August 14, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
797 
opening of the New Pavilion Gardens two years ago 
gave the promoters of the show an excellent place for 
their exhibitions, and other attractions being provided, 
the society appears to have entered upon a season of 
great prosperity, and on the present occasion—the day 
being beautifully fine—there was a large attendance, 
and the sum of just over £181 was taken at the gates, 
mainly in shilling admissions. Ten years ago £15 to 
£20 was thought a good gate ; now, through engaging 
a first-class military band from London, and helped by 
very fine weather, the splendid success above announced 
has rewarded the committee, and they have now a 
reserve fund of something like £100—a very satisfactory 
state of things. Classes are now provided open to all 
comers, and good money prizes being given, some 
capital features are thus introduced. The annual show 
at Matlock Bath bids fair to become one of the most 
important in the Derbyshire district. The spacious 
pavilion in the newly formed gardens affords ample 
space, for the plants, &c., and avoiding the expense of 
tents, also diminishes the risk of loss should the weather 
prove to be wet. 
Undoubtedly, the prime feature of the exhibition were 
the groups competing in the division open to all 
England. Three of them competed in the class for one 
occupying a space not to exceed 200 ft., and these were 
arranged in one large circular group in the centre of the 
pavilion, but so set up as that the dividing lines were 
made quite clear to the judges. It was a somewhat 
unusual arrangement to have one large circular group 
composed of three distinct competing collections arranged 
in segments, and each showing a difference.in the style 
of arrangement, and yet it was quite in harmony with 
the building and surroundings. By far the best came 
from Mr. Geo. Williams, gardener to S. Baerlien, Esq., 
Didsbury, Manchester, and it displayed that thoroughly 
artistic design and finish seen in the competing groups 
at the great Whitsun show at Manchester. From out 
of a carpet of Maidenhair Fern rose specimen Crotons 
and Dracaenas, the latter including admirably coloured 
examples of those distinct forms, Goldieana and 
Lindeni, with bits of Vallotta purpurea, and other 
diminutive flowering plants worked in at invervals ; at 
the back was an elevated cone formed of Maidenhair 
Fern, from the summit of which rose an elegant Palm, 
flanked by other Palms of an equally handsome 
character. One great value attaching to this arrange¬ 
ment, was that it conveyed to the local gardeners an 
excellent practical lesson in artistic grouping. Second, 
Mr. A. Anderson, gardener to W. Walker, Esq., Lea, 
Matlock Bath, an excellent lot of well grown flowering 
and foliage plants. Third, Mr. Charles Yates, gardener 
to R. Wildgoose, Esq., also of Lea. Then came a class 
for plants to be arranged on an elevated table, 16 ft. by 
3 ft. 6 ins. This is too confined a space to enable plants 
to be grouped to the best advantage, and we think that 
it would be much better if the committee were to require 
these groups to be placed upon the floor, and arranged 
in semi-circles about 12 ft. by 6 ft., against the sides of 
the building. The best came from Mr. Barlas, gardener 
to T. C. Arkwright, Esq., Willersley, Cromford, the 
president of the society, and consisted of nice plants of 
Crotons, Draerenas, Palms, Ferns, &c., edged with 
Panicum variegatum hanging down as a fringe over the 
sides of the table. Second, Mr. John Brown, nursery¬ 
man, Matlock Bath, a very bright lot, made up of small 
flowering plants of zonal Pelargoniums, Petunias, 
Begonias, Lobelias, &c., of the usual market style. 
Third, Mr. Fothergill, gardener to Capt. Walker, 
Rock Horn, Cromford. 
Beyond these the plants shown were mainly by cot¬ 
tagers and amateur, and while fairly numerous were 
not of a character to call for special remark. 
The more salient points of the show were to be found 
in the division open to all England, some excellent 
prizes being offered. These included a class for twenty- 
four single blooms of Roses, and fairly good blooms 
-were shown, Mr. John Henson, nurseryman, Derby, 
being first, and Mr. R. W. Proctor, nurseryman, 
Chesterfield, being second. If the flowers lacked the 
size and substance of those we are accustomed to see in 
the south, it must be remembered we are in the first 
week of August, between the summer and autumn 
Rose blooms, but the blooms were fresh and bright. 
Next came a class for twelve Dahlias, Mr. C. Car¬ 
rington, Froud, Derby, being first with large flowers, 
a few of them getting past their best; Mr. John Henson 
being second. In this stand were two charming flowers 
of Mrs. Saunders, a yellow fancy tipped with white. 
The class for twelve bunches of zonal Pelargoniums, 
three trusses forming a bunch, brought a very keen 
competition, seven stands being staged, and the leading 
three very close together. The awarding of the prizes 
in this class gave the judges a good deal of trouble. 
Eventually, Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, Chilwell 
Nurseries, Nottingham, were placed first with a very 
fine lot, shown in their usual first-class style, Mr. 
Charrington being second, and Mr. John Henson third. 
Really, the stands deserved to be placed on an equality 
in point of merit. But one collection of twelve spikes 
of Gladioli was shown by Mr. John Henson, and it was 
deservedly awarded a first prize. Stands of cut flowers 
in eighteen bunches were a good feature, especially the 
best, which came from Mr. Henson, being composed 
mainly of stove and greenhouse subjects; Mr. J. 
Stevenson, gardener to A. 'VVathall, Esq., Alton Manor, 
Matlock, being second. Mr. Henson had the best 
bouquet, a very nice one, and Mr. Barlas was second. 
Mr. Henson also had the best bouquet of Roses, Mr. 
R. W. Proctor, nurseryman, Chesterfield, being second. 
Cut flowers were shown by both amateurs and cot¬ 
tagers, and consisted of Roses, Hollyhocks, Dahlias, 
Marigolds, Pansies, Asters, Stocks, &c. 
In the classes open to all some good fruit was shown. 
The best collection of eight dishes came from Mr. 
J. H. Goodacre, The Gardens, Elvaston Castle, Derby, 
•who had a very fine Cayenne Pine, Black Hamburgh 
and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, Diamond Peaches, 
Downton Nectarines, Elton Pine Strawberries, Black 
Circassian Cherries, and Melon ; second, Mr. Jos. 
Ward, gardener to C. H. Oates, Esq., Biddings House, 
Derbyshire, with a very good lot also. Mr. Barlas had 
the best six dishes, but the second prize was withheld. 
Mr. Goodacre was first with four bunches of Grapes, 
not less than two varieties, staging two very fine 
bunches each of Madresfield Court and Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria ; second, Mr. Ward, with two capital bunches 
of Muscat Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria; third, 
Mr. Barlas, with a bunch each of Gros Maroc, Black 
Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, and Golden Queen. 
Mr. Goodacre had the best two bunches of white Grapes, 
Mr. Anderson being second, both staging Muscat of 
Alexandria. Mr. Goodacre had the best two bunches 
of black Grapes, staging Hamburghs, Mr. Ward being 
a good second with the same. 
Mr. J. Cothers had the best collection of twelve 
vegetables, Mr. G. Richards being second. Mr. George 
Farnsworth had the best collection of six dishes, Mr. 
G. Richards being second. Vegetables were generally 
well shown throughout. Prizes werejalso offered for 
honey, also for the best stocks of bees, and in addition 
there was a very interesting exhibit by the British Bee¬ 
keepers Association in a separate tent. The chief 
honours in the competition fell to Mr. A. Clark, the 
lion, secretary to the society, who has some twenty hives 
or so in his garden in the Cromford Road, and is very 
successful in obtaining harvests of honey. 
Not for competition.—The exhibits under this 
heading included several boxes of cut Roses exhibited 
by Messrs. Dickson & Robinson, Millgate, Manchester, 
and Messrs. Dickson, Brown, & Tait, Corporation 
Street, Manchester ; and boxes of Carnations and fancy 
Pansies from Mr. R. W. Proctor, Chesterfield. These 
were all highly commended. 
Clay Cross Horticultural. —August 10 th .— 
This prosperous provincial society, which for twenty- 
nine years has done great and good work in promoting 
good gardening among a population largely dependent 
upon the mining industry, and in a district of by no 
means the most favourable character for horticultural 
pursuits, held its annual exhibition on Tuesday last, 
under conditions, as regards the weather, we regret to 
say, of anything but a cheering character as regards 
the prospect of a satisfactory “gate,” upon which the 
committee to a great extent have to rely. The Clay 
Cross people have had many glorious days, and given 
favourable weather they support their local show with 
a heartiness that is quite refreshing in these days of 
failure and stagnation. Jupiter Pluvius did his best, 
however, to spoil sport on Tuesday, but as the rain 
somewhat abated towards 3 p.m., we trust the financial 
results will not be so unsuccessful as was at first antici¬ 
pated. Be what it may, the Clay Cross committee is 
composed of men who work well and earnestly together, 
and with their hardworking and enthusiastic secretary, 
Mr. Stollard, who has been in office since 1863, will 
make the best of it. 
The exhibition is held in the grounds of Charles 
Binns, Esq., about a mile from Clay Cross Station, and 
on this occasion three large tents were filled with ex¬ 
cellent garden produce of all kinds. For the most part 
the competition is confined to residents within six miles 
of Clay Cross, but a much wider range is permitted in 
one section, and it is in this class that the leading 
features of the exhibition are found. From a plant 
growers point of view, the greatest interest was centred 
in a competition for groups of plants arranged for effect, 
and occupying a space of 300 ft., in which the prizes 
ranged from £18 for the first to £5 for the sixth. There 
were five competitors, and the groups being arranged 
down the centre of the largest tent, made a most 
imposing display. The prizes were awarded, first to 
Mr. Lyon, gardener to Lady Ossington, whose arrange¬ 
ment displayed the most skill in artistic grouping, all 
his materials being of a useful size for the purpose, and 
very bright and fresh, but we should have liked to have 
seen more flowering plants used, as flowers and not fine 
foliage should predominate in summer ; second, Mr. A. 
Webb, gardener to J. H. M. Sutton, Esq., Kelham 
Hall, Newark, for a bold massive group of good plants, 
showing a fair amount of taste in arrangement ; third, 
Mr. J. Ward, gardener, Riddings House, who relied 
mostly on a few fine specimens set up in the ordinary 
way. His Crotons, several, were well furnished and 
splendidly coloured ; he had besides three good Ixoras, 
a couple of splendidly bloomed Kalosanthes, and three 
good Palms. In a competition for a dozen, his plants 
would have done him credit anywhere. Fourth, Mr. 
A. Anderson, gardener to W. Walton, Esq., LeaWood, 
Cromford ; and fifth, Mr. W. Haslam, Harstoft. In 
another competition limited to 150 ft., the awards went 
to Mr. J. W. Clements, gardener to J. P. Wood, Esq., 
Brambling House; Chesterfield ; Mr. C. Yates, gardener 
to R. Wildgoose, Esq., The Poplars, Cromford ; Mr. 
J. Lyon, and Mr. A. Webb, in the order named, but 
none of the arrangements call for a great amount of 
eulogium. 
The classes for stove and greenhouse flowering and 
fine foliage plants were only of an ordinary character, 
while the Orchids were poor ; Ferns fair ; Tuberous 
Begonias very nice ; Fuchsias fair, and Balsams only 
poor. The cut flower classes were in some cases very 
good, notably that for eighteen bunches, in which a 
very nice lot of good quality flowers were staged, and 
in which Mr. Lyon was first; Mr. Ward, second ; and 
Mr. Webb, third. Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, 
Chilwell, Nottingham, were highly commended for a 
stand of superb cut blooms of zonal Pelargoniums, and 
also took a first prize for bouquets. 
The display of fruits grown under glass was not large 
but good, and better on the whole than previous dis¬ 
plays. The class for a collection of eight sorts was a 
very good one, and here Mr. Edmonds, Bestwood Lodge, 
Nottingham, again came to the front with very fine 
Black Hamburgh and Good Muscat Grapes, a good 
Queen Pine, an Eastnor Castle Melon, very highly 
coloured Elruge Nectarines, Chancellor Peaches, Figs, 
and Cherries. The other prizes went in the order 
named, to Mr. Ward, Mr. Lyon, and Mr. Webb, and 
all were of a very creditable character. Mr. Lyon had 
the best single dish of Black Grapes, good well finished 
bunches of Black Hamburgh ; and in the White Grape 
class, Mr. J. Frith, gardener to J. Jackson, Esq., 
Stubben Edge Hall, came in first, with a first-rate 
sample of Muscat of Alexandria. In a nice class of 
Queen Pines, Mr. A. Webb, was first, and Mr. J. 
Crawford, gardener to Col. Thorpe, Coddington Hall, 
Newark, a good second. Hardy fruits were well shown, 
a very good competition indeed, in which the awards 
went as named, to Mr. J. Crawford, Mr. Edmonds, 
Mr. A. Webb, and Mr. Lyon. 
The display of vegetables, grown by gardeners, was 
only moderate in extent, and quite out-distanced by 
the cottager’s produce. For a collection of twelve sorts, 
Mr. Crawford beat Mr. Ward and Mr. Webb, who took 
the second and third prize respectively ; and for six, 
Mr. T. Frith was first; Mr. T. Egglestone, gardener to 
F. Smith, Esq., Wingfield Park, being second; and 
W. W. Haslam third. 
The competition in the various classes, confined to 
local subscribers, was remarkably good, the number of 
entries being large, and the quality for the most part of 
an admirable and altogether most creditable character. 
The pot plants were very good ; cut flowers generally, 
and some in particular, such as African and French 
Marigolds, especially fine ; but it was in the vegetable 
classes that perhaps we found most to admire, for here 
was a grand assortment of Cabbages, Potatos, Celery, 
Onions, Carrots, Beans, Turnips, Rhubarb, Vegetable 
Marrows, and Shallots, the latter evidently receiving 
special attention in the district for we seldom see 
better. The Apple class was also a good one for the 
season, and the Gooseberries, Currants, and Raspberries 
were all of an admirable character. We trust, in the 
interest of such a useful society, that better weather 
will favour its next annual show. 
St. Neot’s Horticultural.— August 3rd .— 
Through pressure of matter we have been compelled to 
hold over until now, a report of this excellent and most 
useful society, the annual exhibition of which took 
place on Bank Holiday in the grounds attached to the 
residence of George Bower, Esq., St. Neots, quite in 
the heart of the town, and therefore easy of access. 
The morning opened wet, but by noon the clouds broke 
and a brilliant day succeeded, consequently a large 
company attended. This was the twenty-second exhi¬ 
bition, and during the last thirteen or so, the secretary 
