September 5 , 1888. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
209 
Esq., Malshanger Park, who was third with Model. Mr. Phippen 
offered prizes for his variety of Telegraph, and some good, fruits were 
shown. 
Collections of fruit formed an admirable display. Mr. Ashby was 
fost with eight dishes, a most praiseworthy exhibit, comprising Black 
Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, Sutton’s Masterpiece 
v?ru° n ’ k>r ’ r ! ce °.^ Wales Plums, Royal George Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, 
White Ischia Figs, and Morello Cherries. Mr. Goodman was second ; he 
had splendid Black Alicante Grapes, and fine dishes of Dagmar Peaches 
and \\ illiams’ Bon Chretien Pears amongst others. Mr. Aitken, gardener 
to Major Meeking, Slough, was third ; and there was one other exhibit. 
Mr. Cakebread won with six dishes, his collection consisting of Black 
Alicante and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes (both excellent), Morello 
Cherries, Queen Pine, Hero of Lockinge Melon, and Washington Plums ; 
an excellent display. Mr. Osman was a good second with capital 
Grapes, and Mr. Paxton third. Of miscellaneous fruits the best collec¬ 
tion was that of Mr. Goodman. 
.Messrs. T. Rivers & Son had an extensive and excellent display of 
fruit, both gathered and on trees in pots, which evoked much interest. It 
was not in competition. 
PLANTS AND GROUPS. 
Specimen stove and greenhouse plants were not quite up to the 
standard of former years, and it is evident that huge trained plants are 
losing popularity, not by any means too soon. Allied, however, with 
some admirable groups and smaller decorative plants they produced an 
imposing effect. Mr. Aitken won with nine specimens—healthy, well- 
flowered plants of Clerodendron Balfourianum. Rondeletia speciosa 
major, Allamanda grandiflora, Eucharis amazonica, Lagerstroemia 
indica, Bougainvillea glabra, Dipladenia insignis, Ixora Williamsi, and 
Allamanda Hendersoni. Mr. Mould, Pewsey, was second with Statice 
Butcheri and Erica Uhriana superba, in very fine condition ; Mr. Wills, 
gardener to Mrs. Pearce, Southampton, was third. Variegated and 
handsome foliage plants were not so good ; indeed, they scarcely call for 
comment. Mr. 'Wills had some clean, well-grown plants, and was placed 
first. Stove and greenhouse Ferns were staged in capital condition by 
^ j w tken ’ ^ e * n o fresh, clean, and healthy ; and Messrs. Dockerill 
and Wills, who were second and third, also had plants which did them 
credit. Mr. Butcher, gardener to G. Palmer, Esq., Reading, won with a 
single specimen, a good plant of Eucharis amazonica, well furnished 
with its beautiful flowers. Mr. Bright, gardener to P. Harslake, Esq., 
was second with Fuchsia Charming. For a specimen new or rare plant 
Mr. Wills won with the variegated leaved Phrynium variegatum. Mr. 
Lane won with table plants, Mr. Aitken following, and Mr. Dockerill 
with Lycopodiums. 
The groups were in every respect admirable. The first prize was 
awarded to Mr. Woolford, gardener to A. Palmer, Esq., Reading, for a 
beautiful arrangement, light, graceful, and free, which showed the 
improvement that has been effected in plant arrangement of late years. 
Asmalier group from Mr. Aitken was placed second, and that from Mr. 
Wills third. There was a doubt as to the latter two. but none whatever 
as to the first. 
. Achimenes, Fuchsias, Balsams, Cockscombs, Liliums, Coleuses, flower- 
j. Yar ’ e § a ted Pelargoniums, with Palms and Begonias, added to 
the display. Messrs. Dockerill, Bright, Aitken, Woolford, Balchin, 
Booker, Lockie, Ashby, Castle, Mayne, and Midwinter were amongst 
the chief prizewinners. A first-class certificate was awarded to a new 
Coleus exhibited by Mr. Phippen, and named Duchess of Fife, for its 
dwarf compact habit. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
• T^ kese wer ® extensively shown. Mr. Walker, Thame, won with 
eighteen Dahlias, and also with twelve varieties, Messrs. Cheal & Sons, 
Crowley ; Mortimer, Farnham; Wheeler, Henlev ; Shrimpton, Beech 
Hdl; and WooHord also showing them well; and Messrs. Cheal & Son 
exhibited bunches of single varieties in good condition. Gladioli were 
best shown by Mr. Dockerill. Mr. Walker had a charming stand of 
® < J.^- s ^ ers i and also won with French varieties, all beautiful blooms. 
Mr. Midwinter also showed Asters remarkably well. Double Zinnias 
from Mr. Walker were in splendid condition, and easily won him first 
prize. Mr. Phippen won with eighteen bunches of cut flowers, mostly 
if 1 " a indicating the present great popularity of herbaceous plants. 
Mr. Such, Maidenhead, was second. With twelve bunches Mr. Castle 
was a good first. Phloxes were best shown by Mr. House. With button¬ 
hole flowers and bridal bouquets Messrs. Perkins, Coventry, and Phippen 
were most successful. Messrs. Jefferies & Son, Cirencester won with 
Roses,Messrs. Cheal & Perkins following, Messrs. Perkins showing Mrs. 
John Laing well in another class. A certificate was awarded to Mr. 
Ar ^ a idenhead, for his excellent strain of Begonias. Messrs. Such, 
Maidenhead, and Oakshott A Millard, Reading, showed cut flowers and 
plants in pots. The local classes were well filled and helped to swell 
the display. 
VEGETABLES. 
These are usually a great feature at Reading, several of the large 
seed firms offering sufficiently handsome prizes to secure the entry of 
some of the best vegetable growers in the south of England. This year 
the display was as good and extensive as on any previous occasion, 
there were some marvellous examples of the new Onion Ailsa Craig, 
referred to on page 179 of last week’s Journal, Potatoes and Cauliflowers 
being also very fine. The exhibits in the special classes are referred to 
m the order we found them on the stands. Mr. Pope, gardener to the 
Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere, was first with a collection in the com¬ 
petition for Messrs. Oakshott & Millard’s prizes. He had some grand 
specimens of Ailsa Craig Oniun, capital Potatoes (Abundance) and 
Tomatoes (Perfection), also very good Celery. Mr. Lye, gardener to 
W. H. Kingsmill, Esq., was second ; Mr. Goodman third; and Mr. 
Harris, High Wycombe, fourth. For nine kinds of Potatoes, also Oak¬ 
shott & Millard’s prizes, Mr, Lye won, showing Reading Perfection, 
Chancellor, The Magistrate, and Satisfaction well amongst others ; Mr. 
Pope was second ; and Mr. Springbett, Sulham, third. Messrs. Carter 
and Co., High Holborn, also offered prizes for a collection. Mr. Lye was 
first, Holborn Model Leek and Early Autumn Giant Cauliflower being 
excellent ; Mr. Harris was a very good second ; and Mr. Waite third. 
All these were fine lots. Mr. Kneller, gardener to W. S. Portal, Esq., 
Malshanger Park, won Messrs. Webb & Sons’ chief prize, Perfection 
Tomato being excellent, also Ailsa Craig Onion. Mr. Bowerman was a. 
very good second, and Mr. Waite third. Mr. Fidler, Reading, also 
offered prizes for a collection, and the first fell to Mr. Pope for a capital 
lot; Mr. Bowerman second ; and Mr. Lye third. All these growers had 
every reason to be proud of their exhibits. Messrs. Sutton, Reading, did 
not offer prizes for vegetables as in former years, but instead offered 
premiums to the value of £12 in various other classes, in addition to the 
Society’s prizes. Messrs. R. Beale & Co., New Southgate, were highly 
commended for their fertilising moss, as being especially adapted for 
sending plants by post; also for their plant collar, for supporting top- 
dressings to plants in pots. 
SANDY AND DISTRICT. 
The twenty-first annual gathering of this continuously expanding 
Society was held on Friday last in the beautiful and compact little park 
of Sandy Place, the situation and surroundings of which are admirably 
adapted for a successful exhibition, embracing under the spacious head 
of horticulture such a wide range of objects as is here brought together j 
for in addition to horticulture pure, farm, market garden, and dairy 
produce, poultry, pigeons, birds, rabbits, bees, and bread, and this year 
the Committee successfully introduced a department for dogs. The 
weather was exceptionally fine and hot, and the butter in the tent 
constituted a useful self-registering thermometer, the major portion of 
the exhibits in that division being reduced to the condition of sardine 
oil. There was consequently a large concourse of visitors from the 
neighbourhood, the surrounding counties, and the metropolis; from which 
special trains were run, but the tents from the intense heat were 
partially deserted. 
Plants in pots were well and largely shown, four collections being 
staged in the open class for ten stove and greenhouse plants in flower, 
distinct, and some fine specimens were placed at much disadvantage by 
being set up on an enormous staging far above the eye, the consequence 
being that there is no coup d'ceil in the plant tent at Sandy, a few 
insignificant objects only meeting the eye and blocking the view of this 
tent ; and only those well accustomed to studying the upper tier of a 
picture gallery can with any degree of ease inspect and admire plants 
some 6 feet through towering up with their names at telescopic distance, 
the space in front for visitors being so contracted that a careful 
examination becomes painful. 
Probably the amount paid for carpentering in the erection of the 
massive stage would more than provide a wider and more suitable tent, 
and exhibitors might be saved the heavy and risky business of hoisting 
up these heavy specimens. In this class Messrs. J. Cypher & Son, Exotic 
Nurseries, Cheltenham, had a grand specimen of Phoenocoma prolifera 
Barnesi, well flowered plants of Bougainvillea glabra, Clerodendron Bal- 
fourianum, Allamandas Hendersoni and nobilis, Statice prof usa, and four 
fine Ericas ; this collection was placed first ; Mr. W. Finch, gardener to 
J. Marriott, Esq., Coventry, coming second with handsome and regularly- 
matched plants of Rondeletia speciosa major, Ixora Williamsi, Fraseri, 
Dipladenia amabilis, Miltonia spectabilis, Clerodendron, and three 
Ericas. Mr. G. Redman, gardener to J. H. Goodgames, Esq., Eynesbury, 
Hunts, was third ; and Mr. J. F. Mould, Nurseries, Pewsey, Wilts, was 
fourth. Mr. Rabbitt, gardener to General Pearson, The Hazels, Sandy, 
took first for twelve well flowered specimens of Zonal Pelargoniums in 
the open class, the varieties being of well known sorts ; Mr. Redman, 
gaining second place. For six grand and well grown Fuchsias Mr. G. 
Claydon, Woodbury Hall Gardens, was deservedly awarded first, also for 
six stove and greenhouse Ferns and six foliage plants. 
Cut Floioers. —For forty-eight cut Roses (not less than twenty-four 
distinct varieties) open to all, stands of fairly good size, substance, 
and colour for the season were set up by Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old 
Nurseries, Cheshunt, Messrs. G. & H. Burch, Rose Growers, Peterborough, 
and Messrs. Laxton Bros., Nurseries, Bedford, their exhibits being 
recognised in the order placed. In Messrs. Paul’s first prize stand were 
good flowers of Souvenir d’Elise, Perle des Jardins, Mrs. Jowitt, Mrs. 
Baker, and Marhchal Neil, Messrs. Laxton’s best blooms being Ella 
Gordon, Harrison Weir, Madame S. Rodocanachi, and Alfred Colomb ; 
in Messrs. Burch’s lot Mrs. John Laing, Duchess of Bedford, Chas. 
Darwin, and Anna Ollivier were noticeable, but the intense heat of the 
tent made sad havoc with the flowers in the latter part of the afternoon. 
For twenty-four Roses (not less than twelve distinct varieties) open to- 
amateurs, Mr. E. B. Lindsell of Bearton, Hitchin, was first, his stand 
containing fair blooms of Chas. Lefebvre, Baroness Rothschild. Comtesse 
Nadaillac, Rubens, and Anna Ollivier. Mr. Lindsell was also awarded 
first for a stand of six Gladiolus in the same division. For twenty-four 
spikes of Gladiolus in the open class Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., Howe 
House Nurseries, Cambridge, showed the only and a truly magnificent 
stand, and were awarded first honours. Their stand included Iolanthe, 
