308 



THE GfAEEENEfiS' CRBONIGLE. 



[SEPTEJtEZE 15, 1888. 



Glasscock; Miss Ramsbottom (single), from Mr. 

 T. S. AYare; to Victoria (single), from Messrs. J. 

 Cheal & Sons ; and to pompon, Fairy Tales, Little 

 Ethel, and Little Darkie, from Messrs. Keynes, 

 Williams & Co., and to decorative Dahlia Panthea, 

 from the same. To Mr. C. Turner for pompon 

 Dahlia Admiration, red, tipped with white ; to the 

 Messrs. Dickson & Sons, Chester, for Carnation, 

 Mr. Reynolds Hole ; to Mr. Frank Glasscock, 

 Bishops Stortford, for Asters Comet and Triumph, 

 the latter a deep chestnut crimson-coloured flower of 

 the Pajony type ; to Mr. R. Dean, for Mimulus 

 moschatus ruber; to Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., for 

 Gladioli, Mr. Lindsill and Phyllis ; and to Mr. J. T. 

 AVest, for decorative Dahlia, Beauty of Brentwood, 

 bright purple. 



KKWTOWNABDS HORTICULTURAL. 



This enterprising Society held its thirty-third 

 annual show on the 6th inst. in the grounds reserved 

 for it in the nursery of Messrs. Alexander Dickson 

 & Sons, Newtownards. It is the most flourishing 

 horticultural society in Ireland, and enjoys the 

 patronage of the nobility and gentry over a wide and 

 prosperous district. Pew horticultural societies in 

 the United Kingdom are favoured with a more prac- 

 tical business-like and energetic committee and 

 secretary. Every detail is well conceived and carried 

 out by them. Few, if any other provincial society, 

 can boast of owning the whole plant requisite to 

 the carrying through of every detail in connec- 

 tion with a flower show of the extent of that at 

 Newtownards. It is substantial evidence of the 

 excellent financial condition of this Society that it 

 owns the several large marquees and smaller tents 

 and everything else required in its annual opera- 

 tions. 



The prize schedule comprised 279 classes in six 

 sections, viz., plants in pots, cut flowers, fruits, and 

 vegetables, roots and cereals, and butter, eggs, and 

 honey. The first four sections are divided into sub- 

 sections for amateurs who keep a gardener, amateurs 

 who do not keep a gardener, nurserymen, and cot- 

 tagers. The nurserymen's subsection appears only 

 in the first and second sections. The entries in all 

 reached to the total of about 1200. A special feature 

 in the schedule appears in the cottagers' classes for 

 plants in pots, cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables, being 

 a set of prizes offered by the Irish Peasantry Society 

 of London, amounting to nearly £20 in all, so divided 

 as to encourage the peasauts of the district to im- 

 prove the vegetable and fruit products of their 

 gardens especially, and also their taste in the culture 

 and management of flowers. 



The show was altogether good alike as regards 

 quality and quantity, though it was said to be 

 inferior to preceding ones. The weather for the 

 first time in the course of the thirty-three years' 

 record of the Society, was somewhat unfavourable on 

 the day of the show, but did not prevent the public 

 of all classes attending in thousands, the day being 

 regarded as a district holiday, and duly taken 

 advantage of. 



Pot plants were well represented in all the sec- 

 tions, and were well cultivated and numerous. In 

 the first sub-section — amateurs who keep a gardener — ■ 

 S. Black, Esq., Glen Ebor (gr., Mr. R. Bissett), and 

 G. Wolff, Esq., The Dew gr., Mr. AV. A. Mcllroy), 

 took 1st and 2nd prizes respectively in the class of 

 ten stove and greenhouse plants, not less than three 

 in flower. In six stove or greenhouse plants, two in 

 flower, John Mulholland, Esq. (gr., Mr. Crane), took 

 the 1st place. For six stove or greenhouse plants in 

 pots, not exceeding 10 inches, S. Black and G. W. 

 Wolff again divided honours in their order. A table 

 of plants was contested for by the last two gentle- 

 men with the same result ; and in the competition 

 for six exotic Ferns they held the same relative 

 positions, and again also in the competition for two 

 Palms they were in the same order. Four very 

 superior Cockscombs came from A. M. Kirker, Esq., 

 Craigavad (gr., Mr. Wm. Watson), which were 

 deservedly awarded 1st prize. 



The productions in pot plants of amateurs who do 

 not keep a gardener were numerous and good. Ivy- 

 leaved Pelargoniums were splendidly shown by Dr. 

 Henry, of Comber, who took 1st prize. The collec- 

 tions of greenhouse were numerous, the best commg 

 from Israel McHenry, Lisburn, and J. W. Ritchie, 

 Comber. The best zonal Pelargoniums were tabled 

 by the last named competitor, as were also the best 

 show Pelargoniums, two Coleus, the best Lily of any 

 variety, and the best three Balsams. W. S. John- 

 son took 1st honours in the class of one Lilium 

 auratum. Mr. Hugh Gordon beat all comers in two 



pots of Mignonette, and W. S. Johnston excelled all 

 in tuberous Begonias. 



In the nurserymen's classes for plants in pots, 

 Messrs. Alexander Dickson & Sons, Newtownards, 

 and Mr. Hugh Dickson, Belmont Nursery, had the 

 competition between them. The latter took 1st 

 prize in the competition for a group of stove and 

 greenhouse plants, which was composed of a well- 

 grown, well-coloured lot of foliage plants, including 

 a grand specimen of Cycas circinalis and flowering 

 plants, among which were some capital Orchids, 

 Begonias, Lapageria alba, Ericas, Bouvardias, &c, 

 set up with fine taste. Messrs. Alexander Dickson 

 & Sons' group was also a good one. 



Out Flowers. — These, taking the season into ac- 

 count, were numerous, but space will not admit of 

 our particularising closely the different exhibits. 

 Dr. Dunlop, Holywood, was the principal prize-taker 

 among Dahlias and Roses in the section " Amateurs 

 who keep a gardener," and Mr. Kirker, Craigarad, 

 who took the 1st prize for the largest class of Dahlias, 

 viz., twenty-four blooms, carried off also first honours 

 for eighteen gladioli, and other important prizes. 



African and French Marigolds were very good, 

 which is rather a rare occurrence this season. The 

 best of the former came from Dr. Dunlop, and of the 

 latter from Mr. Kirker. 



In the nurserymen's section, cut flowers, the com- 

 petition was divided between Messrs. A. Dickson & 

 Sons and Mr. Hugh Dickson, and the honours were 

 keenly contested, both sustaining their well-earned 

 fame as Rose and Dahlia growers. 



Fruit. — The exhibits were scarce, and below the 

 average in quality as regards hardy kinds, but there 

 were some excellent examples of Grapes, Peaches, 

 Nectarines, and Plums. The best Grapes came from 

 Lord O'Neill, Shane's Castle, Antrim (gr., Mr. C. 

 Warwick), who took 1st honours for six bunches, in 

 four varieties, and in two bunches of black Grapes. 

 R. E. Ward took the 1st position in the competition 

 for Black Hamburghs, and G. W. Wolff for white 

 Grapes. R. E. Ward was 1st in Peaches, and also in 

 Nectarines and Figs. 



The cottagers' classes were well represented, the 

 productions in every case being of high merit, and 

 the same be said of the field produce. 



Scotland. 



GLASGOW AND WEST OF SCOTLAND 

 HORTICULTURAL. 



The autumn show of this Society was held in the 

 Grand Hall and in several tents in the International 

 Exhibition grounds, Kelvin Grove, Glasgow, on the 

 12th inst. The show was worthy of the metropolis 

 of the West of Scotland, and a credit to the com- 

 mittee of the Society. 



Fruit was a conspicuous feature, and some of the 

 leading prizetakers at the Royal Caledonian show of 

 last week were among the most successful here also ; 

 indeed, in not a few of the departments the success- 

 ful competitors at the show in the East have again 

 distinguished themselves in the West. 



The Grand Hall. — The plants and fruit here set up 

 made an imposing picture ; the latter was ranged on 

 the side tables, and three tables running the entire 

 length were occupied with plants for competition and 

 exhibition. 



Groups. — The orchestra was decorated with a col- 

 lection of foliage and flowering plants from the 

 Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, set up with good taste by 

 Mr.Bullen. Spaceforbids particularising the many in- 

 teresting and beautiful foliage plants, but we must 

 mention a plant of Lissochilus giganteus, with a fine 

 spike of flowers. 



The large space surrounding the throne used by 

 the Queen, was decorated by Messrs. Little & Bal- 

 lantyne, Carlisle, with a group of foliage plants- 

 such as Crotons and Dracaenas, as regards colour 

 and superior culture have never before been seen 

 at any show in Scotland. Many other varieties of 

 foliage plants contributed to the elegance and in- 

 terest of the group, each in its kind being perfect. 



Messrs. Smith & Simmons had good exhibits of 

 stove and greenhouse plants — both flowering and 

 foliage ; and Messrs. Austin & McAslan occupied a 

 similar space on the right-hand tables at the western 

 end of the hall. 



Immediately below the Botanic Garden exhibits 

 were placed the only two groups entered for the 

 first class in pot plants, viz., a group of miscellaneous 

 plants arranged for effect on a space not exceed- 

 ing 300 square feet. The 1st prize went easily to 

 Messrs. I. & R. Thyne, with stove and greenhouse 

 plants, which included well coloured Crotons and 

 Dracaenas, Liliums, Pancratiums, Statices, Be- 

 gonias, &c, relieved with Cocos and other 

 Palms; 2nd, Mr. Jas. Bryson, Parkhead Nursery, 

 Helensburgh. 



In the open classes of six stove and greenhouse 

 plants in flower Mr. Hugh Millar, Auchenraith, 

 Bothwell, was 1st, with Phcenocoma Barnesii and 

 Lapageria alba as conspicuous subjects in his collec- 

 tion ; 2nd, Mr. Hugg, Aitkenhead, Cathcart, with 

 an excellent lot. 



For six stove and greenhouse plants (foliage plants), 

 Mr. Raeside, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, was 1st; 

 and Mr. Matheson, Westbauk, Partick, 2nd— both 

 very good groups. 



Six exotic Ferns. — 1st. Mr. Neil, Greenhead 

 Street, Newmilns ; Mr. Mclntyre, Darlington, 2nd. 



Three Ericas in flower. — 1st, Mr. Neil ; 2nd, Mr. 

 Boyes, Burnpark, Uddington. 



Three specimens, Orchids in flower, Mr. Wilson 

 AYestmount, Kelvinside, 1st ; Mr. D. Paton, Milrig, 

 Galston, 2nd. 



Six Pitcher plants. — 1st, Mr. Sutherland, Lenzie 

 2nd, Mr. Hogg. 



Twelve table plants, foliage. — 1st, Mr. Mclntyre 

 2nd, Mr. Agnew, Ascog, Bute. 



Six table plants in flower. — 1st, Mr. Grossart, 

 Oswald House, Oswald Road, Edinburgh ; 2nd, Mr. 

 Sutherland. 



Dinner-table decorations were numerous, the first 

 going to Mr. Donald Mclntyre. 



Cut Flowers were numerous and excellent. Dah- 

 lias perhaps not so good as usual. The best in the 

 open classes came from Mr. Boston, Carthorpe, 

 Bedale, Yorks. The best single Dahlias were tabled 

 by Mr. Walker, florist, Gateshead, Low Fell. The 

 finest Hollyhocks, both blooms and spikes, were put 

 up by Mess. Kerr & Sons, Kalemouth, Roxburgh ; 

 and these were superior to anything of the kind 

 recently seen in Scotland. The 1st prize lot of 

 twenty-four Gladioli came from Messrs. McGrady & 

 Son, Portadown, though they were very closely 

 pressed by those tabled by Mess. Alex. Dickson 

 Newtownards. 



Boses. — The 1st prize twenty-four were shown 

 by Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen ; Messrs. Croll, 

 Dundee, making a good 2nd. 



Pansics : Show Varieties. — Of these the best 

 twenty-four came from Mr. Sutherland, Lenzie ; as 

 did also the best twenty-four fancies. 



Carnations and Pkotces. — In these Mr. Campbell, 

 High Blantyre, took the 1st position with very fine 

 examples. 



Baskets and Bouquets of Flowers. — In all classes of 

 these Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, had it all 

 their own way. Owing to pressure of space, it is 

 impossible to deal with the remaining classes of cut 

 flowers in detail. 



Vegetables. — These were very fine, and competition 

 was keen and close, especially in collections, the 1st 

 prize for which falling to Mr. D. McBean in the 

 gardeners' class, and to Mr. James Kidd in the 

 amateurs' class. 



A special prize of £10 for ten stove and green- 

 house plants was taken by Mr, Sutherland ; Mr. 

 Grossart being 2nd. 



There were many exhibits from nurserymen and 

 florists. 



Messrs. Dobbie & Co. had fine display of their 

 specialties, such as Dahlias, Marigolds, and choice 

 selections of vegetables. 



Mr. Kerr, Dumfries, a numerous collection of 

 Potatos. 



Messrs. Munro & Ferguson, Edinburgh, had a col- 

 lection of hardy herbaceous plants, including their 

 new Matricaria inodora fl.-pl. Snowflake, which 

 received a First-class Certificate. 

 Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, had a splendid 



