November 25, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
199 
in England or elsewhere seen larger or better flowers 
of a white variety, than a vase of Nivens exhibited 
by an Englishman, Mr. J. R. Powell, of Millbrook, 
New York. These were the sensation of the show on 
the first day, and Mr. Powell was first for six vases. 
Mr. J. N. May exhibited a very fine vase of abeauti- 
ful incurved white variety named The Queen, which 
was first in its class. Messrs. Pitcher and Manda 
were first for forty-eight varieties, with a nice even 
lot shown with stems 12 in. long. The best blooms 
were of Mrs. Bayard Cutting, and some seedlings 
under number of a very promising character. This 
firm carried off nearly all the honours in the plant 
classes. Their standards were a superb lot, and 
many of their bush-trained specimens were of great 
size—from 5 ft. to 8 ft. over, but showed evidence of 
having been caught in a gale, which was to be de¬ 
plored. Some of the pot plants on 6 in. clean stems 
were marvels of cultivation, especially when one 
considers that some of them were struck as late as 
June. 
Mr. Bayard Cutting was first for a group arranged 
for effect, covering 300 square ft. Specimen fine- 
foliaged plants were unusually good, and so were the 
groups, the most noticeable among the latter being a 
group of Alocasia macrorhiza variegata, shown by 
Mr. Hale, gardener to Mr. H. Brown, Bellport, Long 
Island. These were the finest lot for colour that I 
have ever seen. A very fine Palm, Daemonorops 
palembanicus, 10 ft. high, with six fronds, was ex¬ 
hibited by Mr. Charles Pratt, of Brooklyn, and the 
same exhibitor had also an unusually fine specimen 
of a species of Marattia. Among new plants, 
Messrs. Pitcher and Manda were first, showing 
several Alocasias, Palms, &c. Mr. A. Dimmock, 
representing Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, 
showed a beautiful pan of Strobilanthes Dyerianus— 
a very beautiful plant, with its bronze-purple and 
green leaves. Roses and Carnations were as usual 
very good, and several new varieties were introduced 
in these classes. A fine pink hybrid Tea Rose 
named Mrs. C. Whitney' was exhibited by Mr. J. N. 
May. Belle Siebreight is the name of another new 
hybrid Tea, of a beautiful rose-pink shade of colour 
and with a neat, compact bud, shown by Messrs. 
Siebreight & Wadley. Mr. C. W. Ward had also a 
beautiful new white Carnation named Storm King. 
The third day of the show was an exciting one for 
the growers, the special attraction being the new 
seedling Chrysanthemums shown in competition, and 
of which Messrs. E. G. Hill & Co., of Indiana, Mr. 
J. N. May, and Messrs. Pitcher & Manda were the 
chief contributors. There was a strong entry in all 
the classes, and numerous were the varieties staged, 
but no blooms exhibited created the same amount of 
interest as did Golden Wedding last year; in fact, 
there were no breaks away from existing sorts, and 
“ improvements" were few in number, if any. 
Messrs. Pitcher & Manda’s " 1500 ” was far the best, 
being quite a novelty, having a distinct yellow centre 
set on a base of white petals, but a somewhat formal 
flower in appearance. The same firm had also some 
promising seedlings in the incurved section, many of 
them possessing great depth and substance, and in 
colour mostly various shades of pink, though some 
of the whites are good also. The certificated 
varieties were " 1500 ” from Messrs. Pitcher & 
Manda; EugeneDailledonze, a flat, yellow, Japanese 
incurved, with little to recommend it. Challenge is 
a far better flower, a good yellow of great depth, 
that is expected to follow in the wake of Golden 
Wedding, than which it has a better constitution. 
Both were exhibited by Messrs. E. G. Hill & Co., as 
also was Butterfly, a good bronze in colour, but 
rather a course flower. William Simpson, from 
Mr. J. N. May, is a pleasing pink Japanese incurved, 
a large, bold flower of good colour.— Am. Cor. 
Birmingham. 
The thirty-third annual exhibition was held in the 
City Hall, Birmingham, on the 15th and i6th inst., 
and fortunately in mild weather, for on the 17th a 
gale commenced, and on the i8th a continuance of 
the gale, rain, and heavy snow. The exhibition was 
a very fine one all round, everything so good, many 
of the exhibits exceptionally fine, and the Hall 
crowded with exhibits. Mr. E. Molyneux, one of 
the judges, said at the luncheon that it was the finest 
winter show he had ever seen, and the general 
opinion was that it was the best the society has held, 
and that is saying a great deal, for Birmingham 
invariably turns out a first-class exhibition. The 
committee, however, have always one great difficulty 
in their way—the Hall is not half large enough for 
the November show, and the exhibition has to be 
cut up by taking the Primulas, the fruit, the vege¬ 
tables, and other things into a lower hall, and all the 
Chrysanthemum cut blooms and some other things 
into the galleries. A much larger suitable place is 
greatly needed, but there is no other more suitable 
place to be had. 
The November Chrysanthemum Show also brings 
together a very large number of horticulturists, 
many from a distance, who come to see the show, 
knowing that everything will be in profusion and up 
to the mark, and a large number of persons attended 
throughout the time. On the morning of the second 
day a large number of school children from the 
board and other schools are admitted free, and about 
2,000 with their teachers were passed through the 
hall in procession, and had a good look at everything, 
this work commencing at half-past eight in the 
morning. Many a wistful look went out to the 
Apples, and Pears, and Grapes, and one of the Com¬ 
mandments was greatly overlooked in the desire to 
help themselves. 
Groups of Chrysanthemums are now an established 
fact at all exhibitions, and they are a great help to 
them ; but they are not seen finer anywhere than at 
Birmingham, so those say who see the great exhibi¬ 
tions of the kingdom, of course including the 
Metropolitan area. The central portion of the 
great hall was devoted to the seven large groups in 
half-moon form, three on eibher side, back to back, 
with tall Palms dividing, and one at the end facing 
the orchestra. This was taken possession of by Mr. 
Wm. Earp, gardener to the Right Hon. Joseph 
Chamberlain, M.P., and with a well arranged group 
and a mass of fine blooms of great size and depth, 
the front well finished off, he secured the first prize 
of £^o. The second prize went to Mr. W. H. Dyer, 
gardener to Mrs. Marigold, Edgbaston, a champion 
grower, with a very fine group also. Five other 
prizes were also awarded. 
At one side of the hall, seven other smaller groups 
were set up, and Mr. J. Maldrum, gardener to George 
Cadbury, Esq,, Selly Oak, took the first prize; 
second, Mr. W. Clements, gardener to Mrs. Horton, 
Moseley ; third, F. Jenkins, Esq., Olton, with four 
other prizes awarded as the groups were so good. 
For a long number of years, the Birmingham dis¬ 
trict has been noted for well done specimens in pots, 
and this year the plants are very fine and a more 
natural habit retained in training them. Some grand 
incurved were staged, Mr. Dyer easily taking the 
first prize for nine and six incurved, his John Salter 
being something especially to be remembered. Mr. 
Maldrum came second in each class. 
The specimen Japanese were models of excellent 
culture, stout foliage to the pots and sturdy growth 
of medium height, and grandly flowered. For both 
three plants and a single specimen Mr. Dyer was 
well in front with his three plants consisting of a 
very fine W. H. Lincoln, 4 ft. through and not more 
in height, a very fine Florence Davis, and a mar¬ 
vellously fine Viviand Morel,and his single specimen 
was a Florence Davis with nearly fifty fine blooms 
upon it and dwarf and well foliaged. Mr. Maldrum 
ran second with good plants, his single specimen, 
Val d’Andorre, very fine indeed. Other classes for 
plants in pots were also well filled. 
There was a very heavy display of cut blooms, 
and the judges had their work cut out. The 
Japanese were very [numerous—nineteen stands of 
twenty-four blooms, and most of them really fine ; 
and there were twelve stands of twenty-four in¬ 
curved. In the incurved class, Mr. Neve, Ridlett, 
Herts, a new exhibitor in Birmingham, was placed 
first {£10), and Mr. Haggart, gardener to J. J. 
Foster, Esq., Moor Park, Ludlow, second; Messrs. 
Ray & Co., Keyham, Kent, third ; Mr. C. Smith, 
gardener to Walter Showed, Esq., Balbroughton, 
fourth ; Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston, fifth; and Mr. C. 
Crook, gardener to the Dowager Lady Hindlip, 
sixth. Nineteen stands of twenty-four Japanese were 
staged, and many of the lots were very fine. Mr. 
Richard Parker, of Impney, was first with a grand 
lot of blooms, with the following sorts especially 
fine, viz.. President Borel, Charles Davis, Etoile de 
Lyon, Florence Davis,W. H. Lincoln,Madme. Isaac. 
Mrs. A. H. Neve, Lady T. Lawrence, and Mrs. C. 
H. Payne, very fine indeed ; second, Mr. Haggart; 
third, Mr. Earp, the Gardens, Highbury; fourth, 
Mr. Neve; fifth, Mr. Bremmell, gardener to W. H. 
France Hayhurst, Esq., Wellington; sixth, Mr. 
Goodacre, Elvaston. Nine other classes for Chry¬ 
santhemum blooms were also well filled. 
A grand display of Primulas was to be seen in the 
lower hall, many of the specimens being unusually 
fine, especially all thore staged by Mr. Jones, gar¬ 
dener to F. Jenkins, Esq,, Olton, Birmingham, who 
now must be regarded as the champion grower of 
the district, if not generally. In the open, or 
nurserymen’s class for twelve plants, six plants, each 
of singles, and for six doubles, Mr. F. Denning 
was first; Messrs. Thomson & Co,, second; and 
Messrs. Pope & Sons, third ; and also first for six 
Fern-leaved. Some excellent Cyclamens were 
shown, especially those from the Right Hon. Joseph 
Chamberlain, which took the first prize for twelve 
and six plants. There was only one exhibitor of 
Orchids, Mr. Palmer, gardener to Wm, Bown, Esq., 
Birmingham, who is a well-known successful cultiva¬ 
tor. In his fine group were excellent examples of 
Oncidium crispum, some fine plants of Cattleya gigas, 
Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Schroderiana, Cattleya 
labiata, Cypripedium Leeanum, a very fine variety ; 
and a fine C. splendens, Odontoglossum Insleyanum 
splendens, and an Od. Andersoni, a' very fine 
variety. In the centre was a superb specimen 
Laelia Perinii, quite zij ft. through and well flowered, 
to which a special Cultural Certificate was awarded. 
There was a very good display of Grapes, about 
100 bunches. For six bunches, not less than three 
varieties, Mr. Goodacre was first; Mr. Bannerman, 
second; Mr. F. Harris, gardener to Lady Hy. 
Somerset, Eastnor Castle, third. For three bunches 
of Black Grapes: first, Mr. Bates, gardener to 
T. J. Harris, Esq., Stone ; second, Mr. Bremmell ; 
third, Mrs. A. Lovekin, Solihull. For three bunches of 
Muscats : first. The Rt. Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P. ; 
second, Mr. Goodacre; third, Mr. Lovekin. The 
other classes for Grapes were also well contested, 
and in the class for Pines, Mr. Austin, Witley Court 
Gardens, was first ; Mr. R. Parker, Impney, second ; 
and Mr. Read, Bretby Park, third. Apples and 
Pears were also a very fine display, and all classes 
well contested. For six dishes of Dessert Apples, 
Mr. Bannister, Westbury-on-Trym, was first. For 
six dishes of Culinary Apples : first, Mr. Goodacre ; 
and for eight dishes of Pears, and four dishes also, 
Mr. Austin, Witley Court Gardens, was first with 
superb specimens. Vegetables were in great force 
and generally very fine. Mr. Robert Sydenham 
gave nearly fifty prizes in various classes, bringing 
out a large display. Messrs. Thomson & Co. and 
Messrs. Webb & Sons also gave special prizes which 
ensured good competition. 
Honorary exhibits were also numerous and excel¬ 
lent. Messrs. Cutbush & Son, London, had an 
excellent display of Apples and Pears. Mr. Hy. 
Berwick, Sldmouth, Devon, had a still finer display 
of these fruits. Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, 
one of their superb displays of floral work. Messrs. 
Thomson & Co., a grand group of plants artistically 
arranged, with a central pyramid of Mary Anderson 
Chrysanthemum ; and the sam.e firm had also a very 
fine collection of vegetables. Mr. J. Hughes, seeds¬ 
man, Harborne, also had a very fine display of first- 
class specimens of vegetables. 
Sevenoaks and West Kent. 
The ninth annual exhibition of Chrysanthemums, 
fruits, and vegetables was held on Tuesday and 
Wednesday, Nov. 7th and 8th. Collectively the 
show was a decided advance on those of previous 
years. In the open class for twenty-four cut blooms, 
twelve Japs., and twelve incurved, Mr. A. Gibson, 
gardener to T. F. Barnaby-Atkins, Esq., secured the 
first prize with fairly good blooms of Col. W. B. 
Smith, Anna Hartzhorn, Viviand Morel, and Mrs. C. 
Harman Payne, Japs.; and Prince Alfred, Miss M. 
A. Haggas, Princess of Wales, and Madame Darrier, 
incurved; second, Mr. S. Cooke, gardener to Dr. 
B. Crawshay; third, Mr. Robinson, gardener to. 
—Lawrence, Esq., Maidstone. In other classes for 
cut bloom, Messrs. Smith, Hughes, Hancock & 
Far.mer were the most successful competitors. 
There was not much competition in the classes for 
trained plants, but what were shown were very good. 
Mr. E. Hughes, gardener to J. Dixon, Esq., had the 
best three incurved, showing Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. 
George Rundle in good form ; Mr. J. Smith, gardener 
to J. Moore, Esq., had the best three Japanese, 
showing good plants of Mons. W. Holmes and 
Madame Lacroix; Mr. Hughes had the best 
specimen plant, a fine piece of Sunflower. 
