April 18, 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
323 
filled, especially Hyacinths, the first prize for eighteen, twelve, and six 
Hyacinths respectively being won by Mr. Dyer with a very fine but 
rather uneven group, C. Showell, Esq. (F. Cooper, gardener) and N. 
Thwaite, Esq. (Mr. Beasley, gardener). If we are not mistaken this last 
young exhibitor will be heard from again. Tulips, six pots of single 
varieties, were well contested, the prize falling to Mr. Milward, and 
in the class for three to Mr. Showell, while the prize for Polyanthus 
Narcissi went to Highbury. Special prizes offered by Messrs. Thomson, 
nurserymen, Birmingham, for eighteen Hyacinths were keenly con¬ 
tested, Mr. Chamberlain proving victorious, while a similar prize offered 
by the same firm for twelve pots of Tulips (six single and six double) 
was well won by Mr. W. Mathews. A beautiful group. 
Passing to the non-competitive exhibits, Messrs. Thomson staged 
one of the most attractive features of the Show. These gentlemen have 
obtained a form of Primula obconica which in size of pip and freedom of 
blooming must be declared an acquisition. Various floral decorations 
were displayed by Messrs. Pope & Son, Vertegans, Hewitt, and others. 
The few alpine and herbaceous plants exhibited were calculated to 
impress the spectator with the opinion that the cultivation of this large 
and lovely class of plants was in its earliest infancy around Birmingham. 
A prominent feature of the Show amongst non-competing exhibits was 
the collection of Hyacinths, Tulips, &c., exhibited by Mr. R. Sydenham. 
Taken all round they were of a very high standard of excellence ; a few 
varieties, however, call for special remark. Hyacinths Duchess of 
Edinburgh, pale red, tinged pink; pink Charles Dickens, King of 
Blacks, King of Yellows, light yellow with a grand spike ; Koh-i-noor, 
the finest semi-double, rosy red ; La Grandesse, a splendid white ; 
Marchioness of Lome, pale bufi ; Roi des Beiges, dark red, and Romeo, 
crimson.' Amongst the Tulips, Dussart, a dark crimson in the way of 
Proserpine ; Ophird’Or, a splendid yellow, both as far as tint of colour 
and form are concerned ; Van Bergen, deep scarlet; and White Joost 
Van Vondel were especially admired, while in Narcissi Horsefieldi, Sir 
Watkin, and princeps showed how easily they can maintain the position 
which the popular voice has awarded to them. Hyacinths grown in pans 
of cocoa-nut fibre and shell shingle were also interesting as showing how 
well they thrive under this mode of treatment. 
Messrs. Cutbush, Highgate, staged a fine collection of Cyclamens, 
and a new compact form of Mignonette ; while from Messrs. R. Smith 
and Co., Worcester, came a small but lovely group of forms of Azalea 
mollis and Clematis, together with a few plants of Indian Azalea 
Madame Jean Nuytens Verschaffelt, ivory white, a variety which will 
be found finely adapted for exhibition purposes. 
The Committee set an example of liberality to others by allowing 
1500 scholars of the day schools to visit the Show free of charge on the 
second day. 
TORQUAY. 
The spring Show of the Torquay Horticultural Society was held in 
the Bath Saloons, Torquay, on the 11th inst., and judging from the 
attendance of visitors it must have been a success. The Show was a 
very good one. Messrs. Lucombe, Pince & Co., and Messrs. Veitch and 
Son of Exeter contributed largely, the former having a tastefully 
arranged group of Palms, Rhododendrons, Eucharis, Orchids, Dracaenas 
and other plants; they also exhibited a good box of their Wonder of the 
West Cineraria. • The latter firm had a good collection of spring flower¬ 
ing plants, conspicuous amongst them being a very good strain of 
Cyclamen ; they also had a good collection of nearly fifty varieties of 
Daffodils, which were much admired. Local nurserymen also made a 
good display. Messrs. Curtis, Sanford & Co. of the Torquay Rosery 
showing a mixed collection of spring flowering plants, and some very 
good boxes of cut Roses ; amongst others was a very fine stand of 
Mardchal Niel. Mr. W. B. Smale of the Torre Park and Barton 
Nurseries, showed a good strain of Calceolarias, with Azaleas, Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, and a number of other spring flowering plants. 
The Society this year offered prizes for groups of Orchids to be 
arranged with Fern and foliage plants, which brought out three com¬ 
petitors, all of whom arranged very creditable groups. The first prize 
was awarded to Mr. G. Medland, gardener to Morton Sparkes, Esq., 
Rowlands, Torquay, the centre plant of Vanda suavis with Dendro- 
bium Devonianum, D. Dalhouseanum, D. Jamesianum, a good plant ; 
Odontoglossum Alexandra, Lycaste Skinneri, and others tastefully 
arranged had a very pleasing effect. Mr. G. Lee, gardener to W. Lavers, 
Esq., Torquay, was adjudged the second prize for an excellent group, 
containing amongst other good plants Cattleya citrina, C. Trianse, 
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, D. nobile, a fine dark variety ; Odontoglossum 
Harryanum, and 0. crispum. Mr. J. Sloman, gardener to Capt. F. 
Tucker, was the remaining prizewinner. Mr. G. Medland was also first 
for three Orchids, showing good plants of Coelogyne Massangeana, Cym- 
bidium eburneum and Odontoglossum Halli. Mr. G. Lee second with 
Dendrobium nobile, Coelogyne cristata, and a Phaius. 
Special prizes were offered for Hyacinths by Messrs. Veitch & Son, 
also by Messrs. Lucombe, Pince & Co., and considering the lateness of 
the season the display was very good. Mr. F. Ferris, gardener to J. W. 
Kimber, Esq., secured the first in each class with very good spikes of 
King of Blues, Lord Macaulay, Feruck Khan, Solfaterre, Fabiola, Duke 
of Connaught, and other favourite varieties ; Mr. J. Sloman was second. 
For twelve Hyacinths, prizes offered by the Society, the order was re¬ 
versed, Mr. Sloman being first and Mr. Ferris second. Mr. H. Yelland, 
gardener to Miss Lock, was a successful exhibitor of stove and green¬ 
house plants, taking first for six and first for three plants ; also for 
six exotic Ferns, six Azaleas, two specimen Azalea, and two Deutzias. 
Mr. Sloman and Mr. H. Dammeral were also successful in these classes. 
Messrs. Curtis, Sanford & Co., offered special prizes for twelve cut 
Roses. Mr. W. Satterly, gardener to A. Matthews, Esq., took the first 
with a good box of blooms, including Paul Neyron, The Bride, Madame 
Victor Verdier, Elie Morel, Eugene Appert, Scinateur Vaisse, Duchesse 
de Vallombrosa, Emperor Alexander, and others ; and Mr. H. Dammeral, 
gardener to Lady Macgregor, had the second prize. Mr. Sloman was a 
successful exhibitor of Narcissus, Spiraeas, Cinerarias, and table plants ; 
and Mr. Ferris of Lily of the Valley and Polyanthuses. 
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. 
The above Show was held on the 10th and 11th inst. in the Corn 
Exchange and Town Hall. Though the weather was bitterly cold, we- 
do not remember to have seen the Town Hall fuller of people anxious- 
to get a glimpse at the beautiful display. There was some falling off in 
the numbers, more especially amongst Hyacinths; but compensation 
was afforded in the extra quality of the exhibits. Mr. Methven ex¬ 
hibited his new Dendrobium nobile Heathfisldianum,which caused quite 
a furore amongst orchidists, and we are informed the plant was sold for 
100 guineas. 
For four plants in bloom Mr. F. C. Ford was deservedly first with a 
splendid Erica Queen Victoria, 5 feet through, full of bloom ; Rhododen¬ 
dron Veitchianum, .Imantophyllum superbum, ten spikes, and the charm¬ 
ing Ccelogyne cristata, 5 feet through, covered with flowers. Mr. A. 
Methven, gardener to S. Lange, Esq., Heathfield House, Gateshead, was 
second with Imantophyllum superbum, Rhynchospermum jasminoides. 
Azalea Due de Nassau, and EricaHartnelliana. Mr. Ed. Adams, Swalwell, 
was third. For four Azaleas indica, Mr. John McIntyre, Darlington, was- 
first with finely trained symmetrical plants and well-bloomed varieties- 
of Comtesse de Flandre, Souvenir de Madame Rudolph Abel, and Madame 
M. Lefebvre. Mr. F. C. Ford was second, also with good plants. Orchids 
were only shown by Mr. Methven, who staged the lovely Dendrobium 
nobile Heathfieldianum, D. Wardianum, and Cattleya Mossiae, and the 
Society would perhaps do well to offer better prizes for this class. For 
one Palm Mr. Methven was first with Kentia Forsteriana. For Deutzias., 
Spiraeas, and Genistas Messrs. John McIntyre, W. R. Armstrong and John 
Punton had the chief prizes. Mr. F. C. Ford was first for Cinerarias and 
Primulas, both of which were very good ; and Mr. J. McIntyre for six 
table plants, including Aralias Veitchi and elegantissima, Pandanus 
Veitchi, Cocos Weddelliana, Croton aigburthiensis, and Dracaena 
Goldieana. Mr. G. Watson, nurseryman, Fenham, was the most suc¬ 
cessful exhibitor of Lily of the Valley. The above refers to the open, 
classes. In those including nurserymen Mr. Methven had the chief 
prizes for Azaleas and Acacias, Mr. F. C. Ford for Primulas and 
Deutzias, and Mr. W. L. Thompson for Cinerarias. 
Auriculas, Polyanthuses, and hardy Primroses always form a striking 
feature in the Spring Show. For twelve Auriculas, Alpines excluded, 
Mr. Robert Paterson, Sunderland, was first. For six varieties Mr, 
J. Garrett, Stocksfield, was first, Mr. W. S. Thompson second, and the 
latter was also first with four plants. Mr. E. Adams won the first prize 
for twelve Alpines in nine varieties, and Mr. Michael Stobb that for 
six gold-laced Polyanthus. 
Hyacinths were not so numerous as on former occasions. Mr. W. J. 
Watson’s twenty-four plants were very much admired, and well deserved 
the premier award. They included fine spikes of La Grandesse, 
Grandeur 4 Merveille, King of the Blues, Von Schiller, Koh-i- 
noor, L’Or d’Australie, Marie, and Blondin. Mr. Edward Laidlow, 
Roker, was second, and Messrs. Henry Dewar & Co., Newcastle, third. 
For twelve Hyacinths the same exhibitors were placed in the same 
relative positions. Mr. W. G. Watson was first with nine pots of single 
Tulips and six pots of Polyanthus Narcissus, Mr. Wood having the chief 
prize for six pots of double Tulips and Hyacinths. 
Hand bouquets, epergnes, and cut flowers formed a splendid display, 
Mr. F. Edmondson was first for a drawing room epergne with a beautiful 
and chaste arrangement of Orchids and other choice flowers. For bridal 
bouquet Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, were first, Mr. Chard, London, 
second, and Mr. W. R. Armstrong, Newcastle, third. Messrs. Perkins had 
the best hand bouquet and lady’s sprays, and Mr. R. Chard the best 
buttonhole flowers. For twelve bunches of Azaleas Mr. W. R. Arm¬ 
strong was first, and for Fancy and Show Pansies Mr. Thomas Battenbsy, 
Blaydon, had it all his own way. An excellent displav of plants by 
Messrs. Wm. Fell, Hexham, W. R. Armstrong, F. Edmondson, and 
others added considerably to the attractiveness. The Committee deserve 
all the success that good organisation, business tact, and judgment can- 
command. The late Treasurer, Alderman Thos. Gray, was greatly missed j 
he was a true gardener’s friend, had a kindly word for everyone, was 
a devoted patron of flowers, and seemed quite at home when amongst 
them. 
W0KK forthe WEEK.. O 
AS 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Figs .—Fruit Ripening .—To obtain well ripened fruit it is necessary 
to ventilate very freely whenever the weather is favourable, admitting 
air constantly day and night, lessening the supply of water and at mo- 
