December 1,1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
501 
the best yet seen in Northampton both in the number and quality 
of the exhibits, all the principal classes which were provided for 
specimen plants and blooms of Chrysanthemums, fruit, and vegetables 
being well represented, and in some instances the competition was 
extremely keen. The spacious hall of the Corn Exchange, admirably 
adapted for an exhibition of this kind, was well filled without being 
crowded, and considerable care was exercised in the arrangement to 
provide the most effective display possible. Most of the exhibits 
were placed upon tables extending the full length of the hall, while 
near the wall on one side were collections of Chrysanthemum plants, 
and on the other side chiefly vegetables, the groups occupying the 
end opposite to the entrance, and forming a pretty bank of flowering 
and fine-foliage plants. 
The classes were in two sections devoted respectively to gentle¬ 
men’s gardeners or market gardeners and to amateurs, the latter 
being defined as exhibitors who do not employ a gardener either 
regularly or occasionally. Among these the Society appears to 
have done some really valuable service, having encouraged many 
working men to employ their spare time in the cultivation of plants 
and vegetables, in some cases with highly creditable but surprising 
results considering the limited resources at the command of such 
growers. But the good and useful work of the Society has by no 
means been confined to that portion of its supporters, for it has en¬ 
couraged an honest but keen rivalry amongst the local gardeners, 
imparting an impetus to horticulture in the district that is now 
becoming distinctly evident in the improved productions staged. 
Much more, however, remains to be accomplished, and under the able 
management of the enthusiastic Honorary Secretary, Mr. E. Draper, 
success in no mean degree may be confidently expected. Happily, 
too, Mr. Draper is well supported by a practical and energetic Com¬ 
mittee, who thoroughly appreciate their Secretary’s efforts to render 
the Society a credit to the county. 
The Cup Classes .—In the four principal classes for Chrysanthemums 
silver cups were offered as the first prizes—namely, two value three 
guineas each for gardeners, and two value two guineas each for 
amateurs. In the gardeners’ class for six specimen large-flowering 
Chrysanthemums, incurved varieties, Mr. J. Holland, gardener to W. 
Jeffrey, Esq., Billing Road, was the most successful exhibitor, gain¬ 
ing the cup with neat well-grown plants of moderate size, none 
exceeding a yard in diameter, but even and faii-ly well flowered— 
Mrs. Dixon,Mrs. George Rundle, and Prince of Wales being especially 
noteworthy. Mr. F. S. Ingram, gardener to W. Butlin, Esq., Dustan, 
was a good second, also with neat specimens ; and Mr. Hilburn, gar¬ 
dener to C. J. R. Woolston, Esq., Wellingborough, taking the third 
position with even plants, but tied in rather too formally. The cup 
offered in the amateurs’ class for a similar number of specimens was 
deservedly won by Mr. W. F. Henman, Great Houghton, who had 
half a dozen well-grown plants of moderate size, evenly trained, and 
creditable both in foliage and flowers. Lady Talfourd and Mrs. 
Dixon were in especially good condition. Mr. T. Manning, Lower 
Mounts, and Mr. J. Arnsby, Lower Thrift Street, secured the second 
and third prizes in that order, both showing very fair examples. 
Cut blooms were represented by several good collections. The cup- 
winner in the gardeners’class for twenty-four incurved varieties was 
Mr. E. Berry, gardener to the Countess of Leven and Melville, Roe- 
hampton, who staged clean, even, substantial blooms of the leading 
varieties, among which John Salter, Lady Slade, Empress of India, 
Lady Talfourd, and Prince of Wales deserve notice for their size and 
good form. Mr. J. Green, gardener to W. Shoosmith, Esq., was a 
very close second with neat blooms, some of the finest being John 
Salter, St. Patrick, Barbara, Lady Hardinge, Jardin des Plantes, and 
Hero of Stoke Newington. Mr. J, Holland was third with a collec¬ 
tion inferior to the preceding in very few points, and containing 
several handsome flowers, among which was a pale yellow sport from 
Mrs. G. Rundle named Mr. T. Boddington, a neat bloom with broad 
florets. The successful competitors in the corresponding amateurs’ 
class for twelve blooms were Mr. Henman, Mr. Manning, and Mrs. 
Bromwich, Kilsby, all of whom had neat blooms, rather small but 
compact, and clear in colour. 
Specimen Plants .—These added greatly to the brightness of the 
Show, for though none was especially remarkable for size, yet the 
blooms were abundant, in some instances of good form, and in all 
fresh and clean. Taking the gardeners’ classes first, the chief was 
for six Chrysanthemums of any kind “ grown naturally,” that is un¬ 
trained, W. Shoosmith, Esq., contributing the prizes. Mr. T. Wood, 
gardener to J. Phipps, Esq., Sunnyside, took the leading position 
with healthy specimens, mostly flowering very freely, Julia La- 
gravere, Ariadne, and Guernsey Nugget being particularly note¬ 
worthy in that respect. Mr. J. W. Abrahams, gardener to R. Howes, 
Esq., followed, having good plants of Dr. Sharpe and Mrs. Dixon ; 
Mr. G. Rickard, gardener to W. Hill, Esq., securing the third award 
with well-flowered examples. The best four specimens, incurved 
varieties, were staged by Mr. Abrahams, carefully trained and healthy 
plants ; Mr. J. Payne, gardener to T. Shepard, Esq., Billing Road, 
and Mr. Ingram being adjudged the other prizes in the order men¬ 
tioned, each contributing fairly satisfactory plants of moderate size, 
Mr. Holland had the finest single specimen incurved variety, an ex¬ 
ample of Mrs. G. Rundle, neatly trained and profusely flowered. Mr. 
Abrahams followed with George Gler.ny, and Mr. Payne with Guern¬ 
sey Nugget, both fairly good. Mr. Abrahams secured chief honours 
with four Pompons, even and fresh specimens of the White and Yellow 
Cedo Nulli, Fairy, and Shirley Hibberd ; Mr. Payne was second, his 
best plant being White Cedo Nulli in very satisfactory condition ; 
Mr. Green obtained the third place with creditable examples of 
Bronze Cedo Nulli and Bob. Mr. Abrahams’ well-flowered plant of 
White Cedo Nulli was placed first in the class for one specimen 
Pompon, Mr. Green securing a similar position with Madame Marthe 
as a standard. In the amateurs’ classes for plants Messrs. Henman, 
Manning, Anisby, Penn, and Payne were the prizewinners, the first 
three named showing remarkably well-grown specimens. Mr. Hen¬ 
man exhibited particularly well, taking three first prizes. His best 
plant was a beautiful example of Chevalier Domage, as symmetrically 
trained as could be desired, the flowers very abundant, of good size, 
and bright colour. As a specimen indeed this was one of the best 
plants in the Show. Several of the plants in Messrs. Manning’s and 
Arnsby’s collection were also very creditable. 
Cut Blooms .—These were numerously shown, the competition being 
generally keen; but no blooms of unusual size were staged, indeed 
the majority were not above medium size, though they were compact, 
neat in form, and fresh in colours. In the gardeners’section the chief 
class was for twelve incurved varieties, Mr. Berry being adjudged 
principal honours for good blooms ; John Salter, Barbara, Cherub, and 
Lady Slade being prominently noticeable. Mr. J. Green followed 
very closely with clean neat blooms, Mr. Holland taking the third 
position. Nine collections of six incurved blooms of one variety 
were staged, Mr. Green leading with Hero of Stoke Newington, fine ; 
Mr. Berry following with Princess Teck, neat; and Mr. Abrahams 
third. In the next class, for six distinct varieties, there were a dozen 
entries, the majority of blooms being close in quality. Mr. Berry 
was again to the fore, having General Bainbrigge, Golden Empress, 
and John Salter in capital condition. Messrs. Abrahams and Wood 
were second and third respectively. Messrs. Berry and Green were 
the prizetakers in the class for Japanese, Anemone, and reflexed 
varieties, four of each, both exhibitors showing good blooms. Messrs. 
Green and G. Oram, gardener to Mrs. Whitworth, had the best collec¬ 
tion of twelve Pompons, the former having Dick T urpin, Antonius, 
and Mr. Astie very good. The blooms in the a—teurs’ collections 
were mostly small but neat, Mr. Henman being again one of the 
principal prizetakers ; Mrs. Bromwich, and Messrs. Green, West, Tew, 
and Manning being the other successful competitors. 
Miscellaneous Plants .—The great feature of this portion of the 
Exhibition were the Primulas, which were both numerous and well 
flowered. Some very fine specimens were staged, but in a few in¬ 
stances the pots were a little too large, and rather detracted from the 
appearance of really well-grown plants. In the class for twelve the 
leading collection was shown by Mr. Holland, the plants being first- 
rate in foliage and flowers, the latter large and of good form. Messrs. 
Green and Ingram followed very closely, both having creditable 
plants. The best six were from Mr. Payne, Messrs, Holland and 
Oram taking the second and third positions with healthy plants. In 
the class for a miscellaneous collection of twelve plants, not less than 
six in flower, three exhibitors appeared, all contributing healthy 
specimens. Mr. Hilburn gained the leading prize with first-rate 
examples of Gleichenia semi-vestita, Rondeletin speciosa, an evenly 
trained globular specimen 5 or 6 feet high, Eucharis grandiflora, and 
Encephalartos villosus amongst several others. Mr. J. S. Ingram, 
gardener to W. Butlin, Esq., was second, also with fresh, healthy, 
well-grown plants ; Cypripedium insigne, Yucca aloifolia, and a very 
distinct form of Odontoglossum being especially notable. Mr. Fair- 
brother, gardener to R. Jurnes, Esq., Cliftonville, was third with a 
fine Platycerium alcicorne and several other praiseworthy plants. 
Pretty collections of British Ferns were contributed by Messrs. 
Penney and Oram, who gained the prizes in the order named. Mr. 
Green had the only two pots of Mignonette in the gardeners’ class, 
but there were admirably grown specimens of Miles’ Hybrid Spiral 
profusely flowered. Stands of flowers and bouquets were mostly 
arranged tastefully, the principal prizetakers being Messrs. Fair- 
brother, Abrahams, Oram; Walter, gardener to R. Eykyn, Esq., 
Gayton House; and J. H. Allen, gardener to H. Pritchard, Esq., 
Abington House, in the gardeners’ section; and Messrs. Manning, 
Payne, Penn, and Arnsby in the amateurs’ classes. 
Fruit .—Like most of the other classes those devoted to fruit were 
well filled with creditable produce. The leading collection of six 
dishes was staged by Mr. J. Day, gardener to A. Seymour, Esq., 
Norton Hall, who had well-ripened black and white Grapes, and fair 
Apples and Pears. Mr. Ingram was second with samples nearly 
equal to the first in quality, including a handsome Pine Apple. 
Black Grapes were contributed by Messrs. Holland and Payne in 
fine condition, the berries being of good size and well coloured in 
both instances. Apples were largely and well represented, ten col¬ 
lections of six culinary varieties and eleven of six dessert varieties 
being staged. In the former, Mr. J. Bowler gained the chief award 
with New Hawthornden, Hanwell Souring, and Gloria Mundi parti¬ 
cularly fine. Mr. Gardiner, gardener to Sir H. Wake, was a good 
second, and Mr. Oram third. The winning collection of dessert 
varieties was from Mr. W. Chapman, gardener to H. P. Markham, 
Esq., Pitsford, who had excellent samples of Wyken and Ribston 
Pippins. Mr. Bowler followed, also having Wvken Pippin in fine 
condition ; Mr. Gardiner being third with Court of Wick and Adams’ 
Pearmain very neat. Mr. D. Taylor, gardener to the Duke of Grafton, 
secured chief honours with six dishes of dessert Pears, good fruits of 
Josephine de Malines, Easter Beurrti, Duchesse d’Angouleme, Glou 
