790 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



December 3 , l89 8. 



It was once his 



ABERDEEN CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 



The third annual show promoted by this society was held in the Music Hall 

 Buildings, Aberdeen. Year by year the entries have increased, and on this occa- 

 sion they numbered no fewer than four hundred and sixty. These included 

 chrysanthemums, orchids, and other pot plants, besides fruit and vegetables. In 

 1896, the first show of the society, the total numbers were two hundred and fifty- 

 one, in 1897 it rose to three hundred and ninety-seven, while this year it has 

 mounted up to the splendid total of four hundred and sixty. In point of quality, 

 too, the show was an excellent one, the display surpassing anything previously 

 seen in Aberdeen, and evidencing very great skill on the part of the cultivators. 

 Lord Provost Fleming opened the show, and in doing so said the man who first 

 found the chrysanthemum on the hillsides in Japan and brought it to these shores 

 was almost a benefactor to our country. What had been done for the flower in 

 developing it in colour, shape, and size was beyond calculation, 

 fortune to be in Virginia, and to spend several days wandering through the 

 Alleghany Mountains. There he saw the rhododendron in its native wilds. The 

 hillsides were covered with them, just the same as ours with heather or juniper, 

 but there the rhododendron wss all of one colour— -a dirty red. A Philadelphian 

 told him that at the first flower show held at Philadelphia the Americans were 

 amazed that British gardeners had brought back from England so many hundreds 

 of varieties of rhododendrons ; that a common plant met with every day in their 

 own country should be so cultivated and developed by the British gardener as to 

 become a thing of beauty. So with the chrysanthemum. On its native hillsides 

 he understood it was only of a very few shades of colour ; but now, thanks to the 

 cultivation of the British gardener, they found the chrysanthemum such a mass of 

 beauty as no Japanese could possibly fancy. Here in Aberdeen, where there 

 were gardeners who had made roses famous all over the country, they would be 

 making chrysanthemums famous also. 



In the open section for pot plants Mr. George Stephen, Cuparstone Lodge, 

 took the first prize for the best group with a splendid array of blooms, tastefully 

 arranged. His chief varieties were Beauty of Teignmouth, Viviand Morel, and 

 Phoebus. Mr. William Proctor, gardener to Sir William Henderson, Devanha 

 House, took second honours with a scarcely inferior display ; and Mr. Robert 

 Mason, Claremont Street, was third. For three chrysanthemums in pots Mr. 

 Proctor, with three splendid specimens of Souvenir d'un Ami, Commandant 

 Blussett, and Charles Davis, was first. Mr. John Robertson, Ferryhill House, 

 was second with very good plants, but somewhat overgrown. Coming to the cut 

 flowers, the feature of the section, and, indeed, of the show, was the entry of 

 Mr. J. Grant, Crimonmogate, in the class of twenty-four Japanese chrysanthe- 

 mums, of at least twelve different varieties. A better exhibit has never been seen 

 in the North of Scotland. The finest varieties in Mr. Grant's collection were 

 Simplicity, Australie, Edith Tabor, Mrs. C. H. Payne, Mutual Friend, Phoebus, 

 Oceana, Pride of Madford, Edwin Molyneux, Australian Gold, and Modesto, the 

 last named being a magnificent orange. Mr William Ogg, Morkeu, was second 

 in this contest with some lovely blooms, but lacking the grace and texture of the 

 first -prize collection. Other principal prize-winners in the sections for all-comers 

 were Mr. John Pirie, Strichen ; Mr. Fraser, Crathes Castle ; Mr. Alexander 

 Robb, Glenburnie Park ; Mr. Reid, Durris ; Mr, Grigor, Fairfield ; and Mr. 

 Kennedy, Brucklay. 



The following are the principal special prizes and the winners : Open— Three 

 chrysanthemums, pots not to exceed eleven inches in diameter, first piize, a gold 

 medal, Mr. William Proctor, Devanha House ; six chrysanthemums, at least four 

 varieties, pots not to exceed six inches, one bloom to each plant, Mr. W. Ogg, 

 Morkeu ; a dozen Japanese chrysanthemums, at least six varieties, all named, Mr. 

 J. Pirie, Strichen ; twelve incurved chrysanthemums, at least six varieties, all 

 named, first prize a gold medal, Mr. Grant, Crimonmogate ; six bunches single 

 chrysanthemums, at least four varieties, first prize a silver medal, Mr. Grigor, 

 Fairfield ; one hand bouquet, chrysanthemums, any kind of foliage, gold medal, 

 Mr. Robb, Glenburnie Park ; lady's spray, chrysanthemums, any kind of foliage, 

 silver medal, J. H. Fyfe, ThistleTlace, Aberdeen. 



In the amateur classes gold medals were won by Mr. Coutts, Hardgate, 

 Aberdeen, and Mr. Tough, Bon Accord Street. Mr. Coutts also carried off a 

 silver medal for the best six blooms. 



There were one or two additions to the show in the shape of non-competitive 

 displays. Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothesay, had a very fine display of chrysan- 

 themums, including four dozen varieties, mostly new. Prominent amongst these 

 was a beautiful green French variety, Madame E. Roger, and the collection was 

 backed by two dozen bunches of decorative kinds. Messrs. William Smith and 

 Sons, Burnside Nurseries, Aberdeen, had also a very pretty and attractive collec- 

 tion, which was much admired. 



WOKINGHAM CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 



November 22 appears late for a show so far south, and yet the Drill Hall of 

 this town was full of plants and flowers, with some fruits and vegetables thrown in, 

 and all was bright and effective. Groups and specimen plants were round the 

 sides and the tables of cut flowers and fruit along the centre of the hall. The 

 test circular group came from Mr. J. Cowie, gardener to Sir T. Lucas, Bart., and 

 it was tastefully arranged, though chrysanthemums were somewhat sparingly used, 

 Mr. W. P. Bound, gardener to Mrs. Leveson-Gower, with more chrysanthemums, 

 but not nearly so tastefully arranged. The first-prize group of chrysanthemum 

 plants not disbudded was a very attractive one ; it came from Mr. C Moles, gar- 

 dener to W. H. Palmer, Esq., the president of the society. Mr. R. Chamberlain, 

 gardener to F. N. Lonergan, Esq., was second. There was a class for a smaller 

 group ; also for a specimen stove and greenhouse plant, the best being a well- 

 coloured piece of Dracccna Lindeni. 



The best twelve blooms of incurved chrysanthemums came from Mr. G. Lane, 

 gardener to Miss Ridges, Englefield, who had good-sized, well-finished, solid 

 blooms of Mdlle. L, Faure, Dorothy Foster, Ma Perfection, Egyptian— much 

 more rehned than is generally secn-C. H. Curtis, Violet Foster, Bonnie Dundee, 

 Empress of India, &c, Mr. R. Bassil, gardener to D. H. Evans, Esq., Pang- 

 bourne, was a good second, his leading blooms being C. H. Curtis, Madame 

 garner, Mrs. J. Gardener, and J. Agate. With six incurved of one variety Mr. 



Mr Wa R n on \ ex i ibito i» toWng the first prize. 

 ch^lrlJrC^ ?, ad . a r ec l ded first with twelve Japanese, having in capital 

 M« M,i£ r ? aV r S ' ^ Hanha ™> Edith Tabor, Australie, Ella Curtis, 



Mr r Grant, International, Baroness Rothschild, Miss Nellie Pockett, 

 a verv I'rriL- • ^second with fine blooms of Madame Carnot, Jaline, as 

 IbSLe Japanese, Mdlle. L, Zede, Graphic, Joseph Brooks, 

 A^lT. R ^ 0ud ,' &c - Mr - Bassi * **s first with six blooms of one variety, staging 



Lane 



ona. 



Blub ™™5VT7 *• s " ,ul 8">«P <>' rat chrysanthemums with several foliag 

 ra^TpS: exhibit ^ best co ' 



Chamberlain was second. There was too much formalitv a h n „t . , 

 Some fruit was staged ; the best two bunches of white Muscat canTf °L them - 

 Howell, gardener to G E. Kingers, Esq., Mr, R. Chamberkin Y • V Uu H - 

 black clL with well-finished Alicante! Mr. ChatlJn J s "Zt^l^ 



ss of excellent dessert apples, the varieties UlpnV^;™ u:„- AT 1 . Wlth f our 



Blenheim Pippin, King ot Tompkin's County, Ribston Pippin Ldunt ll h 

 name of Jellyflower a pretty apple of excellent flavour, of the sMe of W* ? e 

 Pearmain, but so much later. Mr. Bound was first with four &hJ j?^« 

 apples, having in fine character Stone's, Alfriston, Mfcre de Menage, and Pea^3 

 Nonsuch. Mr. G. Langridge was second, with some good fruh also* m* 

 Chamberlain had the best four dishes of pears, the varieties Pitmaston T?,' 1, 

 Beurre Clairgeau, Doyenne du Cornice, and Beurre Sterkman's. ^ucness, 



There was a division for amateurs in which were classes for'grouns srwim 

 plants, dishes of apples, collections of vegetables, all of which were intWestina ? 

 visitors. Messrs. Sutton and Sons offered prizes for a collection of six varieti^ r!f 

 vegetables, and there were prizes for honey in addition. Mr. Bound had a quantitv 

 of All-the-year-round Tomato, of whics he speaks very highly, both as a crooner an5 

 as a market sort. Mr. C. F. Pontin, florist, Wokingham, gaily decorated the 

 front of the orchestra with plants and flowers, and Messrs. Gale and Son seeds 

 men, Wokingham, had a collection of potatos and horticultural reauisitw ' 



CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW 



15 



The first exhibition of this society was held in the Jubilee Town Hall and 

 associated with a musical entertainment, proved a financial success. There were 

 one or two nice groups, but the specimen plants were scarcely equal to exhibition 

 standard, the best plant in the room being a naturally-grown W. H . Lincoln 



Cut blooms were the redeeming feature. In the class for twenty-four incurved 

 the prize went to a very even^fresh lot of flowers staged by Mr. C. Marcham 

 gardener to G. W. Bennett, Esq., Tiddington House, the varieties being Mrs. r' 

 C. Kingston, C. H. Curtis, Queen of England, Globe d'Or, Empress of India,' 

 Miss M. A. Haggas, Bonnie Dundee, Princess of Wales, Baron Hirsch, Brook- 

 leigh Gem, Mrs. Heale, Jeanne d'Arc, Harold Wells, Camille Flammarion, 

 Violet Tomlin, Mrs. Coleman, and Golden Empress. Two stands of twenty-four 

 varieties of Japanese were in competition, Mr. Marcham again leading with massive 

 well-finished flowers of Australie, Phoebus, Mutual Friend, Eva Knowles, Mrs. 

 G. W. Palmer, Good Gracious, Duke of York, Australian Gold, Madame C. H. 

 Payne, M. Panckoucke, N.C.S. Jubilee, Graphic, Charles Davis, Van den Heed," 

 Madame Carnot, Robert Powell, Madame Ther^se Rey, Mrs. E. G. Hill, Mrs. 

 Orchard, Oceana, M. Gruyer, Etoile de Lyon, and Rose Wynne ; Mr. Tranter, 

 Henley-on-Thames, second, with a lot of big blooms, his best back row compris- 

 ing Pride of Madford, Madame Carnot, General Roberts, Viviand Morel, Mrs. 

 H * Weeks, Charles Davis, and Australie. For a dozen blooms in two varieties 

 the first prize went to Mr. Marcham for Madame Carnot and Phoebus ; Mr. 

 Tranter, second, for Phoebus, and Mrs. J. R. Tranter, a large spreading Japanese 

 with long florets, blush white, with a pink shade caused by the petals occasionally 

 bearing pink stripes. 



LOUGHBOROUGH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION. 



At the meeting of the Loughborough Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Associa- 

 tion held on Tuesday, November 15, and presided over by Mr. W. English, of 

 Kingston Gardens, Mr. A. Hamshire, jun., of The Gardens, Beau Manor, read 

 his prize essay upon Cyclamen Cultivation, which was well received by the 

 members present. The essayist referred to the seed-sowing and subsequent 

 potting and manipulation of the plants, arriving at the flowering period in about 

 eighteen months from the time of sowing. The discussion following chiefly dwelt on 

 the temperature, the opinion of members being that the recommendation of the 

 essayist was too high during the growing period. 



The Co-opeiative Room was made gay with exhibits of chrysanthemums by 

 Messrs. Smith and Son, Derby Road Nurseries, whose exhibits of Japanese 

 chrysanthemums have carried all honours at the county shows, viz., Lough- 

 borough, Leicester, and Melton Mowbray. Upon this occasion they staged ten 

 dozen Japanese in forty varieties and three dozen incurved in twenty-four 

 varieties, the whole making a fine display. The best eighteen varieties of Japanese 

 were Mrs. J. Lewis, Mutual Friend, Ella Curtis, Australie, Simplicity, Lady E. 

 Clarke, Mrs. Palmer, Viviand Morel, Eva Knowles, Mons. G. Bruant, President 

 Nonin, Lady Ridgeway, Mrs. M. Grant, N.C.S. Jubilee, Lady Hanham, and 

 Elthorne Beauty. The best twelve incurved : Madame L. Faure, Ma Perfection, 

 Topaze Orientale, Dorothy Foster, Violet Foster, C. H. Curtis, Austen Cannell, 

 Ernest Cannell, Lady Isabel, Madame Darrier, Duchess of Fife, and Robert 

 Petfield. 



Mr. H. Weeks, of Thrumpton Hall Gardens, who as a raiser of new varieties 

 of Japanese chrysanthemums has achieved so marked a success as the receiver of 

 four F.C. certificates by the N.C.S. for some of his seedlings this year (and 

 probably before this is in print other honours will be added to his list), afforded 

 the members of the association a treat in the way of an exhibit of twelve seedlings 

 not yet in commerce, some yet unnamed, the following varieties being staged : 

 Henry Weeks, Mrs. Coombe, Mrs. Cursham, William Cursham, Mrs. Barkley, 

 Edith Dashwood, Emily Towers, Annie Prevost, and other seedlings not yet 

 named. The flowers in this exhibit were remarkable for the breadth of florets 

 and substance of bloom, being after the type of Mrs. Weeks, which is so well 

 known. Mr. F. Reynolds, gardener to W. B. Paget, Esq., was the only exhibitor 

 in the competitive class, staging four plants of chrysanthemums, Mons. C. de 

 Leche and one of C. H. Curtis. 



SHIRLEY GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION. 



The monthly meeting of the above society was held at the Parish Room, 

 Shirley, Southampton, on Monday, the 21st inst., the President, W. t. u. 

 Spranger, Esq., presiding over a good attendance. The lecture was the first 01 

 two to be given on " The Soil," under the auspices of the Technical Educa ion 



Committee of the Hants County Council 

 Lecturer in Biology at the Hartley College 

 in a most interesting onA ^ .u^ 



Mr. E. T. Mellor, 



London 

 is subjec 

 f illustrat 



diagrams 



At the close of the lecture a number of interesting questions were put to the : lec 

 turer, and replied to in a satisfactory manner. The chief points of the ecturt 

 were: (i)Tfte origin and formation of soils; (2) the composition of soils, 13J 

 nutritive and other constituents of soils. The next monthly lecturer will 



ing 



•11 *V I . " ^nsutuents of soiU 



T V *T h ,i mical as P ect of th e subject, 

 to Mr. Mellor, to the President, and I 

 There was a verv cmnH riici r 1 



constituents of soils. The next monthly ecturer , dea 



, Cordial votes of thanks were accordw 

 the exhibitors at the close of the meeung. 



Campbell. Bracknell. Mr. R. to some 



«, ine ^resident, and tne exniDiiors ai f*" Tv *w 

 was a very good display of chrysanthemums contributed by the 



e of whom first-class certificates were awarded. • 



