July 1, 1993. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
695 
ARDENING fflSCELLANY. 
EARLY STRAWBERRIES. 
I was much pleased to read in the Gardening 
World (p. 679) that Mr. McVinish, Lockington 
Hall, Derby, had been blessed with an early crop of 
Strawberries. My Strawberries started to colour in 
the second week in May, but on account of my 
employer being from home I did not gather until 
the 7th of June. My plants were planted in the last 
week in September, and the ground has carried a 
crop of winter Lettuce between the rows. Last year 
I was gathering Strawberries for nine weeks from 
James Veitch and President, but I am afraid we 
shall not have such a long season this year. We 
shall, however, have a much heavier crop of larger 
fruit. Crescent Seedling is a heavy cropper, fruit 
rather small, but excellent in flavour. Competitor 
bears fruit which is bright red, very large, and the 
flavour beautiful. The last and best of all is 
Waterloo. It is a handsome fruit, much larger with 
me than Noble, dark crimson, indeed nearly black, 
and very luscious. It would be very interesting to 
hear how Strawberries are doing in other parts of 
the country. Information as to the sorts that have 
done the best, and the treatment they have received, 
would be very useful.— Thos. Cockerill, Wirkswovtli. 
ERYNGIUM GIG4NTEUM. 
To many people who are really fond of flowers, this 
plant would present little .that is attractive, especially 
if compared with several other species in gardens, 
and which have steel-blue stems and bracts. E. 
giganteum does, however, appeal to a large number 
of human beings, if we are to judge from the quanti¬ 
ties of it grown in some market gardens. The heart- 
shaped leaves are of a light green with grey or silvery 
veins. The latter are more prominently brought out 
in the bold, spiny bracts which surround the head ; 
indeed the bracts are often wholly of a silvery-grey 
hue, and they seem to have been improved in this 
respect by the dry weather. ‘The natural boldness 
and rigidity of all parts of the plant would stand 
out in bold relief to the slender gracefulness of other 
kinds when used in the cut state ; and the fact that 
the bracts and heads retain their characters for a 
long time, whether in water or not, would tend in no 
small degree to popularize the plant for indoor de¬ 
coration. The plant is only of biennial duration, 
and requires to be propagated by seeds, which it 
produces freely. 
-- 
WAKEFIELD PAXTON 
SOCIETY. 
The Strawberry was the subject of discussion at the 
meeting of this society, on Saturday last, the 24th 
ult. Mr. Whiteley was the chairman for the evening, 
and after the adoption of the minutes of the previous 
meeting, called upon Mr. Brown, of Hatfield Hall 
Gardens, to read a paper on that most luscious and 
interesting fruit, the Strawberry. He (Mr. Brown) 
needed very few words of introduction from him, he 
was so well known to them all as one who had 
worked hard in the interests of the society almost 
since its commencement, and had often entertained 
them, both at their ordinary meetings, as well as at 
their social gatherings. There was a good atten¬ 
dance of members, who showed marked appreciation 
of the way, both apt and practical, in which Mr. 
Brown dealt with his subject. 
A somewhat animated discussion ensued, opened 
by Mr. A. Maker, and continued by Messrs. Pitts, 
Eastwood, and others. The variety Noble was much 
deprecated,and although this has been the most excep¬ 
tional season on record in conducing to flavour in this 
popular fruit, many have again pronounced it as 
sadly lacking in quality. The older varieties, especially 
Vicomtesse Herecart de Thury, President, and Sir 
Joseph Paxton, far surpassedit in all round excellence. 
It is worthy of note that most beautiful samples 
have been gathered in the Wakefield district, any 
shortcomings in the average weight of the crops be¬ 
ing fully balanced by wonderful size and flavour. 
This fact merits the attention of cottagers and others 
who are liable to pin their faith to bush fruits as the 
main source of preserves for their families. Straw¬ 
berries have maintained themselves well in a most 
trying season. On the other hand, Currants have 
shrivelled and dropped off, and red spider and 
caterpillars have devastated the Gooseberry trees. 
ROSE SHOW AT EARL’S 
COURT. 
The second Rose show of the season at Earl's Court 
was held on the 28th ult., in the large tent. The 
cooler weather which we have been enjoying lately 
has acted beneficially upon the Roses, which were 
larger, brighter and fresher in colour, with exception 
of the Teas and Noisettes perhaps. The first award 
for forty-eight blooms of Roses was taken by Messrs. 
Harkness & Sons, Bedale, Yorks. In their stand were 
magnificent blooms of Gustave Piganean, Lady Mary 
Fitzwilliam, Marie Baumann, Horace Vernet, 
Thomas Mills, John S. Mill, Madame Gabriel 
Luizet, Charles Lefebvre, Duchess of Bedford, A. K. 
Williams, Xavier Olibo. The second award went to 
Mr. Frank Cant, Braiswick, Colchester, whose 
blooms were distinctly smaller but fresh. He had 
good blooms of Comte de Raimbaud, Suzanne Marie 
Rodocanachi, &c. Mr. B. R. Cant, Colchester, was 
the third prize winner in this class, but several weak 
blooms spoiled his stand. There were six entries in 
this class. In the class for twenty-four Roses, three 
of each, Messrs. Harkness & Sons, and Mr. Frank 
Cant were equal first, the former, having their exhi¬ 
bits in four boxes, making a grand display. The first 
award for twenty-four Roses, single blooms of each, 
was taken by Mr. G. W. Burch, Peterborough, who 
had some grand blooms of Her Majesty, Ulrich 
Brunner, Horace Vernet and others. The second 
award was taken by Mr. Frank Cant, whose blooms 
were smaller. Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, 
were third. The first honours for twenty-four Tea 
and Noisette Roses, were taken by Mr. B. R. Cant, 
who had fine blooms of Madame de Watteville, Ethel 
Brownlow, and Marechal Niel, but many of them were 
past their best. Mr. F. Cant was second, and his 
flowers were much in the same condition. Mr. G. 
Mount, Canterbury, had the best eighteen Teas and 
Noisettes, with fine blooms of Innocente Pirola, The 
Bride, Madame Cusin, and others, the bulk of which 
were fairly fresh. Messrs. D. Prior & Son, Myland 
Nurseries, Colchester, took the second place; and 
Mr. G. W. Burch was third. The first prize for 
twelve trusses of any light Rose was taken by 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, with Her Majesty, in mag¬ 
nificent condition. Messrs. Harkness & Sons, took 
the second place with Mrs. J. Laing ; and Mr. B. R. 
Cant was third with Her Majesty. The latter had 
the best stand of any dark Rose, showing Alfred 
Colomb. Messrs. Harkness & Sons were second 
with Charles Lefebvre ; and Mr. F. Cant was third. 
The prizes for eighteen bunches of garden Roses 
brought out a fine display of the old-fashioned kinds. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were first; Mr. C. 
Turner, Slough, was second, with a fine exhibit like¬ 
wise ; and Mr. G. Mount was third with smaller 
bunches. The first prize for twelve trusses of Tea 
or Noisette was taken by Henry V. Machin, Esq., 
Gateford Hill, Worksop, showing Souvenir de S. A. 
Prince. Messrs. D. Prior & Son were second with 
Marechal Niel ; and Mr. B. R. Cant was third. 
In the amateurs’ classes the first award for twenty- 
four hybrid perpetuals was taken by E. B. Lindsell, 
Esq., Bearton, Hitchin, who had a very even stand 
of blooms. The Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Havering- 
atte-Bower, was a good second. These two 
exhibitors had an equal first prize in the class for 
twelve Roses, three blooms of each. The Rev. 
Hugh A. Berners, Harkstead Rectory, Ipswich, had 
the best twelve blooms; J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., 
Glebelands, South Woodford, Essex, was second. 
The Rev. Hugh A. Berners had the best twelve Teas 
and Noisettes, which were fresh. 
In the open classes the first prize for a group of 
Begonias arranged for effect was awarded to Mr. T. 
S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, who 
had a splendid group lightly arranged with Palms, 
Asparagus, and Maidenhair Ferns. The first prize 
for twelve bunches of Gloxinia blooms was taken by 
Mr. Thomas Bones, Heaton Gardens, Cheshunt. 
Mr. W. Howe, gardener to H. Tate, Esq., Streatham 
Common, was second with considerably inferior 
sorts. 
The first prize for six dishes of fruit was taken by 
Mr. J. Mclndoe, Hutton Hall, Guisborough, who 
had black and white Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, 
Figs, and Clapp’s Favourite Pear in fine condition. 
Mr. A. Ocock, gardener to Mrs. McIntosh, Haver¬ 
ing Park, Romford, was second; and Mr. Robins, 
gardener to Col Lee, Hartwell House, Aylesbury, 
was third. Mr. Thos. Osman, The Gardens, Otter- 
shaw Park, Chertsey, had the best black Grapes. 
Mr. J. Taverner, gardener to Sir A. K. Macdonald, 
Bart., Woolmer, Liphook, Hants, took second. Mr. 
J. Mclndoe had the best white Grapes; and Mr. T 
Osman was second. Mr. H. Poulton, gardener to 
C. T. Cayley, Esq., took the first place for three 
Melons, showing Hero of Lockinge of large size. 
Mr. J. C. Mundeil, Moor Park Gardens, Rickmans- 
worth, was second ; and Mr. S. Mortimer took the 
third award with fine-sized samples. Mr. Poulton 
and Mr. J. Mclndoe was first and second respectively 
for one Melon. Mr. C. Stocking, gardener to 
Walpole Greenwell, Esq., Marden Park, Caterham 
Valley, had the best Peaches, and Mr. W H. 
Divers was second. Mr. W. Robins had the best 
dish of Nectarines in Spencer. Mr. J. Mclndoe 
was second for both a dish of Nectarines and one 
of Figs. Mr. W. Allan, gardener to Lord Suffield, 
Gunton Park, Norwich, was first for Figs. Mr. J. 
Gurney Fowler had the best two dishes of Cherries, 
and Mr. W. H. Divers took the second place. Mr. 
W. Allan again took first for three dishes of Straw¬ 
berries, and Mr. W. H. Divers was second. The 
same order was maintained for one dish of Straw¬ 
berries. On the whole the Strawberries were of 
handsome size, and elicited great admiration. 
The ends of the tent as usual were occupied with 
miscellaneous exhibits. Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent 
Garden, had two banks of herbaceous cut flowers, 
including Lilies, Veronicas, Statices, Iceland Poppies, 
Delphiniums, (Enotheras, and others in considerable 
variety. A sloping bank of cut Roses was exhibited 
by Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross. 
Many of the Roses were set up in baskets, one kind 
occupying each. Conspicuous amongst them were 
Merville de Lyon, L’ldeal, Madame A. de Rouge- 
mont, Ulrich Brunner, Paul's Single White, and 
others. Six boxes of Strawberries in fine condition, 
including Gunton Park, Lord Suffield, and Empress 
of India, were exhibited by Mr. Wm. Allan, gardener 
to Lord Suffield, Gunton Park, Norwich. Four new 
varieties of Strawberries of large size were exhibited 
by Mr. Forman, 24 B, Newmarket, Louth Lines. A 
collection of three dozen Melons of a useful size, 
and all of the true type of Hero of Lockinge, were 
exhibited by Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham. 
Elevated behind them was a fine bank of 
cut branches of Stephanotis in a most flori- 
ferous condition, and allowed to fall down 
and become intermingled with the Melons. A 
Spiraea named Anthony Waterer was shown by Mr. 
A. Waterer, Knap Hill, Surrey. Large fruiting 
plants in pots and also cut branches of Tomatos were 
exhibited by Mr. T. Burridge, Norwood Lodge, 
Southall. A collection of Cherries, including Early 
Rivers, Montreuse de Mazel, White Bigarreau, May 
Duke, Semis de Burr, as well as Amsden June, and 
Alexander Peaches, the latter being the best, was 
exhibited by Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridge- 
worth. They also had a new unnamed Peach, a 
fruit of which measured 12 in. round and weighed 
fifteen ounces. A group of the Old Clove Carnation 
set up with Ferns, Caladiums and other fine foliage 
plants was set up by Mr. J. Walborn, Cedars 
Nursery, West Kensington. Some heads of new 
Cauliflower were exhibited by Mr. Thomas Bones, 
Heaton Gardens, Cheshunt. Some baskets of 
Grapes, Tomatos and Cucumbers, were shown by 
Mr. G. Featherby, Gillingham, Kent. A collection 
of Tomatos was shown by Messrs. Fellowes & 
Ryder, Orpington, Kent. Arcadian decorations were 
exhibited by Mr. J. R. Chard, Stoke Newington. 
Peaches were shown by Mr. W. H. Divers, gardener 
to J. T. Hopwood, Esq., Ivetton Hall, Stamford. 
In the main exhibition building a tastefully arranged 
table of plants was set up by Messrs. J. Cheal & 
Sons, Lowfield Nurseries, Crawley, Sussex. Five 
velvet-covered stands were covered with sprays of 
Violas, Roses occupied the front, and bunches of 
herbaceous flowers were placed in suitable positions. 
A similar amount of space was occupied by Messrs. 
Jarman & Co., Chard, Somerset, with trophies of 
fruit and vegetables, intermixed with Sweet Peas, 
Carnations, and other flowers. Mr. W. Davies, 
gardener to W. T. Darnell, Esq., 99, Stamford Hill, 
had an attractive group of Cattleyas set up and 
intermingled .with Palms, Ferns, Caladiums, and 
Crotons. Some of the Cattleyas were of a high 
standard of merit. 
