September 15, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
43 
Dahlias, intermixed, Mr. J.T. West, Cornwalls, had 
the best twenty-four blooms, distinct. Second—Mr. 
Hobbs, St. Mark’s Road, Easton, Bristol. Third—J. 
Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South Woodford, 
Essex. Mr. Thomas Vagg, gardener to Mrs. Theo¬ 
bald, The Bedfords, Havering, was first for twelve 
blooms, distinct, of show varieties only, Mr. Sidney 
Cooper, of Hamlet, Chippenham, and Mr. W. Mist, 
of Collingwood, taking second and third places 
respectively. Mr. J. R. Tranter, Henley-on-Thames, 
had the finest six blooms, distinct. The second 
prize went to Mr. E. Jefferies—the third to Mr. W. 
Wheeler. For twelve blooms, distinct, of fancy 
Dahlias only, Mr. J. T. West, was first—Mr. 
Thomas Hobbs, second, and Mr. Arthur Ocock, 
third. Mr. Tom Mott, of Henley, had the best six 
blooms, distinct, Mr. W. Wheeler, coming second. 
In the many grand exhibits of the Cactus, and 
decorative sorts, Mr. E. Brown, gardener to M. W. 
Morris, Esq., Oak Lodge, Horley, Surrey, was, 
granted a first award for twelve varieties in bunches 
of six blooms each. A similar award was made to 
Mr. E. Mawley, Rosebank, Berkhamsted, for 
six varieties, in bunches of three blooms each — 
Mr. E. Brown was again successful in taking first 
honour'for six varieties in bunches of six blooms each, 
originally sent out by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, Kent. Mr. J. T. West, won the second 
prize, and Mr. James Hudson, of Gunnersbury 
House, third. In the classes for Pompones, Mr. J. 
T. West, had the best six varieties in bunches of ten 
blooms each, Mr. W. Mist, and Mr. J. Stredwick, 
taking third and fourth places respectively. For 
six varieties in bunches of six blooms each, Mr. Sid¬ 
ney Cooper, was first, and Mr. W. C. Pagram, 
second. 
In the classes for single varieties, T. W. Girdle- 
stone, Esq., was awarded first prize for six varieties 
in bunches of ten blooms each, a similar award 
being made to Mr. E. Mawley, for six varieties in 
bunches of six blooms each. T. W. Girdlestone, 
Esq., was again first in a class for twelve varieties, 
in bunches of six blooms each. In the Open Classes 
for Fancy Single Dahlias Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons 
had the best twelve varieties in bunches of ten 
blooms each. They had blooms of Northern Star. 
M.C.C., Victoria and James Scobie, in very fine 
order. T. W. Girdlestone, Esq., was second and 
Mr. F. W. Seale, third. Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son 
took first prize for six blooms of any dark Dahlia (of 
one variety) either Show or Fancy, with fine 
examples of Arthur Rawlings; a like award being 
made to Mr. F. W. Seale for six blooms of any light 
(not yellow) variety. He had splendid blooms of Mrs. 
Gladstone. For six blooms of any Yellow Dahlia, 
Mr. S. Mortimer was awarded first place, with 
blooms of John Heckling. Mr. F. W. Seale was 
again first, with Mrs. Saunders, for six blooms of 
any tipped variety, and a like place was taken by 
Mr. J. R. Tranter, of Henley-on-Thames (who had 
Rev. J. B. M. Camm in good condition), for six 
blooms of any striped sort. For six blooms of any 
edged variety Mr. J. Walker obtained premier 
position, with blooms of H. W. Ward. In the class 
for novelties several new seedling Dahlias were 
exhibited, although many of them failed to obtain 
certificates. 
In the miscellaneous exhibits Messrs. Cannell & 
Sons staged a superb collection of Cactus, Pompon, 
and Single Dahlias. This was one of the finest 
groups in the whole show. The bunches of flowers 
were of different sizes and composed ot from four 
to nine blooms each. The spaces between were 
filled up with cut fronds of hard) ferns, which, 
together with a light background of palms, put a 
finishing touch upon the whole. Mr. Thomas S. 
Ware, of Tottenham, exhibited a magnificent 
collection of the finest varieties of single Pompon 
and Cactus Dahlias. The central and chief feature 
of the group was a pyramid of Cactus varieties, which, 
with a background of palms, and relieved at inter¬ 
vals by plants of Eulalia gracillima looked truly 
splendid. This pyramid was flanked on the right 
by a host of fine pompons and on the left by the 
single varieties, The two rare autumn flowering 
Liliums,L. Nepalense and N.Neilgherrense occupied 
conspicuous positions. A fine group of stove 
foliage and flowering plants was exhibited by Messrs. 
John Laing & Sons, of Forest Hill. A glass case 
containing a number of pretty little plants of the 
fine-leaved Bertolonias was particularly noticeable. 
Van Houttei, Edouard Pynaert, and Comte de 
Kerchove were some of the varieties exhibited. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, also staged a 
collection of hardy flowering plants. Helian- 
thuses, Perennial Asters, Phloxes, Delphiniums and 
Roses were at their best, and the group was made 
very effective by the insertion at intervals of sprays 
of Asparagus and an edging of Aspidistras and 
Ferns in pots. Messrs. Paul & Sons, of Waltham 
Cross, were to the fore with an exhibit of Roses that 
was really good for the time of year. A collection 
of fruit trees in pots all carrying fine crops of ripe 
fruit exhibited by this firm was also well worthy 
of mention. 
-•+•- 
ABERDEEN FLOWER 
SHOW. 
The autumn exhibition of this Society was held in 
the Duthie Park, Aberdeen, on September 6th, 7th, 
and 8th, and compared most favourably with any of 
its predecessors in the beauty and richness of the 
display. The total number of entries was 1375. 
This is an apparent falling off from the autumn ex¬ 
hibition of 1893, but then it has to be borne in mind 
that this year there have been two separate exhibi¬ 
tions—the summer show, held at the time of the 
Highland Society’s visit to Aberdeen, and the 
present autumn exhibition. Putting the two to¬ 
gether the entries would show an increase of between 
700 and 800. Within the enclosure three spacious 
tents were erected, all communicating with each 
other. The entrance tent was mainly appropriated 
to the exhibits of amateurs, the large central marquee 
being set apart for pot plants and table decorations, 
and the third tent being devoted chiefly to the display 
of vegetables. 
Undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the 
exhibition was the magnificent display of Messrs, 
William Smith & Son, nurserymen and seedsmen, 
Aberdeen. Nearly one entire table on the right 
hand of the principal marquee was appropriated by 
this firm, and they made most admirable use of the 
space at their command. The table was divided 
into three sections, the central division constituting 
the table decorations proper, and the side divisions 
being devoted to cut flowers and pot plants 
respectively. The central section was the outstand¬ 
ing feature of the display, and undoubtedly proved, 
as intended, of high educational value as an example 
of what can be accomplished by art in conjunction 
with nature. The table was laid with black velvet, 
on which were placed elongated mirrors. The back 
of the table was flanked by a large mirror, draped 
most artistically with terra-cotta plush, while 
double-faced mirrors filled up the ends of the 
division. In this highly effective framework space 
was given for the display of the most exquisite taste. 
Two conspicuous objects were the lyre and the harp, 
on whose strings were entwined in a most graceful 
manner blue and pink Forget-me-Nots, the body 
being done up with Bouvardias, Carnations, and 
Streptocarpus. Very beautiful, too, were the 
wreaths and crosses, the chief constituents of which 
were beautiful specimens of the Lilium Harrisi, the 
Stephanotis, and the lovely Lily of the Nile, and 
other effective flowers, such as Pancratium, 
Lapageria alba, etc. On the centre of the stand 
was a silver centre-piece, gracefully arranged in tiers 
with rare Orchids, Eucharis, Fuchsias, etc. On the 
flat mirrors were laid Roses and Maidenhair Fern ; 
and a very pretty effect was produced by beautiful 
Seaweed, almost rivalling some of the plants in the 
delicacy of its tracery. 
As to the exhibition generally, it was admitted by 
judges and others qualified to express an opinion 
that, all over, it was fully up to the average in merit. 
The weather, of course, has not been propitious, and 
the fruit and some departments of vegetables were 
not so good as they would have been under more 
favourable conditions, but, taking everything into 
account, the quality of the great bulk of the exhibits 
was remarkably fine. 
The first division was open to professional 
gardeners, and contained a fine collection of plants 
in pots suitable for dinner table decoration. Among 
stove and greenhouse plants the chief features were 
the Yuccas, together with a fine specimen of the 
Anthurium, belonging to Mr. A. O. Gill, of Fairfield, 
who gained the first prize. Mr. Gill was also first 
in Dracaenas with some very highly-coloured 
specimens. Dracaena Gladstonei exhibited by Mr. 
Robb, Glenburnie Park, also attracted great atten¬ 
tion on account of its rich dark foliage. The 
Begonias were large and finely flowered, notably a 
large double scarlet shown by Mr. Robb, gardener 
to J. Murray, Esq., Glenburnie Park, and for which 
he secured the Society’s Silver Medal. Some nice 
dwarf plants were shown among Cockscombs. 
Orchids were well displayed, Mr. Gill, Fairfield, 
being first, winning the Society’s Silver Medal with 
a fine example of Cattleya Gaskelliana, &c. 
Chrysanthemums were fairly well shown, but there 
was nothing of outstanding merit. 
Cut flowers, no doubt, suffered from the weather, 
but the display was wonderfully good. In rose 
blooms, dissimilar, Dr. Keith Jopp led with twelve 
very fine blooms, very clean and of nice medium 
size, but lacking, perhaps, in light colours. Among 
Dahlias were some fine blooms, those Irom Cluny 
Castle placed first being well formed with high 
centres. The single varieties included some finely 
striped blooms. Another exhibition showed some nice 
compact pompon Dahlias of distinct colour. The 
Gladioli from Cluny Castle were very fine varieties 
with large spikes. Pansies and Asters were both 
good, so were the first prize French Marigolds shown 
by Mr. James Booth, Aberdeen. All over, the cut 
flowers were really good. 
In the section open to nurserymen and florists 
Mr. Alex. Giles, Aberdeen, showed a fine floral cross, 
which gained first place. Dahlias in this section 
were very good, and the Roses were superb, Messrs. 
Croll, of Dundee, beating our well-known local 
rosarians, Messrs. Cocker & Sons. 
Fruit was a wonderfully good display. The prize 
for the best collection of nine varieties was gained 
by Mr. Reid, gardener, Durris; Mr. Gregor, 
Tiverton, Devonshire, was second with a grand 
display. Bunches of Grapes were well shown; 
Melons were few but good ; Peaches very good and 
highly coloured. For Apples the season has not 
been propitious, and the show of these was all the 
more creditable. 
Vegetables were all over a highly creditable 
exhibition. The professional gardeners came first, 
and in collections made an excellent display, the 
first going to Sir Arthur Grant, Bart., of Monymusk. 
The first place for the collection of nine varieties 
was won by Mr. Paterson, gardener, Ruthrieston, 
with a fine basket. Potatos were shown by them¬ 
selves, and the display was both large and fine. 
The weather during the three days of the exhibi¬ 
tion was cold with some rain, but notwithstanding 
the show was very successful, financially and other¬ 
wise, the takings for the three days amounting to 
£394 2s. 3d. 
--P-- 
Gardening Miscellany. 
ACHIMENES GROWN COLD. 
Many people think that Achimenes need a deal of 
heat to be grown successfully. This, however, is a 
mistake, for they are often kept from being as useful 
as they might be, by being grown in too high a tem¬ 
perature. A warm pit or house is necessary to start 
them into growth, but when the plants attain a 
height of 2 in. or 3 in. they should have more air 
given them. Afterwards, they may be grown on in 
a cold frame or greenhouse. We have a batch of 
A. longiflora grown in this way, and now, September 
4th, they are a mass of bloom, and for a blue flower 
nothing could be finer. When accorded cool treat¬ 
ment like this they are of the greatest use for house 
decoration, for which purpose they should be more 
extensively grown than they are at present.— Con. 
CAULIFLOWER VEITCH’S AUTUMN GIANT. 
When one takes into consideration the great esteem 
in which the Cauliflower is held as a vegetable by 
all classes, from the rich to the very poor, it becomes 
a matter of wonder that it is not more often grown 
in the gardens of the cottager than it is. Even 
where shows for garden produce are held and prizes 
given (for cottagers only), in very many cases the 
Cauliflower does not find a place. Why is this ? 
Surely not because it does not pay to grow, for there 
is no vegetable that gives a better return for less 
trouble. Of course it would not do for the holder 
of small gardens to devote a lot of space to the 
culture of early varieties, as the ground so taken up 
might be put to a much better use for other 
purposes, but a good sort like Veitch’s Autumn 
