November 28, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
195 
to believe the whole story to be a myth, or I 
would say a " tarra-diddle ” only that your 
correspondent seems to attach some other meaning 
to the expression than is to be found in an ordinary 
dictionary. 
I would like to add that I have no commercial 
interest in Begonias, nor ever have had, and there¬ 
fore am not concerned either about Jove and his 
thunderbolts or cloven hoofs ; and as to anonymity 
it may be news to Mr. Napper to know that there 
are still some modest folks about who dislike seeing 
their names in print. I am one of them, hence my 
nom de plume.—A Lover of the Begonia. 
-- 
Hardening §Jiscellany. 
APPLE BENONI. 
Among the many Apples we are indebted to America 
for, none I think equals " Benoni.” Many of the 
American varieties do not succeed in Scotland, but I 
think "Benoni "should be in every collection. Beauti¬ 
ful in colour, firm, sweet, and very juicy, it is a first- 
class dessert Apple, and far superior to the " Mother ” 
Apple, another American of good qualities. Being a 
free bearer and ripening in September so far north 
as here (Morayshire) in a sunless season like the 
past I think it is deserving of notice. None of the 
American Apples has what a Scotch gentleman once 
called the " smack ’’ of home grown Apples; but the 
subject of this short note when in prime condition 
should please the veriest epicure.— Wm. Ogg, Duff us 
House, Elgin, N.B. 
[We have always regarded Benoni as a small 
Apple ; for the specimens we have seen on healthy, 
young trees worked upon the English Paradise in 
the suburbs of London, were certainly small com¬ 
pared with that sent us by Mr. Ogg a fortnight 
ago ; yet he informed us that the sample was only 
half the size it attains in a favourable year. The 
The largest ones this season were about one-third 
larger than the fruit in question. The quality was 
simply excellent.—E d.] 
HARDY LATE FLOWERS. 
Late flowering plants are always in demand in the 
flower garden, and come as a welcome tribute to 
brighten up the dull surroundings of their summer 
blooming associates. Whilst passing through 
Messrs. Peter Barr & Sons' Nursery at LoDg Ditton 
after a frost of n°, there was Aconitum autumnale 
bearing its large monkshood-shaped lavender-blue 
flowers, looking beautifully happy in spite of the 
frost. Here also 1 noticed a wonderfully decorative 
Composite, Rudbeckia nitida " Autumn Glory," 
with large rich golden-yellow flowers, borne on 
branched stems from 4 ft. to 5 ft. high. Aster 
ericoides elatior is a late blooming Michaelmas 
Daisy of great beauty, bearing on long, graceful 
stems numerous small, pure white flowers, and 
having heath-like foliage. Another of contrasting 
beauty is the North American Starwort, " Aster 
Novae Angliae pulchellus ” ; this bears, on stems 
about 4 ft. high, large deep violet flowers, and is of 
stately habit. Among the species of Crocus such 
as C. asturicus, a beautiful purple-lilac, with darker 
markings towards the base ; C. longiflorus ; the 
scented rose-lilac Crocus ; and C.speciosus, probably 
one of the most handsome of autumn blooming 
Crocuses, were all conspicuous. The last-named 
has large flowers of a bright blue colour, suffused 
with dark veins at the base. The bright orange 
stigma adds additional beauty to this charming 
species. It is quite hardy, multiples quickly, and 
constitutes a gem for planting in grass to naturalise. 
— W.L. 
-«*.- 
SOCIETIES. 
Gloucester, Nov. 11 th. —The Gloucestershire Root, 
Fruit and Grain Society held their annual show at 
the Corn Exchange, Gloucester. Fruit is the great 
feature of this show, and a large number of exhibits 
were forthcoming. In the class for the two best 
bunches of Black Grapes, Mrs. Gambier Perry, of 
Highnam Court, received first prize with two very 
fine bunches of Black Alicante, Col. Seddon being 
second. The same exhibitors gained the prizes for 
White Grapes, Col. Seddon, however, in this class 
being first. The tenant farmers’ class for a collec¬ 
tion of the best and most profitable sorts of Apples, 
was won by Mr. T. Morris, Maisemore Court. Mr. 
Wright, Glewstone Court, Ross, was awarded first 
prize for a collection of Apples. The English Fruit 
and Rose Company, Hereford,was first for a collection 
of dessert Apples. Mr. Wright secured first prizes for 
twelve Ribston Pippins and twelve of Cox's Orange 
Pippins. Mr. J. H. Phelps, Tibberton, was first in 
the remaining class for dessert Apples. Mr. John 
Watkins took first for a collection of culinary Apples. 
The collections of cider Apples were very complete, 
and excited considerable interest. Some very fine 
exhibits of Pears were forthcoming, Mr. Watkins, 
Mr. Wright, and Col. Arbuthnot being the principal 
prize takers. The show of roots was very large, and 
some very fine specimens were shown, one exhibit of 
nine yellow-fleshed tankard Mangold, weighing 
close upon 2J cwt. A very fine lot of Potatos was 
also exhibited, there being forty-four exhibits in nine 
classes. 
The Chrysanthemum classes at this show are a 
recent addition, and there being only four classes, 
they formed a minor but attractive portion of the 
show. J. Herbert, Esq., staged a very creditable 
group of plants for which he was awarded first 
prize. The Silver Cup offered by J. Buchanan, 
Esq., was won by Mr. Wm. Bazer, Harfield Court, 
the second prize going to A. J. Diver, Bridgend, 
Stonehouse. Both these exhibits were of a high 
standard, the incurves being very good. The show 
was opened by the Mayor and Corporation at two 
o'clock, and was largely attended. 
-.4-- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
West Herts, Nov. jth and 6th. 
The tenth annual show at the Clarendon Hall fully 
maintained the reputation of the Society for 
arranging a fine exhibition. The staging and 
arrangements of the groups differed from those of 
previous shows, and greatly suited the convenience 
of the visitors. On the whole the exhibition de¬ 
monstrated a decided advancement, and showed 
that considerable energy is expended on the cultiva¬ 
tion of the Golden Flower. The fruit and vegetables 
were particularly fine, and the exhibition was doubt¬ 
less one of the best that will be seen in the country 
during the present autumn. 
There were seventy-four classes altogether, two of 
which did not fill, representing over 320 exhibits. 
Many well-known local firms, including Messrs. 
Scrivener Bros., Mr. J. P. Darby, and Messrs. 
Pearman & Co., sent collections of the "Queen of 
Flowers,” many of which were awarded prizes. 
The interior of the hall presented an imposing 
appearance, and the main feature cf the show was 
the grand display of Chrysanthemums and other 
beautiful flowers forwarded by the Earl of Claren¬ 
don. Many of the most prominent gentlemen and 
gardeners in the district also forwarded exhibits, 
among whom Mr. \V. K. D'Arcy, Mr. A. Scrivener, 
Mr. C. E. Keyser, who was awarded the Society’s 
Silver Cup, value ^5 5s., for the best group of 
Chrysanthemums in the show, Mr. R. Henty, Mr. 
V. M. Martin, the Rev. H. F. H. Burchell-Herne, 
Mr. H. H. Gibbs, Mr. A. Rowlands, Dr. Brett, 
Lord Esher, the Rev. F. H. Hodgson, Mr. R. 
Gurney, and Mrs. Part took the majority of the 
prizes. The ground floor was devoted to the cut 
and other blooms, while the galleries were reserved 
for fruit and vegetable exhibits. 
In the division open to the United Kingdom, Mr. 
C. E. Keyser secured the Silver Cup for the best 
group of Chrysanthemums in the show. Mr. VV. 
K. D’Arcy and Lord Esher respectively took first 
and second prizes for a miscellaneous group of 
plants. Mr. C. E. Keyser again came to the front 
for another group of Chrysanthemums, and was 
followed by Mr. W. K. D’Arcy. For twenty-four 
blooms, distinct, Mr. C. E. Keyser again led the way 
and was followed by Mr. R. Henty and Mr. W. K. 
D'Arcy respectively. In the class for twenty-four 
Japanese varieties he was followed by Mr. P. Bosan- 
quet, Earl Brownlow, and Mr T. F\ Blackwell. The 
latter came to the front for twelve incurved varieties, 
and was followed by Mr. J. Larkin and Mr. H. 
J. Lubbock. Mr. V. M. Martin had the best 
twelve Japanese sorts, and the Hon. A. H. Holland- 
Hibbert and Mr. T. Lansley followed him. Mr. W. 
K. D'Arcy had the best white, and the Hon. A. H. 
Holland-Hibbert had the best black Grapes. Mr. 
H. H. Gibbs was first for twelve vegetables, and 
Mr. R. Henty took the second place. 
Some special prizes were offered, and Mr. C. E. 
Keyser had the best incurved blooms in the show, 
while Mr. T. F. Blackwell bad the best Japanese 
bloom. Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Sons offered 
prizes for Mushrooms raised from " Miltrack" 
spawn, and the awards went to Mr. S. T. Holland, 
Mr. H. H. Gibbs, and Mr. H. Grinlin respectively. 
Mr. C. Braitiwaite had the best group of Chry¬ 
santhemums in the members' division, and was 
followed by Mr. C. R Humbert and Lord Esher 
respectively. Cut blooms made a fine display, and 
Mr. C. E. Keyser took the lead for twenty-four 
incurved types (at least eighteen distinct). He was 
succeeded by Mr. W. K. D'Arcy and Mr. R. Henty 
respectively. Mr. C. E. Keyser again led with 
twenty-four Japanese blooms. Mr. T. F. Blackwell 
had the best twelve incurved, and Mr. V. M. 
Martin was first for twelve Japanese. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, offered prizes for 
six vegetables, and the prizes were won by Mr. H. 
H. Gibbs, Mr. R. Henty, and Mr. A. P. Blathwayt 
in the order named. 
Messrs. J Carter & Co. offered prizes for a 
similar collection, and the premier award went 
to Mr. H. H. Gibbs, as well as the first prize offered 
for a collection by Mr. G. P. Darby, Watford. Here 
the Rev. F. H. Hodgson took the second award. 
Seaford, Nov. 6th. 
The first annual Chrysanthemum Show in connec¬ 
tion with the Seaford and East Blatchington 
Horticultural and Industrial Society, Sussex, was 
held at the Albert Hall, Seaford, kindly lent for the 
occasion by Major Crook, H.A.C. The Hall, which 
lends itself admirably to floral decoration, presented 
a charmiDg appearance, as arranged by Mr Harwood. 
The amateur exhibits were very fine, notably those 
of Mr. A. H. Beale, whose plants were exceedingly 
well grown, and the blooms finely developed. 
Major Crook’s display of cut blooms was very taste¬ 
ful, and Mr. A. F. Larkin's six Japanese blooms 
were a very choice lot, and gained easily the first 
prize in the class. Distinctly a feature of the show 
were the groups shown by Mr.A. Hardy, gardener to 
Mrs. Crook, the plants being admirably grown and 
the colours excellent. Mrs. Geake's gardener (T. 
Charles) bad a very fine display in the same class. 
The cut blooms shown by Harwood, gardener to Mr. 
A. J. Jack, were also highly commendable, and con¬ 
tained some handsome specimens of Princess May, 
Eda Prass, Sunflower, and Charles Davis. The 
fruit and vegetables were above average merit ; Mr. 
Keen's collection of vegetables were wonderfully fine 
and well deserving the first prize. Mrs. Crook's 
gardener’s exhibit in vegetables was also very good, 
as also was that of T. Charles, gardener to Mrs. 
Geake. About forty very fine specimens of Apples 
were shown by Mr. Russell, of Litlington, and some 
choice foliage plants, wreaths, &c., were exhibited 
by Messrs. Kenward & Son. Lewes. Altogether the 
show was a remarkable one, considering how recently 
the society was formed. 
Streatham, Nov. 6tli and yth. 
The 39th annual exhibition of the Brixton, Streat¬ 
ham and Clapham Horticultural Society was held in 
the Town Hall, Streatham. The quality of the 
Chrysanthemums, which formed the great feature of 
the show, was far above the average. The size and 
purity of the blooms were remirkable. The fruit 
was unusually fine, and beautifully coloured. The 
vegetables, which are always well shown by this 
society, were singularly good, and drew from the 
judges the remark that they were the finest they had 
seen at any show in the county. Ferns, Orchids, 
foliage plants, and table decorations were well 
represented, and, as a special feature of the show, 
some baskets of Chrysanthemums, Ferns and grasses, 
exhibited by ladies in competition for prizes offered 
by Miss Sherwood, deservedly attracted much 
attention. Floral designs of great taste and variety 
were exhibited by Messrs. John Peed & Sons, 
Streatham, and Mrs. T. E. Knight. Messrs. Peed 
also staged some fifty dishes of Apples and Pears of 
great variety and excellence. 
Special prizes were fairly numerous, and the 
Silver Medal oftered by Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft 
Nursery, Lewisham, for the best exhibit in the show 
was won by Mr. H. Poulton, gardener to C. T. 
Cayley, Esq. The President, T. Gabriel, Esq., J.P., 
offered prizes for a group of twelve plants of Chry¬ 
santhemums, and the premier award was won by 
