September 17, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
45 
able time. The great increase in the number of exhibits 
may be best realised when it is explained that the last 
international show did not bring out such a large 
number by several hundreds. Besides the entries par¬ 
ticularised, there were 573 dishes of Apples, 130 dishes 
of Pears, and 414 exhibits of vegetables. The total 
fruit entries amounted to 1,006, plants 162, and cut 
flowers 146. The nurserymen’s entries amounted only 
to thirty—ten plants and twenty cut flowers. A sum 
of £283 was given away in prizes—an increase of £4 on 
last year. The Town Council gave a sum of £15 for 
the encouragement of the cultivation of fruit. In the 
Grape section there was some keen competition, owing 
to the high merit of each exhibit. For a collection of 
twelve dishes of fruit (various), a silver tea set was 
presented by Messrs. Mackenzie & Moncur, and the 
judges had rather a hard task in awarding the prize. 
There were thirteen entries, and all the competitors 
were forward. This is said to be the largest number of 
entries ever made for a single prize in this show. Mr. 
Thomas Boyd, gardener, Callendar Park, was ultimately 
awarded the premier place, though Mr. McKelvie, 
gardener to the Duchess of Boxburgh, ran him very 
hard, and made.a good second. Mr. Boyd’s Grapes 
evoked general admiration, Black Alicante and Muscat 
Hamburgh being amongst the varieties. The display 
of Apples and Pears was particularly fine, many of 
them being as large and rich in colour as those grown 
in the south of England. For the third time this year 
the judges have had to award the silver challenge cup 
for exotic Ferns to Mr. Grossart, Oswald Road. 
In the open classes, Mr. Thos. Boyd, gardener to 
W. Forbes, Esq., Callendar Park, Falkirk, was de¬ 
servedly awarded the first prize for a collection of 
twelve dishes of fruit, consisting of large and well- 
finished bunches of Black Hamburgh, Muscat Ham¬ 
burgh, and Black Alicante Grapes, Boyd’s Jubilee 
Melon, Grosse Mignonne and Barrington Peaches, 
Elruge Nectarine, Brown Turkey Fig, Moor Park 
Apricot, &c. Mr. McKelvie, Broxmouth Park, Dunbar, 
was a good second, his Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat 
Hamburgh, and Black Hamburgh being very fine. 
Mr. J. Mclndoe, gardener at Hutton Hall, Guisborough, 
came in third in this well-contested class. The first 
prize for a collection of eight dishes of fruit went to 
Mr. Hunter, Lambton Castle, and his Muscat of 
Alexandria, Golden Queen, and Golden Champion were 
greatly admired ; Mr. J. Mclndoe being second. Mr. 
Wm. McKelvie was the most successful competitor for 
eight bunches of Grapes, Black Alicante, Madresfield 
Court, Alnwick Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, 
Golden Hamburgh and Gros Maroc being his best 
specimens : and he was followed by Mr. J. Boyd in 
this class. The premier place for four bunches was 
given to Mr. A. Kirk, gardener to J. T. Paton, Esq., 
Alloa, Duke of Buccleuch, Cooper’s Black, Alnwick 
Seedling, and Madresfield Court being the varieties 
exhibited. The best-flavoured Grape was exhibited by 
Mr. D. Murray, Culzean Castle. Other fruits were 
very numerously represented, and in some cases there 
was great competition. Mr. P. W. Fairgreive, 
Dunkeld, had the best collection of hardy fruit, show¬ 
ing Royal George and Rivers’ Early Silver Peaches, 
Pitmaston Orange, Nectarines, Pond’s Seedling, Plums, 
&c. ; Mr. James Day, Galloway House, Garlieston, 
was second. The premier award for twelve dishes of 
fruit went to Mr. David Melville, Elliston, St. 
Boswell’s ; his Albatross and Princess of Wales Peaches, 
Washington Apple, and Pitmaston Duchess Pear were 
fine. Mr. William King, gardener to Lord Hamilton, 
Dalzell House, had the best collection of Apples in 
Lord Suffield, Carse of Gowrie, Stirling Castle, 
Ecklinville, &c. ; Mr. J. Brunton, Gilmerton, Drew, 
was second. The first prize for a collection of Pears 
was awarded to Mr. L. Dow, gardener to Sir D. Baird, 
Bart., Newbyth ; Marie Louise, Beurre Ranee, Beurre 
d’Amanlis, Easter Beurre, &c., were the varieties 
exhibited, showing what are suitable for the climate of 
Scotland. The best twelve Nectarines came from Mr. 
George Dewar, gardener to J. Munro, Esq., Kinloss, 
Cupar, Fife ; and the best twelve Peaches from Mr. 
George Mackinnon, gardener to Viscount Melville, 
Melville Castle, Lasswade. The first prize for a bunch 
of Bananas was awarded to Mr. A. Young, Taymouth 
Castle, and the bunch was a heavy one. Stewing 
Pears of great size, and dessert varieties of specified 
kinds, as well as Apples, were represented by a long 
array of entries, but our limited space prevents us 
giving a list of the prizes. Gooseberries, Currants and 
Cherries were also exhibited in excellent condition, 
showing what can be done in the cooler northern 
climate of Scotland. 
Plants. — Mr. R. Grossart, gardener to James 
Buchanan, Esq., Oswald House, Oswald Road, Edin¬ 
burgh, had the best arranged table of plants ; Mr. J. 
Donaldson, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, coming in second. 
The first prize for stove or greenhouse plants came from 
Mr. J. Paterson, Millbank. Mr. R. Grossart, who was 
a very successful competitor, had the first prizes for 
three stove and greenhouse plants, four Orchids, one 
Orchid, four foliage plants, four foliage plants in 9 in. 
pots, four Palms, two Crotons, two Dracsenas, Liliums, 
six Bamboo Grasses, four Caladiums, three exotic 
Ferns, and six exotic Ferns exclusive of Adianturns and 
Gleichenias. The Challenge Cup for the last exhibit 
has been won three years in succession, and now 
becomes the property of the winner. The first award 
for four Adiantums went to Mr. D. Lawson, gardener 
to Robert Croal, Esq., Craigcrook Castle. The best 
three Cape Heaths came from Mr. J. Paterson, and the 
best two specimens were shown by the same exhibitor. 
Amongst plants must also be recorded the splendid 
exhibits of hardy coniferee, often used here for table 
decoration in a small state, and very suitable they are 
for the purpose. Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, 32, 
Hanover Street, Edinburgh, carried off the first prize 
for twelve large specimens, in pots, but the prize for 
twelve small specimens, suitable for table decoration, 
was won by Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons. These con¬ 
sisted of various species of Cupressus, Retinosporas, 
green, variegated and golden, and it must be admitted 
they were very elegant. The latter exhibitors also 
figured prominently for a collection of twelve early- 
flowering Chrysanthemums, which were dwarf and well 
flowered. Various other things were well shown, such 
as Fuchsias, Cockscombs, Eucharis, Caladiums, Selagi- 
nellas, Hydrangeas and Vallotas, all simply handsome, 
some of the pots having from two dozen to three dozen 
spikes of flowers. 
Cut Flowers. —Dahlias were particularly fine, but 
the single and pompon varieties were most worthy of 
admiration. Messrs. J. Lamont & Sons, Musselburgh, 
who were the first to grow single Dahlias in this part 
of the country, received the first prize for eighteen 
trusses; Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons securing the 
second. Messrs. J. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, had the 
best twenty-four show blooms, and Messrs. R. B. Laird& 
Sons were second ; the same exhibitors were awarded 
the same order of merit for twelve fancy Dahlias. 
Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons had the first prize for twelve 
trusses of cut blooms ; and Mr. J. McLeod, gardener to 
R. Smith, Esq., Stirling, had the first prize in another 
class. Messrs. Stuart & Mein, Kelso, had the best 
Gladioli in the nurserymen’s class ; and they were 
followed by Messrs. A. E. Campbell, Cove Gardens, 
Gourrock. Asters and Hollyhocks were 'also strongly 
represented, especially the former. Messrs. R. B. Laird 
& Sons had the best arranged table of plants in the 
nurserymen’s class, and it was admitted on all hands 
to be very novel and effective. 
Vegetables. —These were considered to be somewhat 
behind those of former years, but the Tomatos, Leeks 
and Celery were really good. The best collection of 
vegetables came from Mr. Jas. Harkness, Broadmeadows, 
Hutton ; and the best Tomatos were those of Mr. Jas. 
Mclndoe. Onions were of great size, and the exhibits 
of Potatos very numerous. 
Numerous miscellaneous groups were exhibited not 
for competition, and amongst these the Roses of Messrs. 
J. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, were in grand condition, 
eliciting much admiration. Show, Pompon and Cactus 
Dahlias, shown by Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, were 
very attractive. A most interesting collection of 
insectivorous and other plants came from the Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, including amongst others 
Coccoloba pubescens, Galactodendron utile, Artocarpus 
incisa, Nepenthes cincta, N. Mastersiana, &c. Messrs. 
Ireland & Thomson had a tastefully-arranged group of 
plants, consisting of Begonias, Anthuriums, Caladiums, 
Crotons, Adiantums, &c. ; and they had also a fine 
group of coniferae. Another group of plants was staged 
by Messrs T. Methven & Sons, Edinburgh, and a table 
of the same was exhibited by Mr. Robertson Munro, 
33, St. Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh. A group, mostly 
of hardy florists’ flowers, was exhibited by Mr. John 
Forbes, Buccleuch Nurseries, Hawick, his Hollyhocks 
showing that a superior strain is again being worked 
up. Delphiniums, Pentstemons, Antirrhinums, and 
tuberous-rooted Begonias were also represented, the 
Delphiniums, though late, exhibiting large flowers, 
and the strain of Antirrhinums likewise being fine. A 
collection of Apples was exhibited by Messrs. Ormiston 
& Renwick, of Melrose ; and a whole table occupied 
with 157 dishes of the same fruit, and draped with 
branches of Plum trees and Tomatos, exhibited by 
Messrs. Dickson & Co., ‘Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, 
attracted much attention, and elicited admiration from 
visitors. Specimens of Odontoglossum Harryanum, 
shown by James Wilson, Esq., Bantaskine, Falkirk, 
received a First Class Certificate. 
Bath Floral Fete. — Sept. 7th and 8th.— Bath 
was, as usual, to the fore on this occasion. It has 
held many exhibitions characterised by quantity and 
quality, but it was said that this was the best show 
seen in Bath for manyyears, and we are disposed to think 
that the utterers of this statement were right. All the 
tents were full and there was very little indeed of poor 
quality, and in some cases the competition was very 
keen. No place can be more suitable for a show than 
the Sydney Gardens, and if it were only possible to do 
without a good deal of the rough staging one sees in 
some of the tents, the general effect would be greatly 
improved. What can be worse, for instance, than to 
see tables laden with cut flowers of the finest quality, 
and then to see the underneath part of the tables stuffed 
full of boxes, box lids and other things, and no attempt 
made to hide them from the public view ? Some day 
flower-show managers will get ashamed of all this, but 
the period of reformation is slow to commence. The 
expense of covering the tables with green baize which 
can hang down low enough in front to hide what is 
under them from view frightens committees, and so the 
necessary work is let alone. 
Fuchsias are always a great feature at Bath ; they are 
not shown in finer condition than at Trowbridge, but 
they are more numerous. Mr. J. Lye, gardener to the 
Hou. Mrs. Hay, Clyffe Hall, Market Lavington, was 
first with nine plants, the dark varieties being Lye’s 
Rival, Henry Brook, The Hon. Mrs. Hay, Final, Ben¬ 
jamin Pearson and James Walsh ; light varieties, 
Harriet Lye, Lye’s Favourite and Annie Earle, we think 
these are all of Mr. Lye’s raising. Second, Mr. G. 
Snell, gardener to Mrs. Counsell, Bath, whose best 
plants were Charming, Elegance, Arabella, Lye’s 
Favourite and Beauty of the West. Mr. J. Riddick, 
gardener to Mrs. Finder, Weston Road, Bath, had 
the best six specimens, setting up good plants of 
Arabella, Mrs. Bright and Queen Victoria, light varie¬ 
ties ; with Charming, Thomas King and Bountiful, 
dark varieties; second Mr. Southard, gardener to 
F. J. Walker, Esq., Bathwick Hill, who showed 
good specimens of Dorel’s Favourite, Miss Lye, Beauty 
of the West and three others. Mr. Tucker, gardener 
to P. Clark, Esq., Trowbridge, was third in the class 
for nine varieties ; and Mr. W. C. Drummond, nursery¬ 
man, Bath, in that for six plants. Mr. A. Hawkins, 
gardener to T. Jolly, Esq., Bath, had the best four in 
Dorel’s Favourite, Charming, Reine Blanche and 
Charmer; second, C. H. Gabriel, Esq., Bath. Mr. 
Tucker had the best specimen light Fuchsia, showing a 
good plant of Lye’s Favourite, Mr. J. Lye being second 
with Loveliness. 
Stove and greenhouse plants were a fine feature, and 
that rising young exhibitor, Mr. Finch, gardener to 
J. Marriott, Esq., Queen’s Road, came all the way 
from Coventry to try conclusions with Mr. Cypher, and 
though he did not succeed in beating him in the class 
for twelve flowering plants, he was a remarkably good 
second. Mr. Cypher had Allamanda nobilis, A. 
Hendersoni, and A. grandiflora, Clerodendron Balfour- 
ianum, Ixora Duffii, I. salicifolia, Statice profusa, 
Pancratium fragrans, and Vallota purpurea, the latter 
a very fine piece indeed, carrying many spikes of fine 
bloom ; Erica Marnockiana, Bougainvillea glabra, and 
Lapageria alba. Mr. Finch’s best plants were Alla¬ 
manda Hendersoni, Ixora amabilis, I. Williamsii, 
Dipladenia Brearleyana, D. amabilis, Erica Irbyana, 
E. Aitoniana turgida, and Lapageria rosea. Third, 
Mr. G. Tucker. Mr. Mould, gardener to E. E. Bryant, 
Esq., College Road, Bath, had the best six plants, 
staging Erica eximia, Allamanda nobilis, A. Hendersoni, 
Clerodendron Balfourianum, Erica semula, and Pan¬ 
cratium fragrans ; Mr. W. Rye, gardener to J. Derham, 
Esq., Sneyd Park, Bath, was a good second. Mr. A. 
Hawkins, gardener to F. Jolly, Esq., Oldfield Park, 
Bath, had the best three in Lapageria rosea, Eucharis 
amazonica, and Cassia eoryinbosa; second Mr. Marchant, 
gardener to Jerome Trench, Esq., Mayor of Bath. The 
best specimen stove plant was Allamanda nobilis from 
Mr. Finch ; Mr. Cypher being second with Clerodendron 
Balfourianum. Mr. Finch had the best specimen green¬ 
house plant, having a good piece of Lapageria rosea. 
In respect to other flowering plants it will be 
necessary to generalise a bit. Mr. Cypher had the best 
six Orchids, staging a very good lot; Mr. H. C. Miles 
being second. Mr. Cypher had the best six Heaths, 
