August 27, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
185 
Palms. Crotons, and a richly coloured specimen of Alocasia Thibautiana. 
Mr. Russell, gardener to the Rev. S. Saville, Audleys, was second ; and 
Mr. T. Holdaway, gardener to Colonel May, Hawkfield, Basingstoke, 
third. Specimen foliage plants in six varieties were best shown by 
Mr. T. Weaver, gardener to W. 0. Gilchiist, Esq., Oakley Hall, Basing¬ 
stoke. Mi 1 . Bowerman won with a capitally grown Croton, Queen 
Victoria, in the class for a specimen foliage plant, Mr. Weaver being 
scconi with Cycas revoluta. The last named grower easily secured 
leading honours in the exotic Fern class, staging six very fine plants, 
Adiantum concinnum latum and A. cardiochltena being particularly 
good. Mr. G. Southcott, gardener to Captain Oldfield, South Warnboro’, 
was second. Mr. Kneller, gardener to W. S. Portal, Esq , Malshanger 
Park, Basingstoke, took the premier award in the hardy Fern class with 
healthy well grown specimens ; Mr. B. Tripp, gardener to Mrs. Field, 
Goldings, Basingstoke, being a good second. Coleus are seldom seen in 
bet'er condition than they were on this occasion. The plants were 
compact yet freely grown, pyramids ranging from 4 to 7 feet high, the 
majority well coloured. Mr. Southcott secured the first prize ; Mr. 
Russell following. Fuchsias were represented by pyramids from 7 to 
8 feet high, not too stiffly trained, but profusely flowered. Messrs. 
Russell and Mr. F. Holloway, gardener to F. W. C. Reade, Esq., Down 
Grange, securing the awards in the order of their names. Tuberous 
Begonias were more remarkab’e for the quality of their flowers than for 
the quantity. In a brisk competition Mr. Norris, gardener to J. Porter, 
Esq., Kingsclere, was first. Mr. Kneller had the best Zonal Pelargo¬ 
niums in four varieties, and they were freely flowered. Table plants 
were shown admirably by Mr. Bowerman and Mr. Kneller, who were 
first and second. 
Unfortunately there was but one entry for the special prize of £5 5s., 
presented for a group of miscellaneous plants arranged in a semicircle 
not more than 16 feet long. The solitary group came from Mr. Weaver, 
who well deserved the premier award given, suitable plants lightly 
arranged insuring his success. 
Cut flowers were largely staged in all the classes set apart for them- 
Roses were bright and fresh, if small. For twenty-four, distinct, Mr 
Neville, gardener to F. W. Flight, Esq., Cornstiles, Twyford, Winchester' 
was an easy first, the Rev. C. Eddy, Brawley, being second. Mr. Neville 
again led in the class for twelve blooms, Mr. Norris being second. A 
neat bloom of A. K. Williams secured Mr. Neville honours for the premier 
bloom in the Show. Stove and greenhouse flowers were best staged by 
Messrs. Weaver and Norris, and herbaceous varieties by Mr. Kneller. 
Mr. R. H. Munday, nurseryman, Basingstoke, had the best Asters, and 
fthe finest Dahlias came from Mr. Russell. The following cut-flower 
classes were open to ladies only. For a stand or vase of flowers and 
fruit suitable for table decoration, Miss M. Owen, Basingstoke, was the 
most successful, Mrs. Osman, Otter3haw Park, following closely. Miss 
N. Owen, Basingstoke, had the most tastefully dressed pair of vases, 
flowers only. Mrs. Thorne, Basingstoke, was first for a stand of wild 
flowers, grasses, and berries, with an arrangement which showed con¬ 
siderable taste, Miss Portsmouth, Down Grange, being second. A 
fecial feature was made by water bouquets, Mr3. Wadmore, Basing¬ 
stoke, winning easily, and Miss Milson being second. The last-named 
had the best shoulder spray, and Mrs. Wadmore the neatest button-hole 
bouquet. 
Fruit was both abundant and good. For six dishes, Pines excluded, 
Mr. Osman, gardener to L. J. Baker, Esq., Ottershaw Park, had no 
difficulty in securing the premier position ; good Muscat of Alexandria 
Grapes, Barrington Peaches, Bouverie’s green-flesh Melon, and Moor 
Park Apricot were his best dishes. Mr. Best, gardener to — Chute, 
Esq., The Old Vyne, was second. Classes were provided for Black 
Hamburgh Grapes and any other black variety. Mr. Holloway, with 
medium sized, compact, and well finished examples was placed first with 
the former, Mr. Osman being second, and Mr. Best third. In the other 
class Mr. Holloway repeated his previous success, this time with beau¬ 
tifully finished examples of Alicante, Mr. Osman being second with 
Madresfield Court. The latter staged good Muscat of Alexandria in the 
class for that variety, and was awarded first prize. Melons were staged 
ia considerable numbers, the best green flesh being a small one of The 
Countess from Mr. Norris. Mr. Kneller took second place with Emerald 
Gem. The best scarlet flesh variety was Blenheim Orange from Mr. 
Bowerman, Mr. Tripp being second. Peaches were largely and ex¬ 
cellently shown. Well coloured fruit of Violette Hative won the first 
prize for Mr. Bowerman, and he was successful with good Lord Napier 
Nectarines in the single dish class, Mr. Best with Elruge, highly coloured, 
taking second honours. Apples were well staged. For three dishes of 
culinary varieties Mr. Neville won with even fruit, Mr. Kneller being 
second. Mr. Best gained the premier award in the dessert class for three 
dishes, staging highly coloured fruit. Mr. Bowerman was easily first for 
Apricots with very fine examples of Moor Park. Mr. J. Wasley, 
gardener to C. Lethbridge, Esq , Sherfield Mano”, had the best Cherries, 
fine Morellos, in strong competition. 
Vegetables, as previously indicated, are always well shown at Basing¬ 
stoke, and this year was no exception. Messrs. Sutton & Sons offered 
prizes for six varieties, which brought out fine produce. Mr. Lye, 
gardener to W. H. Kingsmill, Esq., Sydmonton, was the most successful. 
His best dishes were Anglo-Spanish Onion. Mammoth Cauliflowers, and 
Perfection Tomatoes, and they were very fine. Mr. Knel’er was a close 
second. For the prizes offered for the same number of varieties by 
Messrs. Webb & Sons these two exhibitors occupied similar positions 
with equally good produce. Prizes were offered also for single dishes of 
numerous kinds of vegetables, which were well contested for. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, had an attractive stand of cut 
flowers, mainly annuals, such as fine strains of Godetias, Jacobmas, 
Sweet Sultans, LupiDS, Dianthus, and Phlox Drummondi in great 
variety. Seedling Carnations were also shown well. This firm also 
exhibited two dozen plants of Gloxinias grown from seed sown in 
February, which carried numerous handsome flowers of brilliant colours. 
IRIS FIMBRIATA. 
All the Irises possess special attractions for plant admirers, and 
though many are more showy than the little Iris fimbriata yet this has 
a graceful habit, and is so floriferous that it can be employed with good 
FIG. 28.— IRIS FIMBRIATA. 
effect in several ways. Like numerous other members of the family its 
flowers are, however, somewhat fugacious and are not adapted for 
cutting. The plant is compact in habit and is consequently well suited 
for culture in pots, and being somewhat tender it is safer in a green¬ 
house than outside ; in fact comparatively few positions suit it except in 
the warm southern and western counties, where I have occasionally seen 
it tried, but not with very encouraging results. 
For some years I have grown it entirely for greenhouse decoration, 
and as I have a good stock by forwarding some and retarding others 
I manage to keep up a fairly long succession of flowers. These 
are of such a soft pale bluish mauve relieved by orange markings 
that they appear very distinct arranged with other plants having 
more brightly coloured flowers. A moderately light loam, ample root 
space, and plentiful supplies of water during the growth and flower¬ 
ing, are the principal points in its culture and need special attention, 
—C. M. 
