190 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
August  2G,  1897. 
Bouquets. 
These  were  numerous  and  of  a  high  order  of  excellence.  For  a  ball 
bou(juet  and  a  bridal  bouquet  for  which  £5,  £4,  and  £3  were  offered 
as  first,  second,  and  third  prizes,  three  sets  of  splendid  examples 
were  in  competition,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son  securing  first,  Messrs.  -lones 
and  Sons  the  second,  and  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons,  King’s  Norton,  the 
third  honours.  The  first  prize  bridal  bouquet  was  most  judiciously 
arranged  with  Stephanotis,  Kucharis,  and  long  trailing  growths  of 
Asparagus  plumosiis,  while  in  their  example  for  a  ball  bouquet 
Oncidiums  and  Dendrobiums  were  plentifully  yet  tastefully  used.  The 
second  prize  display  was  very  much  of  the  same  character,  but  not  quite 
so  pleasingly  arranged  towards  the  trailing  points. 
Exhibitors  in  the  foregoing  class  were  e.xcluded  from  the  next  class 
for  bouquets  in  which  Orchids  were  not  allowed  to  be  used.  Mr.  J.  B. 
Chard,  Stoke  Newington,  secured  the  first  prize  in  this  class,  his  bridal 
bouquet  being  principally  composed  of  Pancratiums,  white  Hoses,  and 
Carnations,  while  in  the  example  for  a  ball  coloured  Hoses  and  Carna¬ 
tions  with  Tuberoses  and  Pancratiums  formed  the  chief  components, 
assisted  with  a  free  use  of  Asparagus  and  Maidenhair  i’erns.  Mr.  F.  11. 
Norris,  Handsworth,  Birmingham,  was  placed  second,  and  Mr.  F.  W . 
Seale,  Sevenoaks,  thii’d. 
It  was  a  very  happy  idea  of  the  executive  to  offer  substantial  prizes  in 
the  next  three  classes  for  shower  bouquets,  one  composed  of  Cactus 
Dahlias,  the  second  of  Sweet  Peas,  and  the  third  of  Hoses.  Such 
selections  teach  what  can  be  done  with  certain  flowers  unmixed  with  any 
others,  as  well  as  add  a  charm  and  impart  variety  to  an  exhibition.  A 
shower  bouquet  of  Cactus  Dahlias  with  any  foliage  we  fear  would  be 
considered  by  many  as  heavy  and  ungainly,  but  that  exhibited  by  Messrs. 
Pope  &  Sons  consisted  of  a  rosy  peach-coloured  variety.  Countess  of 
Hadnor,  arranged  with  a  plentiful  use  of  Asparagus  plumosus  and 
Smilax,  was  most  pleasing  and  effective.  Mr.  W.  f'.  Seale  and  i\Ir.  ,1.  H. 
Chard  were  placed  second  and  third  respectively.  Fight  competitors 
there  were. 
Eight  exhibitors  also  tried  their  skill  in  arranging  Sweet  Peas  as 
shower  bomiuets,  and  with  most  creditable  results.  In  that  for  which 
the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  lively  pink  and 
white  varieties  preponderated,  the  effect  being  very  pleasing.  Messrs. 
Proctor  &  Sons,  Cbesterfield,  were  placed  second  ;  and  Messrs.  D.  &  "W. 
Croll,  Dundee,  third. 
Seven  competitors  produced  bouquets  composed  of  Hoses,  with  their 
own  foliage.  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  were  first  for  a  bouquet  of  a  pink 
Hose  and  pure  white  Tea  Hoses,  a  simple  and  attractive  arrangement. 
Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons  received  the  second  award  ;  and  Messrs.  Proctor 
and  Son  third. 
For  a  stand  of  cut  flowers  for  table  decoration  Mr.  H.  Chard,  Mr. 
Seale,  and  Miss  F.  Kettle,  Market  Drayton,  were  placed  in  the  order  of 
their  names.  Buttonholes  and  shoulder  sprays,  six  of  each,  brought 
several  competitors,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Mr.  Chard,  and  Sir  C.  E. 
Isham,  Bart.,  Lamport  Hall,  Northampton,  being  placed  first,  second,  and 
third  respectively. 
Collection  of  Flowers. 
Collections  of  Gladioli  in  a  space  of  12  feet  by  5,  nurserymen  only, 
brought  two  collections.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Harkness 
and  Son,  Bedale,  Yorks,  for  a  brilliant  display,  the  varieties  being  remark¬ 
able  both  for  length  of  spike  and  breadth  of  flower.  The  second  prize 
was  withheld,  the  third  being  awarded  to  IMessrs.  Wallace  &  Co., 
Colchester,  whose  collection  contained  many  of  Lemoine’s  new  varieties. 
Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll  made  a  very  pleasing  arrangement  with  cut 
Hoses  in  a  space  8  feet  by  6  feet.  The  collection  included  Hybrid 
Perpetuals,  Teas,  Polyanthus,  and  Moss,  the  whole  of  e.xcellent  quality. 
They  deservedly  received  the  first  prize,  and  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  the 
second. 
Dahlias,  exhibited  in  a  space  10  feet  by  6  feet,  produced  a  brilliant 
effect.  Mr.  F.  W.  Seale  took  thedead  among  the  other  five  competitors 
with  a  collection  including  representative  varieties  of  Show,  Fancy, 
Pompons,  single,  and  Cactus  effectively  arranged.  Messrs.  Keynes, 
Williams,  &  Co.,  Salisbury,  were  placed  second,  and  Messrs.  Jones  and 
Son  third,  both  exhibiting  well,  as  indeed  did  others  in  this  fine  class. 
Seldom,  if  ever,  has  such  a  profusion  of  hardy  herbaceous  flowers 
been  set  up  in  competition  in  the  classes  confined  to  nurserymen  only. 
So  great  was  the  display  made  that  it  almost  filled  one  side  of  a  very 
long  tent.  Mr.  F.  W.  Gunn,  Olton,  Birmingham,  was  placed  first  with 
an  admirably  arranged  collection  of  meritorious  flowers,  the  absence  of 
crowding  enhancing  their  effect.  Messrs.  James  Cocker  &  Sons  received 
second  honours  with  a  grand  lot,  and  Mr.  M.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  N.B., 
third,  also  with  an  imposing  display. 
For  a  collection  of  hardy  bulbous  and  tuberous-rooted  flowers  in  variety, 
to  occupy  12  feet  by  6  feet  of  space,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were  placed 
first,  and  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons  second.  Massive  bunches  of  Gladioli  in 
variety,  Liliums,  Montbretias,  Galtonias,  and  Alstrbmerias  stood  out 
prominently  and  attractively  in  both  collections. 
A  space  of  10  feet  by  6  feet  was  allotted  for  collections  of  Carnations. 
Mr.  W.  Campbell  obtained  the  first  place  with  an  excellent  assortment  of 
well-known  named  varieties,  as  well  as  several  prominent  seedlings. 
Messrs.  Ijaing  &  Mather,  Kelso-on-Tweed,  followed  very  closely  as 
second,  and  W.  G.  Philips,  Esq.,  Berwick,  Shrewsbury,  was  a  creditable 
third. 
Cut  Blooms. 
Substantial  prizes  were  provided  for  forty-eight  cut  Roses  (open)  ; 
and  for  twenty-four  blooms  open  to  county  of  Salop.  Messrs.  Cocker 
and  Sons,  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  and  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  received 
the  first,  second,  and  third  prizes  in  the  open  class  with  good  fresh 
collections.  T.  B.  Wood,  Esq.,  Imdlow,  was  placed  first  in  the  county 
class  ;  Col.  Kenyon  second,  and  Lord  Trevor  third. 
Mr.  P.  Mortimer,  Farnham,  staged  a  magnificent  collection  of  twenty- 
four  Dahlias,  distinct,  and  was  deservedly  awarded  the  first  prize.  Mr. 
B.  Brian,  Langton,  Staffordshire,  was  placed  second,  and  Mr.  Seale  third, 
all  having  grand  exhibits.  The  best  twelve  bunches  of  Cactus  Dahlias 
were  staged  by  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Mr.  Seale  being  second, 
and  W.  E.  King,  Esq.,  Leominster,  third.  For  nine  Dahlias,  amateurs, 
Mr.  Thos.  Ellis,  Llamlaide,  was  first,  ilr.  Abel  Lowe  second,  and  Mr. 
W.  E.  King  third. 
Cut  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers  were  represented  by  numerous 
collections.  For  twelve  varieties,  G.  H.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston, 
Birmingham,  was  placed  first.  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Bart.,  Hutton  Hall, 
second,  and  Lord  Harlech,  Oswestry,  third.  Colonel  H.  T.  Lloyd,  Aston 
Hall,  Shrewsbury,  staged  a  splendid  box  of  six  varieties  and  received 
first  honours,  F.  T.  Kynnersly,  Esi[.,  Ironbridge,  second,  andT.  B.  Wood, 
Esq.,  third.  Classes  were  liberally  provided  for  Asters,  hardy  flowers. 
Carnations,  Picotees,  Gaillardias,  and  Gladioli,  most  of  the  classes  being 
open  to  amateurs  in  the  county.  The  several  flowers  well  represented 
and  the  competition  was  great. 
In  the  special  prize  class,  offered  by  Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  AVem,  for 
eighteen  varieties  of  Sweet  Peas,  there  were  six  competitors,  T.  Aldersey, 
Esq.,  125,  Bellevue,  being  a  good  first  with  the  most  beautiful  and  newer 
varieties.  Mr.  AY.  E.  Swan  was  placed  second  ;  and  H.  L.  Kenyon,  Esq., 
Oswestry,  third. 
For  the  special  prizes  offered  by  Messrs.  Jones  &:  Sons  for  twelve 
bunches  of  Cactus  Dahlias  Mrs.  AA'atkins,  Shrewsbury  ;  AA^.  E.  King,  Esq., 
and  the  Hev.  T.  M.  Bulkeley  Owen  shared  the  honours  in  the  order  of 
their  names.  Other  special  prizes  offered  by  Alessrs.  Clibran  &  Sons, 
Altrincham,  and  Mr.  A.  Myers,  Shrewsbury,  were  also  keenly  contested. 
FHUIT. 
The  competition  in  the  fruit  classes  is  always  remarkably  keen  at 
Shrewsbury.  This  year  proved  no  exception  to  the  rule,  and  many  fine 
exhibits  failed  to  secure  a  place  ;  indeed  it  may  be  truly  said  that  to  win 
in  any  of  the  classes  was  a  great  honour,  to  lose  no  disgrace.  How  close 
in  point  of  merit  some  of  the  collections  were  to  each  other  will  be  readily 
seen  by  the  pointing  given  below. 
Decorative  Dessert  Tables. 
The  conditions  were  that  each  table  be  decorated  with  plants  in  pots 
not  exceeding  5  inches  in  diameter,  and  not  more  than  sixteen  dishes  of 
fruit  to  be  staged,  these  to  be  selected  at  the  discretion  of  exhibitor  from 
a  list  given  in  the  schedule. 
The  premier  award,  after  a  close  contest,  was  won  by  Mr.  J.  H. 
Goodacre,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle,  Derby. 
His  arrangement  was  light  and  well  executed,  and  his  fruit  superb.  The 
centre  was  formed  of  a  circular  piece  of  plate  glass,  surrounded  with 
green  Selaginella,  from  which  Orchids,  Grasses,  and  Asparagus  plumosus 
sprung  in  a  charmingly  natural  manner.  Two  other  trumpet-shaped 
glasses  were  arranged,  with  Masdevallias  and  Asparagus  dedexus  trailed 
lightly  upon  the  cloth.  The  Grapes  were  arranged  on  rustic  stands  at 
the  four  corners,  but  these  were  faulty,  as  their  backs — which  must  of 
necessity  face  some  of  the  guests  at  the  table— were  the  reverse  of  orna¬ 
mental.  The  whole  forming  a  nicely  balanced  and  suitable  arrangement, 
and  although  the  fruit  was  fine,  and  in  every  way  worthy  of  its  great 
exhibitor,  a  perusal  of  the  pointing  will  show  that  it  was  in  the  artistic 
part  of  the  work  that  he  managed  to  turn  the  scales  upon  his  opponent. 
The  second  prize  was  well  won  by  Mr.  J.  Alclndoe,  gardener  to  Sir 
J.  AV.  Pease,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisboro’,  with  a  somewhat  taller  arrange¬ 
ment.  A  fine  Pine  formed  a  centre,  a  tall  trumpet  glass  being  placed  on 
either  side  ;  eight  small  glasses  were  disposed  round  the  sides  of  the 
table.  The  Grapes  were  arrranged  in  baskets  at  each  end.  The  glasses 
were  furnished  with  Asparagus  detiexus  and  Montbretias.  Every  dish 
of  fruit  was  of  attractive  appearance,  the  superb  half  dozen  of  Golden 
Eagle  Peach  being  the  most  handsome  in  the  whole  Show. 
Result  of  Judges’ 
Awards. 
1st  prize 
2nd  priz 
points. 
points. 
Apples  . 
... 
...  — 
6 
Apricots  ...  . 
6 
(j 
Figs  . 
4 
...  - 
Grapes,  black  . 
7 
6 
)) 
5 
5| 
„  white  . 
6 
6i 
4 
6 
Melons  . 
6 
...  4J 
,,  ... 
4 
4 
...  - 
...  — 
Nectarines  . 
5 
5 
>>  ... 
... 
5 
U 
Peaches  . 
6 
6 
M  ... 
4 
...  H 
Pears  . 
— 
5 
1) 
4 
... 
Plums  . 
...  H 
4 
4 
...  — 
Pine  . 
.  . 
6 
5 
Beauty  of  flowers  and  foliage  ... 
8 
6 
Harmonious  blending  of  colours 
8 
... 
General  arrangement  for  eflect 
8 
9 
Totals 
... 
...  105J 
...  104J 
