August 4, 1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 105 
to R. Wigram, Esq., Northlands, Salisbury ; Mr. G-. Windebank, Mr. 
E. Wills, Mr. J. Burden, and Mr. Osborn. 
Ferns. —Several classes were appropriated to Ferns, and some satis¬ 
factory specimens were contributed, though the collections were not 
numerous. For six stove or greenhouse Ferns Mr. E. Wills was the 
premier exhibitor, winning the first prize with the following :—Ne- 
phrolepis davallioides furcans was large, healthy, and handsome, the 
fronds with their curiously forked pinnrn being rich bright green in 
colour ; Davallia Mooreana was in first-rate condition, also Adiantum 
cardiochlaena, A. concinnum latum, A. cuneatum, and Cibotium spec- 
tabile. Mr. Hayes, gardener to H. Barlow, Esq., Oatlands, Chirley, 
had the best four Ferns, very neat examples of Adiantum scutum, 
A. farleyense, A. pubescens, and Davallia Mooreana. Messrs. Amys 
and Molyneux followed, the former having a healthy specimen of 
Adiantum Sanctse-Catherinm. Messrs. Jackson & Son were the only 
exhibitors in the other class for four, and obtained the first prize with 
well-grown plants, Platycerium grande and Brainea insignis being 
especially noticeable. Mr. E. Wills won chief honours for six hardy 
Ferns, comprising Scolopendrium vulgare crispum, Lastrea Filix-mas 
cristata angusta, Struthiopteris japonica, Onoclea sensibilis, and Tri- 
chomanes radicans, all fresh and healthy. Messrs. Jackson followed 
with similar plants. 
Table Decorations and Cut Flou'cts. —In the class for the most taste¬ 
ful table for six persons there were six competitors, who had arrange¬ 
ments varying greatly in style and merit. Mr. F. E. Chamberlain, 
Rose Villa, was adjudged the first prize for a table, which was note¬ 
worthy for the lightness and brightness of the general design and 
the neatness of the execution. The three central stands contained 
Pelargoniums, Begonias, Carnations, Bougainvillea glabra, and Plum¬ 
bago capensis, with fronds of Adiantum cuneatum in sufficient abun¬ 
dance to tone the brightness of colour without imparting heaviness. 
The single glasses each contained a Rose bud, and the fruit comprised 
Peaches, Pears, Gooseberries, Apples, Plums, and Apricots. The 
second position was accorded to Mrs. Fuidge, 39, York Street, Avenue, 
for a graceful contribution, the central stands containing very choice 
flowers, grasses, and Fern fronds. Mrs. E. Wills, Bassett, and Mr. 
A. B. White were third and fourth respectively. Bouquets were nume¬ 
rous, the prizewinners being chiefly Messrs. Cypher; Wyatt, The 
Park, Sarum ; and E. Hillier, Winchester. Among the cut flowers the 
principal classes were for Roses and Dahlias. Messrs. Keynes & Co., 
Salisbury, had the best twenty-four Rose blooms, very fresh, and of 
good quality ; Mr. W. J, Cross, Salisbury, securing the second posi¬ 
tion in the same class. For twelve show Dahlias Messrs. Keynes 
were also first, staging handsome blooms of the following varieties— 
Professor Fawcett, Mr. Percy Wyndham, Christopher Ridley, Rosy 
Morn, Flora Wyatt, and several others. Messrs. C. Pay and Horse- 
field followed with smaller blooms. 
Fruit. —In point of numbers fruit was well represented, and the 
quality also was in most of the leading collections very satisfactory. 
The most important class was that for eight dishes, the first prize of 
five guineas being presented by the Southampton Tramways Com¬ 
pany. This was secured by Mr. J. Ollerhead, gardener to Sir Henry 
Peek, Bart., Wimbledon Park, who had some well-finished and credit¬ 
able examples. The varieties were the following : Grapes—Muscat 
of Alexandria, handsome bunches"and berries ; Black Hamburgh, 
good-sized berries and bunches, excellently coloured ; and two fine 
bunches of a white Grape said to be a seedling not in commerce. 
Pitmaston Orange Nectarines well ripened, Royal George Peaches, 
fine; Smooth Cayenne Pine Apple,'Brunswick Figs, and Dumeaux’s 
Improved Melon beautifully netted. Of the remaining four exhi¬ 
bitors Mr. F. Thomson, gardener to W. Baring, Esq., Norman Court, 
Dean, was awarded second honours for some good examples of Bigar- 
reau Napoleon Cherries, Grosse Mighonne Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, 
White Marseilles Figs, and Cox’s Golden Gem Melon. Mr. J. Budd, 
gardener to F. G. Dalgetty, Esq., Lockerby Hall, Rorasey, and Mr. 
F. Thirlby, gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Mount Temple, Broad- 
lands, Romsey, were third and fourth, both showing well. There 
were also five entries for six dishes, Mr. E. Molyneux winning leading 
honours with some remarkably handsome superbly finished Madres- 
field Court Grapes, large in berry and bunch. Read’s Hybrid Melon 
was finely netted, and Yiolette Hative Peaches were also noteworthy. 
Mr. R. McMillan, gardener to Hans Sloane Stanley, Esq., Paultons, 
Romsey, was second with handsome Royal George Peaches amongst 
others ; Mr. J. Horsefield, Heytesbury Park, Wilts, and Mr. T. Osborn 
being third and fourth. 
Grapes. —There was good competition in these [classes. For three 
bunches of black Grapes eight collections were staged. Mr. E. 
Molyneux was first with Madresfield Court Grapes, finely coloured ; 
Mr. Horsefield second with Black Hamburgh, medium size bunches, 
but well finished ; and Mr. E. Hillier third with the same variety. 
Ten exhibitors appeared with three bunches of white Grapes, the 
prizes being secured by Mr. E. Molyneux with Muscat of Alexandria, 
excellent; Mr. Ollerhead with the same variety ; and Mr. J. Hall, 
gardener to Captain Davison, South Stoneham House, Avith Cannon 
Hall Muscat, rather green, and Buckland Sweetwater, good colour. 
For a single bunch of Black Hamburgh there Avere thirteen entries, 
the first prize being presented by Mr. W. Wildsmith, The Gardens, 
Heckfield. Mr. W. Sanders, gardener to J. East, Esq., Longstock 
House, Stockbridge, was first with good bunches, Avell coloured ; 
Mr. Ollerhead a close second ; Messrs. E. Hillier and J. Budd being 
third and fourth. 
Peaches, Nectarines, and Melons were abundantly represented, 
especially the latter, the most successful competitors being Messrs. 
Rann, Molyneux, Thomson, Osborn, Budd, Thirlby, and Windebank. 
Melons were especially strongly shown, there being no less than 
twenty-three fruits staged in the two classes for a single green and 
scarlet-flesh variety respectively. 
Apples, particularly the culinary varieties and other outdoor fruits, 
were also shown in great numbers. 
Vegetables. —Like all the other sections of the schedule, the 
classes for vegetables were well filled, and the quality of the exhibits 
generally creditable to the growers. For twelve distinct varieties 
Mr. W. Sanders was a good first Avith clean, even, and substantial 
examples of Stamfordian Tomatoes, New Flanders Scarlet Carrots, 
Telephone Peas, Tender and True Cucumbers, and International 
Kidneys amongst others. Mr. Molyneux was a close second. There 
Avere fourteen exhibitors in the class for nine varieties of vegetables, 
Messrs. J. Allen, West, Amys, Pope, and Pay being the prizetakers 
in that order Avith well-groAvn specimens. For six varieties Captain 
Gibbs, Redthorn, Portswood, won the first prize with an excellent 
collection. Potatoes Avere also numerous and of good appearance, 
several other classes being similarly Avell filled. The cottagers’ pro¬ 
ductions were very praiseworthy, and their contributions occupied 
considerable space in one of the marquees. 
The miscellaneous exhibits did not constitute a remarkable feature 
in the display as regards numbers, but several interesting collections 
Avere staged. Messrs. Cannell & Son, Swanley, Kent, were the chief 
exhibitors, Avell deserving the certificate of merit awarded for their 
stands of Zinnias, Marigolds, Verbenas, Carnations, Picoiees, 
Tuberous Begonias, and Pelargoniums, all of which were greatly 
admired. Messrs. Keynes & Co. had some stands of handsome 
Dahlia blooms ; and Messrs. Elcombe & Son, Romsey, a fine group of 
Zonal Pelargoniums in pots. 
Unfortunately the weather proved rather unfavourable upon the 
opening day of the Show, rain being frequent during the morning 
and afternoon, but notwithstanding that a very good company 
assembled ; and with the attendance on the popular day, Monday, it 
is probable the Exhibition will prove as successful financially as it 
was from a horticultural point of vietv. 
LETTUCE FOE WINTER SALADS. % 
I CAN fully endorse all that Mr. Iggulden has to say on this 
subject in his able contribution to last week’s Journal, and think 
with him that it is necessary to maintain an abundant supply of 
Lettuce for that season of the year, which is in many establish¬ 
ments more important than the supply of Endive. The selection 
of varieties is a good one, but I may be permitted to ask why he 
has omitted from that list Tom Thumb, a variety I have hitherto 
found useful in every respect and of first-rate quality. It is an 
invaluable variety when late sowing has to be resorted to, as it 
turns in and hearts quickly. 
Perhaps Mr. Iggulden gives preference to Suttons’ Commodore 
Nutt, and has found that variety superior to Tom Thumb ; if so, I 
shall be glad to know in what respects it differs and shows its 
superiority. I am anxious to obtain any good useful kind of 
superior quality for winter work, and any information pointing 
out the difference between the two varieties will be acceptable to 
—A Grower of Salads. 
The number of visitors to the Royal Horticultural So¬ 
ciety’s Garden at South Kensington, and the Medical and 
Sanitary Exhibition, on Bank Holiday, was 12,209. 
- Cranston’s Nursery and Seed Company of Hereford have 
now an extensive and beautiful Exhibition of Rose Blooms 
at Regent’s Park, a stage extending the whole length of the 
corridor leading to the conservatory being occupied with the boxes. 
About two thousand blooms are shown, representing most of the 
best varieties in commerce, and considering the late period of the 
season their freshness and quality are surprising. Indeed, some 
of the blooms would have taken a high position at any show this 
year. A box of the bright and beautiful Rose Mrs. Jowitt was 
especially noteworthy on Tuesday, the substance and colour of 
the blooms proving how well the variety merits the honours it has 
