188 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND C01TAGE GARDENER. [ August se, isso. 
respected. He was seventy-seven years of age at the time of 
his decease. 
READING HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
AUTUMN SHOW. 
The second Exhibition of the year was held on Thursday last in 
the Abbey Ruins, Forbury, and proved a great success in every 
respect, the exhibits being numerous, the weather exceptionally fine, 
and the attendance of visitors large. Plants were represented by 
many admirable collections containing bright healthy specimens. 
Cut flowers were very abundant, and added considerably to the 
pleasing effect of the Show ; while fruit and vegetables were staged 
in first-rate condition, especially the former. The exhibits were very 
tastefully arranged, and a charming coup (Vail was presented to the 
visitor on entering the marquee at the higher end, the sloping and 
terraced sides being well suited for displaying plants to the best 
advantage. The management was generally satisfactory, but an 
unaccountable delay occurred in judging the plants. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —These were not represented 
by many collections, but the plants staged were mostly vigoi'ous 
clean specimens. In the principal class for nine plants there were 
only two exhibitors, Mrs. Marsden, The Wilderness, Reading (Mr. 
Lees) gaining the chief prize with well-flowered Eucharis amazonica, 
a handsome Allamanda Hendersoni, and a neat Rondeletia speciosa. 
Mr. Mould, nurseryman, Pewsey, followed with smaller plants, among 
which were Erica Austiniana and a well-trained and healthy Glonosa 
superba. In the corresponding amateurs’class for four specimens Major 
Storer, Purley (Mr. Mortimer),occupied the premier position, a specimen 
of Bougainvillea glabra being noticeable for the profusion of its flowers. 
E. Eyre, Esq., Welford Park (Mr. C. Ross), was placed second, his 
best plants being Vinca alba and Justicia carnea, the latter in much 
better condition than it is usually seen. Mr. Mould was first for a 
single specimen in flower with Allamanda nobilis in superb condition, 
the foliage and growth luxuriant and the flowers abundant. R. Floyd, 
Esq., Reading (Mr. Armstrong), followed with a well-grown Eucharis 
amazonica. For a single specimen new or rare plant Mr. Ross was 
first with Maranta Van den Heckei, a fine variety with dark green 
elliptical leaves and a white centre. H. J. Simonds, Esq., Caversham 
(Mr. Bezant), was second with Dioscorea illustrata, most luxuriant. 
J. T. Hall, Esq., Early Court (Mr. Bridge), sent the only collection of 
six Liliums,and was awarded the first prize for well-flowered examples 
of Liliums lancifolium, speciosum, roseum and rubrum, and L. tigri- 
num fl. pi. Mr. Mortimer had by far the best six Zonal Pelargoniums, 
his specimens being compact, healthy, well-flowered, the trusses of 
good size and the colours bright. Premier, Colonel Holden, and Mrs. 
William Paul were especially noteworthy. Cockscombs were shown 
in fine form by T. Somers Cocks, Esq. (Mr. Bridgeman) and Lord O. 
Fitzgerald (Mr. Lockie), who gained the prizes in that order with 
dwarf plants bearing enormous richly coloured heads. Messrs. Lees 
and Mortimer carried off the prizes for Achimenes with fairly good 
specimens. Colonel Clayton, Maidenhead (Mr. Burgess), had the six 
best Coleuses, neat pyramidal specimens and well coloured. W. 
Fanning, Esq. (Mr. Ashby), sent the finest collection of Tricolor 
Pelargoniums, plants of moderate size but very rich in colour. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —In the class for nine specimens Mr. C. 
Ross obtained the coveted position with healthy examples of Croton 
Johannis, C. Weismanni, both well coloured ; Alocasia macrorhiza 
variegata, very luxuriant; Bonapartea gracilis, and Alocasia metallica. 
Mr. Mortimer was second with a fine Latania borbonica, and several 
Alocasias and Crotons in good condition. Mr. Lees was third, his 
best plant being Alocasia metallica with remarkably handsome 
foliage. In the corresponding amateurs’ class for four specimens 
the Hon. R. Boyle, Purley (Mr. Hope), and Mr. Bezant carried off the 
prizes with similarly clean examples of Crotons and Alocasias. Ferns 
were represented by several handsome collections, the premier nine 
from Mr. Mortimer being remarkably luxuriant and healthy. They 
comprised Adiantum concinnum latum, very fine ; A. cardiochkena, 
also good ; Leucostegia immersa, fresh ; Gymnogramma chryso- 
phylla and Davallia Mooreana of moderate size, but never exhibited 
in better condition, the plant being a mass of fine young vigorous 
bright green fronds about 2 feet long and broad. Mr. W. Lees was a 
good second with a neat Adiantum farleyense and Asplenium bulbi- 
ferum. Mr. Hope was first with four plants, Adiantum formosum 
and Dicksonia antarctica being notable in the collection. Mr. Bezant 
followed with smaller plants. Selaginellas were as usual well shown 
by Mr. Mortimer, who gained the chief award for neat conical speci¬ 
mens 2 to 3 feet high, S. cassia, S. Poulteri and S. apus being the 
best; Mr. Hope was second also with neat examples. 
Groups. —These were numerous, and contained plenty of colour 
judiciously softened by fine-foliage plants. Mr. Lees was the most 
successful exhibitor, his group principally consisting of Liliums, 
Fuchsias, and Ferns. Mr. Phippen, nurseryman, Reading, was placed 
second with an effective arrangement, and Mr. Burbridge third. An 
extra prize was awarded to F. J. Bland, Esq. (Mr. Powell.) 
Cut Flowers. —Much of the brightness of the Exhibition was due 
to the collections of cut flowers, which were very numerous and good. 
Dahlias were especially fine. In the class for twenty-four blooms of 
dissimilar varieties Mr. Anstiss, Brill, was first with superb specimens 
of excellent varieties ; the blooms were of good size, admirable form, 
and clear rich colours. The most remarkable were Prince Bismarck, 
Annie Neville, Christopher Ridley, Monarch, and Michael Saunders. 
Mr. Tranter, Assenden, followed very closely with nearly equally fine 
blooms. Mr. Jackson, nurseryman, Kidderminster, obtained an extra 
prize for good samples. In the class for twelve fancy varieties 
Messrs. Anstiss and Tranter were the prizetakers in the same order 
with very fresh blooms. The best dozen French Asters were from F. 
Barry, Esq., Windsor (Mr. Brown), neat blooms ; J. Hargreaves, Esq. 
(Mr. Turton), being second, and Mr. Phippen taking an extra prize. 
German Quilled and Cockade Asters were exhibited by Messrs. Brown, 
Benhill, and Phippen in fair condition. For twelve cut Roses J. T. 
Strange. Esq., Aldermaston Court, was first with neat blooms, and 
Mr. Tranter was a very close second. For six Roses Mr. Strange and 
Mr. Anstiss were the prizetakers. Miscellaneous cut flowers were 
well shown by Messrs. Phippen, Jackson, Burbridge, and Bezant. 
In the table decorations and bouquets Mr. Phippen and Miss H. S. 
Phippen were the most successful competitors, staging several tasteful 
arrangements. 
Fruit. —The entries in all the classes devoted to fruit were nume¬ 
rous, the quality satisfactory, and the competition in several cases 
was very keen. The principal class was that for a collection of eight 
distinct kinds, in which the first prize consisted of a silver cup value 
£5 5s., offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons. This was awarded to Mr. 
Howe, gardener to Sir R. Sutton, Bart., Benham Park, who staged 
excellent examples of w’ell-grown and matured fruit. They comprised 
Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, the former even 
and well coloured, the latter of medium quality ; Royal George 
Peaches, excellent both in size, colour, and ripeness ; Morello Cherries 
of good size ; Pitmaston Orange Nectarines, well ripened, handsome 
fruits ; a fine Read’s Scarlet-flesh Melon, a neat Queen Pine, and 
even well-ripened Brown Turkey Figs. Mr. Austin, gardener to 
Sir Greville Smyth, Bart., Ashton Court, followed with neat examples 
of Black Hamburgh and Bo wood Muscat Grapes, fine Barrington 
Peaches, well-ripened Pine-Apple Nectarines, and good Bananas 
among others. Mr. Atkins, gardener to Colonel Loyd Lindsay, Lock- 
inge Park, was third with Yiard Apricots and a Lockinge Park Melon 
in satisfactory condition. For a collection of six kinds Mr. Mortimer, 
gained the premier award with fine Black Hamburgh Grapes, ripe 
Moorpark Apricots, and an excellent Cox’s Golden Gem Melon. The 
second position was obtained by the Rev. H. Golding, Holme Park 
(Mr. Osborn) ; a dish of Morello Cherries being the most noticeable 
feature of his collection. Miss Paterson, Bracknell (Mr. J. Tomlin), 
was a close third. For a collection of four kinds “ grown in the open 
air,” R. Ravenhill, Esq., Fernhill, Windsor (Mr. Wells), was first 
with fine Morello Cherries and ripe Shipley Apricots. Mr. Bridge- 
man was second with good Moorpark Apricots ; and Mr. Lockie third 
with Morello Cherries and Brown Turkey Figs in fair condition. 
Grapes. —Four classes were devoted to these, and some very fair 
examples were staged. In the class for three bunches of Black 
Hamburgh Mr. Ashby was awarded the chief prize for large hand¬ 
some bunches, the berries being fine, even, and well coloured. Mr. 
Howe followed very closely, and Mr. Tomlin took the third prize with 
smaller but neat bunches. For a similar number of bunches of any 
other black variety there were six entries, the chief honours being 
secured by H. Harris, Esq., Micheldever (Mr. E. Crump), with grand 
bunches of Alicante, remarkably well coloured. Mr. Ashby was a 
good second with Madresfield Court in fine condition ; Mr. Mortimer 
taking the third position with Alicante of fair size but only moderately 
well coloured. Mr. Mortimer, Mr. Ashby, and Mr. Ross were first, 
second, and third respectively with Muscat of Alexandria, all showing 
fair examples. For three bunches of any other white variety Mr. 
Wells was first with Buckland Sweetwater, well ripened ; Mr. Atkins 
second with Foster’s Seedling, fair ; and J. Hargreaves, Esq. (Mr. 
Turton), third with the same variety. 
Nectarines, Peaches, and Apricots were very abundant, about 
twenty-five dishes being staged in the three classes. The most suc¬ 
cessful exhibitors were Messrs. Osborn and Bridgeman. Messrs. 
Howe, Ross, and Atkins carried off the prizes for Figs in the order 
named, all with well-ripened fruit. Plums were shown by Mr. 
Bridgeman and Mi\ Robinson, Cooper’s Hill, in fine form ; while 
among the nineteen Melons exhibited the best were from Mr. Atkins, 
The Gardens, Hampstead Park, and Mr. Lockie, who gained the first, 
second, and third prizes in that order with fine fruits. In the three 
classes for Apples about ninety dishes were staged, most of the 
culinary Apples being of fair quality. The chief prizetakers were 
Dr. Wells ; J. O. Cooper, Esq.,Calcot; and G. Palmer, Esq. Tomatoes 
were fine and abundant, the best being from Messrs. Ross, Jackson, 
and Atkins. A seedling Melon, raised and exhibited by Mr. Atkins, 
was awarded a first-class certificate. The exterior was of a rich 
golden colour thickly netted with white. The flesh was white and 
of fine flavour. We understand that Messrs. Sutton have purchased 
the entire stock of this Melon. Vegetables were well shown 
by several exhibitors, the chief prizes being taken by Messrs. 
Ashby, Howe, Miller, Locke, and Atkins. The first prize for kidney 
Potatoes was awarded to Suttons’ Woodstock Kidney in a strong 
competition. 
Among the miscellaneous exhibits were extensive collections of 
cut flowers from Mr. C. Turner, Slough, including snperb Dahlias 
and Carnations, plants of Bouvardia Hogarth and Vreelandii, Roses, 
and Zonal Pelargoniums. Mr. H. Cannell, Swanley,Kent, sent stands 
