Aagu9t £8, 1890. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
185 
what changeable, with occasional showers, which rather marred the 
Exhibition as a public gathering, but there was a fair attendance during 
the afternoon. 
FRUIT. 
An important portion of the Exhibition was formed by the fruit in 
competition for the substantial prizes provided by the Society, and the 
general quality of the exhibits was highly satisfactory, the entries in 
the Grape classes being particularly numerous. For a collection of 
eight dishes of fruit Mr. Goodman, gardener to C. Hammersley, Esq., 
Bourne End, was awarded first honours, showing dishes comprising 
about twenty handsome fruits each of Pineapple Nectarine, Barrington 
Peach, Moor Park Apricots, and Washington Plums, all finely ripened ; 
also a dish of very large Castle Kennedy Figs, a good Victory of Bristol 
Melon, with fairly good Alicante Grapes, and rather green Muscat of 
Alexandria, the Grapes being the weakest part of an otherwise excellent 
collection. Mr. Ashby, gardener to Mrs. Fanning, Whitchurch, was second, 
showing Grosse Mignonne Peaches, Victory of Bristol Melon, Elruge 
Nectarine, Brown Turkey Figs, Morello Cherries, and Madresfield Court 
Grapes in capital condition. The third prize was taken by Mr. Aitken, 
gardener toC. Meeking, Esq., Biching’s Park, Slough, Pineapple Nectarine, 
Jefferson’s and Kirke’s Plums being his best dishes. There were five 
competitors in this class. Four entered with six dishes of fruit. Mr. 
Paxton, gardener to the Hon. C. S. Irby, Taplow, leading with creditable 
examples of Violette Hative Peaches, Lord Napier Nectarines, Jefferson 
Plums, Brown Turkey Figs, Victory of Bristol Melon, and Madresfield 
Court Grapes. Mr. Osman, gardener to L. J. Baker, Esq., Ottershaw 
Park, was second, his Alicante Grapes being remarkable for the density 
of their bloom, and Buckland Sweetwater was represented by large well 
ripened clusters. Mr. Maher, gardener to A. Waterhouse, Esq., 
Yattendon, followed; large Barrington Peaches, good Morello 
Cherries, and a neatly netted Silver Queen Melon being most noticeable. 
Peaches were notable for their size, some also were finely coloured, 
especially the first prize dish of Bellegarde from Mr. Lockie, gardener to 
the Hon. G. Fitzgerald, Windsor. Mr. Lawrence, gardener to Mrs. Owen 
Knox, Caversham, was second with fine fruits of Barrington ; and Mr. 
Goodman third with Noblesse. A dozen dishes were exhibited in this 
class. Nectarines were not so numerous. Mr. Pound, gardener to 
G. May, Esq., Caversham, was first for Pineapple, beautifully 
ripened ; Mr. Goodman second with the same variety ; and Mr. Cox, 
gardener to J. H. Blagrove, Esq., Calcot Park, third with Victoria. 
Apricots came from Mr. Bright, gardener to P. Karslake, Esq., White- 
knight Park ; Mr. Howard, gardener to Mrs. Myers, Benham Park ; and 
Mr. Goodman, who took the prizes in that order. 
In the class for three bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes there 
were six entries, Mr. Ashman, gardener to C. T. D. Crews, Esq., Billing- 
bear, taking the first place for large bunches and good berries moderately 
coloured. Mr. Osman was second for smaller bunches of rather better 
colour, and Mr. Pound third for good bunches, but the berries were 
small and somewhat crowded. With three bunches of any other black 
Grape, Mr. Osman won first honours with very handsome well coloured 
Alicante ; Mr. Pound was second with heavy bunches of the same 
variety, and Mr. Turton, gardener to J. Hargreaves, Esq., Maiden 
Erleigh, followed with Madresfield Court of good size in bunch and 
berry, but much rubbed. There were three other exhibitors. For three 
bunches of White Muscat, Mr. Maher took the first place for large 
well ripened bunches, Mr. Osman followed with smaller bunches, and 
Mr. Ashby was third for loose bunches but ripe. In the any other 
white variety class Mr. Pound led with clean examples of Foster’s 
Seedling, Mr. Ashman followed with Buckland’s Sweetwater, and Mr. 
Osman was third with Foster’s Seedling. 
Apples were well shown in both the classes devoted to them. With 
six dishes of culinary Apples Mr. Dockerill, gardener to G. W. Palmer, 
Esq., Reading, took the lead, showing large handsome fruit of Ecklin- 
ville, Emperor Alexander, Lady Henniker, Stirling Castle, Warner’s 
King, and Keswick Codlin. Of the nine other competing exhibits, that 
from Mr. Turton was second, and from Mr. Paxton third. Mr. R. Webb, 
Beenham, won first prize for six dishes of dessert Apples, showing clean 
bright samples of Cox’s Pomona, Cox’s Orange, Worcester Pearmain, 
Blenheim Pippin, Duchess of Oldenburgh, and Devonshire Quarrenden. 
Messrs. Howard and Paxton followed. Mr. Goodman had the best three 
dishes of Plums, fine specimens of Jefferson’s, Kirke’s, and Monarch. Mr. 
Howard followed with Pond’s Seedling Green Gage and Jefferson's. 
Mr. Webb was third. 
PLANTS. 
These were not largely shown, but there were fine specimens in 
several classes, notably those which gained Mr. Mould of Pewsey the 
premier honours for nine stove and greenhouse plants. Mr. Aitkin, 
who had the best six fine foliage plants, also contributed handsome 
specimen Ferns, Crotons, and Palms ; being followed by Mr. Currey, 
gardener to Lt.-Col. Pepper, Salisbury, and Mr. Howard of Benham 
Park. Ferns and Selaginellas from Messrs. Aitkin, Howard, and 
Dockerill were distinguished by their fresh healthy condition. The 
best specimen new or rare plant was a specimen of Catasetum Bungerothi 
from Mrs. Owen Knox, with a raceme of eight large creamy flowers. 
Groups of plants arranged for effect were tasteful, especially that 
which gained Mr. Aitkin the first prize, Lilies and Francoas forming the 
•chief features. Mr. Bright was second, Mr. Butcher third And Mr. 
Mayne fourth. Zonal Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Dahlias, Begonias, 
miscellaneous cut flowers and floral decorations were all well represented, 
but we cannot devote space to a full record of all the exhibits this 
week. Roses were admirably shown by Messrs. Perkins & Sons Coventry, 
Jefferies & Sons, Cirencester, and E. F. Such. Mrs. John Laing was 
finely represented. 
VEGETABLES. 
The exhibits in the special classes provided for vegetables con¬ 
stituted a feature of great interest, and the Reading Society may con¬ 
gratulate itself upon having had probably the finest display ever entered 
in competition at any show in this country. The quality was re¬ 
markable throughout, as well as the care exercised in staging. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ valuable prizes for a collection of vegetables 
arranged in a space of 6 feet by 4 feet brought an astonishing compe¬ 
tition. No less than fifteen competitors entered, and we have never 
seen such an effective, even, and excellent display of vegetables at any 
show in this country. The stages were specially prepared, sloping to 
the front, covered with deep red cloth, and draped with white tiffany in 
front. Most of the exhibitors had selected Parsley as the groundwork, 
and very rarely is such taste seen in the arrangement of vegetables ; in 
fact few would believe what a fine effect can be produced. The 
Judges had a formidable task in determining the positions of the 
exhibitors, but after very close examination, the premier award of 
ten guineas was adjudged to Mr. Lye, gardener to W. H. Kingsmill, 
Esq., Sydmonton, for a remarkably fine collection of the following 
sorts :—Perfection, Chiswick Red, and Maincrop Tomatoes ; Potatoes, 
Reading Usset, Satisfaction, Prizetaker, and Windsor Castle; Black 
Beet, Silver Globe, Imperial Reading, Crimson Globe, and Golden 
Globe Onions ; Yellow Perfection and Snowball Turnips ; Solid 
White and Sulham Prize Celery ; Prizetaker Leeks ; Mammoth 
White and Scarlet Runner Beans ; Canadian Wonder Beans ; Lockie’s 
Perfection Cucumbers ; Duke of Albany and The Duchess Peas; 
Pen-y-byd Vegetable Marrow ; Superb White Cos Lettuce ; Red Inter¬ 
mediate and Champion Scarlet Horn Carrots, Imperial Cabbage, Autumn 
Giant Cauliflowers, Matchless Brussels Sprouts, Tom Thumb Savoy, 
Green Globe Artichokes, Turnip-rooted Beet, and Blood Red Cabbage. 
Mr. Wilkins, Henstridge, Dorset, was second ; Mr. Waite, gardener 
to Col. the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Glenhurst, Esher, was third ; Mr. 
Bowerman, gardener to C. Hoare, Esq., Hackwood Park, was fourth; 
Mr. Kneller, gardener to W. S. Portal, Esq., Malshanger Park, fifth; 
and Mr. Haines, gardener to the Hon. P. D. Bouverie, Coleshill 
House, was sixth. Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn, also offered 
important prizes for collections of vegetables, which brought good 
competition, the winners being Mr. Lye, Mr. Goodman, and Mr. Waite, 
who had tastefully arranged and highly satisfactory collections. 
Messrs. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, contributed special prizes for 
vegetables, which were won by Messrs. Bowerman, Waite, and another 
whose name did not appear, all the exhibits being of excellent quality. 
Mr. Fidler, of Reading, was another donor of special prizes for 
vegetables, Messrs. Beckett, Lye, and Bowerman being successful in a 
good competition. Onions, Potatoes, Beans, Vegetable Marrows, 
Carrots, Turnips, and Cabbages were all largely and well shown. 
MISCELLANEOUS 
Non-competing exhibits were numerous and of capital quality, 
but the most remarkable was a collection of plants and floral decora¬ 
tions from Mr. G. Phippen, Broad Street, Reading, which was ar¬ 
ranged tastefully on a long table at the upper part of one of the banks. 
Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, had a large group of Gladioli and 
other flowers. Mr. E. F. Such, Maidenhead, contributed an extensive 
collection of hardy and other flowers. Messrs. J. Laing and Son, Forest 
Hill, sent stands of Tuberous Begonias and hardy flowers. Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Son, Crawley, showed single Pompon and Cactus 
Dahlias ; Mr. C. Turner, Slough, had large collections of Dahlias, and 
from The Vineries, Wokingham, Berks, came a collection of thirty large 
Melons. 
It is always satisfactory to be able to record an improvement, and 
this can certainly be done in the case of the Reading Society’s autumn 
Show for the present year. It also indicates that though specimen 
plants may become scarce, there is ample material available in a good 
district to render an exhibition both horticulturally and popularly 
successful. 
WILTS.— August 20th. 
In the beautiful and well-kept episcopal grounds, and under the 
very shadow of the beautiful cathedral of Salisbury, the Wilts Horti¬ 
cultural Society held its annual Exhibition of plants, fruits, flowers, 
and vegetables on the above date. The afternoon and evening pre¬ 
ceding the Show being very wet, great anxiety was experienced by 
well-wishers of the Society as to what the weather might be on 
“ show day.” This, fortunately, turned out to be everything that could 
be desired, with the result that the Committee, presided over by the 
Mayor of the city (George Nodder, Esq ) and the energetic, courteous, 
and' very business-like Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. H. Williams), are to be 
congratulated upon the success of their labours in getting together 
such “ good all-round ” exhibits. The following are the awards made 
by the Judges. 
PLANTS. 
Open Classes. —The absence of Mr. Lock’s plants (which are not 
being exhibited this year) was very noticeable in this division of 
the Show. For twelve stove and greenhouse plants, distinct, six foliage 
and six flowering, £15, £10, and £5 were offered to be competed for. 
There were only two lots staged, Mr. James Cypher, Cheltenham, and 
Mr. Wills, gardener to Mrs. Pearce, Bassett, Southampton, taking first 
and second prizes with good all-round stuff. Mr. Cypher’s plants, 
though capitally grown, were smaller than he had been accustomed to 
stage in Salisbury in competition with the Crediton plants, and com- 
