September 14, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
261 
so, too, were Apples, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes. The vegetables shown 
in this section were highly creditable, most of the classes being well 
filled, many of the vegetables being good in quality, but the Cauliflowers 
were too large. Collections of herbs were excellent. 
In the cottagers’ section there was an imposing display of vegetables, 
upwards of fifty plates of Potatoes being among the more conspicuous 
features. Cabbages, Carrots, Parsnips, Turnips, Vegetable Marrows, 
and Onions all being superior examples of high cultivation, and the 
collections of vegetables, of which there were nine, were also of remark¬ 
able excellence. 
BIRKENHEAD AND WIRRAL.— Septembee 7th axd 8th. 
This Exhibition, in connection with the Agricultural Show, was 
held on the above dates at the Bidston Show Ground, and was a decided 
advance on previous years, both as regards the entries and the general 
excellence of the exhibits. Fine weather prevailed on the first day, and 
in consequence the attendance was very large. 
For five foliage and five flowering plants, Mr. A. Brown, gardener to 
Geo. Webster, Esq., was first with a very good collection, the best 
flowering plant being Ixora coccinea, and foliage, Croton Rothschild- 
ianum. Macgregor Laird, Esq., was a good second. For a group of 
plants arranged for effect, Mr. J. Bounds, gardener to A. L. Jones, Esq., 
Aigburth, took first honours, Mr. E. Bradshaw second, and Macgregor 
Laird, Esq., third. They were much after the style of the smaller 
groups which have been from time to time commented upon in the 
Journal, For three stove or greenhouse plants in bloom, Mr. A. Brown 
was first, having a fine Ixora coccinea. For a similar number of 
foliage plants the same exhibitor was again successful, also for one 
greenhouse plant in bloom, one stove plant in bloom with a very fine 
Dipladenia, one foliage plant, three Ferns and one Fern, three Tuberous 
Begonias, three Pelargoniums, and one Fuchsia, a most creditable per¬ 
formance, those competing against him having plants of the highest 
quality. The second prizes were taken by Macgregor Laird, Esq., for 
the three foliage plants, greenhouse plant in bloom, three stove and 
greenhouse plants in bloom, and three Tuberous Begonias. Mr. J. 
Bounds was second for three Ferns, the prize for one Palm going to 
Mr. J. W. Totty, gardener to W. Laird, Esq. Mr. A. J. Stanley, gardener 
to J. R. Callander, Esq., took the prize for three Coleuses, and Mr. J. 
Bounds for table plants. 
Cut flowers, particularly Dahlias and Asters, were splendidly shown, 
and the competition was keen. For the best bouquet the first prize was 
won by Mr. S. Johnson, the second going to Mr. J. Williams, gardener to 
C. J. Procter, Esq., the latter winning in classes for sprays for ladies and 
buttonhole bouquets for gentlemen. Mr. R. Brownbill, gardener to 
J. C. Sinclair, Esq., was successful with six Roses ; Mr. C. Terry, 
gardener to C. H. Skelsey, Esq., had the best three blooms. For twelve 
Cactus Dahlias Mr. A. J. Stanley was an easy winner, his blooms being 
fresh, solid, and very fine in colour. Mr. J. H. Bennett was second. 
The same exhibitor was also first for six Cactus Dahlias. The prizes for 
twelve Dahlias and six other than Cactus were taken by Mr. J. Lee, 
the second going to Mr. J. Clarke. The prizes for six Gladioli, six 
Asters, and six outdoor cut flowers went also to Mr. Lee. For twelve 
Asters J. Howell, Esq. (gardener, F. Davies), was first; and for six 
Asters and twelve varieties outdoor cut flowers Macgregor Laird, Esq., 
was successful. The prizes for Hollyhocks and Everlasting Flowers went 
to Messrs. T. Brocklebank and Williams. The awards for twelve, six, 
and three varieties of cut flowers grown indoors fell in each instance to 
Mr. R. Pinnington, gardener to Mrs. Banner, Blacklow House, Roby, 
with a choice collection, the second prizes going to Messrs. Brown and 
Bounds. 
For six dishes of fruit Mr. M. Hannagan, gardener to R. C. Naylor, 
Esq., Hooton Hall, Cheshire, was first, the collection being very fine 
in every respect. The second prize was won by Mr. G. McCreadie, 
gardener to J. W. Haigh, Esq. For a collection of hardy fruits the 
first prize was secured by Mr. C. Worker, gardener to Mrs. Blomfield. 
Second Mr. Hannagan. Mr. R. Brownbill won with two bunches Black 
Hamburgh, small in berry, but well coloured. Mr. Ferguson, gardener 
to Mrs. Paterson, Rock Ferry, was second. For two bunches of Grapes, 
any other black, Mr. J. Richards, gardener to Mrs. Friend, was first 
with fine Madresfield Court, Mr. R. W. Hudson being second with same 
variety. The first prize for two bunches of Muscats was well won by 
Mr. J. Barker gardener to Alderman Raynes, Rock Ferry, with well 
finished samples, whilst Mr. McCreadie won for any other white with 
Buckland Sweetwater. With six Nectarines Mr. Hannagan was the 
only exhibitor. In the class for Peaches Mr. R. Pinnington won with a 
grand dish of Gladstone, large in size and fine colour. The prizes for 
scarlet-flesh Melons went to Messrs. Ferguson and Pinnington, and for 
green-flesh to Messrs. Hannagan and Pinnington. Apples were especi¬ 
ally fine, the prizes for six dessert going to Mr. John Clarke, six Lord 
SuflSelds to Mr. W. B. Burnham ; whilst for six of any other culinary 
variety the first and second exhibits of Peasgood’s Nonesuch, staged by 
Messrs. Williams and Hannagan, were much admired. Messrs. Ferguson 
and Lee won with dessert Pears, and Mr. T. Watkinson with Plums. 
The collections of vegetables were all of the highest merit and made 
a most extensive display. For eight distinct kinds Mr. S. Salisbury, 
gardener to C. H. Carson, Esq., secured the leading prize, the Cauli¬ 
flowers and Carrots being particularly fine. The second prize went to 
Mr. J. Williams for smaller produce. In the open Ciass for eight distinct 
kinds, Mr. McCreadie was successful also with a fine exhibit. Tomatoes 
were well shown, there being eighteen exhibits entered in class for 
twelve fruits. Mr. McMaster, gardener to Sir Ughtred K. Shuttleworth, 
Ganthorpe Hall, Burnley, was successful with fine, fresh and even fruits 
of Perfection. For six, T. Brocklebank, Esq., was placed first. Potatoes 
made a great display, being of excellent quality throughout. For 
twelve white rounds and same number of kidneys the prizes went to 
Mr. James Ismay, and for corresponding classes for coloured Potatoes to 
Mr. Thomas Woolrich. Onions, Leeks, and Shallots were in abundance, 
the prizes going to Messrs. McCreadie, Richards, J. Piggott, Mrs. G. 
Cooke, and Mr. Woolrich in the order named. Beans, Peas, Celery, 
Cucumbers, Cauliflowers, Vegetable Marrows, Lettuce, Cabbages, 
Beetroots, Parsnips, Turnips and Carrots were well shown. 
Messrs. Webb & Sons of Stourbridge were awarded a gold medal for 
an extensive assortment of agricultural seeds, vegetable seeds and dried 
specimens of various Grasses, which made an imposing stand. Another 
representative stand was arranged by Mr. H. Middlehurst, Manchester 
Street, Liverpool, and a silver medal awarded. Messrs. Dickson 
(Limited), Chester, also took honours with a tent filled with choice 
collections of stove and greenhouse plants, Dahlias and herbaceous cut 
flowers, which were much appreciated. Other exhibitors were 
McHattie & Co., Chester, with a display of seeds and natural Grassus.— 
R. P. R. 
EARL’S COURT.— September 13th. 
A VBRY attractive display was got together on this occasion, the 
drawback being that it was too large, so much tabling being in demand 
that the marquee was too full to afford much room for promenading, 
and even under this condition of affairs overflow space had to be found 
in another part of the building. Dahlias were a great feature, the 
groups of them being extremely beautiful. Asters, Helianthuses, and 
hardy flowers generally were also in good force, and the fruit exhibits 
were an attraction in themselves. 
There were three stands in the principal Dahlia class—that for sixty 
blooms. Show and Fancy, and Mr. C. Turner followed up his Palace 
victory by scoring with an excellent stand, his flowers being in splendid 
condition. They were very smooth, even, fresh, and well coloured, the 
best being William Keith, Mrs. Saunders, John Hickling, George 
Rawlings, Grand Sultan, Kathleen, Richard Dean, and Clara. Messrs. 
Keynes, Williams & Co. had distinctly smaller flowers, and they were 
perhaps hardly so smooth as those of Mr. Turner, but in other respects 
they were excellent, colour and cleanliness being irreproachable. They 
were placed second, and the third prize was given to Mr. Mortimer, a 
point being strained in his favour, as he had James O’Brien (self) and 
Duchess of Albany (self), which are duplicates, in his stand. Messrs. 
Saltmarsh & Son had a beautiful stand of twenty-four, the flowers being 
delightfully fresh, clean, and fine. Perfection, Harry Keith, Peacock, 
and Colonist were extra good. Mr. Arthur Rawlings was .second, and 
Mr. G. Humphries third. 
In the amateurs’ class for twenty-four. Show and Fancy, Mr. J. T. 
West, gardener to W. Keith, Esq., Cornwalls, Brentwood, won with an 
admirable box, the flowers being very smooth and even. Mrs. Gladstone, 
Geo. Rawlings, Harry Keith, Lustrous, and Prince Bismarck were a few 
of the best. Mr. Hobbs, St. Mark’s Road, Euston, was seeond, and 
Mr. Vagg, gardener to W. Theobald, Esq., M.P., Bedfords, Romford, 
third. With twelve, J. G. Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South Woodford 
won, and he had an admirable box, all the flowers being shapely, fresh 
clean, and bright. Mrs. Gladstone and Maud Fellowes were perhaps 
the two best. Mr. W. Hopkins, New Passage, Bristol, was second with 
smaller blooms, and Mr. Cooper, Chippenham, third. 
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co. had the best of four stands of 
eighteen Cactus or Decorative, nearly all their varieties being of the 
true Cactus type. Delicata, Lady Penzance, Apollo, Sir Roger, Bertha 
Mawley, and Gloriosa were particularly noticeable. Messrs. Cheal and 
Sons followed, their best being Robt. Cannell, Ernest Cannell, Kaiserin, 
Sir Roger, and Bertha Mawley. Messrs. Burrell & Co. were third. The 
best amateur’s box of Cactus was that from Mr. Brown, gardener to 
M. W. Morris, Esq., Oak Lodge, Horley, who had very fine clusters of 
Kynerith, Professor Baldwin, and Delicata amongst others. Mr. J. 
Stredwick, Silver Hill, St. Leonards, was second, and Mr. West third. 
The latter was first with Pompons, Messrs. Cooper and Stredwick 
following. All were very good stands, Mr. West’s flowers being 
charming in the extreme. There were four collections of twenty-four 
Pompon varieties in bunches of ten (nurserymen), the best being that of 
Mr. C. Turner, whose flowers were in perfect condition. Eric, Rosalie, 
Mars, Eurydice, Rowena, and A. West were exceptionally good. Messrs. 
Cheat & Sons were a close second with delightful clusters, and Messrs. 
Keynes, Williams & Co. were third. Only one stand of twelve singles 
turned up out of seven entries, and that came from Mr. Girdlestone. 
It was a beautiful box, and well merited the first prize. 
Prizes were offered for a collection of Dahlias grouped for effect, 
and they made a magnificent display, all being arranged with taste and 
informality. Messrs. Cheal & Sons were placed first and the award was 
undoubtedly correct, although Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co. made a 
good fight. The Crawley firm had employed singles and Pompons with 
admirable taste. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were third. 
Mr. Wythes appeared to have made a special effort in the class for a 
collection of stove and greenhouse flowers, and won with consummate 
ease. He had splendid clusters of Nerine Fothergilli major, a new and 
beautiful blush-coloured Dipladenia named Lady Louisa Edgerton, 
Dendrobium Phalmnopsis Schroderiana, Aerides Lawrenciae, Hymeno- 
callis macrostephana, and several Bouvardias. It was a splendid box. 
Mr. J. Prewitt was second ; and Mr. Gibson, gardener to T. F. Burnaby 
Atkins, Esq., third. Messrs. Paul & Son won with a collection of 
Michaelmas Daisies; Messrs. Burrell & Co. being second, and Mr. Such 
