66 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 2G,188k 
tion, and meet with wider acceptance than the records of a show 
could possibly do, however extensive and varied it might be. The 
reading of the prize essays thus obtained, with the discussion on 
them, during the period of tbe Congress at Chiswick, would enor¬ 
mously enhance its importance, and the public would be quick to 
see that the Society was engaged far more appropriately and bene¬ 
ficially than in the hackneyed work of “ showing,” and the Crystal 
Palace Conference lvould act as an appetiser to what ought to be 
a still greater and more important event. 
VEGETABLES FOR EXHIBITION. 
SELECTIONS FOR SUMMER SHOWS. 
That many good vegetable growers err greatly when selecting 
their dishes for competition I well know, having bought my learning 
in that respect years ago, and others are doing the same every 
season. In most schedules the prizes are offered for a collection of 
eight kinds of vegetables, distinct, or the number may be two less 
or more. When it is staled that distinct kinds are required this 
means that no two varieties of Potatoes, Onions, or any other species 
will be allowed, infringing this rule justifying the judges in dis¬ 
qualifying the collection. There should always be a limit to the 
number of dishes, but if the prizes are offered for a collection of 
not less than, say, six varieties of vegetables, a hundred dishes may 
be staged, these including as many varieties of each kind as the 
exhibitors choose to put up. In such unsatisfactory competitions 
those who have charge of a large garden literally swamp their less 
favoured rivals. I must plead guilty to having won prizes in this 
way, but I should have been much prouder of winning with a fixed 
number of dishes. 
Any time during the summer, and more especially during 
August, when so many shows are held, there are usually plenty to 
select from ; but what I term a model selection would consist of 
Potatoes, Tomatoes, Cauliflowers, Globe Artichokes, Peas, Carrots, 
Onions, and Cucumbers. If four more are wanted add Kidney or 
Eunner Beans, Vegetable Marrows, Turnips, and Broad Beans, and 
in reserve Celery, Cabbage, Beet, and Mushrooms. No one, how¬ 
ever, should think of rigidly adhering to, say, the first six or eight 
dishes unless all were extra good. What is shown should be as 
nearly perfect as possible ; and if, for instance, Carrots are bad, leave 
them, and substitute either Turnips, Kidney Beans, Marrows, or 
any other kind that may be superior. The same remark holds good 
with all other kinds excepting Potatoes, these being generally con¬ 
sidered indispensable. Cabbage ought to be the last to fall back 
upon, as it cannot be considered of much value in the summer, nor do 
I attach much value to extra early Celery, as unless it is very good 
it does not count for much in a limited collection. 
Some schedules state the number of specimens to form each dish, 
and where this is the case the greatest care should be exercised. 
Trickery of all kinds ought to be avoided. Never, if it can possibly 
be avoided, include roots, or specimens of various sizes, nor two 
varieties in one dish. Those which invariably please the judges are 
of uniform age, size, and colour, and in most instances medium¬ 
sized examples are preferable to those either very large or rather 
small. From nine to twelve Potatoes are usually sufficient for one 
dish, and these should be of good size, clear skinned, shallow-eyed, 
and without a trace of disease in them. If they are to be sent or 
carried some distance a few surplus tubers must be packed, as 
during the bad seasons some of those apparently free from disease 
may have developed it in the journey. All should, directly they are 
lifted, be carefully sponged clean, taking care not to bruise the 
skins in any way, and directly they are dry cover them to prevent 
greening. If packed for a long journey, wrap each tuber separately 
in paper and pack closely in a box. Fine tubers of the old Snow¬ 
flake type, such as Cosmopolitan, Sutton’s Seedling, Cole’s Favourite, 
and Woodstock Kidney, always look well among a collection of 
vegetables, but I would on no account include International 
Kidney. 
Tomatoes give quite a finish to a basket or tray of vegetables, 
and count well when judging by points is resortei to. The Perfec¬ 
tion type, or the round, smooth-fruited varieties “ take ” best, and 
all should be nearly of one size, not over-ripe, and good in colour. 
They cannot well be too large always provided they have no ugly 
centres. As Tomatoes travel badly, and are of much less value 
when bruised, each fruit ought either to be wrapped in a square of 
tissue paper, and then bedded in moss, or strips of cotton avooI can 
be wound round each Tomato, and all be packed closely together. 
In any case pack them stalk end downwards, and let them rest on a 
springy bed of moss or cotton wool, the lid closing down tightly on 
more of the same material. They keep longest when cut before 
they are really ripe, and will colour in a warm room nearly as well 
as they do on the plants. 
Cauliflowers, if really good, are also of great weight in a collec¬ 
tion, but those old much-greened, and, perhaps, caterpillar-eaten 
specimens sometimes seen at shows, had far better been left at 
home, and another good kind substituted. Large specimens ought 
not to be shown unless the “ heads ” are quite solid and white, as 
those nearer the sizeof a 2-lb. Melon, if quite fresh, will surpass others 
larger but less even. They may be kept several days by having 
the leaves tied tightly over them, this being preferable tn lifting 
and storing in a shed. Preserve as many leaves as possible until 
the show tent is reached, this preserving the hearts, and which are 
easily bruised and become discoloured even in a short journey. 
Good-sized quite fresh Cauliflowers will stand and look all the 
better for rather severe trimming when being staged, but in the 
case of small or rather stale samples a few of the small inner leaves 
should be preserved. As they are liable to green quickly it is advis¬ 
able to cover Cauliflowers and other white vegetables with paper 
till clear-out time arrives. 
Globe Artichokes if shown in good condition secure the maxi¬ 
mum number of points. The green variety is the best, but we 
include good samples of the Purple Globe rather than have no 
Artichokes in a collection. Very young or very old heads are 
unsuitable, neither being of much value. What are wanted are 
large, fully open, yet quite fresh heads, or those with thick 
succulent scales. It is the latter that the judges should test 
with the thumb and forefinger, and if found hard and dry be 
discarded. Six or nine heads are none too many, and these ought 
to be cut with long stems, especially if the collection is arranged 
in a basket. 
Peas if fresh and good are entitled to a place in quite small 
collections. The pods ought to be straight, rich green in colour, 
well filled, yet not too old. Mere windbags are of no use, as Peas 
ought always to be tested by opening if not actually tasted. 
Telegraph, Telephone, Stratagem, Duke of Albarnq Evolution, 
Jubilee, and Prodigy are all fine exhibition varieties, none failing 
to fill well, and for the later shows Ne Plus Ultra is also good. 
Gather Peas while the dew is on them, and carefully lay them 
in shallow boxes. When roughly handled the bloom is rubbed 
off them, and they present a spotted fringed appearance. If 
they have to be taken a considerable distance, pack the pods 
closely, the layers being separated by tissue paper. 
Carrots when of good colour and well selected much improve 
the appearance of a collection, and I never like to omit them. The- 
Nantes, Yeitch’s Model, Champion, and other superior Horn varie¬ 
ties, if of full size, are the best for the summer shows, and later 
on fine samples of the New Intermediate are hard to surpass. It 
is of importance that the roots be all of one size, clear skinned, and 
richly coloured. Quite small fibres and much of the tops may be 
trimmed off with advantage, and the roots be carefully sponged 
clean, dried, and then wrapped separately in paper. 
Onions are considered indispensable by some exhibitors of 
collections, but I do not admit this. If good they ought to be 
included, not otherwise. Any time up to September the autumn- 
sown Tripolis may be shown in collections in preference to those 
of the White Spanish type spring,-sown. The white-skinned 
varieties, notably Early White Naples, Giant White, or White 
Elephant, are more attractive in appearance than the Eoccas, the 
latter being reserved for the class for heavy Onions. All loosfr 
skins and the roots should be trimmed off and a sponging in clean 
water be given. Select those with rather flat tops and well-rounded 
bulbs, and stage them with the tops downwards. Spring-sown 
Onions ought to have small necks, be ripened as much as possible,, 
the straw-coloured skin looking well. Trim off the loosest skins 
only and the roots, and sponge them clean. These should be staged 
with the tops uppermost, but seeing that the judges cannot resist 
handling even Onions, give the preference to well-rounded bulb* 
with neat necks. 
Cucumbers are usually included in good collections of vegetables, 
and if young, very straight, even in size throughout, and with short 
necks, they count well. At one time a brace was considered ample 
for a dish, but nowadays, in some districts at any rate, large heaps 
are put up. At first sight large heaps of vegetables of any kind 
attract attention, but with experienced judges have but little weight 
unless the whole of the produce is of good quality. Always, there¬ 
fore, stage enough to avoid meagreness, but never put up large 
heaps of mixed quality. Carter’s Model, Tender and True, and a 
good selection of Telegraph are all good for competition, both in 
collections and single classes. 
Kidney and Eunner Beans are of about equal merit, but the 
latter, if at their best, are the most imposing in appearance and 
may be preferred. Neither can be too long and broad provided 
they are not too old. They ought to be perfectly straight, rich 
green in colour, and should 3nap readily when tried by the judges. 
The latter do not always take the topmost pods, and although it is 
advisable to finish off the heap with some of the best, the rest 
