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October 13, 1881 . ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 335 
rence, Bart., in the presence of a large company, presented a 
testimonial to Mr, Dominy as a recognition of the valuable 
services he has rendered to horticulture, particularly in hybridis¬ 
ing Orchids and Nepenthes. Subscriptions were received from 
over two hundred friends, a gold watch and'two hundred guineas 
being the substantial form in which these were conveyed to 
Mr. Dominy. In the course of some remarks by Sir Trevor Law¬ 
rence he observed that the first hybrid Orchid was obtained by 
this hybridist in 1852—namely, Cattleya Dominiana ; but his 
greatest triumph in this class of plants was Cattleya exoniensis. 
In 1864 the Devon and Exeter Horticultural Society presented 
Mr. Dominy with a piece of plate in recognition of his success as 
a hybridiser. Dr. Masters also testified to the value of the 
services which had been rendered to the horticultural world by 
the numerous beautiful Orchids raised by hybridising. In thank¬ 
ing his friends for their presentation Mr. Dominy stated that he 
owed his position and success to his great love for the profession 
of gardening, and his passport had been sobriety, patience, and 
perseverance. 
-Relative to the approach of Winter, Mr. Hudson, 
The Gardens, Cragside, near Morpeth, informs us that the ther¬ 
mometer was 6° below freezing on the morning of the 9th inst.; 
and we learn from other districts that Dahlia®, Kidney Beans, 
and similarly tender plants were cut down by frost last week. 
-The annual meeting of the National Auricula, Carna¬ 
tion, and Picotee Societies was held by permission of the 
Council of Royal Horticultural Society in the Council-room on 
the 11th inst. It was decided to hold the Auricula Exhibition on 
April 25th, and the Carnation and Picotee on July 25th, 1882, in 
the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. There are no 
alterations in the schedules, except that some restrictions are 
placed on the exhibitors of Show Auriculas in the interests of 
small growers. “ Exhibitors showing in the classes for twelve 
and six will not be permitted to exhibit in Classes 4 and 2.” The 
prizes for seedlings are to be continued as usual. 
- Mr. Moorman, gardener to the Misses Christy, Coombe 
Bank, Kingston, states that he has Ceanothus Gloire de Ver¬ 
sailles still flowering freely in the garden, bearing large close 
trusses of blueish lilac flowers. It is unquestionably a fine variety ; 
indeed, one of the best in cultivation. 
- Last week an Exhibition of Gourds was held at the 
Alexandra Palace, and, though the exhibits were not sur¬ 
prisingly abundant, the competition has the recommendation of 
novelty, at least so far as English shows are concerned. Two 
classes were provided, the first for the best collection of diverse 
Gourds, and the second for the heaviest Gourd of any kind. In 
both the prizes were liberal. Mr. J. Cattell of Westerham, Kent, 
had the best collection, comprising a great number of ornamental 
and peculiar forms, from the small but pretty Gooseberry Gourd 
to the enormous Pumpkins. The red-striped and strangely formed 
Turk’s-cap Gourds, Custard Marrows, and many others were 
represented. Messrs. Biddles & Co., Loughborough ; C. Osman, 
Sutton, Surrey; and W. Wiggins & Son, Tottenham, were the other 
contributors, taking the prizes in the order they are named with 
interesting but less varied collections than the first-named. One 
showed a number of green ^Tomatoes, apparently’ under the im¬ 
pression that they were included in the appellation Gourds. The 
heaviest example was contributed by Mr. Gibbon, gardener to 
R. C. L. Bevan, Esq., Trent Park, East Barnet, and weighed 
138^ lt>3., being of globular form and quite 2^ feet] in diameter. 
The next in weight was from Mr. J. Sheppard, The Gardens, 
Wolverstone, Ipswich, but that was 30 lbs. less than Mr. Gibbon’s. 
Mr. J. Cattell held the third place with a fruit weighing 1024 lbs. 
In addition to these Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, ex¬ 
hibited some large collections of Apples, Pears, and Roses, some 
of the latter being very bright for such a late period of the season. 
Duchess of Bedford and Crown Prince were especially noteworthy. 
Numbers of Gladioli spikes were arranged'upon tables, and served 
to brighten considerably Mr. J. F. Johnson’s novel exhibition. 
- Mr. E. Luckhurst sends the following remarks on 
Tomato Early Gem :—“What is our standard of excellence for 
Tomatoes 1 Fine flavour, medium size, a smooth, rounded, hand¬ 
some form free from ribs or indentions, an abundant crop, and 
early maturity. This is certainly not a description of the ‘ Giants ’ 
and ‘ Trophys,’ but it faithfully pourtrays the chief points in 
Early Gem, which was, I believe, introduced a few years ago by 
Messrs. Veitch. The crop of its deliciously flavoured fruit is most 
abundant; and although all the huge clusters were left unthinned, 
yet some of the fruits weighed half a pound ; but most of it is 
very little more than half that weight, very handsome, and of the 
best size for sending to table, where its remarkable flavour renders 
it a great favourite.” 
- In connection with the coming Chrysanthemum exhi¬ 
bition season we are glad to observe that the majority of fix¬ 
tures have been very carefully determined, so as to avoid clashing 
with other societies, especially those in neighbouring districts. 
In one important instance, however, the opposite is the case. 
Both the Kingston and the Westminster Aquarium Shows are 
noted for their extent and the quality of the exhibits, yet they 
are announced to be opened upon the same day, and consequently 
it will be strange if they do not both suffer by the absence of 
some exhibitors. 
- In the course of the address to the American Pomological 
Society at the eighteenth session held in Boston, September 14th 
to 16th, by the President, Marshall P. Wilder, Esq., occur the 
following remarks upon raising the standard of market 
fruits :—“ Let us not forget the importance of maintaining a 
proper regard to the characteristics of a good fruit. So long as 
we raise fruit to eat we can have no hesitation in giving the first 
place to its eating qualities. Next in importance is durability, or 
keeping—that is, the property, whether early or late, of remaining 
sound after being gathered. The third requisite is size; but while 
we desire those of liberal size we should not forget that one of 
monstrous proportions is neither desirable for the market nor for 
table use. But, whether large or small, a variety should be uni¬ 
form in size. Beauty, colour, and form will always be regarded 
as of great value. Brilliant colours will charm the eye although 
they may not gratify the taste, but a misshapen ugly form will 
never be tolerated by anyone of cultivated taste. I have dwelt 
upon this branch of our subject—and I would, if possible, enforce 
my views upon it still more strongly—not only because I desire 
to see the quality of our fruits raised, but to save the American 
Pomological Society from the reproach of recommending fruits, 
otherwise unworthy, because ‘ there is money in them.’ I have 
spoken of the latter point with some reluctance, but from the 
belief that too much regard is being had to the size without regard 
to the form or beauty of fruit. If it be deemed advisable to give 
premiums to enlarge the size of products—as, for instance, the 
biggest Strawberry, Squash, or other monstrosity, let it be done 
for size without regard to form, colour, or quality, and not for 
the ‘largest and best,’ as is generally the custom. In considering 
perfection of form and quality before monstrous size the growers 
of vegetables are in advance of pomologists. It is our duty to 
correct public taste by our example, and not to encourage the 
growth of monstrosities or misshapen fruits which, if applied to 
the Apple, Pear, or even the Potato or Turnip, would not be 
worthy of cultivation.” 
- Price’s Patent Candle Company remind us of the ap¬ 
proach of bad weather by sending us a parcel of gishurstine. 
We have only to say that further experience justifies us in empha- 
