256 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
September 13,1894. 
varieties of extra fine quality. Mr. Hugh Miller, Auchinraith, Blantyre, 
who obtained second place, had also an exceedingly well arranged and 
effective table. Fruit formed an attractive exhibition, the prize stands 
of Grapes and Peaches being of specially fine quality. 
The collections of plants were of more than average merit. Messrs. 
J. & R. Thyne, Great Western Nurseries, showed in the large hall a 
choice variety of plants for table decoration. They have also on view 
a tastefully arranged bank of Liliums, Palms, and Ferns. Messrs. 
Smith & Simons, Kennishead Nurseries, were well represented by a 
choice collection of plants. Messrs. Austin & M'Aslan, Cathcart Nur¬ 
series, having a charming display on the platform of the hall. In the 
Octagon Hall, Mr. Campbell, Blantyre, showed a beautiful assortment of 
Carnations, Picotees, and Dahlias. In the Berkeley Hall Mr. John 
Forbes, Hawick, had on view a large and pleasing collection, including 
Hollyhock, Phloxes, Pentstemons, Carnations, and French Marigolds. 
Mr. M. Cuthberlson, Rothesay, showed a splendid group of herbaceous 
specimens. Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, exhibited the single Cactus, 
a new type of Dahlia which is certainly one of the distinctive features 
of the show so far as novelty is concerned. For this exhibit they were 
awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. James Smellie, Busby, showed a 
splendid collection of Pansies, Carnations, and Violas. Messrs. Cocker 
and Sons show, in addition to their prize Roses, a varied collection of 
herbaceous plants and Tea Roses. 
The excellent arrangements for the show were efficiently carried out 
by Mr. Charles Macdonald Williamson, Secretary and Treasurer, and 
his staff.—(“ North British Mail.”) 
WIRRAL AND BIRKENHEAD.— September 5th and 6th. 
The annual exhibition of the above Society was held in connection 
with the Wirral and Birkenhead Agricultural Society, which is famous 
throughout every part of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Wales, and possesses 
exhibitors from almost every part of the United Kingdom. There is no 
question about success being assured, for the show on Wednesday and 
Thursday last was visited by thousands of visitors. The horticultural 
exhibits, too, were of greater superiority than has ever been seen at any 
previous show, the two large tents being completely taken up with 
produce of the highest quality. Entries were more numerous, con¬ 
sequently the competition in many classes was very severe. 
For a group of five foliage and five flowering plants Mr. A. Brown, 
gardener to Geo. Webster, Esq., Overchurch Hill, Upton, was a good 
first, Mr. J. W. Tottey, gardener to Wm. Laird, Esq , Birkenhead, being 
second. There was only one exhibitor in the class for group arranged 
for effect, viz., Mr. J, Williams, gardener to C. J. Proctor, Esq., 
Noctorum, Birkenhead, but he succeeded in placing before the public a 
very pretty effect. Mr. Brown was an easy first with three stove or 
greenhouse plants in flower, having Statice profusa, Ixora Pilgrimi, and 
Vinca rosea, very choice. The same exhibitor took honours for three 
foliage plants, one stove plant in bloom, with a handsome Dipladenia 
amabilis; three Ferns, having Davallia Mooreana and Adiantum 
farleyense as his best; three tuberous Begonias, and three Zonal 
Pelargoniums; Mr. J. W. Tottey winning with one Palm, one foliage 
plant, three Coleus, one Fuchsia, and one Fern. In the class for three 
table plants in 7-inch pots the schedule was ignored by the judges, the 
prizes being awarded to plants in 5-inch pots. In fairness to other 
exhibitors it would be quite as well on another occasion if the judges 
would read their schedule carefully and keep to it, or the Committee 
really say what they mean. Mr. j. Bounds, gardener to A. L. Jones, 
Esq., Oaklands, Aigburth, won in this class. 
Cirt flowers made a most imposing display, more particularly the 
Dahlias, both double and Cactus varieties, being in a word magnificent. 
For twelve Cactus, not less than three varieties, Mr. A. .1. Stanley, 
gardener to J. R. Callender, Esq., Lunt House, Sefton, was first with 
superb examples of Black Prince (2), Baron Schroder, Countess of 
Pembroke, Countess of Gosford, Harry Freeman, Continental, Delicata, 
Kynerith, Robert Mayher, Mrs. H. Carter, and Duke of Clarence. For 
twelve distinct, other than Cactus, Mr. Henry Banks, Lathom, near 
Ormskirk, took the lead with blooms of fine form and colour, Mr. H. 
Holford, gardener to C. Maclver, Esq., Beechfield, Heswall, being an 
excellent second. The prizes for Asters went to Messrs. T. Woolrich, 
Wrexham, and F. Davies, gardener to J. H. Howell, Esq., Lynkhurst, Rock 
Ferry. Roses were well staged by Messrs. J. Saxon, gardener to C. G. 
Cowie, Esq., Oxton, and Wm. Lancelotte, Mollington. Messrs. A. 
Brown and R. Pinnington, gardener to Mrs. Banner, Blacklow House, 
Roby, showed greenhouse flowers in creditable form, and Messrs. Little- 
more and Moore, hardy flowers. Bouquets, sprays, and buttonholes 
were capital throughout, the winners being Messrs. S. Johnson, Oxton ; 
W. L. Mound, Seacombe ; and J. Moore, Oxton. 
In every class for fruit there was nothing staged but what was of the 
highest quality, large entries being the rule in every case. For a 
collection of six distinct kinds. Pines excluded, Mr. T. Ferguson, 
gardener to Mrs. Patterson, Kirklands, Rock Ferry, was placed first, his 
best being grand Black Hamburgh and finely finished Muscat Grapes, 
huge Princess of Wales Peaches, and a good dish of Figs. MrT J. 
McCreadie, gardener to J. W. Haigh, Esq., Ledsham, was second with a 
fine Melon and good Grapes, and Mr. R. Pinnington third. Mr. C. 
Worker, gardener to Mrs. Blomfield, Mollington Hall, Chester, was an 
excellent winner against twelve competitors for six dishes of hardy 
fruit. The Shrewsbury winner, Mr. R. Brownbill, won again with Black 
Hamburghs, being closely followed by Mr. J. Barker, gardener to 
J. W. Raynes, Esq., Rock Ferry. For two bunches black Grapes Mr. J. 
Barker was first with Madresfield Court, and Mr. R. Pinnington second 
with Alicante. Mr. Ewbank, gardener to Jos. Heap, Esq., Claughton, 
won with well finished Muscats, Mr. J. Bounds winning for any other 
white with Golden Queen. Peaches and Nectarines were very good, 
Messrs. Ferguson and Stephenson, gardeners to executors of R. F. Leyland, 
Woolton Hall, winning, Mr. R. Pinnington being second in each class. 
The prizes for Melons, Apricots, and Plums went to Messrs. Ferguson, 
Barker, F. Mousley, and S. Woolrich. Apples and Pears made a 
splendid display, the winners being Messrs. Jno. Wynne, J. Jackson 
(gardener to R. T. Richardson, Esq.), W. B. Burnham, J. Stephenson, 
and F. Mousley. 
Vegetables are always shown above the average in this show, and this 
year there was not a faulty exhibit throughout. The collections staged 
by Mr. Salisbury, gardener to W. Carson, Esq., and Mr. Lancelotte 
being capital. Tomatoes were fine, the winners being Messrs. Little- 
more and Moore and J. Stfphenson. Potatoes were clear and shapely, 
Messrs. Winkworth, G. H. Clarke, and Mrs. Cooke winning. Onions 
were equal to any Spanish varieties, with Leeks admirable, the winners 
being Messrs. McCreadie, Jno. Clarke, and J. Williams. Runner Beaus, 
Peas, Celery, Cucumbers, and Cauliflowers were all well represented, 
Messrs. McCreadie, G. H. Clarke, T. Winkworth, Jno. Davies, and 
T, Watkinson being among the successful competitors. 
Trade exhibitors were not so numerous. Messrs. Dicksons, Limited, 
Chester, had a fine collection of cut blooms of choice Dahlias and 
herbaceous flowers, also miscellaneous stove and greenhouse plants. Mr. 
H. Middlehurst, Manchester Street, Liverpool, gained the medal with an 
admirably furnished stand containing many choice collections, while 
Messrs. Dickson & Robineon, Manchester, were mainly conspicuous by a 
handsome collection of Potatoes.—R. P. R. 
NATIONAL DAHLIA SOCIETY.—CRYSTAL PALACE. 
September 7th and 8th. 
The annual exhibition of the National Dahlia Society was held at 
the Crystal Palace on the above dates, and so far as the quality of the 
blooms went must be deemed a success. Most of the classes, too, were 
fairly well filled, although some spare tabling was noticeable. Taken as 
a whole the Show and Fancy Dahlias were clean and of excellent form, 
faulty blooms being the exception rather than the rule. The Cactus 
aad decorative types, however, made the best display, a large number of 
these being arranged. It was also noticed that the single Dahlias were 
well represented, though not quite so extensively shown as we have seen 
them at this exhibition. The system of arranging the tables now gene¬ 
rally adopted at the Crystal Palace shows is to be commended, as it 
enhances the appearance of the exhibition considerably. It seems a 
pity, however, that a better method of naming the flowers cannot be 
brought into use, such for instance as used for Roses, and this is a 
matter that might advantageously be considered by the National Dahlia 
Society. We append the names of the prizewinners i.r the various 
classes. 
Nurserymen's Classes. 
The principal class in this division was for five dozen Show and 
Fancy Dahlias, in distinct varieties, five stands being staged. The 
quality of the flowers was very high, that of Mr. Chas. Turner, Royal 
Nurseries, Slough, which was accorded the premier prize, being a grand 
exhibit. The stand comprised Rebecca, Jas. Vaughan, Hy. Walton, 
Colonist, Alice Emily, Arthur Ocock, T. W. Girdlestone (self). Duchess 
of York, Diadem, T. W. Girdlestone, John Bennett, Wm. Keith, Clara, 
Wm. Rawlings, Mrs. C. Noyes, Geo. Rawlings, J. Hickling, Statesman, 
and two seedlings, back row; Maud Fellowes, George Gordon, Mr. Wm. 
Slack, Mrs. Langtry, Jas. Cocker, Plutarch, John Forbes, Prince 
Bismarck, Queen of the Belgians, Agnes, Jas. Vick, Willie Garrett, 
R. J. Rawlings, Burgundy, J. T. West, Wm. Powell, Miss Cannell, John 
Standisb, Mrs. Gladstone, and one seedling, middle row; Florence, 
Comedian, J. N. Keynes, Hugh Austin, Mrs. Hodson, Octavia, Hugh 
Hodson (self), Herbert Turner, M. Campbell, Shirley Hibberd, 
J. Wyatt, Hope, Imperial, Flag of Truce, Glow-worm, Ethel Britton, 
Arthur Rawlings, Mrs. S. Hibberd, and Warrior, front row. Messrs. 
Keynes, Williams & Co. were accorded the second position with a 
highly creditable exhibit, Mr. J. Walker, Thame, being placed third, 
and Mr. Mortimer, Farnham, fourth. 
In the class for forty-eight Show and Fancy varieties, distinct, there 
were five exhibitors, Mr. Chas. Turner being again placed first with 
stand of even, fresh, and well coloured examples of Clara, Wm. Powell,. 
Jas. Cocker, Duchess of York, Prince Bismarck, Miss Cannell, Arthur 
Ocock, J. T. West. Willie Keith, Colonist, G. Rawlinss, Mrs, Wm. 
Slack, Eldorado, John Bennett, Wm. Rawlings, and Maud Fellowes, 
back row; Willie Garrett, M'S. Langtry, Fred. Smith, Burgundy, 
Constancy, Glow-worm, Queen of the Belgians, Statesman, J. Hickling, 
T. W. Girdlestone, M. Campbell, Rebecca, Hy. Walton, J. Stacdish, R. T. 
Rawlings, and J. Vick, middle row ; Alice Emily, E. Britton, Purple 
Prince, Mrs. S. Hibberd, Hope, Flag of Truce, Florence, Comedian, 
J. Walker, A. Rawlings, J. N. Keynes, Shirley Hibberd, Mrs, Gladstone, 
Diadem, Octavia, and a seedling, front row. Mr. J, Walker was second 
with a charming stand of blooms, Mrs. Mortimer being third, and 
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co. fourth. 
For thirty-six Show and Fancy varieties there were three entries 
only, Mr. G. Humphries, Kington Langley, Chippenham, being first 
with Thos. Hobbs, Dorothy, H. Keith, H. Walton, Duke of Fife, J. T. 
West, Mrs. D. Saunders, J. Walker, A. Rawlings, R. T. Rawlings; 
A. Ocock, and T. W. Girdlestone, back row ; Mrs. Langtry, H. Bond, 
Mrs. Saunders, Rebecca (self), Wm. Pow'ell, Wm. Rawlings, Mrs. J. 
