WEST BRITON and CORNWALL ADVERTISER 10 September 1858 ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY EXHIBITION, AND FEOCK REGATTA  . The horticultural fete in connexion with the Royal Horticultural Society of Cornwall, took place on Tuesday last, in the beautiful grounds of the Hon. Mrs. GILBERT of Trelissick. The society has for some time past held its exhibition at Truro, and previously at Truro and Falmouth; but for several years these shows have seemed to be wanting to some extent in attractiveness. They were attended by a portion of the subscribers, but the public generally did not appear to take much interest in them, and the attendance was lessening every year.  . It was felt by the committee, and other friends of horticulture, that a society which was the parent of all the horticultural and cottage gardening societies in the county, should not be allowed to fail; and it was suggested that a horticultural fete in the open air might be rendered very attractive, and revive that interest in the society which before appeared to be languishing. The picturesque situation of Trelissick, on the northern bank of the river Fal, about mid-way between Truro and Falmouth, and its convenience in being readily accessible from some of the most highly cultivated gardens in Cornwall, at once showed that it was a site to be preferred to most others for the purpose; and on application being made, the Hon. Mrs. Gilbert most kindly and readily granted the use of her grounds to the society. . The experiment, as it may be termed, proved a most successful one. . To the attractions of the show was added the excitement of a regatta. The Feock regatta took place within sight of Trelissick lawn. Some thousands of people attended, not only from Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, Camborne, Redruth, and intermediate parishes, but from more distant parts of the county.  . The great drawback was the unfavourable weather. The morning brought threatening clouds, and although at times the sky brightened, the day gradually grew worse, and in the afternoon a misty rain which only occasionally cleared prevented much open air enjoyment. If the weather had been fine, this horticultural fete would have been the most beautiful and enjoyable that has ever been witnessed in Cornwall. . Even on such a day as Tuesday, the scene (between the showers) was to be admired. The beautiful undulating lawn of Trelissick, finely wooded, and sloping to the water's edge, was occupied by groups of gaily-dressed people, whilst immediately around the exhibition marquee, and lining the river front, was a dense assemblage of spectators, all apparently bent on enjoyment. The result has certainly shown the society that it will be advantageous in future years to hold similar fetes. They should, however, be earlier in the season, when the weather is warmer and generally more settled. . The funds of the society will by such exhibitions receive an increase; the science of horticulture as well as the more humble but useful practice of cottage gardening it is hoped will be stimulated and advanced; while at the same time a day of enjoyment will be provided for thousands of the population. . [a gap in the article occurs here] A gay collection of flowers, prettily arranged, was shown by Mr. Edward COODE, of Moor Cottage, St. Austell; and there were three fine baskets of cut flowers at the head of the tent, from other exhibitors. . Fruit of excellent quality was exhibited by Mrs. G. C. FOX, Mr. Alfred FOX, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS, Mr. P.P. SMITH, Mr. W. MICHELL, Burncoose, &c.; the prizes will be seen in the list. Some of the collections of fruit were very extensive. Mr. Walter LANCE, of Truro, exhibited a collection of 90 sorts; Mrs. G. C. FOX, a collection of 24 sorts, including lemons grown in the open air, citrons, oranges, fine Syrian grapes, &c.; Mr. POPHAM, of Trevarno, a collection including fine grapes, plums and currants; Mr. B. SAMPSON, a collection of 65 dishes of very superior fruit; Mr. TREGASKIS, of Perran Wharf, a good collection. . Mr. W. CARNE, of Falmouth, exhibited four of the finest apples in the show. A very fine collection of 64 sorts of pears was shown by Mr. Alfred FOX. Besides the above, Sir Charles LEMON exhibited (not for competition) a dish of superior Duchesse d'Angouleme pears. Mr. BASSET, of Tehidy, exhibited (not for competition) a Queen pine of good size, and very fine dishes of grapes, with on of the finest bunches of Muscat ever grown. . The nurserymen and florists' part of the exhibition contained many rare and valuable plants, and was largely supplied. Messrs. VEITCH, of Exeter, exhibited a new orchid, Calanthe Domini, the first raised from seen in England, and also a new Cattleya (hybrid). A good stand of holly-hocks, including all the best new sorts. A stand of fuchsias, amongst which was Princess Beatrice, a new seedling with white corolla, a great improvement upon all the other white corollas. . Different kinds of the singular pitcher plant, brought home by their collector, Mr. LOBB, from Japan. Two stands of Dahlias, numbering 36 blooms, amongst them “King,” a perfect flower, “Fanny Dodd,” a pure white, and other new varieties. A stand of good and rare plants, including Clyanthus Damperii, from Australia; Rhododendron jasmiflorum, a valuable greenhouse creeper; Lapageria rosea, a splendid and free flowerer; Desfontania spinosa, a hardy holly from Patagonia; new petunias and gesnerias; a good collection of roses and asters; also a new Caladium with a very singular leaf, introduced by Mr. Lobb from Japan. . Mr. PONTEY, of Plymouth, exhibited a fine collection of dahlias; a stand of new double petunias, including seven or eight different varieties; new calceolarias well adapted for bedding; and a collection of superior German asters. Drawings of the Muscat Hambro'; and Bowood Muscat, both new sorts, well adapted for growing in the greenhouse; drawings of new fuchias, and camellias of different colourings, including new ones from Germany. . Mr. MITCHINSON, of Truro, exhibited a large collection including some fine dahlias, phloxes, achimenes, verbenas, roses, hollyhocks, and asters; also some very good annuals, herbaccous plants, shrubs, &c. . Mr. T. COPE, of Bosvigo gardens, Truro, showed a large collection of fruit, including eighty sorts, and two of filberts, one of them, the Buckingham filbert, hardy in this county. A collection of fifty varieties of roses, to which an extra prize was awarded; and altogether 800 varieties of flowers, cut and potted, with a collection of shrubs, including Wellingtonia gigantea; and amongst vegetables, a new sort of scarlet runner, very prolific, and requiring less than the ordinary time in dressing. . Mr. TRESEDER, of Truro, exhibited a large collection of shrubs, including a new Veronica; also Barberis Japonica, beali, and intermedia, shrubs remarkable for fine foliage, and the beauty of their large fruit; Beali glauca, a beautiful evergreen; a new Ilex; some good plants of cupressus; Toxagium, a scarce shrub from Mexico; Skimma Japonica, a beautiful shrub with fine fruit; Wellingtronia gigantea, and Thujopsis borealis. Mr. Treseder also showed some fine yellow globe mangel. . Mr. R. COLWELL, of Camborne, exhibited a collection of cut flowers, containing some good verbenas, liliums, zinnias, &c. . The cottagers showed fruit, flowers, and vegetables. Some of the fruit and flowers were creditable but in vegetables they were especially excellent. There were three nosegays, of which the first prize one was much the best. The potatoes could scarcely be exceeded for size and quality. The onions, both spring and autumn, were all so good as to perplex the judges in awarding the prizes. . Of the cabbages, the Battersea were to  be preferred for the season. The scarlet runners were very good; the carrots and parsnips very large and clean; leeks good; cucumbers few, but fine; rhubarb, good for the time of year. A number of baskets of vegetables were exhibited by cottagers, and occupied considerable space; the first-prize basket, exhibited by R. CURNER, of Truro, contained 76 sorts of vegetables. There were five baskets of herbs, the first-prize one containing 32 varieties. . We are informed, as a gratifying feature of this exhibition, that although the grounds and flower gardens of Trelissick were thrown open to the public, there was not the slightest injury done, or a footmark made on the flower-beds. . THE ORDINARY . About two o'clock, the President of the society, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS, of Porthgwidden, and a number of ladies and gentlemen, proceeded to the dining booth, which was of considerable size, and it was thought would have provided ample accommodation. Such a large number, however, entered, that a great many could not obtain seats; the President, therefore, and many of the company, after dining vacated their places for a second party, and thus it was that no speech was delivered from the president's chair. . Subsequently, however, some of the oldest friends of the society assembled, under the presidency of Capt. WARD, the hon. Secretary, and various toasts were proposed and responded to. . “Success to the Royal Horticultural Society of Cornwall” was given, and Mr. G.N. SIMMONS responded, as an old member and one of the first secretaries of the society. He was of opinion that the society had effected a great deal of good, although for some years past it had not met with the success it deserved. . SOMEWHAT SHORTENED LIST OF PRIZES [omitting specific details re which flowers or fruits were included; there's a certain repetition of names here.] Best four varieties, in flower, in pots – Mr. W.M. TWEEDY. Second best, Mr. P. P. SMITH; third, Mrs. G.C. FOX. Best specimen of Stove plant, in flower, in pot: First – Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS, second, Mr. W.M. TWEEDY. Best specimen of Greenhouse planes, in flower, in a pot. First, Mr. W.M. TWEEDY; second, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS. Best collection of Orchids in flower, not exceeding four: Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS; second, Mrs. G.C. FOX. Best specimen of Orchids in flower, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS. Best six Fuchsias, in pots not exceeding twelve inches in diameter inside, in flower; Mrs. G.C. FOX. Best four ditto, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS. Best specimen of ditto, Mrs. G.C. FOX. Second best, Mr. W.M. TWEEDY. Best twelve Dahlias of dissimilar blooms, Mr. J. RICKARD; second best, Mrs. G.C. FOX.; third best, Mr. W. DALLEY, Truro; fourth best, Mr. W. LANCE, Truro. Best six ditto, Mr. W.M. TWEEDY; second best, Mr. W. WOOLCOCK, Truro; third best, Mr. W. MICHELL; fourth best, Mrs. G. C. FOX.  Best collection of Roses, cut flowers, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS. Best collection of Asters, Mrs. G. C. FOX; second best, Mr. W. WOOLCOCK; third best, Mr. W. DALLEY. Best collection of Cut Flowers, Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS; second best, Mr. W. MICHELL; third best, Mr. W. LANCE. Best collection of Marigolds, Mr. W. WOOLCOCK; second best, Mr. W.M. TWEEDY. Best collection of Bulbous Plants, in pots, Mrs. G. C. FOX. Best collection of Ferns: Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS. Julia M.   West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell