JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
504 
[ June 23, 1881. 
by Messrs. Rylance, Wright, and Ducheson, who were awarded the 
most important prizes in all the classes. 
Fruit. —Visitors to York Floral Fete generally expect a good dis¬ 
play of fruit; in fact, it is usually the first large Show of the year 
where fairly representative collections are staged. This is partly due 
to the time at which the Show is held, being neither too early nor too 
late for the indoor productions ; and as the period selected suits the 
district, competitors are usually numerous and their exhibits satisfac¬ 
tory. Last week was no exception to the rule, all the principal 
classes being -well filled, and the fruit staged fairly ripened, and in 
some cases of first-rate quality. The chief class was that for ten 
distinct varieties of fruits, to include not more than two sorts of 
Grapes, two of Pines, two of Melons, and two Peaches. Three good 
collections were contributed, the premier award being secured by Mr. 
Coleman, gardener to Earl Somers, who had two fine bunches of 
Black Hamburgh Grapes well ripened and bearing abundant bloom, 
the same number of bunches of Foster’s Seedling of fair size but 
rather green, a pair of even Pines of moderate size, the varieties 
being Charlotte Rothschild and Queen ; Golden Gem and Eastnor 
Castle Melons were fine, the former particularly well netted and 
ripened. Violette Hfitive Nectarines and A Bee Peaches, Sir Joseph 
Paxton Strawberries and Brown Turkey Figs, completed this col¬ 
lection, which merited the honour accorded for it. The second 
position was obtained by Mr. Mclndoe, gardener to J. W. Pease, 
Esq., Hutton Hall, Guisborough, who staged very neat and praise¬ 
worthy examples of well-selected varieties of fruits, some of the 
most noticeable being Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, Barrington 
Peaches, May Duke Cherries, and Best of All Melons. Mr. Mann, 
The Gardens, St. Vincents, Grantham, was a good third ; his fruits, Sir 
Garnet Wolseley Melon, being very fine and remarkably well netted. 
For six varieties Mr. Wallis, gardener to Sir H. M. Thompson, Bart., 
Kirby Hall, York, carried off the chief prize for ripe and handsome 
Black Hamburgh and Buckland Sweetwater Grapes, and good 
Peaches amongst others. Mr. W. Coleman followed closely, his 
Black Grapes also being fine, and Mr. Mclndoe was placed third with 
fruits but few points behind the foregoing ; indeed all the collections 
in this class were close in merit. An extra prize was adjudged to A. 
Wilson, Esq., for well-ripened Grapes, Peaches, and Strawberries. 
Collections of four varieties was shown by Mr. R. Westcott, gardener 
to the Duke of Cleveland, Raby Castle, and Mr. Mclndoe, who 
secured the first and second prizes in that order. 
Grapes .—These were generally of satisfactory quality. The best 
black Grapes were from Mr. Coleman, consisting of the variety Black 
Hamburgh, large in bunch and berry, and supeibly finished. Mr. 
J. Allsopp, gardener to Lord Hotham, was second with the same 
variety but smaller bunches ; Mr. Jones, gardener to R. Warrell, 
Esq., being third with large bunches, but deficient in bloom. The 
competitors were numerous in this class, seven entering the lists. 
Five dishes of white Grapes were contributed. Mr. G. Cartwright was 
first with Buckland Sweetwater, finely ripened bunches of moderate 
size ; Mr. Allsopp second with fairly good Foster’s Seedling ; and Mr. 
T. Beckett, gardener to Alderman Terry, third with the same variety 
not quite so ripe. The first prize for a bunch of new Grapes was 
awarded to Mr. Mclndoe for a fine example of Duke of Buccleuch. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —Hr. Mclndoe secured the chief award for 
a single dish of Peaches with even, well ripened, highly coloured, 
but modelate-sized fruits of Barrington; Mr. Hutton, gardener to 
Thomlinson Walker, Esq., York, and Mr. Wallis following closely 
with good fruits. Mr. Coleman staged the best Nectarines, Violette 
Hative, of excellent quality ; and Mr. McIntyre was second with 
rather small but finely ripened Welbeck Seedling. In the preceding 
class there were five entries, but in the last-named only two. 
Melons .—Ten green-fleshed Melons were in competition, the best 
being an example of Colston Basset, of good size and well netted, 
from Mr. Coleman ; Mr. T. Osman, gardener to R. B. Dodgson, Esq., 
following with a similarly good William Tillery ; and Mr. Clayton, 
gardener to J. Fielden, Esq., was third with Eastnor Castle in good 
condition. Six scarlet-fleshed Melons were staged, all of creditable 
quality. Messrs. Cartwright, Mann, and Allsopp being awarded the 
prizes in the order named. 
Figs and Cherries were shown in fair condition by Messrs. Cole¬ 
man, Mclndoe, Wallis, and Mann, but Strawberries were rather 
poorly represented. 
Vegetables were not very abundant, and as a rule there is no pro¬ 
vision for them; but this year Messrs. Backhouse & Son offered three 
prizes, value £3 and £2, and a third value £1 was given by the Society 
for ten distinct stands, and six collections were staged of very good 
quality; Peas, Beans, Potatoes, Mushrooms, and Tomatoes being 
especially fine. Mr. Kiik, Mr. Cartwright, and Mr. J. Hammond, 
gardener to A. J. Cholmley, Esq., were the prizetakers. Twelve 
braces of Cucumbers were exhibited, all of moderate size, even and 
bearing good bloom. Messrs. J. Williams, C. Rylance, and Mann 
were awarded the prizes. 
Among the exhibits not for competition were some handsome col¬ 
lections from Messrs. Richard Smith & Son of Worcester, including 
Spanish and German Irises, Pceonies, Pyrethrums, and Clematises, 
representing many beautiful varieties. An extra prize was awarded 
for these, and a first-class certificate for Clematis Princess Beatrice, 
a fine variety with very large flowers of excellent form, and a delicate 
pale mauve or lavender colour. Mr. W. H. Hilton, Liverpool, was 
also accorded a prize for a collection of ornamental flowerpot covers, 
Several other groups and miscellaneous contributions were staged, 
but none of the metropolitan firms were represented—a rather un¬ 
usual circumstance. 
HARDY BROCCOLIS FOR SUCCESSION. 
As last winter was what may be termed a test season for 
Broccolis, I submit my experience on the subject. I found that 
Model has proved itself almost the only Broccoli that stood the 
winter, owing in a great measure to its short sturdy growth ; its 
value is also enhanced by its lateness, figuratively speaking shaking 
hands with the early bandlight Cauliflowers. Cattell’s Eclipse is 
a good late variety. Two years ago I cut heads firm and compact 
on the 28th of June, but I do not find it so hardy as Model. 
Suttons’ Queen was next in hardiness to Model, but other varieties 
were nearly all killed. By growing about seven varieties (and 
I should advise the following :—Veitch’s Autumn Protecting;, 
Knight’s Protecting, Leamington, Wilcove, Suttons’ Queen, 
Cattell’s Eclipse, and last but not least, Model)—everything, I 
think, is attained in the way of Broccolis that can be desired.— 
J. Gadd. 
SOUTH ESSEX FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 15th. 
A quarter of a century has now elapsed since the establishment 
of this Society, and it still continues to make vigorous progress, 
annually producing an exhibition which is highly appreciated in the 
surrounding district, the attendance of visitors being in consequence 
very satisfactory whenever the weather is in any degree favourable. 
The ready support thus afforded keeps the Society in good condition 
financially, and it is pleasing to note that the report for the past year 
announces a balance of £35. The recent Show fully maintained the 
credit of the Society, even though there was a slight deficiency in 
some departments ; the general quality of plants and flowers was 
such as is surpassed at very few local exhibitions, and the arrange¬ 
ment as usual gave much satisfaction. The beautiful grounds of the 
President, J. G. Barclay, Esq., were in excellent condition, and the pri¬ 
vilege of promenading in them, so generously extended to all visitors, 
appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed. This is undoubtedly one of the 
great attractions, and judging by the numerous visitors who passed 
the gates in the afternoon the Show of last week must have been as 
successful as any previously held. 
Two large marquees were devoted to the exhibits, one containing 
the plants and the other the cut flowers, floral decorations, fruit, and 
vegetables. In the former the most noticeable features consisted of 
the stove and greenhouse plants, Orchids, fine-foliage plants, and 
Ferns, in the classes devoted to which many handsome specimens 
were staged. Among the first-named the chief collections were in 
the class for eight specimens, three fine groups being contributed. 
Mr. D. Donald, gardener to J. G. Barclay, Esq., was placed first with 
well-grown plants of Aphelexis purpurea, .Genetyllis fuchsioides, 
Dracophyllum gracile, and a remarkably handsome Statice profusa, 
5 feet in diameter, flowering profusely, the blooms being of a rich 
purplish blue tint. Several other smaller plants were also included, 
constituting a very satisfactory collection. Mr. Bones, gardener to 
D. McIntosh, Esq.. Havering, was a close second with healthy and 
even specimens ; Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to J. Whitbourn, Esq., 
Loxford Hall, Ilford, securing the remaining award with plants 
almost equal to the preceding in merit. 
Orchids were well shown, and though the majority of the plants 
were small they were in excellent health, and several choice species 
and varieties were represented. The principal class was for eight 
specimens, and in that Mr. Douglas easily secured the first prize writh 
an interesting collection, including a fine Odontoglossum hastilabium, 
with three panicles of flowers ; Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, bearing 
five large spikes ; Odontoglossum crispum, a good variety with two 
spikes ; Calanthe veratrifolia; Masdevallia Harryana, also in good 
condition ; and several others. The same exhibitor was also first 
with a single specimen Orchid, exhibiting a beautiful example of 
Lrelia purpurata with four spikes bearing fourteen flowers, the lip 
of an unusually rich purple tint, and indicating a superb variety. 
Another plant from Loxford Hall also deserves notice—namely, a 
specimen of Yanda teres in flower. This plant is not often seen at 
exhibitions, indeed many growers experience considerable difficulty 
in inducing it to flower. On the specimen in question the blooms 
were large and riefily coloured, and the Judges very highly com¬ 
mended the plant. The second collection of eight was from Mr. B. 
Ship, gardener to J. R. Scott, Esq., Walthamstow, and included, 
several noteworthy plants, Brassia verrucosa and Cypripedium Stonei 
being particularly fine. The second prize for a single specimen was 
accorded to Mr. T. Foster for a good example of Dendrobium Devo- 
nianum ; and other exhibitors in the class for four plants were Mr. 
Monk, gardener to W. Fowler, Esq., Leytonstone, and Mr. Merrett, 
gardener to R. B. Ashby, Esq., Walthamstow. 
Fine-foliage plants produced a good display, the majority being 
healthy clean specimens. The best six in 15-inch pots were staged 
by Mr. Donald, and included Cocos Weddelh’ana, Croton Weis- 
manni, and Theophrasta imperialis in fine condition. Mr. Douglas 
followed closely. These two exhibitors held similar relative positions 
