September 12, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
29 
Coleuses. Mr. C. Walker, F.R.H S., makes a 
specialty of them at his Leyland Nurseries, near 
Preston. Amongst the samples of varieties lately 
raised by him, which were recently forwarded for 
our inspection, are several really pretty varieties. 
Our first choice would be Hart’s Conqueror which 
has cordate leaves of medium size, velvety-black in 
colour, with a bright cerise centre and a yellow-green 
base. Walker’s Surprise has large, broadly ovate 
acuminate leaves exhibiting an erratic assortment of 
black, green, rosy-buff, and cerise. This should be 
very suitable for growing as a large specimen. 
Distinctly a novelty is Louis Chretien, which has a 
white centre to the leaves, banded with vivid green. 
The margins are irregularly and deeply serrate, the 
whole leaf being ovate lanceolate in shape. The 
pink petioles are a further attraction. Pride of Ley- 
land, a pretty green and yellow form, is very distinct 
on account of the peculiar way in which the primary 
veins form a triangular base to the leaves, the lamina 
proceeding from them at a right angle. The box of 
samples contained several other varieties, but those 
mentioned are the most noteworthy. 
BEGONIAS FROM PLYMOUTH. 
About a fortnight ago we had a box of double 
blooms of tuberous Begonias from Mr. LuscombeL. 
Cousins, gardener to P. F. Bulteel, Esq., The 
Retreat, Higher Hooe, near Plymouth. He now 
sends us a box of single varieties, all of his own 
raising. A soft orange variety named Beauty of 
Hooe was very choice and deserving of cultivation. 
Cottager, a soft rose variety, might be placed in the 
same category ; it was of good substance as was 
Crimson King, of a glowing crimson colour. Inten¬ 
sity was notable for its velvety, maroon-crimson hue; 
but both this and Crimson King were rather defective 
in the breadth of the inner petals. The salmon- 
orange Defender, like Beauty of Hooe and Cottager, 
was quite circular and of large size. Victor Lemon, 
a rich scarlet, would appear to be good, but the 
flower was only half expanded. The rest were 
smaller flowers. A fiery scarlet variety was notable 
for its colour, but whether it was named Enchantress 
or Florrie, we could not say as the papers containing 
them had become undone. Canary Bird was by far 
the finer of the two yellows sent, for it was rich and 
of good size for a yellow. The white varieties 
hardly came up to the standard, seeing that we have 
so many fine ones. The floriferous character of 
White Bedder would be its best recommendation, for 
a plant in a 7-in. pot carried thirty blooms. The 
same might be said of Mrs. Hall, the only double 
variety sent on this occasion. A small plant in a 
6-in. pot carried thirty blooms at one time. 
--f-- 
SOCIETIES. 
CHARD FLOWER, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE. 
The annual flower show of the Chard Flower, Fruit 
and Vegetable Society was held on the 20th ult., in a 
field in Fore Street, lent by the Rev. C. F. A. 
Wimberley. This was the first show held in connec¬ 
tion with the Amalgamated Chard Amateur and 
Cottagers’ and Chard Horticultural Societies, and 
proved a decided success in every sense. The entries 
numbered 740, being about eighty in excess of last 
year. There was also a great advance in the quality 
of the exhibits. Prizes were offered in 101 classes. 
Roses were not numerous, but Dahlias were 
extremely good, and stove and greenhouse plants 
were noteworthy. China Asters made a fine display. 
A collection of fruit and Grapes were creditable 
exhibits ; and hardy fruits such as Apples, Plums and 
Peaches were specially noteworthy. 
Ia the open classes Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard, 
took the leading awards for twenty-four Roses, 
twenty-four show and fancy Dahlias and Begonias. 
Mr. W. Helliar, Donjatt, took the lead for Cactus 
and decorative Dahlias. Mr. W. Brock, Exeter, had 
the best six stove and greenhouse plants, the best 
Ferns, and the most effective group of plants. 
In the amateur division Mr. W.Brock was again very 
successful, taking the leading prizes for six and two 
stove and greenhouse plants, exotic Ferns, and fine 
foliage plants. Mr. H. Parsons, Nimmer, had the 
best double, tuberous-rooted Begonias. Dr. Spicer, 
Chard, had the best single Begonias, double Pelar¬ 
goniums and Gloxinias. The Rev. H. A. Cartwright 
(gardener, Mr. J. Rowley), Whitestaunton, was first 
for single Pelargoniums. 
J. Brutton, Esq. (gardener, Mr. A. Crossman), 
Yeovil, had a very fine collection of fruit, taking the 
first prize. He was also first for Black Hamburgh 
Grapes, any other variety, Peaches and Nectarines. 
Other first prize winners in the fruit classes were Mr. 
Spottiswoode, Mr. I. Beer, Dr. Spicer, and Col. 
Mount-Batten. Vegetables were considered speci¬ 
ally fine by the judges. For a collection of twelve 
varieties, W. E. S. Erle-Drax (gardener, Mr. G. H. 
Copp), Sherborne, led the way. 1 Other first prize 
winners were Mr. Spottiswoode, Col. Batten, Mr. J. 
Brutton, Mr. Parsons, Mr. N. J. Lee, Chard, Rev. 
A. B. McDougall, Rev. H. A. Cartwright, and Mr. 
A. D. Paul. The Onions staged were of grand 
quality, and the same might be said of Scarlet 
Runners, Potatos, Carrots, and Turnips. Vege¬ 
tables generally were well shown by the cottagers. 
There were several collections not for competition, 
and amongst them was an exhibit of pot plants, cut 
flowers and choice fruit, exhibited by Mr. John 
Crook, gardener to W. H. Evans, Esq , Forde 
Abbey, Chard. These things were offered for sale 
and the proceeds were devoted to the Royal Gar¬ 
deners' Orphan Fund. This is an example that 
might well be followed by others. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL OF IRELAND. 
The autumn show of the Royal Horticultural Society 
of Ireland was held on the 28th ult , in Merrion 
Square, Dublin, instead of in Lord Iveagh's grounds 
as formerly. This was an innovation, and fine 
weather being enjoyed, the exhibition was a brilliant 
success, and the best that has been held for many 
years. Two extra tents had to be erected to 
accommodate the exhibits. 
The first award for a group of flowering and 
foliage plants was taken by Mrs. William M’Comas 
(gardener, Mr. Coghlan). Lord Caiew (gardener, 
Mr. M’Lennan), was second. Mr. F. A. Miller 
(gardener, Mr. Colohan), took the lead for exotic 
Ferns. Mrs. Pease (gardener, Mr. M’Kenzie), had 
the best double tuberous Begonias in the competitive 
classes, the best single varieties, and the best zonal 
Pelargoniums. George Drimmie, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. Byrne), showed the best specimen Orchid. 
Mrs. Pease again took the lead for Coleus, a class in 
which there was great competition, and for zonal 
Pelargoniums. Lord Ashbrook (gardener, Mr. 
M’Kellar), took the first award for thirty-six Dahlias. 
Lord Cloncurry (gardener, Mr. Rigg), showed the 
best twenty-four Dahlias, Lord Ashtown (gardener, 
Mr. Porter), had the leading twenty-four blooms of 
Roses; and Lord Ashbrook, had the best twelve. 
George Drimmie, Esq., was to the fore in the class 
for Tea Roses. Gladioli constituted a prominent 
feature of the exhibition, and James F. Lombard 
(gardener, Mr. Tobin), took the leading honour in 
the classes for thirty-six and twenty-four spikes; 
Lord Ashtown had the best twelve spikes. Begonias 
were shown in great quantity and of good quality. 
In the class for forty-eight blooms, Lord Ashtown 
took the lead, followed by Lord Ashbrook; the 
latter came to the front for twenty-four blooms. 
China Asters, French and African Marigolds, Carna¬ 
tions, Picotees, Sweet Peas, Dahlias, Roses, and 
Gladioli, in other classes, served to make up a very 
attractive display. Messrs. A. Dickson & Sons, 
Newtownards, carried off the leading prizes for Roses 
and Gladioli. 
In the miscellaneous class for competition were 
numerous exhibits, from a great distance. A Gold 
Medal was recommended for the fine display of 
single and double tuberous Begonias set up by 
Messrs. Hartland & Sons, Lough Nurseries, Cork. 
Messrs. Dickson & Sons were recommended a Silver 
Medal for twenty-four blooms of Rose Mrs. John 
Laing. Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, 
exhibited a splendid collection of Apples. Mr. John 
Forbes, Buccleuch Nurseries, Hawick, N.B., re¬ 
received certificates for Carnations Yuletide and 
Countess Cowper, and obtained an H. C. for a 
collection of Carnations. Messrs. Dicksons, of 
Chester, were awarded a V. H. C. for a collection of 
hardy herbaceous flowers of great merit. Mr. M. 
Campbell, of Blantyre, Scotland, also had a V. H. C. 
for single annual Chrysanthemums, and was com¬ 
mended for Dahlias, Carnations, and Pansies. 
Messrs. Dickson & Sons showed a collection of fruit. 
Messrs. Edwards & Son, Sherwood, Nottingham, 
staged a collection of centre pieces for tables. A 
stall of vegetables exhibited by Lord Carew, was 
pronounced by competent judges to be one of the 
finest ever seen at a show. Grapes, Apples, Pears, 
and other things were shown in fine condition. 
NATIONAL DAHLIA 
The Grand Exhibition of Dahlias was held at the 
Crystal Palace on September 4th and 5th. The 
meeting was rather smaller than usual, although the 
quality of the material staged was well up to the 
average in spite of the unfavourable character of the 
present season. 
In the premier class for nurserymen for sixty show 
and fancy Dahlias, distinct, Messrs. Keynes, Williams 
& Co. came out at the top of the list. Included in a 
splendid collection were five samples of Mrs. Kendle, 
Virginal, Peacock, William Rawlings, R. T. Raw¬ 
lings, Rebecca, Goldsmith,Gaiety, Florence Tranter, 
Kathleen, Arthur Rawlings, S. Mortimer, Chieftain, 
and Alice Emily. Mr. John Walker, Thame, Oxon, 
was second; Mr. M. V. Seale, Vine Nurseries, 
Sevenoaks, third; and Mr. S. Mortimer, Swiss 
Nursery, Farnham, Surrey, fourth. Mr. Mortimer 
led the way for forty-eight blooms, distinct, with 
Shotsam Hero, T. S. Ware, George Barnes, and 
Perfection in fine order. Second came Mr. M. V. 
Seale; and third Mr. John Walker. 
In the class for thirty-six show and fancy blooms 
distinct, Mr. J. T. West was placed first; Messrs. 
C. Kimberley & Sod, Stoke Nursery, near Coventry ; 
and Mr. Geo. Humphries, The Nurseries, Kington 
Lanley, Chippenham, taking second and third 
places respectively. Mr. J. T. West showed the best 
twenty-four show and fancy blooms, distinct; and 
Mr. H. Harris, Writtle Road, Chelmsford, the best 
twelve blooms, distinct. 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, staged 
a superb eighteen bunches of Cactus varieties, six 
blooms goiDg to a bunch, winning, thereby, the first 
award. Mr. J. T. West had the finest twelve 
bunches of Cactus sorts, Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., 
Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge, making a good 
second. Twelve bunches of decorative varieties 
were best shown by Mr. M. V. Seale. This exhibi 
tor also had the finest twenty-four bunches of Pom¬ 
pon varieties-a grand lot. Mr. J. T. West was 
first in the smaller class for twelve bunches of the 
same material. 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons added yet another to 
their list of successes by securing the premier award 
for twenty-four bunches of single varieties, distinct, 
ten blooms going to a bunch. Messrs. J. Burrell & 
Co. were second here. 
In the amateurs’classes competition was not so keen. 
The following exhibitors were credited with first 
awards: —Mr. A. Starling, gardener to H.H. Raphael, 
Esq., Rosecourt, Havering, Essex, for twelve show 
and fancy blooms, distinct; Mr. E. Jefferies, Lang¬ 
ley Burrell, Chippenham, Wilts, for six blooms of 
the same section ; Mr. Jas. Strewick, Silverhill, St. 
Leonard's-on-Sea, for twelve and nine bunches of 
Cactus sorts; and Mr. J. Hudson, Gunnersbury 
House, Acton, W., for twelve blooms of Cactus 
Dahlia Mrs. Francis Fell. 
In the open classes the undermentioned exhibitors 
won first prizes. Mr. John Walker for six blooms 
of Mrs. Gladstone, a like number of the dark James 
Cocker, and of the yellow John Hickling; and Mr. 
M. V. Seale for six blooms of the “tipped” Mrs. 
Saunders. 
The miscellaneous exhibits comprised a number 
of most attractive groups, Dahlias, of course, being 
everywhere conspicuous. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, 
N. , set up a very pretty bank, in which Cactus and 
Pompon Dahlias were exceedingly bright and showy. 
The blaze of colour they presented was lightened 
and toned down by the insertion of plants of Lilium 
philippinense, and some dwarf Bamboos. 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, Herts, 
contributed a fine collection of Peaches, Figs, Pears, 
and Nectarines in pots. All the trees bore heavy 
crops of grand fruit. A very pretty group of garden 
Roses was also contributed by this well-known firm, 
including the charming Polyantha section, and a 
new China Rose Queen Mab, exhibiting a lovely 
shade of Apricot. 
A very choice group of hardy flowers was sent by 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, 
Norwood Road, S.E. It included four dozen 
excellent blooms of show and fancy Dahlias. On 
either side of these appeared pyramidal bunches of 
Cactus and Pompon Dahlias in considerable variety. 
