This is quite representative of the articles about such meetings, so I thought someone might find it of interest. Perhaps someone is related to the indefatigable William Lobb? ....................................... West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 11 JULY 1856 ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF CORNWALL The second exhibition for the year was held in the Green Market, Truro, on Tuesday last. The stormy weather was very much against the attendance, and unfavourable to the character of the show, which therefore, as a whole, was inferior to the exhibition held in May last. The plants, with some exceptions, were of ordinary quality; the violent gale, on Monday night, materially damaged the blooms of roses, &c., which usually appear in great splendour at this season. Fruit was not shown in large quantity, but some was of very good quality, particularly a pine apple and black Hamburgh grapes from Mr. BASSET, of Tehidy; a good dish of grapes from Mrs. G. C. FOX, Grove Hill; a rich melon (Austin's "Incomparable") from Porthgwidden; strawberries, especially Myatt's Globe, from Mr. SMITH of Tremorvah, and other sorts, British Queen, Goliath, &c. in good condition; whilst also currants, cherries, and raspberries were in tolerable supply and of average quality. There was a considerable falling off in the floral part of the exhibition. Every one knows how it rained and blew on the Monday night, and that and other matters conspired to greatly reduce the show. We hear that the Hon. and Rev. J.T. BOSCAWEN, who exhibited a fine Lilium giganteum at the last show, had some splendid specimens of those magnificent plants almost destroyed by the violence of the gale. In consequence of its effects, Mr. Boscawen did not exhibit on this occasion. There was only one collection of eight stove and greenhouse plants, whereas at the last exhibition there were five. Mr. TWEEDY, of Alverton, was awarded the first prize for his collection, and he had also the first prize for the best stove specimen, Hoya Imperialis, as well as the first prize for the best greenhouse specimen, Dracophyllum gracile, a charming heath-like plant with an abundance of pretty white flowers. In the collections of four varieties there was noting very remarkable; a plant of Rhyncospermum jasminoides, from Tremorvah, was considered a very pretty variety. A greenhouse specimen of Kalysanthus miniata, from the gardens of the Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS, was exceedingly well grown, and was awarded a prize. The orchids were not equal to what we have seen on some former occasions. Mr. ROBERTS, of Southleigh, had the best collection of gloxinias, gesnerias, and schimenes; most of the plants of this class, however, had suffered from the weather. Mr. Roberts also exhibited the second best stove specimen, and other flowers. The geraniums, heaths, fuschias, &c. presented nothing remarkable. The best specimen geranium was exhibited by Mrs. G.C. FOX. Mr. E. FERRRIS, of Truro, was an exhibitor in several classes of flowers. A beautiful and highly interesting collection of ferns was contributed by Mr. WILLIAMS HOCKIN, and lycopodiums by the Rev. T. Phillpotts. Several extra prizes for pinks, verbenas, fancy geraniums, and balsams were awarded, as will be seen by the prize list. MR. CHARMES, from Messrs. JAMES VEITCH and Son, of Exeter, exhibited some specimens of cut roses, pinks, and geraniums, which were greatly and deservedly admired, and to which the society's silver medal was awarded. Amongst other things shown by him were two plants we believe not before seen here, the Desfontania spinosa, and Philesia buxifolia, both introduced from Patagonia by an indefatigable Cornishman, Mr. WILLIAM LOBB. Both these plants are extremely beautiful as well as ornamental, and are perfectly hardy. Mr. MITCHINSON, of Truro, exhibited (not for competition) a fine collection of roses, and some beautiful new verbena, pinks, scarlet geraniums, antirrhinums, a group of that charming new annual Clintonia atroviolacea, early peas grown under a viaduct of the Cornwall Railway, and an assortment of remarkably fine early potatoes, amongst which were the Boston kidneys, a new sort from America. The vegetables shown from gentlemen's gardens were few. The cottagers' exhibition of vegetables was very good, and many of them deservedly obtained prizes. The cabbages of the Battersea variety were very large and well grown; and of the turnips the white Dutch and orange-jelly kinds were especially good. Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, leeks, onions, peas, and beans were also very fine, and in considerable quantity. It is remarked that there is much carelessness with regard to the orthography of a great many of the names of plants, as set down on the cards. A little attention would be sufficient to correct this defect. We believe if we were to publish the lists with the names given, in very many cases, the gardeners themselves would be unable to recognize the plants, flowers, &c. which were exhibited. We may also mention another subject - that we believe there is some intention to get up an autumnal exhibition in the shape of a sweepstakes meeting. A similar one gave great satisfaction some years ago, and probably would again. It might be held so as to bring in the autumn fruits and flowers, especially dahlias. The following was the list of prizes awarded: [partial list, as some names were cut off] FRUIT - Judges, Dr. Carlyon, Dr. Barham, Lieut. G. Pooley, R.N., Rev. John Symonds, Messrs. S. T. Williams and P. Vincent, jun. Best Pine Apple (Queen) Mr. Basset, Tehidy Best Dish of Grapes, (Black hamburgh, White Frontignae, White Sweetwater, Muscat of Alexandria,) Mrs. G. C. Fox, Grove Hill Best Bunch of Grapes, (Black Hamburgh,) Mr. Basset; second best, (New White Sweetwater) Mrs. G. C. Fox Best Melon (Incomparable Green Flesh) Rev. T. Phillpotts, Porthgwidden; second best, (Beechwood) Mrs. G.C. Fox Best pound of cherries: (May Duke) Rev. T. Phillpotts Best Roses, Mr. T. Cope, jun. [Many other names were cut off; the Rev. Phillpotts and Mrs. G. C. Fox seemingly took every award in the fruit categories, and some flowers as well.]