September 17, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
249 
the same exhibitor leading in the scarlet-flesh class, and Blenheim 
Orange from Mr. A. Miller, gardener to W. H. Long, Esq., M.P., Rood 
Ashton, in the green-flesh class. 
Peaches and Nectarines were fairly well shown, Mr. Lunt, gardener 
to H. Stirling, Esq., Keir, being the principal exhibitor, and won the 
first prize for twelve Peaches, six ditto, and twelve Nectarines with 
beautiful fruits ; but for six Nectarines Mr. T. H. Grasp won easily 
with Pitmaston Orange of good size and capital colour. Apricots were 
also good, the best coming from Messrs. Goodfellow and Fairgrieve. 
Plums were largely represented, over seventy dishes of dessert 
varieties, and nearly as many of culinary varieties, being entered in 
competition, the classes being devoted to the chief sorts grown in 
gardens. The majority of the prizes in the single dish classes were 
won by Mr. Peter Blair, Trentham Gardens, other successful exhibitors 
being Mr. G. Bowman, Lasawade ; Mr. A. Wilson, gardener to R. A. 
Oswald, Esq. ; Mr. J. Day, Mr. J. Harper, Jersey, and Mr. Mclndoe. 
Apples were an excellent show in themselves, for the exhibits were 
extremely numerous, and the quality, in the majority of instances, was 
highly satisfactory. Pears also were largely shown, and in both instances, 
while a few classes were devoted to collections, the majority were for 
special varieties, as in the case of the Grapes, Plums, &c. It was a 
subject of comment that Mr. Harper of St. Helier’s, Jersey, who carried 
off many important prizes, should have been allowed to compete in 
these classes, especially as provision was made for Channel Island fruits 
under the heading, (i Fruits Grown Abroad.” Some of the competitors 
who were defeated by Mr. Harper entered protests in the matter, but no 
decision was made public before the close of the Show. Next to Mr. 
Harper, who exhibited excellent fruits, Mr. T. H. Crasp was the most 
successful, being first amongst Pears for Jargonelle, Louise Bonne of 
Jersey, and Hacon’s Incomparable, with minor prizes in several other 
classes. Prizes also went to Messrs. Donald McBean, Renfrewshire ; 
J. Day, R. Sinclair, A. Wilson, McKelvie, and Gilmour. In the Apple 
classes the chief prizewinners were Messrs. J. McKenzie, Linton Park 
Gardens, Maidstone ; Nicholson, J. Day, S. T. Wright, T. H. Crasp, 
Goldie, and Gilmour. Strawberries, Currants, and Gooseberries were 
also fairly well shown, but do not call for special comment. 
Plants. 
The section of the Exhibition appropriated to plants was the weakest 
of all, as the exhibits were neither very abundant, nor were they in 
most classes up to the high standard distingu’sbing the other part of 
the Show. Although prizes of £20, £15, and £10 were offered for ten 
stove and greenhouse plants, only two competitors had the courage to 
enter, and one of these journeyed a long distance for his honours— 
namely, Mr. W. Finch, gardener to J. Marriott, Esq., Queen’s Road, 
Coventry, who was deservedly awarded the first prize for well-grown 
specimens of Ixoras Williamsi and amabilis, each about 5 feet high, 
nearly as much in diameter, well clothed with foliage, and bearing fine 
heads of flowers. Other good specimens of similar size were Croton 
Warreni, Lapageria rosea and alba, Croton Johannis, grandly coloured ; 
and Erica Eweriana, with tall stately examples of Kentia Belmoreana, 
Kentia Fosteriana, and Cycas circinalis. Mr. A. Crichton, Southfield, 
Camberton, was second with much smaller plants, and his prize was 
easily won. Six stove and greenhouse plants were not of remarkable 
merit, but Mr. Thompson’s, of Eskbank, first prize collection included 
several healthy specimens of moderate size. The fine-foliage plants 
were also of medium size, Mr. McIntyre of Inverleithen, Mr. McIntyre 
of Darlington, and Mr. Stewart, Brayton Hall, being the prizewinners 
in that order. 
By far the most remarkable plant in these classes was that with 
which Mr. Finch won the first prize as a single specimen in flower. 
This was a magnificent example of Ixora Duffi, some 5 feet in height, 
clothed with its long dark leaves down to the pot rim, and bearing 
upwards of twenty large globular trusses of flowers. This plant was 
so conspicuously prominent that it easily gained for Mr. Finch the 
Yeitch Memorial medal and £5 prize offered for the best Orchid, stove, 
or greenhouse plant in the Show. 
Ferns were amongst the freshest and best of the plant exhibits, and 
furnished a very agreeable foil to the bright tints of the cut flowers, 
which supplied the principal colour in the building. Adiantums and 
British Ferns were the most abundant, and amongst the latter the 
Scolopendriums were very notable. Some of the more successful 
exhibitors were Mr. Mclndoe (table Ferns), Mr. Napier, Rockville (exotic 
Ferns), Mr. McIntyre, Darlington (Gleichenias), Mr. Henderson, Polmont, 
(Adiantums), Messrs. Leman, Restalrig House; Napier, T. Pringle, 
Dalkeith ; E. Cameron, Scott, Anderson, Pilrig, and J. Cumming. 
Orchids were not in their best, and could not be expected to be at 
this time of year. The result was the exhibits occupied but small space, 
and comprised but few plants of an exceptional character. The leading 
six Orchids came from Mr. Sharp, Freeland ; moderately good specimens 
of Laslia elegans, Odontoglossum Pescatorei, O. vexillarium rubrum, 
Cypripedium superbiens, and Cattleya Gaskelliana being the most note¬ 
worthy. Mr. Curror of Eskbank was second with smaller plants of little 
importance except Oncidium incurvum, which was one of the finest ever 
exhibited, being loaded with its small delicately tinted flowers, but it 
was rather spoiled in appearance by the panicles being trained tightly 
into a globular form. If they had been taken up straight from the 
plant the effect would have been much more pleasing—indeed, some 
thought it would have stood a good chance for the Yeitch Memorial 
prize. The prizewinners with three Orchids were Messrs. Wilson, 
Sharp, and McGregor, the last-named being also first for a single 
specimen. Crotons, Palms, Tuberous Begonias, Fuchsias, table plants, 
and Vallotas were all represented by numerous exhibits, but the Vallotas 
were unusually good, and are rarely seen at southern shows in such 
numbers or such good condition. 
The groups of plants with which we are familiar in England assume 
a different character in Edinburgh, for instead of being arranged upon 
the ground as with us they are disposed upon tables, which must un¬ 
avoidably impart considerable formality to the arrangement, though the 
space can be very accurately apportioned. However tasteful a margin 
is formed—and much skill was displayed in this matter—it is impossible 
to give the same freedom to the edge of a group upon a table as it would 
be on the ground level. Nearly all the classes of this kind provided in 
the schedule were for nurserymen, but there was one for gardeners and 
amateurs, in which Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, Edinburgh, offered a. 
ten-guinea clock as the first prize for a table of plants 20 feet long by 
5 feet wide. This was accorded to Mr. McIntyre of Darlington, who 
had a tasteful arrangement, in which a due proportion of flowering and 
foliage plants were employed with good effect, the margin also being 
skilfully managed. Mr. Wood, Oswald House, Edinburgh, followed 
closely, Crotons predominating in his arrangement, while Mr. Reynard 
of Hamilton was third with a group of healthy little plants. 
In the nurserymen’s division the chief class was that for a group of 
plants arranged on a table 30 feet long by 8 feet wide, and the exhibits 
in this class not only occupied much space, but they formed one of the 
most pleasing parts of the plant display. Messrs. Iie’and k Thomson, 
Edinburgh were adjudged first honours for an exceedingly handsome 
group, in which brilliantly coloured Crotons were employed with Palms, 
Ferns, and other graceful foliage plants, together with Orchids, espe¬ 
cially Cattleyas and Odontoglossums, Liliums, Eucharises, and a fine 
margin of Panicum variegatum and Caladium argyrites. Messrs. Thyne, 
Glasgow, were second, Odontoglossums being largely employed, and 
with an edge of Caladium argyrites gave rather too light an appear¬ 
ance to the group. Messrs, Laird & Sons, Edinburgh, were third with 
a rather different style of arrangement, the plants being disposed in 
circular groups on the table, margined with Panicum, Selaginellas, and 
Ficus repens. 
The nurserymen’s Crotons, though not of great size, were exceedingly 
bright in colour, particularly those with which Messrs. B. S. Williams; 
and Son, Upper Holloway, London, won the first prize for six plants. 
These included Williamsi, Rodeckianus, formosus, Warreni, Queen 
Victoria, and Comtesse. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson were second also 
for finely coloured plants of Warreni, Evansianum, Newmani, and 
angustifolius. 
New and rare plants not in commerce before January 1st, 1889, were- 
not represented by many collections. The best six were shown by 
Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, and included Caladium Marie Freeman,. 
Dracaena species, Cocos Pynaerti, Maranta Mooreana, Alocasia Thom- 
soni, and Nepenthes Dicksoniana, a hybrid which was selected for the 
Veitch Memorial medal, but it was subsequently found that this was 
contrary to the regulations as being exhibited by a nurseryman, and the 
award was therefore disallowed. Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son were 
placed second with some fine novelties, and Messrs. Laird k Son were 
third. Conifer® were shown by Mr. Butler, Greenock ; Messrs. Laird 
and Son, and Messrs. Stuart & Mein of Kelso, who won the prizes in 
that order. Messrs. Ireland k Thomson were first for six Orchids,, 
healthy medium sized plants of Cypripedium Ashburtoni, Odontoglos¬ 
sums grande and vexillarium, and Vanda Kimballiana. 
Cut Flowers. 
Although this was an autumn Show Roses were shown in capitally 
fresh condition, and excited even more interest than the Dahlias. For 
thirty-six Roses Mr. Cocker of Aberdeen was awarded premier honours 
with bright beautiful blooms, amongst which the following varieties were 
conspicuous :—Alfred Colomb, Her Majesty, Waban, Comtesse de 
Serenye, Mrs. John Laing, Ulrich Brunner, Charles Lefebvre, and Marie 
Van Houtte. Mr. Dickson of Belmont was second, and Mr. Smith of 
Stranraer was third. Mr. Cocker was also first for twelve Tea Roses,, 
and Mr. Smith again followed. 
The best twenty-four Show Dahlias were exhibited by Messrs' 
R. B. Laird & Co., Messrs. Clark & Sons of Leeds following closely, 
this exhibitor being a’so first for twelve Fancy Dahlias, followed by 
Mr. Campbell and Messrs. R. B. Laird & Co., the last named being first 
for six Chrysanthemum blooms. Messrs. A. Kerr & Son, Roxburgh,, 
were first with twelve spikes of Hollyhocks, Messrs. Stuart k Mein, with 
Mr. G. Wood, Hawick, securing the other prizes, but the first and second 
collections were much superior to the others in competition. Mr. Camp¬ 
bell had the best thirty Gladioli spikes, massive, well proportioned, with: 
large richly coloured flowers. 
In the gardeners’ and amateurs’ classes there wa3 a fairly good 
display of Roses, Pansies, Stocks, Hollyhocks, and Dahlias, but the- 
competition was not so keen as in other departments of the Exhibition. 
With twenty-four Roses Mr. A. H. Gray, Bath, was first, followed by 
Mr. D. Wallace of Rothesay, and Mr. William Parlane, Golf hill, Ross. 
Mr. Gray was also first for twelve Tea Roses, Messrs. Mellinder and 
Bryden following. In the Pansy and Viola classe3 the chief exhibitors 
were Messrs. A. Ollar, McCan, Frater, Storrie, Adam, and Paterson. 
The best Stocks were staged by Mr. Morrison, the best Hollyhocks by 
Mr. Rae and the Rev. J. Middleton, and the best Dahlias from Mr. 
Spoor. 
