520 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 28, 1884. 
The Peospects of the Kose Seasox. 
I regret to learn from the recent communication of your interesting 
contributor, Mr. Charles J. Grahame. that the famous rosariums of Bedale 
and Newtownards have suffered so terribly from the recent frosts ; but 
Rose trees are like human nature in this respect—they possess a 
marvellous recuperative power. Soon after receiving Marchioness of 
Londonderry and Caroline d’Arden from the raisers last spring, I had 
to cut them down almost level with the ground. That was in the 
beginning of March; now they are producing magnificent shoots, 
every one crowned with a promising flower bud. 
The influence of the frost is, however, at a later season much more 
tragic in its results, and therefore I think both Messrs. Dicksons and 
Harkness are greatly to be commiserated. The former have given us 
some of the finest Roses of modern times, while the Messrs. Harkness 
have proved themselves almost invincible exhibitors, especially in 
exceptional sultry seasons (like that of 1893), so fatal to the hopes of 
southern cultivators. In my own garden the Rose which has been 
most seriously affected—not by frost, but by excessive rain and the 
absence for days of essential sunlight—is Mardchal Niel. All the other 
Roses, especially the Teas, are exceedingly promising. In the extensive 
gardens at Logan Castle the Austrian Briars have suffered most. 
—David R. Williamson. 
York Rose Show. 
While fully endorsing every word “D., Deal,” has said on page 
493 in regard to the very creditable position gained by Mr. Mount 
of Canterbury, I must take exception to the comparison he makes 
between his success at York and that of Mr. Frank Cant and Messrs. 
Harkness, and give my reasons. Firstly, the seventy-two class was not 
one which we should look on as a champion seventy-two, it being for 
thirty-six varieties. Secondly, Mr. Frank Cant was showing on the 
same day, and successfully, in several classes at Colchester Rose Show, 
and being in his native town and comneting with his uncle, he had on 
such a day and against such a doughty champion as Mr. Benjamin 
Cant (who is “ nulli secundus ”), to put his best leg and Roses foremost. 
Thirdly, on Mr. Mount’s own showing and statement to me he has not 
suffered one iota from the frost, whereas the northern rosarians have 
suffered severely, but not so badly, I hope, as my amateur friends in 
Notts, Berks, and Herts. I wish well to Mr. Mount, as I do to every 
professional who has to gain his living by the delightful occupation of 
Rose growing, but it would be gross flattery and of a character unlikely 
to be verified in the immediate future if I were to say I believed he is 
as yet on a par in the champion classes with either of the great Col¬ 
chester growers in ordinary years, or with Messrs. Harkness in early 
seasons.—C. J. G. 
ROSE SHOWS. 
Isle of Wight.—June 20th. 
Having been again asked by that enthusiastic rosarian Mr. Jeans 
(Vicar of Shorwell, I.W.) to judjje Rosea at the Show of the Society he 
successfully started last year, [ promptly acceded to his request. To 
those who do not know “ the island ” well, or at all, I should say do not 
miss a chance of going there, and soon, and I may add when you are 
likely to be treated “ en Ion eamarade,” hasten to grasp the hand of 
welcome. It was under such happy auspices that I again visited this 
terrestrial paradise on the 19ch inst., the Show being on the 20th. The 
Society had obtained permission from Mr. Spartali, a well-known Greek 
merchant of London, to have the meeting in his beautiful grounds, which 
are close to the sea at Shanklin. The managers, with a consideration 
for distant travellers which others, even our N.R.S. officials, might 
copy, gave ample time for the flowers to be staged, and the patience 
shown was well repaid in the result achieved. There was no hustling, 
ringing of bells, and shouting at the candidates, but everything was 
done with calmness and placidity, which seem characteristics of the 
islanders. 
The professional competitors and their flowers would have done credit 
to any show in England ; when I state the exhibitors included the 
Messrs. Benjamin and Frank Cant and Messrs, Paul & Son, and in other 
classes Messrs. Perkins of Coventry, I need not further expatiate. The 
only exception I can take to the otherwise perfect arrangements is in the 
schedule itself, as in the All England class the big and small men are 
mixed up, and the distinction between and alteration of these classes 
must be effected by the Secretaries and Committee of the Isle of Wight 
Rose Society before they will have a large and really good amateur com¬ 
petition. There are not six amateurs in all England who can compete 
with the faintest chance of success against the Cants of Colchester even 
in a small class. 
The results of the competition were repetitions of what took place 
on the 13th June at Colchester, Mr. Benjamin Cant taking first for 
twenty-four distinct and trebles, and Mr. Frank Cant first for Teas and 
twelve Roses of one variety. In all cases when not first these gentlemen 
were second, and Messrs. Paul & Son took the third position, the 
amateurs, Mr. R. E. West and Dr. Seaton, being naturally somewhat 
outclassed. Mr. R. E. West, however, took first in small classes, 
limited to amateurs. Messrs. Paul & Son as usual won the premier 
position for garden Roses, for which they are deservedly famous. There 
was a severe contest for the best Rose, and opinions were divided as to 
the merits of two flowers, Mr. Frank Cant’s Comtesse de Nadaillac and 
Mr, Benjamin Cant’s Madame Cusin, but the former eventually obtained 
the award, the flower being absolutely faultless in purity of colour and 
form. Mr. Benjamin Cant’s Madame Cusin, a very exceptional specimen. 
being in fact the finest I have ever seen of that variety, with the 
exception of Mr. Foster-Melliar’s medal bloom in 1893, was awarded a 
special N.R.S. medal. 
In the local classes the advance made in the flowers staged by 
islanders, and the numbers competing as compared with 1893, was 
remarkable, and for this, if for no other reason, the Isle of Wight Rose 
Society and its founder are heartily to be congratulated. The island 
has every natural advantage of position and soil, and the inhabitants 
only require to be “ enthused ” with the love of high class Roses to 
become famous in that branch of horticulture. Everything is in their 
favour—proximity to the sea, pure air from both the Downs and the 
sea, and absence of the exhalations common to manufacturing and large 
towns on the mainland. 
Everyone seemed pleased, even his opponents, that Mr. Jeans again 
won the championship of the island, and also the medal for the best 
Rose. There were other good flowers shown by Mr. Spittal, who had 
some of the most beautiful Roses in the show, Lady Hamond Groeme, 
Sir Barrington Simeon, Lady Mary Gordon, and Mr. Brook, who again 
won the Queen’s gold medal. Messrs, Perkins of Coventry won the 
first prize for bouquets with a fine exhibit, and Miss Jones of Ryde 
deservedly won the first prize for a most tastefully arranged epergne. 
In the cottagers’ class there was quite an exeeptional exhibit of Roses 
by Mr. Isaac Attrill, who evidently could give many amateurs a lesson 
in Rose growing. I cannot close my remarks without thanking Colonel 
and Mrs. Browne for their hospitality to the judges and some of the 
exhibitors, which was appreciated most thoroughly. — Charles J. 
Grahame. 
Westminster.—June 26th. 
The Show of Roses held at the Drill Hall, Westminster, took place 
on Tuesday, June 26th, when some grand blooms were staged. The 
entries in some of the classes were large, and the competition ranged 
remarkably close. Mr. B. R. Cant’s stand of twenty-four, which won 
the cup, was superb, scarcely a faulty bloom being seen. We append 
a list of the prizewinners :— 
In the class for twenty-four Roses, three blooms of each, Mr. B. R. 
Cant, Colchester, was first with a grand exhibit, including Suzanne 
Marie Rodocanachi, Marchioness Dufferin, Ulrich Brunner, Mrs. John 
Laing, Magna Charta, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, Marie Baumann, 
Heinrich Schultheis, La France, Dupuy Jamain, Madame Cusin, Gustave 
Piganeau, Marie Verdier, Etienne Levet, Margaret Dickson, Captain 
Hayward, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Duke of 
Edinburgh, Cleopatra, A. K. Williams, Madame de Watteville, Prince 
Arthur, and Mrs. Paul. Almost all of these were in superb form and 
thoroughly deserving of the premier position. Mr. Frank Cant, Brais- 
wick Nursery, Colchester, was a good second, some of his blooms lacking 
the finish of those of his namesake. Amongst his best were Suzanne 
Marie Rhodocanachi, G4ndral Jacqueminot, Comtesse de Nadaillac, 
Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, Madame Gabriel Luizet, The Bride, Souvenir 
de S. A. Prince, and Cleopatra. The third prize went to Messrs. Paul 
and Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt. 
For twenty-four trusses of Hybrid Perpetuals, not more than two of a 
sort, the Rev. H. A. Berners, Harkstead Rectory, Ipswich, was first with 
Madame Gabriel Luizet (2), Suzanne Marie Rodocanachi, La France 
(2), Madame Isaac Periere, A. K. Williams, Horace Vernet (2), 
Madame Marie Cointet (2), Gustave Piganeau (2), Madame Lacbarme 
(2), Mons. Noman (2), Charles Lefebvre, Ulrich Brunner, Marie Bau¬ 
mann, Fisher Holmes, Dupuy Jamain, and Duke of Edinburgh. R. L. 
Knight, Esq., Bobbing Place, Sittingbourne, was second with a charming 
exhibit. 
There were five competitors in the class for twenty-four Hybrid 
Perpetuals, distinct, Mr. B. R. Cant being placed first with superb 
blooms, comprising Boieldieu, Magna Charta, Marchioness of Dufferin, 
La Fraicheur, Ulrich Brunner, Annie Laxton, La France, Gustave 
Piganeau, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Suzanne Marie Rodocanachi, Her 
Majesty, Jeanie Dickson, Caroline Testout, G4n6ral Jacqueminot, 
Etienne Levet, Violet Bowyer, Thos. Mills, Viscountess Folkestone, Mrs. 
John Laing, Duke of Edinburgh, Mrs, Paul, Annie Wood, Margaret 
Dickson, and Duke of Wellington. Mr. F. Cant was a very close second, 
his best blooms being Gustave Piganeau, Comte Raimbaud, Etienne 
Levet, Caroline Testout, and Marie Rady. 
For twenty-four Teas and Noisettes, in not less than twelve varieties, 
the Rev. H. A. Berners was first with Cleopatra, Madame Cusin (2), 
Catherine Mermet, Amazone, Souvenir d'Elise (2), Comtesse de 
Nadaillac (3), Mrs. Jas. Wilson, Madame Hoste (2), Innocente Pirola, 
Anna Ollivier (2), The Bride (2), Princess of Wales, Souvenir de S. A. 
Prince, Francisca Krliger (3), and Jean Ducher. Mr. Perry, gardener 
to J. C. Tasker Esq., Middleton Hall, Brentwood, was second with fair 
blooms lacking finish. 
For twelve Teas and Noisettes, not less than nine varieties or 
more than two of any one variety, the Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Havering- 
atte-Bower, Essex, took the first prize with charming blooms of 
Comtesse de Nadaillac (2), Madame Cusin (2), Marie Van Houtte, 
Souvenir d’un Ami, Caroline Kuster, Catherine Mermet, Anna Ollivier, 
The Bride, Edith Gifford, and Jean Ducher. The second position was 
taken by the Rev. A. Foster Melliar, Sproughton Rectory, Ipswich, with 
smaller but perfectly finished specimens, including Mardchal Niel, Tbe 
Bride, Madame Welche, Marie Van Houtte, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, 
and others. 
In the class for six single trusses, R. E. West, Esq., Reigate, was first 
with Anna Ollivier, Miss Edith Gifford, The Bride, Catherine Mermet, 
Marie Van Houtte, and Francisca Kruger. There were no other com- 
