172 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  20,  1903. 
Shrewsbury  Floral  FMe. 
Those  who  won  any  of  the  leading  prizes  this  year  at  this  re¬ 
nowned  annual  fete,  ithoroughlj'  deserve  what  praise  and  credit 
these  can  bring;  for  a  less  encouraging  year  is  not  within  our 
immediate  ken.  Yet  with  modern  skill  and  appliances,  culti¬ 
vators  are  able  year  after  year  to  send  of  the  best  in  all  depart¬ 
ments,  and  send  it  liberally. 
The  show,  from  general  observation,  seemed  well  up  to  the 
high  standard  of  previous  years,  and  there  was  a  great  freshness 
about  the  floral  displays,  which  were  extensive.  All  sides  of 
garden  produce  are  of  the  choicest  at  Shrewsbury,  and  the  ex¬ 
hibition  must  be  of  great  educational  value  to  gardeners  from 
all  parts  of  the  country,  though  somewhat  bewildering  to  the 
uninitiated. 
Thanks  to  the  forethought  and  the  vigilance  of  the  com¬ 
mittee  and  the  hon  secretaries,  Messrs.  Adnitt  and  Naunton, 
the  items  of  the  exhibits  were  duly  in  order,  and  caused  to  bo 
named  for  everybody’s  benefit. 
Fruit,  especially  Grapes,  was  good,  the  great  class  for  the. 
latter  exciting  the  keenest  interest  from  all  parties.  Mr.  Good- 
acre  led,  and  Messrs.  Buchanan  came  second. 
Specimen  plants  were  very  handsome  ;  Sweet  Peas  had  a  whole 
tept ;  Roses  and  Dahlias  were  in  fair  quantities.  What  our 
reporter  of  the  floral  artistic  designs  has  to  say  of  them  may  be 
taken  as  authoi’itative,  he  being  a  noted  florist. 
Vegetables  were  good  all  through,  and  the  noted  exhibitors 
of  collections  were  again  testing  their  respective  abilities  as 
cultivators  and  stagers  of  produce. 
In  concluding  these  introductory  remarks,  we  would  point 
•out  that  this  report  has  to  be  very  hurriedly  secured ;  therefore, 
if  any  exhibit  is  omitted,  we  trust  that  such  error  of  omission 
will  be  condoned  as  purely  the  result  of  exceptional  circum¬ 
stances.  The  weather  was  of  the  finest,  with  sunshine  and 
breezes,  on  Wednesday,  and  large  numbers  of  visitors  were  early 
into  the  grounds.  Many  were  from  London,  and  some  from 
FV  inburgh. 
Plants  and  Groups. 
The  specimen  plants  at  this  .show  are  alwaj's  one  of  the  lead¬ 
ing  features,  and  on  this  occasion  they  were  fully  up  to  the 
average.  The  premier  class  for  fifteen  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants,  not  less  than  ten  in  bloom,  brought  out  three  com¬ 
petitors,  forming  a  huge  show  in  themselves.  Messrs.  Cypher 
and  Sons,  Cheltenham,  proved  the  victors,  with  Kentia  Bel- 
moreana.  Bougainvillea  Cypheri,  a  superb  plant  of  Statice  inter- 
mqclia,  Ixora  Duffi,  Ericai  Marnockiana,  Stephanotis  floribunda, 
Croton  Warreni,  Croton  Sunset,  a  grand  plant  of  Phoenix 
rupicola,  Statice  profusa,  Allamanda  grandiflora,  and  Bougain¬ 
villea  Sanderiana  ;  a  superb  collection  right  through. 
Mr.  W.  VausB,  Leamington,  was  second,  with  rather  weaker 
plants,  the  Crotons  lacking  in  colour.  His  best  plants  were 
Ixora  Fraseri,  Btougainvillea  Sanderiana,  Croton  Queen  Victoria, 
and  Clerodendron  Balfouri.  Mr.  W.  Finch,  Coventry,  was 
third.  Throughout  the  show  artistic  taste  seems  to  prevail, 
except  in  this  class,  where  most  of  the  huge  specimens  were 
staged  on  a  scaffolding  of  beer-barrels,  some  having  no  less  than 
five  to  .support  them,  with  rough  deal  quartering,  and  various 
other  primitive  props,  and  this,  too,  with  art  muslin  at  a  penny 
per  yard.  Wake  up,  Shrewsbury! 
For  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  bloom  or  foliage  there 
we;;e  four  competitors.  The  first  prize  was  well  won  by  Mr.  B. 
CromAvell,  gardener  to  T.  Sutton  Timmis,  Esq.,^  Allerton,  who 
staged  a  grand  plant  of  Ixora  Duffi,  covered  with  flowers  and  in 
perfect  health,  Statice  profusa,  Stephanotis  floi’ibunda,  Lapa- 
geria  rosea  (grand),  Ixora  Williamsi,  and  Kentia  Fosteriana. 
Messrs.  Cypher  and  Sons  followed  Avith  fine  Statices  profusa  and 
intermedia,  splendidly  flowered,  and  Ixora  Pilgrimi ;  while  Mr. 
W.  V  arise  brought  up  the  rear  with  weaker  plants. 
The  groups  were  simply  splendid,  and  in  the  allotted  space 
of  300  square  feet  the  exhibitors  could  do  themsehms  justice. 
There  were  three  exhibitors,  and  all  worth  a  first  prize.  How¬ 
ever,  Mr.  WC  Finch  was  placed  first  by  the  judges,  with  a  series 
of  mounds  with  dot  plants  of  Cocos  Weddel liana,  Huniea 
elegans,  Bamboos,  and  other  foliage  plants.  The  flowering 
plants  were  chiefly  Liliums,  Pancratiuins,  Ixoras,  Orchids  in 
variety,  and  Begonia  Gloiro  de  Lorraine.  The  arrangement  was 
light  and  effective.  Messrs.  C.vpher  and  Sons  followed  closely ; 
in  fact,  most  people  disagreed  with  the  judges.  Their  arrange¬ 
ment  was  similar  to  the  former,  except  that  more  Orchids  were 
used.  The  front  of  the  group  was  a  blaze  of  colour,  artistically 
blended  and  grouped.  The  Ixoras,  too,  were  used  tastefully, 
as  were  all  the  foliage  plants.  Mr.  W.  Vause  came  third  with 
a  pretty  group,  though  less  telling  than  its  compeers. 
A  group  of  ornamental  foliage  plants  for  effect  in  a  similar 
space  was  well  represented,  there  being  four  entries,  and  a 
brave  show  they  made,  too,  Messrs.  Cypher  and  Sons  winning 
with  a  handsome  arrangement.  The  Crotons,  Aralias,  and  Ferns 
were  perfect  in  colouring,  while  the  groundwork  was  well 
arranged. 
Mr.  J.  Thompson,  Derby,  made  a  good  second,  his  Crotons 
were  well  coloured  and  nicely  displayed,  though  the  general 
effect  was  not  so  good.  Mr.  J.  Read,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Carnarvon,  Burton  on  Trent,  made  a  good  third. 
For  thirty  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  pots,  not  exceed¬ 
ing  lOin  in  diameter,  and  not  less  than  twelve  in  flower,  there 
were  thi’ee  competitors,  a  very  strong  class,  and  difficult  to 
judge.  Mr.  J.  Lambert,  gardener  to  Lord  Harlech,  Oswestry, 
was  awarded  first  position.  A  few  of  his  best  plants  were  Ixora 
Pilgrimi,  Ixora  Duffi,  Clerodendron  Balfouri,  Dracaena  Shepherdi, 
D.  Baptisti,  D.  Godseffiana,  and  Crotons  were  all  good.  Mr. 
B.  Cromwell  was  a  capital  second,  having  Ixora  Duffi,  I.  co.ccinea 
superba,  Gloriosa  superba,  and  a  few  good  Crotons.  Messrs. 
Cypher  were  third  Avith  neat  plants. 
There  was  a  capital  competition  for  a  single  specimen  stove 
or  greenhouse  plant  in  flower,  no  less  than  five  staging.  Mr. 
W.  Vause  led  with  a  good  specimen  of  Erica  semula.  Mr. 
W.  Finch  followed  with  a  superb  plant  of  Ixora  Westi,  while 
Messrs.  Cypher  brought  up  the  rear  with  a  Stephanotis. 
For  four  exotic  Ferns  there  were  five  entries,  but  the  com¬ 
petition  was  not  very  keen.  Mr.  B.  Cromwell  won  first  witli 
plenty  in  hand.  His  plants  were  Davallia  fijiensis  (a  grand 
specimen),  Nephrolepis  rufescens,  Microlepia  hirta  cristata 
(a  monster  in  good  condition),  and  Adiantum  cuneatum.  Mr. 
Stevenson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  J.  H.  Slaney,  Sunnycroft,  Welling¬ 
ton,  followed  with  weaker  plants,  and  Mr.  J.  Carter,  gardener  to 
W.  J.  Scott,  Escj.,  Bedford  House,  third. 
For  six  Dracaenas  there  were  three  entries,  Mr.  T.  Lambert 
taking  first  place  with  good  plants  of  D.  amabilis,  D.  Lord 
Wolseley,  and  D.  Baptisti.  Mr.  R.  Lawley  being  third. 
Tuberous  Begonias,  six  plants,  were  good,  though  somewhat 
uneven,  Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon  gaining  an  easy  first 
prize  with  large,  handsome  plants.  Messrs.  B.  R.  Davis  and 
Sons  made  a  good  second.  The  third  prize  was  not  awarded. 
For  twelve  Gloxinias  Mr.  R.  Lawley,  gardener  to  Mrs.  R. 
Darby,  Adcote  Hall,  was  aAvarded  first  prize  with  good  plants,  Mr. 
A.  Jones  being  second  Avith  good  fresh  stuff,  and  Mr.  J.  Carter 
third. 
There  Avere  three  groups  of  tuberous  Begonias  staged,  and 
superb  they  Avere  too.  Mr.  F.  Davis,  Woolashill,  near  Pershore, 
led  off  Avith  a  splendid  exhibit,  the  blooms  Avere  perfect  in 
colour  and  freshness.  Messrs.  Blackmore  and  Langdon  Avere 
second  Avith  an  equally  creditable  display,  Avhile  Messrs.  B.  R. 
Davis  and  Son,  YeoA'il,  Avere  third,  making  the  competition  very 
Avarm. 
There  Avere  again  throe  entries  for  tAvelve  table  ijlants,  Mr. 
B.  CroniAvell  being  to  the  fore  with  aa'cII  coloured  Crotons  and 
Cocos.  Mr.  A.  H.  Hall,  gardener  to  J.  C.  Waterhouse,  Esq., 
Macclesfield,  second,  and  Mr.  Alex.  Home  third,  Avith  a  remark¬ 
able  collection. 
The  thirty  miscellaneous  plants  made  a  good  shoAv.  Mr. 
T.  Lambert  Avas  first  Avith  some  pretty  Ixoras  and  Crotons ;  Mr. 
B.  CromAAjell  came  second  AAoth  a  bright  display,  and  Mr.  J. 
Carter  third. 
In  the  class  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect  in  a 
space  of  one  hundred  square  feet,  confined  to  the  county  of 
Salop,  Mr.  W.  Phillips,  gardener  to  T.  F.  Kynnersley,  Esq., 
Leighton  Hall,  Avon  Avell  Avith  a  light  and  gracefxd  group,  the 
Palms  and  Crotons  being  most  effective.  Mr.  W.  Roberts, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Swann,  Halston  Hall,  Avas  a  first  rate  second, 
though  rather  heartier  in  build.  Mr.  S.  Bremmell,  gardener  to 
H.  H.  F.  Hayhurst,  Esq.,  Wellington  came  third. 
The  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  Avere  represented  in  this 
section  by  six  plants,  Mr.  T.  Lambert  winning  Avith  nice  plants 
of  Clerodendron  fallax,  Statice  profusa,  Kentia  Fosteriana, 
Croton  EA’ansiana,  and.  Ixora  Pilgrimi.  Mr.  Jones  folloAved,  and 
Mr.  W.  Roberts  made  a  good  third.  The  next  class  wms  similar 
to  the  last,  except  that  four  iilants  must  be  in  floAver;  here  Mr. 
J.  Carter  AAms  easily  first  prizewinner.  Mr.  W.  Ashwood  Avas  a 
Aveaker  second,  and  Mr.  E.  Cliff  third. 
Floral  Decorations. 
These  Avere  a  Avonderfully  attractive  feature.  The  exhibits 
Avere  very  numerous,  and  on  the  whole  most  beautiful,  the  di.s- 
play  of  bouquets  being  probabl.y  the  finest  ever  exhibited  at  any 
shoAv,  and  displaying  a  prodigality  of  beauty  which  many 
bouquetists  might  envy,  but  fcAv  possess.  Messrs.  Perkins  and 
Son  and  Messrs.  Jenkinson  Avere  both  in  great  form,  and  largel.y 
divided  the  chief  honours.  For  bride’s  bouquet,  Messrs.  Jen¬ 
kinson  Avere  aAvarded  first  prize  Avith  largely  Odontoglossum 
Alexandr8e,a  massive,  beautiful  bouquet,  but  a  bit  heavy.  Messrs. 
Perkins  and  Son  Avere  placed  second  with  a  most  elegant  bouquet, 
chiefly  Alexandrses  Avith  Pancratiums,  Masdavallias,  Lily,  &c.,  a 
marvel  of  beauty,  and  .Avould  certainly  have  been  first  if  the 
judging  had  been  left  to  public  ta.ste.  For  bridesmaid’s  bouquet, 
Messrs.  Jenkinson  Avere  again  first  Avith  a  large,  handsome 
bouquet  of  purple  Dendrobes,  Alexandrses,  Oncidiums,  &c. 
Here  Messrs.  Perkins  were  again  unaccountably  second 
Avith  a  most  charming  arrangement  of  similar  flowers,  in  elegance, 
finish,  and  workmanship.  They  were  clearly  ahead.  Third 
