Seplember 9, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
229 
Collections op Fruit, —The leading class of the Exhibition was that 
for a collection of fruit, not less than twenty dishes, to comprise four 
varieties of Grapes (two white, two black; two bunches of each variety), 
two Pines, two Melons, two dishes of Peaches, two of Nectarines, and two 
of Plums. There was an excellent competition, seven collections bung 
entered, and some of these were so nearly equal in merit that they occupied 
the Judges a considerable time. Mr. J. H. Goodacre, gardener to the Eirl of 
Harrington, Elvaston Castle, Derby, won the premier award (£12) with 
twenty-two dishes of good quality fruit, the majority well ripened, a point 
which evidently had considerable weight with the Judges. This collection 
included the following:—Grapes, Foster’s Seedling, well ripened; Black 
Hamburgh, medium-sized bunches of good colour ; Muscat of Alexandria, 
very large handsome bunches, and Alnwick Seedling, bearing an excellent 
bloom ; Hero of Lockinge and Conqueror Melons were good specimens ; 
Walburton and Bellegarde Peaches were represented by fine fruits ; Elruge 
and Victoria Nectarines of fair quality, Smooth Cayenne and Queen Pines of 
good size and well ripened, Hemskirk Apricots fine, Turkey Figs, Washington 
Plums, Morello Cherries, Strawberries, Jargonelle Pears, Warrington Goose¬ 
berries, Kirke’s Plums, and Gladstone Apples. Mr. J. Mclndoe, gardener to 
Sir J. M. Pease, Bart., M.P., Hutton Hall, Guisborough, was a good second 
(£8), showing a collection of thirty dishes, but if some of the less important 
of these had been omitted he would have rather improved the appearance 
of the collection as a whole. His Grapes included Duke of Buccleuch, with 
very large clean handsome berries ; Black Hamburgh, large bunches of fine 
colour; Trebbiano, handsome, and Gros Maroc, beautiful bunches and 
berries highly coloured. The other dishes were Scarlet Premier, Best of All, 
and Monarch Melons, the first named beautifully netted; Elrnge and 
Humboldt Nectaiines, Golden Eagle Peaches, very handsome ; Princess of 
Wales, also large ; Negro Largo and Brown Turkey Figs, Moorpark Apricots, 
Green Gages, late Duke Cherries, Large Red, White Dutch and Black Naples 
Currants, Whitesmith and Warrington Gooseberries, Clapp’s Favourite 
Pears, Worcester Pearmain and Grand Duke Constantine Apples, Imperial 
Lemons, Exquisite Oranges, and Kirke’s Plum. The third position after a 
close examination was adjudged to Mr. J. Roberts, gardener to Messrs. 
Rothschild, Gunnersbury Park, who had exactly the stipulated minimum 
number of dishes—viz., twenty. The fruits were all distinguished by their 
clean appearance, the following being especially noteworthy Dymond 
Peaches, Smooth Cayenne Pine Apple, Morello Cherries, Williams’ Bon 
Chretien Pears, Moorpark Apricots, Red Astrachan Apples, La Grosse Sucree 
Strawberries, with Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield Court, Trebbiano, and 
Black Hamburgh Grapc-s in capital condition. 
A second class was provided for a collection of twelve dishes of fruit, in 
which four competitors entered, Mr. J. Roberts in this case scoring an easy 
success, taking the first place with excellent examples of Gro3 Maroc and 
Muscat of Alexandria Grap’s, Charlotte Rothschild Pine Apple, Williams’ 
Bon Chretien Pears, Brown Turkey Figs, Victoria Nectarine, William Tillery 
Melon, Morello Cherries, Marquis of Downshire Peaches finely coloured, 
Moorpark Apricots, Blenheim Orange Melon, and La Grosse Sucree Straw¬ 
berries. Mr. J. Mclndoe followed, again showing Golden Eagle Peaches in 
splendid condition, Trebbiano and Black Hamburgh Grapes being also of 
fine quality. Mr. A. Miller, gardener to W. H. Long. E-q., M P., Trowbridge, 
secured the third position with good fruits, Black Hamburgh Grapes, Belle- 
garde Peaches, Hunt’s Tawny Nectarine and Brunswick Figs being praise¬ 
worthy dishes. With a collection of eight dishes Mr. Pratt, gardener to the 
Marquis of Bath, Longleat, won first honours, the Grapes in his contribution 
being very fine. Three bunches of handsome Muscat of Alexandria, weighing 
111 lbs., and the same number of Black Hamburgh weighed 12J lbs. Figs, 
Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Melons, and Plums were also of good quality. 
The second place was taken by Mr. S. Pullman, gardener to R. B. Sheridan, 
Esq., Frampton Court, Dorchester, whose Black Hamburgh Grapes, Pine 
Apple Nectarines, and Dymond Peaches were the best dishes ; Mr. H. Oclee, 
Blickling Hall, Aylsham, being third. 
Grapes. —Eleven classes were devoted to Grapes, and, excluding those 
in baskets, about 400 bunches were staged. They varied considerably in 
merit from absolutely green Muscats to some of the best finished Grapes 
that have been seen this season, but taking them generally well coloured 
samples predominated. 
The large class for ten varieties, two bunches of each, was well filled, 
four exhibitors staging the requisite number. Mr. J. H. Goodacre was 
again the premier exhibitor, showing good fairly coloured but not extraor¬ 
dinary bunches of Muscat Hamburgh, Duke of Buccleuch, Lady Downe’s, 
Alicante, Foster’s Seedling, Madresfield Court, fine bunches and berries ; 
Muscat of Alexandria, large clean bunches ; Alnwick Seedling, Black Ham¬ 
burgh, and Golden Queen. Mr. H. W. Ward, gardener to the Earl of 
Radnor, Longford Castle, Salisbury, was a close second, showing Muscat of 
Alexandria, Madresfield Court, Buckland Sweetwater, Alicaute, Trebbiano, 
Alnwick Seedling, Foster’s Seedling, Lady Downe’s, and Gros Maroe, all 
clean well ripened samples. Mr. Wildsmith, gardener to Viscount Eversley, 
Winchfield, was third with good bunches of Gros Maroc, Alnwick Seedling, 
Muse it of Alexandria, Alicante, White Tokay, Gros Guillaume, Black 
Hamburgh, White Frontignan, and Madresfield Court. 
The next class for five varieties of Grapes, two bunches each, was 
important and interesting, also including some of the finest Grapes in the 
Show. There were six competitors, and Mr. W. Taylor, gardener to 
J. Chaffin, Esq., Bath, gained a remarkable victory, repeating his success 
of a few days previously at Bath, securing the premier honours for grand 
specimens, both in size of bunch, berries, and colour. The varieties were 
Alicante, large bunches superbly coloured ; Gros Maroc, excellent in bunch 
and berry; Madresfield Court, splendid bunches, but with rather small 
berries; Muscat of Alexandria, richly coloured, one bunch being extremely 
handsome in this respect, and Alnwick Seedling with remarkably fine 
berries. These admirable specimens proved how well Mr. Taylor deserves 
his reputation as a Grape grower. One of the Alicante bunches was a model 
both as regards form and finish ; and the berries in one of the bunches of 
Gros Maroc were so large and round that many gardeners thought the variety 
was Gros Colman. We have,however, ascertained from Mr. Taylor that both 
the Gros Maroc bunches were cut from the same Vine. The second prize was 
won by Mr. W. Pratt, but beautiful as were the Longleat Grapes, they were 
several points behind the first. His Muscat of Alexandria were extremely 
handsome; Lady Downe’s, Black Hamburgh (9£ lbs.), Mrs.Pince, and Alicante 
being all meritorious. Mr. Elphinstone, Shipley Hall Gardens, Derby, fol¬ 
lowed, showingGros Colman, large, and of fine colour ; Gros Guillaume, large 
berries ; Muscat of Alexandria, Black Hamburgh, fine bunches, and Canon 
Hall Muscat. After the awards had been made it was found that a 
“ shoulder ” had been tied to the bunch of the last-named variety, and a 
protest was entered by one of the unsuccessful exhibitors. 
Five classes were devoted to special varietits of Grapes—namely, Black 
Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, Gro3 Maroc, Madresfitld Court, and 
Alicante—with one class each for any other white and any other black 
variety. Taking these classes in the order they are named, the following 
were the results of the competition :— 
Blade Hamburgh .—Eight exhibitors competed with three bunches of 
Black Hamburgh,' Mr. Pratt winning first honours with large handsome 
bunches, but their appearance was slightly injured by the bloom having 
been partially rubbed off one of them. The second place was taken by Mr. 
Moorhouse, gardener to J. W. Temple, Esq., Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, 
who also had large compact bunches, but rather small berries. Mr. W. 
Howe, gaidener to H. Tate, Esq., Park Hill, Streatham Common, was third 
with medium sized bunches, well finished. 
Muscat of Alexandria— There were nine exhibitors of this favourite 
Grape, and again Mr. Patt took the lead with clean beautiful bunches ana 
fine berries, the three bunches weighing 9J lbs. Mr. J. Roberts followed 
with smaller bunches, but very clean and well ripened, Mr. 0. J. Goldsmith 
being a good third. Most of the other exhibitors staged samples that were 
far from ripe, one in particular having three very green bunches. 
Gros Maroc .—This attractive Grape was well shown by seven com¬ 
petitors, Mr. Elphinstone securing premier honours with excellent bunches 
and fine berries, superbly coloured, and bearing a dense bloom. Messrs. 
Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, were second, their bunches being smaller 
than the first, but beautifully coloured. Mr. J. Mclndoe took the third 
prize for medium size, compact, symmetrical bunches, finely coloured. 
Nearly all those entered were notable for their colour and bloom, diiieiing 
chiefly in size. „ 
Madresfield, Court .—The competition was smaller in this class, only five 
entering, and none of the specimens were in their best condition as regards 
colou 1 ', though in size of bunch and berries they were fairly satisfactory. 
Mr. J. Bury, gardener to A. Richards, Esq., Tewkesbury Lodge, Forest Hul, 
was awarded the first prize for capital well-formed bunches, the kernes 
also large, but wanting in colour. Mr. H. Perkins, gardener to the Right 
Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P., Henley-on-Thames, was second with wonderfully 
large bunches and berries, but they were not fully ripe, and the C ®^I 0 
bunch was slightly spotted, otherwise they were admirable examples o: this 
beautiful Grape, which Mr. Perkins can evidently grow well, lhe third 
place was taken by Mr. F. Jordan, gardener to B. Fost r, Esq., Godaiming. 
Alicante .—Nine exhibitors staged in the Alicante class, and the majority 
were good examples of this variety. Mr. W. Howe gained the first place 
for splendid bunches superbly coloured, defeating Mr. Pratt, who was second 
with large bunches weighing 9| lbs., but somewhat rubbed and irregular in 
size. Mr. W. Tidy, gardener to J. R. Holland, Esq., Great Stanmore, 
Middlesex, followed with fair bunches. _ T 
With any other white variety there were thirteen competitors. Mr. J. 
Wallis, gardener to the Rev. W. Sneyd, Keele Hall, Newcastle, Staffs, was 
first with Mrs. Pearson in fair good condition for that variety, but not 
better than Mr. Berry’s beautiful examples of Foster’s Seedling, which were 
placed second. Mr. Perkins was third for large buncheB of the same variety. 
Mr. W. H. Ward had the best “any other black,” medium sized but hand¬ 
somely coloured bunches of Alnwick Seedling. Mr. Hudson, gardener to 
H. J. Atkinson, Esq., M.P., Gunnersbury House, Acton, followed with the 
same variety, and Mr. J. Mclndoe with Gros Colman, large, but not first- 
rate in colour. Amongst seven exhibitors of baskets of black Grapes Mr. 
W. Howe was first for beautiful highly coloured bunches of Black Ham¬ 
burgh, Mr. J. Mclndoe was second with the same variety, and Mr. Hudson 
third with Alnwick Seedling weighing 13J lbs. In the s imll ar class for 
white Grapes Mr. C. J. Goldsmith took the lead with Muscat of Alexandria 
handsomely coloured, Mr. Mclndoe was second with excellent examples of 
Duke of Buccleuch, and Mr. Osman,gardener to L. J. Baker. Esq., Ottershaw 
r>r,»-L- r'l-.ovfoziTT azarM-ivAri tiio t.hirrl nlap.A with Muscat of Alexandria finely 
Pine Apples. —Though the competition was not very keen with these 
ruits.the remarkably handsome specimens of Smooth Cayenne which gained 
Hr. C. Ross, Welford Park Gardens, Newbury, the first prize, constituted one 
if the principal features of the Exhibition. They were grandly formed noble 
ruits. richly coloured, and weighed 9 lbs. 2 ozs. and 9 lbs. b ozs. respective y. 
Mr. W. T. Smith and Mr. Mclndoe, who followed in the order named with the 
same variety, both had good fruits, but far behind those from Mr,. Ross, who 
aas previously given us some good examples of his skill in the cultivation of 
Pine Apples. The Queen Pines were of an ordinary character, Mr. W. i. 
Smith and Mr. Mclndoe being respectively first and second. 
Peaches and Nectarines.— These fruits were numerously and well shown 
in the several classes devoted to them. Eight entered with four is es o 
Peaches, Mr. J. Mclndoe leading with large ripe fruits of Stirling Castle 
Princess of Wales, Golden Eagle of fine colour, and Violette Hative, also 
highly coloured. Mr. C. J. Goldsmith had Lady Palmerston, Prince of 
Wales, Barrington, and Royal George in his second-prize collection ; and Mr. 
H. G. Oclee, who was third, had Desse Tardive, Barrington, P°£ al 
and Lord Palmerston. No less than seventeen entered with one dish.of 
Peaches ; and Mr. W. H. Divers, gardener to jT. Hop wood, Esq., Let.on 
Hall, Stamford, won the chief prize with admirable fruits of Pnnca of 
Wales, large and finely coloured. Mr. W. T. Smith was secon , 
Ridout, gardener to T. B. Haywood, Esq., Woodhatch, Reigate, was third 
with Violette Hative. . . „„ A ■><-_ 
Seven collections of four dishes of Nectarines were staged Mr. Wm 
Elphinstone winning fi st honours for medium-sized finely co oured and 
ripe fruits of ElrugefPitmaBton Orange, Pine Apple, and \ lolette Hative 
Mr. G. H. Richards, Somerley Gardens, Rinewood, Hants, Allowed with 
Pine Apple, Victoria, Pitmaston Orange, and Elruge, Mr. J Roberts bein 
third for Victoria, Downton, Balgowan, and Muirey, most of the others 
shown bein'g unripe. Of the fifteen single dis^s of Nectarines Mr M 
Hanagan, gardener to R. C. Naylor, Esq., HootonHall, Chester, had the best 
