September 19, 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
249 
trial. It is of moderate growth, consequently does not require so 
much space as most sorts, an advantage with those having gardens 
of moderate dimensions. I obtained my stock from Mr. J. Gibson, 
Draycot Gardens, Chippenham, who is, by the way, an excellent 
private grower of Strawberries. With him all varieties, with the 
exception of the latter, are planted a yard apart between the rows, 
and 18 inches only from plant to plant. This method is found 
more economical than the one more generally adopted with private 
growers—2 feet each way, as more space is allowed for walking 
between for gathering and attending them ; 18 inches provides 
ample room between the rows, and 15 inches proves sufficient space 
for dividing the plants of the Loxford Hall variety. 
Mr. Easty remarks that his crops were the heaviest he ever had, 
and attributes the success chiefly to the use of artificial manures. 
In every instance in which I have directed inquiry as to the Straw¬ 
berry crops I have learned that they have been the heaviest ever 
remembered—some attributing the cause to the treatment bestowed, 
others believing that climatic conditions accounted more chiefly for 
the heavy crops produced. One individual laid much stress on a 
close cropping of the leaves at midwinter, in providing him with an 
abundant supply from a bed which had hitherto proved unprofitable. 
Mr. Iggulden has recently enlarged upon a system of growing 
them as annuals, and I have had proof of their adaptability for 
such a method in the Marston Gardens, but in the gardens in which 
I have hitherto had charge the crop have never proved a full one 
until the second year. 
Like Mr. Easty I have good faith in the use of fish manures, 
but I believe constant moisture is necessary in bringing out its fertilis¬ 
ing properties for the use of plant growth. If applied very early 
in the spring, and followed up with an early mulching, they would 
prove sustaining ; but if used late, and when dry weather prevails, 
they do not then prove of much assistance to the plants until late 
summer or autumn rains carried it down to within reach of the 
roots. Of course, when artificial watering can be resorted to the 
above remarks do not hold good, but in many gardens unfortu¬ 
nately water is not forthcoming for deluging extensive Strawberry 
beds. Dr. Hogg and Cockscomb are two excellent varieties, but 
the latter is not very frequently grown. I believe these two are 
among the sweetest kinds for dessert procurable. Excepting 
Hoble Sir Joseph Paxton is the most useful and popular Straw¬ 
berry grown, and were I restricted to one sort only it would cer¬ 
tainly be this one.—W. S. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
ANCIENT SOCIETY OF YORK FLORIST3. 
This Society closed its series of Shows for the summer months on 
the 11th inst. with an excellent floral display, Dahlias being shown in 
■capital form, Mr. W. Boston, Carthorpe, Bedale, taking chief honours in 
the Show and Fancy classes, his blooms being superbly finished in form 
and colour. Besides his competing trays he staged seventy-two blooms, 
noticeable amongst which was a really good new yellow variety named 
Miss Hannah Boston ; Messrs. J. W. Hutchinson, G. Kirlen, and T. Smith 
being principal prizewinners in other classes of Dahlias. Asters and 
Marigolds were numerously shown, and very meritorious. Gladiolus 
were almost a failure, doubtless owing to the fine season having 
hastened them, so that they are now past their best. The annuals shown 
were in high perfection, each variety being made up into what may be 
termed hand bouquets. Of hand bouquets there was a smart competi¬ 
tion in the two classes—viz., cultivated and wild flowers, which possessed 
great merit, and were much admired. Classes were introduced for early 
flowering Chrysanthemums, but these were not well represented. 
The series of five shows held this summer have been much in advance 
generally of any previous year, and being free to the public have been 
much appreciated. The Society, it may be said, has extended its area 
of usefulness much during late years. Much interest surrounds it, 
doubtless through its origin being so antiquated, dating as it does from 
the year 1768. The operations of the present year close with the 
Chrysanthemum Show to be held on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of Novem¬ 
ber, which now ranks as one of the best in the country. 
A plant bearing a fine flower spike of Aerides Rohaniana was ex¬ 
hibited by Mr. T. M. Weddall, J.P., for which a certificate of merit was 
granted. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN. 
This was held on the 11th and 12th inst., in the Edinburgh Waverley 
Market, and proved to be one of the largest autumn exhibitions ever 
held by this Society. Fruit is, as a rule, the predominating feature, 
and, though it cannot be said to have been an exception to the rule this 
year, yet the quality of the Grapes, which is generally so fine at this 
Show, was somewhat below the average. The Newcastle Exhibition, 
held on the same days, had doubtless something to do with this. Apples, 
on the other hand, were exceptionally fine, the border counties contribut¬ 
ing fine fruit ; and, of course, Plums were represented in great numbers, 
1000 dishes being staged for Congress purposes alone. Vegetables 
have never been finer, Leeks, Celery, Onions, Tomatoes, &c., being 
present in large numbers and of grand quality ; but flowers were pretty 
well shown, and the plant classes were generally better filled than 
usual. 
In the classes devoted to trade growers the chief exhibits were the 
tables of plants, 40 feet by 10 feet, arranged for effect. Two firms 
staged, Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons being first, and Messrs. Ireland and 
Thomson second, the competition being rather close. The first-men¬ 
tioned also led with Palms, table plants, and for twelve plants Chrys¬ 
anthemums, while the latter were first for a collection of Conifers and 
hardy shrubs very effectively arranged. Messrs. Dickson & Sons were 
second for a very good collection. In the cut flower section Messrs. 
Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, were first for thirty-six Roses, also for eighteen, 
and Messrs. D. & W. Croll, Dundee, first for twelve Roses. Most 
noteworthy were Mrs. J. Laing, Maid of the Mist, A. K. Williams, and 
Franeisca Kruger. Mr. Campbell, Gourock, had the best thirty Gladiolus. 
Mr. Forbes, Hawick, had the best Hollyhocks ; Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons 
the best single Dahlias and cut Chrysanthemums, Messrs. Cocker the 
finest Show Dahlias, and Mr. Campbell, Auchinraith, the best Fancy 
Dahlias. 
In the gardeners’ section the chief prizes were offered for a table of 
plants 20 feet by 5 feet arranged for effect, there being four competi¬ 
tors. The Judges awarded first place to Mr. Fraser, gardener to J. White, 
Esq., Ardarroch ; second to Mr. Grossart, gardener to J. Buchanan, 
Esq. ; and third to Mr. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. Pease, Woodside, 
Darlington. The general opinion was, however, that the first ought to 
have had the third place, the Judges having been most evidently biassed 
by the Orchids employed, though it was less effectively arranged, the 
second group being the most artistic of the three, while that of Mr. 
McIntyre was very bright with Crotons of grand colour. Mr. John 
Patterson, Millbank, had first for six stove or greenhouse, two Ericas, 
a fine Eucharis, and Lapageria alba being his chief plants. Orchids 
were good for the season. Mr. Curror, Eskbank, was first for four species, 
Cattleya Dowiana and Miltonia spectabilis being the more noteworthy 
plants. Mr. Fraser had the best two Orchids, and Mr. Curror with 
a plant of Cattleya Gaskelliana took first prize for one Orchid. Foliage 
plants were very numerous, but no prize ticket could be found on the 
first exhibit, the second going to Mr. Grossart. Mr. Napier with fine 
plants had first for Adiantums, Mr. Grossart for six exotic species, and 
Mr. Patterson for three Gleichenias. Mr. Grossart had the best Dracaenas, 
tall, strong, well coloured plants, while the best Crotons were furnished 
by Mr. Brotherston, gardener to the Earl of Haddington, Tyninghame. 
Mr. Patterson had the finest Cape Heaths, not large, but healthy well- 
bloomed plants. Mr. J. Pearson, Beechwood Gardens, staged six fine 
specimens of Chrysanthemums for first prize, while of Fuchsias, Pelar¬ 
goniums, and Begonias there was a very satisfactory display. 
In the fruit section there were six exhibitors with twelve dishes of 
fruit, of whom Mr. McKinnon, Melville Castle Gardens, Lasswade, was 
successful in obtaining first place. Of Grapes there were magnificent 
Alicante and Gros Maroc, good Black Hamburgh, beautiful Golden 
Hamburgh, and fair Muscat of Alexandria. Peaches were good, Pit- 
maston Duchess Pears fine, the other dishes being Lord Strathmore 
Melons, Marseilles Fig, Pitmaston Orange Nectarine, Queen Apples, 
Jefferson Plum, and Moorpark Apricots. Mr. Mclndoe, Guisborough 
Hall Gardens, second with good Gros Maroc, Gros Colman, and Black 
Hamburgh Grapes, grand Pitmaston Duchess Pears, and very fine 
Exquisite Peaches. Mr. McKelvie, Broxmouth Park, Dunbar, third. 
For eight dishes of fruit Mr. Mclndoe was placed first, some of the 
Grapes being rather deficient, though the exquisite Peaches, Doyennd 
Boussoch Pears, and Washington Apples were fine; Mr. Murray, Culzean, 
Ayr, second with better-looking fruits, and Mr. Morrison, Archerfield, 
Drem, third. Mr. Fairgrieve, Dunkeld, had the best collection of hardy 
fruit, and Mr. Mclndoe the best collection of orchard house fruit. For 
six bunches of Grapes Mr. McKinnon was easily first with magnificent 
Alicante, Gros Maroc, Mrs. Pince, fine Black Hamburgh, and well- 
coloured Muscat of Alexandria ; Mr. Boyd, Callander House, Falkirk, 
second with all black Grapes, small in berry and of fine finish ; and 
Mr. Murray, Polmont, whose splendid Muscat of Alexandria and 
Alicante would, with some judges, have given him a higher place. Mr. 
Boyd had first prize for four bunches ; Mr. McHattie, Newbattle Abbey, 
the two best Muscat of Alexandria with splendidly coloured large 
clusters. Mr. Boyd had the two finest bunches of Black Hamburgh, 
splendidly finished ; Mr. Morrison had the best single cluster of Muscat 
of Alexandria; Mr. John Caldwell the best Alicante, a fine example; Mr. 
McKinnon the finest Gros Maroc; Mr. Murray grand Gros Colman ; 
and Mr. Caldwell a fine cluster of Duke of Buccleuch, the best white 
of any other sort not named in the schedule. Mr. McIntyre, The Glen, 
had the two best Pine Apples and a single Smooth Cayenne ; and Mr. 
Muir, Margam, the best Queen. Peaches were rather poor, Nectarines 
not large, and of Plums there was a fair display. Apples were very 
largely shown, Mr. Murray, Culzean, having the best collection of twelve 
sorts. Duchess of Oldenburgh, Stirling Castle, Irish Peach, Warner’s 
King, Keswick Codlin, Ecklinville Seedling, Alfriston, were among the 
best of the Apples shown in large quantities. The best Pears in single 
dishes were Souvenir du Congres, Doyenne Boussoch, Jargonelle, Marie 
Louise, Louise Bonne, and Beurrd d’Amanlis. The best six varieties of 
Pears were shown by Mr. Cairns, The Hirsel, Coldstream. 
Cut flowers were not very numerous ; Gladiolus were in fair numbers, 
but not of the highest quality, Roses from Mr. Parlane, Helensburgh, 
very good. Mr. Pearson showed fine examples of Dahlias. Mr. Rushton, 
Corstorphine, showed twelve magnificent bloom3 of Madame Desgranges 
and G. Wermig Chrysanthemums. 
The collections of vegetables were numerous, and the quality all 
