452 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 18, 1885. 
Artichokes in faultless condition; third Mr. 'JMolyneux, fourth Mr. 
Busby. 
READING.— November 12th. 
Three Chrysanthemum Shows have now been held by this Society in 
Reading, and it is pleasant to be able to reoord that the progress made has 
been in a high degree satisfactory. The first Exhibition did not do full 
justice to the capabilities of the local cultivators, but it was financially 
encouraging, a balance of £35 resulting. The second Show was in ail 
respects an improvement on the first, a balance of £83 remaining when 
accounts were closed. Tne third Exhibition has advanced still further in 
horticultural importance, and it is to be hoped the financial results will be 
proportionately good ; in any cas o , the Honor iry and Assistant Secretaries, 
Mr. R. D. Catchpole and Mr. W. Smith, deserve to be congratulated. Cut 
blooms, plants, and fruit wen capitally shown, the quality in all the classes 
being remarkably even and the competition keen. The exhibits were arranged 
in the New and Old Town Halls, the plants and groups chiefly arranged near 
the walls, with the cut blooms and fruits on tables in the centre of the 
halls. 
The cut blooms were excellently shown in most of the classes. Six 
collections of eighteen incurved blooms were staged, Messrs. W. & G. 
Drover, Fareham, hading with the following varieties :—Back row—Nil 
Desperandum, Golden Empress, Empress of India, Lord Alcester, Alfred 
Salter, and Que n of England. Middle row—Princ*ss Teck, Mrs. W. 
Shipman, Emily Dale, Beauty, Jeanne d’Arc, and Prince Alfred. Front 
row—Lord Wolseley, Princess of Wales, John Salter, Hero of Stoke, 
Angelina, and Baron Beust. The second place was accorded to Mr. Wild- 
smith, gardener to Lord Eversley, Heckfield Place, who had a beautiful even 
collection, Princess of Wales, Lady Hardinge, and Golden Empress of 
India being very fine, together with a handsome white sport from Princess 
Teck, named Lord Eversley. It has proved constant for four years, and the 
Judges awarded a certificate for it. Mr. Neal, gardener to P. Southby, Esq., 
Bampton, was third, and Mr. Kendall, gardener to H. C. Holland, Esq., Roe- 
bampton, fourth. Seven stands of twelve incurved, all containing 
admirable blooms, Mr. Strong, W l’ington College ; Mr. Trinder, gardener to 
Sir H. St. John Mildmay, Bart., Dogmersfield; Sir. Bowerman, girdener to 
C. Hoare, Esq.; and Mr. Baskett, gardener to W. J. Palmer, Esq., Reading, 
were the prizetakers in the order named. Japanese varieties were remark¬ 
ably well represented in the class for twelve blooms, distinct varieties, no 
less than a dozen competitors entering. Mr. Baskett won premier honours 
for handsome, full, and bright sp cimt-ns of Triomphe de la Rue d»s Cnalets, 
Soleil Levant, Mr. Burnet, Madame B. Pigny, J. H. Laing, M. Delaux, 
Madame C. Audiguur, Mdlle. Lacroix, Comtesse de Beauregarde, J. Delaux, 
Balmoreau, and Tuunberg. R. W. Beachey, E-q., Kmg-kerwell, Mr. Wild¬ 
smith, and Mr. Trin er secured the remaining awards. There were also nine 
exhibitors of six Japanese, Mr. Jennings, gardener to J. J. Freeman, Esq , 
Farnborough, being fi st with large blooms of Fair Maid of Guernsey, 
Roseum superbum, Val d’Andorre, F. A. Davis, and Mdlle. Lacroix. Mr. 
Wildsmith had the b-st stand of twelve refiexed blooms in a class of eight 
competitors, showing very fine examples of Golden Christine, Cullingfordi, 
Mdlle. Madaleine Tezier, King of Crimsons, Madame Melainie Fabvre, 
Pink Christine, Cloth of Gold, Phidias, and Chevalier Domage. Mr. Kendall 
staged the best box of twelve Anemones, beautiful, well-formed blooms. A 
class was provided for twelve blooms not less than eight large-flowered 
varieties, as grown on not less than 4 inches of stem above the board. 
Eleven entered this class, Mr. Wildsmith being an excellent first with 
Maiden’s Blush, Meg Merrilies, Japonaise, Prince of AVales, L’Adorable, 
Cullingfordi, Princess of WaleB, Jeanne d’Arc, and Mabel Ward, all in fine 
condition, fresh, and of good substance. Mr. Wildsmith also had the best 
Pompons, followed by Messrs. Kendall and Smith. 
Amongst the specimen plants, Mr. Surman, gardener to C. H. Wither- 
ington, Esq., Sonning, h d the best, his premier six specimens of Japanese 
varieties being most creditable examples of skilful culture and neat training. 
They were about 4 feet in diameter and covered with bloom, the varieties 
being La Nymphe, La Charmeuse, Lady Sslborne. Red Dragon, Elaine, and 
Peter the Great. Mr. Fa ey. gardener to C. Stevens, E,q., Woodley Hill, 
was a close second, and Mr. R. Broker, gardener to R. Tompkins, Esq., was 
thud. In other classes the *ame exhibitor secured several prizes, but with 
groups Messrs. Baskett, Balchm, and Hatch were placed first, second, and 
third respectively. 
Fruit was shown in good numbers, especially Grapes. Mr. Bowerman, 
Mr. Howe, gardener to Sir R. Sutton, Bart., Benham Park, and Mr. Wells 
were the winners iu the class for two bunches of Alicante, all those shown 
being well coloured; as also were the Gros Colmans fnm Mr. Moore, 
gardener to Mrs. Haig. Bray Court; Mr. Elliott, gardener to J. T. Hibbert, 
; and Mr. Tyler, gardener to S. Gulliver, Esq., Aylesbury, 
ill. Wells had the finest samples in the any black variety class, staging 
c 8 ® bearing a fine dense bloom. Twosup-rbly coloured bunches 
ot Muscat of Alexandria gained Mr. Pope, gardener to the Earl of Car¬ 
narvon, Highclere, the first prize in its class, Mr. Bowerman following with 
well-ripened specimens. Mr. Howe was first with six dishes of fruit, Mr. 
lurton gaming moit of the leading prizes for Apples and Pears. 
ST. NE0T8.— November 9th. 
The third annual Exhibition of this Society was held in the Corn 
Exchange, a commodious well-lighted building, admirably adapted for the 
purpose. The President, Lord Esmb Gordon, Paxton Park, contributed a 
large group of the popular autumn flower, besides other plants for the 
decoi ation of the plac . These added substantially to the attractiveness of 
the Exhibition, notably three specim-n plants in large pots, pyramids of 
5 feet height and 6 feet through at the base; the kinds were President, 
Mrs. Forsyth, and Prince of Anemon s. S. O. Newton, Esq., Croxton Park! 
also sent a number of plants for decoration, and Mrs. Cherre, Papworth 
Hall, Cambs, exhibited a fine stand of cut spikes of the beautiful blue 
Salvia Pitcheri, which at any time, and particularly at this time of year is 
peculiarly acceptable, also a fine stand of cut blooms of Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums, Ac. Mr. John Hall, Eaton Ford, had a large and tasteful collection 
of Gourds, and Mr. R. Wall had some magnificent Onions. All those were 
not for competition, and collectively made an interesting display. 
In the open class the premier p ize for twenty-four cut blooms, twelve 
incurved and twelve Japane-e, went to Mr. Redman, gardener to J. H. 
Goodgames, E-q., Eynesbury, St. Neots, with a very even lot, particularly the 
incurved, which comprised, back row, 1 ft to right: Prince of Wales, Novelty, 
Jardin des Plantes, Lord Alcester. Middle row : Princess of Wales, Lord 
WolsGey. Golden Empre-s, and Prince Alfred. Front row : Princess Beatrice, 
Mr. G. Gl-nny, Venus, and Mrs. D.xon. Japanese.—Back row : Mons. 
Ardene, Thunberg, Mdlle. C. Audi-uier, Album plenum. Middle row: 
Soleil Levant, Belle Paule, Madame Lacroix, Comti de Germiny. Front 
row : Jeanne Delaux, Peter the Great, Va d’Andorre, and Ethel—a very 
creditable twenty-four. Second Mr. Tillbrook, gardener to B. Brown, Esq., 
Houghton Hill, Huntingdon, with fresh blooms, and it was not difficult to 
foresee what position they would have held with the aid of the tweezers. 
The blooms evidently were shown iu all their natural beauty, and exceed¬ 
ingly fresh and attractive, being large, deep, and full. In the back row of 
incurved were Golden Queen of Eugland, Queen of England, Lord Wolseley, 
Eliza Peele, a fine blus.i variety, with waxy petals, beautifully incurved. 
Middle row : Mr. Howe, Jardin des Plantes, Empress of India, Refulgence. 
Front row : White Venus, Prinoe Alfred, Mr. Bunn, and Princess of Wales. 
Japanese.—Back row : Thunberg. Mdlle. C. AudiguLr, Fair Maid of Guernsey, 
and an unnamed variety. Middle row : Jeanne Delaux, Triomphe de la 
Rue des Chalets, Fulton, and Belle Paule. Front row : Mdl e. Moulise, La 
Nymphe, Comte de Germiny, and Yellow Dragon. Third Mr. R. Chilman, 
The Moat, Soham. Cambs, whose best flowers were Nil Desperandum, and 
in Japanese Margot, Maiden’s Blush, Boule d’Or, and Marguerite Marrouch. 
For twelve incurved the positions changed, B. Brown, Esq., taking first, 
Eliza Peele, very fine; Golden Quern of England, Empress of India, and 
Mrs. Sharp being good. Second J. H. Goodgames, E-q. For twelve Japanese 
B. Brown, Esq., was first, having Thunberg, Mdlle. C. Audiguier, Fair Maid of 
Guernsey, Jeanne Delaux, Comte de Germiny, Triomphe de la Rue des 
Chalets, and Sarnia, very fine. Second Mr. R. Chilman, who had Elaine, 
Cry Kang, Source d’Or, Bouquet Fait, and Hiver Fleuri, good. Twelve 
reflexed, first B. Brown, Esq., with grand blooms of King of Crimsons, 
Golden Christine, Christine, Felicity, Cullingfordi, very bright and telling, 
and Salteri. Second J. H. Goodgames, Esq. In twelve large Anemone flowered 
B. Brown, Esq., took first with Emperor, fine ; Lady Margaret, Fleur de 
Marie, good; George Sand, Loui- Bonamy, very fine; Soeur Dorothhe 
Souille, charming; Princess, good; and Gluck. Second J. H. Good- 
games, Esq., having Fanian de Mhdiana, fine, and Acquisition that 
deserve mention. In twelve Pompons in bunches of threes the positions 
were reversed, J. H. Goodgames, E-q. taking first place with good blooms of 
President, Marabout, Mr. ABtie, Purity, &c. Second B. Brown, Esq. These 
exhibitors had it much their own way. 
Prizes were offered for baskets of Chrysanthemums, and brought out 
several very effective arrangements. The first pi ize went to J. H. Good- 
games, Eiq., for an effective arrangement, having Adiantum farleyense at 
th! base, and A. cuneatum interspersed with the blooms. Second B. Brown, 
E-q., whose basket with handle was very tastefully arranged, relieved with 
Adiantum gracillimum and A. cuneatum. Prizes were offered for bunches 
of Violets. First J. H. Goodgames, Esq., second Mr. F. J. Maddison, St. 
Neots, both showing Mrrie Louise, very large and good. 
Only two groups of Ctirysanthemums for competition were exhibited, 
the space allowed being 8 feet, by 5 feet deep. J. H. Goodgames, Esq., was 
easily first with good plants, carrying large blooms, the foliage good, alto¬ 
gether very bright and effective. Second Mr. Williams, gardener to 
G. Gower, E-q., The Shrubbery, St. Neots. These groups added much to 
the eff c iveness of the Show. The principal feature of the Show, however, 
was the specimen plants, particularly the admTable examples exhibited by 
J. H. Goodgames, Esq., who took first honou r s for six in pots not exceeding 
12 inches iu diameter. The plants were models of Laining and high culture, 
not exceeding 3 feet in height, pot included, being symmetrical half or 
flatt ned globes, carrying blooms ot a clear, fresh, and well-formed character, 
little inferior to specimen blooms. The plants were Mrs. Dixon, 6 feet 
through, and very fine; Mrs. G. Rundle, same size, and finely flowered ; 
G. Glenny, 6 feet, remarkably fine; Dr. Sharpe, 4 feet; Felicity, 4 feet; 
and Golden Christine. They were most creditable to the grower, Mr. 
Redman, and deservedly adm red. Second G. G wer, Esq., with wtrl 1 - 
bloomed much taller plants, the varieties being Mrs. Dixon, Dr. Sharps, 
G. Glenny, Mrs. G. Rundle, Empress of India, and King of Crimsons. In 
single specimens J. H. Goodgames, E q., was first, with a magnificent example 
of Mrs. G. Rundle, fully 6 feet iu diameter, and loaded with fine bloom-. 
Second G. Bowes, Esq., with Mrs. Forsyth. 
Prizes in the open class were off red for fruit, which only brought out 
two collections. First B. Brown, Esq., who had two bunches of Muscat of 
Alexandria Grapes, finely finished, the berries large and of a beautiful 
amber colour ; two bunches of Gros Maroc Grapes, large and very oval in 
berry, jet black, with a faultless bloom, very line examples indeed of 
superior cultivation and high finish, doing Mr. Tillb'ook much credit. The 
collection included a Lord Beacousfield Melon, Beurre Clairgeau, high 
coloured; Marie Louise, very russetty ; Napoleon, fine ; Passe Crassane, 
Josephine de Malines, and Beurib dAnjou Pears : App’es, Cox’s Orange 
Pippn, good; King of the Pippins, bright and high coloured; Ribston 
Pippin, Winter Peach, Sam Young, good ; and Court of Wick, with Walnuts ; 
altogether a very creditable and high class collection. Second G. Bowes, 
Esq., who had an extensive collection, but the whole, excepting the Grapes, 
unnnamed, which is regretable, as the Apples were large and good, also the 
Pears, and as this would serve to indicate the varieties Buited to the locality. 
This collection had a dish of very well-preserved Red Currants and 
Filberts. 
In the amateur class there was simp’y no competition The gard ns 
about St. Neots are really lovely with Chrysanthemums, but no one seemed 
to care to compete for the priz-s offere 1, wbich must have a depressing effect 
on the indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Ratchelous, and the Committee. Notable 
examples to the contrary of this were Mr. Plum, St. Neots, who took first for 
three specimens in pots, and also first for a single specimen; and Mr. J. 
Hall, Cross Hall, St. Neo s, who was second. The day was wet, but it is to 
be hoped the guarantors will have recouped their out'ay, which their 
energetic efforts amply deserve.—G. Abbey. 
