November 24, 1888.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



611 



ladies. The ladies' table stands and bouquets were 

 a very gay feature. The premier flowers of the 

 show, taking the National Society's Bronze Medals, 

 both shown by Mr. Owen, of Ealing, were Boule 

 d'Or and White Queen of England. 



Fruits were iu good form. Messrs. Lee & Sons 

 showed a fine collection of Apples and Pears grown 

 at their Ealing nursery. The culinary and dessert 

 Apples in competition were exceedingly good, Potts' 

 Seedling, Emperor Alexander, Peasgood's Nonsuch, 

 and Wellington being amongst the finest ol the 

 former, and Blenheim Orange, King of the Pippins, 

 and Cox's Orange Pippin of the latter. Pears also 

 were very good, and generally well preserved. 



Potatos were in excellent form also, whilst the 

 competition in the vegetable classes was remarkable, 

 no less than twelve collections of six kinds being 

 staged in the open class, Mr. Chadwick coming 1st. 

 The cottagers' exhibits in this section were first-rate, 

 and hard to excel this season. 



The classes for cooked Potatos, served hot, were 

 well contested, the 1st prize in each case falling to 

 Mr. E. Cachett, of Acton, a railway signalman, whose 

 samples were of the best description. 



of mixed plants by Mr. Darby, florist, of Watford. 

 Table decorations, floral devices, and berried plants, 

 all helped to make up a really first-class show. 



WATFORD CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



November 13 and 14. — The fourth annual exhibi- 

 tion of Chrysanthemums at the Agricultural Hall was 

 by far the best yet held by the Society, the entries 

 being larger, and the exhibits more meritorious than 

 previously, amongst the competitors being many 

 who had exhibited at the National in the previous 

 week. The central group of plants in the hall came 

 from Lord Clarendon's garden, and were not in the 

 competition. The group was arranged skilfully and 

 with much taste by Mr. Myers. 



In the group class the 1st prize was awarded to 

 Mr. Dinsmore, gr. to T. F. Blackwell, Esq., for a 

 very nice group of flowering plants, Orchids, and 

 Ferns ; the 2nd and 3rd being awarded to Mr. Cox, 

 gr. to Mrs. Brown, and to Mr. Condie, gr. to S. 

 Blackwell, Esq., in the order named. In cut flowers 

 the competition was severe, the entries nnmbering 

 nearly 200, and our remarks must necessarily be 

 limited to the open classes. 



Twenty-four Japanese — The flowers were superb, 

 as is shown by the fact, that the winning lot, that of 

 Mr. Edwin Beckett, gr. to II. H. Gibbs, Esq., was 

 awarded also the prize for the exhibit in the show, and 

 one of his blooms, Album fimbriato, was adjudged the 

 premier flower amongst the Japanese. Mr. Beckett's 

 other fine blooms were S. Olver, Sunflower, Madame 

 C. Audiguier, and E. Molyneux. Second honours 

 were taken by Mr. Cox, gr. to J. Trotter, Esq. 



Twenty-four incurred. — Mr. Beckett was again 1st; 

 and secured the prize for the best incurved flower in 

 the show with a fine example of Princess of Wales. 

 Mr. E. Sanderson, President of the "National," was 

 2nd with a remarkably fine stand of flowers of high 

 finish ; and was 2nd to Mr. Beckett's only in point of 

 size. 



Twelve incurved. — Mr. E. Sanderson was 1st with a 

 fine lot of the leading varieties ; 2nd, Mr. Mundcll, 

 gr. to Lord Ebury. 



Twelve Japanese. — 1st, Mrs. Brightmen ; 2nd, Mr. 

 Kirby, gr. to Sir A. Charles. 



Six incurved, one variety. — A keen contest occurred 

 in this class, the blooms being in all cases well set- 

 up, and with a degree of finish that will be explained 

 by reference to the names of the winners. 1st, Mr. 

 Beckett, with Princess of Wales ; 2nd, Mr. San- 

 derson with Princess of Teck ; and 3rd, Mr. Mundell 

 with Golden Empress. In the same section for 

 distinct Japanese, Mr. Beckett again won 1st place 

 with a stand of the pure white Avalanche; and Mr. 

 Heuty 2nd. 



In the amateurs' classes a keen competition took 

 place in cut blooms, Mr. K. Bradberry a successful 

 exhibitor at the Aquarium, taking 1st honours in 

 incurved, and Mr. Lansley and Mr. Sturman being 

 equallv successful with Japanese. 



Plants. — Mr. Kirby, gr. to Sir A. Charles secured 

 1st place with a group of plants well flowered, but 

 rather too tall for good effect. 



Fruit. — A fine collection, not for competition, was 

 shown by Messrs. Lane. In the competing classes 

 Messrs. Beckett, Brown, and Barnes were the chief 

 prize-takers. 



Vegetables. — These were well shown in collec- 

 tions. Mr. Beckett again was foremost, with Mr. 

 Henty 2nd. 



Table plants, Cyclamens and Primulas, were shown. 

 Some Bouvardias and Pernettyas, not for competi- 

 tion were exhibited by Messrs. Cutbush, and a group 



"WESTON-SUPER-MARE. 



Nov. 14. — This was the fourth annual exhibition 

 held in the Victoria Hall. It is gratifying to see 

 the quality of the exhibits improve each year, still 

 there is room for improvement. 



For six Chrysanthemums, large flowered, distinct 

 varieties (Japanese excluded) Mr. Brooks led, with 

 nice healthy and well trained plants. 



Mr. Holland, gr. to W. Ash, Esq., had the best 

 six Japanese, distinct, with very nice specimens, 

 well grown fine and fresh flowers of Rendatler, 

 Source d'Or, Margot. 



Mr. Holland led with three standards, any variety, 

 having very nicely grown specimens and well 

 flowereJ. 



For a group of Chrysanthemums, arranged for 

 effect in a space 10 by 5 feet, not much taste was 

 displayed in the arrangement. Mr. W. Brook 

 was 1st, having a splendid lot of plants [in great 

 variety. 



For six stove or greenhouse plants Mr. Brooks, 

 with Latania borbonica, Seaforthia elegans, Phcenix 

 dactylifera, &c, was 1st. 



Cut flowers were shown very well, with good com- 

 petition in most of the classes. Mr. Miller (Clifton) 

 was placed 1st for twenty-four large flowering, 

 Japanese excluded, with popular varieties ; and for 

 twelve ditto Mr. Holland led. 



Mr. Miller came to the front with a capital stand 

 in the class for twenty-four Japanese. E. Molyneux, 

 and Soleil Levant were good. Mr. Dufferin had the 

 best twelve ditto. 



For two bunches of black Grapes Mr. Dufferin 

 led with excellent bunches of Black Alicante ; and 

 Mr. Coates for white with Muscat of Alexandria. 



READING CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



As is usual this Society held a fine and extensive 

 exhibition in the Municipal Buildings on the loth inst., 

 both Town Halls being utilised for the purpose, and 

 there were quite enough exhibits to occupy all avail- 

 able space. Some plants of Crotons of large size 

 and fine colour, staged by Mr. Lees, gr. to Mrs. 

 Marsland, White Knights, Reading, greatly helped 

 the appearance of the halls. 



Groups of Chrysanthemums arranged for effect. — 

 There were nine of these placed round the sides of 

 the old Town Hall, and they were a striking feature. 

 The appearance of these groups would be greatly 

 enhanced if some low plants were employed to cover 

 the nakedness of the pots and stems of the Chrysan- 

 themums. The best came from Mr. H. Perkins, gr. 

 to the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, Greenlands, Henley- 

 on-Thames, having well grown plants on single stems 

 of incurved and Japanese varieties — the flowers large 

 and well finished, and nicely fresh. Mr. Turton, gr. 

 to John Hargreaves, Esq., Maiden Erleigh, Reading, 

 who had strongly grown plants carrying large 

 flowers, but there was a nakedness about the plants 

 that greatly detracted from their appearance. Mr. 

 Hawkins, gr. to W. Crosslade, Esq., Earley, was 3rd ; 

 and several other prizes were awarded. 



Specimen Plants. — The best six, Japanese varie- 

 ties excluded, came from Mr. Surman, gr. to C. W. 

 Witherington, Esq., fairly well grown and bloomed, 

 the Bundle type being conspicuous. Mr. Booker, 

 gr. to R. Tompkins, Esq , Reading, had the best 

 three, having well-grown and bloomed specimens of 

 Mrs. G. Bundle, Mrs. Dixon, and Emperor of China. 

 There was but one collection of six specimen 

 Japanese, Mr. Surman being 1st with excellent 

 plants, large, well grown, and finely flowered, con- 

 sisting of Mdlle. Lacroix, Madame Bertier Rendat- 

 ter, Bouquet Fait. Red Dragon, James Salter, and 

 Lady Selborne. Mr. Powell, gr. to G. Gillingan, 

 Esq., Reading, had the three best specimens, showing 

 in good condition, Elaine, Val d'Andorre, and Red 

 Dragon ; Mr. Franklin, gr. to F. Lucas, Esq., Read- 

 ing, was a good 2nd. 



A very good feature was found in a class for six 

 short table or window or table plants, and very 

 charming they were — small, well-grown and bloomed, 

 Mr. Surman was 1st — Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Geo. Rundle, 

 James Salter, Lady Selborne, Madame Bertier Ren- 

 datler, and Bouquet Tait ; Mr. Franklin was 2nd, 

 also with very nice small plants. 



Mr. Armitage, gr. to N. Clarke, Esq., Reading, 

 had the best three standards, with shield-shaped 



heads, very formal and ugly in appearance ; Mr. 

 Franklin being 2nd. 



The best standard was King of Crimsons, from 

 Mr. W. T. Abery, nurseryman, Tilehurst, with King 

 of Crimsons ; Mr. J. Leslie, Reading, being 2nd, with 

 Mrs. G. Rundle. 



The three best specimen pompon varieties came 

 from Mr. Franklin — well grown and bloomed plants 

 of Sceur Maline, Ruse Trevenna, and President 

 Decaisne ; Mr. Surman was 2nd. 



Pompon varieties as table plants were a good 

 feature also, Mr. Franklin being again 1st, and Mr. 

 Surman 2nd. 



Mr. Booker had the best standard, Mr. W. T. 

 Abery being 2nd. 



Cut Blooms. — Some excellent flowers were shown 

 in the class for eighteen incurved varieties, Mr. 

 Allen, gr. to Sir G. Russell, Swallowfield Park, 

 Reading, being 1st with finely-finished blooms of 

 Lord Alcester, Alfred Salter, Jeanne d'Arc, Lord 

 Wolseley, Princess Alexandra, Jardin des Plantes, 

 Golden Empress, Prince Alfred, Lord Eversley, 

 Queen of England, Princess Teck, Cherub, Bronze 

 Jardin des Plantes, Empress Eugenie, Bronze Queen, 

 Emily Dale, and Barbaia. 2nd, Mr. Neville, gr. to 

 F. W. Flight, Esq., Twyford, Hants, having a good 

 lot of blooms also. 



The best twelve varieties, which included flowers 

 already named, came from Mr. Brooks, gr. to H. A. 

 Simonds, Esq., Andover, Mr. Basket, gr. to W. J. 

 Palmer, Esq., Reading, being 2nd. 



Mr. Allen had the best twelve reflexed large 

 flowers, a very fine lot indeed, including Alma, 

 Cloth of Gold, Pink Christine, Cullingfordi, Mdlle. 

 Tezier, Amy Furze, Golden Christine, Pink Christine, 

 and King of Crimsons. 2nd, Mr. Brooks. 



Stands of twelve Japanese varieties were remark- 

 ably fine, the best coming from Mr. Lane,gr. to Miss 

 Bunning Smith, Ascot, who had Ed. Molyneux, 

 Mdlle. B. Pigny, Val d'Andorre, Soleil Levant, 

 Madame J. Laing, Criterion, Belle Paule, Ralph 

 Brocklebank, Jeanne Delaux, Thunberg, Sarah Owen, 

 and Avalanche. 2nd, F. W. Flight, Esq. Mr. Bas- 

 kelt had the twelve best Anemone-flowered, the 

 varieties being Lady Margaret, Minnie Chate, Madame 

 Therese Clos, Madame Clos, Fleur de Marie, Mar- 

 guerite Solleville, Bacchus, Soeur Dorothee Souille, 

 and Marguerite Villageoise ; 2nd, Mr. Lees, gr. to 

 Mrs. Marsland, The Wilderness, Reading. 



Stands of twelve blooms shown with inches of 

 stem and foliage were a good feature, the flowers 

 very fine. Mr. Allen was 1st with Mdlle. M. J. 

 Pigny, Lord Alcester, Lord Wolseley, Thunberg, 

 E. Molyneux, Empress of India, Jeanne Delaux, 

 Madame J. Laing, and Golden Empress, the mix- 

 ture of Japanese and incurved varieties being very 

 effective. 



Mr. Surman was the only exhibitor of six bunches 

 of pompon varieties, having President, Adele 

 Prisette, White Trevenna, St. Michael, Steur 

 Melaine, and Rose Trevenna. 



Tahle Decorations. — These are always a remark- 

 ably good feature at Reading. Mr. W. T. Abery 

 had the best table vase of Chysanthemums, Mr. 

 Brooks being 2nd. The best large hall vase of 

 Chrysanthemums — a very fine feature indeed — came 

 also from Mr. Abery ; Mr. Brooks being again 2nd. 

 Miss Phillips, of Reading, a well known decorator, 

 had the best stand of cut flowers and foliage ; Mr. 

 House, gr. to J. O. Taylor, Esq., Reading, being 2nd. 

 The best stand of autumn flowers, leaves, and berries 

 was a charmingly arranged basket from Miss L. 

 Phillips, of Reading ; Mr. Brooker being 2nd. Mr. 

 Aberry had the best vase of everlastings, Mr. 

 Dockerill, gr. to G. W. Palmer, Esq., Reading, 

 being 2nd. 



Miscellaneous Plants. — These included subjects for 

 table decoration. Berried plants : Mr. Dockerill was 

 1st with two admirable specimens of Rivina humi- 

 lis. Zonal Pelagoniums: Mr. Baskett showed three 

 finely grown and flowered specimens. Double and 

 Single Chinese Primroses: The Reading strains were 

 to the fore in both classes. Poinsettias, Violets, 

 Capsicums, &c. A magnificent specimen of Eucharis 

 amazonica came from Mr. Butcher, gr. to G. Palmer, 

 Esq., Reading, well grown and bloomed ; Mr. Irvine, 

 gr. to H. Ackroyd, Esq., Elmwood, being 2nd with a 

 very fine plant also. 



Orchids. — Several collections of three plants com- 

 peted: Mr. Pound, gr. to G. May, Esq., Caversham, 

 Reading, being a good 1st with excellent pieces of 

 Vanda crerulea, V. tricolor, and Oncidium Rogersii. 

 Mr. Woolford, gr. to W. A. Palmer, Esq., Reading, 

 came 2nd with Cypripedium Spicerianum, C. iu- 

 signes, and Dendrobium Dearei. 



Fruit. — A very good exhibition resulted, the 



