223 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GIRDER ER. 
'[ September 10, 18S5. 
Apples, and Pears were all represented by numerous and praiseworthy 
samples. 
Collections. —The leading cla°s in the schedule was provided for a 
collection of not less than twenty dishes, and in this there were six com¬ 
petitors, all showing well. Pome little taste had been exercised in arrang¬ 
ing several of these, sprays of Ampelopsis Veitchi, Myrsiphyllum aspara- 
goides, and the common Barberry being placed between the dishes with very 
good effect, but in nearly every case Vine leaves were employed in the 
dishes for placing the fruit upon. Premier honours were after a careful 
consideration awaided to Mr. J. Roberts, gardener to Messrs. Rothschild, 
Gtmnersbury Park, who exhibited some very fine fruits not only in this, 
but in other classes, and was one of the most successful of all the com¬ 
petitors. In the collection he had the following Grapes—Black Hamburgh, 
very handsome ; Alnwick Seedling, beautifully coloured; White Tokay, 
well ripened ; and Muscat of Alexandria, good buncheB of fine colour. Two 
handsome even fruits of Queen and Smooth Cayenne Pine Apples were 
included, together with Transparent Gages, Brown Turkey Pigs, Red 
Astrachan Apples, William Tillery Melon, Morello Cherries, Sea Eagle and 
Lectarme Peaches, Victoria and Lord Napier Nectarines, Williams’ Bon 
Chretien Peatrs, Moorpark Apricots, Kirke’s Plums, and Quatre Saisons Straw¬ 
berries, all of which were distinguished by their good quality. Very closely 
followed Mr. Goodacre, gardener to the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, 
Derby, whose best dishes were Black Hamburgh and Madresfield Court 
Grapes, both handsome bunches, and the latter superbly coloured; two 
large Charlotte Rothschild Pine App’es, Pond’s Seedling Plum, McLaughlin’s 
Gage, Garibaldi Strawberries, Meredith’s and Bailey’s Green Flesh Melons, 
Moorpark Apricots, Brown Tut key Figs, Mr. Gladstone Apples, with 
Peaches, Nectarines, die. A few points behind was Mr. H. W. Ward gar¬ 
dener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Radnor, Longford Castle, Salisbury, 
who was third with an even and highly creditable collection, comprising 
noteworthy examples of the following—Black Prince, Fosters Seedlinm 
and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, all well ripened ; Queen and Smooth 
Cayenne Pine Apples, Brunswick Figs, Bellegarde Peaches, Hero of 
Lockmge Melon, Moorpark Apricots, Kirke’s Plums, Green Gages, Morello 
Cherries, and Cox’s Golden Gem Melon. 
There were five competitors with collections of twelve dishes, first 
honours being obtained by Mr. Coomber, gardener to J. A. Rolls, Esq., The 
Hendre, Monmouth, with excellent fruits of the following varieties Muscat 
of Alexandria and Gros Maroc Grapes, both good, but the latter particu¬ 
larly well coloured ; Royal George Peaches, Lord Napier Nectarines, Smooth 
Cayenne Pine Apple, La Grosse Sncree Strawberries, Brunswick Figs, Reine 
Claude Violette Plum, Clapp’s Favourite Pears, a large Melon, and some 
less important fruits. The second place was assigned to Mr. G. T. Miles, 
Wycombe Abbey Gardens, who also had some admirable fruits, his Grapes 
being especially fine. Three bunches of Muscat of Alexandria weighed 
7 lbs., and three of Foster’s Seedling 8J lbs., both well finished. Other 
good exhibits were Jefferson Plums, Sea Eagle Peaches, Moor Park 
Apricots, Devonshire Quarrenden Apples, Hero of Lockinge Melon, and 
xMno°th Cayenne Pine Apple. Third honours were adjudged to Mr. A. 
Miller gardener to W H. Long, Esq, M.P., Rood Ashton Court, Trowbridge, 
who showed very well, his strongest points being the Black Hamburgh and 
-Lrebbiano Grapes, Downton Nectarine, and Best of All Melon 
, i C, 4 SS T, as , a ’ 8 ° Provided for eight dishes, in which the competition was 
’,5 Ir - R ratt > Longleat Gardens, Warminster, securing leading honours 
finiw ool SCat a° f ml ex ™ dr , la T ? rapes ’ very lar = c in bunch and berry and 
finely coloured. The Black Hamburgh Grapes were also veiy fine, but had 
been slightly rubbed ; Brunswick Figs, Windsor Pears, PitmastoA Orange 
Nectarines, Noblesse Peaches. Jefferson Plums, and a large Melon. Mr. 
Edmonds Bestwood Lodge Gardens, Arnold, Notts, followed, showing 
Muscat of Alexandria and Alicante Graphs, very fine ; Barrington Peaches, 
good ; Violette Hative Nectarines, and Brown Turkey Figs. Mr Elnbin- 
stone, gardener to E. M. Monday, Esq., Shipley Hall, Derby" was third with 
a praiseworthy collection, his Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria 
Grapes being especially gr 0 d, the Pine Apple Nectarines, Brown Turkey 
Jigs, and Moor Park Apricots were also fine. J 
^ e] l 6n \ , di ", P l ay of Gra P es was Prided in the classes 
devoted to them, but the black Grapes were generally the best, with a few 
wti^ 10118 - lI l faTOur o f , Mua cat of Alexandria. The principal class was that 
for ten varieties; and though this is one that must necessarily be confined to 
comparatively few competitors, five exhibitors entered the list, and the 
contest for the first place was sufficiently close to render it very interesting 
Mr. J. Roberts proved victorious with a fine even collection, every bunch 
heing clean, well ripened, and, though not of unusual size, they afforded 
ample proofs of excellent culture. The varieties were Alnwick Seedling, of 
fine colour; Trebbiano, even, medium size bunches ; Gros Maroc, very large 
hemes of grand colour; Muscat of Alexandria, even bunches of medium 
roWed fi £n f COl ° U Q : B. laok Hamburgh, very large berries, handsomely 
*°}°^ ed ’ I*"' 8 ? eedhn T ?’ dDely opened ; Madresfield Court, handsome 
eolour, good bunches; Buckland Sweetwater, large berries, and good 
TT^w b ^ nch ’ “!? d ] La '? y Do ''’ ne ’ s > medium size, and capital colour. Mr. 
H. W. Ward was adjudged second honours for well-coloured bunches of Black 
Hamburgh, Alicante, Foster s Seedling, Gros Maroc, very fine ; Muscat of 
Alexandria Mrs. Pmce, Buckland Sweetwater, Gros Guillaume, Syrian, 
and Bluck Prince The third prize was obtained by Mr. J. Wallis, gardener 
W ' S if e Q d ’ur 66 6 Ha,1 ’/ ewca stle, Staffs, whose varieties were 
Alicante, Alnwick Seedling, very fine; Foster’s Seedling, Golden Queen 
Gros Maroc, Gros Guillaume, Madresfield Court, Black Hamburgh, Muscat 
of Alexandria, and Buckland Sweetwater. & ’ 
Ualf a dozen exhibitors also entered with five vaiieth s of Grapes, and 
this time Mr. Pratt took the lead with a very handsome collection of fine 
hunches of the following varieties :—Lady Downe’s ; Mrs. Pince, large 
bunches, and good colour; Black Hamburgh, extremely large bunches • 
Muscat of Alexandria, grand bunches, and berries of fine colohr ; Alicante 
medium berries, large bunch s of fine colour. Mr. J. Hudson, gard-ner to 
H. J. Atkinson, Esq., M.P., Guunersbury House, Acton, won second honours 
wth Gos Marne Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield 
Court handsome bunches and berries; and Alnwick Seedling, neat bunches 
Mr. A. Smith, gardener to W. H. Seville, Esq., Warren Hill, Loughton, 
Essex, was thud, bis best bunches being Gros Colman and Alicante. 
Black Hamburgh. In s veral of the classes devoted to special varieties 
competit’on was very keen, and it was particularly so in those for Black 
Hamburgbs and Muscat of Alexandria, which keep the foremost place as 
useful Grapes. There were eleven exhibitors of Black Hamburgh, and the 
majority of these were good examples both as regards size of bunch and 
finish. Mr. Pratt was first with extremely large bunches bearing a beauti¬ 
ful bloom, but the berries were not above medium size. Mr. J. Bury, 
Tewkesbury Lodge Gardens, Forest Hill, was second, also with large 
bunches and medium berries of good colour ; Mr. F. Jordan, gardener to 
B. Foster, Esq., The Hill, Witley, Godaiming, being third with smaller but 
capitally coloured bunches. 
Muscat of Alexandria. —The same number of competitors entered in this 
as in the preceding class, but though the bunches were large they were, 
with the exception of the first, rather deficient in finish, and there was in 
two or three cases a too perceptible greenness that did not add to their 
beauty. Mr. J. J. Lowry, gardener to J. Macandrew, Esq., Belmont, Mill 
Hill, Hendon, was awarded first honours for three superb compact even 
bunches, large in berry, clean, and beautifully coloured. They were greatly 
admired, and Mr. Lowry deserves much credit for the production of such fine 
samples of this Grape. Mr. P. H. Edwards, gardener to D. P. Blaine, Esq., 
Fowley, Liphook, Hants, followed, also with large bunches, hut not quite 
so well set or coloured ; Mr. Pratt being third with fine bunches wanting 
in colour. 
Gros Colman. —Only two entered with this variety. Mr. H. Dawes, 
gardener to the Hon. Mrs. Meynell Ingram, being first with handsome 
bunches and berries ; and Mr. W. Eiphinstone was third with small 
examples. It is probable that this class will be cut out another year in 
favour of one for Gros Maroc, which was so well represented in the general 
collections. 
Madresfield Court. —This beautiful Grape was shown by four competitors 
but now its merits are becoming known we might almost expect a stronger 
contest; probably, however, many have not quite mastered its culture yet. 
Mr. Goodacre was first with even, compact, and handsomely coloured 
bunches. Mr. J. Hudson followed very closely, and Mr. H. Folkes, gardener 
to T. T. Halsey, Esq , Hemel Hempstead,was third with smaller bunches but 
fairly coloured. 
Alicante. —Eleven entries of Alicante provided a keen competition, the 
majority of the exhibits being so nearly equal that there was little to judge 
between them as regards colour and finish. Mr. Howe, gardener to Henry 
Tait, Esq., Park Hill, Streatham Common,was first with three large bunches, 
weighing 16 lbs. Mr. Pratt was second : Mr. T. Osman, gardener to N. L. L. 
Baker, Esq., Otterskaw Park, Cbertsoy, was third ; and an extra prize was 
awarded to Mr. Neighbour, Biekley Paik. 
Any other White variety. —In this and the following class there was the 
same number of entries as in that just noted. Mr. Osman took the lead with 
White Frontignan, three long fine even bunches, superbly coloured of a rich 
amber tint. Mr. H. Folkes, gardener to T. F. Halsey, Esq., Gaddesden 
Place, Hemel Hempstead, was second with Golden Queen, not very 
“golden” in colour, and Mr. J. Roberts was third with Buckland Sweet¬ 
water, with wonderfully large berries but not ripe. Other varieties well 
shown in this class were Trebbiano and Foster’s Seedling. 
Any other Black variety. —Three fine bunch s of Gros Guillaume, weigh¬ 
ing 21 lbs., gained Mr. Davies, of Temple Newsome, Leeds, the premier 
award in this class. Mr. Roberts was second with very handsome specimens 
of Gros Maroc, superbly coloured, and Messrs. Thomas Rivers & Son, Saw- 
bridgeworth, were third with the same variety nearly as good. Other exhi¬ 
bitors had Alnwick Seedling, Lady Downe’s, and “ Cooper’s Black,” the latter 
bearing a dense blue bloom. 
The competition was very close in the class for a basket of black Grapes, 
no less than ten entering, and the Judges bad not an easy task to deter¬ 
mine the relative positions of the exhibits. Ultimately, however, Mr. C. J. 
Salter, garde*er to J. Southgate, Esq., Selborne, Streatham, was awarded 
the first prize for very handsome bunches of Black Hamburgh, the berries 
of great size and beautifully coloured. Mr. C. Osman was placed second 
with Alicante, bearing a dense bloom; and Mr. Hudson was third with 
Alnwick Seedling and Madresfield Court, also good. There were only five 
exhibitors with a basket of white Grapes, Mr. Goldsmith, Kelsey Gardens, 
Beckenham, being first with Muscat of Alexandria, finely ripened ; Mr. 
Pratt second with the same variety; and Mr. S. Castle, West Lynn, Norfolk, 
was third with Buckland Sweetwater, very large in bunch and berry. 
Melons. —In the two classes for scarlet and green flesh Melons there 
were respectively nineteen and fourteen entries, so that the Judges had a for¬ 
midable task. In the scarlet variety class Mr. Bailey, Shardeloes, Amersham, 
was first with Victory of Bristol, followed by Mr. G. Boothroyd, gardener 
to H. Coleman, Esq., Woodville, Dover, with Scarlet Gem ; and Mr. Gilman, 
gardener to the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, Ingestre Hall, with a neat 
unnamed variety. The leading green flesh variety was Best of All, from 
Mr. It. Spinks, Victoria Road, Horley, Mr. Bailey being second with Golden 
Queen, and Mr. Ward third with Cox’s Golden Gem. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —In the principal class for six varieties of 
Peaches and Nectarines there was only one exhibitor, Messrs. T. Rivers 
and Son, who had handsome fruits of the following varieties :—Peaches— 
Exquisite, Madeleine, Blanche, Bellegarde, Raymackers, English Galande, 
and Prince of Wales; Nectarines—Byron, Pine Apple, Otway, Newton, 
Orange, and Victoria. There were, however, six competitors with four 
dishes of Peaches, and five with the same number of Nectarines. Mr. W. H. 
Divera, gardener to J. T. Hopwood, Esq., Ketton Hall, Stamford, took first 
honours with large handsome examples of Barrington, Prince of Wales, 
Princess of Wales, and Bellegarde. Mr. Goodacre was second with smaller 
but better coloured fruits, and Mr. Roberts was third. The last-named 
exhibitor was, however, first in the Nectarine class with excellent fruits of 
Victoiia, Pitmaston Orange, Pine Apple, and Lord Napier. Messrs. Divers 
and Goodacre followed. The one-dish class brought thirteen competitors 
with Peaches and nine with Nectarines, the winners being as follows :— 
Peaches—Mr. A. Gibson, gardener to T. E. B. Atkins, Esq., Halstead Place, 
Sevenoaks, with Barrington, very fine. Mr. S. Pullman, Frampton Court 
Gardens, Dorchester, was second with Early Admirable, and Mr. G. Holli¬ 
day, gardener to J. Norris, Esq., Castle Hill, Bletchingley, third with 
Violette Hative. The best Nectarines were Pine Apple from Mr. Pullman, 
Messrs. Evans and Divers following with the same variety, not quite so well 
coloured. 
