268 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . c September si, m 2 . 
of Lambton Castle won the chief position here with highly superior 
Muscat of Alexandria and Black Alicante Grapes, bunches from 3 to 
4 lbs., and berries large and excellently finished ; also capital dishes 
of Peaches, Nectarines, Melons, Plums, and Figs, and good Apples 
and Pears. Mr. Dickson, Mount Melville, St. Andrews, was placed 
second with Muscat Grapes of high quality and very good Black 
Hamburghs, Peaches, Nectarines, Melons, and Figs of good dessert 
quality, but not of striking excellence. Mr. McKelvie was third with 
heavy and fine Black Hamburgh and Muscat Grapes, good Melons, 
three fair dishes of Peaches, one of Nectarines, two of Plums, and one 
each of Figs and Apricots of average merit. 
Twelve dishes, exclusive of Pines and Grapes.—Seven excellent 
collections were staged, Mr. Mclndoe being placed in the first position 
with Mclndoe’s Premier and Best of All Melons, both good; excellent 
Negro Largo and Brunswick Figs, Kirke’s and Jefferson Plums, 
Louise Bonne of Jersey and Beurrd d’Amanlis Pears, Royal George 
Peaches, Belle Magnifique Cherries, and Hemskerk Apricots. Second 
Mr. Williamson, gardener to J. H. Rigg, Esq.,Tarvit; Peaches, Necta¬ 
rines, and Plums being very fine. Third Mr. P. W. Fairgrieve, Dun- 
keld, an excellent third, Ickworth Impdratrice Plums being splendid, 
and Kirke’s, with Peaches and Melons good. Mr. G. Barrie, gardener 
to J. Fletcher, Esq., of Saltown exhibited a very fine collection. Mr. 
Brunton, Gilmerton, Drem ; Mr. Iverr, gardener to W. Scott Kerr, 
Esq., Sunlaws, also staged excellent fruit in this excellent class. 
PINES. 
The display of these was by no means extensive nor strikingly 
meritorious. In the class for two plants in pots bearing ripe fruit, 
Mr. Calderhead, The Gardens, Wemyss Castle, Fife, secured the first 
position with average examples ; Mr. McIntyre, The Glen, Inner¬ 
leithen, being second ; and Mr. Westcott of Raby Castle third, who 
exhibited what was represented as a twin plant, two fruits having 
issued from a crown of Smooth Cayenne that had been damaged, the 
scond, a sport—Charlotte Rothschild ? This is certainly remarkable, 
if there has been no mistake. In the class for two Smooth-leaved 
Cayennes Mr. McIntyre, so far as we could learn, was the chief prize¬ 
winner ; for two Queens, Messrs. Calderhead, Johnstone, and Mclndoe ; 
For Charlotte Rothschild Mr. Goodacre ; and for any other sort Mr. 
Mclndoe with Prince Albert. Owing to displacement or non-attach¬ 
ment of cards we were unable to ascertain satisfactorily the results 
in some of the Pine classes. 
MELONS AND FIGS. 
Melons. —About seventy fruits were staged, many of them very 
good, and few inferior ; by far the finest exhibition of Melons seen 
this year. In this green-flesh class, Mr. Mclndoe was first with a 
beautiful example of Best of All, 3 to 4 tbs.; Mr. Maule, gardener to 
J. C. Hope Vere, Esq., Lasmalayon, second with Colston Bassett, 
2 to 3 lbs.; and Mr. Elphinstone third with Hero of Lockinge, 2 lbs. 
Best scarlet-fleshed—first, Mr. McKelvie with Bloxholm Hall, well 
netted, and weighing about 3 tbs.; second, Mr. McIntosh, gardener 
to Col. David Milne Home, Esq., M.P., Paxton House, Berwickshire, 
with a smaller fruit of the same variety ; third, Mr. Watson, Stirling, 
with Christian’s Favourite. Mr. Pratt exhibited his seedling Melon 
Hawkstone Seedling, which was highly commended by the Judges, 
the variety that was certificated at Manchester last year. 
Figs. —Eight very fine dishes were staged. First, Mr. Boyd, Cal¬ 
lender Park, Falkirk, with Brown Turkey ; second, Mr. Wallis, Keele, 
with White Ischia; third, Mr. Heggie, gardener to the Dowager 
Duchess of Northumberland, with Osborne’s Prolific. 
PEACHES AND NECTAEINES. 
Peaches. —Twelve dishes of twelve remarkably fine fruits were 
placed in competition, but as a rule they were rather deficient in 
colour owing to the dull and wet season in the north. Mr. A. 
McMillan, gardener to W. McBraire, Esq., was first with large fruits 
unnamed, but resembling Princess of Wales ; Mr. Young, Edinburgh, 
second with Walburton Admirable; and Mr. McLeod third with 
Noblesse. For dishes of six Peaches, first, Mr. McLeod, Stirling, 
with Lord Palmerston of immense size; second, Mr. Patterson, Torrie 
Gardens; and third, Mr. Calderhead, both with Royal George, 
thirteen dishes being staged. 
Nectarines.— Mr. E. George, gardener to J. W. Boord, Esq., Sussex, 
secured the first position with twelve fruits with Victoria ; Mr. 
Gilbert, Burghley, closely following with the same variety, and Mr. 
Murray third. Seven dishes were staged. For dishes of six Nec¬ 
tarines.—These were poorly shown, a second prize going to Mr. 
Patterson. 
Apricots were small, the best being Moorpark from Gilmerton 
Gardens. Plums also small, the prizes for three dishes going to 
Messrs. Short, Brunton, and Williamson, following in the order 
named. 
PEARS AND APPLES. 
Pears. —Six Jargonelles.—First, Mr. Short, Hummersknott, with very 
fine fruit; second, Mr. L. Dow, gardener to Sir David Baird, Bart., 
Newbyth—ten dishes. In the class for six Pears, in two sorts ex¬ 
clusive of Jargonelle, the first prize went to Mr. Fraser, Upper Hall, 
Ledbury, with Beurr6 d’Amanlis and Bon Chretien. Collection of 
Pears, twelve sorts, two of each, ripe or unripe.—Mr. Austin, Ashton 
Court, was the premier exhibitor of excellent fruit, followed by 
Messrs. Williamson and Molndoe in the order named—six compe¬ 
titors. As scarcely any of the Pears were ripe it is not necessary to 
give their names. In the class for six heaviest Pears Mr. Brother- 
ston, Tynninghame Gardens, won the chief prize with Calebasse 
Grosse, the six fruits weighing 5 tbs. 13^ ozs. 
Apples. —Collection of dessert Apples, two each of twelve varieties, 
ripe or unripe.—Mr. McIntosh, Paxton House, had the chief prize with 
generally green and late fruit—thirteen competitors. Mr. Mclndoe 
staged an excellent collection of twelve baking Apples, and secured 
the position with which he is well acquainted—first. Lord Suffield 
was admirably shown by thirty exhibitors, the prizes going to Mr. 
John Blackie, Viewforth House, Leith ; Mr. Brunton, Gilmerton, and 
Mr. Hunter, Lambton. Thirteen dishes of Stirling Castle were staged, 
the prizewinners being Mr. Edgar, gardener to James Cleland, Esq., 
Crossgar; Mr. Matheson, gardener to Wm. Tod, Esq., Glenesk, and 
Mr. Kay, gardener to Sir J. L. Foulis, Bart., all with moderate¬ 
sized fruit. Ecklinville Seedling was represented by a fine class of 
twenty dishes ; the successful competitors being Mr. Gellatly, Mr. 
Sharp, Priorswood Gardens, Melrose, and Mr. Bowman, gardener to 
Lord Deas, Pittendreich, all staging excellent examples of this good 
Apple. Ribston Pippin Apples were green, and most of them small. 
Mr. Edgar staging the best, also the best Blenheims ; Mr. Brunton 
having the best King of the Pippins. For a dish of the heaviest 
Apples Mr. Williamson was first with Warner’s King ; Mr. Mclndoe 
second with Gloria Mundi; and Mr. Galloway, gardener to the Earl 
of Minto, third with Warner’s King. A fine class. 
Gooseberries were fresh and fine. Mr. Lornie, gardener to B. F. 
Hall, Esq., Dunglass, having the best. Red and White Currants were 
also good. 
Beauty of Moray Apple exhibited by Mr. Webster was certificated 
as a free-bearing variety; the branches submitted being quite 
wreathed with fruit. It is below medium size, flatfish, with rather 
prominent ribs, colour yellowish green. Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, 
Crawley, Sussex, staged a very fine collection of fifty Apples and 
forty Pears, Brockworth Park being very fine ; also excellent 
examples of their new Melons Paragon and Crawley Perfection. 
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, staged 200 dishes—140 of 
Apples and 60 of Pears, all grown in their nursery at Southill. It 
was a magnificent display, and fully merited the extra prize that was 
awarded. An extra prize was also worthily granted to Messrs. Cheal. 
A handsome collection of about seventy varieties of Apples and Pears 
was also exhibited by Mr. Barron from the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Gardens at Chiswick. Some of the Apples were especially 
fine. 
Exotic Fruits. —Mr. Muir, gardener to R. C. M. Talbot, Esq., Mar- 
gam Park, South Wales, secured the chief prize with twenty dishes of 
the Citron family beautifully arranged with foliage of the trees and 
flowers—Orange blossom. Sir. Mclndoe was second with Oranges, 
Lemons, Bananas, fruits of the Egg Plant, Capsicums, and Toma¬ 
toes. Why not Grapes ? It was a very attractive collection, and 
merited its position. 
Table of Fruit. —For the best table of fruit, 10 feet by 5 feet, there 
were only one exhibitor—Messrs. J. Boyd, Bayne, & Co., Prince’s 
Street, who were awarded the first prize. The table contained a very 
good collection of fine samples, especially hardy fruits, such as Apples 
and Pears. Stirling Castle Apple was large and fine. The whole of 
the Pears being of French growth were large, and in every respect 
all that could be desired. 
Vines in Pots. —Messrs. Lane easily won the prizes in both the 
Black and White classes with Foster’s Seedling, bearing twenty 
bunches, some of them nearly a pound in weight, and fine berries ; 
and Black Hamburgh of the same number of bunches and quality— 
splendid examples of culture. In the Black class Mr. Gellatly was 
second with Mrs. Pince, bearing good bunches of fine well-coloured 
berries, and in the White class with Muscat of Alexandria bearing 
nine bunches. 
Fruit Trees in Pots. —Mr. Murray, gardener to T. L. Learmouth, 
Esq., Polmont, was placed first with fruitful Pears and Plums, 
followed by Mr. McIntosh, Paxton House ; the first especially being 
satisfactory examples of culture. 
Much discussion has ensued on the question of comparing the fruit 
at this Show with the great displays of the past. Has the Show been 
equal to that of 1875 ? With the exception of the two marvellous 
bunches of that year the present show of Grapes is generally regarded 
as superior, as it is probably the most extensive that has ever been 
seen ; but when we take the fruit as a whole and note the few yet 
fine Peaches, the small (in size and numbers) Nectarines, and not fine 
Plums, with the less fine Apricots and by no means extensive display 
of hardy fruits—when we consider all these facts, then it becomes 
difficult to say that the present Show, grand as it was, was the finest 
exhibition of fruit that has been seen in this country. We think we 
could name three that have excelled it, but not one as limited to the 
classes for the fruit of the Show—Grapes. An exhibition of this 
magnitude could not have been arranged in the limited time at dis¬ 
posal and the crowded building without some little inconveniences 
occurring. Until ten o’clock in the morning of the day of preparation 
the market was devoted to its ordinary purpose, the sale of vege¬ 
tables ; and it was only by active labour that the clearing and staging 
could be accomplished in readiness for the exhibits. On account of 
this pressure there was much shifting and moving of fruit especially, 
and waiting for positions by exhibitors. This was not, in the very 
nature of things, over-pleasant at the time ; but during the night 
