October 1. 1910 



I OKT I CULTURE 



467 



British Horticulture 



Shrewsbury's success 

 As indicated in a previous letter, the annual show at 

 Shrewsbury was a gratifying success. Following the 

 traditions of former years, the trade vied with one an- 

 other in sending their best, with the result that the 

 marquees were filled with a magnificent collection of the 

 pick of British nurseries. As in previous years, great 

 interest was centered in the grape competitions. The 

 chief class in this section is for twelve bunches, which 

 must be shown to include at least four distinct varieties, 

 whilst not more than four bunches of any variety must 

 be shown. The first prize fell to Mr. J. Drakes, of 

 Market Rasen (gardener, Mr. Barker), some choice 

 samples of Muscats being included. The second prize 

 went to Lord Belper, and the third to Lord Harrington, 

 who usually is to the fore at these exhibitions. The 

 plant section attracted a brisk competition. This year 

 an addition was made to the schedule in the shape of 

 a display of exotic hardy and cut flowers to occupy a 

 space of 250 square feet. The test of excellence was 

 chiefly in artistic arrangement, and the harmonious and 

 correct blending of tints — a difficult test. Some effec- 

 tive displays were made in the class for decorated tables 

 of fruit. Some of the finest fruit in the country was 

 exhibited under the most artistic conditions. Sweet 

 peas made a grand display. M. T. Jones, of Euabon, 

 who has a long list of honors to his credit, secured the 

 Eckford challenge cup for a meritorious array in eigh- 

 teen vases, the varieties including Tom Bolton, Mrs. 

 Hardcastle Sykes, and Earl Spencer. The section for 

 bouquets and arrangement of cut flowers evoked a spir- 

 ited contest ; some exceptionally fine specimens of the 

 floral artist's skill received the attention of the judges, 

 this being one of the most popular departments of the 

 exhibition. During the show a meeting of horticul- 

 turists was held at which it was decided to form a 

 National Hardy Plant Society, for which a list of 

 officers was appointed. 



GBAPE CULTUHB 



An interesting and informative lecture on grape grow- 

 ing has been delivered before the Eoyal Horticultural 

 Society by Mr. A. C. Smith, the assistant superintendent 

 of the Society's gardens at Wisley. Eeference was made 

 to the decline of the vine-growing industry in England 

 in modern times. Eight hundred years ago Winches- 

 ter, .in Hants, was the centre of vine-yards. At that 

 time the grapes grown in Hampshire were finer than 

 those produced in France. The wine made from the 

 fruit caused the cathedral town to be called the City of 

 Wine, or Winchester. Owing to various causes, mainly 

 political and agricultural, grape growing in England 

 fell into abeyance, and was not seriously revived until 

 1718, when the Duke of Eutland had his garden walls 

 fitted with frames. The famous vine at Hampton Court 

 was planted in 1769, and last year bore an abundance of 

 well formed and full flavored bunches; this demon- 



strated the longevity of the vine when properly tended. 

 Although there are only two leading varieties of vine in 

 England, the Eoyal Horticultural Society has succeeded 

 in cultivating no fewer than 40 of the lesser known 

 varieties. Among those which call for special commen- 

 dation are the Muscat Champion, which though slow to 

 start is one of the finest fruits; the Prince of Wales, a 

 blue-black grape of large size and lustrous appearance; 

 the Black Prince, which bears bunches from 18 inches 

 to two feet in length. The lecturer sincerely regretted 

 that the craze for huge grapes had caused the attention 

 of growers to be diverted from the smaller, more 

 luscious, and more highly flavored varieties. 



jottings 

 Mr. Peter Veitch, of Exeter, has been elected Presi- 

 dent of the Horticultural Trades' Association, whose 

 annual meeting has lately been successfully held. — The 

 death has lately taken place of F. W. Flight, an en- 

 thusiastic rosarian, who raised the pink rambler, Mrs. 

 F. W. Flight.— The Eev. W. Wilks, the Secretary of the 

 Eoyal Horticultural Society, has lately taken a trip 

 North for the benefit of his health. — A representative 

 list of names is associated with the effort made to pro- 

 vide a memorial to the late Peter Barr, the "Daffodil 

 King." The proposal is to provide a sufficient sum to 

 maintain one child through the Eoyal Gardeners' Or- 

 phan Fund, and also to award a medal annually for 

 special work in connection with daffodils. — At the an- 

 nual meeting of the British Fern Society good pro.gress 

 wa:s reported. C. T. Druery, V. M. H., was elected hon- 

 orary secretary, and Alex. Cowan, president. — It is now 

 announced that the International Horticultural Exhibi- 

 tion will be held in the grounds attached to the Royal 

 Hospital, at Chelsea. The situation and accommodation 

 are extremely suitable for this important event. — The 

 Eoyal Botanic Society has in recent years passed 

 through troublous times. The outlook is now much 

 brighter. At the recent annual meeting, it was an- 

 nounced that the debt is decreasing; the number of 

 members is increasing; whilst the Society is in posses- 

 sion of beautiful gardens which are very much better 

 than anything else which exists in London. 



>*%c CiM^i^ 



Dimorphotheca aurantiaca 



We are indebted to A. T. Boddington for the use of 

 the portrait of this sterling novelty which adorns our 

 first cover page this week. Introduced a year ago this 

 extremely showy garden annual has quickly made a 

 place for itself among the indispensables. The petals 

 are bright orange the effect of which is heightened by 

 the dark disc surrounded by a black zone. The plant 

 grows about 12 to 15 inches high and blossoms pro- 

 fusely all summer. It was introduced from Namaqua- 

 Innd. South Africa. 



