516 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ June 26, 1884. 
sorts. These I need hardly enumerate, but he spoke highly of Mr. 
Douglas (SimoDite) as a flue self, and of Acme as a really grand white. 
In greys he has seen nothing yet to surpass those well-known favourites 
George Lightbody aud Lancashire Hero. He has Conservative, Mr. 
Douglas’s fine new flower, and others of grand repute which are not in 
the lists. His Richard Headleys are well knowD, and are of a very 
superior character, as the plants he sent to Manchester last year will 
bear witness. Never probably was such a plant of that very chaste and 
refined flower shown. I need not say that his plants, though not over¬ 
grown, were in good condition. He grows them for themselves, as he 
has given up exhibiting them. 
Mr. Kavanagh’s collection is one of the most extensive I have seen 
of late years. He lives at Ballybrack, a charming village on the Wicklow 
side of Killarney; and he is one of those who grow Auriculas not so 
much as a source of profit as because he loves the flower. Frame after 
frame was filled with large and well-grown plants of most of the leading 
kinds in luxurious health, and evidently delighting in the care with 
which they were treated. Large quantities of Robert Traill, Mrs. 
Sturrock, George Lightbody, and most of the good sorts were there, 
while such kinds as Prince of Greens, F. Simonite, and others of the 
same varieties were of course in smaller quantities ; but judging from the 
pots full of offsets in healthy condition of many kinds he will not be 
long before he establishes these also in quantity. In the years 1882 
and 1883 Mr. Ivavanagh carried all before him, and Mr. Tandy, who, as I 
have said, is no mean judge, assured me that (which I can readily believe) 
his plants were in superb condition. Is there any flower that so much 
excites the love of its owner as the Auricula ? Who that has ever grown 
it likes to give it up? and Mr. Kavanagh is no exception to the rule. 
My only regret was that besides the plants I did not see the owner, who 
was described to me as a worthy and excellent man, and is without 
doubt an enthusiastic grower of this lovely flower.—D., Deal. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 24tii. 
The combined attractions furnished by the fruit and vegetables in com¬ 
petition for the numerous prizes, with the plants and flowers shown before 
the two Committees, constituted an exhibition of great beauty, and rendered 
the conservatory on that day the favourite and most frequented portion of 
the “ Healtheries.” Especially bright and charming were the hardy flowers 
which at recent meetings have been so much admired, and which were 
there even more beautiful than ever, the Irises alone supplying a feast of 
colour. 
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SHOW. 
In accordance wiih the expectations which have been previously referred 
to, this second exhibition proved very satisfactory in every respect, the 
competitors being more numerous than at the preceding Show, and the 
quality of the produce, particularly in the Grape classes, being much in 
advance. In several classes indeed the exhibits were the best that have been 
staged at any of the leading shows this season, and it was doubly pleasing to 
see this Society’s exhibition to the fore with the most useful of horti¬ 
cultural produce—fruit and vegetables. 
Collections. —The most important class in the schedule was that for eight 
kinds of fruits, black and white Grapes to be regarded as distinct, the prizes 
being £7, £5, and £3. Three doughty champions entered the field, and 
premier honours were awarded to Lady Henry Somerset, Eastnor Castle 
(gardener Mr. Coleman), who had a beautiful even and excellent collection. 
The Grapes were Black Hamburgh, large in bunch and berry, but slightly 
rubbed ; and Foster’s Seedling, unusually large in berry for this variety, but 
a little wanting in colour. A handsome Queen Pine, over 5 lbs in weight 
and well proportioned, was another strong point; Royal George Peaches, 
large and of good colour ; Lord Napier Nectarines, very handsome ; Brown 
Turkey Figs, well ripened ; Bigarreau Napoleon Cherries, large and ripe; 
and a beautifully netted Blenheim Orange Melon, completed a most creditable 
collection. Mr. G. T. Miles, The Gardens, Wycombe Abbey, was adjudged 
the second prize for a collection very few points behind the other. His best 
fruit was a magnificent Queen Pine, weighing G lbs., finery proportioned and 
excellent in colour. Three good bunches of Gros Colman Grapes, weighing 
G lbs., were much admired, the berries being large and the bloom dense, but 
the Judges evidently gave the preference to the Black Hamburghs in the 
preceding lot. Mr. Miles’s Foster’s Seedling was much larger in bunch and 
of better colour, though the berries were Emaller. Royal George Peaches 
and Lord Napier Nectarines were similarly notable dishes. H. A. Brassey, 
Esq., M.P., Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent (gardener Mr. A. Waterman) was 
third with Black Hamburgh Grapes, large and handsome ; Buckland Sweet¬ 
water Grapes, very fine in berry ; Elruge Nectarines, remarkably handsome ; 
and a good Hero of Lockinge Melon. 
Fine Apples. —Seven pairs of fruits were entered ; J. A. Rolls, Esq., The 
Hendre, Monmouth (gardener Mr. Coomber), taking the lead with two even, 
handsome, finely ripened Queens. Mr. Miles followed with the same variety, 
5f lbs. each, but scarcely ripe enough ; and L. J. Baker, Esq., Haydon Hall, 
Eastcote (gardener Mr. J. Fry), was third with small fruits. 
Grapes. —A capital display of these was formed both in the black and 
white variety classes. For a basket of black Grapes to weigh 12 lbs. there 
were four competitors; Mr. James Tavener, Woolmer Gardens, Liphook, 
Hants, securing first honours with grand examples of Black Hamburgh with 
enormous berries and bearing a most dense blue-black bloom, such as is 
rarely seen. The same variety was shown by the other exhibitors ; J. Har¬ 
greaves, Esq., Maiden Erleigh, Reading (gardener Mr. T. Turton), being 
second with smaller hunches and berries and less bloom, but of good quality. 
Mr. Coleman was third with still smaller samples. The competition was 
keen in the class for two bunches of black Grapes, eight lots being staged. 
Again Mr. Taverner was far ahead of the others with Black Hamburgh 
similar to those in the basket, really magnificent, and one of the bunches 
was characterised by one of the most experienced growers as nearly perfect 
as could be imagined.” Mr. C. Herrin, The Gardens, Chalfont Park, 
Gerrard’s Cross, was awarded second honours for good Black Hamburgh, 
well ripened ; and Yiscount Eversley, Heckfield (gardener Mr. Wildsmith), 
was third with the same variety in fair condition. Six pairs of bunches of 
white Grapes were contributed, Mr. Herrin securing the leading place with 
Foster’s Seedling, very handsome in bunch and berry. Mr. W. Bates, The 
Gardens, Poulett Lodge, Twickenham, followed with Buckland Sweetwater 
of good colour ; and Mr. Tidy, The Gardens, Stanmore Hall, took the third 
position with Foster’s Seedling, one of the bunches being very large. 
Strawberries. —Some large and richly coloured fruits were shown in the 
three classes for Strawberries, though there was a tendency to coarseness in 
a few cases. The best of the five entries of three dishes was from Mr. Sharpe, 
the Royal Strawberry Gardens, Knowle Hill, Chertsey, which included large 
but somewhat rough fruits of Empress Eugenie, Marguerite, and Sir Joseph 
Paxton. The second prize went to Roger Leigh, Esq., M.P., Barham Court, 
Maidstone (gardener, Mr. C. Haycroft) for Due de Magenta, President, and 
Sir Joseph Paxton, smaller, but of good colour. Mr. Turton was third with 
the two last-named varieties and Yicomtesse Hericart de Thury of fair size 
and colour. A class was provided for one dish (thirty fruits) of British Queen 
or any variety of that type, but only two were admitted, one lot of President 
being disqualified. Mr. J. Roberts, The Gardens, Gunnersbury Park, Acton, 
was first with British Queen, large and fine in colour ; Mr. Goldsmith, The 
Gardens, Hollanden Park, Tonbridge, being second with Dr. Hogg of good 
size. For one dish of any variety W. E. Wells, Esq., Croxby House, Hounslow 
(gardener, Mr. G. Thompson), secured the premier award amongst seven other 
competitors with Sir Charles Napier, handsome in form and colour. Mr. 
Wildsmith followed with President, and Mr. Sharpe with Marguerite, both 
good samples of the varieties. 
Cherries. —These made a pretty and pleasing display, the quality being 
very satisfactory. Mr. Roberts had the best two dishes, beautiful fruits of 
Elton and Black Tartarian. Mr. Haycock was second with Werder’s Early 
Black and Elton, nearly as fine; and Mr. T. Hare, Wellingore, Grantham, was 
third, showing Black Circassian and Elton—three extremely close exhibits. 
Six dishes of fifty Cherries were staged, Governor Wood, from Mr. Waterman, 
leading ; followed by Werder’s Early Black from Mr. Haycock, and Elton 
from Mr. Hare, all fine fruits. 
Figs. —Well-ripened fruits of Brown Turkey were entered by six competi¬ 
tors, Messrs. Wildsmith, Haycock, and Coleman being the prizetakers in that 
order, their fruits differing but slightly in merit. 
Peaches. —These formed a remarkably strong class, as no less than seven¬ 
teen dishes of six fruits each were staged. The Marchioness of Camden, 
Bayharn Abbey (gardener, Mr. W. Johnston), won chief honours with extra¬ 
ordinarily fine fruits of Barrington, grand examples, and rich in colour. 
Mr. R. Farrance, Chadwell Heath, Essex, took the second place with 
Grosse Mignonne, very handsome, and Mr. Wildsmith was third for Crimson 
Galande, finely coloured. 
Nectarines. —The same number of Nectarines were entered— i.e., seven¬ 
teen dishes, Mr. Turton winning with Violette Hative of splendid colour. 
Mr. Haycock followed with Elruge in handsome condition, and the Earl of 
Leven and Melville, Fulmer, Slough (gardener, Mr. Mowbray), was third 
with Pitmaston Orange, also good. 
Melons. —Competitors again numbered seventeen in this class, but much 
diversity was noticeable in the exhibits, some being excessively large and 
others proportionately small. Some exception was, however, taken to the 
judging in this class, owing to none of the fruits being cut. Mr. Mowbray 
won leading honours with Victory of Bristol, a beautiful even and well- 
netted fruit. Mr. Coomber was second with Best of All, similarly good, 
and Mr. Wildsmith took the third place with Hero of Lockinge. 
Miscellaneous Fruits. —This was provided for Bananas, or any other fruits 
to which classes were not devoted. Mr. G. Thompson was awarded first 
honours for twelve pots of Strawberries, six of Sir Charles Napier and the 
same number of Sir Joseph Paxton. They were well fruited, bearing from 
two to three dozen each. Mr. Coleman secured the second prize for a dish 
of excellent Nonpareil Citruses of a fine golden yellow colour, and Mr. 
W. H. Ussher, 46, Lome Terrace. Bath, was third for a beautiful dish of 
Bananas. 
Collections of Vegetables .—Vegetables were capitally represented, fine, 
clean, and admirable collections of ten kinds being staged. Premier 
honours were secured by Mr. G. T. Miles for most praiseworthy samples of 
Stamfordian Tomatoes, Asparagus, Pride of the Market Peas, Moore’s 
Cream Marrow, Erfurt Cauliflowers, Canadian Wonder Beans, Green 
Globe Artichokes, Lady Paget Potatoes, Nantes Horn Carrots, and White 
Naples Onions. Mr. Waterman was a close second, his best dishes being 
Stamfordian Tomatoes, Culverwell’s Telegraph Peas, Canadian Wonder 
Beans, and Connover Colossal Asparagus. The Earl of Radnor, Coleshill 
House, Highworth (gardener, Mr. S. Haines), secured the third place with 
a clean and creditable collection, in which the Stamfordian Tomatoes w T ere 
very notable. 
Potatoes were strongly represented, eleven dishes of twelve tubers were 
shown ; Viscount Barrington, Beckett Park, Shrivenham (Mr. W. Meads), 
taking the leading place with excellent samples of Woodstock Kidney ; the 
Right Hon. Earl of Radnor, Longford Castle, Salisbury (gardener, Mr. 
Ward), was second with the same variety, and Mr. Miles was third. The 
best Cauliflower, Early London, were shown by the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Glen- 
hurst, Esher (gardener, Mr. Waite), Messrs. Ward & Woodbridge following 
with Walcheren. Mushrooms were exhibited by Messrs. Haines, Tidy, and 
Coleman, who took the prizes in that order. Mr. Farrance won chief honours 
with Trophy Tomatoes, large and handsome, Mr. Miles following with 
Vick’s Criterion. 
Peas. —A great number of Peas were exhibited in the three classes 
devoted to them, and for the season they were all very good. With three 
dishes Mr. Ward was first, showing Carter’s Stratagem, Telephone, and 
Telegraph, beautiful, even, and well-filled pods. Mr. Muir followed with 
Giant Marrow, Paragon, and Telegraph ; and Mr. Waterman was third. 
Eight half pecks of Pea.s were staged, Mr. Haines leading with Stratagem, 
Mr. Muir and Mr. Nelson being second and third with Duke of Albany and 
William I. Mr. Muir gamed the premier position with a collection of Peas, 
showing fine pods of Paragon, Pride of the Market, William I., Telephone, 
Giant Marrow, Telegraph, Jefferies’ Edible-podded Pea, Duke of Albany, and 
Stratagem. Messrs. Haines and Ward were the other prizetakers. 
With Broad or Longpod Beans Mr. Ward was first for Leviathan and 
