164 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 23, 1883. 
SeedliDg, Black Alicante, and a single rod of Alnwick Seedling grafted 
on Black Hamburgh. The Vines are all in fine condition and were 
heavily cropped. Alnwick Seedling we thought extra good. It had 
six large bunches on the cane perfect in shape and size of berry, and 
real models of thinning. Mr. Austen informed us that he drew his hand 
•down the bunches when in flower, and a quantity of the viscid fluid that 
■came off them adhered to his hand. To this simple mode of clearing the 
stamens he attributes in a great measure the success attending the 
setting of the berries. 
The next raDge comprises four low span-roofed pits with walk up 
the centre, in which Tomatoes, Melons, Vines, and Pine Apples are 
grown. The bed on one side of the first division was planted with 
Tomatoes, and the other side was occupied with Melons growing in pots. 
The Melon plants were clean and healthy, and had from five to six 
fruits on each plant about half grown. Tbe second division was devoted 
to succession Melons on one side and pot Vines on the other, and the 
division next to it to Pine Apples. Besides these, there are a great 
quantity of pits and frames for growing plants, fruits, and vegetables. We 
had only time for a passing glance at the kitchen garden. The crops of all 
kinds looked well, and everything was neat and orderly in it. We would 
•only say in conclusion that we derived great pleasure from our visit to 
Ashton Court, and are glad to bear testimony to the taste and skill 
which are manifest in every department of its garden arrangements.— 
A. Pettigrew, Castle Gardens , Cardiff. 
VINES IN AN INEXPENSIVE BORDER. 
The Vines from which the enclosed few hemes are cut were planted seven 
years ago in a span-roof house facing north and south, borders inside and 
out, heated with a brick flue running down the centre, 30 feet long, outer 
walls on arches. When planted the young Vines had 2 yards wide of turf 
sods to start in; the other part of the border inside and out is made with 
common garden soil, lime, and cowdung, with a good sprinkling of half- 
burnt bricks broken up. The subsoil is shelly marl resting on red sand¬ 
stone. I apply liquid manure after the fruit is set, made from hen- 
dung and lime. I write this simply to say passable-looking Grapes can 
be grown without making rich expensive borders. I began to start this 
liouse on the first day of February last.—J. C. 
[With one exception the Grapes as represented by individual berries 
are excellent. Gros Colman is small and imperfect in flower, Madresfield 
Court is very fine indeed, while Buckland Sweetwater and Waltham Seed¬ 
ling are above the average of these varieties—far better, indeed, than 
many we have seen growing in expensively made borders.] 
READING SHOW. 
August 16th. 
The second Exhibition of the year at Reading is almost invariably highly 
satisfactory as regards the number of the competitors and the quality of the 
produce staged. On the present occasion, however, there was a lamentable 
falling-off in all the principal sections, and the Show as a whole was little 
more than a shadow of its predecessors. In such a fine horticultural district 
as that of Reading this deficiency was not only more regretable, but was 
also difficult to understand ; for though a few of the larger exhibitors were 
absent, surely scores of others might have been found who -would have been 
willing to contribute. It is true that, except in the leading classes, the 
prizes are of small amount, but the number offered might be expected to 
compensate for that in some degree. 
PLANTS. 
Comparatively few collections of these were shown, and in this respect 
this Exhibition was one of the most unsatisfactory that the Society has held, 
which was the more regretable as the weather proved very favourable. The 
chief falling-off was in the number of competitors, as the plants actually 
staged were distinguished by their fresh healthy condition, which was espe¬ 
cially noticeable in the case of the Ferns and fine-foliage plants. The 
groups, too, were quite up to the usual standard, and without them the 
Exhibition would have been exceedingly weak. The plants usually shown 
by Mr. Lees were absent owing to his having discontinued exhibiting, and 
this made a great difference ; one or two others that generally contribute 
were also not showing, and so the prizes were divided amongst very few 
growers. 
For six fine-foliage plants Mr. Mortimer, gardener to Major Storer, 
Purley Park, was awarded the first prize for exceedingly vigorous examples 
of Alocasia macrorhiza variegata, Maranta rosea lineata, Encephalartos 
villosus, Croton majesticus, Alocasia metallica, and Pandanus Veitchii. The 
Alocasia was in remarkably good condition, 4 or 5 feet in diameter, and with 
fine glossy foliage. Mr. Eliott, gardener to J. Hibbert, Esq., Maidenhead, 
had the best three fine-foliage plants, Pandanus Veitchii and Cordyline 
indivisa being especially fine. Mr. Jones, Henley-on-Thames, showed six 
small but richly coloured Coleuses, for which the chief prize was awarded in 
that class. Mr. E. Phippen, Reading, was first with three Palms, well-grown 
examples of a Phoenix, Latania, and Seaforthia. The premier collection of 
six Ferns was from Mr. Mortimer, and the plants were, as usual, characterised 
by their healthy vigour. Davallia Mooreana was in good condition, Adi¬ 
antum cardiochlseana, Dicksonia antarctica, Davallia bullata, and Adiantum 
eultratum being similarly fresh. Mr. Bennett, gardener to M. Lonergan, 
Esq., Cressingham, was a good second, his best plants being Davallia 
Mooreana and Adiantum formosum. Mr. G. Phippen was third with healthy 
plants. 
Prizes were offered for a group of plants arranged for effect in a space 
of 12 feet by 10 feet. There were three competitors ; Mr. Sumner, gardener 
to J. H. Millard, Esq., Reading, being first with an exceedingly bright 
and tasteful group, having a groundwork of Gloxinias, Ferns, Begonias, and 
Coleuses, with taller Crotons, Liliums, Fuchsias, and Dracaenas, and a 
background of Acacias. Mr. Phippen, Reading, was a close second with a 
rather heavier but good group, the fore part chiefly consisting of Hydrangea 
paniculata grandiflora, with Ferns, Selaginellas, and Isolepis. Mr. Mayne, 
gardener to Miss Moon, Reading, was placed third with a diversified 
collection of Achimenes, Begonias, Pelargoniums, and Ferns. Fuchsias 
were not largely shown, but the plants were fairly well flowered. Mr. E. 
Jones, Henley-on-Thames ; Mr. Mayne, gardener to Miss Moon, Reading ; 
and Mr. Sumner, gardener to J. H. Millard, Esq., Reading, were the principal 
prizetakers. In smaller classes Messrs. Mortimer and Mayne were also 
exhibitors. Mr. Mortimer had the only collection of four stove and 
greenhouse plants, Ixora Williamsi being the best of them, with sixteen 
or eighteen fine trusses of flowers. The first prize was awarded for them. 
Zonal Pelargoniums were fairly well shown, Mr. Sumner taking the chief 
position with six even well-flowered specimens, Mr. Mortimer following 
closely with larger but rather looser plants. Mr. Sumner also had the best 
six tricolors. Mr. Ashby, gardener to W. Fanning, Esq., Whitchurch, and 
Mr. Mayne being respectively second and third. 
Three pretty collections of table plants were shown, Mr. Ross, gardener 
to C. Eyre, Esq., Welford Park, being placed first with neat little specimens 
in 6-inch pots, comprising a seedling Croton, Yucca aloifolia variegata. 
Croton Eyrei, Pandanus Veitchi, Dracaena elegantissima, and D. Guilfoylei, 
Mr. Gribble, gardener to Miss Cary Malins, Maidenhead, and Mr. Elliott, 
followed in that order. Mr. Bridge, gardener to J. F. Hall, Esq., Erleigh 
Court, was the only exhibitor of six Liliums, being awarded the first prize 
for well-grown plants in 8 and 9-inch pots, and bearing three or four dozen 
flowers each. The same exhibitor had the best three Liliums, followed by 
Mr. Mortimer with healthy plants, the latter also staging six good Achimenes, 
which secured the first prize. The best single specimen plant was a 
Vanda tricolor with one spike, from Mr. Pound, Mr. Mortimer being second 
with Alocasia Thibautiana in excellent health. Three fine collections of 
Cockscombs were shown, Mr. Bridge and Mr. Gribble securing the chief 
prizes. 
Cut flowers were fairly well represented, Dahlias, Roses, and miscellaneous 
collections being staged. The most successful exhibitors were the follow¬ 
ing :— Mr. Gurden, gardener to Miss Watson-Taylor, Headington (single 
Dahlias), Messrs. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, and Tranter, Assenden 
(Show and Fancy Dahlias), Mr. Sumner (hardy flowers), Mr. Phippen 
(miscellaneous), Mr. Howe (stove and greenhouse flowers), Mr. Gurden (Roses), 
and Mr. Tranter (Phloxes). For table stands, bouquets, and buttonholes 
Mr. and Miss Phippen were as usual the most successful exhibitors. Several 
handsome bushes of Ferns and Palms were also shown by the same firm, and 
were greatly admired. 
FRUIT. 
By far the most interesting portion of the Exhibition was that devoted 
to the fruit, as in nearly all the classes the competition was very keen and 
the quality of the fruit highly satisfactory. Black Grapes, Peaches, and 
Nectarines were especially good, but white Grapes, except in the leading 
stands, were rather unripe. The principal class for fruits was that for eight 
dishes, for which a silver cup value five guineas was offered by Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons as the first prize. Mr. Howe, gardener to Sir R. Sutton, Bart., 
Benham Park, succeeded in winning this substantial honour with very large 
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, good Black Hamburghs, Suttons' 
Masterpiece Melon, Queen Pine Apple, Royal George Peaches, Moorpark 
Apricots, Pine Apple Nectarine very fine, and good Figs. Mr. Wills, gar¬ 
dener to R. Ravenhill, Esq., Winkfield, was a good second, having large 
bunches of Cooper’s Black Grapes well coloured, a good Queen Pine, Hales’ 
Early Peaches finely coloured, and a well-netted Hero of Lockinge Melon. 
For six dishes of fruits Mr. Goodman, gardener to C. Hummersley, Esq., 
Bourne End, was first with w’ell-coloured Black Alicante Grapes, moderate 
Foster’s Seedling Grapes, good Belgian Purple Plums, Dryden Nectarines, 
Royal George Peaches, and Earl of Beaconsfield Melon. Mr. Mortimer was 
second with large but scarcely ripe Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria Grapes, but very good Washington Plums. 
Black Grapes were fairly well shown, Mr. Ashby taking the first prize 
with three fine bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes beautifully coloured. 
Mr. Cakebread, gardener to Sir P. Rose, Bart., Penn, was a close second, also 
with fine bunches ; Mr. Howe, third ; and extra prizes went to Messrs. Moore 
and Robinson. Seven lots of three bunches of Muscats were staged, Mr. 
Howe being first with large well-ripened Muscat of Alexandria but slightly 
rubbed ; Mr. Ashby second with the same variety, also well ripened; and 
Mr. Ross, gardener to C. Eyre, Esq., Welford Park, third with Bowood 
Muscat rather green. In the Any other black variety class Mr. Ashby was 
the premier exhibitor of three grand bunches of Madresfield Court, bearing a 
fine bloom, but one of the bunches was scarcely ripe. Mr. Heath, gardener 
to R. Ovey, Esq., Henley, and Mr. Pound were awarded equal second prizes, 
the former with Black Alicante very large and well coloured, and the latter 
with Madresfield Court rather small. Mr, Mortimer was third with Trentham 
Black. The Any other white variety class was not well filled, Mr. Ashby 
being first with Golden Hamburgh, Mr. Wells second with Buckland Sweet¬ 
water, and Mr. Howe third with Foster’s Seedling. 
Peaches were well shown by Mr. Gribble, who was first with Bellegarde 
in a class of ten competitors, Messrs. Jones and Robinson being second and 
third. Nectarines were represented by eight dishes, Mr. Maher taking the 
first position with Pitmaston Orange, Mr. Gribble second with Elruge, and 
Mr. Goodman third with Dryden. Plums were also well shown by Messrs. 
Bridgman and Goodman. The principal exhibitors of Melons were Messrs. 
Elliott, Howe, and Maher. Mr. Howe was awarded a first-class certificate 
for Melon Benham Beauty , a cross between William I. and Hero of Lockinge, 
a fruit of delicious flavour, deep flesh, and moderate size. It is one of the 
best scarlet-flesh Melons we have tasted. 
VEGETABLES. 
Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge, offered prizes for collections of 
vegetables, and eleven were staged. Mr. Howe was first with a very even 
and creditable collection, comprising Negro Longpod Beans, Early Round 
Potatoes, Early Shorthorn Carrots, Challenge Cucumbers, All the Year 
Round Turnips, and Telephone Peas. Mr. Ross was a close second, Mr. 
Bradford third, and Mr. Elliott fourth. Potatoes, Beans, Vegetable 
Marrows, and Onions were all largely and well represented. Eight dishes 
