36 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 19, 1891. 
THE INTERNATIONAL 
SHOW AT EDINBURGH. 
In our last issue the exigiences of time and space 
permitted us only to allude to some of the special 
features of the grand exhibition held in the Waverley 
Market last week, and which, thanks to a most liberal 
prize list, energetic management, and glorious 
weather, resulted in a great and unqualified success. 
The entries far exceeded those received at previous 
Internationals and the most sanguine anticipations 
of the promoters, while the competition in some of 
the classes fairly beat all previous records. The 
arrangements for utilizing the vast floor space of the 
market were admirable, and, except when crowded 
to such an extent as it was on the second and third 
nights, left plenty of room for an easy inspection of 
the exhibits. Fruits and vegetables decidedly took 
the lead in point of numbers and quality, and of 
Grapes alone the display was of an unusually exten¬ 
sive character. The groups or collections of plants 
were specially good, too, while the display of hardy 
autumn flowers was extensive enough, if not other¬ 
wise remarkable. The judging was got through at 
an early hour, and, as is customary at the Edinburgh 
shows, gardeners were admitted between g and ii a.m. 
at a cheap rate, and availed themselves of the 
privilege in considerable numbers. At noon the 
exhibition was formally opened to the public by 
Viscount Melville, the Senior Vice-President of the 
Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, who in a 
short address said he doubted whether since the 
days of the first gardener, Adam, in the Garden of 
Eden, such a display had ever been witnessed as 
that which lay before them. 
The special prizes offered by the Turner Memorial 
Trustees for the best collection of fruit in the show, 
and the Silver Cup, value ten guineas, given by the 
Scottish Horticultural Association for award to the 
competitor taking the largest aggregate amount of 
prizes in some seven of the fruit classes, 
were taken by Mr. Mclndoe, gardener, Hutton 
Hall, Guisborough, who also secured the first prize 
f>ra collection of twelve dishes of fruit, with very fine 
examples of Gros Maroc and Golden Champion 
Grapes, a good bunch of Bananas, Pines, Figs, 
Souvenir du Congres Pears, Golden Eagle Peaches, 
Nectarines. Mr. D. Murray, Culzean Castle, was 
an exceedingly close second; and Mr. Hunter, of 
Lambton, a very good third. In the second class, 
also for twelve dishes, Mr. Hunter staged very fine 
samples of Alicante, Barbarrosa, and Gros Colmar 
Grapes, lovely-coloured Worcester, Pearmain 
Apples, Peaches, Pears, &c., and secured premier 
honours ; Mr. McKelvie, of Broxmouth Park, coming 
in second ; and Mr. Fairgrieve, Dunkeld, third. Mr. 
Hunter also beat Mr. Mclndoe and Mr. D. Melville, 
St. Boswell’s, in another competition with twelve 
dishes; and the same exhibitors, with the places of 
the two first reversed, were successful in still 
another competition with a dozen. With eighteen 
dishes of hardy fruits Mr. Fairgrieve v r as well to the 
front, beating Mr. Day, of Galloway House, and 
Mr. Gray, of Perth, who secured the other awards 
with capital samples. For a similar collection 
growrn in England, the awards went to Mr. Crasp, 
gardener to Lord Wimborne, Blandford, Dorset, 
Mr. Nicholson, Sewardstone Lodge, and Mr. S. T. 
Wright, Glewston Court, Ross, in the order named. 
The Grape classes were unusually well contested, 
and a high average of quality prevailed in all classes, 
though there was nothing present to equal the grand 
examples we have seen from Glamis, Lambton, 
and Castle Kennedy in years gone by. For eight 
bunches, four varieties, and for six bunches, three 
varieties, the first prizes were well won by Mr. Kirk, of 
Alloa, who had splendidly finished examples of Gros 
Maroc, Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, Alnwick 
Seedling, &c., but there was a weak place in the 
absence of a white variety. In the eight class Mr. 
Taylor, gardener to Mr. Alderman Chaffin, Bath, 
was a good second, and Mr. Murray, Park Hall, 
Polmont, third ; while for six similar honours 
went to Mr. McHattie, Newbattle,- and his neighbour, 
Mr. Mackinnon, Melville Castle. The first prizes in 
the other Grape classes were awarded as follows : — - 
Four bunches, Mr. W. Taylor; two bunches of 
Black Hamburgh, Mr. J. Witherspoon, Chester-le- 
Street; two bunches Muscat Hamburgh, Mr. James 
Day, Galloway House ; two bunches of Madresfield 
Court, Mr. James Day; two bunches of Alicante, 
Mr. W. Murray ; two bunches of Gros Cplmar, Mr. 
W. Taylor ; two bunches of Lady Downes, Mr. W. 
Murray ; two bunches of any other black, Mr. James 
Day ; two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, Mr. 
McHattie ; two bunches of Buckland Sweetwater, 
Mr. Potter, White Hall, Carlisle ; and two bunches 
any other white, Mr. Copeland, Orwell Lodge. 
Single bunches : Black Hamburgh, Mr. Morrison, 
Archerfield ; Black Alicante, Mr. W. Taylor; Lady 
Downes, Mr. John Laing, Blairgowrie; Alnwick 
Seedling, Mr. W. J. Green, Yester; Gros Maroc, 
Mr. John Leslie, Pitcullen House, Perth ; Muscat of 
Alexandria, Mr. McHattie ; Madresfield Court, Mr. 
W. Taylor ; Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat, Mr. Stewart, 
Brayton Hall, Carlisle; Golden Champion, Mr. 
A. Chalmers, Dumfries ; Duke of Buccleuch, Mr. 
Mclndoe ; Seedling not in commerce, Mr. Mclndoe ; 
Finest flavoured black, Mr. D. Murray ; Finest 
flavoured white, Mr. McHattie; Finest bloom, Mr. 
James Day ; Heaviest bunch black, Mr. Mattison, 
Currie ; Heaviest white, Mr. Morrison, Archerfield. 
In a series of classes for exhibitors not competing 
in the above, there were also a fine lot of Grapes 
staged. Section five brought out a great variety of 
subjects, and especially a large display of hardy 
fruits, all very good for the season, but for the most 
part below the usual standard observable when 
warmer summer weather has prevailed. 
The vegetables would of themselves have made 
a remarkable exhibition anywhere, so strongly was 
all the classes contested and so fine the quality 
throughout. The two classes for Potatos in particu¬ 
lar were quite remarkable for the number of dishes 
staged, and the fine character of the samples shown. 
Hitherto size has been considered a strong point at 
Edinburgh, but on this occasion the judges followed 
the southern rule of attaching more importance to 
medium samples, other points being equal, and some 
amount of soreness among a few exhibitors was the 
result. The prize winners in the class for eighteen 
dishes were : Mr. John Sinclair, Harviston, Dollar, 
Mr. J. Robertson, Hartrigg House, and Mr. John 
Gentleman, Armadale; and in the smaller class for 
six (an extraordinary competition), Mr. Gentleman, 
Mr. McFarlane and Mr. E. S. Wiles secured the 
awards, needless to say with grand samples. The 
two classes for collections of vegetables brought out 
a magnificent lot of produce, numbers and quality 
being all that could possibly be desired. In the first 
class for twelve distinct varieties, all the prizes went to 
the South, the winners beingMr.Pope.Highclere Castle 
Mr. J. Muir, Margam, and Mr. Wilkins, Inwood 
House, Dorset; and in a similar competition with 
Tomatos, Mushrooms and Cucumbers excluded, Mr. 
James Cocker, Lochryan, Stranraer, Mr. W. J. Low, 
Stirling, and Mr. G. Potter, North Berwick, were 
the successful competitors in the order named. The 
classes for single dishes of Peas, Beans, Parsnips, 
Beet, Celery, Cauliflowers, Carrots, Tomatos, Pars¬ 
ley in pots, Onions, Yellow and White Turnips, 
Cabbages, Lettuces &c., were all admirable, 
representing a high order of cultivation throughout. 
The plant classes brought out no great amount of 
competition, but included some remarkable indi¬ 
vidual specimens. The ten stove and greenhouse 
plants shown by Mr. Finch, gardener to G. Marriott, 
Esq., Coventry, which secured premier honours, 
were especially fine, while his single specimen of 
Ixora Duffei, which took the Veitch Memorial Medal 
and £$ for the best flowering plant in the show, was 
the finest example we have ever seen, splendidly 
bloomed and the trusses of enormous size. 
The nurserymen's competition with a table of 
plants was one of the keenest contested in the show, 
and very fine. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson took 
the premier award with a massive and exceedingly 
effective arrangement of superbly-grown medium¬ 
sized specimens ; Messrs. I. & R. Thyne coming in 
second, and Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons a close 
third, both tables being of rare excellence. In the 
amateur class the awards went to Mr. McIntyre, of 
Darlington, and Mr. Wood, gardener to J. Buchanan, 
Esq., Oswald Road, both having very fine displays. 
The Orchids were very good for the season, and Mr. 
Sharp, Freelands, Forgandenny, took the premier for 
six. Mr. Curror, Eskbank, who came in second, 
had a superbly-flowered specimen of Oncidium 
incurvum with a dense head of bloom nearly 3 ft. 
through. All other classes were well represented. 
Cut flowers were staged in great quantities, but 
for the most part call for no special comment as 
regards the competitive displays. The leading feature 
was undoubtedly the Dahlias, which were plentiful 
and good, especially the winning collections shown 
by Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons and Messrs. H. B. 
Clark & Sons. Next in point of quality were the 
Roses of Mr. Hugh Dickson, of Belfast, and Messrs. 
Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen ; a box of blooms of Mrs. 
John Laing staged by the former being remarkably 
fine. 
The miscellaneous class was a heavy one, and 
added much to the general effectiveness of the show. 
The post of honour in this section was held by 
Messrs. W. Thomson & Sons, Clovenfords, who 
were awarded the Society's Gold Medal for a perfect 
trophy of flowers and fruits—an immense collection 
of admirably grown stove and greenhouse plants, 
cut flowers of Orchids, and grand examples of Grapes, 
Peaches and other fruits, set up with great judgment 
to bring out a pleasing effect. Other specially 
notable subjects were admirable groups of plants 
from Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Holloway; 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, Mr. John 
Downie, Edinburgh, and Messrs. Cutbush & Son, 
Highgate ; Ferns from Messrs. Birkenhead, of Sale ; 
Bertolonias and Sonerillas, a pretty group from 
Messrs. Ireland & Thomson ; Conifers from Messrs. 
J. Dickson & Sons; a very fine display of Dahlias 
from Messrs. Cannell & Sons; herbaceous plants 
from Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen ; hardy 
flowers from Mr. J. Forbes, Hawick ; Show Pansies, 
Marigolds and other choice things from Messrs. 
Dobbie & Co., and Mr. A. Lister, Rothesay; Gla¬ 
dioli and Hollyhocks from Messrs. Stuart & Mein, 
Kelso; collections of Apples and Tomatos from 
Chiswick, and of Apples, &c., from Mr. J. Walker, 
of Ham, Surrey, Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maid¬ 
stone, Messrs. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Mr. J. 
Watkins, Hereford, &c. Hardy border Carnations 
also came from Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso; 
and a collection of plants, fruits and vegetables from 
Messrs. Cross & Sons. Glasgow. 
In the evening of the first day about 120 gentle¬ 
men, embracing the members of the Royal Cale¬ 
donian Horticultural Society, judges, exhibitors, &c , 
and representing probably one of the best gatherings 
of horticulturists ever brought together in Scotland, 
dined in the Waterloo Hotel, Edinburgh. Sir James 
Gibson Craig, one of the vice-presidents of the 
Society, occupied the chair ; Mr. W. Thomson, sen., 
Clovenfords, and Mr. C. Stewart, the secretary, 
acting as croupiers. The toast list comprised: 
"The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society,” 
which was responded to by Mr. Thomson; "The 
Corporation of Edinburgh,” proposed by Mr. A. 
Milne, and acknowledged by Baillie McDonald ; “ The 
Royal Horticultural Society,” proposed by Mr. 
Dunn, Dalkeith Palace Gardens, and responded to 
by Mr. Barron, Chiswick ; " The Judges,” responded 
to by Mr. Bruce Findlay, Manchester, and Mr. 
David Thomson, Drumlanrig ; " The Competitors,” 
" The Officials of the Society,” " The Visitors," and 
" The Chairman.” 
Hotes. 
Melon Halstead Favourite. 
The fruit of this new Melon is globose, of medium 
size, with a pale yellow, pretty closely netted skin. 
The flesh is green, of great thickness for the size of 
the fruit, rich, very juicy, melting, and sweet. Two 
fruits of it were shown by Mr. Alfred Gibson, 
gardener to T. F. Burnaby Atkins, Esq., Halstead 
Place, Sevenoaks, at the meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society on the 8th inst., when an 
Award of Merit was accorded it. 
Pear Quince Jargonelle. 
The name given to this Pear is apparently meant to 
indicate the general appearance of the fruit and its 
relationship to the Jargonelle. As far as shape is 
concerned it most resembles the fruit of the common 
Quince. It is shortly pear-shaped or turbinate, 
thickest in the middle and suddenly contracted to a 
narrow neck-like portion. The long calyx lobes may 
be compared to those of the Jargonelle proper, and 
in flavour, earliness of ripening, and other qualities 
it may also be compared to the latter. It is a neat 
fruit of medium size, with a greenish-yellow, very 
smooth or even skin, minutely punctated all over 
with small russety dots. The flesh is white, 
very tender, juicy, and sweet without any grit. The 
crop has been a good one in the gardens of the 
Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick, and is now 
in season, but does not last long in good condition, 
Apple Duches of Oldenburgh. 
This early variety is usually regarded as a culinary 
Apple, but it is vastly superior to many of the kinds 
which are exposed on the fruit-stalls throughout the 
Metropolis and eaten by the London public. Seeing 
that it comes in early, keeps a long time, and looks 
well when properly coloured by good exposure, it 
should be more largely planted by the market growl¬ 
ers. It is a heavy and constant cropper, and_ may 
be seen bearing well when other kinds around it are 
fruitless or almost so in bad seasons. . , 
