60 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 24, 1898. 
the best show varieties; Mr. D. Mackay led for 
bronze Pelargoniums; and Mr. Wm. Anderson for 
variegated Pelargoniums, including tricolors, which 
were fine. Mr. J. Bald, gardener to W. J. Menzies, 
Esq., Grange Town, Edinburgh, had the best three 
Lilies, showing large pots of varieties of L. specio- 
sum ; he was also first for L. auratum. Mr. Thos. 
McGregor, gardener to Erskine Beveridge, Esq., St. 
Leonard’s Hill, Dunfermline, had the best Cocks¬ 
combs. Mr. Wm. Galloway, gardener to J. H. Ford, 
Esq., Liberton, had the best six and three single, and 
the best three and one double tuberous Begonias. 
Cut Flowers. —Mr. W. Parlane, gardener to 
Mrs. Dennistoun, Roselea Row, took the lead for 
twenty-four Roses ; Mr. Laurence Black, Kinglassie, 
Fife, had the best twelve Roses; Mr. A. Bennett, 
Tweedmoutb, the best twelve and six Gladioli; Mr. 
G. Manson, gardener to W. G. G. Pattison, Esq , 
Bathgate, the best twelve trusses of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums ; Mr. W. Sharp, the best twelve trusses of 
greenhouse flowers; Mr. John Meiklem, Thorn 
House, Johnstone, the best twelve bunches of her¬ 
baceous plants; and Mr. A. Brydon, Innerleithen, 
the best six bunches. Cut China Asters, Phloxes, 
Dahlias, Sweet Peas, &c., were abundantly and well 
shown. Mr. T. Duncan, Fogo School House, Duns, 
took the lead for Sweet Peas, which were charming. 
Vegetables. —There were thirty-two dishes of 
Tomatos in competition for the prizes, the first 
being secured by Mr. Wm. Galloway, and the second 
by Mr. J. Graham, gardener to Mrs. Houldswortb, 
Coltness, Wishaw. Mr. E. Joss, gardener to H. J. 
Montgomery,Esq., Milnathort, had magnificent Peas, 
taking the first prize. Mr. R. Laidlaw, gardener to 
W. Robston, Esq., Kelso„ staged the best French 
Beans in good competition. The Onions shown by 
Mr. A. C. Cameron, gardener to W. L. Boase, Esq., 
Binrock, Dundee, were of splendid size, taking the 
first prize. Mr. Geo. Masson, gardener to Sir Wal¬ 
ter Corbett, St. Fort, Newport, Fife, took the lead 
for Cucumbers. Mr. W. Wilson, gardener to H. H. 
Almond, Esq., Loretto, showed the best Brussels 
Sprouts; Mr. J. Reach, gardener to A. Mitchell, 
Esq., Luscar House, Dunfermline, the best Cauli¬ 
flowers, in strong competition ; Mr. J. Waldie, the 
best Cabbages; Mr. J. Smith, Newtown, Pencait- 
land, ihe best Savoys; Mr. J. Waldie, the best 
Celery and Beet; Mr. John Ovens, gardener to J. 
B. Wilkie, Esq , Foulden House, Berwick, the best 
Parsnips ; Mr. James Orr, gardener to Thos. Brown, 
Esq., Dalnair, Drymen, the best Carrots; and Mr. 
J. Hood, gardener to Miss Baillie, St. Boswells, the 
best Leeks. 
Potatos were abundantly represented and of ex¬ 
cellent quality. The leading award for twelve 
varieties was secured by Mr. J. Gemmill, Jun., 
Flakefield, Chapelton, whose samples were of beau¬ 
tifully even size, and clean ; he also had the best six 
varieties. 
Nurserymen. 
The first prize for eighteen bunches of single Dah¬ 
lias was taken by Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, Edin¬ 
burgh ; Mr. John Downie, Beechill Nurseries, was a 
good second. Messrs. Dickson & Co., i, Waterloo 
Place, Edinburgh, had the best twenty-four trusses 
of Chrysanthemums; Mr. M. Campbell, High Blan- 
tyre, was second, but came to the front for twelve 
Picotees. Mr. Thos. M. Whitehead, 14, Tower 
Street, Selkirk, showed the best twelve Carnations ; 
Mr. M. Campbell being second. The latter came to 
the front for twenty-four show Dahlias, which were 
of large size. Mr. S. Mortimer, Swiss Nursery, 
Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey, had the best eighteen 
bunches of Cactus Dahlias, which were splendid. 
Messrs. W. P. Laird & Sinclair, Dundee and Cupar 
Fife,had the best eighteen bunches of Cactus Dahlias. 
Messrs. James Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, took the 
premier honours for thirty-six Roses, which were 
really in first-class condition for this advanced 
period of the year. Denmark, Marie Baumann, 
Caroline Testout, Mrs. John Laing, and Maman 
Cochet were grand blooms. Mr. Hugh Dickson, 
Royal Nurseries, Belfast, had the best eighteen 
Roses in splendid blooms; Messrs D. & W. Croll, 
Dundee, were second. Mr. Hugh Dickson again led 
for twelve Roses; and Messrs. D. & W. Croll fol¬ 
lowed. Messrs. Adam & Craigmile, Rubislaw, 
Aberdeen, took the lead for the best twenty-four Tea 
Roses, which were in beautiful form ; Messrs. D. & 
W. Croll were second. Messrs. Jas. Cocker & Sons, 
had the best crimson Roses in Alfred Colomb, 
Messrs. D. & W. Croll took the lead for a stand of 
La France; Messrs. James Cocker & Sons for Caro¬ 
line Testout; Messrs. D. & W. Croll for Merveillede 
Lyon ; Messrs. Adam & Craigmile for The Bride ; 
Mr. Hugh Dickson for Mrs. John LaiDg, and Messrs. 
D. & W. Croll, for any other variety, showing A. K. 
Williams. 
Non-Competitive Exhibits. 
Mr. John Downie, 144, Princess Street, Edinburgh, 
set up a large circular table of plants, the centre of 
which consisted of a high conical mound of Lilies, 
prominent amongst which were Lilium auratum, L. 
a. platyphyllum, L. speciosum, L. s. Kraetzeri, 
Cannas and Tuberoses. At the base of these a 
hollow groove all round the centre was filled with 
tuberous Begonias, dotted with Palms, Crotons and 
other fine foliage plants. Near the circumference of 
the table were small mounds at intervals with 
Crotons, Begonia La Lorraine, Lily of the Valley, 
Caladiums and other subjects, built in little groups 
around some central plant. There w ere many fragrant 
flowers in the group diffusing their odour all around. 
The front of the table was draped with Panicum, 
Maidenhair Ferns and other subjects, giving a fine 
finish to the whole. 
Messrs. James Grieve & Sons, Redbraes, 
Broughton Road, Edinburgh, had an oblong table 
tastefully decorated at either end with choice Ferns, 
including Gymnogramme peruviana, Polystichum 
angulare Grimmondii, Asplenium fernandezianum, 
&c. The popular market varieties were also staged 
in various sizes to fit in with the build of the stand. 
Violas formed a high centrepiece on either side, and 
included such fine varieties as Bullion, Border 
Witch, Joseph, Mary Gilbert, Marchioness, Norah 
May and others. Stands of lemon and orange 
African Marigolds and French striped Marigolds 
were inserted here and there in the design. They 
also showed fine dishes of Apples, James Grieve, 
Bailie Nelson, Maggie Grieve and James Welsh. 
Altogether the table was an improvement upon 
that of last year. 
Messrs. John Ford & Co., 39, Princes Street, 
Edinburgh, had a novelty in the way of new table 
decoration shown for the first time. The special 
features of it were the twisted crystal bars, hanging 
in graceful form in some cases, and in others in arch 
form, the tinting of the glass being of a very delicate 
green on a flint body, fitted up with artistic brass 
work. The flowers used were those usually em¬ 
ployed in the best styles of table decoration. The 
entire table was a creditable example of how an 
up to-date dessert service should be set out. 
Messrs. Charles Buick & Sons, Horticultural 
Potteries, Alloa, N.B., had a stand of their wares in 
the shape of various ornamental forms of horticul¬ 
tural pottery, including plain and ornamental pots, 
vases and terra cotta of numerous patterns. 
Medals and other Awards. 
Gold Medals were awarded to Her Majesty the 
Queen (gardener, Mr. Owen Thomas), for a table of 
fruit, Nepenthes, &c., from Windsor; and to Messrs. 
Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, for a group of 
plants. 
Silver Medals were awarded to Mr. H. J. Jones, 
Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, for a group of plants ; 
to Messrs. Wm. Thomson 6 c Sons, Ltd., Clovenfords, 
for a table of plants, Grapes, &c.; to Messrs. R. 
Wallace & Co., Colchester, for a table of Lilies, 
Gladioli, &c.; to Messrs. D. & W. Buchanan, Forth 
Vineyards, Kippen, for a table of fruit and coloured 
vine leaves. 
First-class Certificates were awarded to Mr. 
W. Angus, Norwood Hall, Aberdeen, for a double 
Sweet Pea, " British Queen ” ; to Messrs. D. & W. 
Buchanan, Kippen, for a new seedling black Grape, 
"Diamond Jubilee”; and to Mr. M. Campbe’l, 
Blantyre, for Yellow Carnation “ Miss Alley.” 
Special Awards were made to Mr. M. Campbell, 
Blantyre, for a table of cut flowers; to Messrs. 
Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, for a table of cut flowers ; 
to Messrs. Dicksons & Co., Edinburgh, for a table of 
plants and Vines; to Mr. John Downie, Edinburgh, 
for a table of plants; to Messrs. Dobbie & Co, 
Rothesay, for Dahlias and herbaceous flowers; to 
Mr. M. CuthbertsoD, Rothesay, for cut flayers of 
herbaceous plants; to Mr. John Forbes, Hawick, for 
hardy herbaceous flowers; to Messrs. Jas. Grieve & 
Sons, Edinburgh, for a table of plants, &c.; to Mr. 
Chas. Irvine, Jedburgh, for florist flowers; to 
Messrs. Kerr Bros., Dumfries, for a table of cut 
flowers ; to Messrs. R. B Laird & Sons, Edinburgh, 
for a table of plants; to Messrs. Alex. Lister & 
Sons, Rothesay, for florist flowers ; and to Messrs. 
T. Methven & Sons, Edinburgh, for a table of 
plants. 
The Banquet. 
The council of the society entertained the judges and 
a large party of others at dinner at 3 p.m., in the 
large hall of the Royal British Hotel. Mr. D. P. 
Laird presided, in the absence of the senior vice- 
president, and after a liberal and hospitable repast, 
proposed the toast of " The Queen,” and said that 
Scotchmen with one heart and voice were delighted 
that Her Majesty had occupied Balmoral so long in 
their midst and that no subjects of the Queen were 
more loyal than Scotchmen. After an interval he 
proposed the “ Prince and Princess of Wales and 
other members of the Royal Family.” 
Mr. Alexander Milne proposed the "Army, Navy 
and Reserve Forces ”—the army and navy which had 
never been beaten and the reserve forces that had 
never been tried. He coupled this with the name of 
Trooper Welsh, who replied. 
Mr. R. W. E. Murray proposed the “ Lord Pro¬ 
vost, KJagistrates and Town Council,” who had done 
much to beautify the city, and for the advancement 
of horticulture. Senior Bailie Robertson replied to 
this, and said that he was pleased to see people from 
all parts of the country come to visit the dear old 
city. The show was a great attraction and they were 
proud of it. They did their best to keep up the 
beauty of Edinburgh. Great changes had taken 
place during the last fifty years. He remembered 
when only a few lumbering 'buses plied between 
Edinburgh and Leith ; now they had a regular sys¬ 
tem of tramways. Great success had attended 
public lighting and he hoped to see the streets 
cleared of the incumbrances after the electric plant 
had been laid down for the tramways now in progress. 
The present was one of the finest shows he had seen 
in the Waverley Market. It was as near perfection 
as possible and could not be much improved as far 
as he could see. 
Bailie Mackenzie proposed the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society,” which had accomplished a 
great deal for horticulture. He remembered when 
the shows were held in small, dark, cramped places, 
and watched them as they began to improve. Since 
then Scotland had become much indebted to the 
society. Mr. D. P. Laird replied to this, thank¬ 
ing Bailie Mackenzie for his sympathetic expressions 
with regard to the society. Their success had 
largely been due to an enlightened town council and 
the Waverley Market. He was pleased to see so 
many English, Scotch and Irish horticulturists pre¬ 
sent. He then invited the audience to driak to the 
health and success of the new secretary, Mr. Peter 
Murray Thomson, who had now organised two 
shows, and whose work augured well for the success 
of the society. 
Mr. Thomson returned thanks for the warm 
acknowledgment accorded his work, and gave a 
brief resume of the history of the society since it 
was founded in 1809, from which account we cull ex¬ 
tracts :—" Since the council did me the honour to 
appoint me to be the successor of such men as Dr. 
Patrick Neill, the late Prof. Balfour, Messrs. John 
Stewart and Charles Stewart, each in turn secre¬ 
taries of this society—and let me add Mr. Patrick 
Neill Fraser, our late treasurer—I have felt a very 
great weight of responsibility resting upon me, and 
in the few months that have passed I have done what 
I could to make myself familiar in some measure 
with the history, the objects and attainments of the 
society. On the 5th of December, 1809, in response 
to a circular, seventeen gentlemen met in the hall ot 
the Royal College of Physicians, which then stood 
on the site in George Street now occupied by the 
Commercial Bank, and there and then formed them¬ 
selves into a society 1 for encouraging and improving 
the cultivation of the best fruits, of the most choice 
flowers, and of the most useful culinary vegetables.' 
The first schedule seems to have been a very small 
affair—not containing 391 items of competition, with 
983 prizes, nor calling forth 2,136 entries, like the 
schedule of the present year. I have not seen these 
early schedules, bat have studied the record of 
prizes awarded, and in the first year of the society’s 
existence find that twenty-six prizes were given, 
eight being for vegetables, eleven for fruit, six for 
Currant wines, and the small number of one for 
flowers—for the best six Carnations exhibited. The 
exhibits came from Loretto, Duddingston, Dalkeith, 
Parson’s Green, Livingstone, Pinkie, Torrie House 
in Fife, Blairadam, Melville Castle, Ormiston Hall, 
Hirsel, Adam Square, Drumsheugh, N. Charlotte 
Street, and St. Andrew Square. It is interesting to 
notice that not a single bunch of Grapes or dish of 
