794 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 10, 1895. 
horizontally truncate at the base almost to the origin 
petiole, which is slender and relatively short. Tne 
fruits are numerous, spherical, about ij in. in 
diameter, crowded in clusters, of a vinous red, and 
borne upon a short peduncle. The skin is smooth 
or bears some small, short hairs, straight, and ashy- 
gray. The stigmatic or umbilical cavity is fairly 
long, often bent; peduncle very short inserted in a 
sort of cup, furnished with short, slender teeth ; 
skin vinous red, traversed by numerous longitudinal 
striae or nerves. The pulp is very firm, fleshy, 
waxy white, sugared, slightly acidulated with an 
agreeable savour. Seeds scarcely numerous, small, 
a little elongated at the extremities of the placental 
threads. This variety is very productive, gives its 
fruits in bunches, fairly compact; those which are 
large and spherical hold on very strongly to the 
plant from which they are somewhat difficult to 
detach. 
Belle de Meaux. —The plant of this variety is 
of great vigour, with very long, trailing branches, 
and long, spreading divaricate ramifications, some¬ 
times slightly twisted and drooping. The bark is 
ashy gray or of a grayish red. The leaves are very 
long stalked, deeply and straightly lobed, with 
irregularly toothed lobes; the limb is strongly 
wedge shaped at the base, of a bottle green above, 
paler and strongly nerved beneath. The fruit is 
moderate in size, subelliptic, of an intense red, 
almost black at full maturity. The skin is shining, 
thin, very strong, smooth; strongly and distinctly 
rayed with bright red. The pulp is firm, ashy gray, 
not very juicy, lightly sugared, and sourish. Tbe 
seeds are violet, small, and strongly attached to the 
placental threads. This extremely vigorous variety 
has long trailing branches, so that its ramifications 
showed that it ought to be grafted upon a stem ; in 
that case one can enjoy the beauty of the plant, and, 
on the other hand, being well exposed to air and 
light, the fruits will become more beautiful and will 
be better. In this case Ribes aureum or R. palma- 
tum should be used as a stock. 
Before closing this article we think it worth while 
to recall the characters that we have already given 
of the Gooseberry obtained by M. Billard, and 
which was the first destitute of spines, and from 
whence later on the unarmed varieties, to which the 
present article is devoted, originated. The following 
is what is written upon the subject in the Revue 
Horticole, 1867, p. 370:—“ It is only since that year 
(1867) that we have been able to see and appreciate 
the fruits of that variety (Gooseberry Billard). These 
fruits are large, at first of a pale yellowish green, 
then intense red, finally almost purple-black, smooth, 
and savoury, uniting in consequence, all the con¬ 
ditions that one can desire. They are slightly 
oblong, large, and attain to ij in. to i| in. in length 
by ij in. in thickness. The spineless Gooseberry 
that we have named Gooseberry Billard is one of 
the most happy discoveries, not only by the direct 
advantage it presents in not having spines, but again 
by allowing one to foresee its becoming the type of a 
series of varieties destitute of spines like itself, and 
which will offer advantages not hitherto presented. 
One can hope, furthermore, that the fruits may give 
many seeds, and that they are well shaped. One 
can, however, place a small fault to Gooseberry 
Billard, inasmuch as it is not very vigorous. Never¬ 
theless we must be content with it, such as it is; it 
is a precious find which will be heartily welcomed, 
and which, as one says, will make headway.” 
Under this latter description, the supposition dees 
not appear to have been realised, for that primitive 
type does not appear to have spread much, but it is 
otherwise to be hoped ” that the plant will form the 
founder of a family,” which is already an established 
fact, inasmuch as the new varieties, of which we 
speak, show' it. Besides those that we have described, 
M. Lefort possesses a great quantity of others com¬ 
pletely deprived of spines, and of which we shall 
soon see the fruits. 
Independently of the above descriptions taken 
from the Revue Horticole and sent us, we were also 
supplied with information concerning the spineless 
Gooseberries by M. Letellier, of the firm of MM. 
Letellier & Son, Caen, Calvados, France, who with 
his English representative called at our office recently 
with specimens of several of the varieties above 
described. Souvenir de Billard, grafted on Ribes 
aureum, and only one year old, was 2 ft. high and 
furnished with numerous branches. Madame Ed. 
Lefort was remarkable for its very dwarf and bushy 
habit. Fruiting branches were also brought, and 
bore testimony to the fertility of the bushes on which 
we failed to find a single spine. The facilities they 
offer for the gathering of the fruit without tearing 
and pricking the hands and arms of the gatherers, 
are very apparent, and the advantages of the same 
cannot be overrated. It is another triumph of horti¬ 
culture. Souvenir de M. Billard was raised in i860 
and first fruited in 1867. The roots of Ribes aureum, 
used as a stock, die the second year after being 
grafted ; but by this time the scions are upon their 
own roots, which begin to develop the first year 
from points above the union. Grafting on the stock 
named ensures much more rapid growth than cut¬ 
tings would. MM. Letellier & Son possess a large 
stock of the four varieties above named. 
-«+.- 
THE ACTON FLOWER SHOW. 
The annual flower show of the Acton Horticultural 
Society was held in the Cricket Field on the 31st 
ult., and proved to be the best and most largely 
patronised that has been held for several years past. 
The marquee in which the gardeners’ exhibits were 
staged was much larger than previously. The 
valuable prizes other than money, the fine day, and 
the fact that athletic sports were held in connection 
with the show may be held responsible for this 
success. The number of entries was greater than 
formerly, and the quality of the exhibits in the 
matter of flowers and vegetables were noteworthy. 
The first prize for a group of plants was taken by 
Mr. G. Benham, gardener to R. W. Davies, Esq., 
Grassgarth ; his foliage plants were brightened with 
Chimney Bellflowers, Celosias, Carnations, Petunias, 
Gloxinias, and others. He was followed by Mr. F. 
Chandler, gardener to Major Wilkinson, J.P., 
Edendale ; and Mr. W. J. Simpson, gardener to C. 
Sutton, Esq , The Beeches, Acton, was a good third. 
The latter was first for Caladiums, as well as for 
exotic ferns, which were good ; in the latter case he 
was followed by Mr. F. Chandler and Mr. W. Polley, 
gardener to A. Hubbard, Esq. J.P., Derwentwater 
House, in the order named. Mr. G. Benham had 
the best two ferns. The best four stove and green¬ 
house plants in the show were those exhibited by 
Mr. W. J. Simpson; Mr. W. Polley and Mr. F. 
Goody, The Chestnuts, Acton, followed in the order 
named. Mr. G. Benham was first for two stove and 
greenhouse specimens, and was followed by Mr. H. 
Hinton, gardener to A. Beldam, Esq., The Lodge, 
Acton. Mr. Wilks had the best two foliage plants; 
and Mr. W. Polley had the best single specimen in 
the shape of a huge Curculigo. Mr. F. Chandler 
was first for foliage plants including a fine piece of 
Calatnea zebrina, and first for Petunias; Mr. W. J. 
Simpson was a good second in both cases, but took 
the premier position for foliage Begonias and 
Coleus, the latter being well-coloured, pyramidal 
specimens. He also had the best Fuchsias in 
pyramidal specimens. Mr. G. Benham had the best 
six Balsams, Cockscombs and Fuchsias, the two 
first named being very fine. The prizes for 
Gloxinias were taken by Mr. W. J. Simpson, Mr. W. 
Polley and Mr. F. Goody, respectively ; and for 
tuberous Begonias Mr. Simpson changed places with 
Mr. Goody. Cut flowers were also shown in some 
quantity. 
In the classes for fruit and vegetables Mr. W. J. 
Simpson again scored heavily taking the leading 
awards for four dishes of fruit, one Melon, two 
bunches each of black and white Grapes, six and 
eight vegetables. Mr. W. Wilks was second in beth 
cases for Grapes; and Mr. E. H. Cackett, an 
amateur was second for eight vegetables. Mr. C. 
Butrows had the best Cucumbers. Amongst 
exhibits not for competition Messrs, de Rothschild 
(gardener, Mr. G. Reynolds), Gunnersbury Park 
set up a beautiful group of flowering and foliage 
plants, and which was highly commended as was a 
smaller but equally attractive group shown by E. 
M. Nelson, Esq. (gardener, Mr. D. Cooper), Hanger 
Hill, Ealing. Messrs. Charles Lee & Son, Ealing, 
staged a fine collection of Roses. T. A. Gleds’an?, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. Manning), Manor House, 
Gunnersbury Lane, had a table of Cactus and 
decorative Dahlias in fine condition. 
The exhibits staged ty amateu.s and cottagers 
formed no mean part of the exhibition ; indeed, in 
the matter of vegetables they were more numerously 
and prominently represented than .the gardeners 
themselves, the latter being sometimes beaten in 
their own lines. A splendid piece of Sedum Sieboldi 
variegatum shown as a specimen plant by Mr. C. B. 
Green, Acton, took the leading award. He also had 
the best hanging basket and the best hardy ferns, 
being followed in the latter case by Mr. C. M. 
Roberts. Mr. G. Matthews had the best six and 
three window plants; Mr. E. Dean and Mr. J. Gale 
took the second and third prizes respectively for six. 
The number of entries for winter and summer 
Onions, Shallots, Vegetable Marrows, Potatos, 
French Beans, Scarlet Runners, Rhubarb, Salads, 
Peas, herbs and collections of vegetables, was some¬ 
thing remarkable, and the competition was accord¬ 
ingly very keen, and well-sustained throughout. 
Mr. E. Dean was the most successful competitor in 
this section, taking the first prizes for a collection of 
six vegetables in each of three distinct classes, also 
for French Beans, Cabbage Lettuces, and a collec¬ 
tion of salads, all of which were in fine condition, 
and testified to the industry of the cottager. Some 
of the classes for collections of vegetables were 
special, the prizes being offered by Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons and Messrs. J. Carter & Co. 
Mr. E. Cackett took the first prizes for Scarlet 
Runners, Carrots, Peas, and boiled Potatos. Mr. 
W. J. Grant had the best Vegetable Marrows ; and 
Mr. G. Matthews took the first position for four 
vegetables. Mr. J. Venn secured the leading 
awards for Rhubarb and Potatos in one of the 
classes. Mr. J. Gale had the best Potatos in two 
other classes. Mr. J. W. Harris showed the best 
summer Onions ; and Mr. R. Crowe took a similar 
position for winter Onions. The exhibits of wild 
flowers by children were very extensive, and the 
competition keen, the youthful winners considering 
themselves highly honoured. 
-- 
DEVON AND EXETER GARDENERS’ 
OUTING. 
The members of the Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ 
Association held their annual outing on the 24th ult. 
There were heavy showers through the day, but a 
true gardener is equal to any weather, and all the 
members protested that they heartily enjoyed their 
forty miles’ drive with its attendant incidents. The 
party, numbering sixty-four, assembled at Bedford 
Circus and proceeded in four-horse breaks supplied 
by Mr. Maries, Eelgrave Mews, via Whipton and 
Pinhoe, to Poltimore, which was their first halting 
place. There they were met by Mr. Martin, the 
head gardener, who escorted them through the 
gardens and over the grounds. The magnificent 
avenue of Lime trees and Cedars were much 
admired. A fine Tulip tree, a Hemlock Spruce, 
some of the finest Wellingtonia gigantea trees in 
England, and many other rare Coniferae were noted 
by experts. A splendid tree of Cedrus Deodara was 
pointed out, bearing between 100 and 200 cones 
upon it. There was also a specimen of the Pinus 
tuberculata, which is peculiar from the circumstance 
that it never drops its cones. The fruit trees and 
the Grapes showed most skilful management, as they 
were all bearing abundant crops. After finishing 
their inspection the party were most liberally enter¬ 
tained to refreshments, and three lusty cheers were 
given for Lord Poltimore. 
Proceeding through Broadclyst, the next halt was 
made at Cullompton, but merely for the purpose of 
picking up the latest political news, and then the 
drive was continued to Bradfield, which was reached 
at one o’clock. Mr. C. E. Hay, representing Sir 
Wm. Walrond, M.P., received the party ; and by 
Mr. Heath, the head gardener, they were conducted 
over the gardens, through the greenhouses and con¬ 
servatories, and around the grounds. Notable at 
Bradfield were tbe vineries, which bore evidence of 
good cultivation, indeed, the whole garden spoke to 
the skilfulness of the cultivator. In the grounds 
some splendid specimens of the Coniferae were 
noted. On the site of the old chapel, which dates 
from 1332, are some fine English Yews, about 200 
years old, neatly trimmed into fantastic shapes, as 
was the custom in old-fashiontd gardening. An 
excellent lunch was served before leaving Bradfield, 
and the party gave cheers for Sir Wm. Walrond and 
his agent, Mr. Hay. 
Resuming the drive, and travelling through 
Halberton and Tiverton, the party went straight to 
Knightshayes, Sir John Amory’sseat, and were there 
met by Mr. Dickson, the head gardener. At Knight- 
