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THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 16, 1889. 
Amongst miscellaneous exhibits, on the ground floor 
of the building, was an attractive display of Pelar¬ 
goniums and Chrysanthemums, from Messrs. H. 
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent. The latter were done 
up in trusses so as to make a display. They had 
Japanese, Pompons, and single varieties chiefly. 
Amongst the latter were Admiral Sir F. Symonds, like 
a yellow Sunflower (Helianthus), Jane, white, Bellow 
Jane, and Gus Harris, rose. Mrs. C. Wheeler is a 
Japanese sort, in the way of Comte de Germiny. They 
had also twenty-four pale blooms of Etoile de Lyon, 
and twelve rich purple blooms of it; and a fine piece 
of Chrysanthemum coronarium Aurora, neat and Yellow. 
Pelargonium Souvenir de Mirande is a bright kind. 
Mr. J. Jennings, gardener to Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., 
Ascott, Leighton Buzzard, had a fine group of crimson, 
white, and the pink Miss Joliffe Carnations, which 
were beautiful and fragrant. Messrs. Pitcher & Manda, 
Short Hills, N. J., U. S. America, had a stand of half- 
a-dozen blooms of the hairy, white Japanese, Mrs. 
Alpheus Hardy; and Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm 
Nurseries, Tottenham, showed a plant of it in bloom. 
Mr. John May, St. Margaret’s, sent a beautifully-grown 
and flowered collection of Cyclamens ; .and Mr. C. 
Titmus, Harvey Road, Leytonstone, had a nice stand 
of the old double white Chinese Primula. 
Fruits. 
The fruit and vegetable classes, as usual, brought out 
a very fine lot of edible garden produce, and the 
vegetables especially were of a highly commendable 
character. Owing to the elimination from the schedule 
of the large Grape class, these fruits did not make 
so large a display as we have often seen here, but the 
quality was excellent all round. The best three 
bunches of Gros Colmar, in a good class, came from 
Mr. Oclee, gardener to the Dowager Marchioness of 
Lothian, Blickling Hall, Aylsham. The berries were 
large and jet-black, and we believe were cutfrom Vines 
inarched on Madresfield Court. Mr. J. Bury, Tewkes¬ 
bury Lodge, Forest Hill, was a good second ; and Mr. 
J. Craven, Osborn Park, Potter’s Bar, third. With 
three bunches of Black Grapes other than Gros Colmar, 
Mr. C. Griffin, gardener, Combe Bank, Kingston, was 
first with Alicante ; and in another class for a white 
variety, Mr. Griffin also secured first honours with 
Muscat of Alexandria, of a beautiful clear amber colour. 
The Apple classes (dessert and culinary) were, as 
usual, well contested, and the samples for size and 
colour all that could be desired. The best half-dozen 
dessert varieties came from Mr. Duncan, gardener, 
Warnham Court, Horsham, and consisted of unex¬ 
ceptionable examples of Blenheim Pippin, King of the 
Pippins, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Court Pendu Plat, and 
Golden Reinette. Mr. J. McKenzie, Linton Gardens, 
Maidstone, came in a good second, and Mr. T. 
Bettesworth, Burton Grange, Cheshunt, a close third. 
In the corresponding class for culinary kinds Mr. 
McKenzie secured the leading award with a superb lot, 
consisting of Peasgood’s Nonsuch, Gloria Mundi, Mere 
de Menage, Loddington Seedling, Emperor Alexander, 
and Waltham.Abbey Seedling. The second and third 
honours went to Mr. F. Miller, Northdown House, 
Margate, and Mr. C. Ross, Welford Park, who both 
had handsome specimens of the leading sorts. Pears 
made a poor show by comparison with the Apples, but 
what were shown, and especially what came from 
Gunton Park, were of unusually fine quality. Mr. 
Allen, who easily secured the first prize, had Doj^enne 
du Comice, Beurre Diel (a remarkably fine dish), 
Marie Louise d’TTecle (very handsome), Marie Louise, 
Beurre Bose, and Glou Morceau. 
Vegetables. 
The collections of vegetables merited high com¬ 
mendation, for they were both plentiful and of the best 
quality, making a bold and attractive display. The 
Messrs. Sutton’s first three prizes went to Mr. C. J. 
Waite, Glenhurst, Esher; Mr. T. A. Beckett, Cole 
Hatch Farm, Amersham ; and Mr. A. Miller, Rood 
Ashton Park, Trowbridge, in the order named, the former 
having a wonderful sample of Crystal White Celery, 
Read’s Exhibition Brussels Sprouts, Autumn Giant 
Cauliflowers, Perfection Tomatos, Intermediate Carrots, 
and Improved Reading Onions. Mr. R. Lye, Syd- 
monton, was fourth ; and Mr. J. Hughes, Eydon Hall, 
fifth. Mr. Lye threw all his strength into the competi¬ 
tion for the Messrs. Webb’s prizes, and secured the 
first with good samples of Oxonian Leeks, Wroxton 
Brussels Sprouts, Chancellor Potatos, Webb’s Jubilee 
Tomato, Kinver Monarch Cauliflowers, and Ailsa Craig 
Onions. The other awards went to Mr. Waite, Mr. A. 
Miller, and Mr. M. Knellor, of Malshanger. Mr. 
Waite won the first prize given by Mr. C. Fidler, the 
other awards being secured by Mr. Beckett, Mr. W. 
Pope, Highclere. and Mr. Ridgwell, Histon Road, 
Cambridge. 
Potatos were a prime feature, being largely and well 
shown in the competition classes as well as by several 
other exhibitors, not for competition. For a dozen 
dishes, Mr. J. Hughes, Eydon Hall, again proved his 
ability as a grower, by securing the highest award with 
very handsome samples of Reading Russet, Reading 
Giant, Hughes'* Purple Perfection, Chancellor, Vicar 
ofLaleham, Satisfaction, Mr. Bressee, Sutton’s Seedling, 
Hughes’ Pink Perfection, London Hero, Adirondack, 
and Sutton’s Abundance. Mr. E. S. Wiles, Edgecote 
Park, was a very good second ; and Mr. C. Ross was a 
close third. For six dishes the same relative order of 
merit was maintained by the two first named, but the 
third award went to Mr. J. H. Ridgwell. Mr. Hughes 
also secured the first prize for four of the varieties sent 
out by the Messrs. Sutton, but was beaten by Mr. 
Wills with eight dishes in a competition confined also 
to the Messrs. Sutton’s introductions. A very fine 
sample of Sutton’s Autumn Mammoth secured another 
first prize for Mr. Waite in a Cauliflower class ; and 
yet another he took with admirable samples of Celery, 
Curled Kale and Brussels Sprouts. Mr. M. Knellor, 
Malshanger, had the finest specimens of Ailsa Craig 
and Rousham Park Hero Onions ; and Mr. Wiles took 
Mr. Fidler’s first prize for six dishes of Potatos. 
To the miscellaneous class Messrs. Sutton k Sons 
contributed a remarkable display of Potatos, consisting 
of the varieties already sent out by them, seedlings in 
course of trial, and some sixty hybrids, all tastefully 
arranged and set off with various green and variegated 
Kales. Mr. C. Fidler had also a large collection of 
Potatos consisting of some 120 varieties, and including 
a heap of BrobJignagian samples of the Reading Giant, 
the cropping qualities of which were testified to by 
“one of the Six Hundred,” Mr. E. Blissett, Railway 
Tavern, Sandhurst, who has grown 41 lbs. weight of 
tubers from 2 lbs. of sets. Messrs. John Laing & Sons, 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, and Mr. J. Watkins, each 
contributed large collections of Apples, and a few 
Pears ; and Messrs. Daniels Bros, sent a dish of their 
new Apple, Vicar of Beighton, a handsomely-coloured 
late-keeping variety. Mr. H. Deveril had a large 
and fine collection of Onions and other specialities in 
vegetables. 
The horticultural sundries department was of a more 
extensive character than usual, and not the least inter¬ 
esting feature of the show to the severely practical 
mind. Messrs. A. Peel & Sons, Wood Green, were the 
largest exhibitors of plant houses, having several of the 
admirably built houses which have become so popular 
among amateurs. Messrs. E. & S. Newton, of Hitchin, 
showed their capital system of dry glazing ; Messrs. 
Foster & PearsoD, Beeston, sections of a low span- 
roofed house, a wall case, and a garden frame ; and Mr. 
Sam. Deard, a small house glazed on his patent 
system. Messrs. Brangwin & Co., Hackney, sent some 
heating stoves, garden seats and other useful articles. 
Mr. H. G. Smyth, 21, Goldsmith Street, Drury Lane, 
had a well-assorted display of all kinds of garden requi¬ 
sites ; Messrs. Beale & Co., New Southgate, were 
exhibitors of similar class of goods ; and Messrs. Wood 
& Sons, Wood Green, and Mr. J. Arnold, The Paragon, 
displayed masses of Orchid peat of excellent quality—a 
commodity none too plentiful in the market just now. 
We must not omit mention either of a new cup and 
tube for exhibiting Chrysanthemums, with a simple 
spiral arrangement for raising or depressing the cup, 
and which met with much favour among the exhibitors. 
It was shown by Mr. E. Beckett, and was highly 
commended. 
-- 
OSMASTON MANOR. 
The Seat of Sir A. B. Walker, Bart. 
Doubtless the early spring will be the season when the 
beauties of this charming country residence are to be 
seen at their fullest development; there is then much 
that will be of a most attractive character. Still, the 
autumn has an interest of its own, and just at the time 
when the leaves are thick upon the trees, and assuming 
the many tints of yellow, brown, auburn, and red, a 
broad and undulating stretch of country scenery well 
diversified is a scene well worth looking upon and con¬ 
templating with pleasure. Such as this Osmaston 
Manor appeared to me a few weeks ago when I had an 
opportunity of calling on an old friend, Mr. W. 
Sherwin. As I was well aware of the success Mr. 
Sherwin had achieved round Manchester and Liverpool, 
I was the more anxious to see how he was faring in 
Derbyshire, where, away from the deleterious atmo¬ 
sphere of a manufacturing town, many influences were 
certainly favourable to horticultural pursuits. The 
Hall is a most substantial structure, the approach to 
which is through an avenue of Limes, 400 yards long. 
A double row of trees on each side of the drive are 
now in capital condition. These were planted some 
thirty years ago and have made good progress. The 
pleasure grounds are extensive, and grand specimens 
of Coniferce are in robust health and vigour. 
I noticed an avenue of Irish Yews 20 ft. high, 
which were planted 8 yards apart, and are now touching 
one another. Two grand Cedrus Deodara, perfect in 
form and colour, 30 ft. high, were at the extremity of 
this avenue. Splendid golden Retinosporas, Araucaria 
imbricata (30 ft. high), Wellingtonia gigantea, Picea 
nobilis, Thujopsis dolobrata, Picea Lowii (20 ft. high), 
Cryptomeria japonica, &c., were a few I noticed as I 
passed along. Several "Weeping Hollies and Fern¬ 
leaved Beech trees were in fine form and very interest¬ 
ing. A row of standard Portugal Laurels on one of the 
terraces was very striking. Here were twelve trees 
planted 10 yards apart, and were 12 ft. high. The 
clean stems were 4 ft., and the half-globular heads 
were 8 ft. high and 12 ft. in diameter. These were in 
good health and true in form. They are cut over every 
spring in March and April, and certainly repay the 
labour that is bestowed upon them. 
Round some parts of the mansion a number of plants 
of Cotoneaster microphylla had been planted. These 
were trained up the walls on wires, and had been cut 
over very closely for several j T ears, so that now a dense 
shrubby growth is produced, and which at the time of 
my visit was covered with little rose-coloured berries 
that had a most pleasing effect. 
The conservatory is a fine building, 90 ft. by 40 ft. 
Some 500 to 600 Chrysanthemums will now be making 
a fine display. Several immense tree Ferns were here 
planted out. I noticed one, Dicksonia antirctica, with 
over forty fronds, each measuring 12 ft. to 14 ft. Some 
large Acacia pubescens were here, and have proved to 
be most serviceable. The glasshouses, of which there 
are some two dozen, are full of useful plants, Yines, 
&c. The latter are in houses of a peculiar con¬ 
struction and great durability, are 30 ft. wide, and 
have very little pitch to the roof, which is on the 
ridge and furrow principle. The Yines are planted on 
the front, and have a length of rod of about 15 ft. ; 
these have outside borders. Other Yines are planted 
in the middle of the houses, and run the remaining 
15 ft.; these have inside borders. The canes were 
clean, stout, and ripening well, Mr. Sherwin assuring 
me he had had good crops. Those still carrying fruit 
were ample confirmation of the statement. 
Two Peach ranges, 100 ft. long, in three divisions, 
had borne good crops and made stout wood for next 
year. Among Nectarines, Rivers’ Orange, Pine 
Apple, Pitmaston Orange, and Yiolette Hative had 
finished well. Some 600 Strawberries in pots had 
stout crowns, President, Keen’s Seedling and Dr. Hogg 
being the chief sorts grown, though one or two others 
were having a trial this year. A number of large 
plants of greenhouse Rhododendrons, Princess Royal 
being well represented, were in good condition. In 
other houses I noticed many Palms for decorating 
purposes, Crotons, Ficus, Dracsenas, Ferns, &c., being 
much in request. Of Eucharis amazonica I noticed a 
fine lot of healthy plants, vigorous and clean, promising 
well for flower. 
Here also were a quantity of Orchids. The plants 
were not large, but healthy and clean, several nice 
things being in flower. Oncidium Rogersii had spikes 
4 ft. long, full of bright yellow flowers ; Oncidium 
Jonesianum was also blooming. Two plants were, I 
think, the finest forms I ever saw ; one had a broad 
lip of clear white with many spots of bright reddish 
brown over the whole of the upper portion ; the other 
had a lip of large size and clear white. Cattleya 
Eldorado in a basket was good. Also noticeable were L. 
anceps, Cypripedium Godefroyse, good plants of D. 
Brymerianum, large clumps of Odontoglossum Rossii 
majus, Odontoglossum Harryanum in flower, a number 
of strong plants of Odontoglossum Pescatorei, besides 
Odontoglossum crispum in quantity, and doing well. 
Calanthes are grown in quantity, three and four bulbs 
in a 32-size pot now pushing up strong spikes. 
In the kitchen garden, where there was much to 
interest one, I was shown a large bed of New Zealand 
Spinach, which is much in request. Neal’s Ne Plus 
Ultra Kidney Bean and Carter’s Jubilee were still in 
bearing, and an excellent sample. Omega and Tele¬ 
phone Peas were still in pod, and had a good crop on 
them. Yeitch’s Autumn Giant Cauliflower was un¬ 
usually fine; a large breadth had produced heads of 
