58 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  17,  1902. 
Societies. 
Wolverhampton,  July  8th,  9th,  and  10  h. 
Typical  King’s  weather  characterised  the  opening  day  of 
this  popular  Midland  horticultural  exhibition,  and  since  its 
inception,  fourteen  years  ago,  its  popularity  has  Increased,  with 
also  a  corresponding  financial  prosperity.  The  aggregate  profits 
have  realised  a  sum  of  £6,407  5s.  Id.,  and  the  Committee  of 
Management  have  handed  to  the  Parks  and  Baths  Committee 
of  the  Corporation  about  £4,000  for  additions  and  improve¬ 
ments  at  the  East  and  West.  Parks.  The  prize  money  was 
increased  to  £800,  and  the  entries  on  the  present  occasion 
numbered  736,  a  record  number,  the  highest  previously  being  in 
1899,  when  there  were  734.  The  exhibits  were  staged  in  seven 
large  marquees,  and,  viewed  as  a  whole,  the  show  was  probably 
the  finest  ever  held  at  Wolverhampton.  It  was  held  in  con¬ 
junction  with  the  Art  and  Industrial  Exhibition.  The  public 
luncheon,  held  in  Connaught  Restaurant,  belonging  to  the 
latter,  was  presided  over  by  the  Mayor  (Councillor  Plant),  and 
the  toast  to  the  judges  was  responded  to  by  Mr.  Owen  Thomas 
and  Mr.  Richard  Dean  in  apropos  sentiments. 
The  individual  features  of  the  show  were  so  numerous  and 
meritorious  that  it  ivould  be  almost  invidious  to  particularise. 
The  exhibits,  however,  as  a  whole,  of  hardy  garden  flowers  con¬ 
tributed  by  competitors  and  the  trade  might  readily  claim  the 
•foremost  position.  The  silver  challenge  trophy,  value  £25, 
and  cash  £5,  was  won  outright  by  Mr.  J.  H.  White,  Worcester, 
with  a  magnificent  display  of  cut  flowers  and  plants.  Sweet 
Peas  formed  another  very  great  attraction,  and  more  especially 
the  splendid  collection  of  the  veteran  Mr.  Eckford.  There  was 
an  evident  marked  improvement  generally  in  the  arrangement 
of  the  Sweet  Peas  in  the  vases  and  glasses,  and  a  decided  lean¬ 
ing  towards  using  own  foliage  or  otherwise  instead  of  Maiden¬ 
hair  Fern  fronds.  Prior  mention  of  the  foregoing  subjects  does 
not  in  the  least  detract  from  the  excellence  of  the  grand  display 
of  R.oses.  Considering  the  incidence  of  the  weather,  the  quality 
of  the  Roses  on  the  whole  proved  superior  to  anticipation. 
Fruit  was  more  numerously  represented  than  usual,  except¬ 
ing,  strangely,  Strawberries,  there  being  no  exhibit  in  the 
special  competitive  class,  and  only  one  or  two  dishes  (Royal 
Sovereign)  in  the  collections  of  fruit.  The  black  Grape  section 
was  very  well  represented,  more  especially  by  the  Madresfield 
Court  variety,  notably  by  Mr.  S.  Barker,  gardener  to  the  Duke 
of  Newcastle,  Clumber  Park,  Notts,  who  had  a  pair  cf  very  fine 
bunches,  with  large  even-sized  berries  beautifully  finished,  in 
competition  for  the  prizes  for  any  black  variety.  Unfortunately, 
however,  considerable  damage  was  occasioned  to  one  of  the 
bunches  by  the  accidental  upsetting  of  the  box  during  transit, 
thus  putting  the  exhibit  “  out  of  court,”  but  the  judges  signified 
their  appreciation  of  the  evident  high  culture  by  giving  an 
extra  award.  Several  examples  of  white  Grapes  were  fairly  well 
staged  but  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria  variety — though  fine  in 
bunch  and  size  of  berry — lacked,  probably  owing  to  the  long 
absence  of  sunshine,  that  desideratum,  the  amber  colouration, 
and  in  this  respect  were  eclipsed  by  such  as  Buckland  Sweet¬ 
water.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  were  unusually  good,  both  in 
size  and  colour.  Figs  also  fine,  whilst  Melons  made  a  brave 
show. 
Vegetables  were  numerously  staged,  and  their  quality 
evoked  much  admiration  amongst  the  visitors. 
The  trade  element,  as  usual,  was  greatly  in  evidence,  .more 
especially  in  regard  to  plants  and  cut  flowers.  Messrs.  James 
Veitch,  Chelsea,  had  an  excellent  exhibit  of  their  plant 
specialities.  Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons,  Wordsley,  were  repre¬ 
sented  by  an  attractive  arrangement  of  Sweet  Peas,  Gloxinias, 
Lilium  Harrisi,  Begonias,  and  hardy  garden  flowers.  Messrs. 
Richard  Smith,  Worcester,  also  contributed  a  fine  exhibit  of 
hardy  garden  flowers,  &c.  Messrs.  Dickson  and  Co.,  Chester, 
displayed  a  good  assortment  of  hardy  flowers,  Ac.  Messrs.  J. 
Hill  and  Sons,  Lower  Edmonton,  contributed  almost  an  unique 
collection  of  exotic  Ferns,  forming  a  highly  interesting  feature 
in  the  show.  Messrs.  Jarman  and  Co.,  Chard,  displayed  a  fine 
assortment  of  Sweet  Peas,  Roses,  Begonias,  Ac.  Messrs. 
George  Jackman  and  Co.,  Woking  (who  were  new  exhibitors 
here),  had  a  new  assortment  of  Delphiniums,  Carnations,  and 
other  flowers.  Messrs.  Hinton  and  Co.,  Warwick,  a  fine  collec¬ 
tion  of  Sweet  Peas.  Mr.  John  Forbes,  Hawick,  a  superb  collec¬ 
tion  of  herbaceous  Phloxes  and  Pentstemons.  Messrs.  Dobbie 
and  Co.  sustained  their  reputation  with  a  grand  exhibit  of 
Sweet  Peas,  Violas,  and  Fancy  Pansies.  Messrs.  Blackmore 
and  Langdon,  Bath,  submitted  a  superb  collection  of  Begonias. 
Mr.  Bason,  of  Finchfield,  an  excellent  assortment  of  Sweet 
Peas.  The  Violas  of  Messrs.  Pattiso,n,  Shrewsbury,  maintained 
this  firm’s  reputation.  Hardy  garden  flowers  were  well  staged 
by  Messrs.  Hewitt,  Solihull,  Birmingham ;  whilst  such  more 
local  growers  as  Mr.  R.  Lowe,  Messrs.  Tom  B.  Dobbs,  and  Mr. 
John  E.  Knight,  all  of  Wolverhampton,  materially  contributed 
with  their  respective  exhibits  to  the  enhancement  of  this  grand 
exposition  of  horticultural  produce.  Mention  also  in  this  respect 
must  be  made  of  the  fine  group  of  Caladiums,  white  Lilies,  and 
Begonias  contributed  by  Mr.  Webster,  curator  of  the  West 
Park,  and  to  which  a  gold  medal  was  awarded.  Much  credit  is 
also  due  to  him  for  beautiful  designs  of  carpet  bedding  and 
other  bedding  arrangements,  contrasting  so  pleasingly  with  the 
floral  contributions  beneath  the  exhibition  marquees.  Much 
credit  was  due  to  Mr.  Barnett,  the  courteous  secretary,  and  his 
colleagues  for  the  efficient  arrangements  of  the  exhibition. 
The  Competitive  Exhibits. 
Commencing  with  the  schedule  of  prizes,  groups  of  plants 
arranged  for  effect  (open  to  all)  come  first,  and,  as  might  have 
been  expected,  Messrs.  Cypher  and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  were 
accorded  first  honours  for  one  of  their  well-known  artistic 
effects,  and  so  similar  have  they  of  late  years  been  in  character 
that  to  readers  of  the  Journal  a  detailed  description  here  would 
prove  a  superfluity  to  past  readers ;  sufficient  to  say  that  the 
recent  display  compared  favourably  with  some  of  their  best 
former  ones,  and  a  similar  remark  also  applies  to  that  of  Mr. 
J.  V.  Macdonald,  gardener  to  H.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston, 
and  who  has  more  than  once  closely  rivalled  his  formidable 
antagonists.  The  third  position  was  accorded  the  undaunted 
Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington  Spa,  and  whose  exhibit  lacked  com¬ 
parative  floral  colouration. 
Messrs.  Cypher,  as  usual,  were  again  to  the  fore  with  a  fine 
complement  of  sixteen  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  (first  prize 
£20),  chiefly  notable  being  huge  specimens'  of  Phoenocoma  pro¬ 
life  ra  Barnesi,  Stephanotis  floribunda  (very  fine),  Statice  inter¬ 
media,  Ixora  Williamsi,  Dracophyllum  gracile,  Erica  ventricosa 
Bothwelliania,  Ixora  regina,  Erica  Candolleana,  Statice. prof usa, 
Bougainvillea  glabra  (fine),  Codiseum  Montfontainensis, 
Codiseum  Chelsoni,  and  four  large  Palms  in  variety.  The  second 
prize  was  accorded  Mr.  W.  Vause  and  the  third  Mr.  W.  Finch, 
Coventry,  but  neither  were  up  to  their  usual  standard  of  merit. 
There  was  only  one  exhibit  in  the  class  for  a  collection  of 
Orchids,  the  second  prize  being  awarded  to  Messrs.  Cypher. 
Exotic. Ferns  were  very  well  exhibited  by  Mr.  J.  V.  Macdonald 
and  Mr.  R.  Sharpe,  gardener  to  H.  Lovatt,  Esq.,  Low  Hill, 
Bushbury,  the  prizes  falling  as  in  the  order  named. 
For  twenty  specimen  plants  in  pots  not  exceeding  8in 
Messrs:  Cypher  were  placed  first;  second,  Mr.  H.  Blakeney, 
gardener  to  the  new  baronet,  Sir  A.  Muntz,  M.P.,  Rugby;  and 
third,  Mr.  J.  V.  Macdonald. 
For  twelve  plants,  six  in  bloom,  Orchids  excluded,  Messrs. 
Cypher  and  Mr.  W.  Vause  were  the  respective  winners.  The 
winners  for  a  collection  of  Begonia  in  pots  were  Mr.  F.  Davies 
(Pershore),  Mr.  T.  G.  Baker,  and  Mr.  J.  V.  Macdonald,  all  with 
meritorious  examples. 
Roses  were  naturally  one  of  the  leading  features.  For 
seventy-two  distinct  varieties  the  coveted  honours  fell  to 
Messrs.  F.  Cant  and  Co.,  second  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  and  Sons, 
third  Messrs.  Harkness,  fourth  Messrs.  D.  Prior,  and  extra 
prize  to  the  King’s  Acre  Nurseries,  making  altogether  a  grand 
display,  and  including  many  of  the  newest  varieties  extant. 
For  forty-eight  blooms,  distinct,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  were  to 
the  fore,  and  Messrs.  Harkness,  Prior,  and  Townsend  (Wor¬ 
cester),  as  in  order  named.  For  eight  distinct  varieties  Messrs. 
B.  R.  Cant  scored  with  Frau  Karl  Druschke,  Lady  Mary 
Fitzwilliam,  A.  K.  Williams,  Gustave  Piganeau,  Mr.  John 
Laing,  Mrs.  Cocker,  Ulrich  Brunner,  and  Suzanne  Marie 
Rodocanaclii ;  second  Messrs.  F.  Cant  and  Co.,  third  Mr.  Prior, 
and  fourth  Messrs.  Harkness.  For  twelve  bunches  with  foliage 
and  buds  as  cut  from  the  plants,  any  varieties,  in  vases,  Mr. 
G.  Prince,  Messrs.  F.  Cant,  and  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  were  the 
respective  winners,  making  altogether  an  effective  display.  For 
twenty-four  distinct  varieties  by  exhibitors  not  included  in  the 
class  of  seventy-two  varieties — first  prize  £4  (including  special 
prize  of  two  guineas  offered  by  Alderman  Craddock) — Mr.  G. 
Prince,  Messrs.  Perkins  and  Sons  (Coventry),  and  Messrs. 
Townsend  (Worcester)  were  the  winners  as  in  the  order  named. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  blooms  distinctly  named  new  varieties  of 
the  last  three  years — first  prize  a  gold  medal  value  £3  and 
cash  £2 — Messrs.  B-  R.  Cant  led,  second  Messrs.  F.  Cant,  and 
third  Messrs.  Perkins.  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant’s  varieties  were 
Liberty,  Bessie  Brown,  Mamie,  Ulster,  Frau  Karl  Druschke, 
Rosslyn,  Exquisite,  Papa  Lambert,  Mrs.  Cocker,  Mrs.  Edward 
Mawley,  Duchess  of  Portland,  and  Mrs.  B.  R.  Cant. 
For  twelve  dark  Roses,  one  variety,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  won 
with  comparatively  fair  blooms  of  A.  lv.  Williams  ;  second,  Messrs. 
D.  Prior;  and  third,  Messrs.  F.  Cant,  with  the  foregoing  variety. 
For  twelve  light  Roses,  one  variety,  Messrs.  T.  Townsend,  I). 
Prior,  and  F.  Cant  were  the  respective  winners  with  Bessie 
Brown. 
For  twelve  blooms  of  Tea  Roses,  distinct,  Mr.  G.  Prince  was 
the  victor  with  Mrs.  Edward  Mawley,  ComteSSe  de  Nadaillac, 
Souv.  d’Elise  Vardon,  Bridesmaid,  Maman  Cochet,  Madame 
Cusin,  Souv.  de  S.  A.  Prince,  Mens.  Furtado,  Catherine  Mennet, 
Madame  de  Watteville,  The  Bride,  and  White  Maman  Cochet. 
