42 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  uOTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  11,  1901. 
Amateurs'  Open  Classes. — In  the  amateurs’  section  Roses  were 
exceedingly  good,  being  clean  in  colour,  bright,  and  of  fair  good  form 
and  size.  For  two  dozen  blooms  in  class  4  the  first  award  fell  to  Mr. 
C.  J.  Salter,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Haywood,  of  Reigate,  who  staged  a 
remarkably  even  set.  His  best  blooms  were  those  of  Her  Majesty, 
Caroline  Testout,  Madame  G.  Luizet  (which  was  Al),  a  splendid  Bessie 
Brown  and  one  of  the  finest  samples  of  Xavier  Olibo  we  have  ever 
seen.  What  a  pity  this  Rose  grows  so  poorly.  There  were  other  two 
entries,  and  both  obtained  equal  second  prize;  no  third.  The  winners 
were  Mr.  Ed.  Mawley,  of  Berkhamstead,  and  Mr.  R.  West,  of  Reigate. 
Mr.  Mawley’s  Merveille  de  Lyon  was  sweet,  though  small,  and  his 
Alfred  Colomb,  White  Maman  Cocbet,  and  Mrs.  Ed.  Mawley  were  each 
good  blooms,  while  in  Mr.  West’s  stand  the  best  finished  samples  were 
Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Madame  V.  Verdier,  Louis  Van  Houtte,  La  France 
de  ’89,  and  Baroness  Rothschild.  All  the  boxes  were  highly 
creditable. 
It  shows  the  keenness  of  the  competition  in  class  5,  when  we  state 
that  ten  entered.  Mr.  Lewis  S.  Pawle  led  off  with  good  even  blooms, 
including  the  new  Rose  Tennyson,  and  other  fine  flowers  of  Sir  Rowland 
Hill,  Dupuy  Jamain,  magnificent;  Marie  Van  Houtte,  Mrs.  S.  Crawford, 
Caroline  Testout,  Louis  Yan  Houtte,  Comtesse  de  Ludre  (H.T.),  Helen 
Keller,  Capt.  Christy,  Heinrich  Schultheis,  Marie  Baumann.  This  was 
by  far  the  best  staged  exhibit,  and  when  one  knows  that  “  every  little 
helDS  ”  in  such  competitions,  other  exhibitors  might  in  future  take  the 
hint.  It  won  Dr.  Williams’  prize  in  its  section,  awarded  for  tasteful 
staging.  Mr.  T.  Norman,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Charles,  came  second  with 
neat  though  undersized  blooms,  including  La  France,  Innooente  Pirola, 
Marie  Van  Houtte,  and  Her  Majesty.  The  third  prize  was  captured 
by  Mr.  Frank  Spencer,  whose  stand  was  strong  in  good  Teas. 
Rev.  E.  C.  E.  Owen  had  the  only  entry  in  class  6  ;  but  for  half  a 
dozen  distinct  blooms  the  competition  was  sharp.  Here  Dr.  Williams 
was  placed  in  the  forefront  with  Mrs.  J.  Laing  as  bis  finest  bloom.  Mr. 
E.  W.  Howson  and  Mrs.  G.  Middleton  followed  in  this  order.  Five 
entered.  Some  good  little  blooms  were  shown  in  the  cottagers’  Rose 
seotion,  the  principal  winners  being  Dr.  Williams,  Mr.  L.  Pawle,  Mr. 
A.  L.  Hargreaves,  Mr.  F.  Spencer,  Mr.  J.  R.  Cator,  Mr.  G.  A.  Holme, 
Mr.  G.  Allen,  Mr.  A.  J.  Hill,  Mr.  J.  A.  Atkins,  and  Mr.  Chas.  Green. 
Groups. — The  first  prize  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  J.  T.  Norman,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Charles,  whose 
plants,  and  tasteful  arranging  of  them,  left  nothing  to  be  desired.  In 
class  17,  for  a  smaller  group  of  plants,  Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  gardener  to 
L.  Gardener,  Esq.,  beat  Mr.  J.  Rayner,  gardener  to  W.  L.  Calkin,  Esq., 
both  with  nice  plants,  but  too  crowdedly  put  together.  The  classes  for 
plants  were  all  very  creditable,  and  fairly  well  filled. 
Cut  Flowers. — The  cut  flower  competition  naturally  formed  an 
extensive  display,  and  we  must  write  in  praise  of  the  general  good 
taste  displayed  in  the  staging  of  them  all.  The  quality  was  fresh  and 
excellent,  which  says  well  for  the  purity  of  the  Harrow  atmosphere. 
A.  L.  Hargreaves,  Esq.,  won  first  for  a  collection  of  cut  flowers, 
twenty-four  bunches,  including  Irises,  Gaillardias,  Liliums,  Delphiniums, 
Phloxes,  and  Campanulas.  Mr.  Lewis  S.  Pawle  led  for  twelve  bunches 
with  select  acd  beautifully  arranged  vases  of  Schizanthus,  Sweet  Peas, 
Erigerons,  &o. 
Fruit. — In  class  32,  for  one  dish  each  of  three  kinds,  Mr.  W.  Head 
was  first  with  beautiful  Strawberries,  White  Currants,  and  Raspberries; 
Mr.  J.  Rayner  second,  and  Rev.  E.  Owen  third.  For  one  dish  each  of 
Red,  White,  and  Black  Currants  the  same  order  was  followed  ;  while 
for  one  dish  of  Strawberries  Mr.  W.  Head  led  ;  second,  no  name ;  and 
Mr.  L.  S.  Pawle  third. 
Vegetables. — For  a  collection  of  six  kinds  of  vegetables  Mr.  W. 
Smith  beat  Mr.  W.  Head.  For  a  collection  of  four  kinds  Mr.  E.  W. 
Howson  was  first,  Mr.  J.  Rayner  second,  and  Dr.  Williams  third. 
Decorative. — The  ladies’  classes,  as  we  have  said,  were  well  patronised, 
and  all  of  a  high  order  of  merit.  Some  very  skilful  arrangements  were 
staged.  Miss  M.  Holmes  took  the  premier  award  in  class  119  for  the 
fiest  decorated  dinner  table,  she  haviug  a  sweet  and  uncommon 
arrangement  of  white  Sweet  Peas  and  blue  Campanula  turbinata,  with 
tiails  of  Smilax.  Miss  Ella  Brown  was  first  for  an  arrangement  for  the 
centre  of  a  dinner  table,  and  Mrs.  G.  A.  Holmes  second. 
Miscellaneous  Exhibits. — Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  had  hybrid  Delphiniums,  displaying  more  colour  and  variety  than 
we  have  hitherto  seen.  Gladiolus,  Coreopsis,  Lychnis  chalcedonica, 
Centaureas,  &c.,  were  included.  They  also  staged  a  few  pigmy  trees. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  The  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt,  had  a  choice  exhibit 
of  hardy  cut  flowers  of  a  showy  character  for  gardens.  Galega  compacta 
alba  and  Morina  longifolia  are  two  useful  plants  in  this  direction.  Mr.  J. 
Russell  of  Richmond  staged  a  group  of  choice  shrubs,  including  the 
golden  cut-leaved  Elder,  Acers,  Arundinaria  Fortunei  variegata,  and 
Azara  miorophylla ;  beautiful  and  well  grown  Crotons  of  elegant 
proportions,  suitable  for  dinner  table  decoration ;  they  also  had  a 
number  of  Carnations,  and  two  bushy  pot  Vines.  Hardy  plants  from 
Winchmore  Hill  were  also  forward  in  considerable  quantity,  the  most 
beautiful  amongst  those  least  known  being  Statice  incana,  Gentiana 
Kesselringi,  Lychnis  atrosan  guinea,  Ostrowskia  magnifioa,  and 
Delphinium  chinensis.  He  also  staged  fruits  of  the  Loganberry. 
Messrs.  G.  &  A.  Clark,  The  Nurseries,  Dover,  sent  fresh  and  splendid 
b  inches  of  Crimson  Rambler  Rose,  Erigerons,  Carnations,  Irises, 
Delphiniums,  and  other  hardy  flowers.  Samples  of  agricultural  and 
horticultural  fertilisers  formed  an  interesting  exhibit  from  Messrs.  J.  W. 
Foster  &  Co.,  Limited,  Greenford  Green,  Harrow.  .  A  strong  display  of 
Lilies  and  other  hardy  flowers  were  well  arranged  by  Messrs.  Wallace 
and  Co.  of  Colchester.  His  varieties  of  Lilium  Thunbergianum,  Lilium 
Browni,  and  L.  auratum  Wittei  were  very  handsome. 
Wolverhampton,  July  9th,  10th,  11th. 
The  thirteenth  annual  exhibition  was  held  as  usual  in  the  charming 
and  well  kept  West  Park,  and  opened  under  the  most  auspicious  circum¬ 
stances  as  regards  the  typical  summer  weather.  The  park  itself,  than 
which  no  better  a  venue  could  be  desired  for  a  flower  show,  was  in  the 
very  pink  of  condition,  the  verdant  lawns  being  dressed  in  their  brightest 
sheen,  while  the  numerous  flower  beds  were  gay  with  their  brilliant 
treasures  in  all  their  freshest  hues.  As  already  stated  the  Dresent  show 
is  the  thirteenth  of  its  kind  in  Wolverhampton,  and  its  history  has 
been  practically  one  of  unbroken  success,  until  it  promises  to  equal  its 
earlier  rivals.  The  show  was  held  under  the  presidency  of  the  Mayor 
of  Wolverhampton  (Councillor  E.  Walton  Hatnp),  and  the  arrangements 
most  efficiently  carried  out  by  the  courteous  and  energetic  secretary 
(Mr.  W.  J.  Barnett)  and  his  efficient  committee.  Good  as  the  Wolver¬ 
hampton  shows  have  ever  proved,  it  may  safely  be  said  that  none 
have  eclipsed  if  even  equalled,  both  in  extent  and  quality  of  the 
exhibits,  that  of  the  present  one.  Every  section  of  the  show  was  well 
filled,  and  in  the  majority  of  the  classes  the  competition  was  keen. 
The  rivalry  in  the  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,  though  not 
numerically  strong,  was  characterised  by  the  great  taste  displayed, 
especially  in  the  first  and  second  prize  groups;  and,  as  usual,  the  name 
of  that  veteran  exhibitor,  Cypher,  was  to  be  observed  on  the  premier 
prize  card  attached  to  one  of  his  well-known  artistic  arrangements, 
each,  however,  differing  more  or  less  from  its  predecessors.  The  first 
prize  was  readily  accorded  to  this  exhibit,  and  the  second  honours 
fell  to  Mr.  J.  V.  Macdonald,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston, 
Birmingham,  for  a  most  creditable  composition,  little  inferior  to  that 
of  his  redoubtable  rival,  and  certainly  eolipsed  any  of  his  previous 
efforts.  The  third  position  was  accorded  to  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington, 
for  a  comparatively  heavy  arrangement,  though  rich  in  quality  of 
material.  In  the  class  for  gentlemen’s  gardeners  and  amateurs,  Mr. 
A.  Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  A.  Kenriok,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  was  placed 
first  with  a  tastefully  arranged  group;  and  Mr.  R.  Sharpe,  gardener  to 
H.  Lovatt,  Esq.,  second,  with  also  a  most  creditable  display. 
Stove  and  greenhouse  plants  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  Cypher  with 
his  usual  complement  of  monster  specimens,  and  amongst  which  such 
as  Bougainvillea  glabra,  Erica  ventricosa  Bothwelliana,  Ixora  Williamsi, 
and  Clerodendron  Balfouri  were  conspicuous,  Mr.  W.  Vause  occupying 
the  second  position  with  very  creditable  specimens.  Mr.  Finch  of 
Coventry  also  exhibited  several  well  grown  specimens.  The  competition 
in  the  various  exhibits  of  groups  and  collections  in  the  competitive 
and  non-oompetitive  classes  was  very  keen. 
The  display  of  All-England  Roses  hitherto  has  been  one  of  the  main 
features  of  the  floral  exhibits  of  the  Wolverhampton  shows,  and  on  no 
previous  occasion  have  they  been  more  numerously  represented,  nor 
more  keenly  contested  as  regards  quality,  an  additional  feature  being 
the  bunches  of  Roses  shown  with  foliage  and  buds  as  cut  from  the 
plants.  In  the  class  for  seventy-two  cut  Roses  (of  which  there  was  not 
a  single  entrant  last  year),  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons  were  adjudged 
first  honours  with  a  superb  lot,  and  in  which  a  bloom  of  their  new 
Rose,  Ben  Cant,  was  the  centre  of  attraction.  The  second  prize  was 
well  secured  by  Messrs.  A.  Diokson  &  Sons,  Belfast,  the  third  by 
Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Hitchin,  and  the  fourth  by  King’s  Acre 
Nurseries,  Hereford.  For  forty-eight  varieties,  Messrs.  Harkness  were 
to  the  fore,  closely  followed  by  Messrs.  A.  Dickson,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend 
and  Sons,  Worcester,  aud  Messrs.  B.  R  Cant.  For  eight  varieties, 
Messrs.  A.  Dickson,  B.  R.  Cant,  and  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry, 
were  placed  as  in  order  named. 
For  twelve  bunches  of  Roses  Mr.  John  Mattock,  Oxford,  was  plaoed 
first  with  a  beautifully  arranged  collection  ;  the  second  prize  to  Messrs. 
Harkness,  and  the  third  to  Messrs.  Jenner  &  Sons,  Olton.  For  twenty- 
four  varieties,  Mr.  Hugh  Dickson,  Belfast,  was  placed  first  for  a  fresh 
and  bright  lot ;  second,  Messrs.  Townsend  ;  and  third,  Messrs.  Perkins. 
For  twelve  blooms,  dark  varieties,  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant,  Messrs.  D.  &  W. 
Croll,  Dundee,  and  Mr.  J.  Townsend  were  the  respective  prizetakers. 
For  twelve  blooms,  light  varieties,  Messrs.  Perkins,  Hugh  Dickson,  and 
A.  Dickson  &  Sons  were  placed  as  named.  For  twelve  new  varieties  of 
1898,  1899,  and  1900,  first  prize  (a  gold  medal  value  £3  and  £2  cash) 
was  awarded  to  Messrs.  A.  Dickson,  the  second  to  Messrs.  Perkins,  and 
the  third  prize  to  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant.  Tea  Roses  were  finely  shown  by 
Messrs.  A.  Dickson,  John  Mattock,  D.  &  W.  Croll,  and  Townsend  &  Sons. 
Sweet  Peas  were  an  exceedingly  attractive  feature,  whioh  was 
enhanced  by  the  superb  collection  from  Wern,  presided  over  by  the 
veteran  Sweet  Pea  genius  himself  (Mr.  Henry  Eokford).  Hardy 
herbaceous  and  other  cut  fl  mere  were  magnificently  represented  both 
in  the  competitive  and  non-oompetitive  classes,  and  the  ladies’  dinner- 
table  floral  decorations  were  unusually  good. 
Fruits  were  very  well  exhibited  by  several  of  the  leading  growers, 
especially  in  collections,  and  in  whioh  latter  the  names  of  Messrs. 
Goodacre,  Bannerman,  and  Read  were  conspicuous.  Vegetables  were 
remarkably  well  shown  by  several  exhibitors,  and  a  most  attractive 
feature  was  the  extensive  and  classically  arranged  collections  of  wild 
flowers. — W.  G. 
