252 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Septembe 13,1888. 
Thursday last week. Five spacious marquees were filled with exhibits, 
and in addition a building was devoted to stands of flowers, the vege¬ 
tables being arranged on tables extending for some hundreds of feet 
along a terrace parallel with the railway which passes through the 
gardens. The entries were very numerous, and competition in some of 
the classes extremely keen. Altogether it was an admirable Show, but 
the heavy demands upon our space this week will not admit of a de¬ 
tailed report, and only a few of the leading features can be noticed. To 
the efforts of the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. J. Chaffin, and of the 
Secretary, Mr. B. Pearson, much praise is due for the satisfactory 
arrangements made for the convenience of exhibitors and visitors. 
Plants. —Fuchsias, as usual, were excellently shown, grand conical 
or columnar specimens 9 to 10 feet high and 3 to 4 feet across at the 
base loaded with flowers had a most imposing appearance in one of the 
marquees, but owing to being arranged in double lines they could not be 
seen to their best advantage. Such specimens constitute a show alone, 
and nowhere else are Fuchsias now exhibited so well or so numerously, 
though they furnish a welcome change from the conventional stove and 
greenhouse plants that become such familiar objects to frequenters of 
horticultural exhibitions. The leading prizes were secured by Mr. G. 
Tucker, gardener to Major Clark ; Mr. J. Lye, Market Lavington ; Mr. 
Snell, gardener to Mrs. Counsell, Bath. 
Stove and greenhouse plants were not quite so extensively shown as 
on some previous occasions, but Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, was the 
most successful exhibitor, having neat beautifully flowered speci¬ 
mens in first-rate condition. Mr. G. Tucker and Mr. W. Jones of 
Newport, who followed in the class for twelve plants, also had some 
well grown examples. A globular specimen of Schubertia grandi- 
flora from the last named attracted much attention, as it is rarely 
seen at shows. The flowers are large, pure white, and suggestive 
of a fine Stephanotis. With ornamental foliage plants Mr. Cypher 
was again first for large specimens ; Mr. W. J. Mould, gardener 
to E. C. Bryant, Esq., Bath, and Mr. W. C. Drummond taking the 
second and third prizes in the order named. In smaller classes Mr. 
E. Wills, gardener to Mrs. Pearce, Southampton, and Mr. W. J. Mould 
were awarded prizes for foliage and flowering plants. 
Ferns were largely represented, and a tent was exclusively devoted to 
them, constituting one of the most interesting features in the Exhibi¬ 
tion. Colonel A. M. Jones and E. J. Lowe, Esq., two noted pterido- 
logists, contributed liberally from their extensive collections of British 
Ferns, and they shared the majority of the prizes between them in those 
classes. Many rare and beautiful varieties were exhibited, and Colonel 
Jones in particular had a most elaborate collection of hybrid or cross¬ 
bred Ferns with their parents, and in some cases their descendants also. 
From this gentleman also came a large and beautiful non-competing 
group of Ferns occupying one side of the tent, and very conspicuous 
amongst the plants were the handsome varieties of Scolopendrium 
crispum, which formed a group at one end. Messrs. W. & J. Birken¬ 
head, Sale, Manchester, also had a large group of healthy select British 
and exotic Ferns, which filled a stage extending the whole length of 
the tent on the opposite side from Colonel Jones’s group. 
Fruit .—A fine display of good quality fruit was provided, the 
substantial prizes offered having brought many competitors. With a 
collection of eight dishes (Pines excluded) Mr. W. Pratt, gardener to the 
Marquis of Bath, Longleat, Warminster, secured first honours, showing 
three finely coloured bunches each of Alicante and Muscat of Alexandria, 
large Barrington Peaches, Hero of Lockinge Melon, Moorpark Apricots, 
Washington Plums, EJruge Nectarines of rich colour, and Morello 
Cherries. Mr. W. Nash, gardener to the Duke of Beaufort, Badminton, 
was a close second ; and Mr. A. Miller, gardener to H. W. Long, Esq., 
M.P., Rood Ashton, third. The class for twelve bunches of Grapes 
excited much interest, as though there were only two exhibitors the 
contest was a good one. Mr. Taylor, gardener to James Chaffin, Esq., 
Bath, was, after a short consideration, adjudged first honours for grand 
bunches of Alicante, Alnwick Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria (one 
bunch of enormous size), Gros Maroc of equally unusual size, Madres- 
field Court (handsome in bunch and berry but a little wanting in 
colour), and Black Hamburgh. Some of these required a little more 
time to finish thoroughly, but they were magnificent examples of good 
culture, and well deserved the honours awarded for them. Mr. Pratt 
was second, showing Black Hamburgh, Alicante, Muscat of Alexandria, 
Madresfield Court, Foster's Seedling and Lady Downe’s, all of good size 
and colour, but not so large as the preceding Mr. Taylor was again 
first with six bunches of Grapes, followed by Messrs. Nash &; Gibson. 
The Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria classes were well 
filled, Mr. J. Chalk, gardener to G. Read, Esq., Salisbury, and Mr. Coates, 
gardener to Mrs. Miller, Westbury-on-Trym, taking the lead in each class 
respectively. Peaches and Nectarines were numerously shown, first 
prizes being won by Mr. G. H. Richards, gardener to the Earl of 
Nornjanton, Somerley, Ringwood ; Mr. W. Iggulden, gardener to the 
Earl of Cork, Marston House, Frome ; and Sir. G. Pymm. Plums, 
Cherries, Melons, Pine Apples, and hardy fruits were all well shown. 
Cut Flowers.—One large tent was wholly devoted to these, the display 
being much superior to anything of the kind hitherto seen at Bath. 
Gladioli, considering the season, were remarkably well shown. The 
first prize, for thirty-six spikes in not less than eighteen varieties, was 
won by Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, who had a grand lot, some of 
these being Dr. Benson, Dercyllus, Anthony Waterer, Orbit, Celemene, 
E. Scribe, and several fine novelties. Mr. S. Dobree, Wellington, was a 
good second, and Mr. G. S. Walters, Caine, third. With twelve varieties 
of Gladioli Mr. S. Tottle, Taunton, was first; Mr. R. H. Poynter, 
Taunton, second, and Mr. J. Mattock, Oxford, third, all having very 
creditable stands. The first prize for twenty-four varieties of Dahlias 
was well won by Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, amoDg 
these being perfect examples of W. Keith, Mr. Glasscock, Colonist, 
W. Rawlins, Miss J. Ashby, Mrs. Kendal, Clara, G. Dickson, Mrs. Glad¬ 
stone, and Harry Keith. Messrs. Heath & Son, Cheltenham, were 
second, and Mr. J. Nation, Taunton, third, both having capital stands of 
blooms. For twelve varieties Mr. T. Hobbs, Bristol, was a good first, the 
second prize going to Mr. S. Humphries, Kington Langley, and the third 
to Mr. H. Heeremans. Single Dahlias were largely shown, the bunches 
in several instances being set up to the best advantage. For twelve 
varieties Mr. T. Truckle, gardener to T. Carr, Esq., was first; Mr. A. A. 
Walters, Bath, second, and R. Richards, Stapleton, third. Roses gave 
signs of having passed through much bad weather. Mr. Campbell, 
gardener to S. P. Budd, Esq., Bath, was well first for thirty-six varieties, 
among these being good blooms of Catherine Mermet, Captain Christy, 
Comte de Raimbaud, Star of Waltham, Mons. E. Y. Teas, Barthelemy 
Joubert, Heinrich Schultheis, Arthur Dickson, C. Lefebvre, and Marie 
Baumann. Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, were second, and Messrs. 
J. Cooling & Sons, Bath, third. The last named succeeded in winning 
the first prize for twenty-four varieties, Mr. Campbell being second, 
and Messrs. Perkins & Sons third. Mr. T. Hobbs was first for twelve 
varieties, Messrs. Heath & Son second, and Mr. W. J. Jones third. 
Several good stands of Verbenas were shown, Messrs. G. Cooling and 
Sons being first, Mr. J. Weston, gardener to the Rev. C. C. Layard, 
second, and Mr. J. Mattock third. With Zonal Pelargoniums Mr. J. 
Mattock was first, Messrs. Cooling & Sons second, and Mr. Cole, Bath, 
third. A remarkably fine lot of both German and French Asters were 
staged. With the former Mr. G. S. Walters was first, Mr. W. J. Jones 
second, and Mr. A. A. Walters third. For twenty-four French varieties 
Mr. W. J. Jones was first, Mr. Campbell second, and Mr. T. Evry third. 
The first prize for a collection of twenty-four varieties of choice cut 
flowers was awarded to Mr. G. Hobbs; Mr. J. Gibson, gardener to Earl 
Cowley, being a close second, and Mr. R. H. Poynter third. Special 
prizes were offered for a collection of cut flowers of hardy or herbaceous 
plants in not less than twelve varieties, and several remarkably 
interesting exhibits were arranged. Mr. A. A. Walters was first, Mr. 
J. Howse second, and Messrs. Heath & Sons third. Mr. C. Winstone, 
Clifton, was awarded the first prize in the class for hand bouquets, and 
fully merited it. Messrs. Perkins & Sons were second, and Mr. W. 
Brooks, Weston-super-Mare, third. For a table ornament, Mr. J. Cypher 
was well first, Mr. W. Jones being second, and Miss Lily Durbin third. 
Vegetables. —These were crowded out from the tents, and had to be 
staged in the open air. In every class the competition was close and 
good, and rarely has such a capital lot of vegetables been seen together 
this season. The best collection of twelve varieties was shown by Mr. 
W. G. Pragnell, Sherborne Castle, who had excellent dishes of Veitcli’s 
Matchless Carrots, Autumn Giant Cauliflowers, Wright’s Grove White 
Celery, Rousham Park Onions, Snowball Turnip, Giant White Runner 
Beans, Veitch’s Prodigy Peas, Globe Artichokes, Ellacombe’s Parsnip, 
Tender and True Cucumber, and Sutton’s Satisfaction Potato. Mr. G. H. 
Copp, gardener to W. E. S. Erle-Drax, Esq., Sherborne, was a close 
second ; and Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to Lady Theodore Guest, Hen- 
stridge, a good third. Special prizes were offered by Messrs. Sutton and 
Sons, Reading, and for these there was a strong competition. Mr. G. 
Copp was a good first, having Sutton’s King of the Cauliflowers, Duke 
of Albany Pea, Sutton’s Seedling Potato, Wright’s Grove White Celery, 
Perfection Tomato, and new Red Intermediate Carrot, all in first class 
condition. Mr. T. Wilkins was second ; and Mr. S. Haines, gardener to 
the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, third. Messrs. Webb & Sons also provided 
the prizes in a class for a similar number of varieties, and for these again 
the competition was very keen. Mr. G. Copp was first, staging in this 
instance very fine Webb’s Snowdrop Pota'o, Sensation Tomato, Improved 
Banbury Onion, Duke Of Albany Pea, Grove White Celery, and Webb’s 
New Defiance Carrot. Mr. A. Miller was a very good second ; and Mr. 
S. Haines third. For three varieties of Tomatoes Mr. J. Fortt, but it 
was doubtful if these could rightly be termed distinct. Mr. W. 
Strugnell, gardener to A. R. Baily, Esq., Frome, was a close second, his 
varieties being very distinct and well shown. The best dish of Sutton's 
Perfection Tomato was shown by Mrs. W. Osborne ; the second prize 
going to Mr. Richards, and the third to Mr. H. Prodgers. 
Miscellaneous. —The non-competing exhibits comprised a magnificent 
group of cut flowers fiom Messrs. Sutton & Sons of Reading, represent¬ 
ing hardy and half-hardy annuals, with Begonias and other plants. 
Such an effective display is rarely seen, and it attracted quite a crowd 
of visitors. Messrs. R. Veitch & Son, Exeter, had a large group of mis¬ 
cellaneous plants, as also did Messrs. R. Smith & Co. of Worcester ; and 
Messrs. G. Cooling & Sons, Bath, had a beautiful collection of Tea lloscs 
and Dahlias, the former uncommonly fine for so late a period in an un¬ 
favourable season. 
Outdoor Grapes. —These were so late in setting that it is doubtful if 
any will ripen this year. Where not badly affected with mildew they may 
ripen sufficiently to be utilised for wine-making. In any case it is 
unwise to neglect the Vines, as this may lead to a failure again next 
season. The laterals should be freely thinned, and those reserved 
stopped at one or two joints beyond the bunches. Also reduce the 
number of the latter where at all thick, this materially benefiting those 
left on the Vines. Neglect to thin out the wood and bunches, and. 
neither will ripen. Stop the strongest young canes at a length of about 
4 feet, and the weaker ones according to their vigour, all lateral growth 
being stopped at the first joint. 
