500 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 8, 1887. 
The display was worthy of the occasion, two fine groups of plants 
being arranged in the spacious conservatory adjoining the mansion. 
The plants ranged from 3 or 4 to 6 or 7 feet high, and comprised the 
leading varieties. As groups they were of a first prize character, while 
many of the blooms were of sufficient merit to be arranged in the best 
exhibition stands. A third group was composed of twenty specimen 
Pompons, not closely tied, but free yet compact, the plants ranging 
from 2 to 3 feet in diameter, and were semi-globular masses of colour. 
On the side sills were plants about a foot high and nearly the same 
in diameter, in 5-inch pots. Several cuttings were inserted in the pots 
in August, and the plants almost resembled bouquets. Other features 
at Walton Lea merit notice, but in the meantime it must suffice to con¬ 
gratulate Mr. Crossfield and his gardener on the excellence of the 
Chrysanthemums that have been so much and deservedly admired by 
all who have seen them.—A Visitor. 
EDINBURGH CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. 
The Scottish Horticultural Association had a Show of Chrysanthe - 
mums last year, on a small scale, and were so successful that this autumn 
it was determined to take the Music Hall in George Street—where the 
Royal Caledonian for so long a time was located—and there hold a two- 
days Show, on November 29th and 30th. The Council did not provide 
any large prizes ; but, notwithstanding, they induced exhibitors to come 
from all parts of Scotland—from as far south as Berwick, north to Aber¬ 
deen, while from the west came the best blooms in the Exhibition. 
All the classes were well filled. In the popular classes from seven to 
fifteen exhibitors staged for the prizes. Japanese were shown to the 
greatest perfection, the incurved being most deficient in finish. The 
chief prizctakers were Mr. Hepburn, gardener to W. F. Burnley, Esq., 
Ericht Bank, Dunoon ; Mr. McChattie, gardener to Marquis of Lothian, 
Newbattle ; and Mr. Grossart, gardener to J. Buchanan, Esq., Oswald 
Road, Edinburgh. The plants were less noteworthy than the cut 
blooms, and were generally tall and bare of foliage. 
Besides the competition exhibits most of the Edinburgh nurserymen 
contributed to the Show, Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons showing' most ex¬ 
tensively. Mr. Carruthers, gardener, Hillwood, Corstorphine, had also a 
good collection of some six dozen blooms for exhibition, the high quality 
of which attracted much attention. There was also a fair display of 
fruit sent from various growers, Grapes and Apples being most note¬ 
worthy. Financially the Show was a success, as about £30 was cleared. 
A Chrysanthemum Exhibition was also held in Dumfries on the 30th, 
and one at Dundee on December 2nd and 3rd. 
LEEDS PAXTON SOCIETY’S SHOW. 
The annual Exhibition of Chrysanthemums in connection with the 
Leeds Paxton Society was held in the Society’s Room, the “ Grand ” 
Restaurant, Boar Lane, on Saturday last, December 3rd, and was in 
every respect a great success. No prizes were offered, but this did not 
deter the members from bringing their choicest flowers in abundance, the 
result being a display which would not have disgraced any Exhibition, 
and must have been highly satisfactory to the Executive, who work hard 
throughout the whole year to make the Society’s meetings instructive 
and interesting to all. Additional interest attached to the exhibition by 
the fact that Mr. T. Garnett, St. John’s Gardens,Wakefield, read a paper 
entitled “ Cause and Effect in Chrysanthemum Culture,” in which he 
dealt with the points in dispute which had arisen from his “ critique ” on 
Mr. Molyneux’s practice, which appeared in the Journal of Horticulture. 
He gave an interesting review of the whole of the controversy which 
then took place, and said one more year’s experience had strengthened 
him in his opinions as to the correctness of the t osition he then took up, 
and he left it to his audience to determine how far their experience 
coincided with his own. An interesting discussion was opened by Mr. 
Hemming, who complimented Mr. Garnett on the ability he had dis¬ 
played in the production of his essay, and in the course of his remarks 
said that from several years’ observation he was of opinion that the 
dates given by Mr. Molyneux in his book for the propogation of Chrys¬ 
anthemum cuttings were in many cases too late for the locality in 
which they resided, and for the majority of varieties intended for large 
blooms he recommended November-struck cuttings, as giving the best 
returns. The discussion was continued by Messrs. Featherstone, Daniels 
(Mirfield), Grix and Wood, the latter of whom spoke highly in favour of 
the cutting-down system, and said he should continue to practise it. On 
the motion of Mr. Featherstone, seconded by Mr. Frankland, a hearty 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Garnett for his admirable paper. 
Mr. Garnett, having to catch his train, briefly returned thanks, and ex¬ 
pressed the hope that the paper and consequent discussion would help to 
clear up some of the unaccountables. 
Time would not allow of the discussion being completed, and the 
Committee intend devoting a special meeting to that purpose at an early 
date, and hold out a cordial invitation to all cultivators and lovers of 
the Chrysanthemum within easy reach of Leeds to give the benefit of 
their observations and experience. A vast amount of enthusiasm in 
Chrysanthemum growing is being displayed not only round Leeds but 
throughout the county of York generally, as is evidenced by the number 
of exhibitions which have sprung up of late years, and the increased 
amount of attention given to this popular flower by gardeners. That 
such will continue may be inferred from the fact that in a prize essay 
competition on plants grown in pots, fora money prize given by Mr. E. 
Kay, Holbeck Moor Pottery, Leeds, open to under gardeners in the 
West Riding, out of the seven papers sent in for competition four were 
on the Chrysanthemum. The Leeds Paxton Society showed by their 
meeting on Saturday that they are determined to keep pace with the 
times. The attendance numbered over eighty, most of whom were 
gardeners, and the meeting was ably presided over by Mr. J. Smith 
(President), with Mr. Frankland (Vice-President) in the vice-chair. Mr. 
W. Appleby, The Grove, Headingley, Leeds, is the Hon. Secretary. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW IN PARIS. 
The recent Show in Paris does not appear to have been very success¬ 
ful from our point of view, as a correspondent states “ that the flowers 
were very small, Pompons the size of buttons, and Mrs. G. Rundle about 
the size of a medium Pompon Dahlia. Mr. Mease of Liverpool sent a 
stand of cut blooms, which were by far the finest in the Show.” Per¬ 
haps if some of our growers were to send a few stands to the continental 
exhibitions it would assist in the improvement of the cultivation there, 
and it would certainly increase the number of their admirers. We. 
understand that blooms can be sent without any restriction, but cuttings 
are not admitted owing to the Phylloxera regulations. 
JUDGING BY BALLOT. 
Referring to some remarks on judging Chrysanthemums in our 
last issue, Mr. H. Cannell sends us a record of the ballot voting by 
which the prizes he offered were determined at the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Show. As the list is prepared we fail to understand the work¬ 
ing of the system, and if it were published we suspect the majority of 
our readers would be at least as much perplexed as instructed. Mr. 
Cannell observes :—“ I was much grieved, not being aware, when distri¬ 
buting the ballot tickets, that the schedule specified the voting was to 
be confined to members of the Floral Committee ; consequently the 
tickets were handed to various experts. The error having been pointed 
out it was decided to expunge all votes other than those on the Commit¬ 
tee ; the decision therefore was left to Messrs. Gibson and Kemp. Mr. 
Swift was also a member, but unfortunately did not record his vote. It 
is very gratifying that Messrs. Gibson and Kemp voted in the majority 
of all four prizes.” We should expect Messrs. Gibson and Kemp to vote 
correctly, and if we understand the list before us Messrs. Molyneux, 
Shoesmith, Beckett, and Mitchell voted in the same way, and their votes 
appear to be included in the totals ; yet in the final verdict seem to 
have been struck out for the reason indicated. Still, we are informed, 
subject to that revision, but through some mistake no prize was accorded 
to Mr. Martin, though subsequently Mr. Martin was awarded the first 
prize. The ballot system has not worked well nor given general satis¬ 
faction ; it is, however, new, and time may be required for perfecting it. 
Under any circumstances it could only be applicable to a limited 
number of stands, being much too cumbrous and time-absorbing to be 
practised throughout a show. It is for committees of societies to de¬ 
termine the manner in which prizes shall be awarded at their shows, and 
if the Committee of the N.C.S. consider the balloting method the b st 
th^y will no doubt adopt it in future. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT PERRY HILL. 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co. have had an unusually fine display of 
Chrysanthemums at their Perry Hill Nursery this season, the plants 
well grown and the blooms fine in all the leading varieties. Two houses 
were devoted to them, that near the entrance presenting a very bright 
and beautiful effect, as the plants were arranged to form a long bank in 
the centre sloping to the door, with smaller banks on each side. Mr. 
Waters is an experienced Chrysanthemum grower, and it is surprising 
how so good a display could be provided amidst such a multiplicity of 
business arrangements. Some of the incurved of the Queen type had 
deep well proportioned blooms, while the Japanese were extremely good 
in size and colours. Messrs. Carter’s novelty, Bronze Queen, has con¬ 
siderably improved this year, and in several places we have seen hand¬ 
some blooms of it. Amongst the new Japanese imported by this firm 
from Japan last season several have proved very promising, the finest up 
to the present being Mrs. Beale, which was awarded a first-class certifi¬ 
cate at the Crystal Palace Show early last month. This magnificent, 
variety has been said to be identical with another also introduced about 
the same time, but whether that be so or not it is a grand acquisition, 
the pure white florets being of great breadth and substance, incurving 
and twisting in a remarkable manner. It is a splendid exhibition 
variety and will certainly find favour with Chrysanthemum growers.— 
Visitor. 
THE NEWCASTLE ON-TYNE HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
ANNUAL MEETING. 
On the 30th ult. the annual meeting of the Durham, Northumberland, 
and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Botmical and Horticultural Society was held at 
the Alexandra Hotel, Clayton Street, Newcastle. Aid. Thos. Gray presided, 
and there was a Lrge attendance. The annual report of the Council was 
submitted by the Hon. Secretary (Mr. Gillespie). It stated:— 
Last year, it will be remembered, closed with the large deficit of £12.7, 
and your Council entered upon their duties for the present year with a con¬ 
siderable amount of anxiety as to the future of the Society, not in the least 
diminished when the results of the spring show became known, which, 
excellent though it was as a floral display, realised for the two-days 
admission only the very meagre total of £99 0s. 6d., as against £133 4s. 6d. 
for the previous year, and £144 12s. for 1885. 
In the report for last year allusion was made to certain negotiations, 
then in progress with the Exhibition authorities, with the view of holding 
one of the Society’s shows in the Exhibition or its adjoining grounds. 
These negotiations resulted, ultimately, in mutual terms being arranged. 
