XII 



IRISH GARDENING. 



placed before llu- plant lover-s who alleiul llieir exliilii- 

 lioiis. Novelties have, as a nile, mori' atlraelioii ihaii 

 ordinary plants. 



Messi-s. Ramsey, Ballsbiid.i,--e, had a very fine eollee- 

 tion of plants and flowers, for whieh lliey were awardeil 

 a gold medal. 



A gold medal was also awarded to Messr.s. Hotcg i; 

 Robertson, Mary Street, for an excellent collection of 

 daffodils, it containing some of the finest blooms they 

 Iiave exhibited here. 



Sir J. Gore-Booth, Lissadell, Sligo, was awarded a 

 silver medal for a very good collection oC daffodils. 

 Messrs. Browett & Son, Kingstown.wereawardeda sih er 

 medal for a verj- fine collection of ferns and palms. 

 Messrs. Gill, Falmouth, received a similar award for a 

 tine lot of Himalayan rhododendron blooms, and 

 Messrs. Heath, Cheltenham, for rockery and Alpine 

 plants, which were much admired. Messr.s. Watson & 

 Sons, Clontarf; Messrs. Pennick, Delgany, Co.Wicklow ; 

 afid Mr. Reamsboltom, Geashill, King's Co., had also 

 very commendable exhibits of floral designs, liardy 

 plants, and flowers. 



Mr. Watson, the horticultural chemist of South Gre.ii 

 George's Street, had a very interesting exhibit of 

 fungicides and insecticides. 



Pot plants were a leading feature in the show, and in 

 general they were very well grown. The mignonette of 

 Mrs. Meade Coff'ey (Mr. Lodon), the azaleas of Sir E. 

 C. Cochrane (Mr. Colgan), the deutzias of Mr. Westby 

 (Mr. Simmons\ the amarylis of Mr. Bewley (Mr. Cave), 

 the pot roses (which won the president's cup) and the 

 ferns and tulips of Mrs. Goodbody (Mr. Davis), deserve 

 special mention. Considering the season, roses were of 

 good quality, especially those of Mr. Bewley and Mr. 

 D'Olier. 



Narcissus were well represented, Mr. Drinunie 

 ( Mr. Bvrne) having very good blooins in many classes. 

 For the challenge cup there was strong com- 

 petition, with very little to choose between the first and 

 .second prize stands of Mr. S. H. Cochrane (Mr. Bowers) 

 and Mr. R. T. Harris, respectively. I think there is 

 much room for improvement in the manner of staging 

 this class, considering it is one of the most important of 

 the show-. Vegetables were poor in general, though the 

 broccoli of Sir John Franks (Mr. Checkley) was very 

 good. Considering the importance of spring vegetables 

 I think it would be advisable to increase the value of 

 the prizes in this class so as to induce more competition. 

 Competition in the fruit classes was not very keen, 

 though strawberries were good, especially those of .M r. 

 Westby. 



It would have been interesting to have seen the 

 apples cut and tasted by the judges, as colour is not 

 much of a guide at this season. The committee should 

 insist on all fruit staged being named so as to be a 

 guide to visitors, the judges to lake the correctness of 

 the naming into consideration when awarding the 

 prizes. .Another thing which should be insi.sted on is, 

 that no exhibits be removed from the stages until the 

 hall is cleared of the public. Would it not be well lo 

 follow, to some extent at least, the ruling of the L'lsler 

 Horticultural Society on (he matter of removing the 

 exhibits after the show? 



The Council are to be congralulated upon the success 



of Ihe show, and exhibitors and visitors alike are under 

 obligations to the popular secretary (Mr. Kiiowldin) for 

 the way in which the arrangements were carried out, 

 which were certainly an improvement upon many 

 preceding shows of the society. W. S. I. 



The Clare Horticultural Societ\' Spring 

 Flower Show. 



THE above society lield their first spring flower 

 show on Easier Monday, and the committee and 

 their enthu.siastic secretary (Mr. H. Bill) are to 

 be congratulated upon the success of their initial eflForts 

 to increase the interest of their supporters in the cult of 

 daffodils and other spring flowers. 



Whilst local florists had large and highly creditable 

 displays of exhibits the popular interest centred upon Ihe 

 brilliant stand of blooms sent from Lissadell by Sir 

 Jocelyn Gore-Booth, and .skilfully arranged under the 

 direction of Mr. J. Sangster (w-ho also acted as judge 

 of the classes). The greater portion of the front hall was 

 devoted to Class i — best decorated dinner table the 

 general effect of which was considerably enhanced bv 

 a background of flowering plants sent by .M. Keane, 

 Esq., and tastefully arranged by Mr. T. Kett. The 

 first prize in this class was secured by Mrs. Stevenson. 

 In Class 2 Mrs. Steven.son also secured fii-sl prize for 

 epergne decorated with spring flowers, and .Mrs. Scott 

 the second prize. In Class 3, for best collection of 

 named daftbdils, Mr.s. G. U, McXamara obtained first 

 place, and Mrs. .Alex. Knox was equally fortunate for the 

 best collection of spring flowers in the fourth class. In 

 the competition for Major Hickman's prize for a collec- 

 tion of not less than 12 varieties of daft'odils in spravs of 

 t\\e, the Rev. R. Scott look the premier position. Much 

 interest was taken in the cut sprays of flowering shrubs 

 and double primroses shown by Col. E. Tottenham. 



The attendance was quite up to the average of the 

 summer shows, but was composed largely of visilors, 

 who are rarely seen in Ennis; bul as all appeared to 

 enjoy themselves and to have but one opinion of the 

 arrangements for their entertainment, w'e feel sure that 

 it w-ill not be their last visit lo the splendidly organised 

 Clare flower shows. 



A Neat Pla.nt Labei,. — We have ri'ceived samples o( 

 the West '* .\lu " label, and feel sure that once seen and 

 used they would be often used. They are are made of 

 thin aluminium, and have a smooth, silverv surface eas\- 

 lo write upon. The writing mav be made with an 

 ordinary lead pencil, the marks of which we find 

 difficult to rub off. If dearer marks are wanted jet 

 black indelible ink may be used. Each label is provided 

 with an aluminium shank, which, being exceedingly 

 pliable, may be bent round the stem of the plant, thus 

 obviating tying. They can also be used as ground 

 labels, the shtink when pushed into the soil being long 

 enough to fix it ; used in this way they would look very 

 neat in pots. \\'e presume that tlealers in garden sun, 

 dries can supply them. 



