November 26, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
205 
nicely flowered ; as also were the Pompons shown by 
C. H. Worthington, Esq. 
In the cut bloom classes a decided improvement was 
most noticeable, both as regards the keenness of the 
various competitions and the quality of the blooms. 
For eighteen incurved, a good lot from Miss A. 
Dunning Smith (Mr. Lane, gardener) was first ; Mr. 
Lewis coming in second; W. Strong, Esq., third; 
and F. W. Flight, Esq., fourth, all showing most 
meritoriously. For twelve Mr. W. G. Marshall was first; 
and for six Mr. Neighbour. In. the class for twelve 
reflexed blooms, a nice stand from Mr. Flight came to 
the fore ; and for twelve Japanese Mr. Marshall was 
first in a very strong competition, showing fine flowers, 
fresh and clean. Mr. Lewis was first for twelve 
Anemones, just beating Mr. Wildsmith, who in turn 
beat Mr. Flight. These were all good stands. For 
twelve blooms with 9 ins. of stem above the board Mr. 
C. Crew was first in a strong competition. This is an 
admirable way of showing, and especially the Japanese 
varieties, as the graceful habit of the flowers is seen to 
the best advantage. Mr. J. 0. Cooper was first in 
both classes for table decorations ; and the best six 
table plants came from Col. the Hon. W. P. Talbot 
(Mr. Waite, gardener). For three Orchids A. Palmer, 
Esq. (Mr. Woolford, gardener), was first, showing a 
nicely flowered plant of Cattleya Bowringiana amongst 
them. A good bouquet from Mr. Phippen, nursery¬ 
man, secured for him the highest honours in this 
class. 
Never before was such a fine display of fruit seen at 
Reading, the Grapes especially were everything that 
could be desired. Mr. H. Perkins, gardener to the 
Right Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P., Greenlands, Henley- 
on-Thames, exhibited some exceedingly fine examples, 
large bunches, fine berries, and highly finished ; these 
were greatly admired, and most favourably commented 
upon by many good judges. He was successful in 
taking the first prize for two bunches of Alicante, 
and for two bunches of any other black, showing 
Alnwick Seedling in such form as is seldom seen, and 
second for Muscats, the first award going to Mr. 
Woolford, for small bunches, but highly finished. For 
Gros Colmar, Mr. Jennings, of Farnboro’, was first; 
and for two bunches of any white sort, C. Hoare, Esq. 
(Mr. Pearson, gardener), was first, and Mr. Turton, 
Maiden Erleigh, second, as also for two bunches of any 
black. For a collection of fruit, six dishes, Mr. Perkins 
was an easy first, showing fine Alicante and Muscat 
Grapes, Melon, Apples, Pears, and Bannanas. There 
were four good lots exhibited. For six dessert Apples 
Mr. Turton was first, in a very strong competition, and 
for kitchen Apples, Mr. Ross, of Welford Park, was first. 
Some grand Tomatos were shown, Mr. Jennings having 
the best ; while a brace of good Cucumbers from Mr. 
Lees secured for him the highest award. Messrs. G. 
Bunyard & Co., of Maidstone, showed a very extensive 
collection of Apples and Pears ; and Mr. R. Owen, of 
Maidenhead, a collection of cut Chrysanthemums, 
which contained many novelties. 
SHEFFIELD AND WEST RIDING .—November 
18 th and 19 th. 
The third annual show of this society was held in the 
Corn Exchange, and proved to be the best it has yet 
held, all the classes being well represented, with one or 
two exceptions. The local nurserymen contributed 
groups of plants and collections of fruit, not for com¬ 
petition, which added much to the decoration of the 
show. Messrs. Fisher, Son, & Sibray, in addition to 
an attractive group of plants, sent a fine collection of 
Apples from their nurseries. Messrs. Hiram Shaw & 
Son also staged some fine samples of Gros Colmar and 
Barbarossa Grapes, Apples, and Pears. Mr. Udale also 
sent upwards of forty dishes of hardy fruits from the 
Hall Gardens, Elford, Tamworth. 
In the open class for a group of miscellaneous plants 
arranged for effect, space 64 sq. ft., Mr. Pidsley, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Wilson, Westbrook, was first; Mr. 
Collier, gardener to John Eaton, Esq., Sharrow Bank, 
being second. Of Chrysanthemum groups, space 81 ft., 
there were three staged, and the first prize was awarded 
to Mr. J. Walker, gardener to P. B. Broomhead, Esq., 
Broomhall Fields; Mr. Pidsley taking second honours 
with a bright and attractive group. Mr. James 
Harrison, who was third, had the best blooms on his 
plants of the three lots staged, and which reflected 
great credit on the exhibitor—one of Sheffield’s “jolly 
grinders,” who grows his 600 plants in his leisure 
hours. Of six trained specimens, there was oulv one 
lot staged, and to that, which came from Mr. J. Walker, 
the first prize was awarded for neat and well-flowered 
plants, amongst them being a nice specimen of Mrs. G. 
Rundle, which was also awarded the National Chry¬ 
santhemum Society’s Certificate. The same exhibitor 
was also first for three trained plants and three 
Pompons, Mr. Pidsley being second. 
In the open class for cut flowers some grand blooms 
were staged for the liberal cash prizes which were 
offered by the society, in addition to which Mr. H. 
Broomhead, the society’s hon. treasurer, and a Chry¬ 
santhemum enthusiast, gave a fifteen-guinea Silver 
Cup for forty-eight blooms—twenty-four incurved and 
twenty-four Japanese, not less than eighteen varieties 
in each. Mr. Parker, gardener co John Corbett, Esq., 
M.P., Droitwich, was placed in the proud position of 
winner of, perhaps, the best prize ever offered for forty- 
eight blooms. His flowers were remarkable for size, 
colour and finish. Mr. Mease, Wyncote, Liverpool, 
followed, a close second, being only a few points 
behind ; Mr. Midgeley third. For twelve incurved 
Mr. Mease was first, Mr. Midgeley second, and Mr. 
Gill third. For twelve Japanese Mr. Mease was first, 
Mr. Midgeley second, and Mr. Gill third. For six 
incurved Mr. Mease was again first, and Mr. Midgeley 
second. For six Japanese Mr. Midgeley was first, and 
Mr. Mease second. Mr. Midgeley obtained first for 
two bunches of black Grapes ; Mr. Staples, Glasswell 
Hall Gardens, Chesterfield, second ; and Mr. Malcolm, 
gardener to J. Y. Cowleyshaw, Esq., third. For two 
bunches of white Grapes, Mr. Midgeley was again 
first with good Muscat of Alexandria ; and Mr. Staples 
second. Mr. Mease gave the Sheffield people the 
benefit of seeing Ms splendid blooms, which won the 
Challenge Cup at Hull; the flowers were in good 
condition, and were staged not for competition at 
Sheffield on the second day of the show. 
The district classes were well contested by gardeners, 
amateurs and cottagers. British Ferns were well 
shown by Mr. Eadon, Mr. Newsham and Mr. Davy, 
who were first, second and third in the order of their 
names. For six exotic Ferns five lots were staged, 
Mr. Walker beingfirst, Mr. Smith second, and Mr. Collier 
third. Mr. Woodcock, gardener to Mrs. Firth, 
Oakbrook, was first for twelve incurved Chrysan¬ 
themums ; Mr. Pidsley second. The latter exhibitor 
was first for twelve Japanese blooms, and Mr. Woodcock 
second, both exhibitors staging good even stands of 
fine flowers ; Mr. Bush was third. The same exhibitors 
showed in the classes for six incurved and six Japanese. 
For bouquets of Chrysanthemums there were several 
staged, Mr. Pidsley being placed first, Mr. Walkpr 
second, and Mr. Foggin third. Mr. Pidsley was again 
first for a bouquet of miscellaneous flowers, Mr. Walker 
second, and Mr. Collier third. The amateurs’ and 
cottagers’ classes were well represented by Messrs. 
Broomhead, Harrison, Herringshaw, Roberts, Stocks, 
Mallinson, and others. 
FAVERSHAM.— November 1 6th and 17 th. 
The Faversham and district Chrysanthemum Associa¬ 
tion held their first exhibition at the Drill Hall, 
Faversham, on the above dates. Upwards of 1,000 
visitors entered the exhibition on the second day, and 
the executive, especially the courteous hon. sec., Mr. 
C. Stidolph, are to be congratulated on the success of 
their first exhibition. The classes for plants, cut 
blooms, vegetables and fruit were all well filled. The 
Grapes shewn by Mr. Finlay, of Lees Court, were of 
excellent quality, as also were those exhibited by Mr. 
Taylor and Mr. Weller. 
In the open class for twenty-four cut blooms, twelve 
incurved and twelve Japanese, the competition was 
very keen. Mr. W. Ray, nurseryman, of Green Street, 
was awarded first prize, closely followed by Mr. G. Ray, 
his father, second ; Mr. Goodham, nurseryman, of 
Sittingbourne, third, and Mr. G. S. Addison, an amateur 
of Thornton Heath, fourth. In the class for twelve 
incurved, Mr. Dodswell, gardener to R. Lake, Esq., 
was first with good blooms of Emily Dale, Queen of 
England and Empress of India ; Mr. Taylor, second ; 
Mr. Ratcliff, third. Mr. Dodswell was again first for 
twelve Japanese, the most prominent being Belle Paule, 
Madame C. Audiguier, and Criterion ; Mr. Taylor was 
again second, and Mr. Louth third. In the amateur 
classes, the hon. see., Mr. C. Stidolph, cleared all 
before him, the other prize winners being Mr. H. Dan, 
Mr. G. R. Liddon and Mr. S. W. Cook. 
The cottagers’ classes were very attractive, the vege¬ 
tables being such as would not disgrace some of our 
London shows ; they were stated by the judges to far 
exceed their expectations. The principal prize winners 
in these classes were Messrs. P. Sherwood, T. Atkins, 
T. Dixon, A. Watson, and W. Trieker. Groups of 
miscellaneous plants were well contested, the prize 
winners being Mr. Louth first, Mr. G. Rogers second, 
and Mr. Ratcliff and Mr. Taylor were awarded equal 
thirds. Amongst other exhibits was an attractive 
stand by Mr. Fred. T. Hart, of Ospringe Road Nursery, 
Faversham, consisting of foliage and other plants, cut 
blooms of Chrysanthemums, among which were some 
good flowers of the following Pompons :—Mdlle. Elise 
Dordan, La Triomphante, Edouard Audiguier, and 
Roi de Japonais. He also exhibited a fine collection of 
Apples, consisting of good dishes of Blenheim Orange, 
Lady Sudely, Golden Noble, &c. The exhibition was 
in every respect a great success, and far exceeded the 
most sanguine hopes of the officers, who had left no 
stone unturned to make their first exhibition a credit 
to the district. __ 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Climbing Plants. —Attention may now be profitably 
bestowed on all summer-flowering creepers, such as 
Jasmines, Plumbago capensis, Tacsonias, and others of 
a kindred nature. If trained in panels they may not 
be altogether unsightly; but still it is absolutely 
necessary to the proper ripening up of the wood that 
annual pruning should be practised, even in ever so 
young a state, because there is always a danger of 
unsuitable wood being left in at every stage. The 
knife should be very freely used, pruning away all 
crossed growths and re-tying all thoroughly. By this 
means, although rather bare, if neatly trained they are 
not unsightly. By thus treating them they are also 
induced to go to rest more thoroughly than if allowed 
to linger on, making growth of no value whatever. 
The structure in which they are growing should now be 
kept as cool and dry as possible, so that the plants may 
not be unduly excited. 
Flowering Plants. —Fogs still prevail, and are 
even more dense, rendering extra precautions in the 
way of ventilating and warming all houses in which 
plants are in flower necessary. Poinsettias come on 
very slowly, and in most cases flowers lack colour and 
are of short duration where subject to heat. The 
earliest Narcissus are in flower and staged in a cool 
house, their perfume being very refreshing. Roman 
Hyacinths will follow them in a few days, as also 
Vermilion Brilliant Tulip. These we find extremely 
useful for decorative purposes. We generally pot three 
bulbs in a large 60, and find that the most useful size, 
as it is such a dwarf grower. A few pots of Canary 
Bird and White Pottebakker should now be introduced 
to a gentle heat, taking care that as soon as the flower- 
buds appear they are kept near to the glass to prevent 
drawing. The general stock of bulbs should be 
examined every ten days or so, and as they become 
ready be removed to the cold pits, as previously advised. 
The Forcing House. —A few more Azaleas of kinds 
should also be placed in heat, so as to be sure to keep 
up a good supply to cut from. Spiraeas come on much 
better if plunged in good bottom-heat, and also Lily of 
the Valley ; and both will be found to start more 
readily if the crowns are covered with 1 in. or so of 
Moss and kept damp by syringing. Many of the Ferns 
which have been used for indoor work will now be¬ 
come shabby ; in which case let the old fronds be cut 
over and the pots stored away for a short time, then 
introduce them to a brisk heat and they will quickly 
throw up, and may then be divided or grown on as 
desired. Be careful that the Calanthes as they open 
are kept as dry as possible overhead, or the flowers 
quickly damp off. Of course syringing must now be 
discontinued, damping of the paths and stages being 
quite sufficient to maintain a proper atmosphere ; but if 
hard firing must be resorted to, prefer rather to place a 
few evaporating pans on the pipes, which will greatly 
assist in preventing the appearance of red-spider and 
thrip. - 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Late Grapes. —Much care is necessary now in the 
treatment of the house containing the late Grapes. All 
excess of foliage should be gradually reduced, by 
pruning back to the necessary bud or two all those 
now bearing laterals, and shortening back those carrying 
the fruit, which will prevent anything in the nature of 
pruning at the time the Grapes are cut for bottling. 
The pipes should be nicely warmed every morning 
before the ventilators are opened, only opening the 
front sashes later in the day, and, of course, not at all 
during foggy or wet weather. The clusters should be 
examined once or twice a week, removing any decaying 
berries, but these should be few indeed, if the crop was 
thoroughly ripened in good time, that is by the end of 
the first week in September ; so far, the foliage in this 
house with us is perfectly green, but as it falls it will 
be gathered up, and the border kept quite dry. No 
plants must be allowed in this house. — Walter Child. 
