456 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 24,1887. 
of Apples and Pears grown at their Burton Constable Nurseries, also 
Heaths, Solanums, Potatoes, and Turnips, these exhibits contributing 
powerfully to the interest and attractiveness of the Exhibition. 
READING.— November 18th. 
A first-rate Exhibition distinguished the fourth annual autumn 
gathering at Reading, and the progress made since the last Show was satis¬ 
factory in the highest degree. In numbers the exhibits far exceeded any of 
the preceding exhibitions at this town, while the quality was above the 
average of the present season. Cut blooms, specimen plants, groups, 
Apples, Pears, and Grapes weie admirably represented, and in the majority 
of the classes the competition was sufficiently keen to give the Judges more 
than ordinary difficulty. Moat unfortunately the weather proved exceed¬ 
ingly unfavourable, sleet and rain descending during the greater portion of 
the afternoon, and this materially lessened the receipts at the doors. 
The Show was held in the old and new Town Halls, both spacious halls 
being well filled with exhibits. In one the groups and specimen plants 
were arranged near the walls and on an elevated platform at the eud, the 
cut blooms and table plants occupying the centre of the hall. In the other 
hall most of the fruit was staged, some also occupying tables in the corridors, 
the extensive collections of Apples from Messrs. Bunyard & Co , Maidstone, 
being the most conspicuous. 
Cut Blooms. —There wete num rous competitors in several of the lead¬ 
ing classes, and the stands required considerable space. There were eleven 
entries with twelve incurved, W. G. Marshall, Esq., Taunton (gardener, 
Mr. Thomas), winning first honours with even, deep substantial blooms. 
C. Crew, Esq., Biliingbear Park ; Col. the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher (gar¬ 
dener, Mr. Waite) ; and Dr. Lewis, Henfie d, Sussex (gardener, Mr. Russell), 
secured the other prizes. F. W. Flight, Esq., Twyford (gardener, Mr. 
Neville), had the best twelve reflexed amongst nine exhibitors, very hand¬ 
some blooms and fresh. Dr. Lewis exhibibited well in several classes, and 
was first with twelve large Anemones, two competitors in the same class 
being disqualified for including Japanese Anemones. There was a remark¬ 
ably keen competition with twelve Japanese, fifteen admirable stands being 
entered, Mr. Thomas gaining the first place with fine fresh richly coloured 
blooms. Mrs. J. Dunning Smith, Ascot, and Dr. Lewis were the other 
prizewinners. An interesting class was that for twelve cut blooms in eight 
varieties, Pompons excluded, to be shown as grown, with not less than 
9 inches of stem above the board, but it would have been better if confined 
to either Japanese or incurved, ss these when together rather detracted 
from each othir’s beauty. The Japanese had a particularly good appear¬ 
ance in this way, as the full depth of the blooms could be seen. 0. Crew, 
Esq., was first wiih uncommonly good blooms of Belle Paule, Soleil Levant, 
and J. Deliux. There were thirteen exhibitors in the class, Messrs. Allen 
and Lees taking second and third prizes. 
The specimen plants included six extremely fine Japanese from C. H. 
Witherington, Esq., Sonning (gardener, Mr. Surman), with which the chief 
prize in the class was easily won. They were dwarf, about 4 feet in 
diameter, very even and profusely flowered, the varieties being James 
Salter, Elaine, La Charmante, La Nymph, Peter the Great, and Bouquet 
Fait. R. Tompkins, Esq., Reading (gardener, Mr. Booker), followed with 
taller plants. The same exhibitor (Mr. Surman) took first honours in several 
other classes with equally well grown specimens. A number of groups 
were entered, and the prizes were won by S. B. Stevens, Esq., B. Simoncls, 
Esq., W. J. Palmer, Esq., Mrs. Marsland, and J. Leslie, Esq., in the order 
named. 
Of the fruit the Grapes were an important feature, Mr. Perkins, gardener 
to the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, Henley, showing extremely well. He had 
the best two bunches of Alicante amongst eleven exhibitors, very large 
bunches admirably coloured. C. Hoare, Esq., Hackwood Park (gardener, 
Mr. Bowerman), was second, also with good samples, and Sir E. Colebrook, 
Bart., Chertiey (gardener, Mr. Osman), third. With three bunches of Gros 
Colman Mr. Jennings, Faruborough Grange Gardens, and Mr. W. Iggul- 
den, Marston Gardens, Frome, were the prizewinners in the order named, 
and very close in merit. In the Muscat class Mr. Woolford led with Bowood, 
small bunches but highly coloured, Mr. Perkins being second with very 
handsome bunches, clean and good, but not quite so finely coloured as the 
first. For two bunches of b'ack Grapes, Mr. Perkins won the chief place 
for beautiful examples of Alnwick Seedling ; Mr. Bowerman taking similar 
honours in the white. Grape class with Mrs. Pearson in excellent condition, 
Mr. Turton being second for Trebbiano. 
Mr. Perkins had the best oolleotion of fruit, good Grapes. Apples, Pears, 
Bananas, and PlumB, Messrs. Allen and Turton following. Mr. Turton was, 
however, first with six dishes of deesert Apples, extremely handsome speci¬ 
mens of Rosemary Russet, Adam’s Pearmain, Scarlet Nonpareil, Blenheim 
Pippin, King of the Pippins, and Cox’s Orange Pippin. Mr. Ross, Welford 
Park Gardens, was a close second; and Mr. R. Webb, Beuham, third. 
Messrs. Ross, Irvinp, and Turton were the prizetakers with six kitchen 
Apples, all showmg fine fruits, whi'e in the two other classes Mr. Ross had 
the best Blenheim Pippin and Mr. Turton the best Scarlet Nonpareil. 
Messrs. Trinder, Irvine, and Turton were the chief exhibitors of Pears. 
SHEFFIELD AND WEST RIDING.— November 18th and 19th. 
The above Society held tht ir third annual Show in the Corn Exchange 
on the 18th and 19th inst. The building is a spacious one and well adapted 
for an exhibition of this nature. On the whole the Show was a decided 
success, and considered to be in many respects superior to its predecessors. 
Cut Blooms. —The main attraction centred in the open class for forty- 
eight blooms, twenty-four incurved and the same number of Japan? se, not 
less than eighteen varie'ies of each. A silver cup value £15 15s. and £10 
was given as the first prize, £10 for the second, and £5 for the third. The 
cup was given by the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. H. Broomhead, Leopold Street, a 
gentleman who tikes great interest in Chrysanthemums, and is anxious to 
see this Society second to none in the kingdom. There were no le=s than nine 
entries for the cup class, but only three collections staged. Mr. Parker, gar¬ 
dener to John Corbett, Esq., M.P., Impnev Hall, D.oitwicb, was successful in 
securing tbe premier position with excellent blooms of both incurved and 
Japanese. Mr. Mease was only a few points behind. The third prize was 
awarded to Mr. Midgley, gardener to H. Mason, Esq., Bankfield, Bingley, 
Yorks, the competition being extremely close throughout. The third col¬ 
lection contained the brightest and best Japanese, but the incurved were 
somewhat irregular. The varieties were as fo'lows in the first prize collec¬ 
tion, commencing with the incurved at the lefthand corner Back row— 
Lord Alcester, Jeanne d’Arc, Lord Alcester, Queen of England, Empress of 
India, Queen of England, Empress of India, John Salter. Middle row— 
Golden Empress, Lord Wolseley, Jeanne d’Arc, Bronze Queen, Alfred Salter, 
John Salter, Jeanne d’Arc, Nil Desperandum. Front row—Cherub, Reful¬ 
gence, Hero of Stoke Newington, Mrs. W. Shipman, Mrs. Heale, Mrs. N. 
Davis, Barbara, Princess of Teck. 
Japanese. —Back row—Boule d’Or, Belle Paule, Triomphe de la rue des 
Chalets, Baronne de Prailly, Thunberg, Triomphe de la rue des Chalets, 
Meg Merrilies, Baronne de Prailly. Middle row—John Laing, Duchess of 
Albany, Meg Merrilies, Thunberg, Madame J. Laing, Carew Underwood, 
Belle Paule, Fair Maid of Guernsey. Front row—Criterion, Source Japonaise, 
Jeanne Delaux, Stanstead White, Yal d’Andorre, M. Burnet, Jeanne Delaux, 
L’Adorable. 
For twelve incurved, not less than nine varieties, Mr. \V. Mease was 
well first., Mr. Midgley second with a capital lot, and Mr. W. Gill, gardener 
to Mrs. Oldman, Summer Hill, Gainsborough, third. In the corresponding 
class for twelve Japanese, the prizes went to the same exhibitors, as they 
also did for six incurved blooms in two varieties In the corresponding 
class for six Japanese Mr. Midgley was first with Yal d’Andorre and Madame 
Lacroix; Mr. Mease second with Meg Merrilies and Jeanne Delaux; Mr. W. 
Gill and Mr. A. Bush were both placed third. For the premier bloom in the 
show Mr. Mease was successful with a grand Queen of England in the class 
for forty-eight blooms. 
The following classes were limited to growers within a radius of seven 
miles of Sheffield. For twelve incurved, distinct, Mr. W. K. Woodcock, 
gardener to Mark Firth, Esq., Oakbrook, was first with very good and neat 
examples; and Mr. E. PidBley, gardener to Mrs. H. Wilson, Westbrook, 
second. In the corresponding class for twelve Japanese the last competitor 
was successful with neat flowers, Mr. Woodcock second, and Mr. Allan, 
Traveller’s Rest, Langsett Road, third. For six incurved blooms Mr. E. 
Pidsley took the lead. For six Japanese the same exhibitor was first, and 
also for Bix large Anemone flowered, not less than four varieties. For six 
reflexcd Mr. Woodcock took the lead of Mr. Pidsley. In the amateurs’ 
classes for twelve incurved blooms, distinct, Mr. H. Broomhead, 39, Leopold 
Street, the gentleman who gave tie challenge cup, was deservedly first with ■ 
well finished examples. Mr. J. Harrison was placed second. In the corre¬ 
sponding class for twelve Japanese those exhibito: s held the same relative 
positions. For six blooms incurved Mr. Carmel took the lead, followed by 
Mr. J. Baines. For six Japanese Mr. Grubb was first. In the smaller 
amateurs’ c’asses many of the blooms equaled in dressing and finish those 
of Messrs. Sanderson and Molyneux. Bouquets were well represented, but 
the quality on the whole was not first class. 
Plants. —For six trained specimens Mr. J 03 . Walker took the lead with 
specimens from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet high, well furnished with foliage, 
but the blooms rather small; the National Society’s certificate for the best 
plant in the Show was rightly accorded to a plant in this collection. For 
three trained plants, also for six Pompons, the same exhibitor was again 
first with creditable specimens; Mr. E. Pidslsy was second with plants 3 to 
4 feet high, grown as bushes. Groups of Chrysanthemums were three in 
number, arranged for effect. Ferns and other plants being used as an edging 
fora depth of 18 inches. Mr. Jos. Walker was placed first with the lightest 
group. Mr. E. Pidsley second with a larger, stiflLr, and more tormal 
arrangement; some considered this should have been first, and no doubt it 
should if “effect” were ignored and a mass of colour the object to be 
attained. Mr. J. Harrison was third, having decidedly the best flowers,but 
his group had never been finished. Three or four tastefully arranged groups 
of stove and greenhouse plants were contributed, Mr. E. Pidsley's was first 
with the lightest and by far the most effective. Mr. W. Collier was second, 
but his exhibit was rather too heavy. Table plants we e not numerous, 
but the examples staged were very light and even throughout. Mr. 
Pidsley waB first for six plants, followed closely by Mr. J. Foggin, gardener 
to Mr. G. Wilson, with slightly larger plants. Third, Mr. W. Collier. 
Fruit. —Two classes were provided for Grapes, and the competition was 
limited in each case. For two bunches of black Mr. Midgley was first with 
Mrs. Pince ; Mr. G. Staples, Glapwell Hall, Chesterfield, second with Gros 
Colman ; Mr. A. Malcolm, gardener to J. Y. Cowlishaw, Esq., Sapton Ciiffe, 
third. For two bunches of white Grapes Mr. Midgley was first with well- 
coloured Muscat of Alexandria ; Mr. Staples second. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits.—Messrs. Fisher, Son, & Sibray, staged excellent 
stove and greenhouse plants, also Conifers, as well a3 a large collection of 
Apples and Pears. Messrs. Hiram Sbaw & Son, Richmond Hill Nursery, 
Sheffield, Gros Culman, Barbarosea, and ALcante Grapes, also Aiiples, Pears, 
wreaths, Palms, Roman Hyacinths, and foliage plants. Mr. Udale contri¬ 
buted a very praiseworthy collection of Apples and Pears ; amongst them 
a dish of Red Currants in excellent condition was very noticeable. On th9 
second day of the Show Mr. Mease’s blooms from Hull were on view and 
attracted much attention. Certificates were awarded to Mr. T. Wiukworth 
for Ralph Brocklebank, and to Mr. W. K. Woodcock for the new yellow 
reflexed American variety, Gorgeous. The Show was well attended and a 
financial success is anticipated. 
WOKINGHAM. 
Chrysanthemum exhibitions are now very numerous, almost every town 
of pieteDsion considers its horticultural section incomplete without a 
Chrysanthemum show. Wokingham in this respect is not behind the 
times, and held a very good Exhibition of this favourite autumn flower 
last week. In the open class for twenty-four distinct, twelve incurved and 
twelve Japanese, for which substantial money prizes were offered, there 
were seven collections staged. Mr. W. Wildsmith, gardener to Lord 
Everslev, was awarded first honours for a highly meritorious collection 
all the Japanese being good, while the incurved were in some instances 
small, but neat and fresh. The virieties comprised—in Japanese, Thun¬ 
berg, Madame C. Audiguier, Soleil Levant, Triomphe de la rue des Chdlets, 
Meg M rrilies, Japonais, Madame de Pigny, Ralph Brocklebank, Henri 
Jacotot, Blanche Neige, Val d’Andorre, La Triomphante. Of incurved the 
following were notable :—Queen of England, Lord Alcester, Emily Dale, 
Jeanne d'Arc, John Salter, Golden Emprtss, Empress of India, Beauty, 
