December 3, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
488 
the North of England. To this end the present Society possesses several 
very important advantages. Firstly, they have in the magnificent new 
Assembly Hall that is probably the finest building for such a purpose 
to be met with out of London. It is of large size, beautifully propor¬ 
tioned, most lavishly, and yet chastily, decorated, illuminated through¬ 
out with incandescent electric lights, is connected by elegantly fitted 
corridors with a very popular and sumptuously furnished hotel, and is 
within five minutes walk of the railway station—a combination of 
advantages not often met with and to be proportionately valued. 
Secondly, this appears to be practically the only Show of the kind now 
held in a wide and populous district, comprising several large and im¬ 
portant towns around which Chrysanthemums are largely cultivated ; 
and thirdly, and not of the least importance, is the fact that it possesses 
a large and rapidly extending list of subscribers, who furnish the 
sinews of war which will enable the Committee to provide a very liberal 
schedule of prizes, to invite the best growers throughout the country to 
compete for them, and they had better look out in good time for next 
season’s schedule of prizes. 
The Show now in question was by far the largest ever held in South 
Shields, the number of entries for the previous one having been 719, 
whilst the number on this occasion was 1560. The exhibits filled not 
only the large hall, but also a room of the same size below, termed the 
basement, and this being comfortably warmed and lighted by electricity 
formed an additional and attractive promenade for visitors. 
The first class in the schedule was one for thirty-six cut blooms, 
eighteen incurved and eighteen Japanese, not less than twelve varieties 
of each, and not more than two flowers of each variety. This brought 
five competitors and a fine display, the Japanese especially being 
generally good and bright in colour.- Many of the incurved varieties on 
nearly all the stands were slightly too old, showing that the last week 
in November is somewhat too late a fixture even for a district so far 
north as this. The first prize in this class was very well won by Mr. 
G. E. Smith, Floral Cottage, Pauli, near Hull. The varieties in his 
stand were—Incurved : iGolden Empress (2), Miss Haggas (2), Bar¬ 
bara (2), Princess of Wales (2), Golden Queen (2), and one each of John 
Lambert, A. Salter, Mrs. Norman Davis, Violet Tomlin, White Beverley, 
Lord Alcester, Mrs. Heale, and Mrs. Shipman. Second,Mr. James Coultas, 
Darlington ; third, Mr. F. Boulton, Blaydon ; fourth, Mr. T. J. Wheeler, 
Newcastle. The names of the Japanese varieties were accidentally 
omitted. 
Class 2 in the schedule was for eighteen Japanese, not less than 
twelve varieties or more than two of each. In this and the next 
following class there was also good competition, the first prize going to 
Mr. James Coultas, gardener to Alderman Hardinge, Hollyhurst, Dar¬ 
lington ; second, Mr. R. F. Jameson, Hess’e, Hull; third, Mr. JamesPringle, 
The Gardens, Benton Hall. The varieties in Mr. Coultas’s stand were 
Etoile de Lyon (2), Avalanche (2), Mons. Bernard (2), Stanstead 
White (2), Puritan (2), and one each of A. H. Neve, Sarah Owen, 
E. Molyneux, Sunflower, Elaine, Golden Dragon, Criterion, and Jean 
Ddlaux. In the corresponding class for eighteen incurves (class 3 in 
schedule), not less than twelve varieties or more than two blooms of any 
one variety, Mr. James Coultas was again first; Mr. G. E. Smith, 
second ; and Mr. George Walker, Gateshead, third. The varieties in 
Mr. Coultas’ stand were Queen of England (2), Empress of India (2), 
Golden Empress (2), Lord Alcester (2), and one each of Emily Dale, 
Barbara, Refulgens, Lady Hardinge, John Salter, Mrs. Heale, Mrs. 
Coleman, Mrs. Wilberforce, Nil Desperandum, and Violet Tomlin. 
For twelve Japanese, distinct varieties.—First, Mr. John Short, Dar¬ 
lington ; second, R. F. Jameson, Hull; third, Mr. G. E. Smith. Twelve 
incurved, distinct.—First, Mr. G. E. Smith ; second, Mr. R. F. Jameson ; 
third, Mr. James Pringle. Twelve bunches of Pompons (foliage as 
grown, three stems to form a bunch).—An interesting class. First, Mr. 
G. E. Smith; second, Mr. F. Bolton. Twelve large Anemone flowered 
Chrysanthemums.—This class brought some good competition, and some 
very fine stands of flowers. First, Mr. G. E. Smith; second, Mr. 
John Short; third, Mr. T. J. Wheeler. Six incurved.—First, Mr. 
W. Partridge, Cleadon. Six Japanese.—First, Mr. W. Partridge. 
Bouquets, epergnes, ladies’ sprays, and buttonholes were shown in 
large numbers, and, as a rule, of high quality. Messrs. Perkins & Sons, 
Coventry, took the first prizes in each of the classes with some beautiful 
exhibits ; Mr. J. Battensby, Blaydon, being second in each case with 
bouquets ; and Messrs. Clark & Co., North Shields, second in each case, 
with sprays and buttonholes. Epergne for dinner table.—A fine competi¬ 
tion. First, Mr. J. Battensby; second, Mr. J. Punton; third, Mr. 
F. Bolton. Epergne of Chrysanthemums.—First, Mr. G. Webster; 
second, Mr. J. Battensby ; third, Mr. T. Berwick, Westoe. 
In the class provided for a group of Chrysanthemums and other 
foliage and flowering plants arranged for effect there were four 
competitors, the first and second prize groups being both excellent 
arrangements of finely grown plants. The first prize went to Mr. 
J. Wood, Gateshead, his group containing a good bank of Chrys¬ 
anthemums as a backgiound, a large and fine central plant of Cocos 
Weddelliana, and in the foreground some fine highly coloured Crotons 
and Dracaenas, with a goodly number of healthy well-flowered Orchids, 
including several pans of Cypripedium insigne and Spicerianum, 
two finely flowered plants of Oncidium Rogersi, a good Oncidium 
varicosum, some Laelias, &c. The second prize was obtained by Mr. 
F. East, Westoe, his group being especially commendable for the high 
quality of the Chrysanthemums it contained, which had very fine 
flowers and good foliage. 
Twenty classes were provided in the schedule for plants in pots, and 
each of these classes brought a good and healthy competition, forming 
in the aggregate a fine display which well filled the large basement 
floor. Mr. P. Blanchard, Jesmond, Newcastle, was first in the classes for 
six and three large flowering, for four Pompons, also six Japanese, three 
Japanese, and one Pompon, in each case with well-grown dwarf and 
well trained plants having good foliage and flowers. The second and 
third prizes in these classes going to Messrs. F. East, A. Purvis, N. 
Mothersell, W. Partridge, and Thomas Bird. For one large flowering 
Chrysanthemum Mr. T. Bird was first; second, Mr. N. Mothersell; 
third, Mr. A. Purvis. Two Anemone flowered : First, Mr. W. Partridge ; 
second, Mr. P. Blanchard. One plant, any variety : First, Mr. N. 
Mothersell; second, Mr. W. Forsyth, Jarrow ; third, Mr. A. Purvis. 
Foliage plants and exotic Ferns were very finely shown, the numerous 
specimens being mostly of large size and in good condition, the principal 
prizewinners being Messrs. W. Forsyth, W. Partridge, James Wood, 
T. Berwick, T. J. Wheeler, and R. Barnes. Black Grapes were also well 
shown. First, Mr. D. P. Bell, Alnwick, with one bunch each of Gros 
Colman and Alicante, both large bunches and berries, and well 
coloured ; Mr. J. Wood second, and Mr. T. J. Wheeler third, each with 
very good examples. 
A most beautiful specimen of flower painting on silk, being a long 
spray of Marbchal Niel Roses with foliage, and interspersed with bronze 
Japanese Chrysanthemums, occupied a small table near the orchestra, 
and was greatly admired. It was the work of Mr. Hodge, art designer, 
163, Livingstone Street, South Shields, and was given by him as a 
special prize for amateurs. A fine case of carvers, also given as a special 
prize by Messrs. Stocton & Tompkinson, Sheffield, occupied a place on 
the same table. 
The orchestra was tastefully decorated by Messrs. Wm. Fell & Co., 
Fellside Nurseries, Hexham. We mirst not omit mention of the splendid 
music discoursed by Amer’s exhibition band, which is well known 
throughout the northern counties, and proved an immense attraction, 
causing the large building to be crowded with the blite of the town and 
district during the afternoon and evening of the first day, and abun¬ 
dantly proving that really high-class music at such gatherings, although 
costly, is in the end a good investment. 
The highest praise is due to the Hon. Secretaries, Mr. Bernard Cowan 
and Mr. H. Hinde ; to the Treasurer, Michael Graham, Esq.; and to 
the excellent working Committee for the vigorous manner and broad¬ 
minded spirit in which the whole arrangements of the Show had been 
conceived, and we are pleased indeed to know that success has crowned 
their efforts. 
WORK/o^theWEEK. 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Wall Trees. —Peaches and Nectarines tied to wires should now 
be loosed, the branches tied together and secured to the wall so that 
none of the wood touches the wire, or serious injury will probably occur 
to the branches in the event of severe frost. Where nails and shreds 
are used do not unloose the trees at present, but fasten the points of 
any shoots that may be projecting in order to get as much protection 
from the wall as is possible during the winter. 
Planting. —Have this completed as soon as possible ; it is always a 
good plan to have a few young trees coming on to fill up the places of 
any that fail. It is not always necessary to grow these on south walls. 
In many gardens they will grow well on a west aspect, and will make 
good trees for removing to better positions; but except in the most 
southern counties it is useless to expect good fruit unless they are on 
a south wall. In planting give a little fresh soil to start the trees if 
none has been added to the border lately, and a little chalk or lime 
rubbish mixed in the soil is very beneficial to Peaches and Nectarines, 
especially in old gardens. Do not use any manure amongst the soil; 
young Peach trees are apt to grow too fast when fresh planted. Plant 
firmly, but if the soil is wet do not tread it in. Give a good mulching 
of litter afterwards to keep frost from the roots, and fasten the trees 
very loosely to the wall, so that they can settle down with the soil. 
The best varieties of Peaches for open walls in their order of ripening 
are—Alexander, Hale’s Early, Rivers’ Early York, Dymond, Stirling 
Castle, Crimson Galande, Yiolette Hative, Bellegarde, Princess of Wales, 
and Late Admirable. These will give a succession of fruit from the 
middle of July to the middle of October in favourable seasons. 
Nectarines. — Lord Napier, Stanwick Elruge, Dryden, Rivers’ 
Orange, Pine Apple, Victoria—the latter variety should only be planted 
in the warmest districts ; fan-trained trees are the best. Some 
nurserymen run them up to one central stem, this is a bad practice 
except for rider trees. The main stem of dwarf trained trees should not 
run more than 18 inches from the surface, and should consist entirely 
of the stock. 
Apricots.—A deep alluvial loam is the best soil for these, but it 
must be well drained and must contain a fair amount of limestone or 
chalk as for other stone fruits. Canker, or the dying off suddenly of 
large portions of the tree, is very troublesome in many places. The 
