August 27, 1866. ) 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



149 



have been mailo to hold ti special Gladiohia exhibition, which will, wo 

 feol, bo full of interest, especially if I cau pet M. Sonchet iind other 

 foreign growers to exhibit. Tims cloaea another season of Crystal 

 Palace Shows. They have been succo3sfnl ones, nntl uo small share of 

 this SUCCORS is owiu*; to the kinduciss and courtesy of Mr. Wilkinson ; 

 and all who have to do with tho shows iu any way bear testimony to 

 the great plcasnro afforded them at this dLdightful place of amuse- 

 ment. — D.J Dad. 



Of the flowers not noticed above the Dahlias are the most important 

 in numbers, aUhou*,'h very fur from forming such a long array as in 

 more favourable yeartj. Still, those exhibited wore remarkably good 

 i-ousidering how long a period of heat and drouijht we have just passed 

 through. 



In Class I. forty-eight blooms, Mr. May. of the Hope Nurseries, 

 Bedale, is first with very lino blooms of. Vice-President, Lord Derby, 

 Jenny Austin, Octoroon, "White Perfection, Mr. C. Waters, .Tames 

 Bennett, Yellow I'erfection, Coronet, Polly Fawcett, James Backhouse, 

 John Klrby, Salamander, Matilda, Jjotty Atkins, Miss Ilcnshaw, 

 Charlotte Dorling, Foxhuuter, Sir A. Smyth, Volunteer, Mrs. Boston, 

 Golden Drop. George White, Lady L. Paulett, Lady Jane KUis, Sam 

 Naylor, Sir J. Douglas, Master of Arts, Albion, Rosy Circle, Yellow 

 Boy, Favonrite, Lady G. Herbert, Lady Klcho, Fair Iraofjeue, Gold- 

 finder, Lord Palmerstnn, Hero, Peri, Leah, British Triumi-h, Andrew 

 Dodd, Earl Russell, W. Dodd, Criterion, Ellen Potter, and Leopard. 

 Mr. Keynes is second ; Mr. Draycott, Humberstono Nursery, third. 



In the class for twenty-four, Mr. Keynes and Mr. May change posi- 

 tions, Mr. Keynes being first with Andrew Dodd, Yellow Boy, Purple 

 Gem, Queen of Whites, Miss Dombruin, Juno, Lifjhtuing, Memoran- 

 dum, Seedling C, Gazelle, J. Douniugtnu, Mrs. Brunton, Lady G. 

 Herbert. Baron Tauntou. Lady .J. Ellis, Leah, John Hunter, British 

 Triumph, E. Spary, Caroline Tetterell, John Kirby, Sam Bartlett 

 John Bunu, and Lady of tho Lake. Mr. Draycott is third, Messrs., 

 Kelway fouiih. 



The best twelve Fancies come from Mr. May, and consist of Gem, 

 Sam Bartlett, Mrs. Wyaft, Chaug, Prospero, Queen Mab, Ebor, 

 Prince of Wales, Mrs. Dorliug, John Brown, Coquette, and Leopard. 

 Mr. Keynes is second with J. Bunn, Sportsman, Mrs. Wickham, 

 Attraction, Startler, Bessie Wyatt, Lightning, Sam Bartlett, Chame- 

 leon, Fanny Sturt, President, ttc. 



In the amateurs' classes Mr. Charles J. Perry is first, Mr. Draycott, 

 gardener to T. Paget, Esq., M.P., Humberstoue, Leicester, second, 

 and Mr. T. Hobbs, third, for twenty-four blooms. For twelve Mr. 

 Draycott is fii'st, Mr. Burfitt second, Mr. Hopkius, of Brentford, third, 

 and Mr. C. .T. Perry, fourth ; and the last-named gentleman is first 

 for twelve Fancies. Mr. Beck, Wimbonie, Dorset, being second. 

 Several seedlings are shown, which receive certificates. The most 

 noteworthy are John Dis from Mr. Hobbs ; and Miss Dorabrain, 

 John Hunter, and Queen of Whites from Mr. Keynes. Mr. Hopkins 

 had a second-class certificate for Gipsy Queen. 



Among miscellaneous subjects Messrs. Downie, Laird, it Laing ex- 

 hibit an excellent group of subtropical and other plants, including 

 Cannas, Coieuses, new Caladiums, Pelargoniums, and Phloxes. For 

 this a first prize was awarded ; Mr. Tanton, of the Epsom Nursery, 

 taking the second with a magnificent AUamanda, named " Hcndersoni, 

 true of Wardle," and the correct name of which has yet to be decided. 



^ The Fruit is the great feature of the Show, and although the quan- 

 tity exhibited is not qnite so largo as usual, the quality is generally 

 excellent, and some of it. especially the Grapes, is of the highest merit. 



The first prize for a collection of fruit was taken by Mr. Miles, gar- 

 dener to Lord Carrington, Wycombe Abbey, with a Providence Pine 

 Apple, Bailey's Green-fieshed Melon, three good bunches of Black 

 Hamburgh Grapes weighing 0} lbs., three of Buckland Sweetwater 

 weighing 7^ lbs., Noblesse Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, Brown Ischia 

 Figs, and Washington Plums, all of which were vei-y good. Mr. Kemp, 

 gardener to the Duke of Northumberland, Albury Park, Guildfurd, 

 SuiTey, is second with a small Queen Pine, good bunches of Black 

 Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, fine Brown Turkey Figs, 

 Green Gage Plums, Royal George Peaches, Violette Hative Nectai-ines, 

 and two Melons. Mr. Clark, gardener to Earl Cowper, Panshanger, 

 is third. An extra prize was awarded to Mr. Miller, gardener to Lord 

 Craven, Combe Abbey, for a splendid collection, which would have 

 been first but for its not containing a dish of Figs, on which account 

 it was disqualified. The schedule, after enumeratiug the dishes re- 

 quired, stated " (one dish at option of exhibitor)," and Mr. Miller 

 understood this to mean that he might substitute one dish of any other 

 fruit for one of those nam*d. His collection consists of magnificent 

 bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes with largo and beautifully ripened 

 berries, Golden Hamburgh also verj- fine, Stoneleigh Abbey Pine 

 Apple, Combe Abbey Hybrid Melon, Stirling Castle Peach very fine, 

 excellent Violette H;Uive Nectarines, Late Duke Cherries, and Goliath 

 Plums. 



Pine Apples are not numerous, but for the most part good. In the 

 class for three of any variety Mr. Ward, gardener to T. N. Miller, Esq., 

 Bishop Stortfoi'd, is tirst with three finely grown fruit of Smooth- 

 leaved Cayenne, very even in size, and each weighing 7 lbs. or upwards. 

 The jmze for the best Queen was awarded to a good fruit from Mr. 

 Laiug, gardener to P. W. Flower, Esq,. Tooting Common, Mr. Harrow 



being second. The best fruit of any variety except the t^ueen was 

 Sraooth-loaved Cayenne, weighing 8^ lbs., from Mr. Ward ; Mr. A. 

 Wright, gardener to C. Roberts, Esq., Regent's Park, being second 

 with a Providence weighing no more than ft\ lbs. 



Grapoa, as shown by Mr. Meredith, of Garston, Liverpool, and Mr. 

 Miller, of Combe Abbey, arc the finest wo have ever seen. The former 

 took the first prize for the best basket with Black Hamburghs, which, 

 for size of berries and beautiful colour and bloom, could not bo sur- 

 passed ; whilst Mr. Miller, who is second, has the same kind also in 

 splendid condition, and with berries of the largest size. Mr. Ward is 

 third, ard Mr. Osborne, Finchley, takes an extra prize, both with 

 excellent Black Hamburghs. The Bamo kind, also veiy good, comes 

 from Mr. Frost, of Maidstone ; and among other kinds shown aro 

 Muscat of Alexandria and Buckland Sweetwater, the latter very good, 

 from Mr. Excell, gardener to J. Hollingworth, Esq., Maid-stonc. 



The class for the best three bunches of Black Grapes is, however, 

 that in which the two most remarkable exhibitions aro produced; 

 indeed, wo have never seen finer anywhere. Tke bunches of Black 

 Hamburgh from Mr. Meredith, who is first, aro the finest wc have ever 

 seen him exhibit, magnificent as were the specimens which he pro- 

 duced in previous years. The centre buneh is of enormous size, with 

 large shoulders, and it is supported on each side by a large and finely- 

 shaped bunch. The berries aro immense, in ^ize more like Plums 

 than Grapes, and are covered with a beautiful bloom. Mr. Miller, 

 gardener to Earl Craven, Combe Abbey, was awarded the second 

 prize for three splendid, compact, symmetrical bunches, remarkably 

 equal in size, and with berries of enormous size and beautifully 

 coloured. These, too, were such as wo have not seen surpassed, and 

 are a convincing proof of Mr. Miller's skill as a Grape-grower, though 

 his success in previous years renders proof of that fact unnecessary. 

 Mr. Thomas, gardener to Mrs. Child, Whetstone, is third, and good 

 bunches are also shown by Mr. Osborne, Mr. Sage, and others- 

 Messrs. Lane have excellent bunches of Alicante, but not sufficiently 

 ripe. 



In the class for White Grapes, Mr. Osborne, of Finchley, is first 

 with fine beautifully-ripened Muscats, and Mr. Laing, gardener to 

 P. Flower, Esq., second, with large bunches of Canon Hall; Messrs. 

 Lane &: Son, of Berkhampstead, are third with Trebbiano, fine. Mr. 

 Miller, Mr. Carr, and others also send good bunches of Muscat of Alex- 

 andria, and Mr. Aedy. gardener to Mr. Wright, has Buckland Sweet- 

 water perfectly ripe, being of a deep amber colour. Mr. Keen also 

 has good bunches of the same kind. 



The first prize for the largest bunch of any variety was taken by 

 Mr. R. Keen, gardener to J. G. Sheppard, JEsq., Wickham Market, 

 with Buckland Sweetwater, weighing 4 lbs. 12ozs. ; the second prize 

 going to Mr. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbounie, Esq., Loxford Hall, 

 Ilford, for Black Hamburgh weighing ?> lbs. 13i ozs. ; and the third to 

 Mr. R. Laing for a bunch of Canon Hall of 3 lbs. 5^ ozs. 



Peaches chielly consist of Royal George, Violette Hative, and 

 Barrington, but are not remarkable for size. Mr. Douglas is first 

 with fine fruit of Exquisite, a very large yellow-fleshed American 

 variety. Mr. Miller is second with a very fine dish of Padley's Seed- 

 ling ; 'Mr. Sage, gardener to W. Leaf, Esq., Streatham, taking a like 

 award for Teton de Venus ; and Mr. Rose, Acton, is third with Bar- 

 rington. 



Nectarines, with the exception of the prize dishes, are small. Mr. 

 King, gardener to R. Loder, Esq., Slaugham, is first with large and 

 finel'ruit of the Violette Hative. Mr. Miller is second with Murrey, 

 large and finely coloured ; and Mr. Douglas third with Pine Apple, 

 very fine. Pitmaston Orange, of which the last-named is on improved 

 variety, Downtou, Hunt's Tawny, Elruge. and Imporatrice are the 

 other kinds principally shown, and G. F. Wilson, Esq., of Weybridge, 

 sends good-sized fruit of the Stanwick from an orchard house. 



Melons are shown iu considerable numbers. The first prize for 

 gi'een-fleshed was awarded to Mr. Richbell, Tadworth Court. Epsom, 

 for a fruit unnamed ; the second to Mr. Bailey, Shardeloes, for Bailey's 

 Green-fleshed ; and the third to Mr. Gibson, Westerham. Mr. Carson 

 has a fruit of Carson's Nonsuch weighing I'A lbs. ; and among other 

 kinds are Golden Perfection, Bromham Hall. King's. Heckfield Hybrid, 

 and Golden Gem. In the scarlet-fleshed class Mr. Bailey is first with. 

 Scarlet Gem; Mr. Clark, Panshanger,secoud with Malvern Hall; and 

 Mr. Hutley, Epsom, third with Prizetaker. 



In Figs there is scarcely any competition. The best two dishes are 

 Brown Turkev and White Marseilles from Mr. Willmore, gardener to 

 the Misses Jones, Maidstone ; Mr. O. Goldsmith, gardener to Sir W. 

 Farquhar, Bart.. Polesdeu, is second. 



Of Cherries likewise there are very few, as might be expected so far 

 on in the season. Morello and Belle Maguifique, both very fine, from 

 Mr. Clark, P.anshanger, are first; Morello and Black Tartarian, the 

 latter small but of the deepest black, from Mr. Sage, Ashridge Gar- 

 dens, are second ; and Morello and Late Duke from Mr. Goldsmith 

 thii-d. 



Plums are very numerous and good, and consist of Kirke's, Pond's 

 Seedling, Magnum Bonum, Denyer's Victoria, Goliath, Purple Gage, 

 Jefferson. Washington, Coe's Golden Drop, and Mitchelsou's. Mr. 

 Jackson, gardener to G. W. Gower, Esq., Titsey Park, is first ; G. F. 

 Wilson, Esq., second with Coe's Golden Drop, Huling's Superb, and 

 Transparent Gage. These were grown in an unbeated orchard house 

 till all danger from frost was over, and then ripened out of doors. 

 i R. Webb, Esq., Culham House, Reading, is thii'd with Coe's Golden 



