266 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 22 , 1881. 
being a specimen of Swainsonia galegifolia alba flowering excellently. 
In the class for four stove or greenhouse plants Mr. Gilbert of Hast¬ 
ings was worthily adjudged the leading position for admirably grown 
plants in first-rate condition. Yallota purpurea with over a dozen 
trusses of flowers was particularly fine, and was greatly admired. 
Another notable plant was Erica turgida with abundance of its long 
tubular flowers. Mr. Miles and Mr. Townshend, gardener to Capt. 
Thompson, Withdeane, carried off the other prizes in the class, both 
showing fairly well. 
Fine-foliage plants were well represented in the open class for 
eight varieties, J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Sussex, being the 
most successful exhibitor, taking the premier position with handsome 
specimens of Cycas revoluta, Croton Hendersonii, C. undulatus, C. 
interruptus, Encephalartos villosus, several Gleichenias, and a grand 
example of Dicksonia squarrosa, which was tilted sufficiently to 
show the magnificent crown of fronds to the best advantage. Mr. 
Balchin was a good second, his most remarkable plant being a Musa 
Ensete 12 or 14 feet high. Mr. Miles secured the third position with 
fine specimens of Chamcedorea elegans and Encephalartos villosus 
amongst others. In the Sussex classes for fine-foliage plants Messrs. 
Meachen, Howick, and Townshend carried off the chief prizes with 
healthy well-grown specimens. In the long marquee other notice¬ 
able exhibits were the Pelargoniums and Fuchsias, the former being 
fairly bright, but neither call for special comment. 
Cut flowers were numerous, the Dahlias forming the chief feature 
in the display. The principal exhibitors were Messrs. Keynes & Co. 
of Salisbury, who held the leading positions in all the classes they 
entered. The blooms were of excellent form and the colours clear 
and bright, a large number of the best Show and Fancy varieties 
being represented. Mr. W. Seale of Sevenoaks followed in most of 
the classes, showing blooms of great size and fine colours. Hoses 
were contributed by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt; Mitchell &■ Son, 
Piltdown, ITckfield ; A. daughter, Steyning ; and Seale, who exhibited 
very creditable blooms for such a late period of the season. Asters 
were similarly well represented by collections from Mr. Allfrey, 
gardener to Miss Nevill, and Mr. Miorgan, gardener to Major Scott, 
Eeigate, who secured the chief prizes. Bouquets, wreaths, and table 
decorations occupied considerable space in one of the Pavilion apart¬ 
ments. Messrs. Miles, Balchin, W. Brown of Richmond, Surrey, and 
Seale being the principal prizetakers. 
Fruit. —The most important class in the open section was that for 
a collection of twelve dishes of fruits, the prizes being the Ashbury 
silver cup, £2 10s., and £1 10s. The cup was well won by Mr. 
Rutland, gardener to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, Goodwood, 
who had neat bunches of Black Alicante Grapes well coloured, 
Yiolette Hative Peaches very fine, Worcester Pearmam Apples fine 
colour, Dr. Hogg Melon good, Washington Plums well ripened, and 
Williams’ Bon Chretien Pears good, amongst several other satisfac¬ 
tory dishes. The second position was accorded to Mr. Fennell, gar¬ 
dener to E. Cazalet, Esq., Tonbridge, for a good Black Jamaica Pine 
Apple, Madresfield Court Grapes, fine ; Jefferson Plums, Bellegarde 
Peaches, and Brunswick Figs also being of good quality. Mr. Gold¬ 
smith, gardener to Mrs. Lambert, Bletchingley, was third ; and Mr. W. 
Johnston, gardener to the Marchioness of Camden, Bayham Abbey, 
was awarded an extra prize for a good collection. Black Grapes were 
fairly represented ; Messrs. Johnston, Goldsmith; Osborn, Kay’s nur¬ 
sery, Finchley ; Mr. Bashford, gardener to Mrs. Douglas, Tunbridge 
Wells ; and Mr. A. S. Hart, Dyke Road, were the prizetakers. 
Peaches were well shown by Mr. Balchin, who had some good 
examples of Barrington ; Mr. Duncan, of Warnham, and Mr. Fowler, 
gardener to Lady Willoughby, both staging fruits of the same variety 
very little inferior to the first. Fine Pears were contributed by 
Messrs. Rutland and Townshend, who carried off the chief prizes in 
the classes for culinary and dessert varieties. Among those from the 
former were some fine examples of Callebasse Grosse. Mr. Rutland 
also staged some of the best Apples. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were contributed by several firms, especially 
by Messrs. Balchin and Miles. One of the best groups from the former 
was a number of plants of his new Mignonette, Reseda odorata proli- 
fera alba, in first-rate condition ; while from Mr. Miles a bright group 
of Pelargonium West Brighton Gem was very attractive. Messrs. 
Cheal & Son of Crawley had a number of new Melons, with boxes of 
cut flowers. Mr. J. Cattell, Westerham, Kent, staged a large col¬ 
lection of ornamental Gourds; and Messrs. Keynes & Co. staged 
several boxes of Dahlia blooms, including some fine new varieties, 
of which several were certificated, together with the following. 
Pelargonium West Brighton Gem (Miles).—A variety which has 
been frequently referred to and described in these columns. On this 
occasion it was shown in excellent condition, the floriferousness of 
the plants and the brilliancy of the flowers being remarkable. 
Aquilegia formosa variegata (Cattell).—A pretty form of Columbine 
with neat leaves blotched and splashed with yellow on green, and 
sometimes having a purplish shade. It has also been certificated at 
Sevenoaks this year, and is to be sent out next spring. In the speci¬ 
mens shown the variegation was clearly and brightly marked. 
Dahlia Florence Brown (Keynes).—A Fancy variety with very sym¬ 
metrical flowers of good depth. The ground colour is a peculiar 
buff shade, and is streaked with deep crimson. 
Dahlia Joseph B. Service (Keynes).—A rich bright yellow self, of 
"very good form and substance, but especially noteworthy the colour. 
Dahlia Miss Batchelor (Keynes).—The bright scarlet Show variety 
recently certificated at Kensington, and which was so much admired 
for its neatness and excellent form. 
Melons Shepherd's Perfection and Craxoley Paragon (Cheal & Son).— 
Two new Melons from Crawley, which have been recently shown at 
Kensington. The first is a large fruit with green, nearly white, flesh ; 
the other is a scarlet-flesh variety that appears to net well. 
As usual the Exhibition was held in the Pavilion and grounds, the 
attendance of visitors on the first day being very good, the Exhibition 
remaining open till a late hour, the rooms being lighted with gas and 
the marquee with Chinese lanterns, which produced a very beautiful 
effect. 
We have received from Mr. Ollerhead, gardener to Sir 
Henry Peek, Bart., a few berries of a new Grape, which bids 
well to supply the desideratum so long wanted of a white com¬ 
panion to the Black Hamburgh. The two white Grapes upon 
which we have relied hitherto are Buckland Sweetwater and 
Foster’s Seedling. The former is what may be called an early 
variety, and does not improve by hanging ; the latter, though it 
hangs longer, is not remarkable for excellence of flavour. Mr. 
Ollerhead’s seedling is rich in flavour, superior to Foster’s Seed¬ 
ling, and judging from the toughness of the skin has all the 
character of a good keeping Grape. 
- The remarkably handsome specimen of Vallota pur¬ 
purea, shown at the Brighton Exhibition last week by Mr. 
Gilbert, well indicated the decorative value of this fine old plant 
when in its best condition. The four dozen trusses each included 
from four to six fully expanded brightly coloured flowers, and 
there appeared to be many other trusses coming forward. The 
specimen was certainly the most attractive flowering plant in 
the Exhibition, and was very creditable to the grower. 
- Mr. L. Mitcham sends us a dish of Canadian Wonder 
Bean grown in London, as his employer thinks they are worthy 
of notice. They are not only “ worthy of notice,” but of high 
commendation, as the pods are from 8 to 9 inches long, fleshy and 
crisp, and they show how admirably adapted Kidney Beans are 
for cultivating in town gardens. 
■- A correspondent of “Vick’s Illustrated Magazine” con¬ 
tributes the following upon Colouring White Flowers, which 
we give without comment—“A very pretty experiment is per¬ 
formed by putting the stem of a freshly cut Tuberose, or other 
white flower, into diluted scarlet ink for a short time. The liquid 
will be drawn up into the veins, colouring them in a very pleasant 
manner. It is also instructive, showing whether a plant is net- 
veined or paralleled-veined. A Tuberose coloured not too highly 
makes a very pretty novelty.” 
—-— Mr. Goodacre of Elvaston Castle has sent us a remark¬ 
ably fine bunch of Venn’s Black Muscat Grape. It is large, 
full, and of excellent form. Berries large, uniform, highly finished, 
and of superior flavour. We congratulate the cultivator on his 
success in growing this highly flavoured Grape, which is some¬ 
what capricious, and not often seen in such good condition as in. 
the example now before us. 
- Mr. Brown of Birkwood Gardens, N.B., sends us the 
following account of a large Cockscomb—“ At the annual Show 
of the Upperward of Lanarkshire Horticultural Society, held on 
August 29th, Mr. Henry Syme, gardener, Ridgepark, Lanark, 
staged two Cockscombs for competition, the largest measuring 
45 inches from tip to tip, and 10 inches over the crown, its com¬ 
panion being only some 2 inches less. At the same Show he ex- 
