IRISH GARDENING. 



A Field Day for Kerry 

 Gardeners. 



THURSDAY, the i.nh of August last, will remain 

 long ill the meinories of those who accepted the 

 kind invitation of J. D. Crosbie, Esq., J. P., D.L., 

 to visit the gardens and g-rounds of Ballyheigue Castle. 

 The invitation was given to the principal gardeners of 

 Kerry, through Mr. Crosbie's head gardener, Mr. Col- 

 thrope, who acted as guide during the day. On arrival 

 at Ardfert railway station a large motorcar was wait- 

 ing to convey the party through 'seven miles of delight- 

 ful country to the gates of the historic castle, that 

 stands aloft commanding the beautiful bay. It was a 

 glorious ride, and the party arrived in high spirits. 

 -At once the guests were ushered under canvas to 

 lunch — a right royal lunch— with course following 

 course, and ending with a dessert including all the 

 fruits in season, the choicest products of Kerry and 

 of Mr. Colthrope's skill in gardening. After lunch a 

 start was made for the gardens and plant-houses, the 

 inspection of w^hich gave great delight to the practical 

 eye of the experienced visitors, everything was so 

 well ordered and arranged. Particular interest was 

 centred upon a new span-roofed house, its contained 

 plants being in the best of health and condition. The 

 vegetable garden was keenly scrutinised, and Mr. 

 Colthrope was repeatedly complimented upon its appear- 

 ance, which most certainly showed evidence of con- 

 siderable skill in its management. In an interval before 

 tea opportunity was taken to have a dip in the sea, and 

 after tea (laid out in the same lavish style as the lunch) 

 there were speeches, in which votes of thanks were 

 given to the host and hostess of the day, Mr. and Mrs. 

 Crosbie. There never were such downright hearty 

 thanks ever felt before by visitors as by'the Kerry 

 gardeners at Ballyheigue Castle that day. It was 

 started by Mr. Ogge, of -Ardfert, taken "up by Mr. 

 Rooney, of Oakpark, and emphasised, ornamented, and 

 finally finished off by Mr. J. M. Hurley, of the Castle 

 Demesne, Tralee, in a racy speech that ended in tumul- 

 tuous applause by the departing guests. Will otlu-r 

 Kerry gentry please note? 



Royal Horticultural Society 

 of Ireland. 



THE monthi}- meeting of the council was held at the 

 society's offices, 5 Molesworth Street, Dublin, on 

 August 13th, members present being — Messrs. 

 Ernest BevvW, T.C., W. F. Gunn, VV. J. Mitchison, 

 Jas. M'Donough, J. Wylie-Henderson, Ed. D'Olier, H. 

 P. Goodbody, with Mr. G. M. Ross presiding. 



The balance sheet of the summer show was submitted 

 and approved ofy although it woidd have been a com- 

 mendable feature of what was generally considered a 

 good show if the gate takings had gone a little further 

 towards meeting the heavy expenses always entailed 

 by an exhibition under canvas. However, there was 

 a slight improvement on the last Merrion Square display 

 held two years previously. On the recommendation of 

 the Finance Committee sundry accounts were ordered 

 to be paid, and also the cash prizes to the winners. 

 The schedule of the spring show, 1910, as revised by 

 the Schedule Committee and amended by the council, 

 was ordered to be printed (copies of which have been 

 posted to all exhibitors at the last two Spring .Shows, 

 and will be furnished by the Secretary on application 

 from others wishing to have it), and it has been decided 

 that three-tier staging will be provided for all classes 

 of cut narcissi in competition, although it is left to 



exhibitors' iliscretion to hunch their blooms or arrange 

 I hem naturally, which, probably, will appeal to most, 

 and, possibly, to the judges. Many of the winter show 

 schedules have now been circulated in counlrv districts 

 on the application of the Horticultural Instructors, and 

 this will doubtless help the competition, and show what 

 Ireland can do with the king of fruits, the apple. 

 -Altogether, we think it probable that the coming 

 fruit show (Oct. 20th and 21st) will rank amongst the 

 best yet held by the society, as our " wretched climate " 

 gives good promise of high quality in this direction as 

 well as quantity. An exhibit of gladioli was sent for the 

 council's inspection by Messrs. Kelway of Langport, 

 Somerset, the thanks of the council being accorded for 

 same. The following were elected members— Mrs. 

 Hare and Miss L. Hare, Berkeley, Sydney Parade ; 

 Mrs. Dames-Longworth, Creggan, Athlone ; .^Irs. Keith, 

 Brennanstown, Cabinteely ; Jas. Hall, Esq., Moy, Ty- 

 rone ; Miss Field, Shanganagh Park, Shankhill, and Mr. 

 -Alex. Longmuir, The Gardens, The Elms, Blackrock. 



SHOWS. 



Kingstown Flo-wer Show. 



nr^ 



HE Kingstown Horticultural Society held their 

 X first exhibition on August nth in the People's 

 Park, Kingstown. The idea of holding a show- 

 originated in one of the meetings held by the Kings- 

 town Gardeners' Society, and it must have been more 

 than gratifying to the members of that society to see 

 such a magnificent respond to their modest appeal. 



From the beginning success was assured. A com- 

 mittee was formed, comprisiTig ladies and gentlemen of 

 infiuence residing in Kingstown and neighbouring dis- 

 tricts, who, together with practical gardeners sefected 

 by the Kingstown Gardeners' Society, worked har- 

 moniously and well, never doubting but' that the people 

 of Kingstown would appreciate the effort made to give 

 them a flower show exclusively their own, but the liiost 

 sanguine member of the committee never perhaps 

 imagined that their initial effort would meet with such 

 overwhelming success. 



The weather was delightfully fine. The attendance 

 w-as very large, swelled probably on account of the 

 visit of Lady Aberdeen, who once again graciously 

 demonstrated her interest in all things Irish. 



Turning to the show proper, the entries were 

 numerous (450), yet out of that great number not one 

 exhibit could be pointed out that did not show good 

 cultural knowledge, and for once it was a pleasure to 

 see amateur and professional gardeners in friendly 

 combat. Everything worked as smoothly as an oiled 

 machine, and certainly too much praise cannot be 

 given to the hon. seci^etary, Mr. Humphrey, for the 

 perfect arrangements made. 



Roses were not plentiful on account of the late date, 

 but were very good, especially the exhibit staged by 

 Mr. W. Usher, gardener to Mrs. Keith, Brennanstown, 

 who won the class for eighteen blooms. Among other 

 winners in rose classes were Messrs. Crozier,' David 

 Drimmie and G. C. Stapleton. For a prettily arranged 

 basket of roses Miss Murphy, Monkstown, won the 

 silver medal. 



Cactus dahlias were good— the challenge cup pre- 

 sented by Mr. St. George Lyon was won by Mr. Ross, 

 Mrs. Alfred West, Kilcroney, Bray, being a good 

 second, the class for six blooms going to Mr" Stapleton. 

 Begonias were admirably staged by Messrs. Crozier 

 and Stapleton. Greenhouse plants were nimierous, Mr. 

 Stanley Cochrane, Woodbrook, Bray, winning with six 

 w^ell-grown plants (gardener, Mr. George Bower). 

 Carnations were excellent, first prize winners being 



