October 29, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
861 
consequence the comoetition is much more keen. Five classes 
are also provided for different varieties of Grapes at Reading, while 
the Southampton, Birmingham, and Liverpool schedules are fairly 
comprehensive. When there are not more than two, or at the most 
three classes for Grapes, exhibitors are at a loss what to stage, and 
judges scarcely know how to decide. Supposing there is only one 
class for black Grapes, then Gros Colman, if shown in superior 
condition, must win. Alicante, no matter how well it may be 
shown, should take a back place, for the simple reason that it is 
not particularly high class, or no more so than Gros Colman, and 
it certainly is the easiest to finish properly; while Lady Downe’s, 
though superior to both in point of quality, is very rarely indeed 
shown heavy enough to win first honours against all comers. If, 
therefore, I stage either Alicante or Lady Downe’s against first- 
class Gros Colman, I shall expect to be beaten, and so must other 
competitors. If Mrs. Pince could be shown at its best, then ought 
that high-class variety to be put first. Gros Guillaume, Gros 
Maroc, and Alnwick Seedling are all variously shown in the any 
other black class, but the former is the most superior in point of 
flavour, and if shown well coloured should win. Lady Downe’s is 
very frequently shown in the any other black class, and if really 
good is hard to beat. When we come to the white Grapes matters 
are more simplified. Muscat of Alexandria shown in a fairly good 
condition is bound to be first, the next best being Mrs. Pearson. 
If, therefore, there is a class for any other white Grape, that is a 
good opening for Mrs. Pearson, Trebbiano and Calabrian Raisin 
being coarser varieties, and not often seen well coloured. I have 
frequently shown Golden Queen in the any other white class, but 
owing to its muddy appearance, which seems to get worse by the 
time it arrives at a show, it takes prizes on sufferance only, that 
is to say, when competition is slack. Exhibitors, especially novices, 
should use more judgment when selecting their Grapes for com¬ 
petition. Too often the largest bunches are selected without due 
regard being paid to other conditions. I have made the same mis¬ 
take more than once, only to find that smaller bunches with larger 
berries, other conditions being equal, were preferred by the judges. 
There ought to be a marked evenness and cleanness of berries, the 
removal of a few stoneless or rather small berries greatly im¬ 
proving the appearance of some bunches, and the bloom and colour 
ought to be as near perfect as possible. Unless these conditions 
are observed it is useless to compete at many of the leading shows, 
as it is only the very best of everything that wins prizes nowadays. 
Collections of fruit, exclusive of Pine Apples, are provided for 
at Bristol, Bath, Reading, and a few other shows, and these are 
usually fairly well shown. A model collection of six dishes would 
consist of good Alicante or Gros Colman, and either Muscat of 
Alexandria or Mrs. Pearson Grapes, a Melon, either Mane Louise 
or Doyennti du Comice Pears, Salwey Peach, and Coe’s Golden 
Drop Plum. Both the latter ought to be available this season, but 
if not, then a good dish of Cox’s Orange Pippin, King of the 
Pippins, or Ribston Pippin Apples and Medlars would be good 
substitutes. Medlars, however, are very late this year, and in any 
case I would prefer Bananas. In some instances two varieties of 
Pears or Apples are allowed, and this admits of more competing 
than would otherwise be the case. 
It is, however, in the Pear and Apple classes that the strongest 
competition takes place, the displays at Bath, Bristol, Exeter, and 
Tiverton being far above the average, and worthy of more notice 
being taken of them than the much crowded state of the horticultural 
journals permit. A t the first two places collections are principally 
shown, but at Exeter, in addition to collections, classes are also 
provided for single dishes of all the best varieties in season, and a 
most interesting and highly instructive competition invariably 
results. Not a little in every case depends upon the judgment 
used in selec'ing the dishes of the respective varieties, and it is 
here where the old hands have the advantage. Mere size is not 
everything. To be certain of winning a prize the fruit must all be 
as near alike as peas in a pod ; size, form, and colour all being 
studied. One ex'ra large fruit quite dwarfs the rest, therefore let 
them match as much as possible. Although ripeness is not necessary 
in all cases, I am yet of opinion that ripe or well coloured fruits 
gain a point, though wrongly so, perhaps, over green samples, and 
would advise forwarding in gentle heat many of the late varieties 
shown in collections in October and early in November. There are 
two Pears—viz., Marie Louise and Doyenne du Comice, that far 
surpass all others in point of quality, and when shown at their best 
ought not to be passed over in favour of the largest fruit of Pit 
maston Duchess ever shown. When tasting is practised they are 
bound to win ; sometimes one and sometimes the other being pre¬ 
ferred, according to the taste of the judges. Beurr6 Diel, Pit- 
maston Duchess, Duchesse d’Angouleme, Marechal de Cour, 
Beurre Bachelier, Doyenne Boussocb, Brockworth Park, Chau- 
montel, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Huyshe’s Prince Consort, Glou 
Morjeau, Easter Beurr(, Napoleon, Beurre Bose, Hacon’s Incom¬ 
parable, and such like, are all suitable for collections, and if there 
is a class for stewing Pears, let General Todtleben, Catillac, 
and Yicar of Winkfield find a place rather than the dessert sorts. 
Always stage the heaviest stewing Pears, but let them match well. 
Apples are even more numerously shown than Pears, and a 
remarkably pretty lot of fruit are to be seen at the principal south¬ 
western shows already mentioned. Much that has been advanced, 
as regards selecting, concerning Pears, also applies with equal force 
to both dessert and culinary Apples. The former ought especially 
to be as highly coloured as possible, the dull or green varieties 
being shown in large collections only. They must all be of near 
one size, and although large Apples are not preferred on the dining 
table, it is yet advisable to have them of full size for exhibition, 
always excepting Blenheim Pippin and Peasgood’s Nonesuch, both 
of which are admissible as dessert varieties, and should be of a size 
and colour to match the rest. What may appear rather large at 
home dwindle down, that is to say quickly find their level, directly 
they are staged. As far as a single dish of any variety of dessert 
Apples is concerned there are none that can possibly equal Cox’s 
Orange Pippin, and this whether the judges taste the fruit or not. 
It is altogether a model variety, and if kept clear of musty straw, 
hay, or other contaminating substances is of the best possible 
quality. Ribston Pippin at its best is a fairly strong opponent, 
Blenheim Pippin not unfrequently figuring well. These three, 
King of the Pipping Margil, and Gravenstein, would be an 
excellent selection of six dishes, Worcester Pearmain, Braddick’s 
Nonpareil, and Cornish Gilliflower being good reserves. The first 
'prize for a single dish of culinary Apples used at one time to fall 
to extra fine samples of Blenheim Pippin, but of late years 
Peasgood’s Nonesuch has come to the front. With these two out of 
the way Warner’s King has a good chance, Mere de Manage, extra 
good, being a formidable rival. Other good varieties well suited 
for collections are Stirling Castle, Emperor Alexander, Golden 
Noble, Cellini, Cox’s Pomona, Bismarck, Ecklinville, Kentish 
Pippin, Prince Albert, Dumelow’s Seedling, Royal Somerset, 
Reinette du Canada, and Tom Putt. By all means let them be of 
full size, but not large and unshapely ; and oncemoreletmeadd,they 
must match one another as nearly as possible. Leave those with 
blemishes of any kind at home, as these cannot be bid from good 
judges.—W. Iggulden. 
Chrysanthemum Shows. 
The following are the dates of the chief Chrysanthemum Exhibitions 
to be held during the coming month. 
Tuesday, Nov. 3rd.—Pembrokeshire. 
Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 3rd and 1th.—Brighton, Ipswich, Kent 
County, Beddington, and Watford. 
Wednesday, Nov. 4th.—Dorking and District. 
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 4th and 5th.—Dalston and District. 
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Nov. 4th, 5th, and 6th.—Ports¬ 
mouth and Ascot (two days). Thursday, Nov. 5th.—Chiswick. 
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6th and 7th.—Crystal Palace, Sydenham. 
Monday, Nov. 9th.—St. Neots. Tuesday, Nov. 10th.—East Grinstead. 
Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 10th and 11th.—Kingston-on-Thames, 
Horsham, Leeds, and South London. 
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Nov. 10th, 11th, and 12th.— 
National Chrysanthemum Society, Royal Aquarium, Westminster. 
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11th and 12th.—Birmingham, Bourne¬ 
mouth, Northampton, Swansea, and Croydon. 
Thursday and Friday, Nov. 12th and 13th.—Teddington, Wimbledon, 
and Ware. 
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Nov. 12th, 13th and 14th,—Belfast. 
Friday, Nov. 13th.—Cheshunt and Hitchin. 
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13th and 14th.—Eccles, Leicester, Sheffield, 
Tooting, and Monmouth. 
Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 17th and 18th.—Liverpool, Twickenham, 
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 18th and 19th.—Spalding. [and Diss. 
Wednes lay and Thursday, Nov. 18th and 19th.—Hull and Rugby. 
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Nov. 18th, 19th, and 20th.—York. 
Thursday, Nov. 19th.—Wantage. 
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20th and 21st.—Stirling, Chorley, Bolton, 
and Stockpoit. Saturday, Nov. 21st.—Batley. 
Exhibition Chrysanthemums. 
In working out the subjoined analysis of last year’s show season I 
have been much struck by the copiousness of the reporting, one variety 
having been honourably mentioned as first prize winner over, and 
another just under, one hundred times—a long way the best result 
achieved since I have kept any record. 
