88 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 1, 1887. 
competition, and the first-prize specimens exhibited by Mr. Thos. Shelley, 
gardener to Mrs. Hobson, Burnt Stones, were in every way first-class, and 
such as would have gained for the exhibitor an honourable position in the 
best shows in London or the provinces. They consisted of Dipladenia 
Brearleyana, a grand specimen 4 feet high and 3 feet in diameter, covered 
with large and highly coloured blooms ; Miltonia spectabilis, 3feet Cinches 
in diameter, solid with bloom, and an exceptionally good variety; Ixora 
Wilhamsi, a large plant, the foliage quite bidden by a mass of flowers; 
Stephanotis floribunda and Eucharis amazonica, both large and finely 
bloomed; and a good specimen of Alocasia metallica. We do not remember 
to have previously witnessed six plants of such sterling merit throughout 
exhibited in Sheffield. The second-prize six exhibited by Mr. Sheridan, 
gardener to G. Howson, Esq., were of very high quality, and contained a 
f randly bloomed specimen of Bougainvillea glabra, also the old favourite 
lumbago capensis finely represented. In the third-prize lot were some 
good plants, notably Hoya carnosa covered with its beautiful trusses, but 
the colour is not effective in an exhibition. Specimen Ferns, both exotic 
and British, were, as is usual at these Shows, both numerous and good. 
In both classes Mr. Shelley was the first-prize winner. The six exotics 
included grand examples of Davallia Mooreana, Pteris scaberula, and 
Adiantum cuneatum. 
Fruit as a whole was very well exhibited ; in hardy fruits especially the 
entries were very numerous, and the quality throughout good. Grapes 
were not superior, excepting one entry of two bunches of Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria by Mr. Page, gardener to D. Ward, Esq., than which finer have 
seldom been shown anywhere or at any time. 
Vegetables were very fine almost throughout, the main exceptions 
being Cauliflowers and Peas. Potatoes, Celery, Onions, Beans, Cucumbers, 
and Marrows we have never seen better. The first-named, especially, were 
shown in great numbers, and were wonderfully fine throughout. 
A large number of Boses were shown, but with the exception of the 
exhibits not for competition by trade growers were not of very high 
quality. Messrs. Fisher, Son & Sibray had three large boxes of really 
good blooms, and Mr. Duncan Gilmour added very greatly indeed to the 
attractiveness of the Show by staging in his usual first-class style upwards 
of 1000 blooms. 
Dahlias were finely shown in the amateur and cottager classes, Mr. 
Charles Storey and Mr. S. Moore dividing the honours fairly equally 
between them with grandly finished blooms. The exhibits throughout in 
these classes of plants, cut flowers, fruit, and vegetables were of excellent 
quality, the cut flowers and vegetables especially being scarcely inferior to 
those in the open and gardeners’ classes, the Dahlias, Asters, and Marigolds 
being far superior.—W. K. W. 
READING AUTUMN SHOW. 
The autumn Show of the Reading Horticultural Society was held in the 
Abbey Ruins, Reading, by permission of the Mayor, on Thursday, August 
25th. The Show ground is a space of some 250 feet by 100 feet within the 
massive walls—5 feet thick or more—of the old Abbey, and it was roofed by 
abroad expanse of canvas. It is banked at the ends and sides, with two 
gentle slopes of turf towards the centre, thus there is every provision for 
the effective arrangement of the exhibits. These natural advantages were 
not wasted. On the right and left banks were judiciously staged the huge 
specimen plants and Ferns. At the upper end the lower portion of the 
terraced bank formed a capital stage for fruit. Above these were Liliums in 
pots, Pelargoniums, &c. The bank at the lower end was devoted to Tree 
Ferns, Palms, <fcc., with Begonias, Achimenes, and Fuchsias below them. 
On the central side banks were Fuchsias and Liliums, with cut flowers below 
them. Table plants and bouquets occupied two long tables down the centre 
of the enclosure, so that no space was wasted, and the general effect was 
very fine. 
Specimen Plants and Groups. —Turning to the awards we have first 
to refer to specimen plants and groups. They were of fair average merit, 
collectively considered, containing nothing of an exceptionally high order, 
but the majority of the plants were clean and healthy. Nine stove and 
greenhouse plants were first asked for. There were but two competitors— 
namely, Mr. James, nurseryman, West Norwood, and Mr. Mould of Pewsey, 
who were first and second in the order given. Mr. James had a fine 
specimen of Erica Eweriana and another of Ixora Regina, with Erica 
Marnockiana also good. The other plants shown were Allamanda Hender- 
soni, A. grandiflora, Dip’adenia amabilis, Erica McNabiana, Agapanthus 
albus, and Croton Truffautianus. The best of the second prize plants were 
Statice profusa, Gloriosa strperba, and Bougainvillea glabra. Variegated or 
handsome foliage plants (six) formed an interesting class. Mr. James 
again took first place, having good specimens of Latania borbonica and 
Macrozamia Dennisoniana, with Cycas revoluta also in good condition. 
Mr. Howe, gardener to Sir Richard Sutton, Benham Park, came next, 
with Mr. Parham, gardener to H. J. Simonds, Esq., Caversham, third. A 
fine Pandanus Veitchi was a feature of the latter’s collection. The last 
named exhibitor won with stove and greenhouse Ferns. He had a very fine 
lot, every member of which was worthy of mention. They were as follows : 
—Alsophila australis, Davallias elegans and Mooreana, very fine ; Cibotium 
Schiedei, also fine; Gymnogramma chrysophylla, and Thamnopteris nidus. 
Mr. Armitage, gardener to A. Clarke, Esq., Reading, showed a good 
Adiantum formosum, and a fair Alsophila australis amongst others for 
second prize. Messrs. Howe and Dockerill were equal third. One specimen 
stove or greenhouse plant in flower found Mr. Parham again to the front 
with a very fine Lantana Le Grand. This plant was 4 feet through and 
splendidly flowered. Mr. Howe followed with a moderate Allamanda Hen- 
dersoni. Mr. Mould won fora specimen new or rare plant, showing Croton 
Mortei, small, but very healthy and clean. Mr. Armitage received the 
remaining awards for the Aralia-like Carica Papaya, or Papaw Apple. 
Two groups only were arranged, and they were not amongst the best 
we have seen. Mr. James’ first prize arrangement was light and graceful, 
however, Orchids being most largely employed amongst flowering plants, 
rising from a groundwork of Adiantum, and backed by fine-foliage plants. 
Mr. Parham took second place, his group being largely composed of good 
Bized specimen plants ; it was certainly showy. Other awards in the plant 
classes must be summarised. They were for Lycopods, Achimenes, Fuchsias, 
Balsams, Cockscombs, Liliums, Coleuses, Palms, bedding Pelargoniums, 
variegated ditto, and Begonias. The principal prizewinntrs were Messrs. 
Ashby, gardener to Mrs. Fanning, Whitchurch; Bright, gardener to P. 
Karslake, Esq., Whiteknights Park ; C. Midwinter, Gresham ; Goodman, 
gardener to C. Hammersley, Esq., Bourne End ; Parham, and Hatch. 
Fruit. —This was perhaps the feature of the Show. The classes were 
numerous, entries good, and the quality of the exhibits excellent. Mr. 
Ashby showed remarkably well in the principal class (eight dishes), 
having good Peaches, Che'ries, Figs, and Apricots. The Grapes were large 
in bunch, but unripened. Mr. Goodman followed, also having good Peaches 
and Figs. Mr, Wells, gardener to Mrs. Ravenhill, Winkfield, was third. 
Mr. Jennings, of Farnborough, was first for a collection of six kinds, having 
capital Alicante Grapes and good Peaches. Mr. Cakebread, gardener to Sir 
Phillip Rose, Penn, was second, and Mr. Turton third. The Graps classes 
comprised some very fine fruit. Mr. Cakebread won with Black Ham- 
burghs ; the bunches were of good size, but the berries somewhat rubbed. 
Larger unfinished bunches took the second prize for Mr. Ashby ; Mr. Best, 
gardener to C. W. Chute, Esq., The Pynes, being third. A corresponding 
class for White MuscatB found Mr. Sinclair, gardener to the Marchioness of 
Downshire, Easthamstead Park, to the front with small but well-ripened 
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria; Mr. Jennings being second; and Mr. 
Cook, gardener to T. Taylbr, Esq., Rendcomb Park, third. Other prizes for 
Grapes were won by Mr. Cakebread, who showed some splendid bunches of 
Madresfield Court; Mr. Maher, with Gros Maroc in grand condition ; Mr. 
Kneller, gardener to W. S. Portal, Esq., Malshanger Park; Mr. Ashby; 
Mr. Waite, gardener to Col. Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher; and Mr. Wells. 
Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots were best shown by Messrs. Waite, who 
had a splendid dish of Princess of Wales Peaches ; Pound, gardener to G. 
May, Esq., Caversham, with Nectarine Peach, also good; Cox, gardener to 
J. H. Blagrave, Esq., ICalcot; Goodman, with fine Humboldt Nectarines ; 
Balchin, gardener to B. Simonds, Esq., Reading (Pine Apple Nectarine); 
Turton, gardener to J. Hargreaves. E q., Maiden Erlegh, with splen¬ 
did Moor Park Apricots; Maher and Cook, both with the variety just 
named. Figs were well shown by Mr. Parham. Plums (three dishes) were 
good too. Mr. Goodman won with B-.lle de Louvain, Vellow Imperatrice, 
and Kirke’s ; Mr. Howe following. Dessert and culinary Apples were ex¬ 
cellent, Messrs. Hinton, gardener to J. Leslie, Esq., Reading; Pope, gar¬ 
dener to the Earl of Carnarvon, Highc’ere ; Turton and Howe bemg the most 
successful exhibitors. Mr. Turton showed cooking Apples in capital condi¬ 
tion. Pears were moderately shown by Messrs. Goodman and Turton, who 
received the chief awards. 
Vegetables. —These were not very numerous, Tomatoes being shown 
in much the best condition. Onions and Celery were also good. Mr. 
Lockie, gardener to the Hon. G. Fitzgerald, Windsor, won with Cucumbers, 
staging Verdant Green ; Messrs. Elliott (gardener to J. Hibbert, Esq., Bray- 
wick) and Best following. Mr. Read, gardener to F. Wilder, Esq., Parley 
Hall, won with Celery, showing Sutton’s White Gem. Mr. Howe was to 
the front with Peas and Cauliflowers ; Mr. Booker, gardener to C. Littledale, 
Esq., Twyford, with Marrows ; and Mr. Jennings with Tomatoes. The 
latter were splendid, the variety being SHtton’s Reading Perfection. 
Tomatoes were also finely shown by Mr. Lockie, who was second with the 
same variety. Mr. Kneller bad the best Onions—a fine lot. 
Cut flowers were plentiful and attractive, but the chief awards only can 
be briefly indicated. Dahlias, Phloxes, Roses, Hollyhocks, Gladioli, Asters, 
and Zinnias were all good, the principal prizewinners being Mr. Walker, 
Thame (Zinnias and Dahlias), Mr. J. S. Johnston, Newbury (Gladioli), 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry (Roses), G. Phippen, Reading (Phloxes), 
C. Midwinter (Asters), and Messrs. Cheal & Sons, Crawley (single 
Dahlias). 
Special prizes were offered by several leading seedsmen. Messrs. 
Buttons’ prizes for the best brace of Melons were won by Messrs. Pope 
(first), Allen, gardener to Sir F. Burdett (second), Goodman (third), and 
Robins, gardener to E. D. Lee, Esq. (fourth). The first-prize fruits were 
capital examples of Imperial Green-flesh, which ought to become popular. 
Messrs. Wells & Goodman secured Mr. Fidler’s prizes for his Defiance 
Melon. Messrs. Sutton also offered prizes for co’lections of Potatoes. The 
former produced some fine lots of tubers. Mr. Allen won with nine dishes, 
Messrs. Pope, Ilott (gardener to Major Allfray), Wells, and Lye following. 
With six dishes Mr. Ilott was first, Mr. Allen second, Messrs. Lye and Pope 
third and fourth. The prizes offered for vegetables by Messrs. Sutton, 
Carter, and Webb drew some splendid produce, Messrs. Bowerman, 
(gardener to C. Hoare, Esq., Hackwood Park), Pope, and Waite having 
examples of far more than average merit. 
Certificates were awarded by the Judges to Mr. Robert Owen for two 
fine double scarlet Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, named respectively Robert 
Owen and Souvenir de Charles Turner; also to Mr. D. Bosley for Comet 
Aster, a large handsome flower of a soft rosy pink colour. 
Mr. Gordon of Twickenham exhibited a fine group of Lilium auratum, 
not for competition, and Mr. Owen a collection of Tuberous Begonias, both 
exhibits being greatly admired. 
WILTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.— August 25th. 
The third annual Show of this Society was held on Thursday in last 
week in the beautiful and well kept grounds of Salisbury Palace, kindly placed 
at the service of the Society by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, glorious 
weather prevailing, The Earl of Radnor is President of the Society, the 
Right Worshipful the Mayor of Salisbury (Fred. Griffin, Esq.) is Chairman 
of the Committee, which consists of the leading gentlemen of the city and the 
gardeners of the neighbourhood, with Mr. W. H. Williams, the courteous, 
energetic, and business like Honorary Secretary. One and all of these 
gentlemen are to be congratuLted upon the success and excellence of the 
Show. The competition was good in most of the classes, and the exhibits 
of first-rate quality, while the management of the Show was everything that 
could be desired. Mr. Cypher, Mr. Lock, and Mr. Wills were the principal 
exhibitors of plants—the groups, which are a new feature at this Show, 
being a step in the riaht direction. Mr. Ward, Mr. Pratt, Mr. Inglefield, 
Mr. Warden, and Mr. Evans were the chief exhibitors of fruit. In the 
evening the palace, gardens, and grounds were illuminated, and the effeot 
thus produced was very telling ; the grandly flowered Magnolia trees in 
front of the palace shedding their fragrance among the thousands of people 
