272 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f September 20, 18*8. 
proud has come not by chance or good fortume, but is the result of 
application, perseverance, and patient toil. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
At the autumn Show of the above Society, held in the Wifrerley 
Market, Edinburgh, fruit as usual formed the principal feature, the 
number of classes provided therefor being seventy-six. For plants there 
were fifty-three classes, six of which were confined to trade growers ; cut 
flowers were provided for to the number of thirty-six classes, nine of 
which were for nurserymen ; and for vegetables twenty-three, the latter 
being, perhaps, better represented than any other section of horticul¬ 
tural produce. The Council also offered prizes for bees and honey ; but 
the exhibits of these were of a very limited character. Coming more 
particularly to the several sections, that devoted to fruit was found 
to be generally poorly filled, and although with a few outstanding ex¬ 
ceptions the quality was like the quantity—below the Edinburgh 
standard. For the prizes offered for four collections of fruit there were 
only nine staged altogether. For twelve dishes Mr. Hunter, Lambton 
Castle, Durham, was the only exhibitor, and received the first prize for a 
good collection, in which were three good clusters of Black Hamburgh, 
three Alicantes, one Gros Guillaume, and two of what were 
apparently Gros Colman Grapes. Two fine dishes of Peaches, Apples, 
fine Marie Louise d’Uccle Pears, good Nectarines, Melons, &c., were also 
staged. The same exhibitor was also first for eight dishes of fruit, com¬ 
prising a fine Smooth Cayenne Pine Apple, good Gros Colman (?) and Duke 
of Buccleuch Grapes, Best of All Melon, extra Brockworth Park Pears, 
fine Princess of Wales Peaches and Elruge Nectarines, and a dish of fine 
Worcester Pearmain Apple. Mr. McKelvie, Broxmouth Park, Dunbar, 
was second, and Mr. McIntyre, The Glen, Peebles, third. 
For a collection of twelve dishes of open air fruit Mr. Fairgreive, 
Dunkeld Gardens, was easily first with good Apricots, Williams’ Bon 
Chretien and Jargonelle Pears, Hales’ Early Peach and Early Louise 
Peaches, Victoria and Kirke’s Purple Plums, Morello and Late Duke 
Cherries. Mr. Low, gardener to J. Paton, Esq., Viewforth, Stirling, was 
second. For a collection of twelve dishes of orchard house fruit Mr. 
Hunter was the only exhibitor. The most noteworthy dishes were some 
remarkable Beurre Diel and Pitmaston Duchess Pears, each said to weigh 
32 ozs. to 35 ozs. each, very fine Queen Apples, and Warner’s King and 
Ecklinvilles, with Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and Figs. 
A first prize of £10 was offered by Messrs. W. Thomson & Sons for 
eight bunches of Grapes, and this and the other good prizes offered by 
the Society brought out the only really brisk competition, six growers 
staging. The premier ticket was finally placed on the Grapes exhibited 
by Mr. McHattie, gardener to the Marquis of Lothian, Newbattle 
Abbey. These were large clusters averaging 4 to 5 lbs. each, and 
consisted of extra fine Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court of high 
quality, magnificent clusters of Muscat of Alexandria, and very fine 
Duke of Buccleuch. Mr. McKinnon, gardener to Viscount Melville, 
Melville Castle, Lasswade, was a very close second with smaller better 
finished bunches, which might have very well been placed first by a 
different set of judges. Alicante, Gros Maroc, beautiful Golden Ham¬ 
burgh and Muscat of Alexandria, a little late, were the leading varieties 
staged. Mr. Boyd, gardener to A. Forbes, Esq., Callender House, 
Falkirk, was third, and Mr. McKelvie fourth, with Grapes better than 
the preceding, but spoiled by a crushed example of Golden Hamburgh. 
For four bunches Mr. McHattie and Mr. McKinnon held the same posi¬ 
tion as in the previous class, and with the same class of Grapes. For 
two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria Mr. McHattie was first with fine 
clusters, and Mr. McKelvie second with good examples. The last-named 
was first for two Black Hamburgh, extra fine, Mr. McHattie second, also 
fine. For one bunch of Muscat of Alexandria, Mr. Green, gardener to 
the Marquis of Tweedale, Tester, was first. Black Hamburgh were a well 
filled class, Mr. Copeland being first. Mr. McKinnon was first with 
extra finely finished Black Alicante. Mr. Boyd had the first for Alnwick 
Seedling; Mr. Murray, Polmont, for Gros Colman fine, and Mr. McHattie 
for Lady Downe’s. Mr. McKinnon had first for Madresfield Court, and 
Mr. Potter, gardener to Mrs. G. Moir, Carlisle, with extra fine Buckland 
Sweetwater was first in the any other class of white. Mr. Murray’s 
Gros Colman was the finest “ bloomed ” Grape in the Show. 
Of Pine Apples there were several good fruit, Mr. Mclndoe, Hutton 
Hall, Yorks, being first with a very fine Queen. In the classforthat variety 
Mr. McIntyre first for one Smooth Cayenne and also for two Pine Apples. 
Peaches formed a large and beautiful show, Mr. McLeod, Brentham Park, 
Stirling, being first with Barrington. The best Nectarines were fair 
examples of Humboldt, from Mr. Harkness, Broadmeadows, Berwick. 
Apples were generally small and green, with the exception of some fine 
orchard house fruit. To Pears the same remark applies. Of small 
fruits there was a large and excellent display. 
Among plants the principal prizes went in the nurserymen's classes 
to Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, and Messrs. Ireland & Thomson for very 
fine tables. Mr. Grossart was first in the corresponding class for 
gardeners. For six flowering plants Mr. Patterson, Millbank, staged 
examples of Ericas obbata, retorta major, tricolor Wilsoni and 
Marnockiana, Lapageria rosea, and Statice prof usa. The same exhibitor 
also took the prizes for Ericas with small well-flowered plants. For four 
Orchids Mr. Curror, Eskbank, took first, having a fine Cattleya Dowiana 
with five blooms, a large C. Ga kelliana, Miltonia spectabilis, and Cypri- 
pedium Spicerianum Mr. Grossart second. For one Orchid Mr. 
Brotherston, gardener to the Earl of Ealdington, Tyninghame, East 
Lothian, was first with Phalaenopsis amabilis with a strong spike. Mr. 
Curror second with a fine Cattleya Gaskelliana. A good Renanthera. 
Lowi was also exhibited by Mr. Laing. The six Ferns with which Mr. 
Grossart secured first prize and a challenge cup were fresh good plants. 
Of cut flowers the display was limited, and generally below the 
average in quality. No Gladiolus were shown by nurserymen ; several 
lots were staged by gardeners, but with the exception of the first prize 
twelve all were inferior. Dahlias were very fine in both sections. 
Hollyhocks poor. Some very fine cut Chrysanthemums were also 
staged, but the great feature of this section was undoubtedly the Roses, 
more particularly those staged by Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, 
this firm taking first both for thirty-six and for eighteen blooms. The 
blooms were large, young, of beautiful shape, and exquisite colouring. 
Particularly noteworthy were Her Majesty, Mrs. John Laing, Baron A. 
de Rothschild, E. Y. Teas, Senateur Vaisse, Violette Bouyer, Duke of 
Teck, and A. Rigotard. Mr. Dickson, Belfast, who was second for the 
thirty-six, had also a fine stand, but blooms older and hardly so fine as 
the “ Aberdonawa.’ ” Mr. Croll, Dundee, was second for eighteen buck, 
with good examples. Mr. Henderson, Clermiston, had the best Roses in 
the gardeners’ section. 
Vegetables were largely shown, though to nothing like the extent of 
last season. For Messrs. Sutton & Sons’, of Reading, prizes, seven ex¬ 
hibitors staged collections, every one of which were of superior quality. 
The best lot came from Mr. Low, Viewforth, Stirling, Celery, Leeks, 
Onions, Tomatoes, grand Carrots, French Beans, and Peas being espe¬ 
cially noteworthy. Mr. Cairns, Jedburgh, held second place also with 
a grand collection. Mr. McKinlay third, arid Mr. D. Logan, Coldstream, 
fourth. The best collection of salading came from Mr. McKinlay, Black¬ 
wood, Lesmahagow. Mr. Milne, Leith, second. Large quantities of 
fine Celery, Leeks, Peas. Cucumbers, Potatoes, <fcc., were staged in com¬ 
petition for the prizes offered for special sorts of vegetables. 
Among the miscellaneous exhibits an attractive table of seedling 
Begonias was arranged by Mr. Donnie, Pink Hill. Messrs. Methven and 
Sons, Leith Walk, contributed a large table of stove and greenhouse 
plants. From Messrs. Dicksons & Co., Waterloo Place, a table of plants 
with various florists’ flowers—Pentstemons, Pansies, Roses, and Carna¬ 
tions, among the latter of which were blooms of a new variety named 
Maggie Lauder, which was awarded a certificate. The blooms were 
much like Mary Morris in appearance. Messrs. Stuart & Mein of Kelso- 
had a table devoted entirely to florist flowers, among which were some 
very fine Pentstemons, striped Antirrhinums, French Marigolds, &c. 
Messrs. Munro & Ferguson, St. Andrew Square, contributed a table of 
cut herbaceous spikes. Mr. Henry Erskine, George Street, Makart 
bouquets and beautiful crosses, wreaths, and bouquets which is a. 
speciality of this establishment. From Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso,, 
came a few dozen good Picotees and Carnations, and a large quantity of 
their new yellow and rose Carnation R. H. Elliot, a bright looking 
sort, which attracted much attention, and which was favoured with a 
first-class certificate. Mr. Campbell, High Blantyre, exhibited a large 
collection of fine Carnations and Picotees in all the best old and new 
varieties. The Show was very largely patronised by the public, the- 
large market being several times inconveniently crowded during the- 
course of the two days during which the Exhibition was open. 
BRIGHTON.— September 12th and 13th. 
For many years the Brighton Horticultural Exhibitions, under the 
management of Mr. Edward Carpenter, have afforded representative 
displays of Sussex gardeners’ skill. The competition has by no means 
been confined to the county either, for the prizes offered have tempted 
exhibitors from a long distance. Plants, flowers, and fruits have been 
well shown, the last named being especially good at the September 
Exhibition. Nurserymen have contributed liberally with non-com¬ 
peting groups of plants, &c., but there has been one serious defect in 
recent years—the number of visitors has decreased, and the receipts have 
been correspondingly reduced. It is difficult to account for this. The: 
site is an admirable one, for the rooms and gardens at the Pavilion can 
be made to accommodate an extensive display of the choicest and moat 
delicate produce. The building itself is an interesting one and con¬ 
venient of access. It is true the rooms are somewhat dark, but when 
lighted at night they have a beautiful appearance. It would seem that 
either the Show is not sufficiently advertised in the town or that the- 
price of admission is too high, and perhaps it would be advisable to try 
the effect of a little more liberality in both respects. 
Plants at the Show on Wednesday and Thursday last were not so 
numerous as usual, but one good-sized tent was allotted to them, while 
several collections were also staged in the Pavilion rooms. Mess.s. 
Knight & Co., Hastings, had the best six stove an 1 greenhouse plants, 
followed by Mr. Meachen, gardener to Mrs. Armstrong of Woodslee, 
both showing specimens of the usual character in these classes. 
Messrs. Knight & Co. were also first for six Heaths. In the amateurs’" 
classes Messrs. Townsend, Meachen, Moody, Curry, and Collis won the 
chief prizes. Groups of Ferns have frequently been a beautiful feature 
at the Brighton shows, but this year only one was staged—namely, that 
from Mr. W. Miles, West Brighton, which fully merited the first prize 
awarded. Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Tuberous Begonias, Orchids, 
Gloxinias, and fine-foliage plants were shown by Mr. J. Barnes, 
Alexandra Villas, Mr. Meachen, and Colonel Pepper, Milford Hall; 
groups arranged for effect coming from Major Way, Wick Hall Hove, 
Mr. Meachen, Messrs. Stringer & Co., and Mr. H. Head, who secured the 
prizes in the order named. 
Cut flowers were abundant, bright and beautiful; Roses from Messrs. 
Perkins & Son, Coventry, Paul & Son, Cheshunt, and T. Bunyard, 
