July 20, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
61 
generally take an interest in the event. 6, The best garden produce 
obtainable is displayed, and the best music provided—no roundabouts 
or mountebankism, but a pure “ floral and musical ” fete, with nothing 
whatever to offend, but wholesome pleasure is great objective ; and (7) 
the people appreciate all that is done for their delectation, and attend 
the Shows, “ rain or shine.” It was nearly all rain on this last 
occasion, and it seemed proper to endeavour to sympathise with MrfJohn 
Andrews, the indefatigable Honorary Secretary, on the prospective 
failure ; but sympathy was wasted. “ Oh ! never mind,” he coolly 
replied, “ we usually have it flne, and you will see the people will come 
if it does rain.” It rained in torrents, and two of the Judges at least will 
not forget it (for they had to reach London before getting dried), yet soon 
after the Show was open the tents were filled with visitors, and a stream 
of people entered the grounds—as fine an assemblage as one could hope 
to see. Well done, Woodbridge 1 
The Rose tent was perhaps the great centre of attraction, for therein 
was the contest for the 25-guinea cup with stands of twenty-four blooms. 
Not as a competitor in the class but as an adjudicator, a rosarian was 
espied, who wears the familiar initials “ W. E. R.” Good humour was 
stamped on his countenance, and to the gentle suggestion that he would 
“ take a note of the Roses ” came a response ” Yes, short.” Not that he 
wanted anything ; he simply meant his acccount would be a short one, 
and here it is, quite long enough for the time of year. 
The competition in the professional classes was good, one of the 
brothers Harkness holding his own well against the full strength of 
Colchester, while at the same time the other brother was winning the 
Jubilee cup at Worksop against the rest of Great Britain and Ireland. 
It was a considerable feat, but Roses are grown in such quantities by 
the leading members of the trade, that it is probable, without detracting 
from the merits of the performance, that any one of them at his best, 
with all the others out of form, might have done it. 
For the Woodbridge challenge cup, value 25 guineas, Messrs. Harkness 
was placed first, the best bloom being an exceptionally fine specimen of 
Duke of Wellington, Horace Vernet, Reynolds Hole, and Earl of Dufferin 
being also very fine. The stand was sadly marred by three light-coloured 
blooms put in for the sake of change of colour. La France being espe¬ 
cially poor. Mr. Frank Cant was second, not far behind, having Black 
Prince very fine, and the Duke of Connaught good. Mr. B. R. Cant 
third. 
In forty-eights Messrs. Harkness were again first, Horace Vernet 
and Reynolds Hole being again conspicuous. Mr. B. Cant second, and 
Mr. Frank Cant third. In twelve Teas Messrs. Prior were first, Mr. 
B. Cant coming as a very close second indeed, and Mr. F. Cant third. 
In twelve trebles Messrs. Harkness were again to the front, Horace 
Vernet being once more the pick of the collection. Mr. B. Cant second, 
and Mr. F. Cant third. It transpired, however, that the schedule, which 
was somewhat eccentric, specified twelve trebles of H.P.’s, and as Mr. 
B. Cant had a fine triplet of Mar^chal Niel inadvertently inserted, a 
substantial extra prize was liberally awarded to them by the Executive, 
and Messrs. Prior became third. 
A silver medal was to be awarded to the best Rose in the professional 
classes, but as the cup class was strangely debarred there was some 
trouble about this, and the award eventually went to the best shaped 
flower, a very light coloured specimen of Comtesse d’Oxford in Mr. 
B. Cant’s forty-eight. Each of Messrs. Harkness’ stands was disfigured 
by sorry specimens of Comtesse de Serenye, introduced apparently for 
the sake of light colour. 
In the amateur classes the competition was as weak as it was good in 
the trade division. It was as diflBcult to avoid winning a prize as it 
sometimes is, and should be, to get one. A certain gentleman, having no 
opponent, won a third prize for six H.P.’s of a sort with five indifferent 
blooms; there was a stem and a few scattered petals on the moss to 
show where there had presumably been another specimen, but nothing 
more. In the principal class (18), Rev. A. Foster-Melliar had no 
opponent, a good bloom of Mrs. John Laing winning him also the medal 
for the best Rose in the large amateur classes. For twelve Teas, the same 
gentleman and Mr. Orpen renewed their Crystal Palace contest with the 
same result, the Sproughton Teas being much larger, though not quite 
so well shown. Mr. Orpen, however, secured two medals, both with 
Mar6chal Niels : one for the best Rose in the smaller amateur classes, 
and one, which was a sure win for him to start with, as he had no 
opponent, for the best Rose grown by an Essex amateur. 
The schedule, though not altogether satisfactory, was evidently 
designed with the utmost goodwill for the encouragement of small 
growers, there being classes for those growing less than 1000 and less 
than 500 plants local classes for districts of different radius, and classes 
for four, two, and even single specimens. It w’as disheartening to see 
only one exhibit in a class, and even some classes perfectly empty ; but 
what could be expected in such a season ? Thus ends the Roses, and 
there is very little space left for the rest. This may be filled by the 
Ipswich chronicler, as we have internal evidence that it was whispered 
to him by one of the Judges who oflficiated in the classes referred to. 
Second in order of arrangement was the marquee in which fruit 
and first-class vegetables were displayed. Lord Suflfield was as suc¬ 
cessful here as were the north country exhibitors with Roses and 
perennials. His lordship’s collection of eight varieties of fruit, so 
well grown by Mr. Allan, the able gardener, would have taken a 
leading position at any show in England, so fine was the quality 
of them all. Two new varieties of Strawberries were here particularly 
noticeable. One of them, named Lord Suflfield, is particularly dark 
-coloured, and, unlike some others of that hue, is also of delicious 
flavour. The other, Gunton Park, very bright, firm, and good. Both 
sorts received special certificates because of their novelty and ex¬ 
cellence, and will probably take a position as standard Strawberries. 
Throughout the fruit was excellent. Grapes were generally good, 
although some small and loose bunches were seen. Melons looked a 
great deal better than they were, for there was quite a remarkable 
absence of flavour. The Judges, after tasting every variety, had great 
difficulty in finding four good enough for the prizes, and the smallest 
Melon of the lot was eventually selected as the best. Cherries were 
splendidly shown in all classes. Lord Suflfield’s Black, Tartarian and 
White Hearts were marvellous specimens, and the Morellos could hardly 
be beaten anywhere. Peaches and Nectarines were not extensively 
shown, and the first prize dishes were unmistakeably first; there was a 
great falling off in the rest. Red, White, and Black Currants made an 
astonishing show, such as is rarely seen. Messrs. Daniels Bros, of 
Norwich had a capital stand here, not for competition, of Gloxinias, 
Pelargoniums, Carnations, and new varieties of Potatoes and Peas. The 
vegetables were staged around the sides, and were also in harmony with 
the general standard of excellence. 
A third tent was devoted to cottagers’ exhibits, and this must be 
passed by—for want of space, not because the exhibits were unworthy of 
notice. Last of all, but not least, came the grand section for pot 
plants and groups arranged for effect. An old moral was here pointed 
by the Judges. The first prize was given, not to the more imposing 
groups, but to that (Lord Rendlesham’s) which was most freely and 
artistically arranged, without packing and overcrowding. That every 
plant should show its own beauty without using one to hide the defects 
of another, is the principle on which a decision was arrived at. In the 
centre of Lord Rendlesham’s display was a plant of the graceful 
Humea elegans, and the group was made up of Carnations, Tuberoses, 
Orchids (for which the Eendlesham Hall gardens are famed), and 
bright scarlet Anthuriums, together with splendid pots of Dracsena, 
Caladiums, and Crotons. Some of the others had too many Crotons, 
but the second and third were simply spoiled by overcrowding. The 
most remarkable feature of the Show here, however, was supplied by 
the Tuberous Begonias. A new class was formed for groups of Begonias 
and Maidenhair Ferns in pots (6 feet by 3 feet), and this association of 
bright colour with delicate foliage had a surpassingly lovely effect. 
Woodbridge people must be careful to develop an idea which they have 
had the honour of originating. The Begonias in pots in the classes 
were highly creditable to the whole of the cultivators. Baskets of pot 
plants were effective. Exotic and hardy Ferns (first prizes for both 
going to the Duke of Hamilton) were noticeably good, and the larger 
specimen plants—Pandanus, Acalypha, Asparagus plumosus, Allamanda, 
foliage Begonias, and so forth—completed a grand general grouping. 
Woodbridge is a very pleasant town with fertile land surrounding it, 
and this well tilled. The noble church, with the magnificent Seckford 
Charity, however, constitute the pride of the place. The latter was 
founded by Thomas Seckford in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and sup¬ 
ported by a small estate in Clerkenwell, then let for a little more than 
£100 a year. It now comprises several streets, and yields a great 
revenue. The homes for decayed tradesmen and their widows have a 
frontage of 337 feet. The inmates have two rooms and a garden, the 
aged couples enjoying about £30 a year and single inmates £20, with 
clothing, medical attendance, and everything necessary to their comfort. 
A pleasure ground and broad terrace walk 560 feet long in front of the 
buildings is free to all and the public. The site is unique and 
picturesque. On remarking to the occupant of one of the dwellings, a 
hale old man, yet bent with years, that he had an outlook as grand as 
the Prince of Wales has, he replied, with great emphasis, “ Yes, sir; and 
I am as happy as the Prince is too.” It is truly a splendid charity, 
and as well worthy of a note as the flower Show is in the salubrious 
Suffolk town. 
CHERTSEY, WALTON, AND WEYBRIDGE.— July 13th. 
The twenty-eighth annual summer Exhibition of this Society w’as 
held this year on July 13th in the grounds of Oatlands Lodge, belonging 
to C. Swinfen Eady, Esq., in every way a charming site for such a 
purpose. The place is rich in historic points, having been once the 
residence of the first Duke of York. In the grounds there is a magnifi¬ 
cent grotto, said to have cost £40,000 in building. The grounds are 
beautifully timbered, some very fine Beeches and Lebanon Cedars are to 
be seen. The Exhibition, although showing a slight falling off in large 
specimen plants, was a really good general one. The exhibits were nume¬ 
rous, and altogether of commendable quality. The groups arranged for 
effect had a tent to themselves. Mr. Rawlings, the energetic Secretary, 
as usual, had all the arrangements complete by the specified time. 
Substantial special prizes were offered for the group of plants. There 
were five competed in the class for a group to be arranged in a half 
circle 14 feet by 7 feet. Mr. G. J. Cook, gardener to J. S. Sassoon, 
J)sq., J.P., Ashley Park, Walton, was a good first with a remarkably fine 
arrangement of suitable plants. Well grown and coloured Crotons were 
effectively disposed above a base of Maidenhair Fern, intermixed with such 
decorative plants as Francoa ramosa. Cocos Weddelliana, Pancratium 
fragrans, and Gloxinias. Mr. G. Carpenter, gardener to Major Collis 
Brown, Broad Oaks, Byfleet, was a good second, a trifle heavier in the 
arrangement. Mr. H. Jacques, gardener to Miss Kenny, The Almness, 
Chertsey, third. Four charming groups were arranged in the class for 
those less in size than the former. Mr. Hopkins, gardener to Mrs. 
Wodderspoon, Walton-on-Thames, was first. The arrangement of suit¬ 
able plants was all that could be desired. Mr. Millican, gardener to 
