I/O 



IRISH GARDENING. 



NOVEMBER 



Sir R. Pai.mkks Pkizk Exhibit. 



Royal Horticultural Society's 

 Winter Show. 



THIS show was held in the premises of the Royal 

 Dublin Societj- at Ballsbridge, on Wednesday 

 and Thursday, 20th and 21st October, 1909. 

 Fruit, cut flowers, and vegetables were well repre- 

 sented, but there were no pot plants. Apples were 

 the chief feature in the show, and though probabl)- not 

 so many as last year, I think they were of better quality, 

 there being- very few even medium class fruit. 



There were very few entries from the Kilkenny district 

 this year, most of their best fruit having been previously 

 shown at Waterford. 



The exhibits go to prove that good, high-class fruit 

 can be produced in this country, and that they compare 

 very favourably with the best hardy fruits grown in 

 England this year. 



Some very high-class fruit was exhibited by Lady 

 Fitzgerald (gardener, Mr. Barker), Mr. Scott and Mr. 

 Coffey from Co. Clare, and from Cork by Mr. Spottis- 

 wood Bowles and Mr. Hennerty. County Dublin 

 growers w-ere well to the fore, including Mr. J. 

 Jamieson (gardener, Mr. McKellar), Mrs. Goodbody 

 (gardener, Mr. Davis), Captain Rialland Mr. E. Bewley. 

 Mr. Jamieson was first for the decorated table of fruit, 

 Mr. Hennerty a good second. The tables were a 

 feature in the show, and contained some very good 

 apples. 



There was good competition in the fruit packed for 

 market classes, the packages of Mr. Scott, New- 

 market-on-Fergus, taking the four first prizes with ex- 

 cellent fruit, very well packed, the half bushel of Cox's 

 Orange Pippin being extra well done. Good fruit packed 



like this will command a good sale in almost any 

 market in the country. 



Pears, though not numerous, were of very good 

 quality, especially those of Pitmaston Duchess, 

 e.xcellent fruits being staged, and gave the judges 

 some work to decide which was the best dish, 

 the first prize going to the Rev. R. Bradshaw, 

 with Lord Plunkett second. The first prize dish 

 of Doyenne du Cornice, shown by the Earl of 

 Meath, contained excellent fruits, Mr. D'Olier 

 being second. Some of the dishes of pears con- 

 tained mixed fruits. 



Though the vegetables in general were not so 

 numerous as might be expected, there was 

 very strong competition in some of the classes, 

 especially the onions, carrots, and parsnips, which 

 were won by Sir R. Palmer (gardener, Mr. 

 Brennan), and tomatoes won by Mr. Hennerty, 

 Cork, Mr. Mcintosh being second. Extra good 

 celery was shown by Mr. N. Hone, who was first 

 for both red and white, Sir R. Palmer being 

 second. The first prize collection of twelve 

 vegetables of Sir R. Palmer was a very good 

 exhibit, and contained good onions, carrots and 

 parsnips, Mr Hone being second. The first 

 prize for a collection of six vegetables was won by 

 Mr. Brown, Naas, Mr Gleeson being second. Though 

 the first prize dish of cabbages of Mrs. Meade 

 Coflfey's was very good, the rest were a very coarse 

 lot. Beet w-as very good, Mr. N. Hone taking first 

 prize and Sir R. Palmer second. Onions were 

 extra good. Sir R. Palmer being first with ver)' 

 fine specimens, whilst the Marquis of Ormonde 

 (gardener, Mr. Sutton) was second with almost as good 

 bulbs. The prize winners in the cottagers' section 

 were Mr. W. Ryan and Mr. R. Staunton, P'oxford, Co. 

 Mayo. These classes could with advantage be extended, 

 and it would be advisable to try and procure cottagers 

 nearer home to take an interest in growing and exhibit- 

 ing vegetables by the e-xtension of classes for cottagers. 

 Chrysanthemums made a very nice display, especially 

 the early flowering varieties. Some very fine, large 

 blooms were exhibited, especially in the stand for 

 twenty-four blooms, and in the vase for six whites, Mr. 

 J. Jamieson taking all the first prizes in the large bloom 

 classes. There was very good competition in the early 

 flowering section, the challenge cup for twelve vases 

 being won b}' Mrs. Meade Coffey, Mr. Jamieson being 

 second. Mr. Ross won first prize for six vases of early 

 flowering ones, with Mr. Maunsell second. For the 

 vase of singles arranged for effect. Miss J. M. Field 

 was awarded first and Mr. Clements second prize. 



The class, which is a new one, for twelve vases of 

 hardy berried plants, with prizes presented by Lady 

 Albreda Bourke, was won by Mr. E. Lee, Capt. Riall 

 being second. 



It was very gratifying to see the nurserymen taking 

 more interest in this show. 



The stands of fruits, flowers and plants of Messrs. 

 Drummond & Sons, and of fruits, plants and floral designs 

 of Messrs. C. Ramsey & Son were very good, and well 

 deser\'e the gold medal awarded to each of them. 



Silver medals were awarded to Mr. Jones, Gowran, 

 Kilkenny, for shrubs ; Messrs. Edmondson, Dame Street, 



