August 13, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
143 
stronger constitution is also to be found in the many varieties raised by 
Mr. Dodwell and other growers, so that as border flowers they are the 
more acceptable. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
LEICESTER. 
The annual Exhibition of the Leicester Horticultural Society took 
place on August 4th, and was a most decided success both as regards 
the exhibits and also in the attendance of visitors. The weather was 
srmewhat threatening all day, but fortunately no rain came to spoil the 
pleasure of the public, and about 20,000 people visited the Show and 
grounds during the day. Leicester Show is always well patronised by 
the public, partly owing no doubt to the beautiful park and gardens in 
which it is held. The bedding-out is very extensive, and looks remark¬ 
ably well. Two examples of carpet bedding deserve especial mention. 
They are worked from designs suggested by an old Roman pavement 
discovered in the town. The colours were subdued and well chosen, 
and the plants had filled up well considering how far north they are 
situated ; in fact, it would be difficult to find two better beds. It was 
gratifying to hear the number of entries this year amounted to 1125, 
exceeding those of 1890 by nearly 300. This says a great deal for the 
good management of the able Secretary, Mr. Burn, who is also curator 
of the park and grounds. A large Show like this is a severe tax on the 
administrative ability of any person who undertakes it, but everything 
passed off smoothly and with credit to all concerned. We were glad to 
hear Mr. Burn’s charge is likely to be greatly extended in the future. 
The show of fruit was remarkably good, the competition in some 
classes being keen. For a collection of eight dishes, distinct, the first 
prize was awarded to Mr. Edmonds, gardener to the Duke of St. Albans, 
Bestwood, who showed Madresfield Grape3 fine in berry and colour, 
Black Hamburgh of good colour, Muscat of Alexandria good in bunch 
and berry but scarcely ripe, a good Queen Pine, very fine Elruge 
Nectarines, Grosse Mignonne Peaches extra fine, Melon and Figs. 
Second, Mr. Goodacre, gardener to the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston, 
with similar dishes but not so fresh and clean in appearance, although 
not many points behind. Third, Mr. J. Read, gardener to the Earl 
of Carnarvon. For four dishes, distinct, Mr. Alex. McVinish, gardener 
to N. Curzon, Esq., Lockington Hall, Derby, was first, showing fine 
Hamburgh Grapes ; the same exhibitor also took first for Hamburgh 
Grapes and first for Muscat of Alexandria. Two bunches of Hamburgh 
Grapes were shown marked “Not for Competition,” and deserve especial 
mention for their fine berries and large bunches. Some good Peaches 
were staged, Mr. Divers of Ketton took the first prize, and also for 
Nectarines. Strawberries were good, Mr. Edmonds being first with 
Duke of Edinburgh. Mr. Elphinstone, gardener to the Earl of Ayles- 
ford, second with fine fruits of Dr. Hogg but too green for exhibition. 
For Figs, Mr. Divers was first and Mr. Edmonds second. 
Currants, Apples, and Gooseberries made a good show and were 
very fine. A glass case containing twenty-five varieties of Gooseberries 
not for competition deserves especial mention. Some of the best were 
Long Barney, Thatcher, Princess Royal, Antagonist, Leveller, Careless. 
A stand of ornamental pottery exhibited in this tent by Mr. Edwards cf 
Sherwood, Nottingham, was awarded a certificate of merit, and was 
especially noticeable, being made in rustic ware, coloured green, black 
and gold, and filled with Ferns. Mr. Smout of Hastings had a collection 
of coloured seaweeds, and Mr. Forbes of Hawick exhibited some stands 
containing eight dozen Pansies, bedding Violas, and cut flowers of 
Begonias, which were awarded a special prize, also a quantity of her¬ 
baceous flowers. 
Collections of vegetables were a strong competition and included 
fine specimens. The soil around Leicester evidently suits vegetables 
very well indeed. The first prize fora collection went to Messrs. Hickling 
of Loughborough, whose Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peas, Tripoli Onions, and 
Carrots were very good. Second, Marquis de Salicto, who showed fine 
Potatoes, Peas and Turnips. Third, Mr. F. Faint, Hertford, a very clean 
lot. For six dishes Potatoes there were ten entries, and all the exhibits 
were good. First, Mr. W. Biddles, Loughborough. Second, Mr. J. Cox, 
Loughborough, with larger tubers but not so good. Peas made a great 
show, twenty-two dishes being staged, the majority very fine. The same 
may be said of the Carrots and Onions, both of which appeared in 
strong force. 
The specimen plants exhibited a marked improvement on former 
years; the groups also made a capital show, Mr. J. Smith, gardener to 
8. Bennett, Esq., being first with clean specimens. Areca lutescens 
occupied the centre, surrounded with Caladiums, Acalyphas, Marantas, 
Francos, Clerodendron fallax, variegated Grass, &c. This was well 
filled up, and yet light and pleasing. Second, Mr. G. Berry, gardener 
to H. Snow, Esq., a good lot, but much heavier in appearance. 
Messrs. Williams of Holloway showed a fine group of plants not for 
competition, comprising Dracamas, Palms, Marantas, Croton3, Sarra- 
cenias, &c., of good useful size and clean healthy grown plants that 
made an important feature in the Show. 
Roses were a show in themselves. For thirty-six, Messrs. Ilarkness 
of Bedale were easily first. They had Alfred Colomb, Comtesse d'Oxford, 
A. K. Williams, Pride of Waltham, Victor Hugo, Prince Arthur very 
fine. Second, Messrs. Perkins. For twenty-fours the prizes went in 
the same order. For twelve of one kind Messrs. Harkness showed a 
beautiful box of Horace Vernet, tbe second prize going to Messrs. Perkins 
for Marie Baumann. A collection of Pelargoniums shown by Messrs. 
Pearson of Chilwell, Nottingham, were remarkably good, some of the 
best being Constance, pink; Mrs. Norman, salmon; Chas. Mason, very 
bright scarlet; and seedlings No. 24, 1889; 20, 1890; and 22, 1889. 
Carnations were well represented, the chief prizes going to Mr. C. Turner 
of Slough, who also showed some new kinds not for competition, includ¬ 
ing Romulus, Lord Rendlesham, Mr. Henwood, Ruby, and Harmony. 
Wreaths and bouquets were grand, Messrs. Perkins taking all the first 
prizes as usual, their exhibits being far before all the others. In the 
cottagers’ tent some good exhibits were staged, especially in vegetables, 
thirty-three plate3 of kidney Potatoes being shown, and several other 
classes were extremely well represented. 
HURSTPIERPOINT. 
This Society was highly favoured with a beautiful day on the occa¬ 
sion of their fifth annual Show, held at the Chinese Gardens on Wednes¬ 
day, the 5th inst. The entries this year show a steady increase on former 
efforts, and the result was a creditable collection of plants, flowers, 
fruits, and vegetables staged by the three classes of exhibitors. The gar¬ 
deners’ classes, which will be of most interest to readers of the Journal, 
are open to an eight-mile radius, and in most cases were well filled. 
The premier place for a miscellaneous group of plants was taken by Mr. 
M. Burchell, gardener to S. Hannington, Esq., Hurst ; Mr. F. Faire, 
gardener to R. Clowes, Esq., Clayton, Wickham, being second with a 
pretty light arrangement, in which Liliums was the main feature, and 
though a little deficient in some respects, it seemed to “ take ” the 
popular eye more than first-named. It is much regretted that there is 
a slight falling off in this class, but it was in a great measure made up 
for in the numerous entries for six pdants flowering or foliage. In this 
class Mr. A. Bish, gardener to Miss Fitzhaugh, was first, followed by Mr. 
G. F. Wickham, gardener to J. Humphreys, Esq., Rymer, and Mr. A. 
Scutt, gardener to Mrs. Jenkins, Burgess Hill. For a group of Ferns, 
G. F. Wickham was first, and P. Healey, gardener to S. Wilson, Esq., 
Kingsland, second, both showing neat fresh groups. For the best speci¬ 
men pdant Mr. Wickham was again placed first for a well-grown 
Bougainvillea, Mr. A. Bish being second with a splendid Adiantum far- 
leyense 4 feet across, and Mr. Burchell was third with the same Fern 
nearly as large. Mr. Bish was first for Begonias, Fuchsias, and Gloxinias 
the latter being very fine indeed. 
Cut flowers were well represented, notwithstanding the heavy rains 
experienced. Mr. Wickham had the best amongst several bouquets. There 
were a few good boxes of Roses, J. Peskett having the best. Mr. W. Manton, 
gardener to Mrs. Clifton Borrer, Boling, was strong in hardy herbaceous 
flowers, and Mr. G. Healey had a good stand of Dahlias. 
In some of the fruit cla-ses the entries were not so numerous as usual, 
but were of very good quality. The Apples placed upon the tables 
show that there is a fair crop in this district, and the same may be said 
of small fruits. The following are the names of the most successful 
exhibitors :—Messrs. Wickham, Collins, Manton, Godby, Scutt, Lingby, 
and Chandler. The ladies, as is usual here, made an interesting display 
of baskets of cut flowers, Mrs. Shorood taking the coveted blue ribbon, 
followed by Miss Fanny Wood and Mrs. A. Scutt. Mr. Manton was 
fortunate in carrying off first prizes given by Messrs. Balchin for hardy 
herbaceous flowers, and the Messrs. Sutton & Sons for a collection of 
vegetables. Messrs. Balchin, with their usual desire to promote local 
horticulture, staged a fine group of decorative plants, and also some fine 
cut Roses. The cottagers made a very good show of vegetables and small 
fruits. 
This is one of the best conducted local Shows in Mid-Sussex, anl 
their Show is only part of what the Society is doing for the cause. In 
addition to the many special prizes not here mentioned there are also 
prizes given for the best cultivated garden, for the best allotments, &c., 
the labours attending which are not seen nor much thought of on the 
Show day, but the good it does must not be lost sight of. Mr. Wood, 
their genial Chairman and Treasurer, succeeds in getting substantial 
subscriptions, and in having a balance on the right side, and his efforts 
are ably seconded by Mr. S. Bucking, two gentlemen at least at Hurst, 
not so much engrossed in agriculture as to have no time to think of the 
gardens and of gardeners. Mr. Bunny and Mr. Richardson ably 
superintended the arrangements of the Show, and Mr. A. Anscombe 
efficiently discharged the duties of Secretary. 
WORUfoiuheWEEK. S3 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Apples and Pears. —All summer pruning must now be completed 
at once, so as to give the fruit all the light and air possible, and to 
develop the fruit buds for next year. Be careful to leave four or five 
good leaves at the base of each shoot that is shortened, and all the points 
of the main branches must be left entire if any extension in the 
size of the tree is considered advisable. Trees that are habitually 
unfruitful should not be pruned in any way at present unless a few 
weak shoots are taken out to allow the others more light and air. As 
a full pruning now will only start more shoots into growth, all such 
trees should be left until the wood is well matured, and then be operated 
upon at the roots. While pruning see that all ties and fastenings are 
