52 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July IS, 1891 • 
E, Y. Teas (very fine), Lord Macaulay, and Le Havre, There was an 
absence of pointed shapes and of light coloured varieties, but the whole 
were smooth and good. Mr. Berners was second with, blooms of less 
substance, Victor Hugo, John Bright, and Le Havre being among his 
best. Mr. Lindsell of Hitchin was third, his best bloom perhaps being 
Grand Mogul. Five boxes were shown in the class for twelve Boses, 
and Mr. T. H. Powell of Drinkstone was easily first, showing good 
examples of Marshal Niel and The Bride, and also a fine specimen of 
the new Rose Gustave Piganeau, which, if it proves thoroughly distinct, 
as I think it will, is likely to take a high place as a Rose of the 
Ulrich Brunner order. Mr. Page Roberts of Scole was second ; and Mr. 
Bunn third. 
In twelve Teas (amateurs) Mr. Berners again showed his superiority 
in this department by taking the first prize ; he had here a large flower 
of Comtesse de Nadaillac, somewhat blunt in point, a solid Souvenir 
de S. A. Prince, and a fine, but badly coloured, Madame Hoste. Mr. 
Page Roberts was second, having a fine Niphetos, a good Souvenir 
d’Elise, and a quite small, but exquisitely perfect, specimen of The 
Bride, which took the medal as the best Tea Rose. Mr. Foster-Melliar 
was third, having as his best a good example of Princess of Wales. 
There were creditable exhibits in the local classes, Rev. A. T. Farquharson, 
Messrs. A. G. Bobby, and W. Burrows in' the twelve, and C. S. Alger, 
A. G. Bobby, and W. Bunn in the six, winning in the order named. 
Mrs. H. T. Frere gave a silver N.R.S. medal for the best Rose in these 
two classes, which was won by a bloom of La France in Mr. A. G. 
Bobby’s six. Mr. Page Roberts and Mr. Foster-Melliar staged extra 
boxes of Madame G. Luizet, large, and in good condition. 
Hardy perennials always form a strong feature at Diss. Mr. Page 
Roberts was placed first in the principal class for thirty-six, a bunch 
of Scabiosa caucasica being the most noteworthy variety. Colonel 
Rous was second. Rev. C. W. James of Upper Rickinghall, and 
Mrs. Norris of Bio Norton were also successful exhibitors in this 
department. 
Collections of rare wild flowers have often been a strong and most 
interesting part of the Diss Show, but the two stands exhibited did not 
seem to be of so varied or attractive a character as usual. Nevertheless, 
there was a class in the cottagers’ division with three small prizes for 
wild flowers, and here there were, unless I made a mistake, no less than 
fifty-two exhibits, showing that somebody must have interested the 
children very strongly and happily in the matter. Though the prospect 
was not cheerful when I left, I heartily trust that the attendance and 
receipts were of a nature to strengthen this capital Society and cheer 
the heart of its mainspring, Mr. Page Roberts, the Hon. Secretary and 
clever manager.— W, R. Raillem. 
HITCHIN.— July Sth. 
The Hitchin Rose Society has taken a new departure, for those who 
were interested in it found that the Rose itself had not sufficient attrac¬ 
tions to draw the general public, and that it was only those who were 
practically interested in them, who grew them and knew something of 
them, who would visit the Exhibition, whereas by opening it to other 
things it was thought that the same sort of a bait would be widened, and 
“ draw ” a large attendance. There are many persons who are sure to 
admire Carrots and Potatoes, Cucumbers and Melons, who would merely 
give a glance at a Rose stand; and the result justified the view taken, 
for although there was a most terrific thunderstorm in the afternoon, 
yet there was a very good attendance of visitors. 
The Show was held in tents on the grounds attached to the Grammar 
School, a new institution, and were admirably suited to the purpose, 
being in the centre of the town, and affording, had the day been 
fine, ample space for promenading and listening to the excellent 
band. The principal tent was a large and lofty one; the Roses 
were ranged round the sides, while plants, stove and greenhouse, 
foliage, Ferns, and others filled up the centre, being placed on the 
grass. 
As our champion amateur (for he has won the challenge trophy for the 
last two years) Mr. E. B. Lindsell resides here, it was natural to expect 
some good Roses would be exhibited, and as the town occupies a very 
central position for the counties of Herts, Bedford, and Cambridge, it 
ought to attract exhibitors from the three counties, and in a more favour¬ 
able season it might do so ; but I had no conception until I had been 
round Mr. Lindsall’s garden that Roses could be so backward as they are, 
for while mine are over for the season, there they are hardly in—indeed 
in most instances the trees are a mass of green foliage, the buds not even 
showing colour, and in many instances only just formed ; the soil, 
though suited for the Rose, is cold, and in seasons like the present retards 
the blooming. This, however, is a digression, and I must now notice the 
Roses. 
In the nurserymen’s class the first prize was taken by Messrs. G. & W. 
Burch of Peterborough with a good stand, containing Her Majesty, Ulrich 
Brunner, Mrs. John Laing, Abel Carridre, Madame G. Luizet, Exposition 
de Brie, Alfred Colomb, La France, Madame Willermoz, Horace Vernet, 
Mons. Noman, A. K. Williams, Fisher Holmes, Violette Bouyer, 
Auguste Rigotard, Innocente Pirola, Alfred Dumesnil, Madame de 
Watteville, Prince Arthur, Merveille de Lyon, Camille Bernardin, 
Niphetos, Heinrich Schultheis, Grand Mogul, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, 
Madame Eugene Yerdier, Grand Mogul, E. Y. Teas, Catherine Mermet, 
Madame Bravy, Camille Bernardin, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Marquise 
de Castellane, Viscountess Folkestone, Queen of Queens, Pierre Notting, 
Baroness Rothschild, Etienne Levet, Magna Charta, Reynolds Hole, 
Earl of Dufferin, and Crown Prince. Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., Howe 
House Nurseries, Cambridge, were second, and Messrs. Paul & Son 
third. 
In the class for twenty-four, amateurs, the first prize was won by Mr. 
E. B. Lindsell with a box of his well finished blooms, although they were 
not up to the mark of former years. The flowers were Charles Lefebvre, 
Baroness Rothschild, Louis Van Houtte, Mrs. John Laing, Horace 
Vernet, Susanne Rodocanachi, Ulrich Brunner, Viscountess Folkestone, 
Dr. Andry. Merveille de Lyon, Alfred Colomb, Duke of Wellington, 
Abel Carriere, Camille de Rohan, Hippolyte Jamain, Marie Verdier, 
Madame Hausmann, Victor Hugo, Sdnateur Vaisse, Le Havre, Cathe¬ 
rine Mermet, Madame G. Luizet, General Jacqueminot, and Dupuy 
Jamain. Mr. Edward Mawley was second, and Mr. J. Gurney Fowler 
third. 
In the class for twelve Teas Mr. E. B. Lindsell was again first with 
Madame Cusin, Catherine Mermet, Boule d'Or—this bloom was in the 
trophy stand on Saturday, and has since been exhibited at Dis3. Souvenir 
d’un Ami, Innocente Pirola, Etoile de Lyon, Comtesse de Nadaillac, 
Souvenir de S. A. Prince, Madame de Watteville, Souvenir d’Elise, The 
Bride, and Anna Ollivier. The Rev. W. H. Jackson of Stagsden Rectory, 
Bedford, was second. In the class for twelve Roses, distinct, Mr. Lucas 
was first with Violette Bouyer, Dr. Sewell, Madame G. Luizet, Rosieriste 
Jacobs, Ollivier Delhomme, Catherine Mermet, Duchess of Bedford, 
Dupuy JamaiD, Charles Lefebvre, Duke of Edinburgh, Marie Finger, 
and Louis Van Houtte. Miss Bailey Denton was second, Mr. George 
Moules third, and Mr. James Parker fourth. 
In the class for nine, distinct, Mr. Lucas was first with Marquise de 
Castellane, Charles Lefebvre, Victor Verdier, Alfred Colomb, Madame G. 
Luizet, Dr. Andry, Madame Eugene Verdier, Louis Van Houtte, and La 
France. Mr. Lines was second. For six Roses, ditinct, Mr. L. Moules 
was first with Souvenir d’un Ami, Horace Vernet, Marquise de Castellane, 
Duke of Edinburgh, Mrs. J. Laing, and Duke of Teck. Mr. P. T. 
Earns was second, Colonel Tyler third, and Mr. W. Ransom fourth. In 
the class for six Teas Mr. George Wiles was first with Jean Ducher, 
Caroline Kuster, Catherine Mermet, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Innocente 
Pirola, and Souvenir d’Elise. For six of any one kind H.P., the Rev. 
W. H. Jackson was first with Madame G. Luizet; Mr. E. B. Lindsell and 
Mr. J. Gurney Fowler equal second with Mrs. J. Laing and Ulrich 
Brunner. For six Teas of any sort Mr. Jackson was the only competitor 
with Marie Van Houtte. The silver medals were awarded for the best 
H.P. to Mr. E. B. Lindsell for Madame G. Luizet, and Mr. E. Mawley for 
The Bride. Two boxes of new Roses were exhibited by Messrs. W. Paul 
and Son and Messrs. Paul & Son. In the former were two promising 
Roses, a light pink something of the Baroness Rothschild type of flower, 
and a richly coloured Tea. In the box of Messrs. Paul & Son were 
blooms of their beautiful new Bourbon Mrs. Paul, and also of a red 
coloured H.P. Charles Gater, bearing the name of their able Rose 
foreman, who is so well known everywhere. 
Amongst the miscellaneous exhibits I was glad to notice a goodly 
number of stands of cut blooms of herbaceous plants. Most worthy of 
note amongst these were the two large collections of Messrs. Burrell 
and Son of Cambridge and Mr. Tuke of Hitchin. The former were 
shown in large bunches, and amongst them was Heuchera sanguinea, 
about which so much has been said as to the best way of growing it, 
many having found it difficult to get any number of flowers, while 
others say it flowers abundantly with them. There were also Stenactis 
speciosa, Delphinium Belladonna, Iceland Poppies, Monarda didyma, 
and many other good border flowers. Mr. Tuke’s collection also was 
rich and varied, and came from a most delightful garden in the town of 
Hitchin, of which I may have to say something at some future time, and 
in which it was a pleasure to saunter on the beautiful July morning on 
which I visited it.—D., Real. 
WOODBRIDGE.— July 9th. 
Woodbridge Flower Show has long been celebrated in three 
particulars—first for the hearty and unanimous way in which the whole 
of the little town take3 holiday, decks itself with flag3 and bunting, 
and treats the Show as one of the greatest and most firmly established 
institutions in the neighbourhood ; secondly, for the excellence of the 
general exhibits of fruit, flowers, and bouquets, in which it has probably 
no rival in East Anglia ; and last, but not least, for its extraordinary 
good fortune in always having a fine day. I am almost afraid that 
lawn tennis parties and cricket matches will soon begin to choose 
Woodbridge Show day as the only day on which absence from rain can 
be safely counted on. Last year it had the only fine day in a wet week, 
and this year, in the middle of a heavy thunderstorm on the afternoon 
before, the glass began to rise as if it felt the influence of the approach¬ 
ing day, and on the day itself (the fortieth anniversary), though they 
had three hours’ continuous rain in the forenoon not twelve miles off, 
two or three passing showers in the morning gave place at Woodbridge 
to a brilliant afternoon. The Society is under new management, and is 
improving in every way yearly ; it is considerably stronger financially, 
and the officials are courteous and obliging. 
As a Rose Show the schedule has been slightly altered and enlarged, 
but there is here considerable room for improvement. A class for forty- 
eight, and then no larger class for single trusses than eighteen, omits 
that which is the best of all classes—twenty-four ; and a number of 
classes for six gives the tent a spotted appearance, and is not calculated 
to draw the best Roses from a distance. Moreover, 11 J. B.” would have 
1 reasonable ground of complaint here, in that there is nothing to prevent 
