September 11 1884. ] 
JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE. AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
215 
collection of massive spikes staged by Messrs. Kelway <fc Sons, Langport, 
not for competition. These were, however, not so fine as we have seen them 
in previous years. The hot and dry summer has doubtless checked the 
vigour of the plants in the south. This, however, will not injuriously affect 
the corms, but, on the contrary, they ought to be exceptionally well ripened. 
In the amateurs’ class of twelve spikes the prizes were awarded to Mr. 
William Oates, Wighill Park, Tadcaster, and Mr. Cattley, Bath, for credit¬ 
able collections. We omitted to state that Mr. Oates had the third prize in 
the open class. 
The next flowers worthy of note were Hollyhocks. It is quite a novelty 
to see stands of these grand autumn flowers in the south, but really fine 
examples were staged on this occasion by Mr. G. Finlay, gardener to Mrs. 
Maynard, East Layton Hall, who well won the first prize offered for twenty- 
four varieties ; also by Messrs. Harkness ik Son, Bedale, who followed not 
afar off. These stands appeared to be especially interesting, awakening as 
they did memories of past times before the invading fungus devoured the 
plants and drove the stately Hollyhock out of our gardens. Fortunate will 
it be if the enemy has perished by famine, or if, as in the case of Potatoes, 
varieties have been raised of sufficient vigour as to render them practically 
invulnerable to its attacks. 
A bid was made for Asters, £5 being offered in two classes—namely, 
twenty-four quilled, and the same number of French varieties, distinct. It 
is not that the prizes are too high, but it is practically impossible for anyone 
to stage so many varieties to be good as well as distinct; and if not good 
they are nothing ; while “ distinct ” means little if the differences between 
them have to be sought for with the aid of a powerful eye-glass. Stands of 
twenty-four blooms in twelve or eighteen varieties would be very much 
superior. The hot season has been against Asters ; still some good examples 
were staged, Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son taking the lead in both classes, fol¬ 
lowed by the two exhibitors from Bath, Messrs. Hooper and Cattley respec- 
tivel}'. Zinnias and Verbenas were honoured in the schedule, but the display 
W'as the reverse of imposing, and most of the prizes were withheld. Stove, 
greenhouse, and hardy cut flowers, arranged in three sections, were far more 
attractive, a very superior collection arranged by Mr. James, Castle Nursery, 
Lower Norwood, worthily securing the first prize. The flowers were arranged 
in glass bottles and tall glasses, and had a pleasing effect. We cannot 
enumerate them, but observed the new white fragrant Petunia Floral Wreath 
as not the least attractive. 
Groups of plants contributed effectively to the appearance of the flower 
tent. The collection of Tuberous Begonias arranged by Messrs. Laing and 
Co., Forest Hill, was truly magnificent, and well merited the first prize of 
£6 which was offered. We were informed that many of the larger plants 
were exhibited at the May Show at the Palace, and their splendid condition 
on the present occasion afforded conclusive proof of the free and continuous 
flowering properties of these plants when well cultivated. Some of the 
newer varieties, of which a few were certificated, were strikingly meritorious. 
Good prizes were offered for collections of early-flowering Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, which were won respectively by Mr. Davis, Lilford Road, Camberwell, 
and Mr. Piercy, 89, West Road, Forest Hill. The first-prize Camberwell 
group was tastefully arranged, and contained well-grown plants of large 
and small-flowered varieties. Amongst the former Madame Desgrange, the 
valuable early-flowering Japanese form was prominent, while brightness was 
mparted by Simon Delane, which has a general resemblance to Triomphe du 
Nord ; and Pynaert Van Geert, a distinctly early Japanese, more resembling 
Fulton than any other, but with twisted florets of a reddish gold colour. Of 
the medium-sized varieties, Nanum, which is still one of the most useful 
whites, was covered with attractive flowers. The valuable rosy purple 
variety Lyon was represented, also the small free Petite Mary and several 
others, and the group was an excellent one. Mr. Piercy’s plants were well 
grown, but had not been arranged with the same care as the others. Mrs. 
Cullingford, white, was very good ; an early variety of “ Late Flora ” of the 
brig’ntest yellow and very free—the only yellow variety that surpasses Pre¬ 
cocity ; and St. Crouts, a dwarf floriferous pale pink form, was distinct 
and attractive. 
Several miscellaneous groups of plants and flowers attracted, as they 
deserved, the attention of visitors. Messrs. William Paul & Son, Waltham 
Cross, had a great arrangement of cut Roses, amongst which a seedling, rich 
velvety crimson-scarlet, shone very brightly ; and a similarly large collection 
was arranged by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. Messrs. Cutbush & Son had 
a diversified group of stove and greenhouse plants ; Mr. Turner, Slough, an 
effective mass of well-grown Lilium auratum ; Mr. James a fine mixed group 
of plants, in which Chrysanthemum Madame Desgrange was prominently 
attractive ; while last, but not least, Messrs. Cannell & Sons showed some¬ 
thing of what is grown at Swanley on a splendidly furnished table about 
30 feet long and 6 feet wide. The centre was occupied with dwarf well- 
flowered Tuberous Begonias in great and choice variety, the edge of the 
table margined chiefly with small plants of Polemonium caeruleum variegatum, 
the remaining space occupied with Dahlias, representing every type of flowers 
—Shows, Fancies, Pompons, singles, and the Cactus or Decorative type with 
pointed or laciniated florets. Amongst the latter was Picta formosissima, 
which it is almost a wonder was not called The Blazer, Glare of the Garden 
the most effective of all in the grounds of the Crystal Palace ; Mrs. Tait, 
white, serrated ; Imperial Prince, ruby-red ; Cochineal, very rich ; Parrot, 
orange-scarlet; and the semi-double dazzling scarlet. Lord Lyndhurst, which 
was a favourite thirty years ago, and now snatched from oblivion. Some of 
the singles wore very small and very pretty, such as Mrs. F. Moore, Midget 
Improved, Concinna, and many other's which we must pass. Altogether this 
was perhaps the best exhibit that has been seen from Swanley, as it was 
undoubtedly a commanding feature of this excellent Show. 
The liberality of the Directors of the Crystal Palace in providing such a 
good schedule must be recognised, and the untiring efforts of the Garden 
Superintendent, iMr. Head, appreciated in rendering the Show, what it 
unquestionably was, a success. 
NATIONAL DAHLIA SHOW. 
As above intimated, a great success was scored by the National Dahlia 
Society in the Show under notice, for exhibitors mustered in strong force, and 
staged blooms of splendid quality. In every case the classes were well filled, 
and we more than once heard the remark, “ There is not a bad flower in the 
Show.” The most noticeable feature was the decided increase of the exhibits 
in the Pompon classes, and these cut and staged with a free admixture of 
their own foliage looked charming ; they are evidently rapidly increasing in 
popularity. Single varieties were brilliant, but for substantial satisfaction 
we must rest on the massive and symmetrical Show and Fancy blooms. In 
addition to the competing collections, miscellaneous groups were also shown, 
and these, together with the Palms and Ferns tastefully interspersed amongst 
the exhibits, added in no inconsiderable degree to the effect of the Show, 
which, everything considered, was undoubtedly one of the best that has been 
held by this Society. 
Nurserymen’s Ce.4.sses. — Show Varieties. —The competition was very 
keeir in the largest class, that for forty-eight blooms, although only three 
exhibitors entered the lists. All the collections, however, were admirable, 
the first prize being awarded, after mature consideration, to Mr. Chas. 
Turner, Slough, who staged flowers of remarkable colour and symmetry ; 
the following being the varieties shown :—Back row.—Rev. j. Godday, 
Constancy, Herbert Turner, W. Rawlings, Mrs. Forman, Alexander Cramond, 
Mrs. Gefferd, Imperial. Seraph, John Standish, Muriel, Statesman, Hy. 
Walton, Jas. Cocker, Royal Queen, George Rawlings. Middle row.—Mrs. 
Gladstone, Burgundy, John Wyatt, Mrs. Harris, Jas. Stevens, Goldfinder, 
Rosetta, Hope, Lady Gladys Herbert, Julia Wyatt, Henrv Bond, Hon. Mrs. 
P. Wyndham, Prince of Denmark, J. N. Keynes, Sir G. Wolseley, Sunbeam. 
Front row.—Lord Chelmsford, Lady Wimborne, Ethel Britton, Ruby Gem, 
Acme of Perfection, Michael Saunders, Condor, Flag of Truce. Jas. Vick, 
Joseph Ashby, Jas. Service, Champion Rollo, Mrs. Shirley Hibberd, Cardinal, 
Clara, and J. B. Service. The names are printed in the order the blooms 
were placed. Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, were a close 
second, their flowers being of equally good size and colour, but one or two 
were a little less shapely than those in the first-prize collection. It is invari¬ 
ably a matter of great difficulty to decide the question of superiority when 
such grand collections as these are in opposition. This is the second year in 
succession that Messrs. Turner and Keynes have occupied the respective 
positions assigned to them on Friday. The third prize was won by Mr. 
Boston, Bedale, Yorks, who also showed boxes of excellent blooms, smaller, 
however, than the preceding. 
There were no less than eight competitors in the class for twenty-four 
blooms, and again the flowers were of splendid quality. The first prize was 
secured by Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son, Chelmsford, with the following varie¬ 
ties :—Back row.—James Cocker, Mrs. Shirley Hibberd, Burgundy, Con¬ 
stancy, Shirley Hibberd, Mrs. Dodds, Hon. Mrs. P. Wyndham, Royal Queen. 
Middle row.—Henry Walton, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. G. Harris, Earl of Beacons, 
field. Lady Gladys Herbert, Rev. J. Godday, J. N. Keynes, Sunbeam. Front 
row.—Rosy Morn, Mrs. Stancomb, Revival, Vice-President, S. Plimsoll, Ethel 
Britton, John Wyatt, and Helen McGregor. This was a superb collection, 
the blooms being grandly symmetrical. Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bedale, 
Yorkshire, were placed second, also with a very fine stand ; Messrs. Paul 
and Son, Cheshunt, third; and Messrs. Gilbert, Ipswich, fourth. This class 
occupied a considerable amount of space, and is evidently a popular one. 
As was the case last year, Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, took the lead in the 
class for twelve varieties, four other collections being also entered. Mr. 
Walker’s stand consisted of grand blooms of the following :—Back row.— 
Seraph, Champion Rollo, Perfection of Primroses, James Cocker. Middle 
row.—William Rawling.s, Mrs. Shirley Hibberd, George Rawlings, John 
Bennett. Front row :—Henry Walton, Joseph Ashby, Herbert Turner, and 
Prince of Denmark. Mr. T. Painter, Stoke-on-Trent, was second; Messrs. 
Rawlings Bros., Romford, third ; and Mr. S. Humphries, Chippenham, 
fourth. Mr. Painter showed good blooms, but the flowers were all too 
light in colour to form an effective box. 
Fancy Varieties. —For these two classes were provided—the first for 
twenty-four blooms, producing another close contest between Messrs. 
Turner and Keynes, although the result in this case saw their relative posi¬ 
tions reversed, Messrs. Keynes securing first honours. Their collection con¬ 
sisted of splendid blooms of the following varieties :—Back row.—George 
Barnes, Rev. J. B. M. Camm, Mons. Chauviere, Miss Lily Large, a sport 
from Gaiety ; Chorister, Flora Wyatt, Rebecca. Middle row.—James O’Brien, 
General Gordon, Fanny Sturt, Duchess of Alban}', James Forbes, Frederick 
Smith, Lottie Eckford, Gaiety. Front row.—Maid of Athens, Professor 
Fawcett, Miss A. Melsome, John Lamont, Miss N. Hall, Parrot, Alderman, 
and John Saunders. Mr. Turner’s stand was little inferior in quality, and 
easily secured second prize, the third being awarded to Mr. Boston. Messrs. 
Saltmarsh easily won the first prize from nine other competitors in the class 
for twelve, showing beautiful blooms of the following :—Back row.—Egyp¬ 
tian Prince, Rev. j. B. M. Camm, Rebecca, Richard Dean. Middle row.— 
Wizard, John Lamont, Oracle, Galatea. Front row.—Hercules, Flag of 
Truce, Lady Antrobus, and Gaiety. Neither in size, colour, or symmetry 
did these flowers leave anything to be desired. Messrs. Paul, Walker, and 
Gilbert respectively secured second, third, and fourth prizes, also with meri¬ 
torious blooms. 
Amateurs’ Classes. — Show Varieties. —To these three classes were 
appropriated, respectively for twenty-four, twelve, and six blooms. In the 
largest class eight admirable collections were staged, premier honours 
being won by Mr. Thos. Hobbs, Lower Easton. He, however, was run 
exceedingly close by Mr. H. Glasscock, Bishop Stortford. Mr. Hobbs' 
varieties were :—Back row.—Rev. J. B. M. Camm, James Cocker, Henry 
Walton, Herbert Turner, James O’Brien, Harrison Weir, Prince Bismarck, 
Mrs. Cannell. Middle row.—Mrs. Stancomb, Rev. Edwards, Mrs. Dodds, 
Senator, Mrs. Harris, John Standish, Ethel Britton, James Vick. Front 
row.—Lord Chelmsford, Mrs. Shirley Hibberd, J. B. Reid, Lady Golightly, 
H. W. Ward, Emily Edwards, O. E. Cope, and Hon. Mrs. P. Wyndham. 
In every respect the blooms shown were remarkable, great size, colour, 
and symmetry being combined in them. Mr. Glasscock also showed a 
splendid collection, while excellent blooms were shown by Mrs. R. Petfield, 
Diddington, Buckden, who took third prize, and Mr. Hockley, Stokesley, 
who was placed fourth. A large entry was secured in the class for twelve 
blooms, fom'teen collections being staged. Mr. J, Tranter, Henley-on- 
Thames, took the lead with remarkably fine blooms of the following :— 
Back row.—Hon. Mrs. P. Wyndham, Clara, Henry Walton, James Cocker. 
Middle row.—Hope, Mrs. Gladstone, WiUiam Rawlings, H. W. Ward. 
Front row.—John Wyatt, Joseph Ashby, Goldfinder, Ethel Britton. 
Messrs. Hussey, Norton Court, Taunton; Tunbridge, Broomfields; and 
Steer, Eltham, were placed second, third, and fourth in the order named. 
