476 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ November 26, 18WS. 
and D. Thatcher were the prizewinners in these classes, and the same 
exhibitors and Mr. Perry were also successful with small trained and 
naturally grown conservatory plants. The first prize and silver medal of 
the National Chrysanthemum Society, offered for the best group of naturally 
grown Chrysanthemums, was secured by Mr. A. Ambrose, gardener to 
Kossuth Robinson, E j q.; second, Mr. Salter, gardener to H. Oldland, Esq.; 
third, Mr. Perry, all having very imposing and well grown groups of plants, 
though not equal to what are to be seen nearer London. 
The collections of miscellaneous plants, arranged on a space 10 feet by 
7 feet, are always one of the principal features at the Bristol shows, and 
this year they were fully up to the mark. Mr. W. Rye, gardener to 
■J. Derham, Esq., Sneyd Park, was awarded the first prize, a somewhat 
formal but very bright arrangement, including many well-flowered 
Calanthes and other Orchids, as well as a variety of flowering plants in 
season. Mr. Perry was a close second; and Mr. E. Miller, gardener to 
E. Tagart, Esq., a very creditable third. The last-named exhibitor was 
placed first for six fine-foliaged plants, having immense and very healthy 
specimens of Cibotium spectabile, Cycas revoluta, and Croton undulatum 
and other equally well-grown plants. Mr. Rye was a good second, and 
Mr. A. Hiscock, gardener to A. W. Summers, Esq., third, an extra prize being 
awarded to the gardener to S. Budgett, Esq. In the corresponding class 
for four specimens, Mr. Rye was first, J. Lysaghf, Esq., second, and Mr. 
Hiscock third, all having exceptionally well-grown plants. Table plants 
were shown in great numbers, the majority of them being highly meri¬ 
torious. Mr. W. Bannister, gardener to H. St. Vincent Ames, Esq., was 
first, Mr. T. Gibson, second, and Mr. W. Cooper, third. Mr. Bannister was 
also the winner of first prize for Ferns, Mr. Miller being a good second ; and 
with a new and rare plant Mr. Miller was first, staging a well-bloomed 
Cypripedium Spicerianum, Mr. Rye following with Croton princep3. The 
prizewinners with Poinsettias were Messrs. E. Miller and T. Gibson, who 
were placed equal first; with Bouvardias, Messrs. Rye, W. K. Wait, and 
E. Miller ; with Primulas, Messrs. E. T. Hill, Reuben Bow, and A. Ambrose; 
Zonal Pelargoniums, Messrs. C. Tagart, E. T. Hill, and J. Lysaght; and 
berried plants, Messrs. S. Budgett, T. Gibson, and W. A. Jones, the com¬ 
petition in each case being close and good. 
Cut blooms of Chrysanthemums were shown in great r numbers than 
usual, and with a few exceptions the quality was fairly good. Mr. T. Hobbs 
was first for twenty-four large-flowering varieties, all to be distinct, but as 
Empress of India and its synonym Mrs. Cunningham were included, many 
growers were of opinion that the exhibit should have been disqualified. 
Besides these there were very good blooms of Prince Alfred, Queen of 
England, Jeanne d’Arc, Princess Imperial, Prince of Wales, White Venus, 
Princess of Wales, Lady Hardinge, Golden Beverley, and Barbara. Mr. 
Ward, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, was a creditable second, and Messrs. 
W. and G. Drover third. With twelve varieties of incurved sorts, Mr. E. S. 
Cole, gardener to W. Pethick, Esq., was a good first, Mr. J. Waite second, 
and Mr. W. M. Baker third; and in the class for six varieties Mr. W. 
Iggulden was first and Mr. E. S. Cole second. Messrs. Drover had the best 
Anemone-flowered varieties, Mr. E. S. Cole being second. There were two 
classes provided for Japanese varieties, and these attracted the greatest 
number of entries. For twelve distinct varieties Mr. W. Iggulden was first, 
having fine blooms of Grandiflorum, Madame C. Audiguier, Mons. Ardene, 
Boule d’Or, Belle Paule, Meg Merrilees, Thunberg, Comte de Germiny, 
Fanny Boucharlet, and Fair Maid of Guernsey. Mr. E. S. Cole was a good 
eecond, and was also deservedly first for twelve blooms in not less than six 
varieties, Mr. Iggulden being a close second, and there were several others 
only slightly inferior. Bouquets, wreaths, vases, and baskets of both 
choice flowers and autumn leaves and berries were all shown in great 
numbers, the exhibitors in most cases displaying most commendable taste. 
The principal prizewinners were Messrs. M. Hoskings, E. S. Cole, E. T. Hill, 
Miss Wetherhed, Mr. C. Winstone, Mr. J. Rogers, Mr. H. Mardon, Miss 
Dobson, and Mr. G. Garraway. 
Fruit was largely shown, and included Grapes, Pine Apples, Melons, 
Pears, Apples, and Medlars. There were eight classes provided for Grapes 
alone, and in nearly every case the competition was very keen. Mr. Nash, 
gardener to the Duke of Beaufort, was well to the front, being first for 
Alicante, Gros Colman, and any other black variety, his exhibits in each 
case being of the highest order ; and the same may be said of the Muscat of 
Alexandria staged by Mr. Ellicott, gardener to H. W. Tugwell, Esq., and 
Mr.F. NicolJ, gardener to Mrs. Miller. Mr. Ellicott was also first for Black 
Hamburgh, and Mr. Bannister second, while the best Lady Downe’s were 
staged by Mr. C. D. Cave, the second prize going to Mr. V. Down. Mr. W. 
Taylor, gardener to J. Chaffin, Esq., was also successful in the classes for 
Alicantes, Gros Colman, and |any black variety not of Muscat flavour, his 
exhibits being most remarkable for good finish. In the last named class 
Mr. Nicoll was a good first with Mrs. Pince, well finished, and in a corre¬ 
sponding class for white varieties Mr. Rye was first with excellent Buckland 
Sweetwater, Mr. Iggulden following with good examples of Mrs. Pearson. 
A special prize was offered for the two heaviest bunches of Grapes in the 
Show, and this was won by Mr. Down, who had immense clusters of Gros 
Colman, each weighing about 8 lbs., but they were badly coloured. There 
were six competitors with a collection of six dishes of fruit, Pine Apples 
excluded, Mr. Nash being placed first with capital samples, very similar to the 
collection he had at Bath, and Mr. T. Every was a good second, Mr. W. 
Bannister third, and aD extra prize was given to Mr. Nicoll; the Black and 
Muscat Grapes being very good in each instance. In a large class of six 
varieties of Pears Mr. W. Bannister was first, and Mr. Rye second, and with 
four dishes these positions were reversed, the fruit, principally grown on 
bush-shaped trees, being very fine in each case. Mr. Bannister had also 
the best single dish of Pears, Marie Louise very fine, and the best six dishes 
of Apples. Other successful exhibitors of Apples in the various classes 
provided being Messrs. J. H. Virgo, E. Hall, E. T. Hill, E. Sweeting, 
W. M. Baker, and G. Garraway. 
The array of vegetables (for which one class only was provided, in the 
form of a collection of ten distinct varieties) was remarkably good, excell¬ 
ing anything of the kind hitherto seen at Bristol. Mr. E. T. Hill was first, 
® ver y secon <3> Mr. W. Bannister and Mr. W. M. Baker equal thirds, 
and an extra was given to Mr. W. P. Emerton. These were several non¬ 
competitive exhibits, the most noteworthy being a grand lot of Chrysan¬ 
themum blooms staged by Garaway & Co., Durdham Down Nurseries, 
Clifton, and which comprised many new and all the best older varieties. 
Mr. J. Austin, Witley Court, had several very fine fruits of Smooth Cayenne 
Pine Apples, which attracted much attention. The Show was fairly well 
attended, and the arrangements were perfect. 
LEWISHAM.— November 18tii. 
Avery successful inaugural Exhibition of Chrysanthemums was held in 
connection with the recently formed Lewisham and District Floral Society 
in a hall in a central position of Lewisham, on Wednesday last, November 
18th. The Society was only formed a few days before the Show, but so 
energetic were the efforts of the Committee (who are enthusiastic amateurs 
and City gentlemen) that, although no prizes were offered this year, plenty 
of friends were found willing to contribute stands of cut blooms and groups 
of plants, and thus render it an attractive and successful Show. Messrs. 
J. Laing <Si Co. of Forest Hill contributed a very fine group of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, and Messrs. Jones, Jupp, Needs, Stone, Berry, Forrestier, Harry, and 
Drake stands of cut blooms. The last-named gentlemen are amateurs, and 
their exhibits did them great credit. The public evidently appreciated the 
efforts of the Committee, for the place was thronged with visitors. With 
the name of the author of “ The Chrysanthemum, its History and Culture” 
as one of its Vice-Presidents, and Mr. Drake as the able Secretary, this 
Society will, we hope, prove equally if not more succ.ssful another year. 
BIRMINGHAM. —NOVEMBER 18tH AND 19th. 
Only a very few yea-s ago this Society was, in the estimation of many 
persons interested in it, in a moribund state, whereas it is now in a strong 
and flourishing condition. A spirited yet prudent policy has resulted in 
larger and better shows, greater public patronage, and more satisfactory 
finances, the last statement published showing a substantial balance, in¬ 
cluding the reserve fund of upwards of £150. The autumn shows in the 
Midland metropolis have long been famed for splendid specimen Chrysan¬ 
themum plants and Primulas, but superior cut blooms of Chrysanthemums 
were not encouraged nor produced. Fine specimen plants are still grown in 
the district, and nowhere else can anything approaching such a display of 
Primulas be seen, while now, in addition, the exhibition of cut blooms of 
Chrysanthemums is one of the greatest of the year. 
The Show under notice was held in the fine Town Hall, which was 
crowded with exhibits and visitors to such an extent as to render more space 
desirable. As in the case of most, if not all, other shows this year, dwarf- 
trained Chrysanthemums were neither so numerous nor on the whole so 
good as have been seen on previous occasions, but groups of untrained 
plants were added, and these, with beautiful nurserymen’s collections, 
occupied the space effectively. By far the finest dwarf-trained plants were 
the nine to which £5 was awarded—grown and exhibited by Mr. W. H. 
Dyer, gardener to Mrs. Marigold, Edgbaston, a well-known and highly 
successful exhibitor. He was in the first position for six plants, and also 
for a single specimen. Mr. Martineau, Birmingham, was notably successful 
in the plant classes, being adjudged first prizes for three large-flowering 
Chrysanthemums, six Pompons, one Pompon, and one Japanese. The 
Society offered a special prize of £4 for a bank of natural-grown Chrysan¬ 
themums, which was won by Mr. Pattison with a very creditable arrange¬ 
ment, two other collections being staged. In the class for nine stove and 
greenhouse plants the chief prize was won by Mr. F. A. Walton, while that 
for six plants went to Mr. Dyer, both exhibiting well. 
Cut Blooms. —Though there was an extensive display of these there 
were no stands of a substantial character. The prolonged term of cold 
weather appears to have retarded the development of the flowers, and 
numbers of them had not arrived at their best condition, therefore freshness 
rather than weight was the characteristic of this department; also the 
chief prize of £10 failed to elicit a response from Liverpool and other 
distant Chrysanthemum-growing districts. This was all the better for the 
“local men,” and credit is due to them for contributing to the success of the 
Show, indeed, for making it so superior to the exhibitions of half a dozen 
years ago. It is gratifying to observe this marked improvement which is 
the main and ultimate object of promoters of shows. As to attracting 
distant competitors, or rather the best examples of culture obtainable, that 
is obviously desirable, but it will be more difficult to secure these in the 
future by offering, say, a £10 prize for forty-eight distinct varieties. There 
are several prizes of that nature now-a-days, and exhibitors can “ take their 
choice,” and it seems they chojse to compete for that sum where it is offered 
for a less number of sorts. This is perhaps not much to be wondered at, 
and framers of schedules will act accordingly either in increasing the 
amounts offered or restricting the number of varieties. At Birmingham 
the prizes for forty-eight blooms distinct, twenty-four incurved and twenty- 
four Japanese, fell to Mr. P. Southby, who staged fresh medium-sized 
examples of the popular exhibition varieties. In the class for twenty-four 
blooms, twelve Japanese and twelve incurved, there was good competition, 
the premier award being granted to Mr. G. A. Everett for excellent stands. 
Mr. H. Lovatt was the chief prizewinner in the class for eighteen incurved 
blooms with fresh and good examples, most of the others being undeveloped. 
Mr. Southby was placed first for twelve blooms of Japanese with the best 
stand in the Show, the blooms being large, fresh, and richly coloured; also 
for twelve Anemones, the flowers being of average merit. Prizes were 
offered for blooms grown within three miles and twelve miles respectively 
from Stephenson Place, and several stands of great merit were placed in 
competition. Mr. Madeley was the successful exhibitor of twelve blooms 
within the three-mile radius, and Mr. G. Everett secured the chief prizes for 
twenty-four and six blooms in the twelve-mile radius. The competition in 
these classes was very creditable indeed, every stand being worthy of its 
position in the hall. 
Primulas. —There was a magnificent display of these, about 800 plants 
being placed in competition, and it may be safely said that many of the 
third-prize collections would have been placed first at the majority of shows 
in the kingdom. In the op n classes all the leading prizes were taken by 
Messrs. H. Pope & Sons with grandly grown plants, remarkable alike for 
vigour of foliage and siz: and fr. shness of flowers. In the distiict classes 
Mr. T. Martineau won the chief prize for twelve plants, Mr. Matthews for 
six plants, and for three Mr. J. Taunton was the most successful competitor. 
The plants are generally grown in (5-inch and 7-inch pots, the foliage having 
a spread of from 18 inches to 2 feet, pyramidal masses of flowers rising in 
