231 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 13, 1883. 
contributed by Messrs. Balchin, Townshend, Gilbert, Meachen, Fluck, gar¬ 
dener to J. O. Smith, Esq., Richmond Villa, and others. The Pelargoniums 
were particularly bright, and furnished some much-needed colour. The 
groups of Fuchsias arranged for effect were good, but a similar group of 
Coleuses with which Mr. T. Martin, gardener to J. G. Langham, Esq., East¬ 
bourne, secured the premier award, was even more meritorious, the plants 
being admirably coloured and tastefully arranged. 
GROUPS. 
Foremost amongst these were the groups of Ferns arranged for effect in 
a space not exceeding 200 square feet, this class being open to all exhibitors. 
Two groups were staged, which in taste of design and beauty of effect we 
have never seen surpassed, and if a similar class could be introduced into 
some of the schedules of the metropolitan horticultural societies it would 
prove a most welcome novelty to many visitors. There was, indeed, no 
portion of the Brighton Show which attracted so much and such well- 
deserved admiration as this ; and though the first and second prizes were £0 
and £4 respectively, these were sufficient to adequately compensate the 
exhibitors for the value of the plants employed, and the time and skill 
required to arrange them so artistically. The premier award should have 
been £10 at least. Mr. W. Miles, West Brighton, secured the leading 
position with a most elaborate, well-finished, and tasteful arrangement, 
in which the chief features were as follows :—The ground consisted of small 
Ferns, principally Adiantums, A. cuneatum predominating ; at the back was 
a mound covered with A. cuneatum, from which arose taller plants of 
Gymnogrammas, A. farleyense, and A. macrophyllum. This mound formed 
a small arch in the centre with a recess, at the base of which were some fine 
Todeas, a constant dripping of water from the mound keeping them bright 
and fresh. Towards the fore part of the group were columnar mounds of 
Ferns 2 or 3 feet high, also covered with Adiantums, and having a large 
central specimen at the top, an example of Nephrolepis davallioides furcans 
being very fine. The margin of the group was well rounded, small boxes of 
seedling Adiantums being employed, so that the plants sloped most gradually 
to the turf. The group was practically perfect, and reflects the greatest 
■credit upon Mr. George Miles, who arranged it. Mr. Vincent, gardener to 
J. Hart, Esq., Keymer, was placed second with a charming group, containing 
a number of very handsome Adiantums and other Ferns, the ground being 
formed similar to the other, but with a back mound that had a bad centre— 
-a plant of Neottopteris, which was rather too deeply bedded amongst the 
■other Ferns, and was quite unsuited for its position. There were other 
points in which the group was slightly defective—namely, in the want of 
.finish, especially near the margin, where the pots were unpleasantly 
prominent, but, taking its general effect, it was highly praiseworthy. A 
similar county class was also provided, the groups not to exceed 75 square 
feet. Mr. Turner and Mr. Meachen were the prizetakers with neat and 
.graceful arrangements, but much less elaborate than the preceding. 
Groups of miscellaneous plants were well represented in the open class, 
in which a space of 150 square feet was allowed. Mr. W. Miles was again 
■the most successful competitor, and contributed not only by far the best 
group there, but certainly one of the most distinct, tasteful, and effective 
arrangements ever shown in public. In the centre at the back was an 
informal mound composed of fine-foliage plants, Crotons, Palms, Ferns, 
and variegated Zeas. The last-named were, however, a little too rigidly 
placed, and would have had a better effect projecting slightly towards the 
■front of the group. The foundation was composed of Adiantum, from 
which arose a few taller Palms, such as Areca lutescens and several Ferns. 
To break the uniformity a number of Eucharises and Lilium speciosum 
were arranged in irregular bands next the mound, whilst a most decidedly 
telling feature was formed by the plants of Lobelia cardinalis, appro¬ 
priately introduced with Disas, Ericas, Begonias, Bouvardias, Diplacus, 
Asparagus, &c. The margin consisted of small Crotons, Gloxinias, Coleuses, 
Panicum variegatum, and the dwarf well-berried examples of Solanum 
The Gem. This, like the Fern group, was also arranged by Mr. George 
Miles. Mr. Vincent and Mr. Meachen followed, the first-named with a very 
formal group, but containing plants of excellent quality. In the county 
class Mr. Turner was the chief exhibitor, taking first place with a collection 
of Coleuses, Crotons, Begonias, Palms, and similar plants. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
A large number of collections in the various classes devoted to these 
imparted much interest to the Exhibition. Dahlias, Gladioli, Roses, Asters, 
and miscellaneous stove and greenhouse flowers were all staged in good con¬ 
dition. Messrs. Keynes & Co., Salisbury, were the premier exhibitors of 
Dahlias, having superb blooms in their stands of forty-eight and twenty- 
four, in both of which classes they obtained the chief prizes. Messrs. Scale 
.and Cheal were the other principal competitors in the open classes, while 
•amongst the amateurs Mr. Boothroyd, Rev. C. Hale, and E. Mawley, Esq., 
were the prizetakers. Two beautiful boxes of single Dahlias were shown by 
Messrs. Keynes & Co. and dual, who were placed equal first, the collections 
in both cases containing brightly coloured and varied blooms. Asters were 
also well shown, French tasselled and German quilled especially so : the 
hlooms fine, and exhibiting a refinement that is too seldom seen in these 
flowers. The principal stands were from Messrs. Fowler, Morgan, gardener 
to Major Scott, Reigate, and W. Archer, gardener to Mrs. Gibson, Saffron 
Walden. Gladioluses were well shown by Messrs. Balchin and Rann ; Roses 
by Rev. R. C. Hales, A. Slaughter, Esq., Steyning, Messrs. Balchin, Scale, 
nnd Mrs. Woolard. The competition was good in the class for a collection 
of miscellaneous cut flowers, some handsome examples being staged. Mr. 
Balchin took the lead, followed closely by Messrs. Archer, Gilbert of 
Hastings, and Morse of Epsom, while in a smaller class Mr. Ford was the 
.chief exhibitor. 
Table decorations, bouquets, wreaths, and bottonholes occupied consider¬ 
able space, and some tasteful designs and combinations were contributed. 
For three stands of flowers and for a table set for dessert Mr. W. Miles won 
premier honours. Bouquets and buttonholes were well shown by Mr. Brown 
■of Richmond, and Mr. Chard of Clapham Common. 
FRUIT. 
Strangely enough there was no entry in the class for twelve dishes of 
fruits, and in the majority of the other classes the exhibits were not nearly 
so creditable as is usually the case at this Show. Grapes were, howeve 
shown in good numbers and fair condition, the black Grapes being particu¬ 
larly good. For three bunches of Black Hamburgh Mr. Jordan, gardener to 
Birket Foster, Esq., Witley, took the lead in a class of nine exhibitors, show¬ 
ing large and well-coloured bunches. Mr. Moorhouse, gardener to J. W. 
Temple, Esq., Tyswood, Groomsbridge, was second, the berries being rather 
smaller than in the first; Mr. Warren, gardener to Mrs. Hankey, Balcombe 
Park, taking the third position. Eight lots of three bunches of Muscat of 
Alexandria were staged, Mr. Herridge, Havant, winning chief honours with 
bunches of good size and excellent colour. Mr. Johnston, The Gardens, 
Bayham Abbey, Tunbridge Wells, followed very closely with well-ripened 
samples, and Mr. Chatfield, The Gardens, East Houthley, was third. Five 
collections of six bunches of black were entered, Mr. Moorhouse leading 
with admirably coloured bunches ; Mr. Knight, Adelaide Lodge, Keymer, 
and Messrs. A. & D. Hart, Dyke Road, being respectively second and third. 
For the same number of bunches of Muscats there were six lots, Mr. Johnston 
securing the chief position with large and handsome bunches finely coloured. 
Mr. Herridge followed closely, the berries being of great size. Mr. Chatfield 
was third, and an extra prize was adjudged to Messrs. Webster & Co., 
Worthing. Peaches and Nectarines were well shown by Messrs. Inglis, 
gardener to T. Lester, Esq., Cuckfield ; Dixon, gardener to Sir S. Wilson, 
Bart., Hitchin ; and Hyde, gardener to R. Bacon, Esq., Keymer. Pears and 
Apples were chiefly shown by Messrs. W. & A. Apted, Broadwater, Ford, 
McLeod, Townshend, and Jupp ; Plums and Figs being also fairly repre¬ 
sented. In the county classes most of the above competed, together with 
Messrs. Spottiswood, Jenner, Butler, and Meachen. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
As usual these not-for-competition collections were numerous and attractive, 
extra prizes being awarded to the following exhibitors :—Mr. W. Balchin, for 
collections of Apples, Grapes, plants, and flowers ; Mr. C. Forbes, gardener 
to E. B. Foster, Esq., Trumpington, for examples of Lady Downe's and 
Alicante Graces ; Messrs. J. Cheal & Son, Crawley, for collections of hardy 
flowers, Dahlias, Pears, Apples, and Melons ; Messrs. W. Wood <fc Son, 
Maresfield, for Roses; Mrs. Woolard, Cooksbridge, for Roses; and to 
Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, for Tuberous Begonias. A first-class 
certificate was awarded to Messrs. Cheal & Son for 
Dahlia Lady of the Lake. —A single variety with fine flowers, the petals 
broad and rounded, white at the base, and tipped with rosy purple. 
THE BEECH AT NEWBATTLE ABBEY, Ac. 
Reference was recently made in the Journal of Horticulture to the 
gigantic Beech at Newbattle Abbey, the residence of the Marquis of 
Lothian in Midlothian, near Dalkeith, and about eight miles east from 
Edinburgh. The tree is the largest of its kind in “ the land o’cakes,” aye, 
and far beyond its borders. I had the pleasure of inspecting this remark¬ 
able Beech upwards of forty years ago. It was then in autumn. The 
branches of the tree reached all round to the ground, with the exception 
of an opening being left at one place for an entrance under its leafy 
shade. Under its majestic arms a dim light only peered through the 
leaves, and in this natural umbrageous saloon suitable rustic furniture 
was provided—tables, chairs, &c., to accommodate a small party. At the 
time I visited Newbattle Abbey Mr. Goodall, the raiser of two Dahlias 
that long held prominent positions in the floral world, was the head 
gardener. The Dahlias I refer to were “ The Marquis of Lothian ” and 
“ The Marchioness of Lothian,” the former a red and the latter a light- 
coloured variety. Both, but particularly the former, were champions in 
all prize stands in their days. Many old florists must remember of these, 
and in the lists of nurserymen in days gone by they stood prominently 
forward. During one of her visits to Scotland Queen Victoria visited 
this venerable Beech, which I learn is still in a healthy state, although 
it must be many hundred years old.— Thomas Nicol, Balgowrie. 
A VILLAGE SHOW. 
Whether the establishment of annual exhibitions of garden produce at 
which cottagers are encouraged to exhibit have all the success that is claimed 
for them in the way of making better citizens many doubt, but there cannot 
be a doubt of the fact that better cultivated gardens and much finer produce 
is the result, if the great improvement in cottagers’ vegetables apparent at 
this year’s annual Show in Bonnybridge over the two preceding ones may be 
taken as a fair example of others through the country. This Society was 
only started in 1881 ; and though the first exhibition was encouraging, the 
produce which then carried off the prizes would not now be tabled. In' the 
matter of Leeks, for instance, a valued vegetable in Scotland, anyone present 
at the last Show would have more than made all the first-prize six at the 
first. Indeed, many of the vegetables, especially in the collections would 
have done credit to exhibitors of twenty years’ standing, and in more favour¬ 
able climates than the exposed Stirlingshire village. Specially worthy of 
note were the Leeks of Messrs. Cram and Gifford, and the former’s collection 
of vegetables. Mr. J. S. Ritchie, Denny, showed Pansies in the best form, 
and monstrous stems of Stott’s Monarch Rhubarb, but he is a veteran and 
can hold his own at the large shows. Mr. D. Cram’s Victoria Rhubarb was 
also very fine. 
Among the gardeners’ exhibits a beautifully fresh plant of Begonia 
semperflorens grandiflora (illustrated some time ago in the Journal) 'from 
seed kindly furnished by Mr. Iggulden to the then gardener at Hope Park 
gained the first prize for greenhouse plants, and was admired by the visitors 
very much for the denseness of flowering and spotless white of its flowers. 
The plant was about 3 feet high and as much in diameter, and was exhibited 
by Mr. P. Walker, gardener to G. R. Ure, Esq. The same exhibibitor showed 
a pair of Mrs. Marshall Fuchsias in a form very seldom seen. The plants, 
though hardly so good as last year, were over 8 feet high, well flowered, and 
furnished. Mr. Walker also showed bouquets much better made up than 
they usually are in the north, and the same may be said of those exhibited 
