Scientific American Supplement, No. 484, April 11, 1885 by Various
page 123 of 127 (96%)
page 123 of 127 (96%)
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LYE'S FUCHSIAS.
The group of fuchsias shown in our engraving represents a collection of nine specimens raised and exhibited by that well known cultivator, Mr. James Lye, of Clyffe Hall Gardens, Market Lavington, at an exhibition held in Bath in September last, and which received the first prize in the premier class for that number of plants. For many years past Mr. Lye has exhibited fuchsias at exhibitions held at Bath, Trowbridge, Devizes, Calne, Chippenham, and elsewhere; on all occasions staging specimens of a high order of merit; but the plants appearing in our illustration were universally regarded as the best he had ever placed in an exhibition tent. So much were the committee of the Bath show pleased with the specimens that they engaged the services of a photographer to make a picture of them on the spot; but after being two hours making the attempt, no satisfactory result occurred. After the plants were taken back to Clyffe Hall, they were photographed as seen in the illustration. Some idea of their height and dimensions can be realized by a comparison with the stature of Mr. Lye, who is standing by his plants, and who is of average height. It should be mentioned that previous to being photographed they had traveled by road from Market Lavington to Bath and back, a distance of 52 miles, in addition to having been exhibited two days. They returned to their home apparently little the worse for wear, which immunity from harm is no doubt owing to the admirable system of tying adopted by Mr. Lye. It is sometimes said that the act of trying in the flowering shoots in this manner gives the plants a somewhat severely formal appearance, but there is an abundance of healthy foliage and a wonderful profusion of finely developed flowers, showing the most careful and painstaking cultivation. It is only those who are privileged to see these unrivaled plants who can appreciate them at their proper worth. |
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