128 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ A./gnst 7. 1884. 
P. alcicorne. Mr. H. James took the second place, showing Phlehodium 
aureum very fine. Selaginellas were not of remarkable merit, but Messrs. 
Wills and Busby had fairly good specimens. 
Tae groups of plants arranged for effect were an important feature, some 
very graceful arrrngements being contributed. Two classes were provided, 
the most important being for a half-circular group 16 feet in diameter, and 
for which the Mayor and Corporation of Southampton offered the first prize 
of £7. This honour was secured by Mr. Wills, who had an exceedingly 
tasteful group, composed of Palms, chiefly Cocos, in the centre, with a base 
of small Ferns, Ixoras, Ericas, Impatiens Sultani, and Panicum variegatum. 
This group was extremely light and graceful, and was much admired. 
Messrs. J. C. & H. Ransom were second with a slightly more formal but 
beautiful group, in which double Pelargoniums and Clerodendrons were the 
most notable of the flowering plants, with a margin of Ferns and Panicums. 
Mr. Blandford was third with a mixed assortment of Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, 
Caladiums, &c.; Mr. Amys being fourth with a tasteful combination of 
Crotons, Begonias, Caladium argyrites, Panicums, and Adiantums; Mr. 
Mould taking the fifth place for a fairly good group, in which Kalosanthes 
and Eucharis predominated. In the smaller class for a group 10 feet by 6 feet 
the exhibits were not so commendable. 
CUT FLOWERS AND TABLE DECORATIONS. 
Flowers were shown in good numbers and occupied considerable space in 
the fruit tent, the ordinary miscellaneous stove and greenhouse plants were 
especially well exhibited by Messrs. Budd, Thomson, Hillier, and Axford ; 
hardy flowers by Mr. Molyneux, who had a very beautiful collection; Mr. H. 
Guillaume, 12, Oriental Place, and Mr. Thomson. Pelargoniums, both single 
and double, were well shown by Mr. Molyneux, Mr. Flight, and the Rev. R. L. 
Dashwood, Sherfield Rectory ; Lilies and Gladioli by Mr. Guillaume and Mr. 
W. F. Piper. Roses were also contributed by Mr. Betteridge, Dr. Seaton, Mr. 
Guillaume, Mr. Privett, and Mr. Flight. Messrs. Keynes k Co., Salisbury, 
had two stands of magnificent Dahlia blooms, being awarded first honours 
for both, and a first-class certificate was awarded for Mrs. Langtry, a hand¬ 
some Show variety with grandly formed blooms, the florets yellow tipped 
w th crimson. With table decorations, Mr. Cypher was as victorious as usual. 
His table was set out with great taste, the flowers principally employed being 
Francoas, Gloriosas, and Russelia juncea for the upper portions of the stands, 
and Dipladenias, Nymphaeas, and Ixoras for the base, with a suitable admix¬ 
ture of Fern fronds. Mr. Chard, Clapham Common, followed with a pleasing 
table, on which Potentillas, Geums, with shoots of Golden Lonicera and 
Orchids were the principal feature. Mr. F. G. Chamberlain, Fitzhugh, and 
Miss Bertha Fagot, Cornstyles, Twyford, were third and fourth respectively. 
With bridal buuquets Mr. Chard took the lead, followed by Mr. Cypher and 
Messrs. Cross & Steer, Salisbury. Mr. Chard was also first with ball 
bouquets, followed by Messrs. Keynes k Co. and Mr. Cypher. 
FRUIT. 
The classes provided for fruit were well filled, but we have seen exhibits 
of better quality at some of the Southampton Shows in preceding years. 
The Local Tramways Company offered a prize of five guineas as the first in 
a class for eight dishes, and this honour was deservedly won by Mr. H. W. 
Ward, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, Longford Castle, who had large 
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria and well-coloured Black Hamburgh Grapes, 
a good Providence Pine, large Goshawk Peaches, Brown Turkey Figs, finely 
coloured Elruge Nectarines, Hero of Lockinge Melon, and Moorpark Apricots. 
Mr. F. Thomson, gardener to W. Baring, Esq., Norman Court, Dean, was 
placed second with good Muscat and Madresfield Court Grapes, but the latter 
were somewhat rubbed ; Grosse Mignonne Peaches and Moorpark Apricots 
were also fine. Mr. J. Budd, gardener to F. G. Dalgety, Esq., Lockerby Hall, 
was third, his Elruge Nectarines being uncommonly good. Mr. J. Edmonds, 
gardener to the Duke of St. Albans, Bestwood, Arundel, was fourth, show¬ 
ing a beautiful Providence Pine. With six dishes Mr. Molyneux took the 
lead, showing Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, fine 
Violette Hative Nectarines, Pine Apple Nectarines, and Morello Cherries. 
Mr. J. Jones, gardener to Lord Calthorpe, Winchfield, was second, his 
Princess of Wales Peaches and Elton Cherries being very creditable. 
Grapes were not of first-rate merit, some of the white varieties being not 
fully ripened, and black varieties were in several instanc'es much deficient in 
colour. With three bunches of black Grapes Mr. Budd was first with Black 
Hamburgh of medium size, but finely coloured. Mr. Molyneux was second 
with Madresfield Court with very handsome bei'ries. Mr. Ward followed 
with the same variety rather smaller; and Mr. W. Sanders, gardener to J. 
Bast, Esq., Langstock House, Stockbridge, was fourth with Black Hamburgh, 
much wanting in colour. Mr. Cox was first with two bunches of Black 
Grapes, fairly coloured Madresfield Court; Mr. Axford being second with 
email Black Hamburgh. The best three bunches of white Grapes were 
staged by Mr. Molyneux, Muscat of Alexandria, large in bunch and berry, 
and well coloured. Mr. W. Hills, gardener to Yiscount Gort, East Cowes 
Castle, followed with the same variety, and Mr. Hillier was fourth. Mr. 
Osborn was the only exhibitor of two bunches of white Grapes, and was 
awarded the first prize for well-ripened Buckland Sweetwater. In the one- 
bunch classes Mr. Molyneux was first with Madresfield Court; Mr. 'Ward 
second with the same ; Mr. Axford, third with Black Hamburgh, small; and 
Mr. Sanders fourth with the same, red. With white Grapes Mr. Molyneux 
was again first with Muscat of Alexandria, finely coloured, large in bunch 
and berry. Mr. Ward was second with the same variety not so well coloured ; 
Mr. Budd and Mr. Thomson following with Muscats, to which a similar 
remark would apply. 
Melons were in good numbers. For a scarlet-flesh variety Mr. Sanders 
was first with Blenheim Orange, Mr. Molyneux and Mr. Cox following with 
the same variety, and Mr. Ward was fourth with Victory of Bristol. In 
the green-flesh class Mr. Ward took the premier place with Hero of 
Lockinge, finely netted; the second prize was awarded for the same 
variety, but the exhibitor’s name was not attached to the card, and Mr. 
Budd was third. Mr. Ward had the only Pine Apple shown, a good fruit of 
Charlotte Rothschild, for which the first prize was awarded. For six 
Peaches Mr. Wiudebank was the most successful exhibitor, staging beau¬ 
tiful fruits of Chancellor. Mr. Osborn was second with Early Grosse 
Mignonne, nearly as fine ; Mr. Jones was third with Princess of Wales, 
and Mr. Thomson fourth with Early Grosse Mignonne. Mr. Hunt’s dish 
of handsome Pineapple Nectarines was placed first in that class, Mr. Budd 
taking the second place with Elruge, Mr. Thomson third with the same, 
and Mr. Ward fourth with Pineapple. Outdoor fruits were shown in good 
condition, the principal prizetakers being Messrs. Budd, Jones, Sanders, 
Thomson, Windebank, Fitford, and Busby. 
VEGETABLES. 
Though the competition was keen in the class for a collection of 
vegetables, the exhibits generally were not up to so high a standard as at 
some previous shows of this Society. For nine varieties Mr. G. Busby, 
gardener to F. Williams, Esq., Thornhill House, won the premier prize with 
a clean and praiseworthy collection, including Telephone Pea, Perfection 
Tomatoes, Sutton’s Intermediate Carrots, and Giant Rocca Onions, very fine. 
Mr. Budd was second, his Tomatoes and Onions being his best dishes, 
Messrs. Amys and Hunt followed in that order. Mr. W. Sanders was first 
with eight dishes of Potatoes, representing the varieties Adirondack, 
Beauty of Hebron, Fillbasket, Rector of Woodstock, Sutton’s Prizetaker, 
Reading Rupert, Covent Garden Perfection and Cosmopolitan. Mr. Ward, 
Mr. Axford, and Mr. Molyneux secured the remaining prizes in that order. 
Onions were largely shown, Mr. W. Sanders taking first with Early White 
Naples, very handsome. Mr. Laxton, Sandy, Bedford, offered prizes for 
dishes of Evolution Pea, John Harrison Bean, and Sandy Prize Spanish 
Onions, which brought some competition, the principal exhibitors being 
Messrs. Sanders, West, Cox and Ward. Twelve brace of Cucumbers were 
staged ; Mr. Shadwell, gardener to Hay Morant, Esq., Manor House, Ring- 
wood, being first with Tender and True, even and clean, Mr. Ward followed 
with Newton Hero, and Mr. Busby with Telegraph. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were contributed by several nurserymen, Messrs. 
Jackson & Sons of Kingston having a very handsome group of stove and 
greenhouse plants, which formed a great attraction. Messrs. Lucombe, 
Pince & Co., Exeter, showed collections of Carnations, Phloxes, Tea Roses, 
and flowering plants. Messrs. Cross k Steer, Salisbury, showed a box of The 
Governor Carnation ; and Messrs. Keynes k Co., Salisbury, had a stand of 
new Dahlias. 
THE STRAWBERRY GRAPE. 
I HAVE sent for your opinion two bunches of a peculiar Grape known 
here as the Framboisier (or Raspberry flavoured). It was introduced from 
Switzerland by the son of my employer, by whom it is much esteemed. I 
had never seen the variety till I came here about three years ago, when 
I found something both peculiar in foliage and berry to what I had ever 
seen before. My employer told me the Vine had been planted several 
years, but it had not been a success, as they seldom had a bunch with more 
than eight or nine berries on it. It is now, I may say, vigorous, as you 
will perceive by the foliage. Is it known by any other name ? I intend 
submitting some to the Fruit Committee of the Horticultural Society, but 
did not think them sufficiently ripe, and I am afraid I shall not be able to 
keep any till the next meeting, as the demand by the family and the 
depredations by the wasps will soon make them scarce. It is a shy setter, 
and takes a long time to thoroughly ripen. The perfume fills the house, 
which is about 60 feet long, and the intense blackness of the berries and 
the thickness of the bloom is very remarkable.— John Gadd. 
[We have never seen a better example of the Strawberry Grape (syn. 
Raisin Framboisier). Mr. Barron, in his “ Vines and Vine Culture,” says :—■ 
“ This singular Grape is generally assumed to be of American origin, on 
account, it may be supposed, of the great similarity in the leaves and in 
the character of the fruit to the native American Grapes. It is, however, 
we believe, of European origin; Lady Cave sent us some fruit from near 
Montreaux, on the Lake of Geneva, and stated that she found it in the 
market at Gray, on the Saone, west of Dijon, which almost fixes its 
nativity to that district. It is grown in this country more as a curiosity 
than for the value of the fruit. The late Duke of Devonshire, it was said, 
was very fond of it, and Mr. Paxton had to grow the fruit specially for His 
Grace. During the past year or two we have met with it in the gardens of 
Earl Brownlow, Ashridge Park; in those of the Earl of Rosebery, Ment- 
more ; and at the Duke of Bedford’s, Woburn.”] 
THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. 
“ WhAt shall we have first this week P” was the thought playing in my 
mind when I opened my last Journal. Ah, Potatoes—a plain subject, but 
an important one. The remarks on lifting, storing, and super tuberating 
made me think of old times and spoiled crops; some spoiled, though, by 
lifting, and some saved by being left in the ground. Early lifting is no 
doubt a matter of great importance, provided—and this is a vital point— 
they are lifted in time, also that the tubers are properly disposed after¬ 
wards. Neglect of either of these conditions is almost certain to result in 
bitter disappointment and ruinous loss. 
If Potatoes are left in the ground until the murrain attacks them even 
slightly, and are then dug up in a half-ripe state and stored thickly, the 
disease will spread with far greater rapidity than if they had not been dug 
at all ; but if taken up while perfectly free from disease, well dried, and 
then stored in a cool, yet, of course, frost-proof place, they will remain per¬ 
fectly sound. Pulling off the tops of Potatoes is, as in the case of taking 
up the crop, only of use when done before the murrain has affected the 
plants, or at least on the very first signs of disease specks, and before the 
virus, or whatever the destructive medium may be, has descended to the 
tubers ; after that the removal of the tops is only useful in one wajq and 
that is in preventing the fructification of myriads of spores of the terrible 
fungus, for the Potatoes from which the tops have been taken will “ go.” 
Take up and take care of early Potatoes before the attack of the great 
