486 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
( Norember 27. 1884. 
I^gulden’s question whether “when judging culinary Apples I would 
take the exuibitor’s word as to the value of any culinary Apple with 
which I was not acquainted,” I would answer No. In this respect I 
would prefer to exercise my own judgment. I should, therefore, feel 
inclined to pass them over, as he suggests, in favour of some equally good- 
looking and well-known sorts ; and I would do precisely similar in 
judging Tomatoes, because, like culinary Apples, I find that sometimes 
the worst flavoured when raw are the best when cooked. At the same 
time I see no special objection to our dessert tables being embellished 
with the more beautiful and best flavoured varieties of Tomatoes, nor 
that the collections of fruit at our exhibitions should not be enlivened 
with the same varieties ; while the larger and best culinary varieties I 
would, as hitherto, place in the collections of vegetables. By this means 
Mr. Iggulden’s excellent suggestion would not only be acted upon, but I 
believe every dyspeptic subject, of which there are not a few, would set 
a high value on his efforts to popularise this beautiful and wholesome 
fruit. I have less scruples in writing this now, as I have just been 
informed by a gentleman recently returned from Canada, that there every 
person eats Tomatoes with the same zest and frequency as we do Apples 
or Oranges in this country.— T. Challis. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
YEOVIL, Novembbu ISth. 
This, for a first attempt, must he chronicled as a decided success, being 
in fact an agreeable surprise to all interested. The idea of holding a show 
was first conceived by Mr. Tite of Fairview, Yeovil, and this gentleman 
planned the schedule, provided the prizes, and incurred the various inci¬ 
dental expenses entirely at his own risk. Several well-wishers lent him 
material assistance in arranging the Exhibition, but to Mr. Tite belongs 
the credit of what in every respect proved a most interesting and successful 
experiment. Next season it is proposed to offer very liberal prizes, more 
especially for cut blooms, and this, coupled with the convenient or central 
position of Yeovil, shou d result in the attraction of one of the best all¬ 
round displays in the west of England. 
There were no trained plants staged, neither is this to he regretted, but 
there were a considerable number of fairly well grown conservatory plants. 
The best represented sorts were Fair Maid of Guernsey, Hiver Flenri, Dr. 
Masters, Golden Eagle, Ethel, Guernsey Nugget, White Globe, Mrs. Bundle, 
and Julie Lagraviere, and the most successful exhibitors were Mr. Cross¬ 
man, gardener to J. Bimton, Esq.; Mr. W. Pollard, gardener to H. B. 
Batten, Esq. ; Mr. B. Gillingham, gardener to B. Phelps, Esq. ; Mr. L. 
Russel, gardener to Major Aldworth; Mr. T. Hannan, gardener to 
•T. E. Whitby, Esq. ; and J. Bowles, gardener to J. R. P. Godden, 
Esq. There were several classes provided for miscellaneous plants, 
and in some cases the exhibits were highly meritorious. Table plants were 
well shown by Messrs. W. Appleby, gardener to T. W. D. Bide, Esq. ; 
and W. Pollard, the lat er having some remarkably well-flowered Gloxinias ; 
Solanums by Messrs. W. Pollard and J. H. Cop, gardener to J. S. W. Erie 
Drax, Esq.; Primulas by T. Hannan, and G. Gillingham; and Cyclamens 
by M'". W. Pollard. A considerable number of healthy fine-foliage and 
flowering plants were lent by Mr. R. B. Davis, nurseryman, Yeovil, and other 
gentlemen kindly sent plants, all of which contributed materially to the 
general effect. 
Cut blosms were staged in great numbers, and in most cases the winning 
stands were fresh and good. Mr. W. Thomas, gardener to W. Marshall, Esq., 
Taunton, was the most successful exhibitor in the various classes, his blooms 
of such incurved varieties as Miss M. Morgan, Snowball (Empress of India), 
Princess of Wales, Bendigo, Jardin des Plantes, and Princess Imperial being 
particularly good, as also were the blooms of Japanese Oracle, Meg Merrilees, 
Daimio, Yellow Dragon. Madame C. Audiguier, Comte de Germiny, Rubrum 
Striatum, Pair Maid of Guernsey, Album Plenum, and Madame Berthie Ren- 
datler. Other prizewinners in these classes were Messrs. J. Davey, gardener to 
J. Carver, Esq.; S. Tottle ; A. Collard, gardener to T. Starkey, Esq.; W. Gallop, 
gardener to H. N. Middleton, Esq.; J. Mundell, gardener to R. Thornton, Esq., 
Dorchester; T. D. Davis, Sherborne, and J. Dibben. A considerable numberof 
fairly good cut blooms were staged, not for competition, by Mr. W. G. 
Pragnell, Sherborne Castle, and two stands of blooms were sent by Mr. J. 
Wright, of the Middle Temple Gardens, London, The latter included a 
yellow sport from Salterii, Boule d’Or, Comte de Germiny, Mons. Lemoine, 
Roseum Superbum, Mons. Dssbrieux, Meg Merrilees, Empress of India, 
Golden Empress of India, and Princess Imperial. 
There was quite a grand display of fruit, notably Grapes and Apples. In 
the class for two bunches of any black Grape Mr. E. Biggs, gardener to 
General Henning, C.B., Dorchester, was an easy first with exceptionally fine 
examples of Black Alicante, and this exhibitor was also highly commended for 
two very fine bunches of Mrs. Pince. The second prize was won by Mr. G. 
gardener to T. T. Walton, Esq., Wincanton, with well-finished Black 
Alicante, and ten other exhibitors had creditable exhibits. White Grapes 
were not so good. Mr. Crossman was first and Mr. W. Gallop second, both 
having fairly good Muscat of Alexandria, the third prize going to Mr. H. 
Kelley, gardener to G. T. Bullock, Esq., for Foster’s Seedling. There 
were thirty lots of three varieties of dessert Apples, and among these 
were many very highly coloured and well selected examples of the 
best known sorts. Mr. J. Davey was first with perfect examples of 
Cox’s Orange Pippin, Mother Apple, and Ribston Pippin ; and Mr. A. 
Tucker, gardener to Captain Winter, was a good second with excellent fruit 
of Claygate Pearman, King of Pippins, and Ribston Pippin. Many good 
dishes of Pears were shown, Mr. Tucker being first with very fine Beurrd 
Clairgeau. Mr. Parsons second, with Beurrh Diel, also very fine. The 
stewing Pears were remarkably large. Mr. W. Parsons was first and Mr. 
Tucker second,both showing IJvedale’s St. Germains. Mr. Pragnell staged 
twenty good dishes of Apples not for competition, and Messrs. John Scott 
and Co., Merriott Nurseries, also staged upwards of 150 varieties of AppPs, 
some of the best of which were Alfriston, Royal Somerset, Reinette de Canada, 
Merriott Pippin, Tom Putt, Dorset Red Streak, Annie Elizabeth, Golden 
Winter Pearmain, Piles’ Russet, New Hawthornden, Beauty of Kent, and 
Cox’s Orange Pippin. 
There were classes provided for salading and Tomatoes, and in both 
cases the competition was very keen. With the former Mr. C. Bowers, 
gardener to T. Holford, Esq., was a good first, and Mr. Crossman second, 
Mr. J. Bowles being highly commended. There were twenty exhibitors of 
Tomatoes, Mr. J. Davey with a good dish of Dedham Favourite, Mr. J. H. 
Copps being second with Hathaway’s Excelsior, also verj fine. Mushrooms 
were well shown by Messrs. R. Thornton and J. Diment, gardener to R. B. 
Peren, Esq. Mr. Pragnell also exhibitsd a very fine group of vegetables 
not for competition. They were arranged on a large mound at one end of 
the hall, and this attractive display included perfect examples of Veitch’s 
Cauliflowers, large Spanish Cardoons, Nantes and Intermediate Carrots, 
Maltese Parsnips, Pragnell’s Exhibition Beet, Lion Leeks, Sherborne Im¬ 
proved Spanish Onions, and various other vegetables, all in his well-known 
form. 
MANCHESTER.— November 18th and 19th. 
Under the auspices of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural 
Society the above Show was held in the Town Hall, when a much better 
display was provided than upon any other previous occasion. This may be 
accounted for in various ways, but that which seems most likely is the 
growing popularity of the Chrysanthemum, so that, although Manchester 
could not boast of such a display as was made the two following days at 
Birmingham, yet the promoters have every reason to be proud of the result 
of their efforts, and we have no doubt that public appreciation was liberal 
enough to make the balance on the right side when the Exhibition closed. 
Besides the full classes of Chrysanthemums, there were others provided for 
winter-flowering and forced plants, which augmented and well supplemented 
the maia feature, while the various attractive groups staged by non-com¬ 
petitors added greatly to the charms of the display. The Chrysanthemums 
in pots had been well grown for the most part, as they were dwarf, and 
although the flowers were not numerous, yet they were of good size and 
finish, on which account the numbers of flowers were ample to constitute in 
many instances really excellent plants. Below is detailed the most important 
classes and the successful competitors. 
Cut Blooms. —For twenty-four blooms, large-flowered, distinct, in which 
there were three competitors, but the first award was given to Mr. G. G. 
Kertin, gardener to John Allen, Esq., Altrincham, whose flowers were well 
finished and set up as follows :—Back row.—Hero of Stoke Newington, 
Golden Empress, Nil Desperandum,Empress of India, Mr. Cullingford, Lord 
Alcester, Lord Wolseley, and Lady H. St. Clair. Middle row.—Guernsey 
Nugget, Lady Hardinge, Mr. Brunlees, Baron Beust, Princess of Teck, 
Barbara, Beauty, and John Salter. Front row.—Eve, Mr. Harding, Beverley, 
Venus, Mrs. Heale, Pink Perfection, Madame Madeline Tezier, and Mabel 
Ward; the blooms of this group, and indeed of the Exhibition, were Mrs. 
Heale, Lord Alcester, and Golden Empress. Mr. H. Rose, gardener to D. 
McClure, Esq., Heaton Nursery, was second, and Messrs. W. Clibran & Sons, 
Altrincham, third. Mr. Rose’s collection was good, the following kinds being 
especially so;—White Beverley, Mrs. Haliburton, and Jardin des Plantes. 
In the corresponding class for twelve blooms Messrs. W. Clibran i& Sons 
were placed first with a good stand, while the second and third positions 
were gained relatively by Mr. P. Mottershead, gardener to H. S. Woodcock, 
Esq., Wigan, and Mr. C. Nickson, gardener to J. C. Platt, Esq., Cheadle, near 
Stockport. The best flowers of the leading collection were :—Back row.— 
Qseen of England and Golden Empress. Middle row.—Lord Wolseley, 
Golden Beverley. Front row.—Barbara, Mrs. Heale, and Mr. W. E. Glad¬ 
stone. Twenty-four blooms. Anemone, Pompon, and Japanese varieties, in 
which Mr. H. Rose was placed first with a good collection, although not 
quite consistent with the schedule :—Back row.—Guerns -y Nugget, Madame 
Audiguier (Jap.), Queen of England, Oracle (Jap.), Fair Maid of Guernsey 
(Jap.), Baronne de Prailly (Jap.), Madame Moulise (Jap.), and Expedition de 
Toulon (Jap.). Middle row.—M.Juan Crux (Jap.), Bend Or (Jap.), Diamond 
(Jap.), Sultan (Jap.), R, Ballantyne, Madlle. Delaux (Jap ), Cry Kang (Jap.), 
and Soleil de Levant (Jap.). Front row.—Elaine (Jap ), Rose Marguerite 
(Jap.), White Eve, Lady Marguerite (Anem.), Jardin des Plantes, Prince of 
Anemones (Anem.), Garnet (Jap.), and Ariadne (Pom.). Mr. C. Jones, 
girdenerto Mrs. Shaw, Heaton Bolton, and Mr. G. Mottershead, were second 
and third in the order named. 
Chrysanthemums in Pots. —Nine large-flowered, distinct, headed by Mr. 
Thomas Cash, gardener to C. S. Agnew, Esq., Prestwich, his plants being 
well to the front, even, carrying large flowers. Back row—Empress of India, 
Pink Venus, and Elaine. Second row—Prince of Wales, Mrs. Bunn, very 
fine ; and Dr. Sharpe. Front row—Princess of Teck, Hero of Stoke Newing¬ 
ton, very good ; and Chevalier Domage. Following in the order named were 
Mr. J. Kitchen, gardener to William Holland, Esq., Mr. Broughton, and Mr. 
R. Johnson, gardener to Thomas Slatter, Esq., Whitefield, two other 
collections besides being staged. In the corresponding class for four plants 
the same competitors were first and second respectively, and Mr. W. Burns, 
gardener to James Fletcher, Esq., Stoneclough, third. Mr. Cash’s collection 
in this class consisted of Queen of England, Pink Venus, Ranunculus, and 
Empress of India. Four Pompons brought out six competitors, headed by 
Mr. J. McDonald, gardener to M. S. Bliss, Esq., Broughton Park, with very 
excellent plants of St. Thais, Golden, White, and Lilac Cede Nulli. Second 
and third respectively Mr. H. Bennett, gardener to Thomas Dickens, Esq., 
Higher Broughton, and M. A. Bliss, Esq. In the class for six Japanese 
varieties the first honours were awarded to Mr. T. Cash, whose plants were 
grandly flowered, dw'arf and well foliaged, consisting of La Charmeuse, Fair 
Maid of Guernsey, Meg Merrilees, L’Isle des Plaisirs, La Nymphe, and 
Cossack. Second Mr. C. Pritchard, gardener to M. L. Yates, Esq , Didsbury. 
Third Mr. R. Johnson. Eight plants, not disbudded, first Mr. H. Bennett, 
with showy well-grown plants, copiously flowered, the best being La 
Nymphe, Mulberry, and Rosinante. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —For ten Primulas Mr. W. Radcliffe, Hollybank, 
Whitefield, was first, and — Hazzopullo, Esq., Higher Broughton, second, both 
lots being very good and close. Mr. Cash gained another first for six 
splendid pots of Roman Hyacinths, Messrs. Jones & Son of Shrewsbury 
following with very good plants also. For three hand bouquets Mr. James 
Mason, florist, Manchester, was a long way ahead with superb specimens, 
manipulated from a large resource of all the best flowers in season. Messrs. J. 
Jones Sons, Shrewsbury, were first for the best arranged vase for the 
