September 3, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
13 
for stove and greenhouse plants in flower, T. R. 
Hill, Esq., was again first, Mrs. Allen being second ; 
but neither exhibit was at all good. For plants 
suitable for table decoration, the first prize was 
well won by Mr. Cowan, gardener to H. Walker, Esq., 
Perdiswell, with a very pretty lot. Tuberous Begonias 
were well represented, the first prize going to G. Hill, 
Esq, ; Sir P. Lumsden, H. Walter, and Marchioness of 
Bute were amongst the best. For cut blooms of Roses, 
Mr. W. J. Grant was first with twenty-four and twelve, 
his flowers being very fresh and clean ; while in the 
class for show Dahlias, those staged by Messrs. Heath & 
Son, of Cheltenham, were first-rate in every respect. 
There was a good show of single Dahlias, Asters, and 
Zinnias ; but for vases the exhibits were very poor. 
The first prize for Gladioli in each class was well won 
by Mr. J. H. White. 
In the fruit classes there was keen competition, and, 
taken all round, the exhibits were very good. In the 
Black Hamburgh class there were nine competitors, the 
first prize being won by Mr. Child, gardener to the 
Earl of Coventry. The same exhibitor also took first 
honours in the any other black class, with highly- 
finished Gros Colmar, and secured Messrs. Ward’s 
prize for two bunches of Grapes, distinct varieties. 
For Muscats and other white Grapes, the first prize in 
each class was well won by Canon Coventry, the 
Bucklands being highly coloured and clean. There 
were only two competitors for the president’s prize for 
eight dishes of fruit, and the first was well won by the 
Earl of Coventry. Peaches and Nectarines were very 
numerous and of good quality, and the number of 
entries for both culinary and dessert Apples was very 
large. The amateurs’ tent was well filled, and the 
exhibits showed that great care had been taken, both in 
growth and handling ; some really good fruit and 
vegetables were staged. Carrots were wonderfully 
good, and the collections of vegetables put up were of a 
high order of merit. 
Hallamshire Horticultural, Sheffield. — 
August 22nd .—The above society is one of the oldest 
and best amongst the many in the neighbourhood, aud 
this was its twentieth annual exhibition. The show was 
held in a field at Ranmoor, which is one of the most 
picturesque districts to be found, and is surrounded by 
dwellings of the merchants of the town ; consequently, 
there is always sharp competition in all the classes. 
In the class for six stove or greenhouse plants there 
were several excellent specimens, Mr. T. Shelley, 
gardener to Mrs. Hobson, Burnt Stones, being first, 
showing Ixora Williamsi, Stephanotis, Dipladenia 
Brearleyana, Miltonia spectabilis, a plant about 3 ft. 
through, with upwards of 300 flowers expanded ; 
Eucharis amazonica, and Alocasia metallica. Mr. 
W. Sheridan, gardener to H. Howson, Esq., was 
second with some very neat and well-flowered plants, 
and Mr. T. Foggin third. Mr. Shelley was also first 
with a single specimen stove plant in flower, Mr. 
Sheridan being second. For the best single specimen 
greenhouse plant in bloom Mr. Shelley was again first 
with a fine Begonia coralina, covered with its bright 
bunches of flowers ; Mr. Foggin second with a good 
plant of the same species. Exotic Ferns were well 
shown by Mr. Shelley and Mr. Sheridan, who were 
first and second in this class. For six British Ferns 
Mr. Shelley was also first, and Mr. Foggin second. In 
the class for three Coleus Mr. Reeves, gardener to 
C. H. Firth, Esq., Riversdale, was first, and Mr. 
Foggin second ; the former exhibitor being also first 
with six Gloxinias, and Mr. Marshall second. Mr. 
Sheridan was first with six Fuchsias ; second, Mr. 
Shelley ; and third, Mr. Foggin. Caladiums, Cocks¬ 
combs, and zonal Pelargoniums were also well repre¬ 
sented amongst many other subjects that might he 
mentioned. 
Fruits were well represented, the single dishes being 
very numerous. For the collection of six varieties of 
dessert fruit Mr. Reeves was first, showing a good 
Melon, Grapes, Peaches, and Nectarines ; second, Mr. 
Foggin. In the class for two bunches of black Grapes 
Mr. Reeves took the first prize ; second, Mr. Sheridan. 
For two bunches of white Grapes Mr. H. A. Page, 
gardener to D. Ward, Esq., Mount View, was first 
with Muscat of Alexandria, showing some well-finished 
hunches, which were acknowledged to be the best 
examples in the neighbourhood ; second, Mr. Sheridan. 
Mr. Page was also first for six Nectarines, Mr. Reeves 
being second. Mr. Reeves secured the first prize for 
a fine dish of Peaches, and also for green-flesh and 
scarlet-flesh Melons, Mr. Foggin taking second in each 
class. 
The vegetables throughout the exhibition were of 
excellent quality, and much larger than could be 
expected after the continuous dry weather. Mr. 
Shelley was to the fore with a collection of six varieties, 
all being large and of good quality; second, Mr. 
Reeves ; third, Mr. Foggin. 
In the division for cut flowers there were some good 
stands of stove and greenhouse blooms. Mr. S. Moore 
was first with some neat blooms in the open Dahlia 
class, Mr. Storey being second. Mr. Duncan Gilmour 
was first for Roses : second, Mr. Storey. 
The cottagers and amateurs also made a good display, 
their exhibits being shown in a separate tent; the 
vegetables, especially Potatos, Onions and Celery, were 
of superior quality. 
In addition to the flower show, Mrs. Mark Firth 
generously allowed visitors to the exhibition the 
privilege of inspecting the contents of her conservatories, 
vineries, and other fruit houses ; also the splendid 
grounds which surround her beautiful mansion at Oak 
Brook. This privilege was enjoyed by hundreds of 
visitors, myself amongst the number. The excellent 
range of vineries and plant houses are all in the best of 
order, and the Vines are bearing good crops of Grapes. 
In the Peach houses there are heavy crops of fine fruit, 
both Peaches and Nectarines. The flower gardens are 
now gay and bright with seasonable subjects. Chry¬ 
santhemums are well cared for at Oak Brook, and the 
long rows of vigorous plants there to be seen attracted 
the attention of many visitors. The gardens through¬ 
out are well kept, which cannot fail to give satisfaction 
to Mrs. Firth, and also gives credit to Mr. W. K. 
Woodcock, the gardener.— Visitor. 
Shirley and Preemantle Horticultural.— 
August 23 rd .—This excellent Hampshire Society held 
its twenty-second annual exhibition on the above 
date, at Whitwood Park, in delightful weather. The 
exhibits, in spite of the season, were above the average 
in quality and excellence ; indeed, it was a capital 
show. No less than four lots of twelve stove and 
greenhouse plants competed ; but Mr. Wills, gardener 
to Mrs. Pearce, Bassett, was on his native heath, and, 
of course, invincible. His chief strength was found in 
a huge Cycas revoluta, some fine Palms, and Crotons ; 
and of flowering plants, an excellent Phcenocoma 
prolifera Barnesi, Erica Aitoniana Turnbulli, Clero- 
dendron Balfourianum, &c. Mr. J. J. Leat, gardener 
to Captain Andrew, Bitterne, was second ; and Mr. 
King, gardener to A. Barlow, Esq., Shirley, third. 
Mr. Amys, gardener’to the Hon. Mrs. Yorke, Hamble 
Cliff, had the best specimen plant in a gigantic and 
finely-flowered Allamanda Hendersoni, nearly 6 ft. 
through. Mr. Wills was second with a small hut 
admirable Erica Africana superba. Mr. Peel, gardener 
to Miss Todd, Shirley, had the best six Ferns, including 
a splendid piece of Davallia Mooreana, good Gymno- 
granima chrysophylla, Adiantum scutum, &c. Mr. 
King, who was second, had good A. Farleyense, 
Lomaria gibba, &c. 
The decorative or conservatory groups were more than 
usually excellent, but required more space to admit of 
their being individualised. Mr. Wills turned out a 
charming and most effective arrangement of the 
customary form ; but his flowers included some very 
fine Madame Desgrange Chrysanthemums, Lilium 
auratum, scarlet Celosias, &c. The Messrs. Ransom, 
Hill Nursery, were a good second, their group only 
needing a little more backing to make it perfect. Mr. 
King came third. Six superb bushy Celosias, colours 
scarlet and crimson, came from Mr. Wills, who also 
had the best six Fuchsias, first-rate medium pyramids, 
4 ft. in height, profusely bloomed. Mr. King had the 
best six Coleus, in dense bushy, well-coloured plants. 
Very fine indeed were the six double Zonal Pelargoniums 
which came from Messrs. Ransom, large plants and 
masses of bloom and foliage, whilst the second best half- 
dozen from Mr. Wills were a trifle smaller, barely less 
meritorious ; we should like to meet with such plants as 
those more frequently. An amateur, Mr. Betteridge, 
of Bassett, also showed four single, smaller but superbly 
flowered plants. In the open class Mr. Wills had the 
best six single-flowered specimens. Mr. Amys was an 
easy first with six large, deep-coloured and perfect 
Cockscombs, some 13 ins. over, but a little too tall in 
the stems. Cut flowers were very fair, including some 
wonderfully good show and fancy Dahlias and Victoria 
Asters from Mr. Betteridge ; a large group of Cactus 
Dahlias, Zinnias and other flowers from Mr. B. Ladham, 
florist, Shirley. Numerous bouquets,' baskets, stands, 
&e., were shown. 
Fruit was excellent, Mr. Evans, gardener to Lady 
Ashburton, Melchet Court, being in good form with 
six dishes, including fine Muscat of Alexandria and 
Madresfield Court Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, 
and a good Melon. Mr. Amys was second with fair 
Black Hamburgh and Muscat Grapes and other fruits. 
Mr. Curtis, gardener to J. S. Dixon, Esq., Dibden, 
being third. Mr. Evans had the best two bunches of 
white Grapes in superb Muscats ; Mr. Curtis coming 
next with good Bucklands. In blacks, Mr. Axford, 
gardener to C. M. Ripley, Esq., Twyford, was first 
with very good Hamburghs ; Mr. Curtis coming second 
with what, a few weeks later, would have been superb 
Madresfield Court; Mr. Andrews, gardener to the 
Rev. Canon Wilson, Rownhams, was third with the 
same kind. The best dish of Peaches, unnamed, came 
from Mr. C. Barter,’Shirley ; and Mr. E. Fowle had 
the best ripe Pears in Williams’ Bon Chretien. Mr. 
J. Orchard, Shirley, had the best dessert Apples in fine 
striped Juneating ; Mr. King coming next with capital 
Red Astrachan. In kitchen Apples—a good lot for the 
season—Mr. Harris, gardener to J. M. Mordaunt, Esq., 
Bitterne, was first with fine Warner’s King. Tomatos 
were exceedingly good ; indeed, rarely have such fine 
and handsome samples been staged. Mr. W. Joy, 
Hill, was first with twelve superb fruits of Hackwood 
Park, weighing 6J lbs. ; Mr. Harris, Aldermon, coming 
next with beautiful Reading Perfection, w'hich kind 
also secured the third place for Mr. Wills. 
In the class for a bushel of Potatos, very fine clean 
samples were staged, the best being handsome Beauty 
of Hebron from Mr. Axford ; International, from Mr. 
W. Cole, Rownhams, coming second ; and Beauty of 
Hebron, from Mr. West, Salisbury, third. Chancellor 
was shown finely from Mr. Evans. The cottagers’ 
half-bushels were very good. Mr. Axford had the best 
collection of twelve dishes, medium and clean ; Mr. 
Cole being second, and Mr. Evans third, the latter 
having larger but less handsome samples of Chancellor, 
Oleander, The Dean, Vicar of Laleham, &c. Other 
vegetables were abundant, and in excellent form for the 
season. 
Cheadle Floral Society.— Aug. 19 th o.nd, 
20 th. — The twentieth annual show of this old- 
established society was held on the above date, and, 
though not quite equal to such shows as Liverpool and 
Shrewsbury, it would, undoubtedly, bear favourable 
comparison with the majority of provincial exhibitions. 
As an example of the stimulating influence of horti¬ 
cultural societies, Cheadle certainly has reason to be 
proud, for in few districts is the strictly local compe¬ 
tition more keen, or the produce of finer quality. 
For this satisfactory state the committee may well be 
congratulated, but the life and well-being of the 
society is centered in the popular secretary, J. E. Stone, 
Esq., whose energies, enthusiasm and leisure are 
devoted ungrudingly to the society’s interest. 
The schedule comprised ninety-three classes, with 
prizes ranging in value from £15 to Is., and the 
majority of them were well contested. The chief open 
class was for fifteen stove and greenhouse plants ; the 
prizes being £15, £10 and £7. Two collections only 
were staged: the first position was easily secured by 
Mr. R. Mackeller, gardener to J. Watts, Esq., Cheadle, 
with a grand collection, and bearing the stamp of first- 
class cultivation ; the Ixoras Williamsi and Prince of 
Orange were especially fine, while Kentia Fosteriana 
and Croton Queen Victoria were all that could be 
desired. Mr. J. Kirk, gardener to J. Leigh, Esq., 
Heaton Mersey, was second with a creditable group. 
In the amateurs’ class for ten stove and greenhouse 
plants, £10, £7 and £4 were provided; the two previous 
exhibitors reversed their positions in this class, both 
showing well. The open class for six plants in bloom 
produced a very close competition between Mr. G. 
Kemp, gardener to Mrs. Sykes, Stockport, and Mr. R. 
Mackeller. The former was first with a nice lot, 
including one of the finest plants of the good old 
Gloriosa superba ever exhibited; while Mr. Maekeller’s 
good collection contained an Ixora Westii in grand 
health and profusely flowered. The best stove plant 
in flower came from Mr. Mackeller, being a fine Ixora 
Colei, 5 ft. high and full of bloom ; second, Mr. Kemp, 
with a good Dipladenia. For a greenhouse plant : the 
first place was occupied by Mr. G. Williams, gardener 
to S. Baerlien, Esq., Didsbury, with Erica Eweriana 
superba; second, Mr. G. Coulson, gardener to H. 
Schill, Esq. 
The class for six fine foliage plants produced a keen 
competition, the plants being clean and well grown. 
Mr. Mackeller was again first, Mr. Kirk being an 
uncomfortably close second, and Mr. Kemp a good 
third. For six Ferns, Mr. Mackeller continued his 
success, winning with fine plants beautifully fresh ; 
second, Mr. Kemp. Four Adiantums, first, Mr. W. 
