108 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 18, 1890. 
Rich.ard.ia africana, Little Gera. 
The plant of the above, shown at the Drill Hall on 
Tuesday last, well merited the name of Little Gem, for 
it is a pigmy amongst its kind. The sagittate leaves 
were deep green, and did not much exceed 10 ins. in 
height. The flower scapes, numbering four, varied 
from 12 ins. to 15 ins. in height, bearing each a small 
white spathe, similar to the type except in size. The 
plant was grown in far too big a pot. It was exhibited 
by Hr. H. Elliott, Jersey, who received an Award of 
Merit for it. 
Chrysanthemum Pink Lacroix. 
The florets of this variety are long, pendulous, and 
twisted, as in the type, but instead of being white they 
are pink. Specimens were shown by Mr. T. S. Ware, 
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, and by Mr. H. J. 
Jones, Hither Green, Lewisham, at the Drill Hall on 
Tuesday last, and each received an Award of Merit 
for it. 
Wesley Hall Melon. 
The fruit of this shown at the Drill Hall last Tuesday 
by Mr. A. Bishop, Wesley Hall Gardens, Bury St. 
Edmunds, was of large size, oblong, pale green, and 
densely netted with grey lines. The flesh is scarlet, of 
great thickness, and the inner part especially was very 
juicy and sweet. A First Class Certificate was 
awarded it. 
Apple, Beauty of Stoke. 
The fruit of this variety is of good average size, shortly 
and broadly conical, and almost of a uniform light 
green. There is a deep, tolerably even basin round 
the eye, and a shallower one at the insertion of the 
stalk. A First Class Certificate was awarded it when 
exhibited by Mr. A. H. Pearson, Chilwell, at the Drill 
Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday last. 
The Similarity of Tomatos when matured. 
It is a curious fact that, when growing, many Tomatos 
are perfectly distinct, but yet are hardly distinguish¬ 
able when matured, so much so, in fact, that it is 
not safe to judge them as distinct. We have had 
several hundredweight, of seven varieties, hanging 
together and it was really impossible to tell “ t’other 
from which,” and the only way that they could be 
picked out was by the footstalks, according to their 
length or thickness, and the number of fruits in the 
bunch. It is absurd now for any committee to ask for 
six distinct round varieties.— B. L. 
Tomato Optimus. 
This has been one of the best round, solid, red varieties 
we have had. The fruits are produced on clean, sturdy 
stems, with six to nine fruits each, of large size and 
perfectly smooth ; colour crimson. It is very similar 
in appearance to one called Livingstone’s Favourite. 
We could very well dispense with a host of names now. 
— B. L. 
Cucumber, Once Grown Ever Grown. 
This is really a poor man’s Cucumber, and is one of 
the most prolific sorts that I ever grew, producing as 
many as sixteen fruits at a joint. The fruits vary from 
9 ins. to 13 ins. in length, and are produced under the 
most haphazard treatment.— B. L. 
-- 
CRYSTAL PALACE AUTUMN 
FRUIT SHOW. 
The annual autumn show of hardy fruits at Sydenham, 
held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week, 
though not quite so large as usual, and specially weak as 
regards the display of Pears, was an exceedingly good 
one on the whole for the season, and specially good as 
regards Apples, which were both abundant and remark¬ 
ably fine in size and colour. The bright sunshine 
showed up the rich colours to the greatest advantage, 
and the tout ensemble , thanks to Mr. Head’s happy 
disposition of the various collections, was more than 
usually pleasing. 
The most extensive class was that for a collection 
not exceeding 100 dishes, which brought out eight of 
our best known competitors, with a grand lot of fruit ; 
and it is not often that any firm puts up such a 
splendid lot of samples of the best known varieties as 
that contributed by Messrs. George Bunyard & Co., of 
Maidstone, which secured the premier award. It is 
needless to particularise the sorts where all were so fine 
in every respect. Mr. J. Watkins, Withington, near 
Hereford, came in second with a collection which in 
point of colour ran the Kentish fruit very close, and in 
the case of some varieties was even superior, but his 
specimens lost by comparison on the score of size—a 
very handsome lot nevertheless. Mr. C. C. Slater, 
Heavitree, Exeter, came in third, and the English 
Fruit & Rose Co., Hereford, fourth. 
The best exhibition of Pears came from Mr. G. 
Woodward, Barham Court ; but as there were only two 
exhibitors, and the samples were not so fine as usual, 
the first prize was withheld, the second being awarded 
to Mr. Woodward, and the third to Mr. J. Watkins. 
Mr. Woodward, however, secured the first prize for 
twenty-four dishes of Apples, beating Mr. A. Waterman, 
Aylesford, and Mr. S. Brrlow, Stakehill, who were 
respectively second and third in a first-rate competition. 
Mr. A. T. Killick, Weavering, Maidstone, had the 
finest dozen dishes of Apples ; Mr. T. Parker, Moreton 
Court, near Hereford, coming in second ; and Mr. S. 
H. Goodwin, Mereworth, Kent, third. For the best 
dozen dishes of Pears the awards went to Mr. A. 
Chisholm, gardener, Oxenoath Park, Tunbridge ; Mr. 
G. Woodward and Mr. Allen, Gunton, in the order 
named. 
Miscellaneous collections of fruit shown not for 
competition were a conspicuous feature, and in this 
section Messrs. James Veitch & Sons made a grand 
display, composed of some 250 dishes, and ten dishes of 
Apples and Pears ; large and meritorious contributions 
also came from Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Messrs. John 
Laing & Sons, Messrs. John Peed & Sons, Messrs. J. 
Cheal & Sons, and Messrs. Jarman & Co. 
The display of vegetables was both extensive and 
unusually good. The first prize collection in the open 
class was one of the most complete representations of 
the kitchen garden that could probably be staged, while 
every article staged was of great excellence. The 
exhibitor was Mr. T. A. Beckett, Hatch Farm, Penn, 
Amersham, and his display reflected the greatest credit 
upon his skill as a cultivator. 
In the amateurs’ class Mr. R. Lye, Sydmonton 
Court, Newbury, won handsomely, the other prize- 
takers in the same competition being Mr. W. Pope, 
Highclere, and Mr. C. J. Waite. The best six dishes 
shown by cottagers, in a very creditable competition, 
came from Mr. R. Timbs, Tyler’s Green, Amersham. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons first prize for six vegetables went 
to Mr. C. J. Waite ; and Messrs. James Carter & Co.’s, 
for six dishes of Potatos, to Mr. R. Lye ; the same 
firm’s first prize for dishes of King of tiie Russets and 
Holborn Abundance going to Mr. W. Pope. The display 
of Gourds, always a feature at this show, was even finer 
and richer in variety than ever. Mr. C. Osman, South 
Metropolitan District Schools, Sutton, had the most 
meritorious display. 
The floral department included a lovely group of 
Begonias from Messrs. John Laing & Sons ; a singularly 
fine display of Cactus Dahlias from Messrs. Cannell & 
Sons ; a capital display of Cactus and single varieties 
from Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, and a showy group of 
Chrysanthemums from Messrs. Reid & Bornemann j 
Sydenham. 
1 -- 
THE AQUARIUM FRUIT SHOW. 
The last of the special series of exhibitions, organised 
by the Royal Aquarium and Winter Garden Company, 
opened on Wednesday, brought out a larger number of 
exhibits than was at first expected. The subjects 
exhibited were arranged by Mr. Dean at each end of 
the building on the ground floor ; and the varied tints 
of the Chrysanthemums and fruits combined to produce 
a very varied and attractive display. The first prize for 
a collection of fruit was awarded to Mr. Alex. Miller, 
gardener to W. H. Long, Esq., M.P., Rood Ashton 
Park, Trowbridge. The collection included ten bunches 
of Grapes, four Melons, six dishes of Peaches, twenty- 
four dishes of Apples, twenty-two dishes of Pears, some 
Red Currants, Figs, and Plums. Mr. J. H. Goodacre, 
gardener to the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, 
Derby, was second. 
The first award for a collection of Apples was carried 
off by Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, who 
had 140 dishes, amongst which were fine samples of 
Peasgood’s Nonsuch, Belle Dubois, The Queen, Bis- 
mark, and others. The second prize went to Mr. John 
Watkins, Pomona Farm Nurseries, Withington, Here¬ 
ford, who had 107 dishes, the bulk of the fruit being 
finely coloured, and many samples of large size. Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Sons, Lowfield Nurseries, Crawley, Sussex, 
were the only exhibitors of a collection of Pears, and 
they showed seventy-three dishes. Mr. Thos. Parker, 
Moreton Court, Herefordshire, took the first prize for 
eighteen dishes of Apples, all of which were of large 
size for their kind. Mr. J. H. Goodacre, gardener to 
The Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, Derby, was 
second. The best twelve dishes of Pears were those of 
Mr. W. A. Cook, gardener to Major C. W. Heneage, 
Y.C., Compton Bassett, Wilts ; a dish of six samples 
of Catillac weighed over 8 lbs. S. Barlow, Esq., J.P., 
Stakehill House, Manchester, was second. 
Mr. J. IT. Goodacre took the first prize for a collec¬ 
tion of twelve bunches of Grapes, including fine 
samples of Gros Colmar, Alnwick Seedling, and 
Foster’s Seedling ; Mr. George Winter, gardener to 
Mrs. Man, Barrow-on-Humber, Hull, was second. 
Mr. J. Batten, gardener to A. Venables, Esq., Holly¬ 
wood, Wimbledon Park, had the best Black Hamburgh 
Grapes. Mr. J. H. Goodacre had the best Muscat of 
Alexandria, well finished. Mr. T. Osman, gardener to 
L. J. Baker, Esq., Ottershaw Park, Chertsey, had the 
best white of any other kind in Mrs. Pearson ; and Mr. 
J. Batten had the best black Grapes of any other kind in 
Gros Maroc, the three bunches of which were fine 
samples. Messrs. Fellowes & Ryder, Northumberland 
Nursery, Orpington, Kent, had the best twelve dishes 
of Tomatos in not less than six varieties. They were 
well selected samples. Mr. Wm. Wells, Earlswood, 
Redhill, took the first award for a collection of Tomatos, 
showing thirty dishes. The first prize for a collection 
of vegetables was awarded to Mr. Wm. Pope, gardener to 
the Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, Newbury ; he 
was followed by Mr. R. Lye, gardener to W. F. 
Kingsmill, Esq., Sydmonton Court, Newbury. There 
were seven entries in the class for six dishes of dessert 
Apples, from which nurserymen were excluded. 
The first prize winner was Mr. R. Ritchings, gar¬ 
dener to W. Lindsay, Esq., Brandries, Beddington. The 
first prize for six dishes of culinary Apples was deservedly 
awarded to Mr. F. Bridger, gardener to Lord de l’lsle 
and Dudley, whose samples of Warner’s King were 
of enormous size. The first prize for six dishes of Pears 
was awarded to Messrs. E. Palmer & Co., Waterloo 
Junction. 
A number of prizes in eight classes were offered by the 
National Chrysanthemum Society for Chrysanthemums. 
The first prize for twenty-four Japanese was awarded to 
Mr. Chas. Gibson, gardener to J. Wormauld, Esq., 
Morden Park, Surrey, many of whose blooms would have 
done justice to a November exhibition. Mr. J. Doughty, 
gardener to Mrs. Tomlin, Angley Park, Cranbrook, was 
second. There was a good competition in this class. 
Mr. C. Blick, gardener to Martin R. Smith, Esq., The 
Warren, Hayes Common, Kent, had the best twelve 
blooms, some of which were of great size. C. E. Shea, 
Esq., The Elms, Foots Cray, Kent, was second. Mr. 
Chas. Cox, gardener to J. Trotter, Esq., Brickenden 
Grange, Hertford, had the best six white blooms in 
Avalanche, which were splendid. Mr. Wm. Wells, 
Earlswood, Redhill, had the best yellow blooms in La 
Chirine. Mr. J. McKenzie, gardener to F. S. W. Corn¬ 
wallis, Esq., M.P., Linton Park, Maidstone,bad the best 
six blooms of any other colour in Stanstead Surprise. 
Mr. F. Neary, gardener to the Rev. R. W. Powell, 
Hornsey, had the best twelve bunches of Pompons. 
Some special prizes were offered by Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons. For the best nine specimens of Sutton’s Perfec¬ 
tion Tomato, Mr. C. J. Waite took the leading prize, as 
well as that for the best collection of six varieties of 
vegetables. Mr. H. Deverell offered prizes for Onions 
and Leeks. Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to Lady Theodora 
Guest, Inwood House, Henstridge, Blandford, won the 
first prize, in a good competition for Onions, showing 
Ailsa Craig. Mr. R. Lye had the best Leeks in The 
Oxonian. 
In the miscellaneous class, Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
Chelsea, exhibited a collection of 266 dishes of Apples 
and Pears, including nine large baskets of popular 
kinds, as well as four varieties of autumn fruiting 
Raspberries, the cut shoots being in full bearing. A 
small collection of Apples was shown by Mr. J. Miller, 
gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Foley, Ruxley Lodge, 
Esher. A good sized collection was shown by Messrs. 
Jarman & Co., Chard. Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons had 
an exhibit of 170 dishes of Apples and Pears, many of 
the former being finely coloured. Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, Forest Hill, showed two collections consisting of 
130 dishes of Apples and Pears, many of large size. 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons, Mitcham Road, Streat- 
ham, showed another collection of fifty-nine dishes. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, exhibited 
Chrysanthemums, Cactus Dahlias, and tuberous 
Begonias, mostly set up with wire ; they had also a 
large collection of ornamental Gourds. Mr. T. S. Ware, 
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, showed a group of 
Carnations and Cactus Dahlias. Messrs. J. Carter & Co., 
High Holborn, showed thirteen dishes of Tomatos. 
Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither Green, Lewisham, exhibited a 
large group of Pompon and Japanese Chrysanthemums. 
Another group was shown by Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, 
as well as a bank of Begonia flowers. Mr. C. Osman, 
Sutton, Surrey, exhibited an extensive collection of 
ornamental Gourds. 
