September 8, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER , 
211 
Belect a single good average show Rose from all their stands. Perhaps the best 
“ set up ” was that by Mr. E. B. Lindsell of Bearton, Hitchin, in the amateurs’ 
class. Dahlias, although not numerous, were represented by unusually fine 
stands from Mr. Petfield, gardener to G-. Thornhill, Esq., Diddington, Hunts, 
who completely distanced the great Cheshunt and other growers, and 
should Mr. Petfield show his colours at the National this week it is not im¬ 
probable that he may be in the van. Only one competitor put in an 
appearance in the open class for twenty-four Gladiolus—Messrs. Burrell and 
Co., of How House Nurseries, Cambridge—but their stand would have been 
a match for the famous Scotch growers from G-ourich, shown last year at 
South Kensington. Asters, although better than last year, were not fully 
represented in colour. Zinnias not nearly so fine, but Marigolds, especially 
African, were, as usual, very well shown here. 
The following were amongst the chief exhibits and awards :— 
Plants. —For ten stove and greenhouse plants in flower, distinct, open 
to all, Mr. Jas. Cypher, Exotic Nurseries, Cheltenham, was first with a good 
selection from the many fine plants he has been able to produce this season. 
He had a grand specimen of Phoenocoma prolifera Barnesii, 5 feet in 
diameter, and a Rhododendron Duchess of Edinburgh, bright scarlet in 
colour. Mr. W. Rabbitt, gardener to General Pearson, C.B., The Hazells, 
Sandy, an able local exhibitor, came in a good second, one of his most 
effective specimens being Impatiens Sultani. Mr. F. Mould of The Nurseries, 
Pewsey, Wilts, who was but little in rear, was placed third. For six stove 
and greenhouse plants in bloom, distinct, open to all except nurserymen, 
Mr. G. Redman, gardener to J. H. Goodgames, Esq., Eynesbury, Hunts, 
was first with an excellent and well grown lot in fine flower. Dipla- 
denia insignis, Bougainvillea glabra being conspicuous. For six foliage 
plants in the same division, Mr. G. Claydon, gardener to A. H. Arkell, Esq., 
Woodbury Hall, was first, having Curculigo recurvata variegata, Die-ffen- 
bachia Bausei, and Caladium Bellemeyi in fine condition. The first awards 
for six stove and greenhouse and for four British Ferns fell deservedly to 
Mr. T. Tillbrook, gardener to Bateman Brown, Esq., Houghton, Hunts. For 
six Coleus Mr. Rabbitt was first, his most taking plant being Lord Chas. 
Beresford. Mr. Rabbitt was also first for twelve well-flowered Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums in the open class. In the amateurs’ class Mr. F. Cinder of Brooke 
House, Biggleswade, gained first place with a creditable collection of eight 
plants. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
In the open class Mr. J. House of Eastgate Nurseries, Peterborough, was 
first for forty-eight blooms, not less than twenty-four varieties, with bright, 
but otherwise seasonable flowers ; Marie Yan Houtte, Alfred Colomb, and 
Exposition de Brie being flowers approximating most to the requisite 
standard. Messrs. Paul & Son, the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, were second, 
having Marshal Wilder and Pride of Reigate, both giving promise of being 
good, new, as well useful autumn flowers. Mr. G. Prince of Oxford was not 
a far distant third. In the open class, dealers excluded, Mr. E. B. Lindsell, 
Hitchin, was deservedly to the front, the Rev. W. H. Gall, Hitchin, following 
second. The splendid first prize stand of twenty-four Gladiolus from Messrs. 
Burrell & Co., which was one of the sights of the Show, was made up of 
grand spikes with large and beautifully coloured blooms of the following 
varieties—L’Africaine, Baroness Burdect Coutts, a telling rose lake; Victor 
Jacqueminot, Leda, Mabel, Horace Yernet, L’TTnique, violet; Hesperide, Col¬ 
bert, Addison, La Perle, Carnation, Le Phare, Celemine, Leandre, Jupiter, 
Condb, Amaithbe, Rosita, Rossina, Madame Desportes, Archduchesse Marie 
Christine, A. Brogniart, and Lacepede. For six Gladiolus, amateurs, Mr. P. 
Mayer was first, and Mr. Apthorpe, Cambridge, second. In the open class 
for twenty-four Show Dahlias, Mr. G. Petfield was facile princeps with 
magnificent blooms both in size and quality, the following being especially 
striking—John Henshaw, Wm. Rawlings, Mrs. Gladstone, white ; Prince 
Bismarck, Jas. Veitch, Herbert Turner, pure white; Imperial, Mrs. Harris, 
and Goldfinder. Messrs. Paul & Son, who were second, had good but 
smaller blooms. For twelve Show Dahlias Mr. Petfield was again first, Mr. 
W. H. Apthorpe second ; and for six Show Dahlias,in the amateurs’ class, 
Mr. R. Clarke, Cambridge, was first. The principal prizetakers in Asters 
were Mr. Petfield, Mr. Tillbrook, and Mr. G. Taylor, Eynesbury ; Mr. P. 
Meyer coming first with fine African Marigolds, and Mr. A. L. Clarke for 
Zinnias. Messrs. Burrell & Co. had a fine stand of cut herbaceous flowers ; 
and from Mr. E. Edwards of Leighton Buzzard came two most attractive 
stands of double and single hybrid Begonias, not for competition. Miss 
H. L. Aslett of Woodbury Hall decorated a table very tastefully, for winch 
she took the only honour, Mr. W. Rabbitt having in the same tent first prize 
for a very artistic model garden, the leading feature being a well propor¬ 
tioned scroll carpet of dark Coleus edged with blue Lobelia, the toning of 
the interstices with flatter colours being very effective. 
FRUIT AND TE GETABLE3. 
For a basket or tray of fruit, eight distinct kinds (Pines excluded), Mr- 
Allis, gardener to Major Shuttle worth, Old Warden, Beds, received leading 
honours with an excellent stand containing Black Hamburgh and Buckland 
Sweetwater Grapes in beautiful colour and finish ; also Melon, Peaches, 
Nectarines, Apricots, Figs, and Cherries correspondingly good. Mr. Till- 
brook’s collection, which came a very close second, contained fine Madres- 
field Court and Muscat of Alexandria G apes—the latter, however, not quite 
finished. Mr. White, gardener to Captain Stanley, Longstorne Hall, Cainbs, 
was here also a good third. Grapes were mostly good, but not equal to 
some hitherto shown at Sandy, the principal prizetakers being Mr. Allis, 
Mr. Tillbrook, and Mr. W. H. Murfin, Staughton, Hunts. By far the best 
Melon—an unnamed scarlet-flesh variety—came from Mr. F. Conder. 
Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pears, and App’es were Bhown in considerable 
quantity, but call for no comment. For a basket of twelve varieties of 
vegetables, Mr. C. Ellis, girdener to Mrs. Orr, Pemberley, Bedford, was first, 
having Sutton’s Reading Perfection Tomatoes (very fine), Evolution Peas, 
Cauliflowers, Girtford Giant Runner Beans, and International Potatoes, 
all conspicuously good. Mr. G. Vines, gardener to H. Thornton, Esq., 
Kemptou Grange, Bedford, securing second honours with an almost equally 
fine collection. For six varieties in the amateurs’ division, A. G. Munro, 
Esq., Kempston, was first with a very attractive tray. The first prize for 
six varieties of Potatoes went to Mr. P. Meyer, the sorts being Schoolmaster, 
Prime Minister, Chancellor, Reading Russet, Vicar of Laleham, and Mr. 
Breesee. The leading prize for twelve white kidney Potatoes wa awarded 
for a dish of Recorder, which is said to be a promising useful Potato, Beauty 
of Hebron coming in as the best coloured kidney, Schoolmaster as the best 
round white, and Vicar of Laleham as the best round coloured. In the 
market gardeners’ division, Mr. R. M. Simpson, of the Three Counties 
Asylum, Arlesey, Beds, was first, having good samples of white Beauty of 
Hebron, Chancellor, Snowdrop, Sutton’s King, Beauty of Kent and Adiron¬ 
dack. Onions, notwithstanding the drought, were in all classes better 
shown than many anticipated. Tomatoes were well represented, the lead¬ 
ing prizes going to large samples from Mr. White and Mr. Apthorpe ; but 
the dish of Reading Perfection, which seems to be a high quality fruit, was 
most admired for colour and beauty. Mr. Laxton, of Bedford and Girtford, 
showed, not for competition, fine specimens of his Sandy Prize White Spanish 
Onion, Girtford Giant Beans, and white Beauty of Hebron Potatoes, cooked 
and uncooked. The Judges thought so highly of this variety that a special 
first-class certificate was awarded to it, the flesh of the cooked tubers having 
a snow white appearance and the quality very good. It is also claimed for 
the Potato that it is not only early and a great producer, but cooks well, 
both when fresh lifted and quite late in the following spring. 
Some irregularities again occurred at the close of the Show, several 
exhibitors being unable to secure their productions, and it is to be hoped 
that in future the Committee will exercise rigid discipline at clearing time, 
as nothing causes more mortification to an exhibitor than the loss of his 
cherished productions, and a continuation of such undetected pilfering 
must ultimat-ly tend to injure the Society and to counteract the well-intended 
efforts of the Committee. 
THE DUNFERMLINE AND WEST OF FIFE HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
The fifth annual Exhibition of this flourishing Society was held on 
Friday and Saturday, the 28th and 29th August, in most favourable 
weather. While the grounds are in every way suited for such a gathering, 
it seemed to be generally felt that the change from the situation from Pitten- 
crieff Glen of former years had sacrificed many of the external attractions 
which aided in making the annual gatherings of the Society so interesting 
and enjoyable to the ordinary visitors. Of the Show as a whole, it may be 
said to be the best which the Society has yet held, and that it reflected 
great credit upon the exhibitors and members of Committee, evidencing, as 
it did, great cultural skill and taste in arrangement. 
Most important of the competitions were the tables of stove or green¬ 
house plants arranged for effect, Mr. Jas. Ferguson, Brucefield, securing 
first place with a very fair lot tastefully arranged ; the second place being 
awarded to Mr. A. White, gardener to Dr. Dow, New Row, for a table, which 
but for a paucity of plants in flower, might well have been placed first, 
W. Cruden, gardener to J. Hunt, Esq., taking third prize.. For six stove or 
greenhouse plants, W. Cruden was first, Dr. Robt. Speirs, St. Leonards, 
being a close second. 
Fruit in the gardeners’ section was a notable feature of the Show, 
making an excellent display both as regards the quantity and the quality 
of the exhibits. Mr. H. McDermont, Alva, staging grand examples in his 
first-prize collection of eight sorts, as did also Mr. D. Howie, Dunimarle, in 
four bunches Grapes, four sorts ; Messrs. Lumley, Broom Hall; Ovens, 
St. Margaret’s; Cruden, Pittencrieff; Garret, Lassodie House; and D. 
Campbell, Keavil, being the other principal prizetakers for fruit. 
Vegetables and cut flowers were, as usual at this Society’s Show, a 
numerous and excellent display, affording evidence of the great attention 
paid to their culture in this district, amateurs vieing with the gardeners in 
the excellency of their exhibits. Among the extra exhibits was a table of 
stove and greenhouse plants from the garden of R. Donald, Esq., Provost 
of Dunfermline, and the respected chairman of the Society, which was 
greatly admired by the numerous visitors, and a collection of Carnation 
blooms from Mr. J. Paterson, gardener, Lorrie House, among which a 
seedling of a delicate shade of pink, named Mrs. Erskine Wemyss, com¬ 
mended itself so much to the Judges as to receive the award of a certificate 
of merit. 
The Committee had the enterprise to engage the celebrated band of the 
Royal Scots Greys, which discoursed an excellent programme of music to an 
appreciative and enthusiastic crowd of listeners upon both days. 
SHERBORNE. 
The twenty-fourth annual Exhibition of this Society was held as usual 
in the picturesque grounds of Sherborne Castle under most favourable cir¬ 
cumstances. Stove and greenhouse plants were well represented, Ferns 
and Mosses abundant and fine, and fruit much better than usual. Vegetables 
were remarkably good. 
For twelve fine-foliaged plants Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to T. M. Guest, 
Esq., Inwood, was a good first, having in his group extra fine plants of 
Croton undulatus, Pandanus Veitchi, and Anthurium Warocqueanum ; and 
Mr. W. Appleby, gardener to T. W. Bide, Esq., Yeovil, was placed second 
for a creditable lot of plants. Mr. Wilkins was first for a miscellaneous 
collection of plants in or out of bloom, showing several choice specimens, 
the s cond prizs going to Mr. G. Runacles. For a group arranged for effect 
Mr. G. Anthony, gardener to T. Moore, Esq., Yeovil, was first with a fairly 
good selection, and the second prize was withheld. In the class for Ferns 
and Mosses Mr. J. Crump, gardener to W. Neal, Esq., was easily first, 
having in his collection grand specimens of Microlepia hirta cristata, Adian- 
tum farleyense, and Davallia Moceana. For Begonias, Mr. J. Bowles was 
first with medium-sized profusely flowered plants, and Mr. J. Copp was 
second. Fuchsias were scarcely so good as usual, and with these Mr. 
Harriman. gardener to G. Whitby, Esq., Yeovil, was first, and Mr. Appleby 
second. 
The good-sized tent was wholly given up to the display of fruit and 
vegetables. There were six entries for the silver cup, value £5, offered by 
Mr. Wingfield, Digby, for eight dishes of fruit, and in each case there were 
many excellent dishes shown. Mr. Pulman, gardener to R. B. Sheridan, 
Esq., Frampton, was the winner, his collection including good stands of 
Buckland Sweetwater and Black Alicante Grapes, Hero of Lockinge Melon, 
Dvmond Peaches, and Williams’Bon Chretien Pears. Mr. J. Lioyd, gar¬ 
dener to Vincent Stuckey, Esq., Langport was a good second, several dishes 
in his really good collection, with the exception of Muscat of Alexandria 
Grapes, being somewhat wanting in colour. Mr. C. Crossman, gardener to 
