232 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ September 15, 1887, 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The autumn Show, held on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 7th and 
8th, in the Waverley Market, Edinburgh, contained more entries for fruit 
than any previous exhibition held by the Society, there being no fewer 
than 1002 in this important section, representing about 2000 dishes, taking 
the numerous collections of various kinds of fruit into consideration. Of 
Grapes alone there were 450 bunches. Apples were very larg ly shown, 
Lord Suffield alone being represented by about seventy dishes. Vegetables 
were next in extent to fruit, there being over 400 entries. Plants were 
not conspicuously shown, and cut flowers only fairly numerous. There 
were something like 500 entries more than usual at this autumn 
exhibition. 
As usual, the collection of fruit, and the exhibition 'of Grapes in col¬ 
lections and in varieties, were the chief features of the Show. 
Feuit. 
Gardeners and amateurs.—Class 1, Fruit (open to all).—For a collection 
of twelve dishes of fruit, to consist of three dishes of Grapes (not less than 
three varieties), two dishes of Peaches, and one dish of each other kind of 
fruit, Pine Apples and Bananas excluded, the first prize, a silver tea set, 
value 10 guineas, presented by Messrs. Mackenzie & Moncur, Horticultural 
Builders, Edinburgh, there were no fewer than thirteen collections staged, 
almost every one of which was meritorious to a high degree. Mr. Boyd, 
gardener to W. Forbes, Esq., Callander House, Falkirk, was successful in 
securing the first prize, his Grapes being of extra fine quality, and 
comprising Black Alicante of good size and extra finish ; Muscat Ham¬ 
burgh was very large in bunch, and of the very finest finish possible, and 
jet black ; Black Hamburgh also very fine. The other dishes were Jubilee 
Melon, Grosse Mignonne and another Peach, small Elruge Nectarines, and 
Figs, Plums, Apiicots, Jargonelle Pears, and Passiflora edulis being the 
other dishes. The Grapes doubtless exercised a very great influence in this 
case. Mr. McKelvie, gardener to the Duchess of Roxburgh, Broxmouth 
Park, Dunbar, second, the white Muscats in this collection being extremely 
fine; Muscat Hambur.h and Black Hamburgh were the other Grapes, and 
not so fine, though good. A fine Best of All Melon, good Brown Turkey 
Figs, extra Walburton Admirable and Barrington Peaches, were the most 
noticeable of the other dishes. The third prize was secured by Mr. Mclndoe, 
Hutton Hall, Guisborough, York, the Gros Maroc and Gros Colman Grapes 
being very fine, the other soit being Trebbiano. The other fruit in this 
collection was much better than in the other two, Best of All Melon, Golden 
Eagle and Princess of Wales Peaches, fine Figs, and Jargonelle Pears, 
Jefterson Plums, and extra Ribston Pippin Apples, being all fine. Mr. 
Mr. McKinnon, Melville CaBtle, Lasswade, was fourth, Bucklsnd Sweet¬ 
water Grapes were very fine, Black Hamburgh not so good, though large, 
and enormous Trebbiano; Barrington Peaches were also fine. Mr. Hunter, 
Lambton Castle, Durham, also staged well; Mr. Murray, Maybole, and Mr. 
McHattie, Newbattle Abbey, also having fine collections. 
For a collection of eight dishes of fruit, not more than two dishes of 
Grapes (black and white), and one dish of each other kind of fruit, there 
were six entries, Mr. Hunter being first with Grapes, small in bunch, but of 
fine finish and extra fine Souvenir du Congres Pears, Smooth Cayenne Pine 
Apple, La Favourite Melon, Apples, Plums, and Nectarines. Second Mr. 
Mclndoe, with very fine Gros Maroc, Charlotte Rothschild Pine Apple, fine 
Walburton Peaches, and Clapp’s Favourite Pears. 
A collection of twelve dishes of hardy fruit, not more than two dishes 
(distinct varieties) of each kind, and all grown out of doors, nine entries, 
Mr. Fairgrieve, gardener to the Duchess of Athole, Dunkeld, was first 
with large Royal George and Rivers’ Early Silver Peaches, good; Pitmaston 
Orange and Elruge Nectarines, fine ; Pond’s Seedling and Jefferson Plums, 
Bon Chretien and St. Germain Pears, fine Worcester Pearmain, and Peas- 
gooi’s Nonesuch Apples, Cherries, and Apricots ; second Mr. Day, Galloway 
House, Garliestown, and third Mr. Dow, Newbyth, Prestonkirk. 
For a collection of twelve dishes, grown in an orchard house, not more 
than two dishes (distinct varieties) of each kind, Grapes excluded (seven 
entries).—First Mr. D. Melville, Elliston House, St. Boswells, the fruit being 
excellent. The sorts were Albatross and Princess of Wales Peaches, Pit¬ 
maston Duchess and Beurre Diel Pears, Washington and Melon Apples, 
Nectarines Lord Napier and Pine Apple, fine Apricots and Plums being the 
other dishes; Mr. Mclndoe second and Mr. Williamson, gardener to J. H. 
Rigg, Esq., Tarvet, third. It is only just to say, however, that Mr. W. H. 
Divers, gardener to J. S. Hopwood, Esq., Stamford, staged the best collection, 
Souvenir de Congres Pears, Eirly Crawford and Barrington Peaches, 
Pine Apple and Dryden Peaches being extremely good. Unfortunately, 
too many dishes of Plums were staged, and the collection was in consequence 
passed. 
Grapes. —For a collection of twelve bunches of Grapes, six black and six 
white. The prizes are presented by the Corporation of the City of Edin¬ 
burgh. There were five entries. Mr. McKelvie staged beautiful fruit, 
Alnwick Seedling, Alicante, and Gros Guillaume, the black sorts, being in 
perfect order. Of the whites, Golden Hamburgh were the finest, Raisin de 
Calabre and Muscat of Alexandria though good beiDg not quite so fine. 
Mr. McHattie, gardener to the Marquis of Lothian, Newbattle, Dalkeith, 
second, Tyninghame Muscat and Madresfield Court being the finest; Lady 
Downe’s very large, but not quite finished. Mr. Murray, gardener to the 
Marquis of Ailsa, Culzean Castle, Maybole, third with six large fine bunches, 
Muscat of Alexandria not quite ripened, Gros Maroc very fine, and Black 
Hamburgh good. For eight bunches, at least six varieties, Mr. McKelvie 
was again first, having Alnwick Seedling fine, good Madresfield Court, fine 
Alicante, Gros Maroc, extremely well finished Muscat of Alexandria, and 
Golden Hamburgh; Mr. Boyd was second, his Madresfield Court, Alnwick 
Seedling, and Black Hamburgh being good ; third Mr. Murray, gardener to 
T. L. Learmonth, Esq., Park Hall, Falkirk, with large and good bunches 
not quite finished. For four bunches, distinct varieties, there were seven 
entries. Here Mr. Kirk, gardener to J. T. Paton, Esq., Ailsa, was first with 
Alnwick Seedling, Cooper’s Black, Duke of Buccleuch, and Madresfield 
Court, good as to bunch, and with large berries; Mr. Boyd second with 
better finished Grapes, and fine ; third Mr. Murray, Parkhall. 
For two bunches Muscat of Alexandria, two entries, Mr. McKelvie was first 
with two perfectly finished examples; Mr. Day, Garliestown, second. For 
two bunches Black Hamburgh, seven entries, Mr. Murrav, Parkhall, was first 
with jet black bunches, rather crushed through under thinning; Mr. Boyd, 
second, with smaller compact bunchis. With one bunch of Muscat Alexan¬ 
dria, Mr. John Caldwell, gardener to J. Scott, Esq., Langholm, was first 
with a large but rather green example ; Mr. Murray, Parkhal', second, with 
a better finished bunch. For one bunch of Black Hamburgh, Mr. Cobins, 
Walkerburn, was first with a large berried good bunch. For one bunch of 
Alicante, Mr. Potter, Wbitehill, Carlisle, was first with a fair example ; and 
Mr. Caldwell second. For one bunch of Alnwick Seedling, Mr. Murray, May¬ 
bole, was first with a good example ; and Mr. McKelvie Eecond with a 
smaller but better finished bunch. For one bunch of Gros Colman, Mr. 
McKelvie took first place with a small but admirably finished bunch; Mr. 
Potter, second. Mr. Boyd was first for one bunch of Lady Downe’s with a 
good example; Mr. Mclndoe, second. For the best bunch of any black 
Grage not named in the echedule, Mr. Boyd was first with a fine Muscat 
Hamburgh ; a fine underthinned bunch of Gros Maroc securing second for 
Mr. Murray, Parkhall. For the best bunch of any white Grape not named in 
the schedule, Mr. Porter, Carlisle, led with a fine bunch of Buckland Sweet¬ 
water ; Mr. Kirk, Alloa, second, with Duke of Buccleuch. The finest flavoured 
bunch of black was a shrivelled Muscat Hamburgh, and the finest flavoured 
white, DuchesB of Buccleuch. The finest bloomed bunch was Alicante 
from Mr. Forbes; Mr. McKelvie, second, with Gros Maroc. 
There was a good display of Pine Apples shown. For one Queen Tine 
Apple the first prize was awarded to Mr. McIntyre, The Glen, Innerleithen, 
Mr. Ramsay, Fordell, Inverkeithing, being second. Mr. Ramsay was first for 
one Smooth Cayenne Pine Apple, and Mr. Mclndoe second; and for two 
Pine Apples Mr. Ramsay was again first and Mr. McIntyre second. Mr. D. 
Melville had the best green-fleshed Me’on, and Mr. A. Bremner, Ormiston 
Hall, Tranent, had the best scarlet-fleshed. Fine Figs were staged by Mr. 
Morrison, Arckerfield, Drem, and secured the first prize. The best Peaches 
came from Mr. McKinnon, Melville Castle, and the best Nectarines from Mr. 
G. Dewar, Fife, the fruits in these classes being fine, ripe, and highly 
coloured. 
There was a large exhibition of Pears, most of which were, however, 
quite green. For a collection of dessert Pears, six varieties, Mr. Dow, 
Newbyth, was first, and Mr. McLeod, Harvieston Castle, second, all unripe ; 
Mr. Murray, Maybole, first for six Pears, two varieties. The Society this 
year offered a series of prizes for certain sorts of Apples and Tears named 
at the Congress held two years ago, as the most popular sorts. Many of 
these were late varieties, and, as a matter of course, were green and unripe ; 
Jargonelle and Williams’ Bon Chret’eu were the only two ripe Pears shown, 
though the Apples were more numerous in a condition of ripeness. Very 
good dishes of Irish Peach, Thorle, and Oslin Pippins, Keswick Codlin, 
Lord Suffield, Ecklinville Seedling, Warner’s King, Alfriston, Tower of 
Glamis, and Hawthornden were staged. For any cooking Apple Peas good’s 
Nonesuch was the best, Maiden’s Blush was also very pretty. The prize for 
the best of any dessert Apple was awarded to Duchess of Oldenburg, 
though good examples of Golden Reinette, Summer Strawberry, Early 
Harvest, and Red Astraehan were shown in fine condition. The best two 
dessert Apples were Irish Peach and early Julien out of a large class. 
For a collection of Apples, twelve varieties, there were seventeen entries, 
Mr. King, gardener to Lord Hamilton, Dalz 11, first, a dish of Stirling 
Castle being the only variety, extra fine; Mr. Brunton, Gilmerton, was 
second with a much more even and, as we thought, a finer collection. 
There was also a numerous show of Plums, Currants, and other small 
fruits. 
Feasts. 
In this section there was nothing out of the common. As usual Mr- 
Patterson, Millbank, was the most successful with flowering stove and green¬ 
house plants; Mr. Grossart, gardener to J. Buchanan, Esq., Oswald Road, 
also being a very successful exhibitor. For a table of plants, 20 feet by 
5 feet, for effect, Mr. Grossart set up a very pretty arrangement. There 
was a very fresh table of Ferns, some good Cockscombs, a few Orchids, 
good Tuberous Begonias, and Fuchsias, Liliums, &c., were fairly well repre¬ 
sented. 
Cut FlOwees. 
These were fairly numerous and of good quality. Gladiolus were very 
well represented, Dahlias, Ro3es and Asters being well shown and in good 
numbers. For twelve Gladioli, distinct varieties, Mr. Smith,’Prestwick, was 
first with even spikes of Aramis, Phoenix, Phidias, Eugene Souchet, Came- 
leon, Crepuscule, Bicolore, Atlas, Tamerlane, Dalila, Leviathan, and Grand 
Rouge. Mr. Brotherston was second, Dalila, Le Vesuve, Teresita, and Caprice 
the best. Mr. Taylor, Inveresk, third ; and six Gladioli, Mr. Hall, Kelso, 
first, and Mr. Henderson, Galalan, Kelso, second, with larger though not so 
fresh spikes. With five spikes Hollyhocks, distinct, Mr. D. McFarlane, 
King Meadows, Peebles, first, showing Czar, F. G. Dougal, Queen of Yellows, 
Purple Prince, and Agnes Berry. Mr. Robertson, Jedburgh, was second. 
The same exhibitors occupied the same positions for twelve Hollyhock 
blooms. With twelve Dahlia blooms, snow, Mr. Pearson, Beechwood, 
Corstorphine, first, in a large class with good blooms, and Mr. Bennet, 
Hanley Lodge, second. For twelve fancy Dahlia blooms, Mr. Pearson was 
again first with a very fine dozen. The same exhibitor had also first for 
twelve bunches, single. For twenty-four Roses the first went to Mr. 
Walkei, Clarendon Lodge, Linlithgow, with small but clean buds. Mr. G. T. 
Hunter, Lauriston Castle, in the clas3 for twelve Roses, took first. For 
twelve Tea Roses Mr. Parlane, Roslea Castle, was first with bright clean 
blooms. Mr. McLeod, Stirling, had first for cut trusses of stove and green¬ 
house plants. 
Vegetabi.es (Open to all). 
As already stated, these were a very large show, and generally so fine 
that prizes were not easily taken. Cauliflowers, Lettuces, Celery, French 
Beans, and Cabbages were represented in great numbers, and if size was 
any criterion, drought would seem to have done these no harm whatever. 
With a collection of vegetables, six sorts, there were fourteen entries, 
most of which were very fine. The first prize was secured by Mr. Hark- 
ness, Broadmeadows, Hutton, with good Autumn Giant Cauliflowers, extra 
fine Leeks, fresh Peas, good Tomatoes, a brace of Telegraph Cucumbers, and 
Village Blacksmith Potatoes. Mr. Culton, Castle Douglas, second with 
