December 14, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
681 
Show, and if they will do so I can only say that I for one will endeavour 
to support them.—A n Old Exhibitor. 
I TRUST there will be not only a strong backing-up of “ H. W. W.’s” 
appeal (page 508) for a resuscitation of the September Fruit 
Show, but also that a sort of memorial from a large number of 
fruit growers will be prepared, signed, and sent to the Crystal 
Palace Directors in favour of the suggestion. Let “ H. W. W.” prepare 
the memorial and sign it, then send it to the Editor, who should be 
authorised by fruit growers all over the kingdom to attach their 
signatures, sent on specially provided slips, and it could then be 
forwarded to the Crystal Palace Directors. It is so obvious that not only 
has no other show been found a substitute for this exhibition but there 
is less probability than ever in the future that any substitute will be 
furnished anywhere in or about London. The opportunity is an excellent 
one for the Directors to resume their proper position in relation to the 
National Autumn Fruit Show.—D. 
MESSRS. E. D. SHUTTLE WORTH & CO., LTD. 
Although but some three years or so have elapsed since Messrs. 
E. D. Shuttleworth & Co., Ltd., first established themselves at the 
Albert Nurseries, Peckham Rye, they have obviously made great 
progress, and the firm now occupies a prominent position amongst metro¬ 
politan nurserymen. Visitors to exhibitions held in the metropolis, 
also in the provinces, have often had their attention drawn to the 
meritorious exhibits staged by this firm, and these, with the judicious 
management of the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Charles Hicks, have 
done much towards building up a growing business. The Albert Nur¬ 
series are situated about half a mile from Honor Oak Station, and rather 
more from Peckham Rye, both on the London, Chatham, and Dover 
Railway, Messrs. C. Hicks, H. Wigley, and T. Baker being the directors. 
To meet the increasing demands several large glass structures have 
recently been built, and these, together with many other houses and 
numerous pits and frames, are filled with healthy plants of various 
descriptions. 
Being growers for the wholesale as well as retail trade Messrs. E. D. 
Shuttleworth & Co. carry on an extensive business in ornamental 
foliage and flowering plants suitable for decorative purposes. Palms 
for example are strongly represented, and we are keeping within bounds 
in saying that so far as these are concerned the firm can hold its own 
perhaps with any in the country. Thousands of plants in all stages of 
growth may be seen, including seedlings an inch or so in height to those 
magnificent specimens 10 or more feet high, which have embellished 
so many exhibitions during the past two or three years. It is impossible 
to enumerate the whole of the species grown, but it may be mentioned 
that of such popular kinds as Cocos Weddelliana, Geonoma gracilis, 
Kentia Canterburyana, K. Belmoreana, K. Fosteriana, Latania borbonica, 
and Areca lutescens there is an enormous stock. Asparagus plumosus 
nanus is largely grown, there being an almost insatiable demand for this 
decorative plant, and the same applies to the best of the Dracaenas. The 
last-named plants are characterised by a clean healthy appearance, and 
bear the impress of skilful cultivation. Crotons, too, receive special atten¬ 
tion, as a glance at the beautifully coloured foliage will testify. If further 
corroboration were necessary we have it in the fact that the firm has on 
several occasions procured first prizes for these plants when exhibited. 
Only the best are kept in stock, and thousands of young plants are 
annually propagated. What has been said in regard to Palms is 
applicable to Ferns, which appear to have more than ordinary notice 
given them. Several houses are devoted to their culture, and it may be 
observed that immense numbers of the best decorative kinds are raised 
from spores. Some plants of A. farleyense in 6-inch pots were exceed¬ 
ingly healthy, as also were Pteris tremula Smithiana, and Davallias of 
various kinds. Ornamental foliage Begonias are not forgotten, there 
being a good demand for these plants; also Araucaria excelsa, Aralias in 
variety, Marantas, Aspidistras, and Cyperuses. As is now well known 
Cycads are a specialty at the Albert Nurseries, and some splendid 
specimens of C. revoluta have been exhibited by the firm on several 
occasions. Other foliage plants deserving of individual notice are 
Poinsettia pulcherrima variegata, Abutilon foliis variegata. Souvenir de 
Bonn ; also the new Sonerila Baron Sallier and Phrynium variegatum, 
a plant worthy of more extensive cultivation. 
Whilst so much attention is given to ornamental foliaged plants it 
must not be thought that those usually grown for their flowers are 
overlooked. The latter are cultivated quite as extensively as the former, 
and equally as well. Roman Hyacinths and Lily of the Valley are now 
blooming profusely, while the early Due Van Thol Tulips are already 
showing their brilliant blossoms. Large consignments of well-ripened 
crowns of Lily of the Valley, with bulbs, are imported from abroad, and 
apart from the forced flowers during the winter and spring, a rising trade 
is done in roots through the autumn. Messrs. E. D Shuttleworth & Co. 
also import thousands of Ghent, Mollis, and other Azaleas, and many of 
these are now expanding their flower buds in a genial temperature. 
Others, again, are temporarily planted in beds for furnishing a later 
supply and meeting the demands for imported plants that arise. Orchids 
are grown in good numbers, as also are Zonal, Ivy-leaved, and other 
Pelargoniums. An immense stock of Marguerites in pits attracts 
notice, and Gardenias are well represented, the plants being clean and 
healthy. Ericas in variety, double Primulas, Bouvardias, and Cyclamens 
are also extensively grown. 
Messrs. E. D. Shuttleworth k. Co. have a branch nursery at Fleet, 
Hampshire, over which Mr. Wigley presides, and here, the Journal 
representative was informed, hardy plants, Roses, Coniferm, forest and 
fruit trees, are grown in large numbers. About two acres of ground are 
devoted to the culture of Daffodils, which give promise of becoming a 
leading feature in the business. Carnations and Dahlias, with other 
popular flowers, likewise have attention, all the newer varieties of these 
being cultivated. Much more could be said in regard to this thriving 
business, but the foregoing will suffice to show the firm merits all the 
attention that has been given. It is worthy of mention, however, that 
comprehensive and well arranged catalogues of general plants, bulbs, 
and seeds are issued by this firm, and these, like the plants, deserve 
more than a passing glance. 
DESSERT TABLE COMPETITIONS. 
The points raised by Mr. E. Harland in connection with this subject 
(page 519) may perhaps appear confusing to some, but to my mind the 
matter is clear and simple enough, as it hinges upon the query. Can a 
dessert table be considered “ completely laid out ” if no fruit or other 
accessories are placed upon it? Decidedly, yes, as the custom of not 
placing fruit upon the table is a rapidly extending one. True, there are 
hosts of families among whom the older custom of placing both fruits 
and sweetmeats upon the table still lingers. That, however, does not 
prove a dessert table to be incomplete without them, any more than 
that a dinner table would not be considered “ completely laid out ” 
unless the viands were placed upon it. In my opinion, therefore, the 
Judges at the Hull Chrysanthemum Show rightly awarded the first prize 
to the table which was acknowledged to be the best artistic arrange¬ 
ment, and I fail to see how a protest for disqualification could have been 
sustained by the point raised.—H. Dunkin. 
On first reading the paragraph contained in the Hull Chrysanthemum 
schedule, one naturally comes to the conclusion that the exhibitor who 
had no dishes of fruit in his exhibit for dessert table decoration would 
render himself liable to disqualification. But, on closer scrutiny, it is 
plain that the Judges would not have been justified in disqualifying such 
exhibit, as it would be quite in conformity with the wording of the 
schedule. One has no doubt as to what was in the minds of the Com¬ 
mittee when arranging for this class, though the Judges cannot take into 
account any intentions of the donors of such prizes, but must give their 
decision according to the exact wording of the schedule. 
The clause is very explicit as to what flowers and foliage are to be 
used, but not a word as to what kind of dessert fruit, or how many 
dishes, “ if any,” were required ; the word “ completely ” contains, no 
doubt a good deal of meaning, but to have its full significance the clause 
should read, “completely laid out, with not less than ‘ so many ’ dishes 
or varieties of dessert fruits.”— Geo. Woodgate, Warren House Gardens, 
Kingston Hill, Surrey. _ 
It is very evident that the problem propounded for solution by Mr. 
Harland is more one for logicians than for table decorators. Custom or 
rule does not bind the case. It is to be determined by interpretation of 
words. Those of primary importance are “dessert” and “completely. 
Now, with regard to the first, what is a dessert table ? Clearly one at 
which people sit to partake of whatsoever of fruit, sweets, and drinks, 
may be placed before them. Now, we have hundreds of dinner- 
table competitions florally dressed, but because “ dinner-table ” did any¬ 
one ever hold that in any such competition there must be placed on the 
table dishes of meats, entries, poultry, fish, vegetables, and sauces ? Of 
course no one. It is held that dinners are not now so served, but rather 
are furnished a la Russe. That estimate has always been excepted, and 
no one perhaps has ever held that because called “ dinner ’’-table 
the presence of the usual accompaniments of a dinner were essential. 
We have but to apply the same rule to a “dessert” table, and the 
solution of the problem is found. 
Besides, it is evident that “ fruit,” or the ordinary concomitants of a 
dessert, was not in the minds of the framers of the schedule, or they 
would have so expressed themselves. On the other hand. Chrysanthemum 
flowers and foliage are specially enjoined. It is so obvious that the 
prize is given for the best floral dressing, because the form or material 
of dressing is strictly enjoined. Then as to the interpretation of the 
word “ completely,” who would undertake to assume when or how a 
table was completely furnished with dessert ? Say it is for six persons, 
should the dessert include a Pine, white and black Grapes, Pe^rs and 
Apples, Oranges, dried fruits, nuts, sweets, biscuits, and wines. 
Does not all this paraphernalia present itself to any sensible person’s 
mind as preposterous ? Indeed, were it bound to be furnished, it is but 
too evident that the judgment of the tables would be more contingent 
on the fruits than on the floral decorations and their style of arrange¬ 
ment. That it is not now the ordinary practice at small dinner tables 
to place all the dessert on the table—a vicious practice—but to hand it 
round from the sideboard, shows that in merely furnishing plates, knives 
and forks, and one or two trivial dishes, that the principal decorator 
merely wished to convey the idea, as intimated in the schedule, that 
places at the table were furnished for six people, and that number only. 
That was his interpretation of the word “ completely,” and it would seem 
to be the only logical one. 
A dessert table does not mean one dressed with a dessert. Had such 
been expected it would have been specially provided for. What was 
required is what is fully expressed in the quotation from the schedule. 
