November 29, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
478 
Thos. Foster, gardener to J. Brancker, Esq., Greenbank, Wavertree, in the 
order named. Of twenty four Japanese three collections only were staged. 
Mr. R. G. Waterman was well ahead with large well-coloured blooms, Mr. 
G. Mease being a good second. Mr. A. R. Cox had the remaining prize. 
For eighteen the same number of collections were staged ; Mr. Wilson, gardener 
to H. Cunningham, Esq., Gateacre, being first, having remarkably fine flowers ; 
Mr. J. Jellicoe, gardener to F. Gossage, Esq., Woolton, second ; and Mr. J. 
Warrington third. For twelve blooms Mr. J. Wilson, gardener to J. E. 
Reynolds, Esq., Sandsfield Park, West Derby, and Mr. G. Burden, gardener 
to G. Cockburn, Esq., were the prizetakers, both showing well. For six 
Anemone and six reflexed Mr. A. R. Cox was well first, having good Golden 
Christine, Dr. Sharpe, Lilac Christine. King of Crimsons, Madame Clos, Mrs. 
Pethers, Lady Margaret, Gluck, and Madame Godereau. Mr. J. Jellicoe was 
n close second, and Mr. W. Wilson third with much smaller blooms. Blooms 
•of Pompon varieties were well shown, the principal prizewinners being Mr. 
A. Collins, gardener to S. Smith, Esq., M.P., Princes Park, Mr. A. R. Cox, and 
Mr. J. Hurst. 
Specimen Plants. —These were numerous and good. In the class for six 
plants Mr. J. Hughes, gardener to H. Mclver, Esq., Allerton, was easily first 
with fresh plants with large full blooms ; the varieties being Lady Slade, 
grand ; Empress of India, good; Jardin des Plantes, very fine ; John Salter, 
good ; Lady Hardinge, and Mrs, Rundle. Second Mr. S. Whitfield, gardener 
to J. T. Cross, Esq., Beechwood, Aigburth. Third Mr. E. Gray, gardener 
to C. H. Bishop, Esq., St. Helens. In the class for four plants Mr. J. 
Hughes was again successful with plants equally as fine as those shown by 
the same exhibitor in the previous class; and Mr. C. Gray third. In the 
•class for six Pompons the same exhibitor was again first with a grand 
collection of plants far before anything else staged. The plants were 
crowded with blooms, which were of a very large size. Second Mr. S. Whit¬ 
field with very creditable plants ; and third, Mr. T. Blackmore, gardener to 
Major Pemberton, Fairfield. For four plants Mr. J. Hughes was again first 
with remarkably fine plants ; Mr. J. Bustard, gardener to J. Lewis, Esq., 
Aigburth, second, and Mr. Blackmore third, all showing well. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —These were shown m good condition, and 
in the class for six plants, three in flower and three fine-foliage, Mr. W. 
Mease was well to the fore with a large well-coloured Croton Disraeli, 
•Queen Victoria 6 feet through, and an enormous Latania borbonica ; Centro- 
pogon Lucianus, good; Erica hyemalis 8 feet through, fine; and Azalea 
Verscheffelti well bloomed, large, and good. Mr. A. It. Cox was placed 
second, having good Croton angustifolius and Azalea amoena. For four 
plants Mr. A. Brown, gardener to G. Webster, Esq., Upton, Cheshire, was 
first, his best plants being Calanthe Veitchi fully 8 feet through, with 
spikes of bloom fully 3 feet G inches in length. Second Mr. W. Mease, 
and third Mr. A. R. Cox. 
Poinsettias were very fine, much better than we have before seen them in 
St. George’s Hall. First, Mr. G. Middleton, gardener to R. Pilkington, Esq., 
Rainford Hall; second, Mr. E. Green, gardener to J. Woolwright, Esq., 
Aigburth ; and third Mr. J. Wilson. Roman Hyacinths were good, and Mr. J. 
Phythian, gardener to D. Walker, Esq., Forest Lawn, West Derby, took the 
lead, followed by Mr. W. Evans and Mr. R. A. Farrington. Mignonette, 
Primulas, Epiphyllums, table plants, and the exhibits of a few other smaller 
classes were abundant and of good quality. 
Ferns. —The plants staged in this class were large. For six plants Mr. 
Phythian was first with Adiantum farleyense, Blechnum corcovadense, 
Adiantum Cunninghami, Adiantum excisum, and Alsophila excelsa. Mr. J. 
Stephenson, gardener to Mrs. Horsfall, Cressington, Aigburth, was second, 
and staged fine plants of Adiantum cuneatum, A. formosum, and Davallia 
Mooreana. Third, Mr. Thos. Foster, having a very fine Todea superba, four 
cr five collections being staged. For one Tree Fern Mr. A. R. Cox took frhe 
lead, followed by Mr. J. Lowndes. 
Palms. —These were not numerous, but the plants staged were healthy 
and very fine specimens. For three plants Mr. E. Thrupp, gardener to 
A. Walmsley, Esq., took the lead with Cycas revoluta, Latania botbonica, 
and Chamserops humilio. Mr. S. Whitfield second, having good plants of 
Phoenix reclinata and Areca sapida. For one plant Mr. S. Whitfield was 
first. 
Orchids. —These were not numerous, as the schedule only provided four 
classes for them, but those staged were very creditable to the exhibitors. 
For three plants Mr. W. Moss, gardener to W. Holland, Esq., Mossley Hill, 
took the first prize with Angrsecum sesquipedale, Burlingtonia fragrans, 
and Odontoglossum Hallii, a good variety. Mr. J. Wilson second, showing 
■well Dendrobium heterocarpum and Odontoglossum Alexandras. Third, 
Mr. J. Edwards, gardener to S. Walker, Esq., M.D.. Rodney Street, Liver¬ 
pool. For two Calanthes Mr. J. Hurst was first, Mr. Moss second, and Mr. E. 
Green third. For one plant Mr. Moss took the lead, followed by Mr. A. 
Brown and Mr. J. Stephenson. 
Fruit.—' The classes devoted to fruit were well filled and of excellent 
•quality. In the class for twelve dishes three collections were staged, the 
premier award going to Mr. Hannagan, gardener to R. C. Naylor, Esq., 
Hooton Hall, Cheshire, his collection comprising good dishes of Black 
Alicante, Lady Downe’s, and Gros Colman Grapes, the latter being very 
fine, large in berry, bunch, and of good colour; Conqueror of Europe Melon, 
Queen Pine, good Marie Louise . Glou Morgeau, and Beaurre Clairgeau 
Pears; and Apples Beachamwell, Golden Reinette, and King of the Pippins. 
Mr. J. H. Goodacre, gardener to the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, was 
a close second, having good Queen and Smooth Cayenne Pines, Beurre 
Diel and Duchesse d’Angouleme Pears, Blenheim Pippin and Cox’s Orange 
Pippin Apples were also good. Third Mr. J. Bennett, gardener to the 
Hon. C. H. Wynn. For six dishes ten collections were staged, Mr. Hanna¬ 
gan again taking the lead with good well-finished Alicante and Gros 
Colman Grapes, King of the Pippins Apples, Conqueror of Europe Melon, 
Beurrb Diel (very large) and Glou Morceau Pears. Mr. W. Mease was a 
good second; Mr. J. Hurst, gardener to W. B. Bowering, Esq., Beechwood, 
Allerton, third. Pines were not numerous, but good. Mr. J. Bennett took 
the lead in the class for two with grand fruits of Smooth Cayenne ; Mr. W. 
Speed, gardener to Lord Penrhyn, Bangor, second, having a good fruit of 
Eord Carrington ; and Mr. G. Gibbon third with Queens. For one fruit Mr. 
G. Gibbons took the lead; Mr. J. Bennett, and Mr. H. Mitchell, gardener 
to Sir G. Elliott, third. 
Grapes. —These throughout were of very fine quality, and the prizes 
offered in the various classes well contested. For two bunches of blacks, 
Muscat flavour. Mr. J. Barker, gardener to Alderman Rayner, Rock Ferry, 
took the lead with well-finished Madresfield Court; Mr. A. Collins second 
with very good bunches of Mrs. Piuce ; and Mr. Goodacre third with the 
same variety; eight lots being staged. For two bunches of black, any 
other variety, fourteen bunches were staged. Mr. P. Ingham, gardener to 
J. Goldsmith, Esq., Windle Hall, was first with large well-finished bunches 
of Black Alicante ; Mr. T. Elsworthy, gardener to A. R. Gladstone, Esq., 
Court Hey, was a close second with the same; and Mr. A. Collins third 
with good bunches of Gros Guillaume. For two bunches of whites, Muscat 
flavour, Mr. G. Middleton took the lead with well-finished examples of 
Muscat of Alexandria, fair-sized bunches with very large berries; Mr. J. 
Hurst second; and Mr. J. Lounds, gardener to Miss Crossfield, Aigburth, 
third ; six lots being staged. For two whites, any other variety, Mr. J. 
Hurst was first with well-coloured Golden Queen; Mr. C. Young, gardener 
to Joseph Evans, Esq., Hurst House, second with the same variety; and 
Mr. W. Mease third with White Tokay; nine lots being staged. For four 
distinct varieties, one bunch of each, twelve collections were staged. Mr. C. 
Young was awarded the premier position for well-finished bunches of 
White Tokay, Gros Colman, Muscat of Alexandria, and Gros Guillaume; 
Mr. J. Wallis, gardener to Rev. W. Sneyd, Keele Hall, second with smaller 
but well-finished bunches ; Mr. P. Ingham being third. 
Pears. —In the class for eight dishes of dessert varieties, open, some seven 
or eight collections were staged. Mr. Goodacre took the lead with grand 
dishes of very fine fruit of Pitmaston Duchess, Glou Morgeau very large, 
Beurrh Clairgeau good, Grosse Calebasse very large, Beurre Diel large, 
Duchesse d’Angouleme fine, Marie Louise good, and Doyennb du Cornice. 
Mr. J. Hannagan was placed second and staged some very fine dishes of fruit. 
Third, Mr. J. Kelly, gardener to R. Singlehurst, Esq., Aigburth. In the 
corresponding class for four dishes some twelve or thirteen collections were 
staged. Mr. J. Kelly took the lead, followed closely by Mr. J. Hannagan. 
For one dish of dessert Pears Mr. J. Kelly was first with Marie Louise, Mr. J. 
Loundes, gardener to S. S. Parker, Esq., second with the same variety, and 
Mr. M. Playfair third, sixteen dishes being staged. For one dish of stewing 
Pears only six dishes were staged, the first prize going to Mr. T. Wedon, 
gardener to J. C. Morris. Esq., for a dish of Pitmaston Duchess. They were 
grown inside on a tree in a 12-inch pot and had on it thirteen fruits, the 
heaviest of which weighed 27 ozs. Mr. J. Goodacre second, and Mr. Hannagan 
third. 
Apples. —These were remarkably fine and shown in very large numbers. 
For six dishes dessert varieties, open, Mr. F. Miller, gardener to J. F. Friend, 
Esq., Kent, was placed first. He staged fine well-coloured fruit of Scarlet 
Pearmain, Worcester Pearmain, Fearn’s Pippin, Adams’ Pearmain, Ribston 
Pippin, and Cox’s Orange Pippin. Mr. Hannagan was secondhand staged 
good Golden Reinette, Blenheim Orange, and King of the Pippins ; Mr. C. 
Rylance, nurseryman, Ormskirk, third. Twelve collections were staged. 
For three dishes the same number of collections were exhibited ; and Mr. J. 
Bounds was first with Golden Winter Pearmain, King of the Pippins, and 
Ribston Pippin. Second Mr. J. Loundes, and third Mr. Hannagan. Some 
thirty dishes were staged for the three prizes offered for one dish. Mr. 
Playfair won first honours with Ribston Pippin ; Mr. T. Foster second ; and 
Mr. W. Evans, gardener to Mrs. Lockett, third, both staging the same 
variety. For eight dishes of kitchen varieties Mr. Miller, Kent, was well 
ahead with remarkably large examples of Waltham Abbey Seedling, Annie 
Elizabeth, Peasgood’s Nonesuch, Lady Henniker, Hollandbury, Mere de 
Menage, Golden Noble, and Emperor Alexander. Mr. T. Johnstone, Higher 
Bebbington, second ; Mr. J. H. Goodacre third, ten collections being staged. 
For four dishes Mr. T. Johnstone won with very fine fruits, followed 
closely by Mr. J. Kelly; Mr. Wollam, gardener to Col. Blundell, Crosby, 
being third. For one dish the prizetakers were Messrs. T. Johnstone, 
W. Evans, and P. Barber, gardener to Mrs. Barnsley, Aigburth. 
,Miscellaneous Exhibits. —Messrs. F. and A. Dickson & Sons staged a very 
large collection of Apples, which was highly creditable to them. A similar 
collection came from Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, Messrs. R. Smith & Co., 
Worcester, and Mr. C. Rylance, Ormskirk. The Horticultural Company 
(John Cowan) had a collection of flowering and fine-foliage plants ; Messrs. 
R. P. Ker & Sons a large collection of remarkably well-grown Cyclamens ; 
Mr. Smith, Maiden Lane, Clubmore, Liverpool, had baskets of Mushrooms 
grown on the principle’ recommended in “Mushrooms for the Million.” 
They were very fine, and excited much attention. Messrs. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, Kent, staged fine trusses of Zonal Pelargoniums, Primulas, and 
Salvias. 
FRUIT-FORCING. 
Vines. — Earliest Houses .—In houses that were closed early in the 
month the Vines will be sl owing signs of growth, and if it be found that 
the terminal buds are taking the lead, draw them down to a horizontal 
position, and syringe the less forward parts three or four times a day with 
tepid water. When the Vines are making top growth, the outside borders, 
if there be a sufficiency to continue and renew as necessary, may receive 
a good covering of thoroughly fermenting Oak or Beech leaves and stable 
litter, three parts leaves to one of stable litter answering very well, putting 
these on in sufficient quanti'y to maintain a top heat of 80 to 85 , placing 
lights or shutters over all with a sharp incline to the front for throwing oft 
rain, but there must be a space between the covering and the fermenting 
material. If there is not such a supply of fermenting material as to allow 
of the bed being renewed or added to as necessary to keep up the heat until 
the Grapes are matured or far advanced, it will be better to dispense with 
