500 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ Decembir 2, 1888 
were particularly fine. The display of Pears was large, and the fruit 
throughout of first quality. For eight dishes the Rev. L. Garnett, Christleton 
Rectory, Cheshire, staged grand examples, and was accorded the premier 
position ; Mr. Goodacre and Mr. W. Hannagm followed, both showing well. 
For four dishes Mr. W. H. Jones, gardener to C. Bamford, E-q., was to the 
fore. For one dish Mr. R. Pennington, gardener to Edward Banner, Esq., 
was placed first. In the corresponding class Mr. M’Kenzie, gardener to 
F. S. W. Cornwallis, Esq. For six dishes of dessert Apples the last exhibitor 
was again first with excellent examples, and Rev. L. Garnett was successful 
for one dish. For eight dishes of culinary Apples Mr. M’Kenzie again took 
the lead, followed by the Rev. H. Arkwright, Mr. Goodacre, and Mr. 
Hannagan, the last named being awarded an extra prize. For four dishes 
Mr. R. Pennington obtained the premier position, and the Rev. H. Ark¬ 
wright for one dish. The Apples were of large size and very highly 
coloured, and the competition in every instance was very keen. The names 
of the leading dishes of these and the Pears are not given because they 
were similar to what have been repeatedly enumerated this season in our 
pages. 
Grapes.— Six classes were provided, and 110 bunches were staged, being 
six, seven, eight, and ten collections in each class. In none of the classes 
was there less than six competitors. Throughout the fruit was large in 
the bunch and berry, and the colour may be said to be good in every 
instance. For two bunches of Muscats, Mr. D. Lindsay, gardener to Sir 
Edwardes-Moss, Bart., OtWspool, was well first with large bunches, highly 
coloured, with fine large even berries. Mr. J. Parker, gardener to J. T. 
Raynes, Esq., Rock Ferry, being a good second, and Mr. A. Crosbie, gar¬ 
dener to the Duke of Montrose, Buchanan Castle, Stirling, third with large 
bunches and large berries, well coloured, but the bunches were rather loose. 
For two bunches of white Grapes, any other variety, Mr. A. Collins was 
first with Bplendid clean examples of Golden Queen ; Mr. Goodacre was 
second with good bunches, smaller in the berry, but not so well coloured ; 
Mr. D. Lindsay was third. For two bunches of black Grapes (Alicantes), 
Mr. W. Wilson was first amongst ten competitors, with superb examples 
carrying a very dense bloom. Mr. T. Elsworthy was a good second, but the 
bunches had not been thinned sufficiently. Mr. J. Downham, gardener to 
E. H. Harrison, Esq., third with grand examples. To the remaining seven 
competitors in this class the same description applies. For two bunches, 
black, with Muscat flavour, Mr. J. Hollingworth took the lead with good 
Mrs. Pince, the only fault being they were a little short of colour. Mr. J. 
Barker followed with good Madresfield Court, and Mr. J. Wallis, gardener 
to Rev. Walter Sneyd, Keele Hall, Staffordshire, with Mrs. Pince. For two 
bunches any other variety, Mr. Goodacre was well first with Gros Colman in 
the same excellent condition as those previously described in the collection 
of fruit. Mr. T. Ferguson, gardener to Mrs. Patterson, Rock Ferry, was 
second with large bunches, highly coloured, of Gros Guillaume; Mr. A. 
Collins being third with larger bunches of the same variety, but slightly 
less in the berry, and not quite so well coloured. For four bunches, Mr. j. 
Hollingworth, gardener to J. T. Campbell, Esq., Woodseat, LTttoxeter, 
gained first honours with an excellent collection, consisting of Lady Downe’s, 
Trebbiano, Alicante, and Golden Queen. Second Mr. W. Elphinstone, gar¬ 
dener to A. Munday, Esq., Shipley Hall, with Mrs. Pince, good; Gros 
Colman, very fine ; a fair bunch of Muscat of Alexandria, and a rather weak 
Golden Queen. Mr. T. Elsworthy was a good third. 
OkchidS. —These were not shown in large numbers, but those staged 
were in first-rate condition. For three plants Mr. J. Edwards, gardener to 
H. Tate, Esq., Allerton, was first with Oncidium Rogersi with two large 
spikes, very fine; L»lia elegans with three flowers ; and Phalsenopsis 
grandiflora aurea with three flowers. Mr. T. North, gardener to Enoch 
Harvey, Esq., second. For one plant Mr. M. Clary, gardener to Rd. Hobson, 
Esq., Bromborough, with Odontoglossum grande, with eight or nine spikes 
of bloom; Mr. J. Edwards second with Oncidium tigrinum, and Mr. A. R. 
Cox third with Cattleya superba splendens. Mr. J. Hurst, gardener to 
W. B. Bowering, Esq., took the lead for one Cypripedium, and Mr. J. Wilson 
for Calanthes. 
Table Plants. —These were in the same excellent condition as generally 
seen at the Liverpool Shows. Mr. T. Fleetwood, gardener to F. Harrison, 
Esq., was awarded the first position for six plants, consisting of Croton 
aigburthensis, C. Chelsoni, Dracaena gracilis, Aralia Chabrieri, Pandanus 
Veitchi, and Geonoma gracilis. Mr. J. Agnew, gardener to Mrs. Watts, 
Aigburth, second with a neat collection of plant’, and Mr. J. Hurst third. 
Fef.ns, Palms, and Other Plants. —For four Ferns Mr. A. R. Cox was 
well first with splendid plants. Mr. T. Gowan second with smaller, but very 
healthy specimens. For three Palms the same exhibitor was again first, 
followed by Mr. A. Crosbie and Mr. T. Jones. Roman Hyacinths were good. 
Mr. C. Wearing, gardener to J. Aitkin, Esq., was successful, and Mr. 
W. H. Jones for Primulas, which were only fair. For four Poinsettias, Mr. 
J. McGrath, gardener to R. R. Heap, Esq., West Derby, was first, and Mr. 
T. Fleetwood for Cyclamens. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —The most telling group of plants in the 
Exhibition was contributed by Messrs R. P. Ker & Sons, and consisted of 
a groundwork of Roman Hyacinths, dark coloured Cyclamen, and Adiantum 
cuneatum, with Cocos Weddelliana rising above them, and Adiantum farley- 
ense in very small pots stood on the top of the pots of Cocos. The arrange¬ 
ment was novel and highly attractive. The Horticultural Company (John 
Cowan) contributed a collection of stove and greenhouse flowering and 
foliage plants, also a collection of Chrysanthemums in 5-inch pots varying 
from 1 to 3 feet in height. These were well grown and highly interesting, 
and of a very useful size for decoration. Messrs. F. and A. Dickson & Sons 
contributed a collection of well-grown Carnation (tree) in bloom, and Messrs. 
W. Cuthush & Sons, Highgate, London, a collection of mixed plants, 
amongst them small Oranges laden with fruit and Pernettyas in 5-inch pots 
covered with berries. Some eight varieties were staged, P. macrocarpa 
being one of the best; P. purpurea gigantea is also very striking. Bouvardia 
Dazzler was also exhibited, and has very bright red flowers. The Horticul¬ 
tural Company contributed wreaths and bouquets, Messrs. Fishlock Bros, 
a very similar exhibit, which was highly praiseworthy. Mr. C. Rylanc 1 , 
Ormskirk, staged a large collection of dessert and kitchen Apples. Mr. 
H. Middlehurst, seedsman, Manchester Street, exhibited his “ Filbert ” 
Brussels Sprouts, which were very fine, being closely studded with hard, 
compact, moderate-sized sprouts. Mr. Kipps, Walton Lea Gardens, War¬ 
rington, exhibited a pot of Strawberries lifted from the open ground on 
November 2nd, and since grown under glass ; the specimen was very good, 
and showed unmistakeably the mildness of the season. It was bearing 
upwards of a hundred fruit between twenty and thirty of them coloured and 
nearly ripe. 
BIRMINGHAM.— November 24th and 25th. 
The Town Hall was filled with the exhibits of the Society holding their 
twenty-sixth Show. It was considered to be in ail respects the best of the 
series yet held, and reflected great credit on the executive. Cut blooms 
were staged in large numbers and generally of capital quality if we except a 
few of the incurved section, which were rather rough. Plants of Chrysan¬ 
themums were * xcellent, bouquets and Primulas were staged in large 
numbers. Miscellaneous non-competing groups of plants were a great 
attraction, Grapes and Apples were staged in large numbers and of the best 
quality. For nine large-flowering Chrysanthemums, Japanese excluded, 
Mr. Brasi r, gardener to T. Martineau, Esq., was first with plants 4 feet 
across, evenly trained, freely flowered and fresh; the best was Jardin des 
Plantes, particularly rich in colour. Mr. H. Dyer, gardener to Mrs. 
Marigold, Edgbaston, also with good specimens, the best being Lady Slade. 
Mr. J. Crook, girdener to W. Millward, E’q , Edgbaston, was first for six 
plants with well trained plants of the leading varieties. Mr. E. Cooper, 
gardener to J. Chamberlain, Esq., M.P., staged the best single specimen 
incurved, a very fine plant of White Yenus, 4 to 5 feet across, and having 
remarkably fine blooms ; while Mr. Brasier occupied the same position in 
the Japanese class with a profusely flowered specimen of Bouquet Fait. 
Mr. Brasier also took leading honours for six specim ns of Pompons,having 
large bushes not too stiffly trained, freely flowered Mdlle. Marthe and white 
Cedo Nulli being the best. Second in this class was Mr. Dyer, also with 
good plants not disbudded, loosely trained. 
Cut blooms were staged in large numbers, as many as 1420 in all classes, 
and as may be supposed, made an imposing array in the gallery. In the 
great class for forty-eight blooms, twenty-four incurved and twenty-four 
Japanese, distinct varieties, there were eleven competitors. This class was 
remarkable for the successful debut of Mr. R. Parker, gardener to J. Corbett, 
Esq., Impney Hall, Droitwich, who was an easy first, staging magnificent 
blooms of Japanese and incurved varieties, solid and fresh, and of capital 
finish, Triomphe de la Rue des Chalets, M. Astorg, Belle Paule, Flamme 
de Punch, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Baronne de Prailly, Thunberg, Madame 
C. Audiguier, Madame Laing, very fine; Japonaise being the best of the 
Japanese, while the mo9t noteworthy in the incurved section were Jeanne 
d’Arc, Queen of England, Prince Alfred, John Salter, Lord Alcester very 
large, Princess Teck, Empress of India, Princess of Wales, and Pink Yenus. 
Mr. W. Comfort, gardener to G. A. Everett, Esq., was second, staging fine 
Japanese, also large iucurved, but these were rather old. He had good 
blooms of J. Delaux, Boule d’Or, Comte de Germiny, Belle Paule, Thunberg, 
and Comtesse de Beauregard. Mr. J. Lambert, gardener to Col. Wingfield, 
Shrewsbury, was third with smaller but neat blooms; Mr. C. Raffill, gar¬ 
dener to H. Lovatt, Esq., Wolverhampton, was fourth with fine Japanese, 
but the incurved were stale. For twenty-four blooms, twelve to be incurved, 
and the same number Japanese, all distinct, there were twelve competed, 
the best coming from Mr. Barker, gardener to Lord Hindlip, Hindlip Hall, 
the Japanese being very fine, while the incurved were extra large, though 
rather wanting in finish. The best were Alfred Salter, Golden Empress, 
Jeanne d’Arc, Princess of Wales, Empress Eugenie, and Barbara, fine; 
M. Burnet, Japonaise, and Thunberg the best Japanese. Second Mr. R. 
Parker, with rather smaller, but otherwise good blooms. Third Mr. W. 
Comfort, smaller, but very neat specimens. 
For eighteen incurved blooms, distinct varieties, there were ten com¬ 
petitors ; the best stand was that from Mr. Barker, but he unfortunately 
staged duplicate a bloom of Princess of Wales under the name of Mrs. 
Heale, which led to his disqualification. Mr. W. Comfort was first with 
neat flowers of Princess of Wales, Queen of England, Bendigo, Lord 
Alcester, and Pink Venus. Mr. Dyer was second. Mr. Barker had the best 
stand of Japanese in twelve vanities amongst the same number of com¬ 
petitors with large even bright blooms, Triomphe de la Rue d=s Chalets, 
M. Burnet, Criterion, Sarnia, and Japonaise were the best. Mr. R. Parker 
was an exceedingly close second, losing only by a couple of points. Mr. F. 
Styles, gardener to Mr. A. Healing, Tewkesbury, was third, staging the best 
varieties ; this was an excellent class all through. Mr. Barker was again to 
the front amongst seven others in the class for twelve Anemone blooms, not 
less than six varieties; very good were his Mdlle. Cabrol, Fabian de Medians, 
and Gluck ; very close came Mr. A. Johnson, gardener to R. Ramsden, Esq., 
Knowle, for second place : while Mr. Comfort was a good third t both 
exhibitors staging fine blooms. Mr. R. Johnson was first prizewinner in 
the class for twenty-four varieties distinct, half to be Japanese and the 
remainder to be incurved, to be grown within twelve mil s of Stephenson 
Place, and very handsome they were. Mr. H. Dyer was second with six 
blooms of reflexed varieties, the same conditions to apply as in the former 
class ; Mr. Comfort was an easy first, followed by Mr. L. Fawkes, gardener 
to H. Weiss, Esq., E gbaston. 
For twelve Chinese Primulas, single varieties, any colour, Messrs. 
Thomson, Spark Hill Nurseries, Birmingham, was placed first for capital 
plants, dwarf in habit, fine foliage, and freely bloomed. Second, Messrs. 
Pope, nuiserymen, King’s Norton, with plants not so even in Bize, but 
having capital flowers. Cut blooms of Camellias were well shown by 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry; while the best bouquet for the hand, 
confined to nurserymen only, the same firm won chief honours with a 
choice arrangement of the best flowers, each being freely and lightly dis¬ 
posed. Second, Hans Niemand, Royal Nurseries, Harborne Road, Edgbas¬ 
ton ; third, Mr. G. H. Fawkes, Selby Oak. The best bouquet, open to 
gentlemen’s gardeners only, Mr. H. James, gardener to W. C. B. Cave, Esq., 
Harborne, was first; second, Mr. L. Fawkes; third, Mr. G. Newell. The 
best mi-cellaneous co’lection of nine plants in or out of bloom, Chrysan¬ 
themums excluded, were staged by Mr. Brasier, consisting of Croton Veitchi, 
finely coloured ; Cycas revoluta. healthy ; Eupatorium odoratum, large bush ; 
and Callicarpa purpurea, an effective berry-biaring plant. Second, Mr. H. 
Dyer, Callicarpa purpurea, fine, as his be-t plaut. The best group of 
Ohrysanthemums in pots was arranged by Mr. J. H. Horton, gardener to 
R. Chamberlain, Esq , M.P., Edgbaston, composed of capital plants having 
> fine blooms of both Japanese and incurved, neatly arranged if we except 
