502 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, r November so, iss: 
of many far before the first-prize lot, and comprised a pair of beau¬ 
tifully coloured Crotons, two highly coloured Dracaenas, and elegant 
plants of Cocos Weddelliana; Mr. E. Spary, Queen’s Grape Nur¬ 
series, Brighton, third. For six berried plants in pots Mr. Balchin 
was first and Mr. Spary second ; and for six Poinsettias Messrs. 
Charlton, Summerwell Nurseries, Tunbridge Wells, were first with a 
grand six, having bracts of immense size and splendidly coloured ; 
they were followed by Mr. Balchin with smaller plants carrying their 
foliage down to the pots ; and Mr. Spary was placed third. 
For six Erica hyemalis Mr. Balchin was an easy first; and in the 
fruit classes open to all that for three bunches ot black Grapes was 
well contested, not an inferior exhibit in the class. The first prize 
was, after a very close scrutiny, awarded to Mr. J. Bidout; and the 
second to Mr. R. Holmes, gardener to T. Wallis, Esq., Sister House, 
Clapham Common. The positions of these two were thus reversed from 
what they were the week previously at the Westminster Aquarium. 
They showed in both instances bunches of superior quality and finish. 
Mr. Balchin secured the third prize in this class. Mr. Apted, Broad¬ 
water, took the first for three neat and well-ripened bunches of 
Muscat of Alexandria. Mr. F. Hyde was first with six good dishes 
of dessert Apples, and won the same honour for six dishes of kitchen 
Apples ; while Mr. R. Fowler was awarded first for an extra fine 
dish of stewing Pears, Uvedale’s St. Germains. A very handsome 
group of Poinsettias was contributed by Messrs. Charlton of Tun¬ 
bridge Wells, who make this one of their specialities, and miscel¬ 
laneous plants by Mr. Balchin and Mr. Spary ; Mr. Balchin exhi¬ 
biting amongst other fine plants a grand variety and superb specimen 
of Cypripedium insigne. 
BIRHINGHAM.— November 22nd. 
We have seen both larger and better shows than this the twenty- 
second autumn Exhibition, held in the Metropolis of the Midlands, 
yet the fine Town Hall was rendered attractive with Chrysanthemums, 
Primulas, and other winter flowers. There was also a creditable 
display of fruit, while several miscellaneous collections of plants and 
flowers contributed materially to the success of the Exhibition. 
The principal class was for nine specimen Chrysanthemums, the 
first prize being a silver cup. This was well won by that good cul¬ 
tivator Mr. Dyer, gardener to Walter Showell, Esq., Edgbaston, with 
symmetrical plants about 2 feet high and 8£ feet in diameter, fresh in 
foliage, and with blooms of good average quality, especially Mrs. 
Bundle, George Glenny, Lady Slade, and John Salter. Mr. Newell, 
gardener to L. Hayman, Esq., Edgbaston, followed with smaller plants. 
These exhibitors occupied the same relative positions in the class for 
six Pompons, the plants being 4 feet in diameter and about half that 
in height, not closely trained, but free, yet tolerably close bushes, no 
stakes being visible. For a single specimen Pompon the positions of 
these exhibitors were reversed, both staging well. In the class for 
six large-flowered specimens Mr. Crook, Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, 
was the foremost exhibitor, staging the best plants in the Show, fol¬ 
lowed somewhat closely by Messrs. Dyer and Padbury, gardener to 
R. Yates, Esq., Gravelly Hill. Mr. Dyer was also first in the single 
specimen incurved class with an admirable specimen of Mrs. Dixon 
4 feet in diameter, very neat, and containing good blooms. The only 
Japanese Chrysanthemum noticeable was the first-prize specimen of 
Elaine with twelve fine blooms, exhibited by Mr. Shingler. Groups 
of “natural grown” Chrysanthemums were disappointing. By far 
the finest plants of the year for conservatory decoration were those 
exhibited by Mr. Allen the previous day at Manchester, and referred 
to last week. The production of such plants should be encouraged, 
as they are valuable for home decoration, and have an imposing effect 
in an exhibition. 
In the classes for cut blooms the competition was not great nor the 
stands good as compared with the blooms at the London, Liverpool, 
and Southampton Shows. Mr. Comfort won the silver cup in the 
class for eighteen incurved varieties, and also the first prize in the 
class for twelve flowers ; and although this was the best stand in 
the Show, it would not have been placed at the leading exhibitions. 
The other prizewinners in these classes were Messrs. Shingler, Tonks, 
and Padbury. Creditable stands of Japanese varieties were exhibited 
by Messrs. Shingler and Comfort, who obtained the prizes, the best 
blooms in the stands being fairly good. The season has evidently 
not been propitious for Chrysanthemums in this district, as very 
few of the blooms staged were of high-class character. 
Of Primulas there was a great display, Messrs. Stacey, Caldicott, 
Burdon, Price, and Doughty being the prizewinners, somewhat in the 
order named in the classes for single varieties. Some of the plants, 
of the first two cultivators especially, were extremely fine, nearly 
2 feet in diameter, with massive pyramids of flowers. Two varieties 
raised by Mr. Tomkins—Princess Louise, white, very fine, and 
Marquis of Lome, red, were prominent by their excellence; but the 
richest Primula in the Show was Swanley Red. Swanley White 
(Fern-leaved), and Lilacina, exhibited by Mr. Cannell, also attracted 
considerable attention as highly meritorious varieties. A variety 
submitted as new (but not by Mr. Cannell), and prominently named 
Sir Beauchamp Seymour, was apparently identical with Swanley 
Red. The best double Primulas were exhibited by Rev. E. H. Kittoe, 
Boldmere Rectory; these were Lord Beaconsfield and Marchioness 
of Exeter, two good varieties, which have probably never been seen 
in finer condition. Mr. Tomkins also staged excellent plants. Mr. 
Doughty, gardener to H. H. Hill, Esq., Edgbaston, was the most 
successful exhibitor of Poinsettias, the plants ranging from 18 inches 
to 2 feet high, with ;half a dozen good heads. The best stove and 
greenhouse plants were exhibited by Mr. Stacey, gardener to S. 
Eaton, Esq., Harborne ; and Mr. Jones, gardener to E. C. Matthews, 
Esq., the former having excellent foliage plants, and the latter Erica 
hyemalis 3 feet in diameter, and Pancratium fragrans very good. 
Mr. Newell won the chief prize for table plants, and Mr. Dyer for 
nine ornamental-foliaged plants in 8-inch pots; they consisted chiefly 
of Palms, Dracaenas, and Ferns, and were in excellent condition. 
The display of fruit was a prominent feature of the Exhibition, 
Grapes and Apples being especially good. In the class for three 
bunches of black Grapes Mr. Comfort, gardener to G. N. Everett, 
Esq., Knowle Hall, was deservedly first with full handsome bunches 
and good berries of Gros Guillaume; Mr. Gilman, gardener to the 
Earl of Shrewsbury, Ingestre Hall, being an excellent second with 
medium bunches and fine and well-finished berries of Alicante; Mr. 
Clark, gardener to Lady Edwardes, Ashbourne Hall, being a good 
third with the same variety. In the class for Muscats Mr. Gilman 
was far ahead with superb examples, large in berry and beautifully 
finished. He was also first in the any other white class with good 
bunches of Trebbiano, followed closely by Mr. Comfort with White 
Nice. In the single-bunch classes the same exhibitors took the 
chief prizes, both exhibiting well. Mr. Freeman, gardener to Z. 
Walker, Esq., Hall Green, staged the best Pine, a Black Jamaica, 
weighing 5 or G tbs., and a handsome fruit. 
Apples were numerous and good, Mr. Gardiner, gardener to S. E. 
Shirley, Esq., being decidedly the premier exhibitor, securing the 
first prizes in the gardeners’ class for six dishes, the open class for 
twelve dishes, and Messrs. Cranstons’ prize also for twelve dishes. 
Mr. Bannister, Bristol, was a close second in the last-named class, 
and Messrs. Mitchinson and Gilman also exhibited well. In the 
single-dish class Mr. Newell was first with Warner’s King, Mr. 
Gilman being second with the same variety, and Mr. Faulkner, gar¬ 
dener to J. H. Pearson, Esq., Handsworth, with Lord Suflield. The 
best kitchen Apples staged besides those named were Roundway, 
Magnum Bonum (highly recommended by Mr. Gardiner), Belle 
Dubois, Alfriston, Blenheim Pippin, and Yorkshire Greening. The 
best dessert—Margil, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Wyken 
Pippin, Adam’s Pearmain, and Scarlet Pearman. The prizes for Pears 
were won by Messrs. Gardiner and Clissold. Some excellent dishes 
of Mushrooms were staged, Mr. Mitchinson securing the chief prize 
with splendid produce. 
Bouquets were neat and good, the first-prize example in the gar¬ 
deners’ class from Mr. Jones containing Eucharis, Calanthe vestita, 
Bouvardias, Pleiones, and Gauze Fern. In the open class Messrs. 
Pope and Jones were first with a free and good arrangement of choice 
flowers, Mr. Price following in both classes ; but the best bouquet in 
the Show, though not in competition, was undoubtedly made by Mr. 
Spinks (Mr. Hans Niemand), and consisted of Camellias, Orchids 
(including white Masdevallias), pips of pmk Rhododendron Princess 
of Wales, Roman Hyacinths, and three flowers of the “ Blue 
Marguerite,” Agathea ccelestis, and Ferns. For this a certificate of 
merit was awarded, a similar mark of approval being granted to the 
same exhibitor for a group of plants showing excellence of culture 
and taste in arrangement, the white Cyclamens being of a very 
superior strain. Certificates were also worthily accorded to Messrs. 
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, for one of the most splendid collections of 
Zonal Pelargoniums ever seen at any show, and a most attractive 
stand of Salvias, the scarlet and white Mons. Issanchon attracting 
much attention; to Messrs. Perkins of Coventry for charming 
wreaths and crosses ; and to Mr. Holmes of Lichfield for an excellent 
group of plants. Messrs. Pope & Son had a very attractive stand 
of Zonal Pelargoniums, very small plants, with fine trusses ; and 
Messrs. Richard Smith & Sons contributed a diversified group of 
variegated shrubs and Conifers. The Show was admirably managed 
by Mr. Redfern, the Secretary, Mr. Latham, and other members of the 
Committee ; and although the day was not fine there was a large 
attendance of visitors. 
BATH. —November 22nd. 
A correspondent sends us the following extract from the Bath 
Chronicle :— 
Two years ago, after having ceased to be held for nearly half a 
century, the exhibition of Chrysanthemums, Primulas, stove and 
greenhouse plants, cut flowers and fruit, was revived by that energetic 
local attraction association—the Bath Floral Fete and Band Com¬ 
mittee. It was then held at the Pump Room, and was such a success 
that it was decided not only that a second show should be held, but 
that more space must be obtained for the display of the exhibits and 
the accommodation of the large number of visitors. Consequently 
last year the Assembly Rooms were brought into requisition, and 
the Show proved a most satisfactory one. The third Show was held 
at the Guildhall, it being impossible to secure the Assembly Rooms. 
The Show this year was a good one, and the event may now be con¬ 
sidered as well established, and one that we may look forward to with 
pleasure each succeeding November. The Exhibition was very much 
better than the two previous Shows. The entries were very numerous 
and varied, and much difficulty had been experienced, in the small 
space at command, in displaying the exhibits to the best advantage. 
The banqueting room, council chamber, and even the vestibule of 
the Guildhall, were all metamorphosed into so many crowded green- 
