August  19,  I  "Ml. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
179 
cut  flowers,  inclmdin?  a  fine  lot  of  Violas  in  variety,  Niphetoi,  Dorothy 
Tennant,  Dnchess  of  Fife,  Picotee,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Colleen  Bawn, 
and  many  others  being  very  fine,  Mr.  H.  Eckford  made  a  fine  show 
with  a  beantifnl  stand  of  Sweet  Peas. 
EPSOM.— August  12th. 
The  second  annual  exhibition  of  this  Society,  which  was  originally 
formed  to  give  encouragement  to  allotment  holders  and  cottagers,  and 
now  also  includes  classes  for  gardeners  and  ladies,  was  held  in  the 
grounds  of  Woodcote  Hall,  the  residence  of  C.  P.  Murray,  E§q.,  on  this 
date.  Honorary  exhibits  included  from  the  nursery  of  Messrs.  Morse 
and  Son,  Epsom,  some  noble  Palms,  used  with  good  effect,  down  the 
centre  table,  and  groups  of  Gannas  and  other  plants.  Mr.  Glover, 
gardener  to  the  Rev.  E.  W.  Northey,  showed  a  good  group  of  Liliam 
lancifolium.  Hydrangea  paoiculata,  and  Pancratiums.  Mr.  Will  Taylor, 
Hampton,  had  excellent  Roses  ;  and  Messrs.  J  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley, 
put  up  a  large  collection  of  hardy  flowers  and  Dahlias. 
The  best  decorative  groups  of  plants  in  competition  came  from  Messrs. 
A,  Bridges,  gardener  to  A.  Wales,  Esq.  ;  and  Buss,  gardener  to  A.  G, 
•Soden,  Esq.,  both  being  gay.  Mr.  Buss  staged  the  best  six  Begonias, 
and  Mr.  Bridges  had  the  best  six  plants  in  and  out  of  flower  ;  Mr.  Buss 
beine  second.  The  only  exhibitor  of  twelve  Cannas  in  pots  and  in  bloom 
was  Mr.  Heslinbury.  These,  however,  need  to  be  sto^  on  the  ground 
and  have  a  carpet  of  Fern  to  render  them  pleasing.  In  the  ladies’  class 
for  dinner  table  decoration  there  was  strong  competition,  and  some  very 
crude  and  very  pleasing  combinations  were  seen.  The  judgment  of 
three  ladies,  as  is  customary,  evoked  profound  dissatisfaction.  The  first 
prize  was  given  to  Miss  Sterling  for  a  rather  heavy  arrangement  of  the 
national  colours  red,  white,  and  blue  in  scarlet  Pelargoniums,  blue  Corn¬ 
flowers,  and  flowering  wild  Parsley,  and  the  garden  Carrot.  Miss  Pettitt 
had  a  beautiful  table  of  medium-sized  soft  coloured  Roses  with  long 
drooping  shoots.  Lady  Evans  had  one  not  less  pleasing  of  rose-coloured 
Carnations  and  Gypsophila  paniculate,  and  another  had  flowers  of 
Gloriosa  superba  with  Gypsophila.  Mrs.  P.  Ralli  set  up  a  centrepiece 
of  fine  fruit  from  Ashtead  Park,  and  she  also  obtained  the  first  prize  for 
hand  bouquet  of  Orchids. 
Some  of  the  baskets  shown,  notably  one  of  Gloxinias,  Fern,  and 
Bmilax,  were  charming,  Mr.  Haseman,  gardener  to  W.  E.  Bagshaw,  Esq., 
had  the  best  black  Grapes  in  really  finely  finished  Muscat  Hamburghs  ; 
Mr.  Osman,  gardener  to  W.  B.  Braithwaite,  Esq  ,  coming  second  with 
good  Black  Hamburghs.  In  the  white  Grape  class  Mr.  Bridges  was 
first,  and  Mr.  Osman  second,  both  having  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Mr. 
Turner,  gardener  to  C.  F.  Murray,  Esq.,  had  the  best  four  dishes  of 
tender  fruit  in  good  Grapes,  Peaches,  Melon,  and  Jefferson  Plums,  and 
was  also  first  with  four  dishes  of  hardy  fruit.  Mr.  F.  Tye,  gardener  to 
the  Rev.  J.  Hart-Smith,  had  the  best  dishes  of  Apples,  his  Prince  Albert 
being  exceptionally  good.  There  was  good  competition  in  all  the 
cottageVs’  classes — indeed,  in  many  cases  exceptionally  so,  much  more 
room  being  needed.  This  could  easily  be  furnished  by  the  adding  of 
more  tables  to  the  centre  one.  Some  sports  on  the  lawn  were  provided 
during  the  afternoon,  but  these  seemed  to  be  too  exclusive  and  dilet¬ 
tante  to  afford  much  pleasure  to'the  general  body  of  visitors  who  crowded 
the  place  later. 
TAUNTON. — August  12th. 
The  Taunton  summer  exhibitions,  of  which  thirty  have  now  been 
held,  are  invariably  popular.  On  the  occasion  under  notice  the  entries 
were  more  numerous  than  usual,  and  it  was  equally  satisfactory  to  notQ 
great  crowds  of  visitors  thronged  the  Vivary  Park  in  which  these  shows 
are  held.  Mr.  John  S.  Winsor  makes  an  excellent  Secretary,  and  he  is 
ably  assisted  by  a  large  Committee  of  leading  townsmen. 
In  the  premier  class  for  twelve  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in 
flower,  the  prizes  are  respectively  £20,  £15,  and  £6,  but  these  only 
attracted  two  exhibitors.  Mr.  J.  Cypner,  Cheltenham,  won  the  first 
prize  with  grandly  flowered  specimens  of  Phcenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi, 
Bougainvillea  glabra,  B.  Cypher!,  Allamanda  Henderson!,  A.  nobilis. 
Erica  Austiniana,  E.  Aitoniana,  Ixora  salicifolia,  I.  Prince  of  Orange, 
Statice  intermedia,  anl  S.  profusa.  Mr.  W.  Rowland,  gardener  to 
W.  Brock,  Esq.,  Exeter,  took  the  second  prize  with  an  even  and  fresh 
collection.  Similar  positions  were  held  by  these  exhibitors  with  six 
plants  in  flower,  and  also  fine-foliaged  plants,  both  showing  grand 
specimens.  Mr.  Cypher  was  the  most  successful  in  the  classes  for  single 
specimens,  but  had  to  take  second  place  for  six  Orchids,  Mr.  J.  Thomas, 
gardener  to  W.  G.  Marshall,  Esq.,  Taunton,  winning  first  prize. 
In  the  classes  for  Tuberous  Begonias,  Gloxinias,  and  other  plants, 
the  principal  exhibitors  were  Mr.  J.  Thomas;  Mr.  W.  H.  Bruford, 
gardener  to  S.  Bennett,  Esq.  ;  Mr.  H.  Godding  ;  Mr.  C.  Cooper,  gardener 
to  W.  McAdam  Smith,  Esq.  ;  Mr.  J.  Crossman,  gardener  to  Col.  Mount 
Batten,  Yeovil;  and  Mr.  S.  Dight,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  D  J,  Pring. 
For  a  large  group  arranged  for  effect  Mr.  W.  Rowland  was  first  ;  Mr.  W. 
Peel,  gardener  to  Miss  Todd,  Southampton,  second  ;  and  Mr.  V.  Slade, 
thirdi 
Amateur  growers,  that  is  to  say  all  who  are  not  nurserymen,  are 
capable  of  filling  one  large  tent  at  Taunton  with  their  exhibits,  and  did 
so  worthily  on  this  occasion.  For  twelve  stove  and  greenhouse  plants 
Mr.  W.  Rowland  was  first,  and  Mr.  W,  Peel  second.  For  six  plants  Mr. 
Thomas  was  first.  Mr.  Rowland  second,  and  Mr.  S,  Kirle,  gardener 
to  A.  Sandford.  Esq.,  third.  Mr.  Peel  staged  the  best  six  plants  with 
ornamental  foliage,  and  Mr.  Rowland  was  first  for  six  exotic  Ferns.  Mr. 
Thomas  was  well  first  for  four  Orchids,  and  the  best  six  pots  of  Japanese 
Lilies  were  shown  by  Mr.  C.  Cooper,  gardener  to  W.  McAdam  Smith,  Esq. 
Tuberous  Begonias  were  grandly  exhibited  in  this  tent,  Mr.  Thomas 
having  to  be  content  with  the  second  prize  for  double  varieties,  but  was 
first  for  six  single-flowering  sorts.  Mr.  S.  Dight,  gardener  to  the  Rev, 
D.  J.  Pring,  being  well  first  for  doubles  and  second  for  singles. 
Anything  like  a  detailed  account  of  the  exhibits  of  cut  flowers  was 
out  of  the  question  owing  to  the  crush.  In  the  open  class  for  thirty-six 
Roses,  distinct,  Mr.  J.  Mattock,  Oxford,  was  first ;  Messrs.  Townsend 
and  Sons,  Worcester,  second  ;  and  Messrs.  Jarman  &  Go.,  Chard,  third. 
Similar  positions  were  occupied  for  eighteen  varieties.  The  best  twelve 
blooms  of  Dahlias  were  shown  by  Mr.  G.  Humphries,  the  second  prize 
going  to  Mr,  T.  Hobbs,  Bristol,  and  the  third  to  Messrs.  T.  Townsend 
and  Sons.  Mr.  Humphries  was  first  with  twelve  Fancy  Dahlias,  and 
Mr.  W.  Smith,  Kingswood,  second,  Mr.  Smith  was  first  for  Cactus  and 
decorative  varieties,  Mr.  Humphries  first  for  Pompons,  and  Mr.  J. 
Burgess,  Bath,  first  for  single  flowering  Dahlias,  the  competition  being 
keen  in  each  instance.  In  the  amateurs’  tent  there  was  another  fine 
display  of  cut  flowers. 
Six  competed  in  the  class  for  a  dining  table,  arranged  with  decora¬ 
tions  of  fruit  and  flowers  laid  for  eight  persons.  Mr.  J.  Cypher  was  first, 
Mrs.  Anderson  second.  Miss  L.  B.  Lock  third,  Mrs.  McAlister  fourth. 
Miss  Currey  fifth,  and  Misi  P,  Tyte  highly  commended.  The  taste  dis¬ 
played  throughout  was  good,  but  Mr.  Cypher’s  flowers  and  fruit  were 
extra  choice,  and  the  arrangement  fairly  light.  Messrs.  J.  Scott  &  Co., 
W.  H.  Coles,  and  Hayward  Brothers  were  respectively  first,  second,  and 
third  for  hand  bouquets,  and  there  was  also  a  good  display  of  ladies’ 
sprays  and  gentlemen’s  buttonhole  bouquets. 
Fruit  was  not  quite  so  extensively  shown  as  usual,  nor  was  the  quality 
so  good  as  in  former  years.  The  best  collection  of  eight  dishes  was 
shown  by  Mr.  J.  Lloyd,  who  had  well  coloured  bunches  of  Black  Ham¬ 
burgh  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  a  very  fine  seedling  Melon, 
Rellegarde  Peaches,  and  Pineapple  Nectarines,  Brown  Turkey  Figs, 
Quarrenden  Apples,  and  Morello  Cherries.  Mr.  A,  Crossman,  gardener  to 
J.  Brutton,  Esq.,  Yeovil,  was  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  W.  Seward,  gar¬ 
dener  to  Sir  J.  D.  Ferguson  Davie,  Bart.,  a  creditable  third.  For  four 
dishes  Mr.  A.  Crossman  was  first,  showing  well  finished  Madresfield 
Court  Grapes  and  remarkably  good  Melon,  Peaches  and  Nectarines.  Mr. 
Lloyd  was  a  close  second,  and  Mr.  Webber,  gardener  to  G.  F.  Luttrell, 
Esq.,  third.  Mr.  Lloyd  had  the  best  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes,  Mr.  Crossman  following  closely,  while  in  the  class  for  any  other 
black  variety  Mr.  W.  Cheater,  gardener  to  Sir  W.  Paily,  was  first  with 
Madresfield  Court,  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  C.  Cooper.  Mr.  Lloyd 
was  first  for  well  ripened  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  Mr.  W. 
Cheater  second.  Very  good  bunches  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  gained 
Mr.  Webber  the  first  prize  in  the  class  for  any  other  white  variety,  the 
second  prize  going  to  Mr.  C.  Williams,  gardener  to  C.  D.  Harrod,  Esq. 
Mr.  Lloyd  staged  the  best  Melon,  a  seedling  of  his  own  raising,  the 
Frome  Flower  and  Fruit  Company  the  best  Peaches,  Mr.  Crossman  the 
best  Nectarines,  Mr.  Webber  the  best  Apricots  ;  Mr.  T.  Somers,  gar¬ 
dener  to  J.  T.  Hebditch,  Esq.,  the  best  culinary  Apples  ;  and  dessert 
Apples,  Cherries,  Plums,  Gooseberries,  and  Currants  were  also  fairly 
numerous  and  good  in  quality. 
Vegetables  were  remarkably  good  and  abundant.  Mr.  T.  Wilkins, 
gardener  to  Lady  Ivor  Guest,  Henstridge,  was  well  first  for  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  eight  varieties,  showing  fine  examples.  Mr.  T.  Harrison,  gardener 
to  Major  Aldworth,  Yeovil,  was  a  good  second  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Squire, 
gardener  to  C.  J.  Elton,  Esq.,  third.  Special  prizes  for  collections 
were  offered  by  Messrs.  Webb  &  Son,  Jarman  &  Co.,  and  Sutton  and 
Sons ;  Mr.  T.  Wilkins  taking  the  first  prize  in  each.  Potatoes, 
Tomatoes,  Onions,  and  other  vegetables  in  season  were  admirably 
shown  in  the  various  single  dish  classes. 
Non-competitive  exhibits  were  numerous,  and  added  considerably 
to  the  attractiveness  of  the  show.  The  most  prominent  were  those 
of  Messrs.  R.  Veitch  &  Son,  Exeter  ;  Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard ; 
and  Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son,  Langport. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Mushrooms  foe  Winter. 
Op  late  years  the  value  of  this  edible  fungi  has  become  more  and 
more  recognised,  and  in  the  majority  of  gardens  provision  is  made  for 
its  cultivation  in  Mushroom  houses.  These  houses  are  usually  built  in 
a  position  where  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  do  not  fall  upon  them.  The 
inside  is  fitted  with  beds  made  of  wood,  iron,  or  slate,  the  latter  being 
most  suitable.  These  beds  are  usually  about  3  feet  wide,  6  feet  long,  and 
1  foot  deep,  supported  on  pillars,  and  are  usually  three  tiers  high. 
Windows  ought  to  be  provided  also,  and  these  fitted  with  shutters  so 
that  light  may  be  excluded  when  no  one  is  working  in  the  house.  In 
such  structures  it  is  only  advisable  to  attempt  to  grow  Mushrooms 
during  the  late  and  early  months — e.g commencing  spawning  early  in 
October  and  concluding  in  March,  for  in  the  summer  months  the 
temperature  of  the  house  is  too  high  and  the  atmosphere  too  dry  for 
the  crops  to  come  to  perfection.  Stable  litter  is  indispensable  for 
making  the  beds,  and  it  is  easily  procurable  where  several  horses  are  kept 
in  stalls  or  boxes. 
Place  the  litter  in  a  heap  until  the  requisite  quantity  is  obtained,  and 
spread  it  in  an  open  shed  about  1  foot  thick  to  allow  the  steam  to  escape. 
The  long  litter  must  he  taken  away  from  the  manure  ;  still,  sufficient 
ought  to  be  retained  to  prevent  the  bed  becoming  too  solid,  for  when  in 
that  state  it  will  hold  too  much  water  and  become  sodden,  which  is 
injurious  to  the  extension  of  the  spawn,  and  consequently  prejudicial  to 
the  crop  of  Mushrooms.  We  turn  the  manure  daily  for  nearly  a  fort¬ 
night,  when  it  is  sufficiently  decomposed  and  sweetened  for  the  purpose 
