AngTIEt 9, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
131 
recent bad weather, although some were very fine. There was a good 
show of Melons, but in a few instances only were they of high flavour. 
Peaches and Nectarines were good, being highly coloured, if not large. 
Hardy fruits were well shown. For six dishes of fruit, the varieties to 
be distinct (Pines excluded), four prizes were offered, the handsome 
sum of five guineas being the first, which brought five competitors. 
Mr. H. AV. Ward, gardener to the Right Hon. Earl of Radnor, Long¬ 
ford Castle, Salisbury, was easily first—Muscat of Alexandria, shapely 
bunches with good berries and good colour ; Black Hamburgh, medium 
sized bunches of good colour ; fine Hero of Lockinge Melon ; large 
Goshawk Peaches ; rather green Pine Apple Nectarines and Brown 
Turkey Figs were his dishes. Mr. W. Allen, gardener to Sir G. Russell, 
Bart., M.P., Swallowfield Park, Reading, was second, bavirg good 
Black Hamburgh Grapes and Melon, with well coloured Violette 
Hiitive Peaches and Lord Napier Nectarines. Mr. E. Molyneux, gar¬ 
dener to W. H. Myers, Esq., Swaomore Park, Bishops Waltham, was 
third, Madresfield Court, Buckland Sweetwater, and Pine Apple 
Nectarines were his best dishes. Mr. J. Evans, gardener to Lady L. 
Ashburton, Melchet Court, Romsey, being fourth. Five competed with 
three bunches of black Grapes, the best coming from Mr. C. Warden, 
gardener to Sir F. Bathurst, Clarendon Park, Salisbury, who staged 
good sized clusters, even berries, and well finished. Second, Mr. W. 
Allen, whose bunches were rather loose, with fine berries and good colour. 
Third, Mr. C. Curtis, gardener to J. S. Dixon, Esq., Hollybank, Hythe, 
with large bunches and berries, but not well coloured. For three 
bunches of white Grapes, Mr. E. Molyneux was the only competitor, 
staging good Buckland Sweetwater. For two bunches of black Grapes 
Mr. E. Molyneux was an easy first with Madresfield Court, only want¬ 
ing a trifle more colour to make' them perfect. Mr. W. Sanders, gar¬ 
dener to J. East, Esq., Longstock House, Stockbridge, was second. For 
the same number of white bunches Mr. C. Curtis led the way with 
large Foster’s Seedling, moderately coloured. Mr. J. Allen, gardener 
to Captain the Hon. Y. Montague, Wherwell Priory, Andover, was 
second. The best single bunch of black Grapes came from Mr. C. Moly¬ 
neux, who again staged Madresfield Court of capital quality ; Mr. J. 
Evans being second with Black Hamburgh, fine in bunch, berry, and 
colour ; Mr. Warden was third. Mr. C. Curtis, with Foster’s Seedling, 
and Mr. J. Allen, with Muscat of Alexandria, took the honours as placed 
for one bunch of white Grapes. For one Pine Apple, Mr. G. Lock, 
gardener to W. B. Cleave, Esq., Newcombe House, Crediton, was first 
with Smooth Cayenne of good size, Mr. Ward following with a fair 
Queen. The best scarlet flesh Melon came from Mr. J. Evans, a small 
Read’s Hybrid, with Turner’s Scarlet Gem ; Messrs. W. & G. Drover, 
nurserymen, Fareham, was second. Seven competed with one green 
flesh Melon, Hero of Lockinge from Mr. Ward taking first honours ; 
Mr. W. Sanders being second with the same variety. Mr. G. Garner, 
gardener to Mrs. Brady 11, Amberwood, Christchurch, third. For one 
dish of six Peaches nine staged. Mr. C. Curtis was first with Royal 
George, richly coloured ; Mr. J. Allen, second, with large Late Admir¬ 
able. For one dish of six Nectarines ten staged, Mr. G. Inglefield, 
gardener to Sir J. W. Kelk, Bart,, Tedworth, Marlborough, with Elruge, 
beautifully coloured, but small; Mr. Molyneux, second, with Pine 
Apple ; Mr. C. Curtis third. For six dishes of fruit, outdoor growth, 
distinct, Mr. J. Evans led the way with Gooseberries, Red Currants, 
and Strawberries, all fine ; Mr. R. West, gardener to J. It. Wigram, Esq., 
Northlands, Salisbury, was a close second ; third, Mr. AY. Sanders. 
Vegetables. —The competition in all classes was keen, and the 
produce staged was of remarkable excellence. For twelve distinct 
varieties, two kinds of Potatoes allowed, round and kidney, seven com¬ 
peted. Mr. C. J. AA r aite, gardener to Col the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Glen- 
hurst, Esher, was first, staging in his usual style, his best dishes being 
AVebb’s Giant AAGiite Tripoli Onion, Webb’s new Kinver Cauliflower, 
new Intermediate Carrot, long and clean, AA r ebb’s Stourbridge Glory 
Potato, a long variety of good shape; Reading Perfection Tomato, 
extra good, and Ne Plus Ultra Scarlet Runner Bean, fine dish. Mr. AY. 
Pope, gardener to the Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, Newbury, 
was a close secondEarly Puritan Kidney Potato, clean and good ; the 
Duchess Pea, of fine colour, extra large ; Standard Bearer Celery, and 
Tomatoes were his best dishes. Mr. T. AVilkins, gardener to Lady 
Theodora Guest, Inwood House, Hurstridge, Blandfonl, was third with 
smaller produce, but neat and good. For nine varieties eight competed. 
Mr. F. J. Cox, gardener to R. K. AVyndham, Esq., Corliampton House, 
Bishops AValtham, led the way with the Turner Hybrid Tomato, Duke 
of Albany Pea, and AVhite Elephant Onion, all of first quality. Air. 
Molyneux followed closely, and Air. J. Allen third. For six varieties, 
the prizes offered by Messrs A\ T ebb & Sons, there were eight entries, Air. 
C. J. AVaite being again first, his exhibits being similar to those in the 
larger class ; Mr. Pope and Mr. T. AVilkins beidg second and third. For 
the best nine specimens of Sutton’s Reading Perfection Tomato, the 
prizes being offered by this firm, seven competed, Air. C. J. AVaite 
securing first honours with large, even, well ripened fruits, Mr. T. 
AnnalD, gardener to T. J. Slienton, Esq., The Glen, Golden Common, 
AVinchester, being second, Air. G, Inglefield being third. For one dish 
of Tomatoes Air. W. Joy, nurseryman, Shirley, staged splendid Hack- 
wood Tark, and was easily first. Air. AAraite and Mr. Cox followed in 
the order named among twelve entries. For four sorts of round and 
four sorts of kidney Potatoes, six of each, nine competed. Mr. R. 
AA r est was first with tubers of capital quality, being clean, of even size, 
Air. Bresee, Sutton’s Seedling, and Chancellor being the best. Air. AY. 
Sanders followed close, Air. II. AV. Ward being third, he also staging 
good quality. 
Cut Flowers. —For the most elegantly dressed table with flowers 
suitable for six persons, five competed. Air. G. Lock was awarded first 
honours with a well arranged table, three epergnes gracefully yet not 
heavily filled with appropriate flowers, amongst which were intermixed 
long, narrow, gold-coloured Croton leaves hanging from the summit of 
each stand, which produced a decided effect, the specimen glasses being 
lightly filled with Stanbopcas and Anthuriums. and Ferns. Second, 
Aliss Flight, Cornstiles, Twyford, AVinchester, the base of her centre 
epergne being rather too heavy, while the placing of the purple Beeclr 
leaves on the cloth around the epergne added still more to its heavy ap¬ 
pearance ; the four corners of the table were also rather crowded. Third, 
Aliss Stratton. The best decorated epergne was from Air. J. Cypher, 
nurseryman, Cheltenham, with a splendid arrangement, the base par¬ 
ticularly so, and the flowers of the choicest, Francoa ramosa and the 
foliage, long and drooping, of Russclia juncea, being effectively used 
along with Orchids and other choice flowers. Mr. J. R. Chard, nursery¬ 
man, Stoke Newington, and Miss B. Flight being second and third re¬ 
spectively. The most tastefully arranged basket of flowers, open only to- 
ladies, Aliss B. Flight led the way with a choice arrangement, followed 
by Aliss Hobby, Freemantle. The same two competitors were placed in 
the same order for a basket of wild flowers and grasses, the first prize- 
one being charmingly arranged as to colour. For the most elegant ball 
bouquet Air. J. R. Chard was first with a rich arrangement, of Orchids 
principally, Alessrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, being second. The latter 
reversed their position for one bridal bouquet with a splendid arrange¬ 
ment, Air. Chard being second for one not so light in arrangement. For 
six buttonhole bouquets Alessrs. Perkins again took first with ex¬ 
tremely neat and choice arrangements, principally Orchids, Air. Chard 
being second. For twelve bunches of cut flowers, distinct, Air. Evans 
was first with a choice collection, followed by Air. H. James, nursery¬ 
man, AArest Norwood. For twelve varieties of hardy herbaceous cut 
flowers, Air. Alolyneux was an easy first with a splendid box, chief 
amongst them being Phlox Alax Kolb, Rudbeckia laevigata, Trachelium 
coeruleum, Lychnis Flos-Jovis ; Air. B. Ladhams, florist, Shirley, and 
Alessrs. J. Cheal & Sons, nurserymen, Crawley, Sussex, being second and 
third respectively. The best double and single Pelargoniums were staged 
by Air. G. Busby, gardener to F. AYillan, Esq., Thornhill Park, Bitterne. 
For twenty-four blooms of Roses, distinct, Alessrs. Keynes, AVilliams and 
Co., The Nurseries, Salisbury, was first with flowers full and rich in 
colour, Beauty of AValtham, Alfred Colomb, Charles Lefebvre, and 
Alarshal P. AVilder being most noteworthy, Alessrs. Perkins & Sons 
being second. For twelve blooms of Roses, distinct, gardeners only,. 
Air. AV. Clements, gardener to H. J. Gibbs, Esq., Foord, near Salisbury,, 
and Air. AV. Neville, gardener to F. AV. Flight, Esq., were first and 
second respectively. The best Carnations and Pieotees, twelve of each, 
were staged by Mr. J. Ribbeck, 5, Bevois Terrace, Southampton. 
The following exhibits were staged not for competition :—A double- 
crimson Begonia from Air. AVills, which received a first-class certificate, 
compact in growth, with full solid blooms. Two boxes of Roses from 
Messrs. Keynes, AVilliams & Co. Alessrs. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, 
had two boxes of Pompon and single Dahlias of good appearance. The 
new seedling Potato AVebber’s Early AVhite Beauty, which has already 
received a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society, 
as its appearance merited (it is said to be of excellent quality and 
very early), was shown by Mr. F. AVebber, Tonbridge. Alessrs. Cannell' 
and Sons, Swanley. obtained a certificate of merit for cut blooms of 
double and single Begonias, also several plants of a very fine double 
white Begonia Octavie, a full Camellia-flowered kind of excellent quality, 
Alessrs. Lucombe, Pince & Co. staged fine Carnations and Pieotees, 
also forty-eight blooms of Rose Niphetos. Air. Rogers, Red Lodge 
Nursery, had a capital collection of 150 plants, representing the best of 
his collection of hardy shrubs, arranged effectively at one end of the 
tents. The effect was good. 
WORK/oiithe WE EK, • 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Sowing Autumn Onions. —All who take an interest in Onions 
know the Giant Rocca and Tripoli types, seed of which is sown in 
autumn to afford bulbs in spring and early summer. They are most 
useful at that time and for exhibition purposes. On or about the 12th 
of August is our date for sowing the seed. We have tried it both before 
and after that date, but never found any answer so well as the 12th, as 
the plants become a good size before the winter, and very few “ bolted ” 
in spring. The latter is important, as we have known whole beds of 
autumn-sown Onions run to flower in April and Alay and never bulb. 
The soil for these Onions should be well manured and fully exposed to 
the sun. To prevent worms or grubs doing damage sprinkle a good 
quantity of salt in with the manure before digging, and if the soil is so 
dry that it will not stick to the feet tread the surface very firm after 
digging, but before sowing the seed broadcast or in rows. If in the 
latter sow 10 inches apart, and in all cases cover with soil to the depth 
of 1 inch, as it keeps the plants firm at the collar throughout the 
