September 20, 1804. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
281 
which stand many more giant standard and pyramidal Bay trees, pro¬ 
bably the finest of their kind in the kingdom. Most of these are in 
huge boxes that are chiefly constructed of iron and oak, and weigh each 
half a ton, whilst the entire body of tub, trees, and soil reaches nearly 
2 tons. These have to house them a very large building close by, and 
they have to be shifted with the aid of a powerful machine constructed 
specially for the purpose. Mr. Currie always has a very strong 
penchant for these noble pyramidal shrubs, and also for everything that 
has pyramidal growth, especially Conifers. Running away north from 
the entrance court is a noble avenue of Wellingtonias, alternated with 
Lime trees—a very pleasing combination. This is broad, and some 
quarter of a mile in length. 
The kitchen gardens are close by and very perfectly fitted. The 
whole of the garden department is ably presided over by Mr. Tubb, who 
has been in charge for many years. A fine feature of the kitchen 
■gardens is seen on entering, for a broad walk runs right to the far side, 
having a broad margin of turf on each hand, and on this is a fine row 
of pyramidal Pears, most of which are fruiting well, and are in splendid 
condition. Soon, however, this walk is intersected by a similar one 
running right and left, and still farther at each side of the garden, 
parallel with the centre walk, and this one is on both sides planted with 
Apples and Plums alternately. There are good crops on most of these 
also. Vegetables generally in the quarters and outside the inner walks 
are good. On the walls are Peaches and Nectarines, doing well and 
cropping heavily. Morello Cherries covering the whole of a north wall 
give a truly wonderful crop. Probably there is half a ton of superb 
fruit, of course all netted up. Plums on east wall do not do so well, 
but Apricots at the back have done very well indeed. 
There is a good range of fruit houses, Grapes, Peaches, and Figs, all 
good. Melons, Tomatoes, and Cucumbers come in yet another range of 
span houses, some of which are devoted to plants of all descriptions, 
including Dandrobiums, Celosias, Ivy-leaf Pelargoniums, and stove 
plants, and there is outside a promising collection of Chrysanthemums 
in pots. The garden hands are admirably housed, as also are the chiefs. 
Everything is first rate, but to pen a description of this noble place 
commensurate with its deserts is indeed difficult, I therefore must leave 
those who wish to know more to visit Minley Manor at their con¬ 
venience.—A. D. 
EOYAL CALEDONIAN SHOW, EDINBURGH. 
September 12th and 13th. 
The vast floor space of the Waverley Market was taxed to its full 
extent to comfortably include the garden produce of all sorts brought 
together on the occasion of the autumn exhibition of the above Society 
on the 12th and 13th insts. The quality of the show was, moreover, 
equal to its extent. Fruit was indeed somewhat deficient, but quite as 
good as anybody expected, while ample compensation was to be found 
in other sections, cut flowers of themselves being wonderfully fine and 
interesting. Trade exhibits were also more numerous than usual, and 
many of them most attractive, and from an educational point of view 
valuable. 
Fruit. 
Five staged in the class for a collection of twelve varieties of fruit 
(to include three varieties Grapes, two dishes Peaches, and one dish each 
of any other kind of fruit), Mr. Hunter, gardener to Lord Durham, 
Lambton Castle, securing the first prize with an excellent exhibit. The 
Grapes were large clusters, and comprised extra fine Alicante and Gros 
Maroc, and Raisin de Calabre, somewhat unripe. The Peaches were 
splendid Noblesse and Sea Eagle, extra fine Bon Chretien Pears, Blruge 
Nectarines, Brown Turkey Figs, Magnum Bonum Plums, Golden Winter 
Pearmain Apple, and a large Melon. Mr. A. Kirk, Norwood, Alloa, was 
second with notable bunches of Gros Maroc, fine Muscat of Alexandria 
and Black Hamburgh Grapes, fine Barrington and Sea Eagle Peaches, 
Pineapple Nectarine, and others. Mr. Smith, gardener to Lord Stair, 
Oxenford Castle, being placed third with Alicante, Black Hamburgh, 
and Mrs. Pince Grapes, good Peaches, and Plums. Collections of 
twelve dishes of hardy fruit were numerous, the best fruits being 
Peaches, Plums, and Apricots. Mr. G. Goodfellow, Kinfauns Castle, 
Perth, secured the first prize, followed closely by Mr. Dow, gardener to 
Sir David Baird, Newbyth, Prestonkirk, second, and Mr. Day, Galloway 
House, third. For twelve dishes of orchard house fruit only two 
exhibitors staged, Mr. Hunter being again first, and staging splendid 
examples of Pitmaston Duchess and Doyenn6 Boussoch Pears; Negro 
Largo and Brown Turkey Figs, Nectarines, Apples, Plums, Apricots, and 
Passiflora edulis comprising the remaining dishes. Mr. Williamson, 
Tarvit, was second. 
Grapes in the several classes formed an important feature, and were 
remarkable for the generally fine finish of Black Hamburgh. For six 
bunches in at least three varieties eight competed, the first prize being 
secured by Mr. McKelvie, gardener to the Duchess of Roxburgh, Dunbar, 
with good clusters of Black Alicante, Muscat of Alexandria and Madres- 
field Court. Mr. Murray, Park Hall, was second with Black Alicante, 
Muscat of Alexandria, Black Hamburgh, Cooper’s Black and Duke of 
Duke of Buccleuch ; and Mr. Leslie, Pitcullen, Fife, third. In the class 
for four bunches Mr. Day was first with extra good Madresfield Court, 
fine Muscat of Alexandria, small berried Black Hamburgh and good 
Mrs. Pince, Mr. Buchanan, Kippen, was second with medium-sized 
bunches, and Mr. McKelvie third. For two bunches Muscat of 
Alexandria Mr. McDonald, gardener to Marquis of Lothian, New- 
battle Abbey, was first with fine, well ripened examples ; Mr. Lamont, 
gardener to Lord Balfour, Kennet House, second, and Mr. Cook, Gosford, 
third. For two bunches of Black Hamburghs Mr. Menzies was first with 
small but beautifully finished examples ; Mr. Shillington, gardener to 
E. C. Cowan, Esq., Valley Field, Penicuik, being second. 
Peaches were extra fine, Mr. Buchanan, Kippen, securing first, and Mr, 
Lunt, Keir House, second. Mr. Lunt, with fine Blruge, first for Nectarines 
and Mr. Goodfellow second, Mr. McKelvie had the best Brown Turkey 
Figs. Melons were numerous, Mr. Harper, Tulliallen, being first in the 
scarlet-fleshed section, and Mr. Chalmers, Dumfries, in the green-fleshed. 
Plums were very fine, Mr. Williamson, Tarvit, was first for six culinary 
sorts and Mr. Day in the corresponding class for dessert. There was also a 
large display of Apples, which, however, were generally late and green. 
Pears were numerous and good, and other kinds of outdoor fruits were 
well represented. 
Plants. 
These were much better than are usually seen at Edinburgh, new 
exhibitors helping considerably towards this result. The chief item in 
the schedule was for a group of plants 300 square feet, arranged for 
effect on the floor of the building. Mr. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. 
Pease, Darlington, was easily first with a most artistic arrangement. 
The space to be covered was an oblong 20 feet by 15 feet. The four 
corners were composed each of a bold group of Palms and other foliage 
and flowering plants. Midway between the corner groups was a smaller 
central one, but connected with it by means of an irregular line of 
plants a massive group, surmounted by a tall Palm, and composed of 
Crotons, Palms, Bambusa gracilis, and Lilies, formed an imposing centre, 
which was flanked on each of the longer sides by another small group 
having each a handsome Cocos flexuosum as the chief ornament. Pools 
of water, with a few plants dotted here and there among the green 
moss which formed the groundwork, completed this charming arrange¬ 
ment. Mr. Stewart, gardener to Sir W. Lawson, Brayton, Carlisle, was 
the only other exhibitor, and to him the second prize was awarded. 
For a table of plants 20 feet by 5 feet, Mr. Wood, gardener to 
,T. Buchanan, Esq., Edinburgh, was first with a fairly effective arrange¬ 
ment, which was somewhat too closely packed. Mr. Stewart, who again 
secured second prize, had a much lighter group, Mr. McIntyre being 
third. The last named was first for six stove or greenhouse plants in 
flower. The most notable among the other plant classes were the foliage 
plants, Mr. Lunt, Keir House, Stirling, securing first prize for six plants 
with clean handsome plants of Croton Chelsoni, DieffenbachiaBausei, and 
the old Alocasia metallica. Mr. Crichton, Liberton, was a good second. 
Ferns were staged in good numbers, and were generally of superior 
quality. The best six exotic Ferns were staged by Mr. Napier, gardener 
to P. Neill Fraser, Esq., Murrayfield, who had large specimens. Mr. 
G. Wood was second, and Mr. Crichton third, Mr. Napier was the only 
exhibitor of six dwarf exotics, and gained the first prize. The same 
exhibitor was also successful in securing first honours for six British 
Ferns with notable examples, also for three Filmy kinds. 
Cut Flowers. 
This section was well filled and extremely good. For twelve 
Gladiolus Mr. Whitelaw, Brechin, was first with good spites, Mr, Smith, 
Prestwick, being second. The best six Gladiolus were staged by Mr. 
Bennet, Tweedmouth. Hollyhocks were numerous, but scarcely so 
good as usual. Dahlias were fine, Messrs. Veitch, Wilson, and Graham, 
all from Carlisle, securing the chief prizes. Roses were particularly 
good. Here Mr, Parlane, Roselea, was first respectively for ewenty-four 
Hybrid Perpetuals and for twelve Teas. The Rev. Mr. Thomson and 
Mr. Black, Kinglassie, and Mr. Harper also showed well. Annuals in 
bunches were pretty, though somewhat too formally arranged. 
In the nurserymen’s section Roses were the great feature, and seldom 
if ever have such beautiful examples been seen in Edinburgh. For 
thirty-six blooms Messrs. D. & W. Croll, Dundee, were first, and 
Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, second, both firms showing magnifi¬ 
cent blooms. For eighteen blooms Mr. H. Dickson, Belfast, was first 
and Messrs, Cocker & Sons second ; and for twelve Roses Messrs. Croll 
first and Messrs. T. Smith & Sons second. The best blooms were 
Madame J. Bonnaire, Her Majesty, Captain Hayward, Margaret Dick¬ 
son, Mrs. J. Laing, Heinrich Schulteis, Captain Christy, Edith Gifford, 
Madame Lambard, R. Testout and White Lady. Gladiolus were also 
well shown ; for thirty spikes Mr. Mair, Prestwick, was first with grand 
flowers. Pollux. Bicolore Formosa, Baroness B. Coutts, Arri^re Garde, 
St. Nicolas, and Dr. Ballly being particularly fine, Messrs. Campbell, 
Gourock, were second, and Messrs. Cocker, Aberdeen, third. Messrs. 
A. Kerr & Son, Kalemouth, Jedburgh, were first for spike Hollyhocks 
with good examples. Mr. Campbell, Blantyre, was first for twenty-four 
Show and for twelve Fancy Dahlias—grand blooms ; also for twelve 
Carnations and twelve Picotees. Messrs. R. Laird & Son, Edinburgh, 
were first for trusses single Dahlias and for cut stove and greenhouse 
blooms. 
Vegetables. 
These were staged in great number, and of high quality. For a 
collection of twelve dishes there were eight entries, the competition 
being close, Mr. Rae, Sunlaws, Kelso, was adjudged the first prize, and 
showed good Lyon Leek, Standard Bearer Celery, Excelsior Onion, 
Eclipse Cauliflower, Canadian Wonder French Bean, Tomatoes, Peas, 
& 2 . Mr. Harper, Perth, was second, and Mr, Gibson, Devonhurst, Chis¬ 
wick, third. Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Leeks, Potatoes, Celery, Peas, and 
Cauliflower were largely and well shown. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. 
Nurserymen’s exhibits tilled a large part of the hall. In one corner 
' a magnificent display of cut herbaceous flowers set up by Messrs. J, 
