466 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



following telegram from him : " Meredith first. Been diequalified. Prize 

 altered from three bunches to a collection." 



If I understand this right, it means that you have given the Cup to a large col- 

 lection of Grapes instead of three bunches ; and on all the principles of fair deal- 

 ing and common honesty, I protest against such a change, aad claim the Cup, if 

 my three bunches were the best that were exhibited, and properly entered as 

 three bunches for the prize in question. 



The 'Gardeners' Chronicle' has been the English organ of the exhibition, and on 

 the 17th of July the following paragraph appeai'ed in it : " We leai*n officially 

 from Hamburg that the Queen's Silver Cup is to be given for the best three 

 bunches of Grapes." On the faith of thi.s auaouncement, I wrote and entered 

 tltree bunches for the dtp, and added, that if I was in error in supposing it was to 

 be given for three bunches, I begged to be corrected. The only reply I got was a 

 certificate that I had entered them, and a card to place on them, which was an 

 acknowledgment that I was right ; and I sent three bunches of Grapes, weighing 

 more than 13 lb., and at great expense. And I now demand an explanation of 

 what to me admits of none, except that of keeping faith with me, or any one else 

 more deserving who may have complied with your rules. 



I here beg to state that I will accept of no other prize from your Society for my 

 Grapes in the place of that for which they were entered. 



Awaiting your early reply, I am, your obedient servant, Wm. Thomson. 



Dr E. Gotze, Secretary to the Council. 



I have reason to believe I was by no means the only individual who had 

 cause to complain of the way they were treated on the occasion referred to ; and 

 all exhibitors, whether natives or foreigners, were compelled to pay IBs. on the 

 fii'st day of the exhibition before they could gain an entrance to see their own 

 productions — a piece of extortion never heard of before — and many got their 

 plants, or cuttings from them, stolen altogether. 



Wm. Thomson. 



ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Great International Fruit and Flower Show at Edinburgh, 



September 8 and 9. 



It must be confessed that, in every sense of the word, that was one of the grand- 

 est exhibitions of Grapes ever held ; notwithstanding, there was a falling off in 

 other fruits. Grapes were not only largely represented, but they were of the 

 finest quality ; and in regard to variation, it was a very interesting exhibition, as 

 so many kinds were produced, giving a good opportunity to compare sorts. Some 

 of the plants were finely shown, and were worthy the best exhibition ever held. 

 Hollyhocks, both in spikes and cut flowers, were grand. Dahlias had sufi'ered 

 from the recent frosts. 



But the fruit was yet the feature of the Show, and in the large room in which 

 the several lots were arranged, there the crowd of visitors congregated from the 

 opening of the Exhibition till its close. In a space so restricted as ours it is 

 impossible to go into full details of what was exhibited on this occasion, so we 

 must confine ourselves to referring to some of the leading classes about which the 

 popular interest appeared to be largely attracted. One of the most singular fea- 

 tures of the show was the bringing to the fore in such a conspicuous manner of 



