July 19, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
55 
be allayed. It is the question of any one member having the power, by 
his superior climatic position and facilities of growth, and thereby of 
exhibiting power, of sweeping the board of the majority of our Society’s 
prizes. Anyone who knows me intimately will acquit me of any 
mercenary personal motive in what I say ; but it must be seen that if 
a few members of the Society are going to monopolise the bulk of the 
prizes the Society offers, then all zest or excitement even in gaining 
honour, which is all I seek or care for in the contests, is over. 
For three years I have noticed the loophole which has existed in our ar¬ 
rangements, but I have refrained from comment because I hoped that there 
would be some remedy found without a restrictive policy being requisite ; 
but I see that nothing but restriction can prove efficacious, and I there¬ 
fore—possibly rashly, certainly boldly—suggest that there must be some 
restriction placed on the number of prizes any member can take or 
compete for at one meeting. I have no intention of entering into 
minute dissection of my meaning; but “ he that runs may read,” and 
it is a matter of notoriety that the bulk of the prizes, not only propor¬ 
tionately but actually, in 1893 and 1894 were taken by very few members 
of the Society. I do not say I blame anyone for taking advantage of 
what is open to him, but I do say most unhesitatingly that it is very 
bad for the Society that matters are so arranged, and also that it causes 
much discontent. 
No doubt, the question at once arises, What do you propose as a 
remedy 1 The rule exists in many Kose and horticultural societies 
that only three prizes can be gained on any one occasion by a 
member. Those who belong to the societies I refer to do not dream of 
questioning the propriety of the rule, which is, in fact, a most whole¬ 
some one, as it primarily prevents greed, a sin that grows on anyone of us 
who gives in to it. I, therefore, intend to propose at the annual meeting 
of our Society next December that at future Rose meetings no amateurs 
shall be allowed to exhibit for more than the trophy classes and four 
other classes in whichever division they may elect to exhibit, and if the 
gentlemen who are trade growers agree with me in this matter (and I 
appeal to them and amateurs to give their candid opinions openly, and 
under their proper signatures, as I detest anonymous letters, feeling that 
if a man has any backbone he should stand up and fight under his 
name, and not shirk responsibility by initials, pseudonyms, or 
anonymity), I suggest that they shall also come to some similar 
decision as to their exhibits. We want our Society to be anything but a 
monopoly for a few, and it strikes me forcibly that unless some 
change be made there is a tendency to drift into that most undesirable 
and evil position. 
Roses at Hitchin. 
The meeting of the Hitchin Horticultural Society took place on 
Wednesday, the 11th inst,, in a pretty field close to the town. Hitchin 
in a rosarian’s mind is associated with the name of Mr. Lindsell, who 
lives nigh thereto and acts as Honorary Secretary of the local Society. 
The show was a success, as although the entries seemed hardly so 
numerous as last year, the quality of the flowers was good. The profes¬ 
sional growers supported the meeting well, Messrs. . Benjamin Cant, 
George Paul, Harkness, Burrell, and Burch sending flowers. In the 
class for forty-eight distinct varieties Mr. Benjamin Cant staged a very 
fine exhibit, one that was quite up to even this great rosarian’s high 
standard. The second box, staged by Mr. George Paul, jun. (Paul and 
Son), was beautifully fresh, and the arrangement of colouring decidedly 
meritorious and in good taste. It is very pleasing to see Mr. Paul’s 
flowers this year showing promise of even greater results in the future 
than he has hitherto obtained in a long series of successes in the past. 
The third place was gained by Messrs. Harkness, who have not reached 
their highest form; but, as usual, the Roses in their boxes were 
exhibited with the perfect finish for which this firm is renowned. Mr. 
Burrell was a very close fourth; his box of flowers, although possibly a 
shade smaller in size than the other exhibits, would certainly have 
gained the first prize for arrangement, the variation of light and dark 
flowers being managed with great skill and taste. Messrs. Burch were 
fifth with good but small flowers. Not one of the exhibits could have 
been called inferior, and, in fact, they were one and all most creditable 
to the exhibitors. The other exhibits of the professional growers were 
for twelve flowers of one variety, the prizes for dark Roses being gained 
by Mr. B. R. Cant, who showed two good boxes of Ulrich Brunner and 
Marie Baumann ; the other exhibitors being Mr. George Paul, who 
showed a very taking box of Victor Hugo, which has not been a satis¬ 
factory Rose this year, and Messrs. Harkness, who staged Alfred Colomb. 
For light Roses Mr. Benjamin Cant was again first, showing a fine 
twelve of Mrs. John Laing, which is the light Rose par excellence 
of 1894. 
In the amateur classes there were many exhibitors. It being generally 
known that Mr. Lindsell had suffered severely from the frosts of May 
probably induced a stronger competition than last year. Notwithstand¬ 
ing that his plants are only recovering from their semi-annihilation Mr. 
Lindsell showed good flowers, but Mr. Edward Mawley of Berk- 
hampstead, in this class, caused the surprise of the meeting by taking 
the first place, winning in a close contest with a very pretty and good 
box of Roses, well staged. In his exhibit amongst other high class 
Roses was a very fine Mrs. John Laing. Mr. Lindsell was second, his 
most remarkable flowers being an excellent Mrs. John Laing and a 
Mrs. Sharman Crawford, the latter a really good specimen of Messrs. 
Dickson’s beautiful new pink flower—one of the gold medallists of last 
year. Mr. Lindsell also had Messrs. Dickson’s gold medal Rose, Marchio¬ 
ness of Londonderry in his box. Mr. Parker of Hitchin was third, his 
Roses being good, he obtained the N.R.S. medal in this box for a good 
Horace Vernet. These unplaced were Mr. Gurney Fowler, Mr. Jackson 
of Bedford, and Mr. R. E. West of Reigate. For Teas Mr. Parker of 
Hitchin worthily obtained first place, his box of twelve being one 
of the very best I have seen this season, fully seven of the flowers being 
of unusual merit in a bad season for Tea Roses ; he was, however, sur¬ 
passed in respect to the best Tea (and best flower in all the show) by 
Mr. Jackson of Stagsden Vicarage, Bedford, who won with a Catherine 
Mermet, which at any show I have seen this year would have taken the 
medal, it being, I think, even a shade better than Mr. Burnside’s 
Cleopatra at Windsor. Mr. Lindsell was placed first for Roses of one 
variety, showing a very beautiful box of Mrs. John Laing, of which 
Rose 1 think there were several other boxes staged. 
There was nothing otherwise remarkable in the Rose contests, but 
the gem of the whole show at Hitchin was an exhibit of herbaceous 
flowers sent by Mr. Burrell of Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge, which 
for finish and perfection of every variety of flower staged was simply 
superb. It was the admiration of all beholders, and quite eclipsed those 
of Messrs. Paul & Son and Messrs. Harkness, both celebrated growers of 
perennial flowers. The hospitality of the Hitchin Society was extended 
to a large number of exhibitors and to the judges. A similar courtesy 
was shown at Bearton by Mr. and Mrs. Lindsell. All rosarians hope 
that in another year the Bearton Roses may again be seen in their 
hitherto invincible form. 
WOODBRIDGE SHOW. < 
From Hitchin I travelled to Woodbridge, passing the great Colchester 
home of Roses on my way thereto. The show at Woodbridge was held 
in the beautiful Abbey grounds. This meeting is looked on with great 
pride by the local inhabitants, and on our arrival we saw bunting 
flying from many windows, and the parish church bells welcomed us 
with a joyful peal. No more picturesque place for a show could 
possibly be conceived, Mr. Carthew’s pleasure grounds being on a 
beautiful slope, and the trees numerous and varied. The great Essex 
and Suffolk amateurs and professionals always exhibit well at Wood- 
bridge, and the competitors put forth their greatest strength, as they 
like to show well before the county folk who throng to this meeting in 
great numbers. 
The competition in the professional classes was on this occasion 
confined to Mr. Benjamin Cant, Mr. Frank Cant, and Messrs. Prior and 
Son of Colchester. To the surprise but, nevertheless, the delight of 
those who like to see a good firm steadily advancing in merit and 
position, Messrs. Prior were placed first for the Woodbridge 25-guinea 
cup ; their box was a most beautiful one, and would have done credit 
iu any year to the most famous of our professionals. The following 
varieties were admirably represented—Back row : Her Majesty, Ulrich 
Brunner, The Bride, Xavier Olibo, Madame Eugene Verdier, Grand 
Mogul, Mrs. J. Laing, Marie Baumann. Middle row : A. K. Williams, 
Niphetos, G. Piganeau, Caroline Kuster, Duchess of Bedford, Mar^chal 
Niel, Victor Hugo, Baroness Rothschild. Front row : Ernest Metz, 
Prince Arthur, Madame de Watteville, Horace Vernet, Marie Verdier, 
Reynolds Hole, Duchesse de Morny, Alfred Colomb. Mr. Benjamin Cant 
was second with a splendid exhibit, and Mr. Frank Cant third, his 
flowers were a shade off their best. I was glad to see both these gentle¬ 
men warmly congratulating their victorious Colchester opponent, who 
certainly deserved his success ; it is the true spirit of rivalry I For 
forty-eight varieties Mr. Benjamin Cant was first and Mr. Frank Cant 
second, and in the trebles Mr. Benjamin Cant, Messrs. Prior & Son, and 
Mr. Frank Cant were placed. For Teas Messrs. Prior took first place, 
and Mr. Frank Cant second. 
The amateurs’ exhibits are usually looked forward to with interest at 
Woodbridge, but on this occasion the weather and other causes prevented 
as good a competition as usual. Mr. Foster-Melliar obtained the prize 
for twenty-four varieties, showing a good box with large even flowers. 
For twelve Teas Mr. 0. G. Orpen, who won firsts nearly all along the 
whole line of the show, was first, Mr. Berners second, and Mr. Foster- 
Melliar third. There were several excellent Roses in all these three 
boxes of Teas, Mr. Orpen having good specimens of Madame Cusin very 
fresh and highly coloured, Mar4chal Niel and The Bride. Mr. Foster- 
Melliar had very fine flowers of Souvenir d’Elise and Comtesse de 
Nadaillac. Mr. Berners had an even and good box, but with no 
exceptionally large flowers. In the contests for six of one variety 
Mr. Berners was first for fresh flowers of Merveille de Lyon, and 
Mr. Foster-Melliar second with large Ulrich Brunner which at 
ten o’clock would probably have been an easy first. In the class for 
six Teas Mr. Foster-Melliar was first with large and good flowers of 
Souvenir d’Elise ; Mr. Orpen second with rather rough specimens of 
Souvenir d’un Ami. The local classes were not well filled, but there 
were some good boxes staged. 
The competition in the classes for table decoration, bouquets, baskets, 
and buttonholes was very large, and the exhibits were much above the 
average in quality. The first prize for a centre table arrangement of 
fruit and flowers was gained by Lord Rendlesham for a beautiful stand 
of Orchids with Maidenhair and Asparagus Fern, and nine or ten varieties 
of fruit. There were six competitors in the class for centre table deco¬ 
ration of wild flowers and Grasses, and the winning stand of Miss 
Kemp of Woodbridge was a most tasteful arrangement of Poppies. 
Forget-me-nots, and Water Lilies, with Grasses and fine Rushes. A still 
larger number of ladies competed for the prizes in the class for centre 
table decoration of cut flowers (not greenhouse), and the first prize was 
gained by Mrs. Orpen for a very light and tasteful stand of pale pink 
Sweet Pea with Gypsophila and Maidenhair Fern. The first prize in 
the class for dinner-table decoration with stove or greenhouse flowers 
