180 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f August 23, 1888. 
been such a disastrous one. The Cos Lettuces and the Scarlet Runners 
were of an indifferent description ; of the last-named there were very 
few exhibits. The Carrots were fine. The Cauliflowers were the best 
that have been seen in a Tavistock exhibition for many years, and the 
Broad Beans were of extraordinary length, some measuring 15 inches. 
Of the baskets of vegetables we cannot speak too highly. They evoked 
the greatest admiration, and as the Judges found it a task of such 
difficulty to award the prizes, it must have been very satisfactory to 
them, and it could not fail to have inspired confidence in their decisions, 
when it was discovered on comparing results that W. Palmer, W. Thorne, 
and S. Miles, who took prizes in the order named for the best kept 
gardens were also recipients of the first and second prizes for baskets of 
vegetables, Messrs. Thorne and Miles being equal in this competition. In 
the fruit department three fine bunches of Grapes were exhibited by 
Mr. Marshall, and two bunches by Mr. D. Radford. Messrs. Dingle and 
Sons sent some exceptionally large Black Currants and Gooseberries. In 
the competitive classes the exhibits were of a creditable description. A 
large Melon was exhibited by Mr. W. H. Tuckett, of Mannamead, Ply¬ 
mouth, and three fine ones by General McArthur, of Brooklands, not for 
competition. Mr. R. B. E. Gill contributed £10 towards the prize list 
for the best kept cottages in the town and country, and there was plenty 
•of competition. There were no exhibits of honey, although prizes were 
offered, but some excellent specimens of butter and cream were shown. 
The highly satisfactory manner in which the arrangements for the Show, 
were carried out was in no small degree due to the untiring energy of 
the Secretary, Mr. H. E. Monk .—(Tavistock Gazette.') 
CUCKFIELD COTTAGERS’ SOCIETY. 
This flourishing Society held its twenty-seventh annual Show on 
Wednesday, the 15th inst., in the vicarage field. This is simply a cot¬ 
tagers’ Society, including the districts of Haywards Heath and Staple- 
field, the parishes of Balcombe, Bolney, and Slaugham, and is chiefly 
supported by the liberal donations of the resident ladies and gentlemen 
-of those parishes, whose subscriptions amount to something like £70 
or £80 annually. The Committee is composed of representative gar¬ 
deners from tach parish and tradesmen and others of the town of Cuck- 
field. Cuckfield cottagers have always been noted for their vegetables, 
and the present occasion was no exception of the rule. There were 
eighty exhibitors came forward, and the entries were 938, nearly 200 
more than last year. Potatoes were well represented. In six classes 
there were 110 entries, which, with those entered for special prizes, 
made close upon 250 plates of splendid Potatoes. Broad Beans, Peas, 
Turnips, underground Onions, and Celery were very good. Runner 
Beans, Carrots, Parsnips, and spring-sown Onions were not so good as 
those produced last year on the “ dry system.” Small fruit was fairly 
well shown, but Apples and Pears were a poor lot. There is also an 
amateurs’ class, but when the fruits, flowers, and vegetables shown by 
them are compared with those of the cottagers, one is obliged to come 
to the conclusion that the former would cut a poor figure in the prize 
list were the two sections amalgamated. 
The centre stage in the cottagers’ tent was filled with fine collections 
of plants kindly sent bv R. A. Bevan, Esq., Horsgate (Geo. Stringer, 
gardener), who staged by far the best lot of plants, and they were as 
effectively arranged as they were well cultivated. W. Payne, Esq., 
Hatchlands (T. Burtinshaw, gardener) ; T. W. Erie, Esq., Mill Hall 
(H. Scutt, gardener) ; G. Knott, Esq., Knowle Lodge (W. Stovell, gar¬ 
dener) ; T. W. Best, Esq., Harvest Hill (J. Singley, gardener) ; and 
F. Huth, Esq , Hinmead Hall (T. Feist, gardener), also sent good groups 
of plants, all arranged in this tent. In the amateurs’ tent similar ex¬ 
hibits of plants came from T. T. C. Lister, Esq., Borde Hill (R. Inglis, 
gardener), and Mrs. Meberly Mytten (J. Mitchell, gardener), while a 
fine lot of plants and cut flowers from Messrs. Balchin & Sons, Has¬ 
socks ; several fine boxes of Roses from Mr. Piper of Uckfield ; collec¬ 
tions of dried grasses and hardy flowers, &c., from Messrs. Roots, Cuck¬ 
field ; and a miscellaneous collection of Dahlias, plants, &c., from Messrs. 
Oheal & Sons, Cjawley, made up a display well worthy of the town and 
district. 
A few special prizes are offered for gentlemen’s gardeners. Mr. 
Manton, gardener to Mrs. Clifford-Borrer, Bolney, secured Messrs. Sut¬ 
ton’s prize for a tray of vegetables with splendid samples, all good. 
Mr. J. Mitchell was first for a similar prize given by Messrs. Cheal and 
Sons. Mr. Stringer was awarded Mr. Pannett’s (of Chailey) prize for 
twelve Dahlias, with fine blooms for the season. Messrs. Balchin’s prize 
for black Grapes was easily won by Geo. Warren, gardener to Mrs. 
Hankey, Balcombe Place, with well coloured, though rather loose, 
bunches. Mr. T. Burtenshaw was awarded Mr. Piper’s prize for twelve 
Roses. Here let me state a fact not quite creditable to the tradesmen 
of Cuckfield. Out of nine special prizes offered only two are given by 
men residing in the district. The Show was well attended, and the 
receipts at the gate satisfactory. The duties of Secretary was ably 
•carried out by J. Tugwell, sen. 
PORTMADOC. 
This excellent Society held its ninth annual Show as above in the 
park in what may fitly be termed Queen’s weather. On the whole the 
■exhibits were neither as numerous, nor perhaps as meritorious, as have 
been brought together here in former years, a variety of circumstances 
contributing towards this result. The Society is, however, in a flourishing 
condition, and promises well for future successes. 
Mention should be made of special awards given by Messrs. Barr and 
'Son, London ; Messrs. Daniels Bro3., Norwich ; Messrs. W. Clibran and 
Son, Altrincham and Manchester ; and Mr. T. Cumming, which elicited 
a good competition. 
Several meritorious stands were put up “ not for competition,” 
R. M. Greaves, Esq., Wern, having a choice collection of Ferns and 
Palms. Mrs. Osmond Williams, Dendroeth Castle, most tastefully 
arranged water bouquets and decorative plants, reflecting credit upon 
her able gardener, Mr. Ward. Trade exhibits were confined to Messrs. 
Dickson, Chester, and Messrs. W. Clibran & Son, Oldfield Nurseries, 
Altrincham, the former with stands of cut Roses and herbaceous flowers 
in their usual style, and the latter with a large stand of decorative, 
foliage and flowering plants coming in for unstinted attention, and some 
stands of Roses highly creditable for such a season. From their cut 
flower depot also an exhibit of special merit was sent, consisting of 
wreath, anchor, and bouquet, all of which were greatly admired. 
The fruit exhibited was certainly good, first for black and white 
Grapes falling to, and well merited by, J. E. Greaves, Esq., Criccietli 
(Mr. Morgan, gardener), second in both cases secured by J. Vaughan, Esq., 
Nannau (Mr. Cooke, gardener), with excellent bunches but not quite so 
well finished. Peaches.—Mr. Cooke was well to the fore here, Mr. Percival 
being'second. H. J. Ellis Nanney, Gwynfryn, was first with a green 
fleshed Melon (Mr. Roberts, gardener) ; Lady Ewing, Bettws-y-Coed, 
first with a searlet-flesh ; Mr. Townhend (gardener, Mr. Roberts), taking 
second. 
In the plant classes we come upon three Achimenes, which secured 
for Mr. Roberts, gardener, Gwynfryn, first prize, and which for size, 
training, and bloom were admirable. Other successful exhibitors in 
plants were J. E. Greaves, F. S. Percival, R. Pugh Jones, Ynysgain, Mrs. 
Osmond Williams, Lady Ewing, and R. M. Greaves. 
Cut Flowers.—Capt. Wynn Griffith, Llanfair Hall, took first honours 
with Asters and double Dahlias (J. Ellis, gardener); Carnations, D. 
Homfray, Esq., Portmadoc. Pansies.—Mr. Cooke, Nannau, as usual 
took first; second, J. M ! Lean, Minfford. Collection of Cut Flowers.— 
First. Mr. Cooke ; second, Miss Rae, Tanybwlch ; third, Capt. Wynn 
Griffith. Buttonhole Bouquet.—First, Mr. Cooke ; second, F. S. Per- 
cical. Bridal Bouquet of Outdoor Flowers.—First, Mr. Cooke ; second, 
F. S. Percival ; third, Mrs. Osmond Williams. Bouquets of Stove and 
Greenhouse Flowers.—First, F. S. Percival; second, R. P. Jone3. 
Vegetables are always strongly shown, this year being no exception, 
amateurs and cottagers being particularly good. It is sufficient testimony 
to the good work of the Society to see the exhibits that are brought here 
annually, and to see throughout the season the humblest cottager 
improving his own and no less his neighbour's condition by striving 
hard and constantly for the honour of winning a prize or series of prizes 
on the great show day. 
One of these hardworking men carried proudly away from the Show 
no less than nineteen prizes, notwithstanding the keen competition. 
One of the old-hand gardeners, too, is to be congratulated on taking 
away thirteen prizes, ten of them being first. 
W0KK fouthe WE EK.. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Lifting and Storing Early Potatoes.— The disease we antici¬ 
pated some weeks ago has come, and some varieties' are badly affected. 
Some of the early ones have escaped ; the latest are not touched, but the 
second early and midseason sorts are the worst. Unfortunately these 
are not ripe, or we should advise the : r being dug up and stored at once ; 
but it would be a mistake to do this until they are matured, but all 
early Potatoes should be lifted and stored at once. When the weather 
is favourable let them remain in the air for a few hours after lifting to 
dry, but do not expose them to much light afterwards. Remove any 
affected with disease, and store all that can be secured. We have been 
so exempt from disease for a few years that little attention has been 
given to it of late, but this year is a disagreeable reminder, and those 
who cultivate a large quantity of early Potatoes will be lucky. Indeed, 
there is no better way of securing a crop free from disease than to grow 
a large proportion of early ones, and all who suffer from the disease this 
year should bear this in mind at planting time next spring. 
Old Cabbages. —Plants which have been heading during the 
summer are now over, and the question is what to do with them. If 
other kinds of winter greens are good and plentiful the Cabbage stumps 
may be drawn up and thrown away, and the ground filled with winter 
Spinach or some other crop ; but if vegetables for the early winter are 
likely to be scarce the Cabbages should be kept, as they will produce 
many side shoots that will form useful little heads, and these are 
valuable in times of need. When it is decided to do this the decayed 
leaves should be cleared from them and the weeds hoed out. Some time 
ago we planted some spring-sown Cabbages. These are about half grown 
now, and by October they will be ready for use ; but we are never in a 
hurry to throw the old plants away, as they frequently turn in most 
useful when vegetables are scarce. 
Autumn Onions. - Onions sown last year did not bulb very well in 
