154 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 18, 189?. 
stands of twenty-four and twelve distinct varieties, in which were some 
excellent flowers, while in the class for twelve Teas and Noisettes Mr 
W. II. Fowler carried off the first prize with a stand which might well 
have been shown in the height of the Rose season with a good prospect 
of carrying off honours. Among the flowers were magnificent blooms of 
Comtesse de Nadaillac, Souvenir d’un Ami, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon 
grand ; Jean Ducher, Marie Van Houtte, &c. It was a great treat to 
see such a stand at this season of the year, and confirmed my 
opinion that Mr. Fowler will be a very formidable competitor to most 
of our most foremost growers of Tea Roses. He had also another fine 
stand of twelve Gladioli, amongst which was Madame Aubro, a new 
-trench variety to which a first class certificate was awarded. 
Nothing is more remarkable to one who has attended these Shows 
tor many years than the vast improvement which has taken place in 
table decorations. I remember when Miss Cypher used to arrange 
one of her exquisite tables here, which only served to bring out the 
very poor and tasteless character of the others ; but now she has 
retired. Her teaching has had its effect, and some very beautiful 
arrangements were exhibited. There is nothing in which so much 
difference of opinion exists, and especially amongst ladies, as to the 
r nt \? f ^ h l blt8 m t5lia class - My own opinion still is, that that of 
Mis. McAllister, to which the second prize was awarded, ought to 
have taken a higher place. It was mainly composed of Iceland Poppies, 
and was exceedingly light and graceful. F 
I have only in this report drawn attention to some of the exhibits, 
for it would be not very profitable, I think, to go more into detail, 
although there were a large number of both plants and cut flowers which 
were very beautiful and examples of good cultivation ; but enough has 
been done, I hope, to show that this fine Exhibition still maintains its 
high position, and is a centre of good influence on horticulture and its 
kindred sciences to the West of England. I need hardly add that all 
the arrangements were well carried out, and that the officials, esneciallv 
the Hon. Secretaries, Messrs. Maynard and Hammett, did all that lay in 
D imT™ 1 t0 make ifc P leasanfc for exhibitors, judges, and visitors.— 
Taunton Fruit Ciasses. 
It was generally considered the best show of fruit and vegetables 
that has ever been seen at Taunton. In addition to all the classes being 
exceptionally well filled it was also observable that very little inferior 
pruduce was staged. There were six entries for a collection of ten 
dishes of frmt, five being brought. Mr. W. Igguld.n, gardener to che 
Earl of Cork, Marston House, Frome, succeeded in winning the first 
prize, and also a silver medal offered for the most meritorious exhibit in 
the fruit classes. His best dishes were very well finished Madresfield 
Court Grape, Golden Gem Melon, Sea Eagle Peaches, and Oullins 
Golden Plum. Mr. J. Lloyd, gardener to Vincent Stuckey, Esq., 
Langport, was a very close second, having very good Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria and Black Hamburgh Grapes, a grand seedling Melon, fine 
e egarde I eaches, and other good dishes. The third prize went to 
Mr. Crossman, gardener to J. Brutton, Esq., Yeovil, the front dishes in 
this case being remarkably good, but the Grapes were poor. Seven 
staged collections of four varieties of fruit, but the prizes went to the 
same exhibitors and in the same order as in the larger class. 
Ten competed with Black Hamburgh Grapes, the first prize going to 
Mr. F. Crossman, gardener to Earl Poulet, who had large bunches, the 
berries also being large, but not particularly well finished. Mr. Iggulden 
followed with smaller but much better finished bunches. There was 
good competition in the any other black class, Mr. C. Warden, Clarendon 
Park Gardens, Salisbury, being first with very good Madresfield Court, 
Mr. Iggulden following with neat, well finished bunches of the same 
variety. I he best Muscat of Alexandria, the bunches being heavy and 
r re sbown Mr - W - Conolly, gardener to 
■in ^ ^ Sq ’’ R °g is > Mr. Iggulden again being second 
with small well coloured bunches. In the any other white classes all 
the prizes went to Buckland Sweetwater, Mr. Warden being well first 
with grand clusters ; and Mr. Webber, gardener to G. F. Luttrell, Esq 
Dunster Castle, a good second. 
Melons were numerously shown, but the majority cut badly Mr 
Lloyd was first for Davenham at its best, and Mr. F. Crossman second.' 
Peaches were shown remarkably well, Mr. J. Crossman being first with 
a perfect dish of Dymond, and Mr. Lloyd second with good Bellegarde 
Nectarines again were numerous and good, and with these Mr J Cro«s- 
man gained the first prize, staging extra good fruit of Pine Apple Mr 
Daffurn Weston-super-Mare, being second with Elruge in good condi- 
tmn Mr. Webber was first and Mr. Iluxtable second with Apricots 
and the principal winners in the other fruit classes were Messrs Cross- 
man Iggulden, Sanford, Tottle, Tucker, Perkins, and G. Garraway 
Vegetables filled one large tent and half of another, cottagers 
contributing extensively. Coarseness rather prevails, and the tendency 
seems too much towards great size, especially in the Potato classes. The 
principal P n ^winners in the open classes were Messrs. Garraway, 
J. Crossman, Webber, W. Greedy (gardener to Major Borton), H. Moore, 
W. M Bryant, H F Manley, G. Ricks, W. A. Sanford, A. Tucker (gar¬ 
dener to Major Wise), and F. J. C. Parsons. ^ 
ST. ALBANS. — August 11th. 
Without doubt this was the best Show in the history of the Society. 
TUrJ, VC u th ? r ( ' vaa fort uua tel y fine—a new feature in St. Albans Shows. 
Throughout the Exhibition the quality of most things staged was of the 
best, and in some classes the competition was very keen. 
-p F °md VC and g reenhouse plants Mr. Nutting, gardener to B. Maple, 
( sq., M.i , secured the first prize with some beautiful specimens, 
folio wed closely by Mr. Fergusson, gardener to Mr. Maclllwraith. 
r. Is uttmg was again first for flowering or foliage plants, with Mr. 
Sconce, gardener to J. S. Hill, Esq., Hawkswick, second. This exhibitor 
was awarded first prize for six exotic Ferns. Some beautiful plants 
were shown, a fine Adiantum farleyense standing out well from the 
others. 
For a group of plants arranged for effect Mr. Nutting again won the 
first prize with a very light and graceful group, and Mr. Sconce was a 
good second. A new feature was the offer of a prize for the best 
arranged group of variegated ornamental foliage plants to cover a space 
of 12 feet by 6 feet. This was secured by Mr. E. Beckett, gardener to- 
E. ii Gibbs, Esq., Aldenham House, with a very finely coloured 
collection. Roses did not bring many competitors, but the specimens 
staged were good considering the time of the year. Mr. Beckett was 
first for twenty-four II P.’s, and Mr. Wilsher, gardener to W. H. 
Bingham-Cox, Esq., of Tolmers Minns, was second. These gentlemen 
took the same position for six Teas. Mr. F. W. Bush, an amateur of 
‘ . Alban s, was first for twelve II.P. Roses. Cut stove and greenhouse 
flowers were a fine exhibit, and the Judges had some difficulty in award¬ 
ing the prizes, which were given to Messrs. Beckett and T. Nutting 
respectively. An offer for a prize for an unlimited number of herbaceous 
flowers brought one of the prettiest exhibits of the Show, Mr. Beckett 
being first with a collect! n of fifty varieties. For twelve kinds of 
herbaceous flowers Messrs. F. J. Smith & Son, nurserymen, St. Albans 
gained the first prize. 
Fruit made a fine show. For white and black Grapes Mr. Beckett 
was awarded first prize with some fine coloured Muscat of Alexandria- 
and Gros Maroc, Mr Nutting taking second in each class. Peaches, 
Nectarines, Melons, Cherries, and Apples were also well shown. 
. , Vegetables made a large display, and the competition was very keen 
indeed The first prize offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons fell to Mr. 
Beckett, and the second to Mr. G. Dormer, gardener to Mr. Rowland, 
Elstree. Mr. Beckett seemed invincible, for the first prize offered bv 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co. was also adjudged to him. The table decorations 
were very pretty and good, the arrangement being on tables 7 feet by 
4 ieet C inches. J 
The honorary exhibitors were numerous. Mr. Gibbs, Aldenham 
House, contributed four fine Palms for the centre of the large tent. 
Mr Pauiof the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, and Messrs. Paul & Son of 
Waltham Cross both contributed a good number of cut Roses and 
bunches of herbaceous flowers. Mr. Cutbush had a pleasing group of 
miscellaneous plants near the entrance, and Mr. Spriggings of St. Albans 
had staged a small group opposite to the entrance. Mr. Sander of 
St. Albans sent a number of Orchids, and it is almost superfluous to add 
that they were good. Cottagers’ classes were well filled, and generally 
their staging showed a decided improvement. 
THE NATIONAL CARNATION AND PICOTEE SOCIETY 
NORTHERN DIVISION. 
The annual Exhibition of the Northern Section took place at the 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Manchester, on Saturday, the 13th irist and 
there was a good number of growers and flowers. The Picotees were 
fine generally, many of the flowers especially so ; and the Carnations 
also were of good quality. 
In the class for twelve Carnations, dissimilar, Mr. Tom Lord Tod- 
morden, was first with an excellent stand, having Master Fred, Mercury 
James Douglas, Seedling C.B., Bruce Findlay, very fine; William 
Skirving, Sybil, Admiral Curzon, very fine (also the premier bloom) • 
J. D. Hexta 1, Master Stanley, Seedling R.F., fine ; Dan Godfrey, and 
Robert Houlgrave. Second, Mr. R. Sydenham, Birmingham, with Master 
j > cordon Lewis, and Sarah Payne, very fine ; Sportsman, Alisemonde, 
Edward Adams, Thalia, Joseph Lakin, William Skirving, Lovely Marv 
George Melville, and Admiral Curzon. Third, Mr. A. R. Brown* 
Birmingham, with Edward Adams. Fanny Hudson, R. Thomson, J. D* 
Hextali, Sqinre Whitham, Sportsman, C. H. Herbert, Alisemonde, 
Robert Iloulgrave, Sarah Payne, Biddy Malone, and Richard Bealey. 
Fourth, Mr. J. Whitham, Hebden Bridge. Fifth, Messrs. Thomson and 
Co., Birmingham. Sixth, Mr. H. Geggie, Bury, Lancashire. In the 
class for six Carnations, dissimilar, first, Mr. Crossly Head, Hebden 
Bridge, with J. D. Hextali, very fine; Sybil, Dan Godfrey, Mayor of 
Nottingham, Master Fred, and Robert Houlgrave, Second, Mr. C. F. 
Thurstan, Wolverhampton, with James Merryweather, very fine * 
Ivanhoe, Crista Galli, William Skirving, Sir Garnet Wolseley and* 
Robert Houlgrave. Third, Mr. J. Bleackley, Whitefield ; fourth, Mr. J. 
Edwards, Manchester; fifth, Mr. S. Barlow ; sixth, Mr. C. Thorniley' 
Middleton ; seventh, Mr. W. Bacon, Derby ; eighth, Mr. W. Taylor 
Middleton. J * 
For twelve Picotees, dissimilar, there was a strong and close competi- 
* Messrs. Thomson & Co., Birmingham, with a superb stand 
of flowers comprising grand blooms of Little Phil, Henry (unusually 
a™. Nellie, Campanini, Thomas William (very fine indeed), Mrs. 
A. Chancellor (very fine and bright in colour), Dr. Huxley (medium 
rose edged, of spotless purity), Mrs. Sharp, John Smith, Constance 
Ileron, Elizabeth, and Brunette. Second, Mr. R. Sydenham with 
Dr. Epps (very clean ground and bright), Little Phil, Favourite (very 
r.u’ 8 Plus Ultra (an extra bright heavy red edged), Amy 
Lobsart, Ann Lord, Norman Carr, Zerlina, Mrs. Gorton, Mrs. Sharp 
(very fine), Mary, and Lady Holmesdale. Third, Mr. T. Lord with 
Little I hil, Ann Lord (very pure and fine), Brunette, Norman Carr, 
