8 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 7, 1881. 
manda Hendersoni and Statice profusa were also well shown by the 
same exhibitor. Messrs. Peed & Son of the Norbury Nurseries, 
secured the third prize for smaller but fairly good plants. In the 
Society’s district class for six specimens the competition was limited 
to Mr. Grafter, gardener to Miss Finch, Woodlands, Kingston Hill, and 
Mr. Attrill, gardener to C. J. Freake, Esq., Bank Grove, Kingston, 
who were accorded equal prizes. 
Pelargoniums. —A pretty though not an extensive display was 
contributed in the classes devoted to these plants. For six Show 
Pelargoniums Mr. Wiggins, gardener to H. Little, Esq., Hillingdon 
Place, Uxbridge, was ike principal exhibitor, securing the premier 
award with the plants which gained similar honours at South Ken¬ 
sington a day or two previously. Mr. Croxford, gardener to Mr3. 
Dunnage, Albury House, Surbiton, was a close second with neat 
plants flowering freely; and Mr. Wells, gardener to C. W. Selwyn, 
Esq., Selwyn Court, Richmond, was placed third with healthy speci¬ 
mens, but not bearing very numerous flowers. Fancy varieties were 
not very well represented ; the principal prizes were taken by Messrs. 
Attrill, Crafter, Wells, and Bond, gardener to Miss Evans, Beech 
House, New Hampton, in the order named for moderately good 
plants. 
Fuchsias. —These were sufficiently numerous to produce an impor¬ 
tant part of the display in the large marquee devoted to the plant 
classes. They were mostly, too, in very satisfactory condition both 
as regards healthy growth and floriferousness. The plants were not 
in any case excessively large, but compact vigorous growth charac¬ 
terised the majority. For nine specimens Messrs. Crafter and Wells, 
and Mr. Morrell, gardener to J. S. Rutter, Esq., The Cedars, Rich¬ 
mond, were the prizetakers, all staging good examples varying 
chiefly in respect to regularity of outline, flowers being numerous on 
nearly all the specimens. In the district class for six Messrs. Bond, 
Morrell, and Wells contributed collections of similar quality to those 
in the open class. 
Begonias and Caladiums. —Fine-foliage varieties of Begonias were 
represented by two very creditable collections, the chief position 
being accorded to Mr. Morrell for healthy examples of Queen Vic¬ 
toria, Sambo, and Madame Butt among others of less note. The 
leaves were of considerable size and the colours well developed. Mr. 
Sallows, gardener to J. J. Flack, Esq., Heddingham House, followed 
closely with similar specimens, also well grown. Two collections of 
six Caladiums were staged by Mr. D. East, gardener to F. Wigan, 
Esq., Clare Town, East Sheen, very deservedly securing the chief 
prize for fine specimens in vigorous health, and bearing well-developed 
and brightly coloured foliage. The pots, too, were not out of pro¬ 
portion to the size of specimens as is frequently the case with such 
plants to their great disadvantage in point of elegance. Mr. Wells 
followed with much smaller examples but in fair condition. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —These were not quite so numerous as on 
some previous occasions, especially as regards the general kinds 
ranked under that head, such as Crotons, Dracaenas, &c.; but Ferns 
were strongly represented, and in several of the collections admirable 
specimens were staged. The two special prizes offered by Mr. F. R. 
Kinghorn for nine fine-foliage plants were secured by Mr. Bates, gar¬ 
dener to J. E. Meek, Esq., Poulett Lodge, Twickenham, and Mr. 
Prickett, gardener to Dr. Francis, Manor House, Richmond, in that 
order. The first-named had very good examples of Yucca aloifolia, 
Pandanus Veitchi, and Dracaena Baptisti. Mr. Prickett’s best plants 
were Alocasia macrorkiza and Maranta zebrina. 
Ferns. —The chief class was for eight exotic Ferns, open to all 
exhibitors. Mr. Hudson, gardener to H. J. Atkinson, Esq., Gunners- 
bury House, Acton, obtained the principal honours with a most 
creditable collection, which would have rendered him a formidable 
competitor at some of the larger shows this year. The most notice¬ 
able were two handsome specimens of Gleichenias—G. Mendelli and 
G. flabellata—each over G feet in diameter, well and evenly trained in 
a globular form, and especially remarkable for the fresh green appear¬ 
ance of the well-developed fronds. A fine piece of the dwarf Davallia 
bullata was also shown in first-rate condition ; Thamnopteris austral- 
asica, Adiantum ca'diochlmna, and A. farleyense being similarly 
good. Mr. Child, gardener to Mrs. Torr, Garbrand Hall, Ewell, fol¬ 
lowed closely with very healthy examples of Microlepia hirta cristata, 
Davallia Mooreana, Dicksonia squarrosa, Phlebodium aureum, and 
Gleichenia dichotoma. Mr. Morrell was a good third with smaller 
but vigorous plants. In the district class for six Mr. East was first, 
s L aging good plants, Cyathea dealbata being particularly fine ; Mess s, 
Morrell and Prickett taking the remaining prizes in that order. 
Hardy Ferns were numerous and fresh, Messrs. Prickett, Morrell, and 
Crafter being the prizetakers. 
Palms. —Special prizes was offered by Mr. H. Herbst, Kew Nursery, 
Richmond, for six Palms, distinct varieties, in pots not exceeding 
12 inches in diameter. Three collections were staged, Mr. Bates 
securing chief honours for half a dozen very even and graceful speci¬ 
mens of Thrinax elegans, Latania rubra, Kentia Fosteriana, Cocos 
Weddelliana, Livistona rotundifolia, and Hyophorbe Verschaffelti. 
Messrs. Hudson and Prickett followed closely, the former having a 
pretty example of Kentia australis. 
Giiodps.—T he four groups staged in competition for the £5, £4, 
and £3, offered as first, second, and third prizes respectively in the 
class for a group to occupy a space not exceeding 100 square feet, were 
arranged near the sides of the principal plant tent, and contributed 
greatly to the bright effect. With the exception of the fourth they 
were all of a similar style, though of very different degrees of merit, 
and it is gratifying to see some general departure from the too com¬ 
mon banked-up system prevailing in the arrangement of groups. Mr. 
Hudson was worthily placed first with one of his most tasteful 
groups—light, elegant, and effective. The groundwork consisted 
chiefly of Adiantum cuneatum, among which appeared, informally 
disposed, small plants of Caladium argyrites, Gloxinias, Lilies, and 
Begonias, a few taller Palms being scattered about, and a noble 
specimen for the centre. There was not the slightest approach to 
crowding, and yet every part was well filled, a most satisfactory soft¬ 
ness and evenness pervading the group as a whole. Messrs. Hooper 
and Co., Covent Garden, were second with a slightly heavier arrange¬ 
ment, but by no means devoid of beauty ; Mr. W. Brown, St. Mary’s 
Grove Nursery, Richmond, following with a similar pleasing group. 
Mr. Munro, gardener to Lady Chichester, Cambridge House, being 
fourth with a collection of good plants, but rather too formally 
disposed. 
Cut Flowers .—Roses were the most numerously represented in these 
classes, but, owing no doubt to many exhibitors reserving their 
strength for the National Rose Show at the Crystal Palace, the 
quality generally was not quite up to the usual standard. In the 
nurserymen’s class for thirty-six triplets Messrs. G. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, were the only exhibitors, being deservedly awarded the 
first prize for a bright collection. The same firm obtained a similar 
position with twenty-four triplets, followed by Mr. Rumsey of Wal¬ 
tham Cross. In the amateurs’ class for twenty-four single trusses 
Mr. L. Stephenson, gardener to T. Bull, Esq., Red Holm, Teddington, 
was first with a good seleccion ; Mr. Moorman, gardener to the Misses 
Christy, Coombe Bank, Kingston-on-Thames, following closely. 
Indeed there were very few points difference in the quality of these 
two exhibits. Mr. Hudson was third with fair blooms. In the other 
classes the chief prizetakers were Mr. E. Mawley, Addiscombe ; Mr. 
E. Berry, gardener to the Countess of Leven ; and J. Wigan, Esq., 
Cromwell House, Mortlake ; with Messrs. Lambert, Bates, and Lake. 
Bouquets, buttonholes, and vases were very numerous. Mrs. Hudson 
The Gardens, Gunnersbury House, was especially successful with 
the last-named, contributing similar tasteful stands to those which 
have obtained honours in two previous years. Mr. W. Brown also 
exhibited well, and many others contributed in the several classes. 
Fruit. —Though not of remarkable quality this was fairly shown, 
and the competition in the Grape classes was unusually keen. The 
best collections of six dishes were shown by Mr. Fry and Mr. Davis, 
gardener to the Rev. L. Morris, the former having a good Queen 
Pine Apple. Black Grapes were of fair quality, Mr. Feist, gardener 
to R. T. Ashtcn, Esq., Mr. Fyffe, gardener to W. W. F. Dick, Esq., 
Thames Ditton House, and Messrs. Bates and Lake, being the chief 
exhibitors. Three bunches of Black Hamburghs from Mr. Bates 
were particularly well finished and of good size. White Grapes were 
contributed by Mr. Feist and Mr. Wagstaff, gardener to J. H. Elam, 
Esq., Firsleigh, Isleworth, in moderately good condition, but the 
majority were rather green. Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ prizes for a brace 
of Melons were accorded to Mr. Morrell and Mr. Beckett, gardener to 
J. P. Currie, Esq., Sandown House, Esher ; the former for Suttons’ 
Hero of Bath, and the latter for Suttons’ Hero of Lockinge. Messrs. 
G. Paul A Sons’ prizes for two dishes of Strawberries to be judged by 
flavour were secured by Mr. Crocker, gardener to W. Rogester, Esq., 
Lawn Lodge, Isleworth, with Sir Joseph Paxton and Sir C. Napier; 
Mr. J. Wagstaff taking the second place with British Queen in the 
place of Sir C. Napier. 
Vegetables were abundant, of first-rate quality in the majority of 
cases. The chief prizes were secured by Messrs. Waite, Munro, 
Beckett, Hughes, and Brown. Cucumbers were also numerous, 
especially in the classes provided by Messrs. Sutton & Sons and 
Messrs. Daniels Bros. The varieties selected for honours in the 
former being Tender and True and Duke of Connaught, and in the 
latter Daniel’s Defiance. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were very abundant, several very handsome 
groups being contributed. Mr. Little sent a handsome collection of 
Pelargoniums, the General Horticultural Company a group of choice 
plants, Messrs. Osborn & Son a collection of fine-foliage plants, Messrs. 
G. Paul & Son a group of small Roses in pots, Sir. Kinghorn an 
effective group, Messrs. Jackson & Son a collection of stove and 
greenhouse plants, and Messrs. Fromow & Son a group of mis¬ 
cellaneous plants, and Messrs. J. Laing & Co. a group of Tuberous 
Begonias. 
TEMPERATURE IN VINERIES. 
Your correspondents have explained how rigid are the rules as 
to temperature enforced by some Grape-growers. I will give an 
experience of the other extreme, where thermometers are alto¬ 
gether dispensed with and judgment alone depended on. I do 
not condemn thermometers, far from that; but it is only neces¬ 
sary in Britain to add artificial heat to equal the climate where 
the Grape grows naturally. 
To ripen Grapes and to ripen the wood sufficiently to secure 
a successional crop unquestionably requires a certain amount of 
heat, and light, and air ; but it does not require that the heat, and 
light, and air should be a gradual rise and fall. For illustration 
I will take Black Hamburgh and Lady Downe’s Grapes, these 
