬ 
vided  for  each  table,  which  must  not  be  used  by  the  exhibitor.  Silver, 
electro-plate,  wine  glasses,  and  decanters  excluded.  Epergnes  and  vases 
for  cut  flowers,  and  plates,  dessert  dishes,  or  other  receptacles  for  fruits 
must  be  provided  by  the  exhibitors.  Four  prizes  were  offered,  the  first 
being  Veitch  Memorial  medal  and  £5,  added  to  £12  128.  given  by  the 
Society  ;  the  second,  £12  12s. ;  the  third,  £8  Ss. ;  and  the  fourth,  £5  6s. 
The  stand  arranged  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Harrington,  El vaston  Hall,  Derby,  with  1064  points,  received  the  first 
prize.  It  was  a  superb  exhibit  in  every  respect.  Mr.  J.  Meindoe, 
gardener  to  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisborougb,  with  104|  points, 
was  second  ;  Mr.  Harris,  gardener  to  Lady  Henry  Somerset,  Eastnor 
Castle,  Ledbury,  with  99J  points,  third  ;  and  Mr.  Gleeson,  with  96^  points, 
fourth. 
The  enormous  sum  of  £75  was  offered  in  what  was  desigsated  the 
“  Victorian  Fruit  Class,”  which  was  instituted  to  illustrate  the  produce 
of  British  gardens.  According  to  the  schedule,  it  was  for  '‘Sixty  dishes 
of  fruit,  arranged  on  a  side  table,  in  a  space  16  feet  by  4  feet  6  inches, 
artistically  displayed  with  cut  flowers,  foliage,  and  not  more  than  twelve 
plants  in  pots  not  exceeding  5  inches  in  diameter.”  The  fruits  had  to  be 
selected  from  a  list  printed  in  the  schedule,  and  the  judging  was  done  by 
points  on  the  scale  formulated  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  its 
Code  of  Judging.  The  first  prize  was  £30,  to  which  the  Worshipful 
Company  of  Fruiterers  added  its  gold  medal.  The  second  prize  was  £25, 
with  the  silver-gilt  Knightian  medal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  the  third  £20  and  the  silver  medal  of  the  Shropshire  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society.  The  most  intense  interest  was  centred  in  this  class,  as 
it  was  the  first  of  the  kind  that  had  been  seen.  Obviously  the  number 
of  exhibitors  could  not  be  large,  there  being  three  only,  but  each  staged 
in  a  really  remarkable  manner.  The  prize  winners  were  Messrs.  J. 
MeIndoe,  with  821  points,  first ;  J.  Dawes,  with  297  points,  second  ;  and 
J.  H.  Goodacre,  with  294  points,  third.  It  was  a  most  imposing  class. 
In  addition  to  the  several  medals  of  the  Fruiterers’  Company  and  of 
the  Shropthire  Horticultural  Society,  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
specially  offered  a  gold  Banksian  medal  for  the  exhibit  (not  for  compe¬ 
tition)  which  in  the  opinion  of  the  Council  of  the  R.H.S.  best  represented 
the  progress  of  horticulture  for  the  last  sixty  years.  To  the  superb 
exhibit  of  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd,,  Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  Chelsea, 
this  was  adjudged. 
Messrs.  Sutton  &  Son,  Reading,  offered  six  prizes  for  a  collection  of 
vegetables,  nine  distinct  kinds.  Mr.  0.  Foster,  gardener  to  Morgan  S. 
Williams,  Esq.,  Aberpergwm,  Glyn  Neath,  Glamorgan,  was  first,  and 
took  the  Sutton  Commemorative  cup,  with  £5.  The  stand  was  an 
exceptionally  fine  one,  and  reflected  the  utmost  credit  on  the  grower. 
The  second  position  was  taken  by  Mr.  W.  Pope,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Carnarvon,  Highclere  Castle,  Newbury  ;  the  third  by  Mr.  Bowerman, 
gardener  to  T.  Hoare,  Esq.,  Hackwood  Park,  Basingstoke;  and  the 
fourth  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Waite,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  W.  P.  Talbot, 
Glenhurst,  Esher. 
Presentation  to  the  Honorary  Secretaries. 
An  interesting  feature  to  be  recorded  in  connection  with  the 
show  is  a  well  merited  presentation  to  Messrs.  H.  W.  Adnitt  and 
W.  W.  Naunton,  who  have  been  so  largely  instrumenial  in  raising 
the  Shropshire  Horticultural  Society  to  its  present  high  position. 
Having  in  view  the  long  and  gratuitous  services  of  those  gentle¬ 
men,  a  Committee  was  formed  a  short  time  ago  with  Mr.  A. 
Outram,  F.R.H  S.,  as  Secretary,  and  Mr.  Owen  Thomas,  P. R.H.S  , 
Y.M.H.,  as  Treasurer,  and  an  ample  sum  speedily  raised  for  the 
purchase  from  Messrs.  Mappin  &  Webb  of  two  handsome  silver 
centrepieces  (in  appropriate  design  for  fruit  and  flowers)  for  the 
dinner  table,  each  bearing,  in  addition  to  the  names  oi  the  reci¬ 
pients,  the  following  inscription  : — “  Presented  by  horticultural 
friends  in  recognition  of  services  to  horticulture.”  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence  kindly  undertook  to  make  the  presentation . 
It  is  impossible  to  speak  too  highly  of  the  labours  of  these 
gentlemen.  At  no  time,  perhaps,  could  these  be  more  fully  appre¬ 
ciated  than  the  day  before  the  show,  when,  with  a  staff  of  clerks 
(and  half  a  cartload  of  empty  envelopes  on  the  floor),  they  were 
dealing  with  correspondence,  while  telegrams  were  constantly 
pouring  in.  They  are,  however,  adepts  at  the  work,  and  out  of 
the  seeming  confusion  to-day  will  emerge  order  to-morrow,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  thousands^and  the  advancement  of  horticulture. 
EtJCRYPHiA  pinnatipolia.— Possibly  the  reason  this  beautiful 
shrub  is  still  so  rare  is  that  it  is  rather  difficult  to  propagate,  and  plants 
until  three  or  four  years  of  age  are  liable  to  be  damaged  by  severe  frosts. 
It  is,  however,  well  worth  looking  after,  as  when  fully  in  flower  it  makes 
a  most  charming  effect.  It  forms  an  upright  growing  bush,  with  a 
somewhat  fastigiate  habit,  and  is  of  Chilian  origin.  The  leaves  are 
usually  ternate  and  opposite,  the  leaflets  being  more  or  less  ovate,  with 
serrated  margins.  The  flowers  are  produced  in  pairs  from  near  the 
apex  of  the  branches.  They  are  pure  white,  3  to  4  inches  across,  with 
four  petals  and  numerous  stamens,  resembling  at  first  sight  the  flowers 
of  a  single  white  Camellia.  The  flowering  period  is  July  and  early 
August.  It  looks  best  when  grown  as  a  single  specimen.  Good  soil  with 
a  little  peat  ought  to  be  given,  and  a  sunny  position.  It  should  be  well 
planted  at  first,  and  then  not  interfered  with,  as  it  dislikes  disturbance 
at  the  roots.  It  will  be  found  advisable  until  the  plant  has  had  several 
winters  outside  to  have  a  temporary  covering  which  can  be  placed  over 
it  during  severe  weather,  and  which  can  be  easily  removed  on  all  favour¬ 
able  occasions. — W.  D. 
Window  Gardening  in  Manchester. — Have  you  ever  been  to  a 
plant  competition  in  some  dingy  quarter  of  a  large  city  1  If  so, 
you  cannot  have  failed  to  be  impressed  with  the  enthusiasm  that  is 
manifested  by  the  poor  people  competing,  or  cease  to  be  struck  with 
admiration  that  under  such  adverse  circumstances  they  have  accom¬ 
plished  so  much.  How,  for  instance,  they  manage  to  get  anything  but 
stem  and  a  few  pallid  leaves  on  a  ”  Geranium,”  or  prevail  upon  a  Fuchsia 
to  give  ample  bloom,  or  maintain  their  plants  in  good  form,  would  be 
matters  of  marvel .  but  for  the  knowledge  of  the  great  care  that  the 
exhibitors  cake  to  keep  their  plants  clean  and  to  give  them  every  ray  of 
light  and  plenty  of  air,  with  prudence  in  the  use  of  water.  All  this  care 
and  thought,  which  are  as  much  as  would  be  required  to  keep  a  whole 
greenhouse  in  good  order  in  the  country,  have  their  reward  in  the  whole¬ 
some  pleasure  they  give  to  those  who  are  to  circumstanced  in  life  as  to 
have  but  few  reliefs  to  the  dreary  drudgery  and  sordid  surroundings  of 
their  lives.  We  are  pleased  to  see  the  strides  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Window  Gardening  in  Ancoats  is  making.  The  recent  show  was  larger 
than  any  yet  held.  It  would  be  a  good  thing  if  so  excellent  a  movement 
were  extended  to  other  districts  of  the  city, — (“  Manchester  Evening 
’  Chronicle.’') 
