JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  23,  1900. 
Horticultural  Shows. 
Weston-super-Bfare,  August  14th. 
Ar.1/  things  considered,  this  was  one  of  the  best  exhibitions  ever 
held  in  Weston-super-Mare.  Favoured  with  beautiful  weather,  the 
attendance  of  visitors  was  good,  though  there  was  room  for  improve¬ 
ment  in  this  respect.  Messrs.  Masters  and  Moon  proved  to  be  very 
efficient  honorary  secretaries. 
There  were  five  competitors  in  the  class  for  eighteen  specimen  stove 
and  greenhouse  plants,  and  a  very  imposing  display  was  made.  Mr.  J. 
Cypher,  Cheltenham,  was  first,  having  grand  Palms  and  Crotons,  while 
the  fiowering  plants  comprised  a  remarkably  fine  Phcenocoma  prolifera 
Barnesi.  The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Finch,  Coventry  ; 
Mr.  W.  Kowland,  gardener  to  W.  Brcck,  Esq.,  Exeter,  being  third,  and 
Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington,  fourth.  Mr.  Cypher  was  the  principal 
prizewinner  in  various  other  classes  for  plants,  including  Orchids,  the 
other  exhibitors  named  taking  the  remaining  prizes.  In  the  more  local 
classes  Messrs.  W.  Brooks  &  Son,  Weston-super-Mare,  were  the  most 
successful,  showing  many  well  grown  plants,  and  they  were  also  first  in 
the  open  class  for  Ferns. 
Five  excellent  groups  were  arranged,  these  occupying  the  full  length 
of  one  large  tent.  Mr.  W.  Vause  was  first,  Mr.  W.  Finch  second,  Mr. 
Rowland  third,  and  Messrs.  Brooks  &  Son  fourth,  all  employing 
numerous  choice  plants,  and  displaying  good  taste  in  their  arrangement. 
Cut  flowers  were  scarcely  so  numerous  as  usual,  Roses  and  Dahlias 
being  most  missed.  Mr.  Treseder,  Cardiff,  had  the  best  Dahlias,  with 
Mr.  G.  Humphries,  Chippenham,  a  good  second.  Mr.  A.  A.  Walters  was 
most  successful  with  herbaceous  flowers  ;  Asters  were  particularly  good. 
Fruit  was  more  remarkable  for  quality  than  for  quantity.  Only  two 
growers  competed,  with  eight  varieties.  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  gardener  to 
Colonel  Vivian,  Rood  Ashton,  Trowbridge,  was  first  with  Alicante  and 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  beautifully  coloured,  a  handsome  Frog- 
more  Seedling  Melon,  Walburton  Admirable  Peaches,  Pineapple 
Nectarines,  Governor  Wood  Cherries,  Moorpark  Apricots,  and  Doyenne 
d’Ete  Pears,  all  in  good  condition.  Mr.  J.  Lloyd,  gardener  to  Vincent 
Stuckey,  Esq.,  Hill  House,  Langport,  was  a  creditable  second.  For 
four  dishes  Mr.  S.  Ridley,  Wellington,  was  easily  first,  showing 
excellent  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  Royal  Sovereign  Melon,  Dr.  Hogg 
Peaches,  and  Pineapple  Nectarines.  Mr.  F.  J.  Read,  gardener  to 
F.  J.  C.  Parsons,  Esq.,  Bridgwater,  was  second.  The  Grape  classes 
were  all  well  filled,  and  in  every  instance  the  winning  bunches  were 
fairly  large  in  bunch  and  berry,  also  admirably  coloured.  For  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  Mr.  Strugnell  was  first;  and  Mr.  R.  Masson,  gardener  to 
the  Rev.  A.  J.  Burr,  second.  For  any  other  white  Mr.  G.  Sutton, 
gardener  to  W.  A.  Todd,  Esq.,  was  first ;  and  Mr.  R.  Masson  second, 
both  showing  Buckland  Sweetwater.  Mr.  S.  Ridley  had  the  best  Black 
Hamburgh ;  second,  Mr.  G.  Sutton.  In  the  any  other  black  class  Mr. 
W.  Daffurn,  Weston-super-Mare,  was  first,  showing  Madresfield  Court; 
second,  Mr.  J.  Lloyd  with  the  same  variety.  Mr.  G.  Lock,  Crediton, 
was  first,  and  Mr.  Lloyd  second  with  a  Pine  Apple.  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
and  hardy  fruit  generally  were  good,  but  the  Melons  were  'somewhat 
inferior.  There  was  a  fine  show  of  vegetables. 
Tauijton,  Angust  16th. 
Many  grand  shows  have  been  held  at  Taunton,  but  it  is  doubtful  if 
any  have  equalled  that  under  notice,  and  those  competent  to  express 
an  opinion  agreed  unanimously  that  finer  displays  of  plants  have  not 
been  seen,  or  are  likely  to  be  met  with  elsewhere  this  season.  Mr.  J.  8. 
Winsor  is  the  secretary,  this  gentleman  carryirg  out  his  duties  in  a 
most  praiseworthy  manner. 
The  large  tent  devoted  to  open  to  all  exhibits  was  a  splendid  sight, 
the  whole  of  one  side  being  occupied  by  trained  stove  and  greenhouse 
flowering  plants,  the  opposite  side  being  taken  up  by  fine-foliaged 
plants,  tall  Palms  forming  a  handsome  background  for  the  flowering 
plants  alluded  to.  As  usual  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  Cheltenham,  was  well  to 
the  fore,  taking  first  prizes  in  every  class  he  competed  in.  Par- 
ticularly  fine  were  his  specimen  Ericas,  Phoenocomas,  Statices,  and 
Bougainvilleas,  and  the  noble  Rentias,  Latanias,  and  other  Palms. 
Mr.  W.  Finch,  Coventry,  was  second  for  both  twelve  fiowering  and 
twelve  foliage  plants.  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington ;  and  Mr.  W.  Rowland, 
gardener  to  W.  Brock,  Esq.,  Exeter,  gained  the  remaining  prizes.  The 
competition  in  the  other  plant  classes  was  equally  good,  Mr.  W.  Thomas, 
gardener  to  Wilfred  Marshall,  Esq. ;  Mr.  8.  Dight,  gardener  to  the  Rev. 
D.  J.  Pring ;  Mr.  E.  Merritt,  gardener  to  H.  8.  Baily,  Esq. ;  Mr.  A.  J. 
Spiller  ;  Mr.  C.  Cooper,  gardener  to  W.  Macadam  Smith,  Esq. ;  and  Mr. 
W.  Hayward,  gardener  to  Miss  Neal,  being  among  the  local  competitors 
who  distinguished  themselves. 
Another  large  tent  was  filled  with  pot  plants  grown  by  amateurs  or 
their  gardeners.  Among  the  many  shown  not  a  few  would  have  gained 
prizes  in  the  open  to  all  classes.  Particularly  good  were  the  twelve 
specimens  which  gained  Mr.  W.  Thomas  the  first  prize.  Mr.  W. 
Rowland  was  a  good  second.  Mr.  Thomas  was  easily  first  for  six 
.flowering  plants,  showing  admirably  flowered  specimens  of  Ataccia 
cristata,  Pancratium  fragrans,  Anthurium  8cherzerianum,  Epidendrum 
prismatocarpum,  Dipladenia  Brearleyana,  and  Bougainvillea  glabra.  Mr. 
W,  Rowland  was  second.  The  first  prize  for  four  plants  also  went  to 
Mr.  Thomas,  Mr.  8.  Ridley,  gardener  to  W.  A.  8anfoid,  Esq.,. 
Wellington,  taking  second  prize  with  very  creditable  specimens.  Mr. 
E.  Merrett  was  the  most  successful  with  Ferns,  and  Mr.  Rowland  with 
fine-foliaged  plants.  Numerous  other  classes  were  provided  for  pot 
jilants,  the  most  successful  exhibitors  being  Messrs.  Thomas,  Rowland, 
Dight,  Spiller,  Cooper,  Harman,  Moggeridge,  J.  Stuckey,  and  C.  Parsons. 
Groups  arranged  for  effect  had  a  fairly  large  tent  devoted  to  them- 
Mr.  W.  Finch  was  well  first  in  the  open  to  all  class  with  a  light  and 
tasteful  arrangement,  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  W.  Vause,  and 
the  third  to  Mr.  Rowland.  The  last  named  was  first  for  a  smaller 
group,  and  Mr.  Merrett  second. 
Cut  flowers  were  extensively  shown,  and  the  quality  throughout 
was  very  good.  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester,  were  first 
for  thirty-six  varieties  of  Roses,  and  Mr.  A.  A.  Walters,  Bith,  second, 
the  same  positions  being  held  by  these  exhibitors  with  eighteen 
varieties.  The  best  Show,  Cactus,  and  Pompon  Dahlias  were  shown 
by  Messrs.  J.  Cray  &  Sons,  Frome,  the  second  prizes  going  to  Mr. 
W.  B.  Smale,  Torquay,  and  Mr.  W.  Cording,  gardener  to  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Brancker,  Corfe.  Mr.  S.  Dobree,  Wellington,  was  most  suc¬ 
cessful  with  Gladioli,  and  the  best  herbaceous  flowers  oime  from  Mr. 
A.  A.  Walters,  Bath.  Mr.  Thomas  was  the  principal  prizewinner 
with  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers,  also  taking  prizes  for  Begonia 
blooms.  The  tent  devoted  to  table  decorations,  vases  and  bouquets 
was  well  filled. 
In  the  fruit  tent  there  was  a  great  falling  off  in  the  number  of 
exhibits,  this  being  especially  noticeable  in  the  Grape  classes.  For  a 
collection  of  eight  dishes  Mr.  J.  Lloyd,  gardener  to  Vincent  Stuckey, 
Esq  ,  Langport,  was  first,  showing  well-ripened  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
and  Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  Taunton  Hero  Melon,  Hale’s  Early 
Peach,  Pineapple  Nectarine,  Morello  Cherries,  Astrachan  Apples,  and 
Jargonelle  Pears.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  S.  Ridley.  Mr.  T. 
Wilkins,  gardener  to  Lady  Ivor  Guest,  Henstridge,  was  third.  For  four 
dishes  the  Frome  Flower  and  Fruit  Co.  were  first ;  Mr.  Lloyd  second, 
and  Mr.  S.  Ridley  third.  Mr.  G.  Sutton  was  first  and  Mr.  Lloyd  second 
for  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes.  Mr.  C.  Cooper  was  first  and  Mr.  Lloyd 
second  in  the  any  other  black  class,  both  showing  Madresfield  Court, 
while  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Lloyd  were  most  successful  in  the  other  Grape 
classes.  Melons  were  fairly  numerous  and  good.  General  Emerson  was 
first,  and  Mr.  G.  J.  Barnes  second.  There  was  fairly  good  competition 
with  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  various  other  fruits.  Vegetables  were  also 
less  numerous  than  usual  in  the  professional  gardeners’  tent,  but  were 
plentiful  and  of  remarkably  good  quality  as  shown  by  cottagers. 
Trade  exhibits  were  extensive  and  attractive.  Noteworthy  among 
these  was  a  fine  group  of  pot  plants,  cut  blooms  of  hardy  flowers,  and 
several  of  the  newer  Water  Lilies  by  Messrs.  R.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Exeter. 
Messrs.  Relway  &  Sons  had  a  grand  display  of  Gladioli  and  other  hardy 
flowers  for  which  they  are  reputed.  Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.  made  one 
of  their  characteristic  displays,  and  Mr.  J.  H.  White,  Worcester,  had 
an  imposing  exhibit  of  herbaceous  flowers. 
Trowbridge,  Angnst 
The  fifty-first  annual  exhibition  was  held  on  the  above  date  under 
(he  most  favourable  conditions  as  regards  weather,  in  what  is  known  as 
the  Flower  Show  Field,  which,  through  the  munificence  of  the  late 
president,  is  now  the  property  of  the  society.  Everything  connected 
with  the  show  is  carried  out  with  mathematical  precision,  excepting 
I  hat  of  marking  out  the  spaces  for  the  varied  classes. 
Specimen  flowering  plants  and  towering  pyramidal  Fuchsias  are  the 
great  pride  of  Trowbridge,  the  latter  having  a  fame  extending  far 
beyond  the  neighbourhood.  In  these  the  veteran  Mr.  George  Tucker 
still  remains  invincible.  Two  classes  only  are  provided — namely,  six 
distinct  and  four  varieties,  both  of  which  were  secured  by  Mr.  Tucker. 
Mr.  Chislett,  gardener  to  E.  T.  D.  Foxcroft,  Esq.,  was  a  good  second,  and 
Mr.  Pocock,  Hilperton,  third,  in  both  instances.  Mr.  Mathews,  gard^er 
I  o  Sir  Roger  Brown,  Trowbridge,  staged  the  best  nine  specimen  flowering 
plants.  Mr.  Tucker  was  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  Hallet,  Bath,  third. 
For  six  and  three  plants  Mr.  Tucker  won,  also  for  a  single  specimen. 
Mr.  Mathews  followed  in  each  class  with  scarcely  less  inferior  specimens. 
The  latter  staged  well  in  the  class  for  nine  foliage  plants,  Messrs. 
Hallet  and  Strugnell,  gardeners  to  Colonel  Vivian,  following.  The  latter 
was  first  in  the  class  for  a  new  or  rare  plant. 
Adverse  weather  and  the  clashing  of  other  shows  had  a  marked 
effect  on  the  extent  and  quality  of  the  cuf  flower  section.  Dahlias, 
which  usually  make  a  brave  display,  occupied  but  a  small  portion  of 
tabling.  Messrs.  Cray,  of  Frome,  won  with  Cactus,  Show,  and  Pompon 
in  their  usual  good  style ;  Messrs.  Reynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Salisbury, 
following,  the  latter  being  particularly  good  in  the  newer  Cactus 
varieties.  Roses,  too,  showed  a  falling  off  from  the  same  causes.  For 
thirty. six  varieties  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester,  took  the 
lead,  and  also  for  twelve  triplets;  Messrs.  Mattcck,  Oxford;  Cooling 
and  Sons,  Bath ;  G.  Garaway  and  Hobbs,  Bristol,  winning  the  remaining 
prizes,  and  also  those  for  twenty-four  varieties  of  Tea-scented  and 
twelve  single  blooms  of  Teas.  Herbaceous  flowers,  annuals  in  bunches. 
Gladiolus,  Asters,  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers.  Sweet  Peas,  all 
contributed  their  portion  to  make  the  show  interesting  and  attractive. 
Mrs.  Woodland  easily  took  first  prize  for  a  decorated  table,  Messrs. 
E.  S.  Cole  &  Son  being  second.  The  Frome  Fruit  and  Flower  Co.  won 
with  shower  and  hand  bouquets  in  their  well-known  excellent  style. 
