250 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 17, 1691. 
Vegetables. 
The vegetables were exhibited in exceedingly large numbers and fine 
quality, and strongly as these important products always are represented, 
at northern shows very seldom have such displays been seen as that under 
notice. In the great class for twelve distinct varieties there were 
seventeen competitors, and they contributed vegetables so nearly equal 
in merit that the Judges had a serious task in making the awards. 
Mr. Pope, gardener to the Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, Hants, 
won the premier honours—a 10-guinea prize—with admirable examples 
of Standard Bearer Celery, Autumn Mammoth Cauliflower, Oxonian 
Leeks, perhaps the weakest dish ; Perfection Tomatoes, Sutton’s Student 
Parsnip, handsome Satisfaction Potatoes, Ne Plus Ultra Beans, Long- 
keeper Onions, Duke of Albany Peas, Green Globe Artichokes, and 
Pragnell’s Exhibition Beet. The second place was taken by Mr. J. Muir 
gardener to Miss Talbot, Margam Park, Glamorganshire, whose 
specimens were very even, clean, and true in character. They included 
Early Rose Celery, Champion Leeks, Eclipse Cauliflowers, Yellow 
Perfection Turnips, Cardiff Castle Cucumbers, Webb’s Sensation 
Tomatoes, Duchess Peas, and Satisfaction Potatoes in fine condition. 
Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to Lady Theodora Guest, Norwood House, Dorset, 
was third with a highly creditable collection, and it was remarked by 
several as a curious fact in so keen a competition that all these 
prizes should have gone to exhibitors from the south. Mr. W. Harper, 
gardener to J. R. S. Richardson, Esq., Perth, was fourth, his exhibits 
comprising some well-grown vegetables. 
The next class was also for a collection of twelve varieties, but 
excluding Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Cucumbers, and the competition 
was again very keen, though the entries were not so numerous. After 
careful consideration Mr. J. Cocker, gardener to Sir William Wallace, 
Bart., Stranraer, was placed first, his Leeks, Celery, Cabbages, Onions, 
Turnips, and Peas being notable dishes. Mr. J. Low, gardener to 
J. Paton, Esq., Stirling, was second, being defeated by only a fev points, 
his specimens being extremely good. Mr. G. Potter, gardener to Mrs. 
Laidlaw, North Berwick, was third with a good exhibit. 
Potatoes were shown in extraordinary numbers, there being thirty- 
six entries in the class for eighteen dishes, for which prizes of 
10 guineas, £5, and £3 were offered. Long consideration the Judges 
devoted to this class, and without a doubt they had the most difficult 
task in whole Show. It was not surprising if their professional skill 
was taxed severely where so many exhibits appeared of first-rate 
quality, and .f about a dozen first prizes could have been awarded it 
would have relieved them materially. The decision was at last given 
in favour of Mr. J. Sinclair, Harviston, Dollar, who had clean even 
tubers of the undermentioned varieties—Best of All, Satisfaction, 
Vicar of Laleham, Matchless, Lord Tennyson. Lady Francis, Handswood’s 
Perfection, Reading Russet, The Dean, Jeannie Dean, Village Blacksmith, 
Abundance, Jubilee, Mr. Breesee, Snowdrop, Chancellor, Puritan, and 
Lady Dundas. Mr. J. Robertson, gardener to Lord Campbell, Hartrigge 
House, was second, and Mr. J. Gentleman, West Craigmerrie, Armadale, 
was third, both exhibiting collections of much merit. Several fine 
exhibits were of necessity left unrecognised, but one collection, from 
Mr. Wiles of Edgecote, Banbury, was certainly worthy of an award, and 
should have had a place amongst the winning exhibits. For six varieties 
of Potatoes, Mr. Gentleman, Mr. J. McFarlane, Alva, and Mr. Wiles 
were the prizetakers, but even here the awards did not give entire 
satisfaction, and the last-named should have had a higher place. 
Classes were provide! for Cucumbers, Peas, Beans, Brussels Sprouts, 
Cauliflowers, Cabbages, Celery, Leeks, Parsnips, Carrots, Turnips, and 
all the principal crops of the vegetable garden, but to enumerate them 
all with the exhibitors would far exceed the space at our disposal. It 
must, however, be mentioned in this section that valuable special prizes 
were offered by seedsmen and nurserymen for vegetables which brought 
an astonishing competition. Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, had 
thirteen classes for their special varieties, and when it is stated that the 
number of entries in these reached no le3S a total than 278, it can be 
imagined what an extensive and handsome display was provided. 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, also offered prizes in two classes for 
vegetables, and Mr. J. Wilson, Hereford, had two classes for Onions, and 
in all these the competition was keen. 
Non-Competing Exhibits. 
Considerable space was required by the non-competing exhibits from 
nurserymen and others, which imparted much additional interest to the 
Show. It is somewhat strange, however, that with one exception of 
unquestioned merit, none of the beautiful collections of p'ants and 
flowers, many of which had been brought a great distance, received any 
recognition from Judges or Council. At least this was the case as far 
as could be ascertained at the close of the Show, and certainly no awards 
were affixed to the groups A magnificent exhibit of plants, cut flowers, 
and fruits arranged with remarkably good taste won for Messrs. 
Wm. Thomson & Sons, Clovenfords, the award of a gold medal, an 
honour that was amply deserved, for without doubt it was one of the 
best displays of the kind ever exhibited. With it were included some 
large paintings of Orchids, especially of the new and handsome 
Dendrobium Phalacnopsis var. Schroederianum from Messrs. Sander and 
Co., St. Albans, and some interesting Orchid photographs representing 
the re-discovery of the true autumn-flowering Cattleva labiata. 
Prominent amongst the exhibits from England were the following. 
An excellent group of Orchids with stove and greenhouse flowering 
and fine-foliage plants from Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Hol¬ 
loway, which occupied a long table and comprised a selection of rare 
and beautiful plants from their extensive collections, and including 
many fine novelties. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, London, 
had a group of their grand Tuberous Begonias, Caladiums, Crotons and 
other plants, which attracted many admirers of these showy plants 
during the three days. Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, contributed a 
superb bank of Cactus Dahlias, one of the largest and most effective 
exhibits yet seen, and with them also were some handsome Tuberous 
Begonias. Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Higbgate, staged one of their 
interesting collections of stove and greenhouse plants, fine healthy 
little specimens of all the more useful sorts. 
Ferns in choice variety, forming several refreshing groups, came from 
Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, Sale, Manchester, comprising beautiful 
novelties both amongst hardy and greenhouse Ferns. Messrs. Bunyard 
and Co., Maidstone, sent a large collection of fine Apples. Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, also had a large space occupied with Apples, 
Pears, and Dahlias. Mr. J. Walker, Ham, Surrey, showed a collection 
of fine Apples and Pears. Mr. Rust, Eridge Castle Garden, Kent, con¬ 
tributed a collection of Apples and Pears. Mr. Deverill of Banbury 
showed his fine exhibition Onions. Mr. Watkins of Hereford had a 
number of Apples and Pears; and the Royal Horticultural Society of 
London sent a large collection of Apples and Tomatoes, good specimens 
of their respective varieties. 
Amongst the northern and other exhibits, besides those already 
mentioned, were the following—Messrs. J. Dickson & Son, Edinburgh, 
a group of hardy trees and shrubs ; Mr. J. Forbes, Hawick, a collection 
of cut flowers ; Messrs. James Cocker & Co., Aberdeen, a tasteful display 
of hardy flowers ; Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, a group of Dahlias 
and Marigolds; Messrs. Hugh Dickson & Co., Belfast, a beautiful 
display of Roses ; Messrs. Stuart & Mein, Kelso, choice Hollyhocks 
and hardy flowers ; Mr. M. Cuthbertson, Rothesay, a large group of 
hardy flowers ; Mr. Campbell, High Blantyre, a collection of florists’ 
flowers : Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso, a group of Carnations; 
Mr. A. Lister, Rothesay, Pansies and Marigolds; Messrs. Dickson 
and Co, Edinburgh, a handsome group of miscellaneous plants; 
Messrs. T. Methven & Sons, Elinburgh, a table of foliage and flower¬ 
ing plants ; and Mr. J. Downie, Edinburgh, had a table of Tuberous 
Begonias. 
The Dinner. 
On Wednesday evening a company of about 120 gentlemen, members 
of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, Judges, and visitors, 
representing probably one of the best gatherings of horticulturists ever 
brought together in Scotland, dined in the Waterloo Hotel, Edinburgh. 
Sir James Gibson Craig, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, 
occupied the chair; Mr. W. Thomson, sen., Clovenfords, and Mr. 
C. Stewart, W.S., the Secretary, acted as croupiers ; the Chairman being 
supported by Mr. A. F. Barron, Alderman Chaffin, Mr. Bruce Findlay, 
and members of the Corporation. In proposing the toast of the evening, 
“ The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society,” the Chairman remarked 
that the Show in connection with which they were assembled was the 
finest he had ever seen, especially as regarded fruit, flowers, and 
vegetables, and that not only the Society, but the City of Edinburgh 
and the kingdom might be proud of it. Having commented on the 
useful work which the Society had accomplished since its establish¬ 
ment, the Chairman concluded by pointing t> the enormous advance 
observable in the care of publ'c gardens, and gave it as his opinion that 
the way in which the Princes’ Gardens were managed was a credit to 
any city in the world. 
Mr. Wm. Thomson, in replying, remarked that while the plants 
shown that day might not be so good as he had seen, the fruit, flowers, 
and vegetables were equal to anything that had been brought together 
within his knowledge. In conclusion, he referred to the work of the 
British Fruit Growers’ Association and the Conference to be held the 
following day, and urged the desirability of more attention being 
given to the cultivation of fruit. In afterwards responding to the 
toast of “ The Corporation of Edinburgh,” which had been proposed 
by Mr. A. Milne, Edinburgh, Bailie M‘Donald adverted to the value 
of the Waverley Market for such exhibitions as that in connection 
with which they were assembled, and spoke of the loss which the 
citizens would have sustained had they been deprived of the building 
through the proposals of a railway company. The other toasts in¬ 
cluded “The Royal Horticultural Society,” proposed by Mr. Dunn, 
Dalkeith Palace Gardens, responded to by Mr. Barron ; “ The Judges,” 
responded to by Mr. Findlay and Mr. D. Thomson; “ The Competitors 
and Exhibitors,” for whom Mr. H. Williams and Mr. Mclndoe replied ; 
“ The Officials of the Society,” “The Visitors,” coupled with the name 
of Alderman Chaffin, and “ The Chairman.” 
The Conference. 
On Thursday, September 10th, at 3.30, the British Fruit Growers’ 
Association held a Conference on fruit culture in conjunction with 
members of the Royal Caledonian Society in the Waterloo Hotel, when 
Councillor Colston took the chair, and there was a representative 
gathering of northern horticulturists. The Chairman, in a few well 
chosen words, explained the objects and work of the Association, and 
Mr. G. Gordon followed with some observations on the present condition 
and prospects of fruit culture for profit. Mr. Dunn of Dalkeith gave an 
interesting address upon fruit culture for profit in Scotland, which was 
followed by some discussion, in which Mr. Cannell of Swanley and Mr. 
Dickson of Belfast joined. Mr. Sinclair of East Linton discoursed on the 
