188 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  26,  1897. 
SHREWSBURY— ROYAL  COMMEMORATIVE 
SHOW. 
August  18th  and  19th. 
Neither  storms  that  blow  down  tents  during  the  preparation  of  the 
Show,  nor  drenching  rain  that  falls  continually  soon  after  the  opening, 
seem  to  do  little  more  than  cause  loss  to  the  exhibitors  who  suffer,  and 
extreme  discomfort  to  thousands  of  visitors.  The  Society  itself  appears 
to  flourish  under  all  circumstances,  and  its  triumphs  only  seem  the  greater 
in  surmounting  natural  obstacles.  'Fhe  downpour  towards  the  evening 
of  the  first  day  stopped  the  progress  of  everything  outside  the  tents,  and 
prevented  the  evening  fireworks,  but  did  not  stop  the  visitors,  and  hence 
the  marvellous  result  of  a  larger  “gate”  than  on  any  first  day  over  the 
whole  long  series. 
Then  came  the  second  day,  which  was  fortunately  fine,  and  nearly  a 
hundred  trains  brought  in  their  living  freights  in  scores  of  thousands# 
making  this  great  commemorative  exhibition,  and  appropriately  so,  a 
record  one  of  attendance  and  financial  results.  We  have  not  the  exact 
figures,  but  suspect  the  income  from  all  sources  during  this  Royal  Jubilee 
year  will  be  well  on  the  right  side  of  £4000. 
The  meeting  in  the  famous  Quarry  Grounds  must  be  reported  as  a 
success  in  every  way.  The  visit  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  was 
very  popular  ;  the  presentation  to  the  indefatigable  Secretaries  met  with 
unanimous  approval  ;  the  splendid  prizes  and  medals  generously  provided 
by  the  Society,  and  contributed  from  various  sources,  imparted  interest 
and  strength,  in  all  cases  being  well  and  keenly  contested  for. 
One  of  these  medals  demands  a  special  line  as  being  unique.  Designed 
by  the  Countess  Feodore  Gleichen  for  Lord  Kenyon,  the  President  of  the 
Shropshire  Society,  for  pi’esentation  to  the  two  gardeners  taking  the 
largest  amount  in  prizes  — one  in  the  open,  the  other  in  the  county  classes, 
the  die  then  to  be  destroyed.  Thus  these  Victorian  medals  will  remain 
the  only  two  existing,  and  to  be  cherished  the  moi’e  by  their  I’ecipients, 
Mr.  James  Mclndoe,  The  Gardens,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisborough  ;  and  Mr. 
C.  Roberts,  gardener  to  'V  H.  Wright,  Esq.,  Halston,  Whittington,  Salop. 
The  medals  are  of  silver,  antique  in  design,  4^  inches  in  diameter,  very 
massive,  and  oxidised.  We  are  indebted  to  practical  gardeners  for  the 
tollowing  report  of  the  chief  e.xhibits  in  the  different  sectit)ns  at  this  great 
Show.  ■  A  large  number  of  local  classes,  in  which  both  amateurs  and 
gardeners  accpiitted  themselves  well,  could  not  be  particularised,  nor 
could  the  cottagers’  products,  which  were  of  such"  remarkable  excellence, 
and  most  creditable  to  the  workers  of  the  district. 
GROUPS  AND  PLANTS. 
Despite  the  disaster  which  occurred  to  the  large  marquee  containing 
the  chief  miscellaneous  groups  of  plants  belonging  to  Mr.  Cypher,  as 
adverted  to  in  our  last  issue,  the  redoubtable  e.xhibitor  secured  the  first 
honours  in  the  two  principal  classes.  His  collection  of  twenty  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants,  which,  to  the  casual  observer,  appeared  to  have  suffered 
comparatively  little,  were  in  fact  wrecked,  the  magnificent  Cycas 
circinalis,  which  had  not  been  e.xhibited  since  the  last  Shrewsbury  Show, 
was  ruined.  Heaths  of  nearly  twenty  yeai’s’ growth  can  never  be  them¬ 
selves  again,  while  Ixoras  and  others  were  smashed. 
Groups. 
Mr.  Cypher’s  group  of  plants  (fig.  27,  page  197),  in  or  out  of  bloom, 
arranged  to  produce  the  best  effect,  and  occupying  a  space  of  450  square 
feet,  was  indeed  a  splendid  triumph  of  artistic  plant  association,  and  of 
which  it  may  safely  be  said  eclipsed  either  of  his  previous  efforts.  It 
was  a  replica,  but  on  an  extended  scale,  of  his  group  exhibited  at 
Wolverhampton  in  July  last.  There  was,  however,  a  greater  profusion  of 
Orchids  and  other  suitable  plants  depending  from  the  cork-bark  covered 
alcove  and  arches.  These,  stretching  over  and  between  the  tastefully 
disposed  variegated  Crotons  and  other  foliage  plants,  formed  the  ground¬ 
work  of  the  design,  whilst  such  plants  as  Humeas,  Palms,  and  the  ever 
graceful  Bamboo,  Arundinaria  falcata,  served  to  form  the  highly 
effective  background.  In  addition  to  the  valuable  first  prize  (£35)  a 
silver-gilt  Flora  medal  was  bestowed  upon  Mr.  Cypher  for  this  splendid 
group. 
Mr.  Chas.  T.  ^lee,  Nottingham,  was  accorded  the  second  honours 
(£27  10s.),  with  also  a  silver-gilt  Flora  medal,  for  a  highly  meritorious 
group.  It  contained  a  rich  assortment  of  tall  and  finely  coloured  Crotons 
and  other  ornamental  foliage  plants,  with  Pitcher  Plants  (Nepenthes)  and 
Orchids.  The  back  of  the  group  was  centred  with  a  massive  cork  bark 
arrangement,  from  which  sprang  tall  plants  of  Palms,  Bamboos,  and 
other  excellent  plants,  forming  altogether  a  most  effective  design.  IMr. 
W.  Finch.  Coventry,  was  awarded  the  third  prize  (£20)  for  also  a  telling 
arrangement.  ° 
In  the  class  for  a  group  of  ornamental  foliage  plants,  occupying  a 
space  of  2.50  square  feet,  Mr.  C.  H.  Wright,  Oswestry,  won  the  premier 
position  with  a  most  effective  arrangement  of  Crotons,  Dracaenas,  Palms, 
Bamboos,  and  other  appropriate  plants  ;  Mr.  Cypher  being  a  close 
second  with  a  somewhat  similar  composition.  The  third  prize  was  well 
won  by  Mr.  J.  McIntyre,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Gurney  Pease,  Woodside 
Darlington  ;  an  extra  prize  being  worthily  adjudged  to  :Mr.  S.  Bremmell| 
gardener  to  H.  H.  Hayhurst,  Esq.,  Wellington.  The  groups  last 
mentioned  afforded  a  pleasing  relief  to  the  miscellaneous  ones,  and 
proved  excellent  examples  of  decoration,  in  which  ornamental  foliage 
plants  alone  so  readily  lend  themselves. 
Specimen  Plants. 
Coming  to  the  class  for  twenty  stove  and  greenhouse  specimen  plants* 
Mr.  Cypher  was  found  occupying  his  old  position — first.  The  following 
is  a  list  of  the  collection  :  -  Statice  profusa  fa  fine  large  specimen),  Alla- 
mandas  nobilis  and  Hendersoni,  Dipladenia  Brearleyana,  Olerodendron 
Balfourianum,  Bougainvillea  glabra.  Ixoras  salicifolia,  Williamsi  and 
Duffi,  Flrica  obbata,  E.  Austiniana,  and  E.  Eweriana,  whilst  a  richly 
coloured  specimen  of  Bougainvillea  Cypher!  completed  the  flower¬ 
ing  section.  This  last  specimen  also  gained  a  gold  medal  as  the 
most  meritorious  flowering  or  foliage  plant  in  the  show.  The  foliage 
section  comprised  a  grand  specimen  of  Croton  Thompson!,  with  fine  and 
large  leaves,  presenting  a  mass  of  yellow  ;  C.  Johannis,  C.  Baron  James 
Rothschild,  C.  angustifolium,  Latania  borbonica,  Kentia  australis,  and 
K.  Fosteriana.  Mr.  W.  Finch,  who  was  the  only  other  exhibitor,  was 
awarded  the  second  prize  for  also  a  good  collection,  though  hardly 
attaining  to  some  of  his  previous  efforts.  He  was  no  doubt  prejudiced  by 
the  accident  of  the  previous  day,  for  some  of  his  plants  were  crushed  by  the 
falling  marquee. 
For  six  plants  in  flower,  Mr.  Cypher  was  deservedly  awarded  the  first 
prize.  The  collection  included  fresh  and  neat  medium-sized  specimens  of 
Phoenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi,  Clerodendron  Balfourianum,  a  profusely 
bloomed  Rondeletia  brilliantissima,  Statice  intermedia  (very  good). 
Bougainvillea  glabra,  and  Erica  Austiniana.  The  second  prize  was  won 
by  Mr.  W.  Finch  with  very  good  specimens  of  Ixora  Fraseri,  Erica 
retorta  major,  Allamanda  grandiflora,  vStatice  profusa,  and  Allamanda 
Williamsi  as  his  hest,  the  third  prize  falling  to  Mr.  T.  Lambert,  gardener 
to  Lord  Harlech. 
For  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  open  to  the  county  of  Salop, 
Mr.  T.  Lambert,  Mr.  C.  Bremmell,  and  Mr.  J.  Farrant  (gardener  to  Mrs. 
•luson,  Monkland,  Shrewsbury),  were  awarded  the  prizes  as  in  the  order 
named,  with  fairly  good  examples.  F^'or  a  single  specimen  stove  or 
greenhouse  plant  in  flower,  confined  to  Shropshire,  the  first  prize  was 
ad  nidged  to  Mr.  T.  Lambert  for  a  very  good  and  profusely  flowered 
example  of  Dipladenia  amabilis.  Second  prize  to  Mr.  J.  Farrant  for  a 
large  specimen  of  Ixora  Fraseri,  and  the  third  was  taken  by  Mr.  A.  Jones, 
gardener  to  G.  Burr,  Flsq.,  Shrewsbury,  with  a  fair  example  of  Bougain¬ 
villea  glabra. 
Various  Plants. 
In  the  class  for  six  Dracaenas  there  were  four  competitors,  Mr. 
T.  Lambert  taking  the  lead  with  fair  examples,  including  the  varieties 
Shepherd!,  amabilis,  Baptist!,  Sunset,  and  Reginje  ;  the  second  position 
being  secured  by  Mr.  S.  Bremmell  for  very  good,  but  unnamed  plants  ; 
while  Mr.  C.  J.  Mee,  Notts,  was  placed  third,  there  being  four  exhibits. 
Caladiuins  were  very  well  represented,  and  for  six  specimens  Mr.  R. 
Hawley,  gardener  to  Mrs.  R.  Darley,  Adcote,  was  placed  first  ;  Air.  W. 
Leith,  gardener  to  .1.  R.  Greatorex,  Esq.,  second,  and  Mr.  J.  F'arrant  occu¬ 
pied  the  third  position.  Coleuses  were  also  well  shown  as  richly  coloured 
pyramids.  The  first  prize  was  accorded  to  Mr.  J.  Carter,  gardener  to 
W.  .1,  Scott,  Esq.,  Besford  House,  Shrewsbury;  the  secotid  to  Air.  A. 
Myers,  Shrewsbury,  and  the  third  prize  to  Air.  S.  Bremmell. 
FTichsias  were  a  pleasing  feature,  inasmuch  as  they  were  not  closely 
trained.  The  first  prize  was  taken  by  Air.  A.  Alyers  for  three  large,  well 
flowered,  and  fresh  examples.  The  second  fell  to  Air.  J.  Carter,  and  the 
third  prize  to  Air.  T.  Hughes,  Shrewsbury.  Begonias  (tuberous- rooted) 
were  fairly  well  shown  by  Air.  E.  Jones,  Wellington,  and  Air.  R.  Taylor 
respectively  ;  as  were  Zonal  Pelargoniums.  Air.  A.  Alyers  and  Air.  IV. 
Clift,  gardener  to  R.  Taylor,  Esq.,  secured  the  prizes  both  for  six  double 
and  six  single  flowered  varieties  in  the  order  named.  Gloxinias  were  not 
a  strong  class,  though  some  well  grown  plants  were  staged.  Air.  ,1.  Parson 
Smith,  Abbotswood,  being  placed  in  the  first,  and  Air.  AV.  Dawes,  gardener 
to  A.  E.  W.  Darby,  Esq.,  in  the  second  position  for  twelve  plants.  Exotic 
Ferns  were  exhibited  with  mach  credit  by  Air.  F>.  Jones,  gardener  to 
A.  AI.  Barber,  Esq.,  Wellington,  and  Airs.  AI.  Slaney,  Sunnycroft, 
Wellington. 
An  interesting  and  very  well  represented  class  was  that  of  twelve  plants 
suitable  for  table  decoration,  grown  in  pots  not  exceeding  6  inches  in 
diameter.  First  honours  were  well  won  by  Air.  J.  Alclndoe,  gardener  to 
Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Bart.,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisboro’,  with  elegant  and  neat 
examples  of  Crotons,  Palms,  and  other  plants  usually  employed  for  the 
purpose,  the  second  prize  hilling  to  Air.  Alclntyre,  and  the  third  to  the 
gardener  to  the  Hon.  Airs.  E.  Kenyon,  Alaesfew,  Whitchurch. 
For  a  collection  of  miscellaneous  plants  grown  in  pots  not  exceeding 
5  inches  in  diameter,  not  less  than  twenty  in  bloom,  the  prizes  were 
accorded  to  Air.  H.  Jones,  Air.  J.  Carter,  and  Air.  J.  Farrant  respectively, 
for  very  good  displays. 
Orchids  w-ere  sparsely  represented,  but  a  fairly  good  collection  was 
shown  from  the  gardens  of  Col.  R.  T.  Lloyd,  Aston  Hall,  Oswestry. 
Non-competitive  Exhibits. 
It  was  almost  impossible  to  obtain  particulars  of  these  owing  to  the 
density  of  the  crowd.  Alessrs.  Richard  Smith  &  Co.,  Worcester,  were 
represented  by  a  very  fine  collection  of  plants  in  variety,  and  for  which  a 
silver  Flora  medal  was  bestowed. 
Alessrs.  J  ames  A''eitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  made  a  magnificent  display 
with  numerous  choice  Caladiums,  Nepenthes,  and  various  other  plants,, 
besides  bold  masses  of  splendid  Lilies  of  the  Valley,  well  winning  the 
gold  Banksian  medal  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  Awards  of 
