172 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
August  22,  1901. 
Shrewsbury  Show, 
To  those  of  ihe  readers  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  who  may  not 
have  had  the  opportunity  of  visiting  what  has  become  an  event  of 
almost  national  interest,  to  wit,  the  magnificent  shows  of  the  Shropshire 
Horticultural  Society,  also  to  those  visitors  to  The  Quarry  who  have 
not  at  the  same  time  found  leisure  to  explore  the  “  metropolis  of  the 
west,”  nor  are  possessed  of  a  knowledge  of  its  buildings  and  other  looal 
associations,  it  may  prove  interesting  as  the  concomitant  of  a  brief 
history  of  the  Horticultural  Society  to  prefix  a  description  of  the 
historical  aspects  of  the  town. 
Shrewsbury. 
The  town  of  Shrewsbury  is  picturesquely  situated  upon  a  rising 
ground,  and  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  the  Severn,  the  isthmus 
being  only  300  yards  wide.  Shrewsbury  derives  its  name  from 
Scrobbesbyrig  (wooded  hill),  which  was  given  to  the  old  British  town 
on  this  site.  The  ancient  castle,  which  stands  upon  an  eminence 
immediately  above  the  railway  station  (“  builte  in  such  a  brave  plott 
that  it  could  have  espyed  a  byrd  flying  in  every  streete  ”)  is  now 
inhabited,  but  strangers  are  allowed  to  visit  the  grounds  as  far  as  the 
Watch  Tower,  from  which  a  fine  view  of  the  Severn  and  surrounding 
country  is  obtained.  It  owes  its  erection  to  Roger  de  Montgomery, 
Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  who  also  founded  the  Abbey,  and  surrounded  the 
town  by  a  wall,  few  traces  of  which  remain.  Here  was  the  old  battle 
ground  between  the  English  and  Welsh,  and  Edward  I.  and  Richard  II. 
held  their  Parliament  in  Shrewsbury.  Near  to  the  castle,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street,  are  the  buildings  of  the  old  Shrewsbury 
School,  founded  and  endowed  by  Edward  VI.,  and  enlarged  by  Queen 
Elizabeth.  Here  Sir  Philip  Sydney,  Fulke  Greville,  Wycherley  the 
poet,  Judge  Jefferevs,  and  Charles  Darwin  were  educated.  The 
buildings  are  now  devoted  to  the  Free  Library  and  Museum,  in  which 
many  Roman  antiquities,  brought  from  Wroxeter,  are  preserved.  A 
little  beyond  the  library  is  a  confectionery  establishment,  where 
Pailen’s  “  Shrewsbury  cakes,”  so  warmly  commended  in  the  “Ingoldsby 
Legends,”  may  still  be  had.  Proceeding  through  its  narrow  streets, 
with  its  wealth  of  black  and  white,  half-timbered,  picturesque  houses, 
we  come  to  St.  Mary’s  Church.  Continuing  eastward,  we  descend  the 
Wyle  Cop,  and  soon  reach  the  English  bridge  crossing  the  Severn, 
built  on  the  site  of  the  old  bridge.  The  Wyle  Cop  is  reminiscent  of  the 
kops  and  kopjes  of  the  Boer  war,  it  having  a  similar  signification, 
and  when  Shrewsbury  was  a  fortified  town  the  Wyle  Cop  proved  a 
formidable  stronghold  in  connection  with  the  castle.  The  Holy  Cross 
and  the  Abbey  Church,  coeval  with  the  castle,  are  also  objects  of  great 
antiquarian  interest.  The  only  relic  of  monastic  buildings  is  the  fine 
stone  pulpit  (Early  English)  of  the  refectory,  which  will  be  found  in 
the  yard  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road.  The  refectory  stood  south 
of  the  church,  and  was  celebrated  as  the  place  of  assembly  of  the  first 
English  Parliament  in  1283. 
At  the  top  of  the  Abbey  Forgate  is  Lord  Hill’s  Monument,  134  feet 
high,  said  to  be  tbe  largest  Grecian-Doric  column  in  the  world.  It  is 
surmounted  by  a  colossal  statue  of  the  hero,  who  fought  at  Waterloo. 
On  ascending  the  monument,  there  is  a  magnificent  view  of  the  sur¬ 
rounding  country.  Returning  to  the  town,  we  follow  the  line  of  the 
town  walls,  passing  the  Murivance  Towsr,  the  only  one  left  of  the 
twenty  similar  fortifications  which  once  defended  the  town.  Proceed¬ 
ing  onwards,  we  come  to  St.  Chad’s  Chmcb,  a  large  circular  structure, 
opposite  which  is  the  famous  Quarry,  with  its  magnificent  avenues  of 
Limes  along  the  banks  of  the  Severn,  and  which,  it  is  needless  to 
remark,  has  been  rendered  additionally  interesting  and  historical  by 
the  grand  horticultural  exhibitions  held  in  its  spacious  grounds.  At  the 
foot  of  the  main  avenue,  planted  iu  1719,  is  the  Hercules  Statue.  It 
was  a  little  beyond  here,  at  The  Mount,  that  Charles  Darwin  was  born 
in  1809.  Returning  to  the  town,  with  its  several  hotels  and  inns, 
amongst  which,  in  particular,  mention  may  be  made  of  the  famous 
hotel,  The  Raven,  where  Farquhar  wrote  “  The  Recruiting  Officer,” 
and  which,  also,  is  generally  the  rendezvous  of  the  show  judges  and 
others  interested  in  the  great  horticultural  fetes. 
Rise  of  Shrewsbury  Show. 
“  From  small  beginnings  spring  great  things,”  and  never  from  a 
horticultural  point  of  view  has  this  been  more  strongly  exemplified  than 
in  the  history  of  this  society,  commencing,  as  it  did,  some  twenty-six 
years  ago  in  a  comparatively  humble  fashion  uuder  the  auspices  of  the 
present  twain  doyens  of  experienced  hon.  secretaries,  Messrs.  Adnitt  and 
Naunton,  with  the  late  Mr.  Pritchard,  nursery  and  seedsman  of 
Shrewsbury,  as  chairman,  each  guaranteeing  £20  as  a  nucleus  fund, 
and  an  additional  number  of  twenty  members,  each  guaranteeing 
£18,  this  last,  however,  being  eventually  reduced  to  £10  each. 
The  Quarry  was  the  site  selected  for  the  Society’s  first  show.  This 
was  contained  in  one  moderate  sized  marquee  erected  in  close 
proximity  to  the  picturesque  dingle,  formerly  a  gravel  pit.  The 
enterprising  promoters  were  more  than  justified  in  their  anticipations, 
when  it  is  stated  that  upwards  of  £400  was  realised  after  all  expenses 
were  paid,  consequently  encouraging  the  committee  to  hold  the  succeed¬ 
ing  annual  on  a  much  more  extended  scale.  This  has  continued  to 
increase  by  degrees  up  to  the  present  time,  so  that  the  infant  has  now 
grown  into  a  giant  of  unique  stature.  The  gross  receipts  for  twenty-six 
exhibitions  reaoh  the  prodigious  sum  of  £69,838,  of  which'£6295jhas> 
been  expended  in  donations  for  improving  and  beautifying' the  Quarry 
and  other  local  institutions,  in  aiding  the  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution,  and  in  honouring  Shrewsbury’s  distinguished  scientist,  the 
late  Charles  Darwin;  a  sum  of  £1086  having  been  appropriated  for  the 
erection  of  the  fine  bronze  statue  of  him  in  front  of  the  Royal  Free 
Grammar  School. 
Report  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Show. 
The  twenty-seventh  great  annual  floral  fete  of  the  Shropshire 
Horticultural  Society  was  held  in  The  Quarry  grounds  at  Shrewsbury 
on  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  August  21st  and  22nd  this  week.  The 
first  day  was  a  very  hot  one,  and  multitudes  of  people  thronged  to  the 
show  and  the  numerous  other  attractions.  As  usual  the  hon.  secretaries, 
Messrs.  Adnitt  and  Naunton,  acquitted  themselves  to  everybody’s* 
satisfaction. 
Plants. 
In  the  class  for  twenty  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  not  less  than 
twelve  in  bloom,  Mr.  J.  Cypher  proved  unassailable,  his  plants  being 
perfect.  It  is  difficult  to  say  which  was  best  of  all,  but  probably  the 
fine  speoimen  of  Erica  Marnockiana  deserved  that  honour.  It  was  a 
superb  plant  in  every  way,  excellently  grown,  and  most  profusely 
flowered,  the  flowers  of  that  bright  rich  tint  so  much  admired  in  this' 
species.  Phcenoooma  prolifera  Barnesi  was  rather  small,  but  fresh  and 
excellently  flowered.  Erica  Irbyana  and  two  plants  of  E.  Aitoniana 
were  splendid  examples,  as  was  Rondeletia  speciosa  major; 
Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  Clerodendron  Balfouri,  Statice  intermedia, 
two  plants  of  Stephanotis  floribunda,  Erica  Ewerana,  and  a  superb 
Allamanda  nobilis  completed  the  flowering  seotion,  the  number 
being  made  up  with  Kentias  Belmoreana  and  australis,  and  superbly 
coloured  large  examples  of  Croton  Queen  Victoria,  Sunset,  and 
Chelsoni.  It  was  altogether  a  grand  exhibit, Jworthy  of  the  veteran 
Cheltenham  grower.  For  second  place  T.  Sutton  Timmis,  Esq.,  of 
Allerton,  Liverpool,  had  a  nioe  lot,  but  there  was  a  decided  drop 
in  the  quality  of  the  flowering  specimens.  Ixora  ooccinea  superba  (two 
examples)  were  grand  plants,  but  I.  Williamsi  was  not  snfficiently 
forward,  and  a  ‘small  plant  of  Statice  gave  the  collection  an 
uneven  look.  Allamanda  Chelsoni,  Stephanotis  floribunda,  and  a 
pair  of  Lapagerias  were  the  next  best  plants  in  flower,  and  some 
magnificent  Crotons  were  also  included.  Mr.  W.Vause  of  Leamington  was 
an  extremely  close  third,  showing  smaller,  well-flowered  specimens,  and 
some  fine  Crotons  and  Palms.  There  were  four  exhibitors  in  this  class. 
In  the  class  for  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants  in  flower  and  out, . 
Mr.  Cypher  was  again  victorious.  A  large  arch  formed  the  back¬ 
ground  of  the  group,  a  fine  Phoenix  crowning  it,  flanked  by  Cocos 
Weddeliana,  Crotons,  Ferns,  and  Caladiums.  Smaller  arches  converged 
towards  the  front,  and  these  were  somewhat  similarly  treated,  but 
with  smaller  plants.  A  mound  in  front  topped  by  a  feathery 
Bamboo,  with  the  Butteifly  Orchid  Oncidium  Kramerianum  peeping  out 
in  very  natural  poise  from  the  branches,  was  exquisite  in  conception,  and 
beautifully  carried  out.  Under  the  centre  arch  was  a  fine  specimen  of 
Croton  Warreni,  and  the  centre  of  the  group  was  charmingly  arranged 
with  Francoa  ramosa,  Lilium  speciosum  album,  Caladiums,  and  many 
choice  Orchids.  G.  H.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  of  Edgbaston  (gardener,  Mr. 
Macdonald),  run  the  Cheltenham  grower  very  olose  fir  seoond  place. 
In  this  group  the  sides  or  springing  of  the  central  arch  were  treated 
with  the  brilliant  Fuchsia  triphylla  in  a  very  elegant  and  telling 
manner.  A  series  of  mounds  completed  the  front,  Bamboos,  Crotons, 
and  Cocos  Weddeliana  being  used  with  excellent  effect.  The  pretty  old 
Oncidium  flexuosum  was  charmingly  interspersed  with  the  Moth 
Orchid  and  Cattleya  gigas  in  tbe  central  front  mound,  Ixoras,  Gloxinias, 
and  a  very  bright  scarlet  Bromeliad  being  included  in  front.  Mr.  W. 
Finch  of  Coventry  was  third  with  a  bold  and  striking  but  rather  heavy 
group.  In  the  centre  a  large  mound  topped  with  a  Phoenix  and  flanked 
with  various  flowering  and  foliage  plants  was  used,  Croton  Warrebi, 
Dracaena  Lindeni,  and  Ccccs  Weddeliana  being  the  principal  plants 
used  outside.  Some  very  fine  flowering  plants  and  Orchids  was  a 
feature  of  this  very  striking  and  handsome  group. 
G.  H.  Turner,  Esq.,  Lii.tleover,  Derby,  was  first  for  the  group  of 
foliage  plants.  Quite  a  novel  and  striking  idea  was  oarried  out  here, 
tall  pillar-like  plants  of  Crotons,  Bamboos,  Abutilons,  and  Acalyphas 
rising  from  a  groundwork  of  coloured  Caladiums,  Mosses,  and  other 
small  plants.  Eulalia  japonica,  Asplenium  nidus-avis,  Palms,  and 
Bamboos  formed  the  background  of  this  group,  which  in  effect  was  as 
simple  as  it  was  striking  and  beautiful.  It  was  quite  refreshing.  In 
this  class  Mr.  Cypher  had  to  take  second  place,  his  group  being  similar 
in  outline  to  his  first  prize  one  in  the  flowering  group.  It  was  a  very 
beautiful  group,  but  somewhat  tame  and  flat  in  outline,  otherwise  the 
plants  used  in  the  group  were  faultless,  while  the  grouping  was  tasteful, 
and  left  little  to  be  desired.  For  a  single  specimen  stove  or  greenhouse 
plant  Mr.  J.  Cypher  won  rather  easily  with  Erica  Marnockiana.  Mr. 
Vause  of  Leamington  was  second  with  the  same  species. 
For  six  Dracaenas,  Lord  Harlech,  Brogyntyn,  Oswestry,  was  first, 
showing  large  and  moderately  coloured  specimens.  Capt.  L.  H.  Butler 
of  Shotton  Hall,  Shrewsbury,  was  second  with  fine  but  uneven  plants, 
the  third  prize  going  to  Mrs.  Darbey  of  Adoote  Hall  for  small  plants. 
Mr.  A.  Myers,  Sutton  Lane  Nurseries,  was  well  first  in  the  class  for  six 
double  Geraniums,  his  specimens  being  very  even,  fresh,  and  well 
flowered.  R.  Taylor,  Esq.,  of  Foregate  was  seoond,  his  specimene 
being  rather  looser  and  coarser;  Mr.  Jas.  Tarrant  was  third. 
