i88i.] MANCHESTER HORTICUL. EXHIBITION. 471 



markable on account of the great size of the bunches, and the large, even, and 

 fairly well-finished berries. Mr Loudon, The Quinta, Salop, secured the second 

 prize with well-grown produce. 



The Veitch Memorial prizes were awarded to Mr Wilson, Castle Hill, Devon, 

 for three heavy, handsome fruits of Smooth Cayenne Pines ; to Mr Goodacre 

 for ten kinds of English-grown fruit ; to Mr J. Boyd, Falkirk, for three bunches 

 of any black Grapes ; and to Mr Raffil, Tredegar Park, for three bunches of 

 white Grapes. Mr Boyd competed with Muscat Hamburg, which were perfect 

 in every respect, and Mr Raffil won with remarkably good Muscat of Alex- 

 andria, the competition being close in both classes. 



Before leaving the fruit classes, it ought to be mentioned how well many of 

 the Grapes were brought from a great distance. Some of the premier prize 

 bunches — notably those shown by Messrs Boyd, Elphiustone, and Goodacre — 

 were fastened to boards only, no cotton-wool being employed. For black 

 Grapes the stands were covered with clean white paper, and for white Grapes 

 with pink paper. The bunches were fastened by the wood, attached as usual, 

 and near the points a string was passed round each stem, through the boards, 

 and tied behind. In this manner they travel well, show to the best advantage, 

 and, what is very important, do not sweat so badly, and for this reason are 

 comparatively of a greater marketable value at the close of a show\ 



There were numerous classes devoted to vegetables, in all of which the com- 

 petition was very strong. Including special prizes, there were five classes for 

 collections of vegetables, and these were all exceptionally well filled, and the 

 produce generally was of good quality. The best of thirteen lots of twenty 

 varieties was staged by Mr G. T. Miles, among which were good Rouen Leeks, 

 "Walker's Exhibition Onions, Tender and True Cucumbers, Green Globe Arti- 

 chokes, Early Munich Turnips, and Stamfordian Tomatoes. Mr Muir staged 

 an admirable collection, but slightly inferior; the third prize going to Mr J. 

 Turk, Cheltenham. In the class for ten varieties, Mr J. Snowdon, Thirsk, 

 occupied first position, staging among others very fine Giant White Celery, 

 Snowdon's Nonsuch Peas, and Moore's Cream Marrows. Mr W. Iggulden, 

 Marston, Somerset, was a good second, and J\[r Crump, Blenheim, followed. 

 For Messrs Sutton's prizes there were thirteen competitors with twelve dishes, 

 Mr Wildsmith, Heckfield, being awarded the first prize for a collection cer- 

 tainly inferior to that which gained Mr Miles the second place. Mr Wildsmith 

 had good Schoolmaster Potatoes, Improved Reading Onions, Exhibition 

 Sprouts, and Snowball Turnips. About the same number competed for 

 Messrs Dicksons' & Robinson's prizes, the best collection of twelve kinds being 

 staged by Mr G. Summers, Mr 0. Arbrell occupying second position. For the 

 Messrs Webbs' prizes, the same number again competed. The best collection 

 of six kinds was staged by Mr Crump, and ]\Ir R. Milner secured the second 

 prize. There were classes for single dishes of all kinds of vegetables, but these 

 call for no particular mention. The best out of eleven collections of twenty- 

 four varieties of Potatoes was staged by Mr Miller, Hampstead Park, Xew- 

 bury ; Mr D. Lumsden, Bloxholm Hall, followed ; and the third prize was 

 awarded to Mr W. Kerr, Dumfries. Mr Miller was also first for eighteen 

 kinds, Mr M'Kinlay being placed second. There were about forty collections 

 of twelve varieties of Potatoes staged, the best coming from Mr R. Gilbert, 

 Burghley, Mr Wildsmith being placed second, and j\Ir Ross, Welford, New- 

 bury, third. The judges in each instance gave the preference to medium-sized 

 and generally even tubers. 



Large specimen plants were not extensively shown, prizes being offered 



