74 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 23, 1891, 
that met with good acceptance by the company. Mr. Taylor, the 
indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Blair, and all the officials, are to be con¬ 
gratulated on the success achieved, upwards of £400 being taken for 
admission during the afternoon. 
The Trentham gardens are in admirable condition—Orchids, Grapes, 
Peaches, Chrysanthemums, &c., showing that they are in charge of a 
master in the art of cultivation, and it is impossible to speak too highly 
of the efforts of Mrs. Blair in making her numerous guests happy and 
at home on the interesting occasion. 
HIGHGATE.— July 16th. 
Favoured with splendid weather, and the grounds of the Baroness 
Burdett Coutts for the venue, the thirty-second annual Exhibition of 
this vigorous Society proved to be one of the most successful ever held, 
the exhibits, both in quantity and quality, being considerably above the 
average. 
The whole of one side of the largest tent, 140 feet by 50 feet, was 
occupied with the flowering and foliage groups, which formed a fine 
exhibition in themselves. The first prize for a collection of flowering 
plants was well won by Mr. J. Brooks, gardener to W. Reynolds, 
Esq., J.P., followed closely by Messrs. H. Eason and J. Britain. 
For a collection of flowering and foliage plants Mr. H. Eason, 
gardener to B. Noakes, Esq., North Hill, was first, with Mr. J. Britain 
second. First prize for six stove plants (foliage) was won by Mr. J. 
Britain with exceptionally fine specimens. He was followed by Mr. H. 
Eason. 
For six stove plants (flowering) Mr. H. Eason took first place with 
half a dozen of the greatest merit, conspicuous among which were an 
Allamanda splendidly flowered and a very fine Eucharis. 
Cut Roses were staged largely and in very fine form. The Hon. 
Secretary has been working hard to increase the interest in the Queen 
of Flowers, getting special prizes offered, &c., and his efforts were 
rewarded by excellent competition. Mr. J. Bateman, Rosevale, Archway 
Road, was facile princeps , taking first prizes in all the open classes— 
namely, twelve varieties, three of each, and two classes of twelve, 
distinct. He was closely followed in the latter two classes by his pupil, 
Mr. Hugh White, and in the former by Mr. G. Page. 
In the class for dinner-table decorations a great improvement in 
style was noticeable, the heavy crowded exhibits having given place to 
those of the light and graceful character, so much more agreeable to the 
eye. The Hon. Sec., Mr. D. B. Crane, was placed first with three epergne 
vases, containing Iceland Poppies, Grasses and Ferns. The exhibits 
ef buttonhole bouquets were of a very fine stamp, the prizes being 
taken by Messrs. H. G. Russell, H. Eason, and E. Ellcock in the order 
named. 
The Baroness Burdett Coutts takes the greatest possible interest in 
the cottagers’ division of this Society, valuable prizes being offered by 
her and other subscribers for collections of fruit, vegetables, cut 
flowers, &c., &c., and the result is keen competition every season, and a 
degree of excellence which would do credit to much larger shows. The 
principal prizewinners in this section were Messrs. R. Sower, C. Halsey, 
H. Bas3, G. Collins, A. Sedgwick, and H. White. 
The Show was visited and critically inspected during the afternoon 
by the Baroness Burdett Coutts and some friends, who all expressed the 
greatest pleasure with the exhibits. A handsome bouquet was after¬ 
wards presented to the Baroness on behalf of the Society. The fine 
weather continued throughout the day, and the attendance was very 
good, about £150 being taken at the gates. 
PRESCOT AND DISTRICT. 
The seventh annual Exhibition of the Prescot and District Horticul¬ 
tural Society was held on Thursday last in a field at Parkside, kindly 
lent by James Whittaker, Esq. Although the w’eather did not look very 
promising early in the morning the threatening clouds dispersed, and 
the sun shone out in great brilliancy the whole of the day. The atten¬ 
dance was great—in fact, after the time for the cheaper rate of admis¬ 
sion the ground became crowded, and the field presented a very gay 
appearance. Considering the lateness of the season the exhibits were 
very little behind other years, but the groups were well ahead of all pre¬ 
vious efforts, as were the stove and greenhouse plants ; whilst vegetables, 
especially Celery, were very good. The Society has made rapid progress 
during the last two or three years, and £120 was this year offered in 
prizes as against £90 last year. For six stove and greenhouse plants, 
three in flower, Mr. R. Pinnington, gardener to Edward Banner, Esq., 
Blacklow House, Roby, was first, in his collection being a good Statice 
profusa Hydrangea hortensis with forty heads of bloom perfectly blue, 
and Plumbago capensis, whilst foliage plants were represented by a good 
Phoenix, Alocasia macrorhiza variegata, and Croton Carrierei. Mr. 
Edward Blythian, gardener to Mrs. Baxter, Rainhill, was second, in this 
collection being a capital Statice Holfordi and a fine Plumbago 
capensis. Four greenhouse plants in flower.—First, Mr. E. Blythian. 
Third, Mr. H. McFall, gardener to E. C. Leventon, Esq., Oakfield, 
Roby. One greenhouse plant in flower.—First, Mr. E. Blythian. 
Second, Mr. Rattray, gardener to G. G. Musson, Esq., Roby. For six 
stove and greenhouse Ferns, Mr. R. Pinnington took first honours, his best 
plants being Davallia Mooreana, Dicksonia antactica, and Goniophle- 
bium subauriculatum. Second, Mr. E. Blythian, who had good plants 
of Adiantum excisum and Adiantum decorum. 
Gloxinias, Begonias, Pelargoniums, Cockscombs, Fuchsias, and 
Petunias were well represented, Messrs. Learmont, Gray, McFall, 
Blythian, Pennington, Price, and Eaton being the chief prizetakers. 
The collection of plants arranged for effect brought out seven com¬ 
petitors. The first and second places were warmly contested, the chief 
honour ultimately falling to Mr. J. Bounds, gardener to A. L. Jones, 
Esq., Aigburth, for an arrangement lightly put together. A well-coloured 
Croton formed the centre, Maidenhair Fern was judiciously used, whilst 
peeping out were just enough Orchids to give the right balance. 
Mr. McFall was a very close second, only losing by not having such 
choice Orchids as the winning group. Mr. Gray was a good third, and 
Mr. T. Eaton was considered worthy of an extra prize. 
Roses were fairly well shown. For eighteen Mr. Wharton, gardener 
to Dr. Royston, The Orchard, Huyton, was a good first ; second, Mr. W. 
Rigby. For twelve and six Mr. J. Beesley, Prescot, took both honours. 
Six Roses in pots Mr. J. Bounds, the same exhibitor winning with cut 
flowers grown outdoors. 
Fruit was well shown. Collections of four dishes.—First, Mr. 
R. Pennington, who had fair Black Hamburgh Grapes, fine Hero of 
Lockinge Melon, capital Dagmar Peaches, and Lord Napier Nectarines. 
Second, Mr. J. Bounds. Third, Mr. T. Eaton. Mr. Pennington was also 
successful for green and scarlet flesh Melons, dish of Strawberries, three 
dishes Tomatoes, and second for Peaches. Mr. Middleton, gardener to 
Lieut.-Col. Pilkington, Rainford Hall, carried all before him with 
Grapes, winning with glorious Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, 
and superb Madresfield Court. In the Bl'-.ck Hamburghs Mr. T. Eaton 
exhibited well grown bunches a little short of colour. 
Mr. McFall was first with Bouquet, and third with a collection of 
vegetables. Mr. Learmont came in first with Turnips, Broad Beans, and 
Cauliflowers. The class for Nectarines was won by Mr. J. Mather, 
gardener to W. H. Evans, Esq., Huyton. Cottagers exhibited in fine 
form, and the Show was a thorough success, thanks to the hardworking 
Secretary and Treasurer and the able Committee. 
BEDFORD AND BEDFORDSHIRE. 
At the annual Exhibition of this Society held on Thursday last 
Roses and cut herbaceous flowers were a well sustained feature. In the 
open class of forty-eight distinct Roses, Messrs. Burch of Peterborough 
led with some fine and well-coloured, although not large blooms, having 
Victor Hugo, Le Havre, Star of Waltham, Duchess of Bedford, Etienne 
Levet, and perhaps the best bloom of Elie Morel which has appeared in 
a winning stand for some years. Messrs. D. Prior Son, Colchester, 
were second, and Messrs. Burrell & Co., Cambridge, third. For eighteen 
Teas (open), Messrs. Burrell & Co. in the first prize box had charming 
flowers of Ernest Metz, Souvenir d’Elise, Comtesse de Nadaillac, 
Souvenir d’un Ami, David Pradel, and a remarkable fine flower of 
Madame Margottiu. Mr. J. Mattock, New Headington, Oxon, came 
second, and Messrs. Burch third. In the open amateurs’ class for 
twenty-four distinct Roses, the champion, Mr. E. B. Lindsell, was in 
his full strength, showing a well matched box of finely coloured blooms 
Mrs. Jno. Laing, Rosieriste Jacobs, Comtesse de Nadaillac, J. S. Mill, 
Victor Hugo, Baroness Rothschild, Grand Mogul, and Captain Christy 
being prominent. The Rev. E. Foster-Melliar, Sproughton Rectory, 
Ipswich, was second, and the Rev. W. H. Jackson, Stagsden Vicarage, 
Bedford, third. For twelve Teas, open to amateurs, Mr. Jackson led, 
Mr. Foster-Melliar following, and Mr. Lindsell as third, all having very 
fine and clean flowers. For six cut Roses (amateurs’ open class), Mr. 
G. Moules and Mr. W. O. Times, Hitchin, were first and second, and 
Miss Bailey-Denton, Stevenage, third. The hottest day of the season 
told greatly against the Roses, which had mostly been grown in cooler 
and shady weather, and after judging, some winning stands of blooms, 
which before noon were bright and bold, could hardly then compare 
with stands placed below them, but which had evidently been “boxed” 
only the same morning. 
A brighter show of cut hardy herbaceous and bulbous flowers has 
rarely been seen. For thirty-six bunches (open) Messrs. Burrell & Co. 
and Messrs. Laxton Brothers, Bedford, had large and very glowing 
masses of the most attractive sorts, both were admirably staged ; perhaps 
the credit is due to Messrs. Laxton for the most striking exhibit, but 
Messrs. Burrell had a few more choice varieties, but ultimately the Judges 
gave the palm to Messrs. Burrell. In Messrs. Laxton’s collection Scabio3a 
caucasica var. amoena, deep tinted and large flower, was very con¬ 
spicuous. Lychnis Haageana, not often so well done, and Dianthus 
Napoleon III., a brilliant mass. Mr. J. C. Sheppard, Bedford, was third 
with a very good and choice collection. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm 
Nurseries, Tottenham, exhibited, not for competition, a large and 
attractive collection of upwards of seventy varieties, including Heuchera 
sanguinea, Lilium pardalinum californicum, Colchicum dalmaticum 
testaceum and Martagon album, all very attractive; Triteleia Mur- 
rayana, Helianthus occidentalis and Campanula persicifolia alba 
grandiflora. Messrs. Laxton also staged a grand lot of the newest 
varieties of Sweet Peas not for competition. Both these collections 
were highly commended. 
The plant department at this Show, not usually a strong one, on this 
occasion gave evidence of increasing spirit on the part of local exhibitors. 
Mr. Ellis, gardener to Mrs. Orr, Pemberley, Bedford, taking first for a 
group ; Mr. Empson, gardener to C. Franklin, Esq., Bedford, leading for 
foliage plants ; Mr. Robinson, gardener to F. Howard, Esq., Bedford, 
leading for tender and hardy Ferns and Fuchsias ; Mr. Hermon, gar¬ 
dener to Griffith Jones, Esq., Goldington, for some well grown Zonal 
Pelargoniums; and Mr. R. Day, gardener to J. Hawkins, Esq., Mayor of 
Bedford, for Gloxinias ; and Mr. Stewart, gardener to R. Greenfield, Esq., 
Haynes Park, Beds, for table plants. 
Fruit was a weak department, and except for the really choice 
