180 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
August  20,  1903 
Among  the  successful  exhibitors  of  flowers  were  Messrs. 
Merrifleld,  for  annuals;  Brown,  for  Carnations;  Webb,  for 
Dahlias;  H.  Crossinan,  for  Geraniums,  &c.  For  collection  of 
cut  Roses,  first,  Mr.  J.  Southcott :  second,  Mr.  H.‘  Crossman. 
Mr.  Gladstone  Apple,  among  the  fruit,  took  a  high  place,  the 
colour  and  flavour  being  very  fine.  For  the  open  collection  Mr. 
Clatworthy  was  first,  Mr.  Hocking  second,  and  Mr.  W.  H. 
Chichester  third.  Melons,  first,  Mr.  W.  Chichester;  second, 
Mr.  Clatworthy.  Best  ripe  fruits,  first,  for  collection,  Mr.  Clat¬ 
worthy;  second.  Rev.  S.  Baring-Gould.  Peas,  fifty  pods,  first. 
Rev.  S.  Baring-Gould ;  second,  Mr.  W.  B.  Trahair ;  third,  Mr. 
W.  Wilmot.  In  honey  Messrs.  W.  E.  Brooking  (Kingsbridge), 
J.  Sheldon  (Umborleigh),  W.  E.  Brooking  (lib  section  comb 
honey),  E.  E.  Scholefield  (Chudleigh).  C.  Squire  (Morthoe,  Ilfra¬ 
combe),  J.  ]M.  Cann  (Brixham),  and  W.  J.  Cavey  took  first 
prizes.  The  honey  was  of  a  very  superior  quality,  and  greatly 
commended  by  the  judge. — X. 
Taunton,  August  13tli. 
Unqualified  praise  resounded  on  all  hands  of  the  extra¬ 
ordinary  merit  and  eectent  of  the  thirty-sixth  annual  exhibition 
of  the  Taunton  Society,  held  on  the  above  date.  The  weather, 
too,  being  gloriously  fine,  attracted  visitors  in  their  thousands. 
Trained  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  made  a  inagnificent 
display,  the  whole  length  of  the  spacious  tent  being  filled  on 
one  side.  Messrs.  J.  Cypher  and  fSons  championed  the'  class  for 
twelve,  Stephanotis,  Ixora  Williamsi,  Allamanda  nobilis.  Bou¬ 
gainvillea  glabra,  B.  Sanderi,  Ixora  Pilgrimi,  I.  Duffi,  and  an 
immense  plant  of  Statice  intermedia  were  most  conspicuous 
specimens.  Mr.  W.  Vau.se,  Leamington,  was  a  good  second; 
Pdr.  Thomas,  gardener  to  W.  G.  Marshall,  Essq.,  third;  and 
Mr.  Tucker,  Trowbridge,  fourth.  With  six  Messrs.  Cypher  were 
again  well  first;  Mr.  Vause  second,  and  Mr.  Rowland,  gar¬ 
dener  to  W.  Brock,  Esq.,  third.  These  exhibitors  won  with 
eight  foliage  plants  in  the  same  order  of  names,  Messrs.  Cypher 
being  distinctly  ahead.  Towering  Palms  and  bright  Codiseums 
marked  their  fine  exhibit.  Messrs.  Rowland  and  Tucker  had 
the  best  Ferns.  Similar  classes  are  proruded  for  amateurs,  in 
which  foliage  and  flowering  plants  are  allowed. 
In  that  for  twelve  Mr.  Thomas  led  easily,  his  Codiseums  being 
much  the  finest  in  the  show,  C.  Warreni,  C.  Reidi,  C.  Andre- 
anum,  and  C.  Harrisoni  being  especially  good.  The  flowering 
plants  were  not  so  fine  as  the  foliage,  though  all  were  excellent. 
Mr.  Rowland  came  second  with  an  even  twelve,  all  flowering 
plants.  Fuchsias  were  small.  Begonias  numerous  and  bright, 
Liliums  (good)  and  Caladiums  refined  in  plant  and  choice  in 
variety,  Mr.  Thomas’  being  especially  good.  Single  specimens. 
Orchids,  and  new  and  rare  plants  found  Messrs.  Cypher,  Tribble, 
Thomas,  W.  IT.  Day,  and  F.  Hubbard  in  healthy  rivalry. 
Groups  of  plants  lost  the  service  of  the  Messrs.  Cypher,  but 
in  Mr.  Vause  it  was  at  once  seen  that  an  exponent  of  the  art 
of  floral  blending  was  present.  A  wide  and  lofty  cork  covered 
arch  was  made  to  carry  a  beautifully  furnished  and  graceful 
Phoenix,  beneath  which  were  grouped  small  and  choice  Orchids 
and  varied  foliage  plants,  Codi^ums,  Cocos,  Caladiums,  &c.  ; 
while  the  graceful  Humeas,  with  their  brown  plumose  sprays 
afforded  just  that  quiet  touch  of  elegance  no  other  xrlant  can 
do.  A  cool-looking  base  of  moss  gave  a  finishing  touch  to 
what  was  an  excellent  e’xample  in  tropical  effect.  These  groups 
are  displayed  in  an  oval  13ft  by  10ft  s^race,  and  are  so  arranged 
that  visitors  can  make  iminterruiDted  promenade  among  them. 
Mr.  Rowland’.s  group  from  Exeter  also  afforded  some  striking 
features,  Liliums,  Bamboos,  Orchids,  and  Codiseums  being  deftly 
arranged  with  the  hand  of  an  exxrerienced  exhibitor.  Messrs. 
Cole  and  Son,  Bath,  were  third.  A  smaller  groiqD  for  amateurs, 
l()ft  by  8ft,  also  of  an  oval  shaxre,  found  Mr.  Rowland  an  easy 
winner;  Mr.  Kiclley,  gardener  to  Col.  Sanford,  being  second, 
and  H.  S.  Baily,  Esq.,  Glastonbury,  third. 
Cut  flow’ers  apiDeared  in  the  same  extensive  and  varied  cha¬ 
racter.  So  crowded  was  the  available  space  that  many  exhibits 
could  not  find  advantageous  insxrection.  Roses  were  really 
grand.  Messrs.  Perkins,  of  Coventry,  wmn  in  the  class  for 
tlnrty-six,  and  also  that  for  eighteen  varieties,  Messrs.  Townsend 
and  Sons,  Worcester,  and  Jarman  and  Co.,  Chard,  being  seconcl 
resimctively,  Messrs.  H.  Corder,  Bridgwater,  and  R.  F.  Hobbs, 
Worcester,  taking  the  thirds.  Mr.  Corder  won  from  Messrs. 
Townsend  and  Hobbs  with  eighteen  Teas.  Dahlias,  like  Roses, 
were  bright,  large,  and  good.  With  twelve,  Messrs.  Cray, 
Humphries,  and  Wl  Treseder,  Cardiff,  took  the  irrizes.  Messi's. 
Cray  and  Sons  took  the  first  card  wdth  pompon  and  single 
varieties  ;  Mr.  Humphries  won  with  six  Fancies ;  and  Messrs. 
Jarman  six  Cactus.  Phloxes,  Asters,  Carnations,  Hollyhocks, 
Begonias,  Sweet  Peas,  herbaceous  and  choice  greenhouse  flowers 
all  found  a  large  entrjq  high  class  quality,  and  many  admirers. 
Names  are  so  numerous  that  space  forbids  their  record. 
Decorative  tables  hold  an  important  place  in  the  Taunton 
schedule  and  show  ground,  and  on  this  occasion  the  artistic 
element  was  irresent  in  goodly  force,  and  it  was  xrleasant  to  find 
the  work  of  the  judges  gave  but  little  cause  for  critical  com¬ 
ment,  whicli  is  so  common  in  this  now  poxoular  phase  of  flower 
shows.  A  dessert  table  laid  for  eight  persons  with  fruit  and 
flowers  found  a  winner  in  Mr.  F.  Lock,  CTediton.  He  had 
beautiful  Orchids, well  arranged  with  Peaches,  Melon,  Grapes, 
and  Nectarines  as  his  dessert  fruit.  Messrs.  Cole  and  Son  won 
the  second  i^rize,  and  Mr.  W^.  Vause  third,  all  emxjloying  similar 
Orchid  flowers.  Mrs.  Blake,  Bath,  won  in  the  ladies’  class  for  a 
similar  table.  Mrs.  Hill,  Bridgwater,  second,  and  Mrs.  Cooper, 
West  Monkton,  third.  An  extra  jirize  and  h.e.  card.s  were 
given  other  exhibits,  .so  numerous  and  good  were  they.  Another 
class  for  floral  table  was  Cjuite  as  largely  contested.  Hand 
bouquets  and  vases  of  flowers  were  oxcellent,  the  i>rizes  culled 
mostly  by  i>rofessionals,  among  whom  were  Messrs.  Perkins, 
Cypher,  Vause,  W.  H.  Coles,  Bristol,  and  Treseder,  Cardiff. 
Fruit  made  a  grand  display.  Three  competed  for  a  collection 
of  eight  di.shes.  Mr.  T.  Turton,  gardener  to  R.  D.  Wingfield 
I^igby,  Esq.,  Sherborne  Castle,  leading  with  Black  Hamburgh 
(small  in  bunch),  Muscat  of  Alexandria  (also  small  in  bunch,  but 
well  coloured),  an  111b  Melon,  Royal  George  Peaches,  Nectarines 
(good).  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  and  Ax^ricots.  Mr.  G.  Hall,  gar¬ 
dener  to  the  executors  of  the  late  Lady  Louisa  Ashburton,  was 
second ;  but  except  for  the  Melon  his  dishes  were  decidedly 
stronger  than  the  fii'st  x^rize  lot.  Col.  Vivian  was  third.  For 
four  dishes  Mr.  Hall  won  from  Mr.  Mitchell,  gardener  to  J.  W. 
Homing,  Esq.,  both  having  extra  good  fruit.  Mr.  Kidley  third. 
With  Black  Hamburghs  Mr.  Mitchell  won  easily,  as  he  also  did 
with  Muscats  and  any  other  kind  of  black,  staging  good  Gros 
Maroc.  Mr.  Hall  won  with  white,  other  than  Muscats,  with 
Foster’s  Seedling. 
Mr.  Cooper,  gardener  to  W.  Macadam  Smith,  Esq.,  x^resident 
of  the  society,  led  with  a  fine  dish  of  Peaches,  and  Mr.  Kidley, 
gardener  to  Col.  Sanford,  with  beautifully  coloured  Stanwick 
Elruge,  won  in  the  class  for  Nectarines.  Ax^ricots  were  good, 
also  Pears,  for  the  year.  Plums,  both  light  and  dark  coloured, 
were  excellent;  but  dessert  Cherries  were  absent.  Morellos 
were  finely  shown.  Ax^plos,  too,  were  plentiful  and  good ;  in¬ 
deed,  one  would  scarcely  believe  the  season  to  be  a  bad  one  for 
hardy  fruit,  judged  by  the  quantity  shown  at  Taunton. 
Vegetables  are  always  presented  in  strong  force  at  this 
Western  show,  and  this  season  proved  no  excexJtion  to  the  old 
rule,  and  the  cottagers’  section,  as  is  always  the  case,  was  filled 
with  a  magnificent  disx^lay  of  every  kind.  Potatoes  were  grand, 
so  clean,  large,  and  shax^el.v.  and  the  judges  must  have  had  con¬ 
siderable  difficulty  in  deciding  between  the  merit  of  .such  closely 
allied  qualities.  In  the  open  classes  Mr.  Mavis,  gardener  to 
Sir  J.  Shelley,  Bart.,  Crediton,  won  with  a  grand  exhibit.  Mr. 
Kidley,  also  a  veteran  vegetable  grower,  was  second  ;  and  Mr. 
H.  Dloore  third.  Potatoes  in  six  varieties  from  Messrs.  Wyley, 
Mavis,  and  Kidley  made  an  admirable  disx>lay,  the  fir.st-named 
winning  also  with  coloured  kidneys  and  white  rounds.  All 
ether  vegetables,  Carrots,  Peas,  Beans,  Onions,  Tomatoes, 
Lettuoe,  Marrows,  and  Turnips,  were  each  severally  of  the 
highest  state  of  x^^rf^ction.  Much  might  be  written  of  the 
cottagers’  array,  but  .sx>ace  forbids. 
The  x^ark,  which  forms  such  an  easily  accessible  show  ground, 
affords  an  ideal  spot  for  such  an  extensive  show,  the  )uany  tents 
being  grouped  so  that  x^romenade  is  made  easy  and  pleasant. 
An  influential  and  business-like  committee  control  arrangement, 
which  work  with  clockwork  smoothnefss.  The  unanimous  verdict 
from  everyone  seemed  to  re-echo  in  the  words  “  Everything 
splendid!” — music,  weather,  show,  and  its  management.  Mr. 
Winsor  is  the  experienced  secretary,  on  whom  the  highest  credit 
reflects. 
Leith,  August  14th  and  15th. 
Leith  Horticultural,  Indu.strial,  and  Sports  Society’s 
twentieth  show  was  held  on  Friday  and  Saturday,  August  IT  and 
15,  at  the  Hawkhill  grounds.  Three  years  have  elapsed  since 
the  show  was  last  held  at  Hawkhill,  the  site  usually  being  the 
Victoria  Park ;  but  the  committee,  fully  aware  of  the  growing 
popularity  of  the  show,  determined  to  hold  it  at  Hawkhill. 
Here  there  is  ample  room  for  the  many  attractions  which  lure 
the  individual  from  city  and  hamlet,  be  he  a  lover  of  flowers,  a 
devotee  of  sx)ort,  or  an  admirer  of  art.  The  only  regrettable 
part  is  that  these  grounds  are'  so  difficult  of  access,  being 
a  considerable  distance  from  either  tram  route  or  railway 
station.  All  round  the  show  was  one  of  great  merit.  The 
classes  rvere  well  fille'd,  the  entries  totalling  1,078,  and  entirely 
filling  the  large  marquee,  in  former  years  containing  both  the 
flower  show  and  industrial  exhibition'section.  Competition  was 
Xierhaxis  str.ongest  in  the  seotion  for  plants  and  cut  flowers,  some 
remarkably  fine  specimens  beiirg  staged.  A  class  which  usually 
excites  great  admiration  is  that  for  floral  designs,  opeir  to  florists 
in  Edinburgh  and  Leith.  A  much  admired  design,  which  was 
rightly  awarded  first  prize,  was  a  beautiful  cross  and  pedestal, 
composed  mainly  of  dark  x^urple  Sweet  Peas,  the  cross  being 
relieved  by  white  Sweet  Peas  and  Lily  of  the  Valley ;  while  the 
pedestal  made  an  exquisite  background  for  a  cluster  of 
Stephanotis,  pink  Carnations,  aird  Fern. 
In  all  sections  for  tables  of  x>lants  there  was  exhibited  a 
standard  of  excellence  which  would  have  done  credit  to  the 
Waverley  Market  show’s.  In  the  class  ox>en  to  all  for  a  table  not 
