September 24, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
61 
Strawberries is mentioned in those early days, but I 
find this latter fruit mentioned in the following year, 
i8ir, when Mr. John Charles, gardener, Lasswade, 
was awarded a medal for the first pint of Scotch 
Strawberries, sold in Edinburgh market, June ioth. 
The society did a good deal in those days to 
encourage the early production of vegetables for the 
Edinburgh market. Two of the earliest prizes given 
were for Radishes, produced on April 12th, and the 
first Turnips on June 1st, 1810. In 1811 Grapes 
were exhibited from Torry—a bunch of Black Ham¬ 
burgh. The minutes record the weight of the largest 
berry as 170 grs., the average weight as 150 grs., and 
circumference 3 3 in. 
The exhibits of the society seem to have gone on 
increasing very rapidly; and the encouragement 
given to the growing of vegetables was such that in 
1816, when the society petitioned the Lord Provost, 
magistrates, and council of the city of Edinburgh, 
setting forth that the views of the society were not 
confined merely to the innocent luxuries which horti¬ 
culture affords to the table, but extended to the 
improvement of kitchen vegetables, and to the giving 
of encouragement to market gardeners to bring the 
produce of their gardens for sale in the Edinburgh 
market in the utmost state of perfection, and at the 
cheapest rates, and that the success which have 
attended the exertions of the society exceeded their 
most sanguine expectations, the Lord Provost and 
council erected the society into a body corporate. 
That was our first Charter. 
“ I think it would be improper to say that the 
society held exhibitions. If I understand the old 
papers aright, meetings, say five or six a year, were 
held, when the exhibits were submitted for a com¬ 
mittee of council, papers were read, and after the 
September meeting, as many of the members as chose 
to do so, met and dined together. ... On the 
6th September, 1826, the company that sat down to 
table numbered 100, and there were placed on the 
table 262 dishes of fruit, including ripe Mulberries 
and Figs from East Lothian. These were 
supplemented by contributions sent in for the 
dessert. . . . In 1816 I find this entry. A basket 
of uncommonly fine Morello Cherries having been 
exhibited, produced from a branch of a tree reflected 
from a north to a south wall in the Earl of Wemyss' 
garden at 64, Queen Street, Edinburgh, it was 
unanimously agreed that a medal should be awarded 
to Mr. Thomas Dewar, gardener to His Lordship, on 
the ground not only of the excellence of the fruit, but 
for his great attention in conducting experiments 
suggested by the society. ... In the early days 
railways were not made; yet the individual effort 
was strong. We have record of two gardeners in 
April, 1821, carrying several fine Orange trees all the 
way from Woodball, near Holytown, on a hand- 
barrow covered with an awning.” 
Mr. M. Dunn proposed “ the Judges," and 
mentioned some of his experiences in connection with 
judges and judging. He coupled with the toast the 
name of Mr. Owen Thomas, who responded, and 
spoke in highly complimentary terms of the Grapes 
he had judged that day. 
Mr. A Outram proposed the "Exhibitors,” 
coupling with it the name of Mr. H. J. Jones, who 
responded. Mr. John Massey proposed the " Horti¬ 
cultural Press," mentioning Mr. J. Eraser, who 
responded. Bailie Robertson proposed the "Chair¬ 
man," who replied, bringing a pleasant meeting to a 
close. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL .—September 20 th. 
In spite of the fact that the Crystal Palace show is 
so close upon us, there was a remarkably large meet¬ 
ing on Tuesday last. Every available inch of space 
in the ball was utilised, although there was no actual 
crowding manifest. There were not many Orchids, 
but hardy flowers, Ferns, hardy and under-glass 
fruits, were in great plenty and first-rate condition. 
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, had a 
very interesting group of choice Orchids, chiefly 
Cattleyas and Laeliocattleyas. C. labiata, C. Wars- 
cewiczii, and C. wendlandiana were represented by 
some nice pieces. Lc. Nysa was well shown, the lip 
being very highly coloured. The rather intractable 
Oncidiumlanceanum was well shown, also Coelogyne 
Veitcbii and the hybrid Laelia juvenalis, a cross 
between L. dayana and L Perrinii. (Silver Flora 
Medal.) 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, 
Enfield, had a small group of Orchids, in which 
Vanda caerulea, Cattleya porphyrophlebia, C. 
velutina (a well-flowered piece), C. Harrisonii, C. 
gaskelliana, and Cypripedium sanderianum were the 
chief points of interest. (Silver Banksian Medal) 
Mr. F. Canham, gardener to C. H. Feiling, Esq., 
Southgate House, Southgate, had a small group, in 
which Dendrobium Phalaenopsis schroderianum 
and Cypripedium Chas. Canham were very con¬ 
spicuous. (Silver Banksian Medal.) 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, (gardener, Mr. White, 
Burford Lodge, Dorking), showed a large pan of 
Miltonia spectabilis, to which a Cultural Commen¬ 
dation was given ; also M. Binotii, M. leucoglossa, 
M. moreliana, M. Clowesii, and a finely-flowered 
piece of Oncidium trulliferum. Laeliocattleya T. 
W. Bond was shown in good form by Mr. Bond, 
gardener to C. L. N. Ingram, Esq., Elstead, Godaim¬ 
ing. Mr. King, gardener to Jeremiah Colman, Esq., 
Gatton Park, Reigate, sent Cattleya hardyana Mrs. 
Jeremiah Colman. 
In the group of new plants contributed by Messrs. 
F. Sander & Co , St. Albans, there were two nicely 
flowered plants of the old but handsome Odonto- 
glossum grande. The handsome Dendrobium atro- 
violaceum was a notable member of this group. 
Pandanus Sanderi was represented by some well- 
grown plants, and Acalypha Sanderi was also shown. 
One of the most notable features of the whole show 
was a group of a dozen grand plants of Acalypba 
Sanderi sent by Mr. Jas. Hudson, gardener to Leo¬ 
pold de Rothschild, Esq., Gunnersbury House,Acton, 
Middlesex. The plants stood about 3 ft. in height 
and were clothed right to the bottom of the pots with 
the long pendent, crimson spikes. They afforded re¬ 
markable evidence of high class cultivation. 
Mr. Hudson had another fine group of Salvia 
splendens grandiflora, which was well-grown and 
flowered, and presented a very brilliant appearance. 
The group was edged by Eurya lalifolia variegata. 
In a group set up by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, 
Gynerium argenteum Rendatleri, and G. a. aureo- 
lineatis, were shown with great effect in the back¬ 
ground. In the foreground were baskets of the 
pretty Hibiscus elegantissima, H. Comte de Hainult, 
H. de la Venus, and Caryopteris mastacanthus, also 
sprays of Begonia grandiflora. 
On the left hand side of the doorway Mr. J. H. 
Witty,Nunhead Cemetery,staged a meritorious group 
of early Chrysanthemums (both cut flowers and 
plants), the Chrysanthemums being arranged alter¬ 
nately with Maidenhair Fern in concentric circles. 
A good deal of variety was manifest in these early 
flowers. (Silver Banksian Medal). 
Facing the doorway was a collection of cut flowers 
of Sweet Peas, mustering some four dozen bunches 
in nearly as many varieties. These were shown by 
Mr. F. G. Foster, Brockhampton Nurseries, Havant, 
Hants. Golden Gate, Meteor, Blanche Burpee, 
Queen Victoria, Captivation, Blanche Ferry and 
Royal Rose, were some of the leading sorts. (Silver 
Banksian Medal) 
An excellent exhibit of cut, early flowering Chrys¬ 
anthemums came from Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood 
Nurseries, Redhill, Surrey, the flowers being fresh 
and of splendid colour development. Louis Lemaire, 
Jeanne Vuillermet, Golden Fleece, Mme. Zephyr 
Lionett, Mme. C. Perrier, Vesuvius and Harvest 
Home were some of the finest, although all were 
good. No fewer than fifty distinct sorts were 
shown. (Silver Banksian Medal.) 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, 
Herts, had a capital group of cut Roses, the 
blooms being very fresh and good considering the 
advanced state of the season. Caroline Testout, 
Enchantress, Marie Van Houtte, Belle Siebrecht 
and G. Nabounnand were worthy of special men¬ 
tion. 
A group of cut spikes of Cannas grown in the 
open air was sent by Lady Freake, Fulwell Park, 
Twickenham. Mr. Thos. Rochford, Turnford Hall 
Nurseries, had a batch of a capital Market Fern, 
Adiantum Faulknerii with very small pinnae. 
Mr. H. B. May, Dyson’s Lane Nurseries, Upper 
Edmonton, had another highly interesting group of 
Ferns, which, in this case all belonged to the 
genus Davallia. No fewer than fifty species and 
varieties of this extensive genus were on view, and 
all of them represented by plants in the pink of 
condition. D. fijiensis effusa, D. f. robusta, D. 
ornata, and D. hirta cristata, were represented by 
large, fine plants. In addition to these there were 
shapely specimens of D. divergens, D. tenuifolia 
Veitchii, D. Tyermanni, D. mooreana, D. decora, 
and D. griffithiana. Such little gems as D. 
amoena, D. glabella, D. parvula, and D. alpina 
were not wanting, the two latter species being 
enclosed in glass cases. (Silver Gilt Banksian 
Medal.) 
Dahlias, as may be expected, entered very largely 
into the show, and there was a number of excellent 
exhibits of this popular, hardy, autumn flower. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, 
N., had a very showy group, chiefly of Cactus and 
Pompon varieties. They were set up in large, pyra¬ 
midal bunches, with their own foliage and sprays of 
Asparagus. Clumps of Eulalia were freely em¬ 
ployed to lighten the group. Of the Cactus varie¬ 
ties, African, Cannell’s Gem, Starfish, Mrs. C. 
Turner, Matchless, Mrs. Wilson Noble, Mr. Thonger, 
Mrs. Peart, Beatrice, and Dr. Jameson were specially 
noteworthy, and the credit of the Pompon section 
was more than sustained by such sorts as Leda, 
Pure Love, Darkness, Lilian, Lady Blanche, Sala¬ 
mander, and Tommy Keith. From the same firm 
came an exhibit of cut spikes of named Cannas, 
amoDgst which Paul Meylan, Senateur Montefiore, 
Furst Bismarck, and Comte de Bouchard were good. 
(Silver Banksian Medal.) 
A grand array of show, fancy, and Cactus Dahlias 
came from Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, 
Hants. The show and fancy blooms were of great 
size, and included such leading varieties as Bur¬ 
gundy, Mrs. Morgan, Thos. Hobbs, R. T. Rawlings, 
Perfection, Muriel, Queen of the Belgians, Mrs. 
Stephen Walker, Goldsmith, S. Mortimer, Warrior, 
Diadem, Mrs. Saunders, and John Walker. There 
were about thirty bunches of Cactus varieties 
arranged in pyramidal form, the best being E. J. 
Deal, Casilda, Capstan, Britannia, May Queen, and 
Chas. Woodbridge. (Silver Flora Medal.) 
A representative group of Dahlias of all types 
was contributed by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons. Low- 
field Nurseries, Crawley, Sussex, whose flowers were 
remarkable for their brightness and high colour. 
The following are some of the premier sorts that 
found a place in the exhibit:—Show and fancy— 
Penelope, Flo Tranter, Dandy, and Mrs. Wm. Slack. 
Pompon—Mars, Fabio, Nerissa, Gannymede, Dr. 
Jim, Lady Blanche, Phoebe, Clarissa, May Kirk, 
Rosebud, and Bacchus. Cactus—F. P. Pawle, Lady 
Penzance, Mayor Haskins, Night, Earl of Pem¬ 
broke, Beatrice, Mrs. Turner, Miss Gertrude 
Pearson, and Matchless. Singles —Naomi Tighe, 
Alice Seale, Northern Star, Beauty’s Eye, Miss 
Roberts, Folly, and The Bride. (Silver Flora 
Medal) 
Mr. Chas. Turner, Slough, had a group of Cactus 
Dahlias arranged in large bunches. Alfred Vasey, 
Keyne's White, Mrs. K. Foster, Mary Service, 
Britannia and Mrs. C. Turner were all in remarkably 
good condition. 
Mr. M. V. Seale, Vine Nurseries, Sevenoaks, had 
a stand of farcy single and Pompon Dahlias. Mr. 
G. Humphries, Chippenham, also had a few show, 
fancy and Cactus Dahlias. A stand of nine bunches 
of Cactus Dahlias was contributed by Messrs. 
Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury. 
Messrs. Paul & Sons had sprays of Ligustrum 
Walkeri, Deringea celosioides variegata and Ilex 
ovata aurea-marginata. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, 
filled half a table running the whole length of the 
hall with their specialities. These included a quan¬ 
tity of cut Roses in such varieties as Francois 
Dubrouil, W. A. Richardson, Maman Cochet and 
Rosa rugosa double Blanche de Courbet. The mis¬ 
cellaneous cut, hardy, herbaceous flowers included 
Cactus and Pompon Dahlias, Phloxes, Coreopses, 
Pyrethrum and Helianthuses in varieties. Large 
baskets of flowering plants of Cyclamen hederae- 
folium, C. h. album and Colchicum tigrinum were a 
specially interesting feature. (Silver-Gilt Flora 
Medal.) 
A magnificent array of Gladioli came from Messrs. 
J. Burrell & Co., Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge. 
There were upwards of 200 grand spikes, both spike 
and individual bloom being of remarkable size and 
development. Le Vesuve, Iolanthe, Atlas, Royal 
d’Or, Formosa, Dom Craven, Grand Range, Undine, 
Martial, Casilda, Baroness Burdett Coutts, and 
Rosalind were some of the finest of the varieties. 
There was a considerable number of unnamed seed¬ 
lings, however, which we are thus prevented from 
mentioning in detail. A quantity of Cactus and 
