July  16,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
00 
Madame  Cusin,  Jean  Ducher,  and  White  Maman  Cocliet.  Frank 
Cant  was  third,  having  Mrs.  Mawley  and  Sylph  as  fair  flowers. 
The  local  classes,  which  would  be  only  of  local  interest,  were 
fairly  filled.  Nowhere  else  but  at  Diss  do  I  find  that  excellent 
arrangement  of  staging,  suggested,  I  believe,  by  Rev.  Page 
Roberts,  which  consists  in  a  sort  of  gangway  formed  by  a  couple 
of  planks  running  down  the  centre  of  the  staging  table,  and 
lifted  4in  or  5in  above  it.  All  the  Rose  boxes,  when  finally 
staged  have  their  backs  just  resting  on  these  planks,  a  plan  which 
has  the  following  advantages  ;  the  boxes  are  all  set  up  at  the 
same  angle,  which  is  a  great  convenience  to  the  judges ;  exhibi¬ 
tors  do  not  need  to  bother  with  blocks  or  flower  pots,  etc.  ;  and 
spectators  do  not  brush  against  the  blooms  or  find  themselves 
pushed  against  them  too  close  for  a  good  view. — W.  R.  Raillem. 
Wolverhampton  Gala,  July  7th,  8th.  and  9th. 
Owing  to  the  effects  of  the  high  wind  which  prevailed  all  day 
on  the  Gth,  fears  were  entertained  that  the  show  would  have  to 
be  postponed  on  the  following  day,  as  one  or  two  of  the  large 
tents  completely  collapsed.  The  judging  was  delayed,  and  the 
groups  of  plants  vrere  not  in  readiness  till  late  in  the  afternoon. 
Nevertheless,  there  was  an  immense  attendance  of  visitors.  We 
must  acknowledge  here  the  capabilities  and  exertions  of  the  ener¬ 
getic  and  courteous  secretary,  Mr.  W.  E.  Barnett, -«nd  his 
colleagues  in  having  so-  efficiently  rehabilitated  the  damaged 
structures. 
This  was  one  of  the  best  shows  yet  held  by  the  society,  a  lead¬ 
ing  feature  being  the  vast  array  of  hardy  flowers.  Rivalling  the 
foregoing  was  the  show  of  Roses,  which  was  of  a  most  gratifying 
character.  There  was  a  more  than  usually  numerous  comple¬ 
ment  of  forced  fruits,  all  of  high  quality,  excepting  the  unripe¬ 
ness  of  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes.  Another  attractive 
feature  was  Orchid  groups,  the  best,  on  the  whole,  yet  seen  here, 
and  which  attracted  a  continuous  crowd  of  visitors.  There  were 
two  collections  staged,  each  in  a  space  12ft  by  5ft,  and  the 
premier  winners,  Messrs.  J.  Cypher  and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  were 
closely  contested  by  Mr.  J.  Robson,  of  Altrincham.  Mention 
must  also  be  made  of  the  hand  bouquets,  baskets,  and  wild 
flowers  by  amateurs  and  cottagers,  ladies  and  children. 
Plants:  Open  Classes. 
For  the  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect  there  were  but 
three  contestants,  and,  as  formerly,  Messrs.  James  Cypher  and 
Sons,  of  Cheltenham,  were  the  recipients  of  first  honours,  with 
a  departure  materially  different  to-  the  cork-bark  bridges,  temples, 
Ac.,  that  of  recent  years  characterised  their  groups.  Instead, 
they  simply  erected  a  pyramidal  shaped  centrepiece  of  plants, 
surmounted  by  a  large  and  massive  Palm,  in  a  space  not  to  exceed 
three  hundred  and  fifty  square  feet.  In  the  estimation  of  many, 
it  afforded  a  pleasing  and  welcome  change.  The  .second  irrize 
was  awarded  to  a  new  comer,  Messrs.  Artindale,  of  Sheffield,  who 
proved  tO'  be  a  worthy  contestant ;  and  the  third  position  was 
credited  to  Mr.  J.  Vause,  Leamington. 
Considerable  interest  was  taken  in  the  new  class  for  groups, 
namely :  (1)  A  display  of  plants  or  floral  arrangements,  or  both 
combined ;  (2)  fruit  or  vegetables,  or  both  permitted,  staged  in 
a  space  not  tO'  exceed  two  hundred  square  feet.  First  prize,  a 
silver  cup,  value  £5  5s.,  and  cash  £20;  second  prize,  £10;  third, 
£5.  It  brought  forth  three  contestants,  and  their  exhibits  each 
occupied  40ft  by  5ft  of  tabling.  The  judges  were  evidently  con¬ 
siderably  exercised  in  coming  to  a  decision,  but  eventually 
awarded  the  coveted  blue-ribbon  to  Mr.  J.  E.  Knight,  nursery¬ 
man,  Wolverhampton,  with  an  effective  combination  of  masses  of 
Lilv  of  the  Valley  in  pots  as  one  of  the  principal  features,  also 
with  a  Lilium  Harrisi  and  auratum.  Ivy-leaf  Pelargonium,  and 
various  other  subjects,  with  a  backing  of  Bamboo,  and  an  ele¬ 
gantly  arranged  fringe  of  drooping  plants  overhanging  the  green 
baize  stage  covering.  The  second  prize  was  accorded  Mr.  J.  V. 
Macdonald,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  Bir¬ 
mingham,  who  elected  to  try  conclusions  in  this  class  instead  of 
his  usual  conte.st  in  the  original  class  already  indicated.  His 
wealth  of  Orchids,  grand  Codiaeums  (Crotons),  and  other  fine- 
foliage  plants  ought  to  have  won  the  leading  position;  but  having 
adopted  his  of  late  years  system  of  arrangement,  as  in  the  old 
large  grouping,  it  lacked  effect  from  a  point  of  view  a  few  feet 
distant,  with  also  a  meagreness  in  the  frontal  edging.  .  The  third 
prize  fell  to  Mr.  George  Hancock,  West  Bromwich,  for  a  credit¬ 
able  arrangement. 
For  six  exotic  Ferns,  Mr.  Macdonald  won  the  first  prize  with 
excellent  large  specimens;  second,  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to 
J.  A.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston;  and  third,  to  Mr.  H.  Blakeway, 
gardener  to  Sir  A.  Muntz,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Rugby. 
There  was  a  spirited  conte.st  in  the  class  for  a  collection  of 
floAvering  plants  in  Oft  by  5ft.  There  were  .some  half-dozen 
groups,  and  the  first  prize  deservedly  fell  to^  Mr.  R.  Sharpe, 
gardener  to  H.  Lovatt,  E.sq.,  Northampton,  for  a  splendid  a.ssort- 
ment  of  Cannas,  being  uniformly  avoH  flowered  on  dwarf  and 
healthy  foliaged  plants ;  the  second  prize  was  accorded  to  Mr. 
Robson,  Altrincham,  for  a  superb  lot  of  Carnation  Princess  of 
Wales;  and  the  third,  to  Mr.  J.  Dick, son,  gardener  to  S.  T. 
Mander,  Esq.,  WightAvick  Manor,  Wolverhampton,  for  a  fine  lot 
of  Ci’assula  cocoinea. 
In  the  class  for  sixteen  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  (Orchids 
excluded),  the  Messrs.  Cypher,  as  usual,  Avere  to  the  fore  with 
some  of  their  huge  specimens,  the  names  of  which  being  so 
familiar  to  the  readers  of  the  Journal  it  Avould  be  supererogatory 
to  again  inention  them.  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington,  the  only 
other  exhibitor,  Avas  placed  second.  In  the  class  for  tAvelve  plants 
(Orchids  excluded),  the  foregoing  contestants  Avero  similarly 
placed.  For  twenty  plants,  in  pots  not  to  exceed  Sin,  at  least 
eight  to  be  in  bloom,  Dlessrs.  Cypher  Avon  the  fir.st  prize. 
Roses. 
In  the  class  for  seventy-tAvo  blooms  there  were  four  com¬ 
petitors  (first  prize  £20),  and  Messrs.  R.  Harkness  and  Co., 
Hitchin,  distinguished  themsehms  by  securing  the  lead.  The 
collections  contained  .‘•everal  fine  blooms,  both  of  the  noAver  and 
older  A’arieties.  The  .‘■ame  remarks  also  apply  to  Messrs.  B.  R. 
Cant  and  Sons,  Colche.ster,  Avho  Avere  a.  close  second;  the  third 
prize  fell  to  Messrs.  Prior  and  Son,  and  the  fourth  to  King’s  Acre 
Nurseries  Limited,  Hereford. 
There  Avere  seven  exhibits  in  the  class  for  forty-eight  blooms, 
Messrs.  Harkness  again  coming  off  victorious  Avith  very  good 
examples;  closely  folloAvod  by  Mr.  G.  Mount,  of  Canterbury; 
Avhilst  Ben  Cant  and  Prior  and  Son  Avere  respectively  third  and 
fourth. 
For  eight  distinct  varieties,  three  blooms  of  each,  there  Avere 
nine  entrants.  Mr.  G.  MoAint  Avas  easily  first  Avith  a  beautiful 
exhibit  of  Caroline  Testouf,  Bessie  BroAvn,  Mrs.  John  Laing, 
Ulrich  Brunner,  Mildred  Grant,  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant  amongst 
his  best ;  second,  the  King’s  Acre  Nurseries,  Avith  excellent 
blooms  of  A.  K.  Williams,  Bessie  BroAvn,  Lady  Mary  FitzAvilliam, 
Marie  Baumann,  Caroline  Te.stout,  K.  A.  Victoria,  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  and  Marquise  Litta.  The  third  and  fourth  prizes  Avent 
respectiAmly  to  Messrs.  Harkness  and  Messrs.  Dickson  and  Son, 
NeAvtoAvnards,  Belfast. 
In  the  class  for  tAvelve  bunches  of  Roses  (first  prize  £5)  there 
existed  some  ambiguity,  inasmuch  as  the  first  prize  contestant 
(Mr.  G.  Mount)  had  seven  fine  blooms  of  a  dull  red  Hybrid  Per¬ 
petual  unnamed  variety,  divested  of  the  buds,  Avhich  created  con¬ 
siderable  comment,  as  being  against  the  rules.  Mr.  G.  Prince, 
of  Farringdon,  Berks,  Avas  accorded  second  for  huge  bunehes  of 
Tea  and  decorative  Roses  Avith  the  buds  as  cut;  third,  the  King’s 
Acre  Nurseries,  Avith  foAver  blooms. 
In  the  class  for  tAvelve  Roses,  neAv  varieties  of  1900,  1901,  and 
1902  (first  prize  gold  medal,  value  £3.  and  cash  £2),  Messrs.  B.  R. 
Cant  and  Sons  Avere  first  Avith  Robert  Scott,  Lady  Moyra  Beau- 
clerc,  Mildred  Grant,  Apothekar  G.  Hofer,  Alice  Lindsell, 
Gladys  Harkness,  Frau  Peter  Lambert,  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
Madame  Jean  Dupuy,  Edmond  Deshayes,  and  Prinoe  de  Bulgarie. 
The  second  prize  fell  to  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  and  Sons;  and  third, 
to  Messrs.  Perkins  and  Sons,  Coventry.  The  latter  did  not 
exhibit  in  any  other  class  OAving  to  the  lateness  of  the  season. 
For  tAventy-four  distinct  varieties  (for  exhibitors  not  shoAving 
in  the  class  of  .seventy-tAvo  varieties)  the  first  prize  fell  to  Mr. 
G.  Mount",  second  Messrs.  L.  ToAvnsend  and  Sons,  Worcester; 
third,  Mr.  G.  Prince,  Longworth,  Berks.  For  nine  distinct  varie¬ 
ties  of  T.’s  and  N.’s,  seven  blooms  of  each,  in  vases,  Mr.  G. 
Prince  Avas  placed  first ;  second  Messrs.  Prior  and  Son  ;  third 
G.  Mount.  In  the  classes  for  tAvelve  blooms,  one  Amriety,  there 
Avere  fourteen  exhibits,  forming,  as  they  collectively  did,  an 
attractive  feature.  For  a  box  of  light  coloured  Roses  G.  Mount 
led  Avith  Mildred  Grant;  second,  Messrs.  ToAvnsend  and  Son, 
Avith  Bessie  BroAvn ;  and  third,  the  King’s  Acre  Nursery,  Avith 
the  same.  For  tAvelve  blooms  of  Tea  Roses  G.  Prince  Avon  the 
first  prize  ;  King’s  Acre  Nursery  second ;  and  Messrs.  ToAvnsend 
and  Son  third  prize.  There  Avere  one  or  tAvo  other  classes  for 
Roses,  such  as  boAvls  of  blooms,  SAA’eet  Briars,  &c.,  all  more  or 
less  meritorious. 
SAveet  Peas  Avere  shoAvn  in  excellent  form  both  as  regards 
quality  and  the  arrangement  generally.  For  an  arrangement  for 
effect.  Messrs.  Jones  and  Sons,  ShrcAvsbury,  Avere  the  only  exhibi¬ 
tors.  but  Avell  deseiwed  the  first  prize.  For  eighteen  varieties, 
Mr.  E.  Amies,  Stafford,  won  Avith  a  capital  arrangement  of  fine 
and  clean  blooms  of  the  leading  varieties.  The  second  prize  Avent 
to  Mr.  R.  Piazzani,  Ryton,  near  Sheffield;  third,  Messrs.  Jar¬ 
man  and  Co.,  Chard.  Mr.  Bastin  Avas  aAvarded  an  honorary 
prize  for  a  collection  of  SAveet  Peas  in  pots  and  trained  to  tall 
stakes.  This  system  no  doubt  ansAvers  Avell  for  an  early  crop 
under  glass,  but  the  someAvhat  straggling  groAvth  does  not  alto¬ 
gether  commend  itself  in  the  exhibition  tent.  There  was  a  keen 
competition  for  the  prizes  offered  by  Mr.  Henry  Eckford  and 
Mr.  Robert  Sydenham. 
Pansies  and  Violas  formed  an  attractive  feature,  and  Mr. 
F.  C.  Brookes,  gardener  to  Councillor  W.  Waters,  Acock's  Green, 
Avas  aAvarded  the  first  prize  for  a  most  tastefully  arranged  dis¬ 
play  of  Violas;  the  second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  W.  Pemberton,  Wal¬ 
sall,  and  the  third  to  Messrs.  Harkness  and  Son. 
Hand  bouquets  Avere  not  so  numerously  shoAvn  as  on  some 
former  occasions,  the  chief  exhibitors  being  Messrs.  Perkins,  of 
CoA'cntry,  Avith  examples  of  their  most  artistic  combinations. 
