68 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 21, 1892. 
majority were deficient in size. Mr. Hugh Dickson, Belfast, carried off 
most of the first prizes in the trade classes, but even in Ulster, judging 
by the blooms from this firm, the Roses have had a bad summer. Messrs. 
Croall & Son, Dundee, followed the Belfast grower, and they relied 
mainly on Teas, which, though small, were neat. This firm was also 
first in the Tea class. The gardener and amateur sections call for no 
particular comment. 
Grapes were the noteworthy feature, and never have better or a 
larger number of bunches been set up at a summer meeting of this 
Society. The chief items were four bunches from Mr. Smith, Oxenford 
Castle, to which the first prize was given. This consisted of two well 
ripened clusters of Buckland Sweetwater and of Black Hamburgh. Mr. 
Murray, Polmont, was second. The same exhibitor was first with two 
fine bunches of Madresfield Court, with two Black Hamburgh, of which 
there were a large number of excellent examples, and with two Bowood 
Muscat, large but green. Mr. Boyd, Callender House, Falkirk, was the 
sole exhibitor of a collection of fruit, and in the classes for Pine Apples, 
Figs, Peaches, Nectarines, and Strawberries there was only slight com¬ 
petition. Mr. Allan, Gunton Park, had boxes of his seedling Straw¬ 
berries, Lord Suffield and Gunton Park, and to these a “highly com¬ 
mended ” ticket was attached. Of vegetables there were hardly any. 
Orchids were only sparely represented, but comprised some good 
specimens of Vanda suavis, several Odontoglossums, and a few 
Oattleyas. 
Some of the most interesting exhibits were to be found in the trade 
collections. That of Mr. D. W. Thomson was chiefly stove and green¬ 
house plants. Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons had a table of the same 
kind. Messrs. Laird and Mather of Kelso struck out a new line with a 
handsome group of Malmaison Carnations in pots, supplemented with 
baskets of Germania blooms and boxes of Malmaisons. They also 
exhibited for the first time a new border Carnation named Lady 
Nina Balfour. The colour is a peculiar shade of soft rose, and the 
flower is very sweet. A first-class certificate was awarded. Messrs. 
Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, staged, among other things, an excellent 
assortment of herbaceous and alpine flowers. These attracted much 
attention. Messrs. Dobbie of Rothesay had a representative collection 
of Violas, showing dozens of sorts. P. Barr, yellow ; Queen of Scots, 
deep blue; Peacock, indescribable as to shade ; Rothes, deep yellow; 
and Max Kolb, intense purple blue, are some examples of pleasing 
kinds. 
MALDON. 
The eighteenth annual Exhibition of the Maldon Horticultural 
Society was held on Wednesday, the 13th inst., in the grounds of 
Maldon Hall, and proved in every way equal to its predecessors. The 
fruit and vegetable classes appear to be the chief feature at Maldon. 
Plants are not quite so numerous. 
In class 1, a group of plants arranged for effect, Mr. E. Smee, 
gardener to 0. Parker, Esq., Woodham Mortimer, secured first position 
with a very attractively arranged group, consisting of Palms, Ferns, 
white Phlox, Asparagus plumosus, and edged very tastefully with Ferns. 
Mr. Saltmarsh, gardener to Miss Hart, Maldon, was second with a 
heavier arrangement, containing a fine plant of Crassula coccinea, 
Liliums, Begonias, Palms, and Ferns. Mr. J. W. Samms, an amateur, was 
third. He is to be congratulated on his group ; the Begonias employed 
were specially good. Zonal Pelargoniums were not quite so keenly con¬ 
tested as usual. First, Mr. W. Pyman ; second, Mr. Ballard ; third, Mr. 
Thorogood. Coleuses were fairly represented, Mr. R. Seabrooke leading 
with well grown plants ; Messrs. Thorogood and Pyman following in the 
older named. Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums were not strongly represented, 
Messrs. Piggot, Pyman, and Saltmarsh being the prizewinners. With 
four Ferns, distinct, Mr. Smee was first, showing good Asplenium bulbi- 
ferum, Pteris tremula and collina ; Miss Sears taking second position 
with a good Davallia Mooreana, Adiantums, &c. Petunias were well 
flowered, Messrs. Pyman and Saltmarsh taking the prizes in the order 
named. Begonias were particularly good. With single varieties Mr. 
J. W. Samms was clearly ahead ; Mr. Ballard was second with smaller 
plants. Double varieties again found Mr. Samms leading. 
With stove or greenhouse plants Mr. Saltmarsh was first with a good 
Crassula, Fuchsia Frau Emma Topfer, and Hoya carnosa. Mr. Samms 
was second with a fine plant of Bouvardia Alfred Neuner, Bougainvillea, 
and Begonia. Plants for table decoration.—First, Mr. S. Moore, gardener 
to Bishop Claughton, Danbury Palace, with very good Dracaenas, Crotons, 
and Palms, Messrs. Seabrooke and Samms taking the other prizes. 
Gloxinias were not very strong. Plants for beauty of foliage found 
Mr. Moore first with Crotons, Acalypha, and Ficus, Mr. Samms being 
second with good Aralia Veitchi, Dracaenas, and Grevillea. Mr. Smee 
was third. For a single specimen plant Mr. Smee was first with a good 
Dracaena, Mr. Samms second with an excellent Kentia, Mr. Seabrooke 
third with a good Araucaria. Baskets of plants were quite a feature, Mr. 
Moore clearly leading with a tastefully arranged basket, Messrs. Salt¬ 
marsh and Seabrooke following in the order named. Class 18, for 
eighteen cut Roses, brought good competition. Mr. Smee was awarded 
first prize for good Mrs. J. Laing, L’ld^ale, and Baroness Rothschild, 
Messrs. Pyman and Kerry being second and third respectively. In the 
twelves the competition was also well fought, Messrs. Moore, Saltmarsh, 
and Kerry proving successful. Zonal Pelargoniums made an excellent 
display. The Committee should make exhibitors label the varieties. 
First, Mr. Saltmarsh, with a very even stand ; second, Mr. Smee, very 
little behind. In the class for hardy flowers Mr. Smee was first, showing 
good bunches of Alstrcemeria, Lychnis, Gaillardias, and Liliums. 
Second, Miss Clear. Third, Mr. Thorogood. Bouquets had a good 
entry. First, Mr. Smee, clearly ahead ; Messrs. Moore and Pyman 
taking the other prizes. 
Fruit classes were all well filled, the entries in the Currant, Straw¬ 
berry, and Raspberry classes were very heavy indeed. Mr. Moore won 
with a collection of fruit, showing creditable dishes of Grapes, Melons, 
and Cherries. Mr. Smee was second with good Melons, Strawberries, 
and Cherries. Third, Mr. J. T. Rolfe with black Grapes. Mr. Moore 
was again first with well coloured bunches. Second, Mr. Seabrooke. 
Third, Mr. Rolfe. The Currants were the finest the Journal representa¬ 
tive has ever seen, the quality was sustained throughout the classes. 
Tomatoes were excellent. In the vegetable classes Potatoes and Peas 
were the most notable features, especially the latter ; the whole of the 
classes were well filled. Numerous classes were provided for cottagers, 
their vegetables and outdoor fruit being quite equal to that in the open 
classes. Some classes had twenty entries. The whole Show was a success 
and appeared to be well patronised. 
PORTSMOUTH.— July 13th, 14th and 15th. 
With the laudable object of assisting local charities an annual’ 
Exhibition is held in the Victoria Park in this famous southern port. 
The site is an excellent one, being convenient to exhibitors and public 
alike, and being situated in the heart of the town is easily accessible to 
the flower-loving public of Portsmouth, and as popular prices are here 
considered the most satisfactory it is not surprising that the attendance 
is large as a rule. The management is undertaken by a strong Com¬ 
mittee, consisting mainly of members of the Town Council, with the 
Mayo’’, Alderman T. Scott Foster, as their Chairman, and Mr. B. Miller 
as Secretary. The arrangements, as is always the case here, were 
perfect, and as handsome prizes are offered, a capital Exhibition was 
the result. 
Plants.—These being in the ascendancy both for numbers and general 
good quality they deserve a first notice. The principal class was that 
for twelve stove or greenhouse varieties, distinct, not less than six in 
bloom. Prizes of £12 10s., £7 10s., and £5 were offered, inducing four 
competitors to take part, making in all a grand display. Mr. Offer, 
gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, was an easy 
first, so good were his flowering plants, and the general good quality 
displayed by the foliage specimens. Ixora Williamsi, 5 feet in diameter, 
Statice Gilberti, Dipladenia amabilis, Erica Candolleana, Dracophyllum 
gracile, with Crotons Warreni and Prince of Wales (very rich), and 
princeps, and Cycas revoluta, showed to the greatest advantage. Mr. 
T. Portnell, gardener to Sir A. Lamb, Bart., Beauport, Battle, Sussex, 
was a good second, Kalosanthes coccinea, Bougainvillea glabra, and 
Erica Parmenteriana rosea were seen to great advantage in this collection. 
Mr. F. Mould, nurseryman, Pewsey, Wilts, was third. £5 was offered 
as first prize for four specimens which brought five entries. Mr. Offer was 
again an easy winner ; in his collection was a magnificently coloured 
example of Croton Sunset, and a freely flowered Erica Shannoni glabra. 
Mr. Wills, florist, Winchester Road, Shirley, was second, Clerodendron 
Balfourianum being especially noteworthy, Mr. Portnell comiDg next. 
Specimen Palms produced a good effect arranged down the centre of 
a large tent, the restrictions being that they should not be less than 
6 feet high, which is a point to be commended when the embellishment 
of the tents is considered. Mr. Offer was invincible, showing well such 
kinds as Kentia Belmorcana, Latania borbonica, and Phoenix tenuis; 
Mr. W. Peel, gardener to Miss Todd, Sidford Lodge, Shirley, second ; 
Mr. Wills third. For one Palm Mr. Offer easily led with a grand 
specimen of Kentia Canterburyana, the picture of health and fully 
15 feet high ; Mr. Peel second. Exotic Ferns were few in number, but 
the quality was superb. For three, Mr. Offer easily gained the leading 
position with large and perfect specimens of Nephrolepis davallioides 
furcans, Davallia Mooreana, and D. polyantha; Mr. Peel followed 
closely. Mr. Offer won for one specimen Tree Fern, not less than 5 feet 
high, with Cyathea dealbata ; Mr. Portnell followed with Dicksonia 
squarrosa. The single specimen flowering plants were only of moderate 
quality, except Mr. Offer’s Erica magnifica, which had no difficulty in 
securing first place; Mr. Mould second. Specimen foliage plants 
showed an improvement. Mr. Offer led with Croton undulatus, fully 
7 feet in diameter, and rich in colour ; Mr. Peel, with Croton Queen 
Victoria, occupied the second place; Mr. Hunt, gardener to Sir W. Pink, 
Shrover Hall, Cosham, was third with Acalypha musaica, a plant not 
often seen in the exhibition tent in large size. Coleus made a large 
display. Mr. S. Dee, gardener to Mrs. Mills, Crescent Villa, Kingston, 
was the most successful, followed by Mr. Hatch, gardener to the 
Victoria Park Committee, Portsmouth. Fuchsias were small, but freely 
flowered, Mr. Hatch staging the best. Mr. Wills had the premier award 
for six Begonias with fairly good specimens ; Mr. Hatch second. Zonal 
Pelargoniums in six varieties made a bright display, Mr. Burridge, 
North End, coming in first easily. Plants for dinner table decoration 
were good, Mr. Wills taking first honours for six ; Mr. N. Molyneux, 
gardener to J. C. Gamier, Esq., Rooksbury Park, Wickham, second. 
Gloxinias appear to be well grown in the neighbourhood. For six Mr. 
Hatch was closely followed by Mr. Hunt for the chief prize, the plants 
being freely flowered and of good quality. 
Handsome prizes were given for groups of plants arranged for effect 
in a semicircle. In the large class Mr. Wills was the most successful, 
having suitable material, and disposing of it without an approach to 
overcrowding, which is very often a fault in classes of this kind. Mr. 
Peel was a good second ; this group lacked colour rather, though some 
suitably grown plants of Francoa ramosa showed to advantage. Mr. 
Hewit third. In a similar class, and a trifle smaller was confined to 
