314 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
October 4,13)1. 
and Pears, the former being well coloured. Mr. H. Berwick, Sidmouth 
Nurseries, Devon, secured a third prize in this class. 
In the class for a collection of hardy fruit, grown partly or entirely 
under glass, to illustrate orchard house culture, Messrs. G. Bunyard vnd 
Co. were placed first, securing a silver-gilt Knightian medal. The 
Apples in this contribution were, as may be expected, very highly 
coloured, and of a large size. The latter remarks, too, apply to Pears, 
which were well represented. Vines in pots. Fig, and an Apple tree 
laden with fruit w'ere included in this exhibit. Messrs. T. Rivers & Son 
were second, showing a splendid collection of fruit. 
Dried Frtiits, not Preserved in Fluid or Sugar, — For a 
collection of dried fruits a silver-gilt medal ■was accorded to 
Mr. W. A. Trotter, The Gardens, Broomboro’ Place, Ledbury, who 
showed Flower of Herts Apples, whole, cored and in rings ; Haw- 
thornden rings ; Blenheim Orange, cored and in quarters ; all in splendid 
condition. For 1 lb. of sliced Apples, Mr. W. A. Trotter was first, and 
Colvile Browne, Esq., Horticultural College, Swanley, second. For 
1 lb. of whole Apples, Mr. W. A. Trotter was again a capital first with 
Golden Noble ; as also was he for 1 lb. of Plums and 1 lb. of Cherries, 
each of which were shown whole, the Plum being Washington and the 
Cherry Morello. 
Special Prizes. —In the class for a collection of six varieties of hardy 
fruits, grown in the open air, two gallons of each, first prize, presented 
by the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, was won by Mr. A. Wyatt, 
Hatton, Middlesex, For ten bushels (42 lbs. each) of cooking Apples, of 
one variety, and ten half-bushels (20 lbs. each) of dessert Apples (of 
one variety), packed for market, the first prize, presented by Messrs. 
Monro & Co. and Webber & Co., Covent Garden, went to Mr. 
G. Tebbutt, Mogden, Isle worth. For the best packed basket (or other 
package) of Grapes, 12 lbs. weight of fruit, received by rail.—First, 
Mr. J, Gore, Polegate, Sussex ; second, Mr. Mclndoe ; and third, Mr. C. 
Cooper, Ascot. For the best packed box (or other package) of Peaches, 
twenty-four fruits, received by rail.—First, Mr. Geo. Woodward ; second, 
Mr. Wallis ; and third, Mr. Pentney. For the best packed box (or 
other package) of ripe Pears, twenty-four fruits, received by rail.—First, 
Mr. Geo. Woodward ; second, Mr. Garraway ; and third, Mr. J. Clarke, 
Farnham. For the best collection of Fruits, Nuts, Grains, Seeds, and 
Pulses to illustrate their value as food stuffs.—First, given by the 
Vegetarian Federal Union, of the Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, to 
Mr. Wright, who staged Muscat of Alexandria and Gros Colman Grapes, 
Oranges, Souvenir du Congres Pears, Ecklinville Seedling and Worcester 
Pearmain Apples, Magnum Bonum and Pond’s Seedling Plums, Medlars, 
Beans, Sloes, Cherries, Tomatoes, and numerous other suitable 
products. 
The miscellaneous exhibits of flowers and horticultural sundries 
w'ere not very numerous, fruit of course being the predominating 
feature. The Stott Distributor Co., Manchester, sent garden engines 
and other requisites; Mr. J. George, Victoria Road, Putney, tobacco 
paper, wood wool, and various manures ; Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, 
Alpine Strawberries and magnificent Scarlet Runner Beans ; Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, hardy flowers ; Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, Dahlias, Begonias and other flowers; Mr. E. Ladhams, Shirley, 
Southampton, hardy flowers ; Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper 
Holloway, hardy flowers and Apples ; Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood Nur¬ 
series, Chrysanthemums, and Mr. V. Seale, Dahlias. 
The Luncheon. 
Even the most enthusiastic of horticulturists could not have been 
other than gratified with the large number of persons which responded 
to the invitation for holding a gardeners’ luncheon in connection with 
the great fruit show. This was held prior to the Conference on Saturday 
the 29th ult., in the dining-room attached to the Garden Hall. 
T. B. Haywood, Esq., presided, and he was suoported by many well 
known fruit growers and partrons of horticulture, as well as gardeners, 
about 110 sitting down to the tables. 
Mr. G. Bunyard, after the customary patriotic toasts had been 
honoured, proposed the toast of the Crystal Palace Company, coupled 
with the name of Mr. Biggs. In doing so he said there was no better 
place in the world for holding a horticultural exhibition. Mr. Biggs 
briefly responded on behalf of the Corupany, and reminded those present 
that the Crystal Palace was a great educational institution, and he 
ventured to hope that the present great fruit show was the first of many 
successive ones. 
Dr. Masters rendered the toast of the “ Royal Horticultural Society,” 
and remarked that he thought everyone present would admit that 
the authorities were deserving of their best thanks for providing such 
an exhibition. Twice in that week they had held exhibitions and con¬ 
ferences, that at Chiswick, however, taking place under most depressing 
circumstances. On this occasion a splendid show was held in a magni¬ 
ficent building, and in wet or fine weather the Royal Horticultural 
Society seems to do its duty. If the Society did not always do what 
the public or its Fellows thought should be done, it was not always the 
fault of the authorities. He thought they ought not to part before 
sending a telegram to the Rev. W. Wilks, whose absence through illness 
they so much deplored, informing him of the success of the show (hear, 
hear). 
Mr. Philip Crowley, in responding, observed that the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society was at present in a very satisfactory condition. It 
certainly had seen some ups and downs, and at one time it appeared to 
be about to merge into oblivion. Happily, however, matters bad 
changed for the better, and there were now over 3000 Fellows, 1900 of 
whom have been elected during the past four or five years. The 
periodical meetings held at Westminster were very creditable indeed, 
and the Temple show of this May eclipsed those held in previous years. 
The present fruit show at the Crystal Palace he regarded as a magnifi¬ 
cent one, there being 138 exhibitors from all parts of the kingdom. 
Compared with the (lonference held in 1888 this was very favourable, 
there being on that occasion only seventy-six exhibitors. At Chiswick 
the trials of vegetables and other useful work were being carried on, and 
the Journal of the Society had reached large dimensions. 
Mr. G. Bunyard said he had received a letter from Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., who was at present travelling abroad, to say that his 
absence on this occasion, and at the Chiswick Conference, must not be 
taken as indicating a lack of interest in the Society. If not with them 
in body he was in heart, and he was sure the President would much 
liked to have been present. 
Mr. J. T, Bennett Poe briefly gave “The Judges,” and Mr. Owen 
Thomas responded, remarking on the general excellence of the fruit 
shown at the exhibition, mentioning the Grapes in particular. He 
suggested also that rough glass buildings might be advantageously 
erected for the culture of choice Pears in this country. 
AUTUMN TINTS. 
The season is at hand when Nature crowns the waning year 
with a colour scheme surpassing in effect all the glories of spring. 
Comparison between the seasons of youth and age may be invidious, 
each possessing distinctive features. The influences of spring are 
exhilarating, spurring on the worker, but there is a hush and calm 
in a perfect autumn day, in which Nature, after many a rude 
buffet, yields a soothing influence to the mind harassed by her 
wayward moods. Autumn, too, is a time when, though work 
ceases not, a relief comes to anxiety. Expectations may not have 
been realised, but we at least know the worst, and from that may 
bo able to deduce some means for self-congratulation. 
Occasionally only is our ideal type of the Indian summer 
attained, when under the combined influences of sunny days and 
chilly lengthening nights the rapidly heightening beauty is disturbed 
by nought but the faintest aeolian whisperings through the dying 
foliage. Looking back over years that have fled one notes here 
and there such examples where favourable conditions have 
co-operated to produce an effect which time cannot obliterate. 
Such instances recur to my mind as I pen these lines, and knowing 
the capabilities of the great scene painter one fain looks forward 
to possibilities of the near future. Yet, all too often, as the magic 
brush lays on the rich colourings are they as quickly effaced by 
rude Boreas. It may be that an indifferent season which we have 
experienced may culminate in the expiring efforts of Nature to 
give us of her best. Appearances so far tend in that direction. 
Whatever shortcomings have obtained ’twixt seed time and harvest 
all foliage is super-luxuriant, and with a continuation of the kindly 
influences at present prevailing some pleasant recollections of the 
passing year may yet be ours. 
Privileged travellers who have witnessed the autumn tints in 
other lands, and notably those displayed in the Canadian forests 
fringing the great lakes, describe the scene as one of surpassing 
beauty, far exceeding in extent and depth of colour anything we 
have. Yet few of us can view the transformed landscape of a 
perfect autumn day without pleasure, tinged perhaps with a shade 
of sadness which decay in any shape or form entails. From an 
eminence, whence the eye can roam over a large extent of wooded 
country, as the setting sun illumines a sea of colour, not any will 
deny that Nature can, when she is in an amiable mood, treat us 
in our own country to some very fine effects. Nor is her handi¬ 
work less capable of detailed inspection. Some examples of 
autumn foliage rivalling the most, brilliant blossoms in the 
gorgeousness of colour. Many of the plainest types of leafage 
amongst our trees and shrubs become for a brief space veritably 
transfigured. Transient beauty, yet from what time the ripening 
hand gives the first gentle touches o’er hill and dale until the 
brave old Oaks yield their russet garb to the inevitable, we are 
carried on from late summer to winter’s reign. 
How beautiful are the changing tones of colour in the Sumach, 
Rhus typha, from its normal green to pale yellow, and on through 
an octave of colour tones till a scarlet is reached all but rivalling 
the Poinsettia in its intensity ? It may be superfluDus to speak of 
the Virginian Creeper or that gem from Japan, Ampelopsis 
Veitchi, in its glowing crimson, unless it be for the purpose of 
giving that meed of praise so justly due. Well known as they are, 
one cannot but wish they were more freely used, especially the 
latter. How many an unsightly wall or building could be made a 
thing of beauty by planting this charming creeper ! No tying, 
nailing, nor pruning : clasping with its tiny tentacles the common¬ 
place bricks and mortar. Its deciduous character is considered by 
