26 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ July 8, 1875. 



ever been stageil. For Carnations and PicoteeB Mr. Turner, 

 Slongb, and Mr. Hooper, IJatb, were the sncceBBfal compekitors. 



Bouquets were well represented, twenty-sis competing 

 "bridal" and "opera." For the best bridal boaquet Mr. Per- 

 kins was first, Messrs. Feltoe & Sons second, and Messrs. 

 Tnrner Brothers, Basnitt Street, Liverpool, third. They were 

 admirable es-imples of tasteful arrangement, but were fully too 

 large. For the best opera bouquet Messrs. Pope & Son were 

 first, and Mr. Cypher second, with artistic combinations of 

 choice flowers, Messrs. Feltoe & Sons being third ; an extra 

 being awarded to Mr. Jackson. Some of these were too heavy, 

 but on the whole they were admirably set up. 



The arrangements of flowers for table decoration were an ex- 

 cellent display, there being thirty two glasses, none of them 

 being inferior, while most of them gave evidence of consum- 

 mate taste. For three pieces arranged for the table Mr. Cypher 

 was first; Mr. Cook, gardener to Mrs. Abercrombie, Cheltenham, 

 second ; and Mr. Jackson third. For a centre-piece Mr. Cypher 

 was again placed first. Turner Brothers second, and Mr. Jack- 

 son third. Grasses played a very important part in these 

 masterly arraugements. For the best button-hole bouquet 

 twenty-three competed, Messrs. Pope & Sou being placed first 

 for the smallest and best, Mr. Finch being second, Turner 

 Brothers third, and Mr. Cypher fourth. A small Rose bud, a sprig 

 of Forget-me-not and Bouvardia, with a little Fern, found most 

 favour with the Judges and public alike. In the class for 

 skeleton leaves Mr. John Kaye, Didsbnry, Manchester, exhibited 

 six stands, and had the first and only prize awarded. If the 

 three prizes had been grouped in ono it would have been no 

 more than this exquisite collection merited. 



FRUIT. 



Commencing with Pines we find for two Queens, that Mr 

 Meredith, gardener to Viscountess Downe, Baldersley Park, 

 Thirsk, secures the first place with handsome, plump, flne-con- 

 ilitioned, small-crowned fruit ; Mr. Miles, gardener to Lord 

 Carriugton, Wycombe Abbey, being second with fully as large 

 hut not quite such perfect fruits. For the best fruit of any other 

 variety Mr. Coleman had the first award for a large fruit of Pro- 

 vidence. For the best six Pines Mr. Meredith was again in the 

 front place with beautifully ripened medium-sized fruit, Mr. 

 Miles being placed stcond. The Pines generally were useful 

 well-finished table fruit, of which twenty-four were exhibited. 



Grapes, C'f which sixty bunches were exhibited, were more 

 remarkable for quality than size, and were as a rule highly cre- 

 ditable to the growers. For the best three bunches of Black 

 Hambnrgbs Mr. Coleman, gardener to Earl Somers, was placed 

 first with (xamples quite worthy of himself. The bunches were 

 of good size and handsome shape, the berries being fine and as 

 even as if cast in a mould, with colour and bloom perfect. Mr. 

 "Wallis, gardener to A. Mundy, Esq., Shipley Hall, Derby, was 

 second with very nice bunches ; Mr. Bannermau being third on 

 the list with larger bunches and berries, but the latter being 

 rubbed in transit detracted from the appearance of otherwise 

 fine Grapes. For the best three bunches of any other variety of 

 black Grapes Mr. Coleman had the first place with Black Prince, 

 the bunches being a foot in length, and the berries perfectly 

 regular and as black as jet. Mr. "Wallis was second with excel- 

 lently finished Black Frontignan ; Mr. Evans, gardener to C. N. 

 Newdegate, Esq., M.P., Arley, Nuneaton, being third with very 

 good Black Prince. For the best three bunches of Muscats Mr. 

 Bannerman was first with bunches heavy, full, regular, and 

 finely finished ; Mr. Fleming, gardener, Sandhejs, Liverpool, 

 having the second place. For any other variety of white Grapes 

 Mr. Bannerman was first with exceedingly fine Foster's White 

 Seedling, Mr. Coleman second with capital White Froutignans, 

 Mr. Cushon being third with very large but very much polished 

 Buckland Sweetwaters. For a collecliou of six bunches Mr. 

 Bannermau had the first place with Madresfield Court, Black 

 Prince, Black Hamburgh, Foster's White Seedling, Muscat of 

 Alexandria, and Buckland Sweetwater. These were all good 

 and set up in excellent order ; so also was the second-prize col- 

 lection from Mr. Coleman. 



For sis Peaches Mr. Coleman had again the first place with 

 very fine Grosse Mignonnes, Mr. Jackson, Tixall Hall, Staflord, 

 being second with excellent Early Yorks, and Mr. Earnewell 

 tliird with fruit Urge but pale of Noblesse. For Nectarines 

 Mr. Parks, gardener to J. Marriott, Esq., had the first place with 

 Eiruge, Mr. Grant being second, and Mr. Bannerman third. 

 The whole of the dishes contained good and well-coloured fruit. 



For the best dish of Black Cherries Mr. Miles had the first 

 place with Black Eagle, extra fine ; Mr. Maher, Stoke, being 

 second; and Mr. Clarke, Studley Royal, third. For Whites 

 Mr. Cos, Madresfield, was first with Elton, Mr. Miles being 

 second with White Heart, and Mr. Maher third. 



Strawberries, of which were seventy dishes, of twenty-five 

 fruits each, were, perhaps, the best feature of this section. For the 

 best dish of the British Queen or Dr. Hogg type the first award 

 went to Mr. James, Kenilworth, for a grand dish of Dr. Hogg, 

 Mr. Cox and Mr. Coleman being tecond and third respectively 

 with excellent dishes of the same variety. In the any other 



variety class Mr. James was first with immense fruit of Oscar 

 Mr. Winston, Kenilworth, being second, and Mr. Taylor, Mal- 

 pas, Cheshire, third, for remarkably fine fruit of Sir J. Paxton. 

 Mr. Turner, Slough, was deservedly awarded an extra prize for 

 thirty-six varieties. Messrs. James Veitch & Sons also ex- 

 hibited a collection, amongst which were James Veitch very 

 large, Bicton Pine, and other popular sorts. This was a very 

 fine collection. An extra award was also made to Mr. Bates, 

 gardener to G. Moore, Esq., .Vppleby Hall, for plants in pots 

 bearing a good crop of ripe fruit. 



Melons. Of these twenty-five good fruits were exhibited. For 

 the best Green-fleshed variety Mr. Coleman had the first place 

 with a fine and richly- flavoured fruit of Eastnor Castle; Mr. 

 Tudgey, gardener, Kenwick, being second with a "seedling;" 

 and Mr. Fmlay, gardener to Col. North, Banbury, third with 

 Gilbert's Green-flesh. For the best Scarlet-flesh Mr. Maher, 

 Stoke Court, Slough, had the first award with a beautiful un- 

 named oval-shaped fruit ; Mr. Brown, gardener to Earl Howe, 

 being second ; and Mr. Coleman third, both with Read's Scarlet- 

 flesh. 



We now come to the last and greatest class of this sec- 

 tion of the Exbibilior. — viz., the collection of eight dishes of 

 fruit, f( r which i;iO, £7, and £5 were offered, with the 25-guinea 

 silver challenge cup to the winner of the first prize. Here Mr. 

 Coleman reaped the reward of his skill, and being the second 

 time of securing the first honours, the cup became his own pro- 

 perty. His collection embraced a nice Pine, splendid Black 

 Hamburgh and good Muscat Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, 

 a fine Eastnor Castle Melon, and superior President Strawber- 

 ries. Mr. Clarke, Studley Royal, was second ; and Mr. Banner- 

 man third with admirable collections of nearly the same kinds 

 of fruits. Two others competed, and the whole of the collec- 

 tions were highly creditable contributions. 

 VEGETABLES. 



Last but not least in importance we come to this section, and 

 nowhere in the Exhibition were more creditable examples of cul- 

 ture to be seen. For the prize of £5, and the tweiity-five-guinea 

 challenge cup added, the best ten dishes were from Mr. Miles, 

 gardener to Lord Carrington. The trophy now becomes Mr. 

 Miles's own property. The collection comprised James's Pro- 

 lific Peas, Canadian Wonder Beans, Turnips, Carrots, Onions, 

 Tomatoes, Cauliflowers, Asparagus, Globe Artichokes, and Po- 

 tatoes. There was not a failing dish ia the collection, each being 

 nearly perfect of its kind. Mr. Holder, Prestbury, was second 

 — a collection of considerable excellence; third honours going 

 to Mr. Turk, Cheltenham. The roots in this exhibit were 

 especially very superior. For the best eight dishes Mr. Arkell, 

 Cheltenham, had the first place, Mr. Bloxham, gardener to Sir 

 P. Duncan, Bart., being placed second, and Mr. Richardson 

 third with superior collections of the same sorts as in the pre- 

 ceding class. For the best three dishes of Kidney Potatoes 

 Mr. Miles was first with Early Rofe, Mona's Pride, and Milky 

 White, Mr. Smith being second with Extra Early Vermont, 

 Lapstone, and Veitch's Ashleaf, Mr. Taylor having the third 

 place. For Round sorts Mr. Richardson, Boston, had the first 

 award with Early King, " Paxton's," and Carter's Main Crop ; 

 Mr. Taylor being second with Early Rose, Rector of Woodstock, 

 and Main Crop ; Rev. Mr. Bell, Bampton, having the third place . 

 For the best siugla dish of Kidneys Mr. Richardson won with 

 Mona's Pride, Mr. Bates being second with Myatt's ProUfic, and 

 Mr. 'Taylor third — Rivers' Royal Ashleaf; the awards for the 

 best dish of round sorts going first to Mr. Brown, Gopsall, Hull, 

 with Rector of Woodstock ; second to Mr. Gullich, Dosthill, 

 with Chattertoii's Prolific; and third Mr. Madely, Handsworth, 

 with Rector of Woodstock. In these classes ninety dishes were 

 exhibited of fair average quality. Rector of Woodstock making 

 the most handsome dish. 



Peas were remarkably good. For the best three dishes Mr. 

 Richardson won with Omega, G. F. Wilson, and James's Pro- 

 lific; Mr. Cox, Madresfield, being placed second, and Mr. Arkell 

 third. For the best single dish Mr. Cos won with the Duchess 

 of Edinburgh, Mr. Arkell being placed second, and Mr. Smith, 

 Cheltenham, third. The prizes offeied by Messrs. Hurst and 

 Sons for Mr. Laxton's Peas fell first to Mr. Richardson, second 

 to Mr. Miles, and third to Mr. Cox. These were very fine, the best 

 being Omega, Popular, Fillbasket, Superlative, and William I. 

 Prizes were also given for fifty pods each of Unique to Mr. 

 Miles, Dr. Hogg to Mr. Bailey, and Supplanter to Mr. Miles. In 

 the Pea classes Dr. Hogg, Connoisseur, Carter's Commander-in- 

 chief, James's Prolific, and Omega showed to advantage. 



Of the remainder of the vegetables we can only say that 

 Onions were immense and clean bulbs. White Tripoli being in 

 every instance to the front, the awards going to Messrs. Miles, 

 Cox, and Turk. Cucumbers, of which twi-nty-five brace were 

 exhibited, wtro noticeable for quality rather than size. Tender 

 and Tnie distanced all competitors, Mr. Cushon having the first 

 place with handsome meiiinm-sized fruit, Mr. Maher being 

 placed second, and Mr. Holder third. In Dwarf Kidney Beans 

 Canadian Wonder was the best of all the varieties; Mr. Blox- 

 ham was placed first, and Mr. Cushon second. Celery was, for 



