498 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 30, 1893. 
shows of fruit and Chrysanthemums are held so near as Liverpool. The 
groups of Chrysanthemums arranged for effect were very good, there 
beint^ a lightness and graceful blending of colours about them, the want 
of which often mars more pretentious groups. 
The competition in the cut bloom classes was very keen, there being 
some fine blooms of Princess of Wales, Violet Tomlin, Lord Wolseley, 
Mrs. Heale, and Golden Empress among the incurved, and Viviand 
Morel, B. Molyneux, Lord Brooke, Sunflower, Etoile de Lyon, and Colonel 
W. B. Smith among the Japanese. 
Apples, which are usually well grown in Cheshire, were exhibited in 
grand form. The County Council through its lecturers (four of which 
by the way are leading members of the Paxton Society) are doing all 
they can to encourage this branch of fruit culture. In the classes for 
Pears the effects of the past summer, and the now general complaint of 
fruit not keeping well, were very manifest by the absence of some of 
the best dessert varieties. 
The Society’s silver medal for the best fifty dishes of Apples 
brought two fine exhibits, one from Mr. J. Watkins, Pomona Farm, 
Hereford, and the other from Mr. Bunyard, Kent, which for size, 
quality, and finish would be difficult to beat, and it is very doubtful if a 
finer table of Apples has been exhibited anywhere this season than these 
made. The former, however, won the medal by a few points in colour. 
In the evening a Fruit Conference was held, the ex-Mayor presiding, 
when papers was read by Mr. E. S. Baillie, F.L.S., on “Fruit and 
Fruit Growing.” Mr, Watkins followed with one on “ Gathering, 
Storing, and Marketing Apples and Pears,” after which Mr. Newstead 
gave the results of “ Recent Investigation on the Currant Bud Mite.”— 
M. F. B., Eaton. 
SUTTON COLDFIELD.— November 22nd. 
The Sutton Coldfield Gardeners’ Association is an offshoot from the 
Birmingham Gardeners’ Association, and was formed because of the 
inconve^nience to many in going to Birmingham to the meetings. It is 
an admirably worked affair, and many young men engaged in gardening 
have joined. As the Chrysanthemum has “caught on” at Sutton and 
in the district, an annual Exhibition takes place, and there has been 
such a marked improvement in the cultivation of them, that a small but 
excellent show was produced on the 22nd inst. in the Town Hall 
of Sutton Coldfield. 
Four excellent groups were arranged, the first prize going to Mr. 
J. G. Pears, gardener to J. D. Rippingille, Esq.; second, Mr. R. Popnell, 
gardener to W. H. Tonks, Esq. ; third, Mr. James Padbury, gardener to 
R. H. Bunn, Esq.; fourth, Mr. Albert Jeffs, gardener to H. E. Yates, 
Esq. In the class for smaller groups where only one gardener is kept, 
Mr. H. Warren, gardener to J. H. Lloyd, Esq., was first. 
A few well grown plants in pots were staged, cut back, bushy, and 
well cultivated, averaging from 2 to 3 feet through, a marked improve¬ 
ment on the old tying down system, and the Japanese varieties grown 
in this natural style were very effective. Mr. Pea-;e was first in the 
classes for these. 
The cut blooms were not numerous, but some fine ones were staged, 
and here again Mr. Pease was first for twelve Japanese blooms ; second, 
Mr. A. Jenkins, gardener to A. W. Wills, Esq., J.P.; third, Mr. A. T. 
Bath, gardener to C. H. Pugh, Esq. In the class for twenty-four blooms, 
twelve incurved and twelve Japanese, Mr. Hughes, gardener to W. L. 
Hodgkinson, Esq., was first ; second, A. W. Wills, Esq. 
Some good Primulas, specimen stove or greenhouse plants and table 
plants were staged for prizes, in another class of members, where only 
one gardener is employed. Mr. Popnell was first ; Mr. George, gardener 
to E. T. Shannon, Beq., second ; and Mr. Clark, third. 
Mr. A. W. Wills, who has been an Orchid cultivator for years, sent 
a group, not for competition, including some Cypripediums and Den- 
drobiums, and Phalsenopsis ; and Mr. Groves, the Hon. Secretary, sent 
from his nurseries a large group of Chrysanthemums and cut blooms. 
The vegetables were a striking feature of the Exhibition, many of 
them being of exceptional quality. Collections in the open class for 
members were both numerous and of excellent quality. Mr. T. Garland, 
gardener to C. Rhodes, Esq., was first; Mr. Popnell second ; Mr. T. 
Huxley third. 
Still another class for six varieties of vegetables, for members who 
have no greenhouse, and some excellent exhibits were staged. Mr. J. 
Deville, Mancy, Sutton Coldfield, was first; second, Mr. Joseph 
Horton ; third, Mr. George Gibbs. Mr. Deville was first for six Parsnips 
of great size and finish ; also first with the finest Leeks in the Exhibition, 
and of great weight. Mr. W. Halford, the Royal Hotel, Sutton Cold¬ 
field, was first for six dishes of Potatoes, good clean tubers of Inter¬ 
national, Vicar of Laleham, Sutton’s Abundance, Paragon, Mr. Breesee, 
and Prizetaker. 
Each year prizes are offered for collections of fungi, and this season 
two somewhat extensive collections were staged. First, Mr. George 
Gibbs ; second, Mr. A. Horton, both working men employed on the rail¬ 
way. Botany is encouraged by the Committee of the Association, and 
Mr. Groves is a thoroughly good leader as well as Secretary, and the 
adjacent park and woods of about 1800 acres, rather rich in choice 
British plants, afford a good hunting ground for the members. The 
Association possesses a small but very useful library of gardening 
books, and only members are allowed to exhibit for prizes at the 
November Show. 
BARFORD.— November 23rd and 24th. 
The second annual Chrysanthemum Show, which was held at 
Barford Hill, was a decided improvement on that of last year and 
there is every reason to believe that the Show which will rapidly increase 
in importance has been successfully inaugurated. Financial difficulties 
which so many young societies encounter are entirely absent in this 
instance, thanks to the liberality of Mr. and Mrs. Smith-Ryland, who 
also evince great personal interest in the arrangements, which are 
admirably carried out by Mr. J. Gourlay, the energetic Secretary. 
Chief interest was centred in the cut bloom classes in which 
Mr. H. Dunkin, gardener to the Earl of Warwick, Castle Gardens, 
Warwick, secured the premier position for both twelve incurved, and 
also for the same number of Japanese in distinct varieties. The 
competition in the latter class was particularly close, each exhibitor 
having excellent stands of blooms. Mr. Finch, gardener to W. R. 
Mann, Esq., Leamington, was second, and Mr. H. Liney, gardener to 
W. M. Low, Esq., WilleSbourne House, third. For six incurved distinct, 
Mr. Finch was first, Mr. Dunkin, second, and Mr. Liney, third. For a 
similar number of Japanese, Mr. Dunkin was again to the front, 
followed by Mr. Liney and Mr. Skelcher, gardener to B. K. Little, Esq., 
Newbold Pacey, Warwick, each exhibitor having excellent blooms. 
Mr. F. Williams was first for a group of Chrysanthemums. Mr. Finch 
occupied a similar position for bouquet of Chrysanthemums, and 
Mr. Skelcher for a cross. 
Table plants were well shown, the first prize going to Mr. J. Simpson, 
gardener to W. M. Smythe, Esq., The Lawn, Warwick, the same 
exhibitor securing first honours for three dishes of dessert Apples, and 
second for black Grapes, an equal second being also awarded to Mr. 
Liney. Mr. Finch was placed first for both black and white Grapes and 
culinary Apples (three dishes), while for the same number of Pears Mr. 
L. Skelcher occupied the post of honour. 
Non-competing exhibits made a fine display. Foremost among them 
must be noticed the numerous stands of splendid Japanese flowers staged 
by Mr. R. Jones, gardener to C. A. Smith-Ryland, Esq., Barford Hill, 
which made an imposing display. Two grand bunches of perfectly 
coloured Gros Colman Grapes and two of Alicante were staged by Mr. 
J. Ketly, Castle Nursery, Warwick, who also exhibited a fine dish of 
Tomatoes, culture of the highest excellence being apparent in each 
exhibit. Mr. F. Perkins of Leamington arranged an attractive group in 
good style. 
ECCLBS, PATRICROFT, PENDLETON, AND DISTRICT. 
November 24th and 25th. 
The seventh annual Exhibition of the above Society was held in 
the Drill Hall, Patricroft, on the above dates, and the exhibits were 
remarkably good. The groups of Chrysanthemums were much superior 
to anything seen in the neighbourhood this season. 
Taking the open section first, the plants and groups were really 
excellent, more particularly the first prize group, arranged for effect, by 
Mr. J. Horrocks, gardener to J. C. Chorlton, Esq., and which secured, in 
addition to the money prize, the silver medal of N.C.S. It was a credit 
to Mr. Horrocks. The second and third prizes were taken by Messrs. 
R. Lovell and W. Russell, both of Swinton. For six plants of Japanese 
and six incurved varieties Mr. E. Pollitt, gardener to J. Wynne, Esq., 
Eccles, was the prizewinner. For three Pompons Mr. Wm. Powell, 
Eccles, was placed first. The groups of miscellaneous plants did not 
call for particular comment, a pretty arrangement securing Mr. W. Elkin, 
gardener to Mrs. T. Agnew, Eccles, the first award. The second went to 
Mr. A. Towe, gardener to Mrs. Winterbotham, Pendleton. Mr. R. Lovell 
was third. Tables plants and Primulas were very moderate, but Roman 
Hyacinths were good, the prizes going to Messrs. J. Wilson, D. Livsey, 
J. Horrocks, D. Firkins, and A. Towe in the order named. Bouquets 
and sprays were exceptionally good, Mr. J. Mosley, Halliwell, taking 
honours with three bouquets and one epergne and three buttonhole 
flowers, the remaining one of six sprays of Chrysanthemums going to 
Mr. J. Wilson. 
In the cut bloom classes the competition was very close indeed. For 
twenty-four distinct Japanese and incurved the silver cup was given by 
W. T. Lewis, Esq., in addition to a handsome money prize. A very close 
contest resulted in the judges awarding the cup to Mr. T. Carling, 
gardener to Mrs. Cope, Dove Park, Woolton, for an excellent stand, the 
best Japanese being Etoile de Lyon (fine), Boule d’Or, Beauty of Castle- 
wood (superb), Lord Brooke. Mrs, Walter Cutting, and Viviand Morel. 
Incurved : Violet Tomlin, Empress Eugenie, John Salter, and Lady 
Dorothy. Mr. Goodacre, gardener to the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston 
Castle, Derby, was second, staging amongst others a grand Lord Alcester, 
which was the premier bloom in the Show. Mr. Cragg, gardener to 
A. Heine, Esq., Fallowfield, was third. For twenty-four miscellaneous 
blooms Mr. Carling was again successful, staging Colonel W. B. Smithy 
Beauty of Castlewood, John Salter, Empress, and Anemones, La Dieul 
and Annie Lowe in splendid condition. An excellent second stand was 
contributed by Mr. R. Pinnington, gardener to Mrs. Banner, Blacklow 
House, Roby; Mr. J. Roberts, gardener to H. Lightbown, Esq., Weaste 
Hall, being third. 
For twelve incurved Mr. Cragg first, Mr. Pinnington second, and 
Mr. G. F. Brotherston, gardener to Mrs. Titus Salt, Bingley, third. For 
twelve Japanese Mr. R. Pinnington was an easy first, staging bright 
coloured and fresh flowers. Mr. Brotherston was second with fine 
coloured flowers not fully developed, and Mr. Craggs third. For six 
incurved and six Japanese Mr. Cragg, Mr. Wainwright, and Mr. 
Pinnington took the prizes. 
The amateurs classes were well filled, but space prevents a detailed 
report. Mr. Huber was first for six Anemones (two classes), twelve 
miscellaneous (three classes), whilst for twelve Japanese, twelve 
