September 6, '888. | 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
225 
success, and Dr. Lucas, the Treasurer, Mr. Sims, the Hon. Sec., and the 
Committee generally were well encouraged by the results of the first 
Show. 
Mr. Wilkens, gardener to W. S. Ridley, Esq. ; Mr. A. Tolley, St. 
Helens ; and Mr. R. Tolley, gardener to Lady Oglander, filled the centre 
stage of the marquee with stove and greenhouse flowering plants, which 
were a grand attraction. The stage around was filled with the various 
classes of stands and baskets of flowers, bouquets, fruits, and vegetables. 
The productions were very creditable; the baskets of flowers showed 
great taste in the arrangement, but some of the Potatoes were coarse. 
Prizes were awarded for the best kept and cropped allotment ground. 
G. R. Lucas, Esq., Mrs. Morris, Mr. J. W. Pain, Mr. Barham, Mr. 
! G. Corbett, Mr. A. Bownin, and Mrs. Lucas were the principal con¬ 
tributors to the amateurs’ division. The basket of cut flowers from 
the last named lady was much admired. Mr. Frank Cooper was first 
for a dish of black Grapes, showing some good Black Hamburghs, 
Mr. A. Tolley second, but for white Grapes the latter was first with 
i good Muscat of Alexandria. The dish of Figs that gained the first 
prize, exhibited by Mrs. Hills of Adgestone, being as fine as we have 
I ever seen. The heaviest Potatoes were a dish of The Daniels, second 
was White Elephants. Fidler’s Prolific was first in the class for 
kidneys, and Radstock Beauty in the class for round Potatoes. The 
Rev. E. Summers and friends from the vicarage contributed some 
beautiful stands of cut flowers, and a model garden ; Miss Hinxman 
1 a very attractive epergne of cut flowers, and Mrs. Senior some beauti¬ 
fully arranged baskets of flowers. Mr. Frank Cooper also exhibited 
a stand of six bunches of well finished Black Hamburgh Grapes. 
An object of especial interest was a fine collection of vegetable 8 
i exhibited, not for competition, by Mr. C. Orchard, bailiff to the Brading 
, Harbour Company. There were twenty-five varieties arranged in the 
group, all of which were grown on the reclaimed land. The collection 
was considered one of the finest that had ever been exhibited in the 
island. Sutton’s Masterpiece, Sutton’s Abundance, and Sutton’s Satis¬ 
faction Potatoes were particularly clean and good. Cannell’s Come to 
Stay new Potato was much admired. Sutton’s Early Gem and New 
Intermediate Carrot, Early London Cauliflower, Sutton’s Satisfaction, 
Pride of the Market, and President Garfield Peas were also good ; Beet- 
! roots, Parsnips, and Onions being also in like proportions that quite 
j astonished the natives that knew the sand and mud banks that were 
i under the sea but a few years ago. Segt. Williams, Brading, also exhi¬ 
bited six dishes of vegetables, not for competition. 
SHERBORNE.— August 29th. 
This Society has been established twenty-seven years, and on the 
whole the annual exhibitions have been highly successful. Latterly, 
, however, the fixtures have been rather unfortunate, and it was earnestly 
j hoped that more favourable weather than usual would have been ex- 
| perienced, an extra large attendance of visitors being needed in order to 
bring up the funds somewhat. Unfortunately frequent very heavy 
showers much marred the proceedings, and in all probability another 
I deficit resulted. The Show was held among the ruins of the old Sher¬ 
borne Castle, a spot highly suitable both on account of its picturesque¬ 
ness, and also for the shelter much needed for the various tents. An 
excellent display of plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables was arranged, 
which reflected much credit on all concerned. Mr. G. F. Stokes has 
long and efficiently filled the post of Honorary Secretary, and a numerous 
Committee render him good assistance in various ways. 
The principal prizes were offered for a collection of twelve orna 
mental plants in or out of flower, and with these Mr. T. Wilkins, 
gardener to T. M. Guest, Esq., Inwood House, was first, having capital 
specimens, and the second prize was awarded to Mr. J. Curry, gardener 
to Col. Pepper, Salisbury. For the best miscellaneous collection of 
stove and greenhouse plants Mr. Wilkins was again well first. Mr. G. 
Runnacles, gardener to C. Thurburn, Esq., Leweston House, was second 
with a group of smaller but very serviceable plants, Mr. T. Curry being 
a very close third. There were six entries with groups of plants 
arranged for effect in a half circle measuring 12 feet the longest way. 
These groups were all good and quite a feature in the Exhibition. 
Mr. G. Runnacles was awarded the premier prize, and certainly deserved 
it, his arrangement being very light and effective, all the plants used 
being of good quality, and no crowding was observable. The ground¬ 
work was formed principally of Maidenhair Fern, out of this springing 
a variety of highly coloured Crotons, Dracaenas, Pandanuses, several 
elegant Palms, the flowering plants including Impatiens Hawkeri, and 
which was very attractive, Gloxinias, Begonias, and Gloriosa superba. 
Mr. W. G. Pragnell, gardener to J. D. W. Digby, Esq, Sherborne Castle, 
took the second prize with a neatly arranged group ; Mr. J. Withering- 
ton, gardener to Major McAdam, being third, his group being very 
pleasing though slightly overdone with Lilium auratum ; while the 
fourth prize fell to Mr. Wilkins, who also had a very creditable group 
somewhat disfigured by too much of the Panicum variegatum in 
front. 
Ferns are always exceptionally good at Sherborne. With twelve 
varieties Mr. J. Crump, gardener to W. Neal, Esq., Kingsdon, was first, 
Mr. T. Wilkins was a good second. In the open class for Begonias 
Mr. G. H. Copp, gardener to W. E. S. Erie Drax, Esq., Holnest Park, was 
deservedly awarded the first prize, and he was also first for dwarf 
Cockscombs, the second prize in this instance going to Mr. G. R. Davey, 
gardener to R. Stainer, Esq., Mapperton House. The best six Fuchsias 
were staged by Mr. G. Gillingham, gardener to R. Phelps, Esq., Yeovil; 
the second prize going to Mr. C. Anthony, gardener to T. Moore, Esq., 
Yeovil, both having medium-sized, well-flowered plants. Mr. C. Anthony 
was first for Balsams, Mr. Copp being a good second, and Mr. Crossman r 
gardener to J. Brutton, Esq., Yeovil, third. The best Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums were staged by Mr. J. Andrews, gardener to General Place,. 
Thornford, Mr. C. Anthony taking the second prize. 
Cut flowers were numerous, and in some instances the quality was 
good. Roses had been sadly battered by wind and rain the day previous, 
but in spite of this Mr. Campbell, gardener to Dr. Budd, Bath, succeeded 
in staging a very creditable stand of twelve triplets, and was first, the- 
second prize going to Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury. Mr. 
Campbell was also first for twelve single blooms, Mr. J. Burgess, Bristol, 
second. In the open class for twenty-four Dahlias Messrs. Keynes, 
Williams & Co. were easily first; Mr. J. Nation, Taunton, was second in 
this instance, and first in the class confined to amateurs, having several 
good blooms in each stand. Asters were remarkably well shown, the- 
principal prizewinners being Mr. W. J. Jones, Bath ; Mr. G. J. Garraway, 
Bath ; and Mr. Copp. Mr. S. Tottle, Taunton, was first for Gladioli, 
and Mr. R. H. Povnter, Taunton, second. The best stand of twelve 
varieties of cut flowers was sent by Mr. Montagu Williams, the second 
prize going to Mr. R. H. Poynter. For a tastefully arranged basket of cut 
flowers Mr. C. H. Perkins, gardener to Col. Hambro, M.P. Melton Abbey, 
was first, and Mr. S. Kidley, gardener to H. A Hellyar, Esq., Coker 
Court, second. Mr. W. F. England, Chard, was awarded a first prize for 
an ornamental device, and with a vase of wild flowers Mrs. H. Baker, 
Sherborne, was first; Mr. W. Morres, Sherborne, second: and Miss- 
Pavnter, Sherborne, third. Mrs. Allan C. Dyer, Taunton, was first for 
a fine hand bouquet, Miss M. Poynter, Taunton, being second, and Mrs. 
Perkins, Milton Abbey, third. 
One large tent was principally devoted to fruit and vegetables, and,, 
as usual, a capital display of each was staged. There were five entries 
in the class for eight dishes of fruit, Pine Apple excluded, the first 
prize for which was a silver cup valued at five guineas. This was won 
by Mr. J. Lloyd, gardener to Vincent Stuckey, Esq., Hill House, Lang- 
port, who had fine bunches of Black Hamburgh and fairly good Muscat 
of Alexandria Grapes, a good Longleat Perfection Melon, Crimson- 
Galande Peaches, Humboldt Nectarines, Florence Cherries, Moorpark 
Apricots, and Goliah Plums, all of good size and colour, this being alto¬ 
gether a highly creditable colleot'on. Mr. W. G. Pragnell was at first 
awarded the second prize, but owing to having too many fruit in one- 
dish had to be disqualified, and was awarded an extra prize. Mr. A. 
Crossman took the second prize for a good all-round collection only a 
few pointsbelow the preceding, and Mr. C. H. Perkins was third. Mr. 
Pragnell was first and Mr. J. Lloyd second with a Pine Apple. The last 
named was placed first in the class for any variety of Melon, a capital, 
fruit of Longleat Perfection, Mr. T. Wilkins being second with Hero 
of Lockinge beautifully ripened. There was less competition than 
usual in the Grape classes. Mr. W. J. Chalk, gardener to G. Read, Esq. r 
Wilton, was first for three very fine well finished bunches of Black 
Hamburgh, Mr. G. R. Daley, gardener to R. Stainer, Esq., being a 
creditable second. Mr. Crossman was first for Muscat of Alexandria 
and Mr. Lloyd second, the first named having much the finest bunches. 
In the class for any other white variety Mr. W. Dennis, gardener to 
Lady Westminster, was first with fairly well finished Buckland Sweet¬ 
water, and Mr. Pragnell second with Foster’s Seedling. In a correspond¬ 
ing class for black Grapes Mr. Wilkins received a second prize for 
Alnwick Seedling. A few good dishes of Peaches were shown, Mr. J. 
Lloyd being first with a good dish of Noblesse, the second prize going 
to Mr. G. R. Daley, who had Royal George in good condition. In the. 
class for outdoor Peaches Mr. Pragnell was first for a well ripened dish 
of Hale’s Early, Mr. W. C. Bowers, gardener to C. Holford, Esq., Castle 
Hill, being second with Desse Hative, not quite ripe. In the class for 
indoor Nectarines Mr. G. R. Daley staged a remarkably fine dish of Pit- 
maston Orange, and was first, the second prize going to Mr. C. H. 
Perkins for good Elruge. Mr. J. Gritton, gardener to Mrs. Moody,. 
Stapleton House, was first for outdoor Nectarines, and Mr. C. H. Per-. 
kins second. The last named was first and Mr. Lloyd second with Pears, 
both having well ripened Jargonelle. The prizewinners with Plums^ 
were Messrs. J. Crump, W. Dennis, M. Paulley (gardener to A. W. B. 
Clarke, Esq.), S. Kidley, and J. Andrews, the varieties shown in good 
condition being Jefferson’s, Kirke’s, Greengage, and Washington. 
Morello Cherries were very fine. Mr. S. Kidley was first and Mr. J. 
Crump second, an extra prize being awarded to Mr. Lloyd for a good 
dish of Florence. Mr. Pragnell was most successful with Apples, and. 
Mr. T. Evry, Bath, also took a first prize in these classes. 
The Sherborne district has long been famous for the excellency of 
the vegetables produced in it, and shown in various parts of the coun- _ 
try, Mr. W. J. Pragnell for many years being remarkably successful 
with them. This veteran is still capable of holding his own, but is 
pressed very closely by Messrs. Wilkins, Copp, and other gardeners in ! 
the neighbourhood, their various contributions forming a display not 
surpassed anywhere as far as quality and setting up is concerned. With 
twelve varieties Mr. Pragnell was placed first, his collection consisting 
of very fine Rousham Park Onions, Globe Artichokes, Aut umn Giant 
Cauliflowers, Veitch’s Matchless Carrots, Prodigy Peas, Wright's Grove 
White Celery, Snowball Turnips, Tender and True Cncum ber, Giant 
White Runner Beans, Ellacomb’s Improved Parsnips, Sutton’s Satisfac¬ 
tion Potato, and Hackwood Park Tomato. Mr. G. H. Copp was a good- 
second, and Mr. T. Wilkins a close third. With eight varie ties Mr. M_ 
Paulley took the lead, this collection consisting of Aut umn Giant 
Cauliflower, Grove White Celery, Rousham Park Onion, Tender and 
True Cucumbor, Matchless Carrots, Ne Plus Ultra Pea, Hathaway’s- 
