230 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 10, 1891 . 
considers the “ finest Vine in Britain ? ” It would perhaps not be 
without interest to have the weights of heavy crops of Grape3 grown 
on a single rod, stating the extent of roof space thus occupied. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
READING.— September 2nd. 
A disheartening disaster, similar to that which rendered the great 
Exhibition at Newcastle abortive in the previous week, attended the 
preparations for the Show of the Reading Horticultural Society on the 
above date. In the Forbury Gardens, a public pleasure ground in the 
town of seeds and biscuits, stand the ruins of Reading Abbey, and 
within the -walls, still erect and strong, notwithstanding that they are 
dark with age, it has been the custom to fix a huge tent covering the 
whole space, the plants beiDg arranged on grassy mounds at the ends, 
sides, and in the centre. As may be imagined, a picturesque and 
beautiful effect was produced, rendering the Show of exceptional 
interest. This year the canvas erection was fixed as usual, but in the 
heavy gale that prevailed on the day previous to the Exhibition the 
wind found its way beneath the tent and tore it to pieces. Fortunately 
no exhibits were staged, but the Committee found themselves in a very 
embarrassing position. To erect fresh tents would mean a heavy 
additional drain upon an exchequer already seriously depleted by 
weather vagaries at other shows, with the contingency of their being 
also dashed to pieces. However, the gale abated on the evening of the 
1 st, and with an energy and courage deserving the highest praise the 
officials set to work early on Wednesday morning and made a determined 
effort to retrieve the initial misfortune and keep faith with the public 
by holding the Show. Fresh tents were procured and erected as rapidly 
as possible, a new plan of arrangement was quickly sketched out, and the 
exhibits taken in hand and promptly “ located.” The result was that 
when our representative reached the ground soon after 11 A.M. nearly 
everything was in place, and at 2 p.m. the judging was completed, and 
everything in readiness for the admission of the public as usual. The 
utmost credit attaches to everyone connected with the undertaking. 
The task was an uphill one, but it was successful, and Mr. William 
Smith, the Secretary, together with every other official who assisted, 
merits warm commendation. The Society must inevitably suffer severely 
by the contretemps, as it was stated that the large tent was their own 
property, and to replace it would cost a very large sum ; however, it is 
to be hoped that it will be found to admit of repair, and that they will 
safely weather the storm, and continue their good work as of old. Let 
friends rally round as well as the officials did their duty, and the efforts 
of the latter will not be in vain. 
The Show, as usual, was a good and interesting one. Plants and 
vegetables were splendidly shown, and fruit moderately well. The 
principal awards are referred to in the following notes. 
The best group of plants, covering a space of 12 by 10 feet, was 
staged by Mr. Aitken, gardener to C. Meeking, Esq., Ritchings Park. 
White, supplied by Liliums, Pancratiums, Tuberoses, and Campanula 
pyramidalis alba, largely predominated. The latter showed up splendidly 
towards the back, and should be frequently used in such arrangements. 
Gloxinias, small Crotons, Francoa ramosa, Yallota purpurea, and one or 
two Begonias were tastefully interspersed. Mr. Bright, gardener to 
R. Karslake, Esq , Whiteknights Park, was second with a handsome but 
less graceful display. Mr. Butcher, gardener to G. Palmer, Esq., Reading 
won in the smaller group class, Mr. Sumner, gardener to G. Philbrick, 
Esq., Reading ; and Mr. Balchin, gardener to B. Simonds, Esq., Reading, 
following. 
Variegated and hands rme foliage plants were well shown by Mr. 
Aitken, his Crotons being very e’ean and healthy. Mr. Mould, Pewsey, 
-was second. Mr. Aitken also had the best six stove and greenhouse 
plants, Bougainvillea glabra, Eucharis grandiflora, Ixora Williamsi, and 
a Clerodendron being very finely flowered plants in the best condition, 
doing him great credit. Mr. Mould, who was second, had a grand 
Erica Eweriana superba, a fine Lapageria alba, but not yet in full 
bloom, and handsome specimens of Erica McNabiana rosea and Phasno- 
coma prolifera Barnesi. Mr. Aitken had an excellent exhibit in the 
class for stove and greenhouse Ferns, the plants being large and in 
perfect health ; Microlepia hirta cristata, Gymnogramma peruviana 
argyrophylla, G. Alstoni, Daval'ia fijiensis plumosa, and Davallia 
Mooreana were all good, the latter superb. Mr. Willis, gardener to 
H. J. Simonds, Esq., also had a grand plant of the latter in his second 
prize lot, together with several other good plants. Mr. Dockerill was 
third. Mr. Mould won with three Palms, Mr. Turton second ; and 
Mr. Dockerill was successful with Selaginellas ; Mr. Mayne, gardener to 
Lord Saye and Sele, Reading, following. 
The greenhouse and conservatory flowering plants were a very bright 
feature. Mr. Lockie’s Begonias were very good, and were placed first ; 
but Mr. Dockerill, gardener to G. W. Palmer, Esq., Reading, was not far 
behind. His plants were smaller, but they were dwarf and the flowers 
fiae. Mr. Booker, gardener to C. Littledale, Esq., Twyford, had some 
excellent Liliums, dwarf and full of bloom, the lancifoliums being 
particularly good. Mr. Dockerill was third, but his plants were inferior 
both in diversity and quality. Mr. Lockie had some capital Cockscombs. 
He grows these plants admirably, and beat Mr. Booker very decisively. 
The latter won with Balsams. Bedding Pelargoniums were in excellent 
condition, Mr. Bright having a splendid half-dozen, large, well clothed, 
and full of bloom. Mr. Castle, gardener to Mrs. Malet, Twyford, had some 
very richly coloured Coleuses, and won easily from Mr, Turton, gardener 
to J. Hargreaves, Esq., Maiden Erleigb. Fuchsias from Mr. Bright 
were splendid examples of culture, being pyramids 7 to 10 feet higb, 
healthy, and full of bloom. These bad been grown from cuttings 
inserted in February, 1890, and richly merited the premier award, 
Achimenes were not of a very high order. 
Cut flowers were abundant. Mr. Such, Maidenhead, had some fine 
clusters of herbaceous Phloxes, and was placed first. Mr. Booker won 
with eighteen bunches of cut flowers, these being cut from stove and 
greenhouse plants, and Mr. Castle followed. With twelve, Mr. Howard, 
gardener to Mrs. Myers, Benham Park, was first, and Mr. Bright second. 
Messrs. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, had one of their well-known delightful 
displays of single Dahlias, beautifully set up, and they won easily, Mr. 
Such being a good second with flowers more loosely arranged. The latter 
had a fine white named Maud Such, and the new varieties Gulielma 
and Miss Glasscock were noticeable in the first prize box. Messrs. 
Perkins & Sons won with Roses, the flowers being surprisingly fresh 
and good, Mr. Such was second. Mr. Thorne, gardener to Major 
Joicey, Sunningdale Park, third, and Mr. Turton fourth. The quilled 
Asters from Mr. Walker of Thame formed a charming stand, and his 
French varieties were little less attractive. He was placed first for 
each. Mr. Mould had some capital Gladioli, and won very easily ; 
while Mr. Walker was victorious with Zinnias. Plollyhocks were not a 
success, but double Dahlias were very gooL Messrs. Mortimer and 
Walker were first and second with eighteen, but although the former- 
won in this class their positions were reversed in that for twelve. Each 
box contained excellent blooms. 
Fruit was fairly good taking it altogether and considering the 
season. Mr. Aitken won with eight dishes, his Black Grapes (Alicante) 
being good, but the Muscats not well coloured. Sea Eagle Peaches were 
excellent. Mr. Goodman, gardener to Mis? Hammersley, Bourne 
End, was not far behind ; his Grapes were somewhat weak, but his 
Peaches (Bellegarde) and Melon (La Favourite) were good. Mr. Perkins, 
gardener to the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, Henley, was third. Mr. 
Johnson, gardener to A. Gilliatt, Esq., won with six dishes, a capital 
collection of fruit. Mr. Paxton, gardener to the Hon. C. S. Irby,. 
Taplow, being second, and Mr. Smith, gardener to R. Ovey, Esq., 
third. Mr, Turton was first with Black Hamburgh Grapes, the bunches 
good but not perfectly coloured ; Mr. Ashby, gardener to J. R. 
King, Esq., Whitchurch, being second, and Mr. Osman, gardener t® 
L. Baker, Esq., Ottershaw Park, third. For any other black the latter 
won with Alicante in admirable condition ; Mr. Pound, gardener to 
A. Sutton, Esq., Reading, being second, and Mr. Waite, gardener to 
Colonel the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher, third ; extra prizes going to 
Mr. Wi lis and Mr. Turton. Mr. Johnson had some splendid Muscats 
and won easily, Mr. Lane, gardener to Miss Dunning Smith, Ascot, 
being second and Mr. Pound third ; extra prizes going to Mr. Pound, 
gardener to G. May, Esq., and Mr. Osman. These formed a very strong 
class. Mr. Ashman, gardener to C. Crews, Esq., Billingbear, won with 
any other white, showing Buckland Sweetwater, Mr. Smith second 
with Golden Queen. Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots and Figs were all 
good, the principal winners being Messrs. Pound, gardener to G. May- 
Esq., with a splendid dish of Bellegarde Peaches; Smith, Paxton, 
Howard, Ashman, Bright, Ashby and Dockerill. Plums were abundant 
and fairly good, Mr. Goodman having the best d-'shes. The winner’s 
card for eating Apples was lost, but Mr. Webb, Beenham, was second 
and Mr. Dockerill third. The latter had some fine dishes of culinary 
varieties, which were also admirably staged by Messrs. Turton, Aitken, 
Goodman- and Webb. Messrs. Cheal & Son had an excellent display not 
for competition. Mr. Goodman won with a basket of miscellaneous fruits 
and prizewinners in other classes were Messrs. Read, Allum, Goodman, 
Paxton, Howard, Turton, Ivneller, Lees, and Booker. Messrs. Sutton’s 
prizes for Melons were won by Messrs. Goodman, Haslam, Dockerill and 
House. Hero of Lockinge and Sutton’s Triumph were good, and a green 
flesh variety without a label, probably La Favourite, was splendid. 
The vegetables, principally in competition for special prizes, covered 
tabling 120 yards long in the open air, and were a magnificent display. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons offered over fifty prizes, and these brought some- 
good produce. Turnips were excellent, as also were Lettuces, Runner 
Beans (Sutton’s Al), and Peas (Duke of Albany and Royal Jubilee). 
Tomatoes, too, were very good, especially Perfection and Golden Queen. 
Parsnips (Student) were well up to the average. Onions were fair, and 
Leeks moderate, with the exception of Mr. Lye’s samples of Prizetaker, 
which were very fine. Of Sutton’s Sulham Prize Celery there were some 
splendid sticks. Sutton's Autumn Mammoth Cauliflower was good, and 
their new Intermediate Carrot very fine. Messrs. Lye, gardener to 
W. K. Kingsmill, Esq., Sydmonton ; Waite; Pope, gardener to the Earl 
of Carnarvon, Highclere; Durman, gardener to J. W. Workman, Esq., 
Reading ; Lockie, Palmer, Kneller, Balchin, Scammell, gardener to the 
Rev. St. John Thackeray ; Booker, Knight, Pound, Haslam, gardener to 
General Swettenham ; Ashby, Turton, Goodman, Dockerill, and House 
were the prizewinners in these classes. Messrs. Lye, Lockie, Waite, Pope, 
and Kneller showing the most prominently. Messrs. Carter & Co., 
Pligh Holborn, London, offered prizes for the best collections of vege¬ 
tables, and these also produced some fine produce. The first prize of 
three guingas was won by Mr. Pope, who had a splendid exhibit. 
Carter’s King of the Russets Potato, Summer Favourite Carrot, Jersey 
Lily Turnip, Standard Bearer Celery, Perfection Beet, and Telegraph 
Peas were all admirable examples. Mr. Waite’s second prize collection 
was very little inferior, his Telegraph Peas, Holborn Model Leeks, 
Standard Bearer Celery, and Delight Potato being very fine. Mr. 
Palmer, gardener to the Hon. Hume Dick, Thames Ditton, was a highly 
