86 
October 10, 1896. 
TfHE GARDENING WORLD. 
doors. These are planted out, not grown in pots in 
this nursery, and many of them had obtained a 
height of 14 ft. 
Inside the houses three varieties of Grapes princi¬ 
pally are grown, Gros Colman, Canon Hall Muscat, 
and Alicante. Tomatos also receive their share of 
attention, but the Grapes particularly struck us as 
being a marvellous crop of excellently-formed 
bunches. Stretching away to the south were some 
four acres of young Ferns, and a similar area devoted 
to Coniferae. We noticed a handsome batch of the 
new Aster Marguerite, and a large section is also 
devoted to the cultivation of that always welcome 
flower, the Rose. The Chrysanthemums give every 
indication that Mr. Becker will have a strong team 
for the November competitions, and if he tries issues 
at some of our English and Scotch shows we are 
quite sure the competition will be an interesting one. 
Details of Mr. Becker's new currant, the “ Comet,” 
have already appeared in these pages, and, although 
there is much more to be said, space necessarily pro¬ 
hibits this, and with one word of thanks to Mr. 
Becker and to his courteous managers, Mr. Roberts 
and Mr. Hammill, we hasten on to Le Corbiere, an 
account of which advanture will be detailed in our 
next.— Gyp. 
- ^ - 
POTATO SATISFACTION. 
Being deeply interested in a subject which has been 
engaging the attention of several of our correspon¬ 
dents, Mr. Alexander Macrae, gardener to Mr. A. 
Fordyce Burke, Esq., Adderly House, Monifieth, 
Scotland, sends us a box containing half a dozen 
tubers of Potato Satisfaction, which are really 
splendid samples of the noble tuber. Mr. Macrae 
planted the sets on May 25th, and lifted the crop on 
September 20th last. The six tubers weighed 6 lbs. 
in the aggregate, but were not all of equal size, 
though all were shapely, and five of them good 
enough for exhibition purposes. They measured from 
4! in. to 5! in. in length ; and the largest tuber was 
3^ in. wide, and 2$ in. deep. 
Our correspondent also lifted a number of larger 
ones weighing ij lbs. each. Being rightly satisfied 
with this result, he says the variety is well Darned 
Satisfaction. He states that the ground was well 
dug without manure, so that the variety deserves to 
be grown both for table and exhibition purposes. If 
the quality is good, which we believe it is, we are 
quite in accord with what Mr. Macrae says, and 
should have been pleased to have had his opinion 
upon them in that respect. As to their exhibition 
value there can be but cne opinion. The tubers 
sent us were oblong, slightly flattened, smooth or 
very slightly rough in the skin, and having very 
shallow eyes. They were also solid, heavy and 
clean without a trace of disease. The soil in his 
neighbourhood is sandy, whatever it may be in the 
garden under his care. It must also be rich, either 
naturally or by previous manuring, and that would 
account in a measure for the excellent results, with¬ 
out direct manuring. Mr. Macrae sent us the 
examples with the above information for the benefit 
of our amateur readers. 
-»£»-- 
OCTOBER CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. 
The early autumn exhibition of Chrysanthemums 
under the auspices of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society was opened in the Royal Aquarium, West¬ 
minster, on Tuesday, the 6th inst., and continued the 
two following days. As far as the “ Autumn Queen,” 
was concerned the greatest interest centred round 
the three splendid groups arranged for effect. The 
exhibition on this occasion was made up chiefly of 
the numerous and extensive exhibits of Dahlias, 
hardy fruit, perennial Asters, and floral decorations, 
which were both numerous and attractive. 
The prizes for a group of Chrysanthemums and 
foliaged plants, arranged for effect in a space of 72 
superficial feet brought out three entries of a 
character far superior to what might have been seen 
a few years ago. Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, 
Hither Green, Lewisham, was accorded the leading 
honour for his gracefully and effectively arranged 
group. It was rectangular in outline, raised at the 
back, and the plants stood at various heights so as 
to give an undulating and informal appearance. 
The plants in the front portion were sunk in a bed of 
Maidenhair Ferns relieved with Cocos weddeliana 
and bright Crotons. The Crotons, Cocos, and 
Dracaenas had a wonderfully brightening effect. 
•Some of his finer blooms were Boule d'Or, Mutual 
Friend, Emily Silsbury, Amiral Alvelan, and 
numerous seedliDgs of his own raising, and of great 
promise. Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood Nurseries, 
Redhill, Surrey, was a very good second. His 
blooms were the biggest and finest of all the groups, 
but his group wanted more Palms and Crotons to 
lighten it up and relieve the massive appearance of 
the blooms, which were nevertheless arranged on 
different levels. He had large Palms behind with 
Asparagus and a line of Maidenhair Ferns in front. 
His blooms of Madame Gustave Henry, Thos. 
Wilkins, Louise, and Phoebus were splendid. Mr. 
G. SteveDs, St. John’s Nursery, Putney, took the 
third position with a group that would have easily 
taken the first place a few years ago. His flowers 
were simply arranged on the slope with numerous 
Cocos and Crotons that served to relieve the mass oi 
bloom. 
The season is evidently late, and that no doubt 
accounted for the absence of bush-grown pot plants. 
The cut flowers were also remarkably scanty even 
for an October show. The wet and sunless character 
of September must be held responsible for the 
general absence of the exhibitors who used to make 
this show an interesting one, and truly the advanced 
guard of the November display. Mr. James Agate. 
Nurseryman, Havant, was the only exhibitor in the 
class for twenty-four blooms of Japanese varieties 
and was accorded the first prize. He had, how¬ 
ever, some grand blooms of Emily Silsbury, 
Phoebus, Madame Gus. Henry, Mrs. E. W. Clarke, 
Madame Aug. Lacvfvier, Mrs. W. H. Lees, Wilfred 
Marshall, Madame I. Allamond, The Graphic, 
Duchess of York, and M. Geo. Biron. 
Mr. James Agate had likewise the leading award 
for twelve Japanese blooms, which were even finer 
than the twenty-four. Phoebus, Mutual Friend, Emily 
Silsbury, Le Chortrex, Princess May, and Wilfred 
Marshall, were really grand blooms for October- 
Mr. James Watt, gardener to Henry Bell, Esq., 
Fitzjohn’s Avenue, Hampstead, was second with very 
much smaller blooms. A third prize was awarded to 
a stand of pompons. 
Mr. T. Tullett, gardener to G. Alexander, Esq., 
Warley Lodge, Brentwood, secured the first prize for 
two vases of Chrysanthemums, having twelve blooms 
of large flowering varieties in each, with the addition 
of suitable foliage. Mr T. Brookes, gardener to W. 
J. Newman, Esq., Park House, Totteridge, Herts, 
was second with smaller blooms : and Mr. James 
Agate came in third with very tall vases. 
Mr. James Agate was again the winner for six 
blooms of incurved Chrysanihemums, showing M. 
R. Bahuant, Globe d’Or, and Perle Duphinouix. 
Mr. D. M. Hayler, gardener to W. Hannaford, 
Esq., J.P., Tenterden Hall, Hendon, took the 
second place with slightly smaller blooms in good form. 
In the amateurs’ classes the material shown was 
rather second-rate, if we except a couple of exhibits. 
Mr. Martin Silsbury, Providence, Shanklin, came 
out a good first for twelve blooms of Japanese 
Chrysanthemums, of not less than six varieties. He 
had fine samples of Emily Silsbury and Snowdrift, a 
new and very promising seedling of 1896. Second 
came Mr. W. Amies, South Ashford, Kent. The 
first award for six blooms of Japanese also fell to the 
lot of Mr. Martin Silsbury, Emily Silsbury, as in the 
previous case being the piece de la resistance of the 
exhibit. Mr. W. Amies was likewise second here. 
In the classes for single-handed gardeners, Mr. J 
Knapp, gardener to F. W. Amsden, Esq., 22, 
Chichester Road, Croydon, received a second prize 
for twelve blooms of Japanese Chrysanthemums; 
also the first award for six blooms of the same 
section. 
In the open classes, the chief features were the 
floral decorations, which, as may be supposed, consti¬ 
tuted the greater pari of the decorative material. 
Mr. L. H. Calcutt, Fern Bank Nursery, Stoke 
Newington, N.W., had the best table of bouquets, 
wreaths, sprays, etc., illustrating the value of the 
Chrysanthemum for such purposes. Some of Mr. 
Calcutt's devices, although rather heavy were very 
effective. Mrs. W. Green, Jun., Harold Wood, Essex, 
was placed second for an exhibit that was little, if 
any, behind that of the first prize-winners. Mr. 
Henry O. Garford, Stoke Newington Station, was 
awarded the first place. Mr. D. B. Crane, 4, Wood- 
view Terrace, Archway Road, Highgate, N , had the 
best three epergnes of Chrysanthemums suitable for 
table decoration. Mr. C. J. Gatehouse, Granville 
Nursery, Lewisham, was second; and Mrs. W. 
Green, Jun., third. The best single vase of Chry¬ 
santhemums was contributed by Mr. D. W. Hayler, 
gardener to W. Hannaford, Esq., J.P., Tenterden 
Hall, Hendon. 
The miscellaneous exhibits constituted by far the 
largest, and the most important part of the show. 
Some grand groups of cut flowers and brightly-hued 
foliage plants with scarcely less brilliant arrays of 
superb hardy fruit were on view, and these came 
into the gap and did the work that early autumn 
Chrysanthemums could not do of themselves. The 
fountain at the lower end of the hall had been 
charmingly and tastefully decorated with Chrysan¬ 
themums, Dahlias, and perennial Asters, with 
suitable greenery, by Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm 
Nurseries, Tottenham, N. The difficulty that is 
usually experienced in furnishing the lower part of 
this properly had been surmounted by arranging 
numerous pyramidal bunches of Pompon, and the 
smaller flowered Cactus Dahlias in very effective 
fashion. At the other end the Ichthemic Guano’s 
Trophy display ed the virtues of its famed specific, 
illustrating the same by the plants with which it was 
decorated, and which had been reared upon it to 
their present excellence. 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, were 
responsible for an exceedingly pretty table of flowers 
and fruit. Pompon, Cactus, and siDgle Dahlias, 
comprised the former, whilst such Apples as 
Worcester Pearmain, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Jubilee, 
and King of the Pippins, and such Pears as Pit- 
maston Duchess, Marie Benoist, Catillac, Belle de 
Brussels, and Beurre Diel, were represented by some 
fine dishes (Silver Gilt Medal). 
Mr. W. Davies, gardener to—Parnell, Esq., 
Devonshire House, Stamford Hill, received a Silver 
Medal for a collection of remarkably well-grown and 
well coloured Crotons. 
Messrs. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate, N., were 
awarded a Silver Medal for a very pretty table filled 
with miscellaneous material comprising neat speci¬ 
mens of Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, Palms, 
Dracaenas, Ferns of various kinds and Crotons. 
Certainly the brightest spot in the ball was that 
whereon Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, 
Lewisham, had deposited a grand collection of cut 
flowers of double and single zonal Pelargoniums. 
Mr. Jones is well known as a specialist in the culture 
and improvement of this charming and popular 
class of plants, and his latest effort at the Aquarium 
fully sustained his reputation. Eric Hilda, Edith 
Tabor, Gertrude Pearson, Dr. Sbaw, Mrs. W. 
Morris, Mr. G. C. Smith, Lady Brooke, and Mrs. 
Wm. Walters are a few amongst a host of beauties 
(Silver Gilt Medal). 
Rarely have Messrs. Dobbie & Co., put up a more 
effective group than they did on this occassioD, when 
a Silver Gilt Medal rewarded their efforts. Dahlias 
were exceptionally bright for the lime of year, 
especially those of the Pompon, and Cactus sections, 
Early Flowering Chrysanthemums also added their 
quotum of grace and elegance. 
Messrs. Sankey & Sons, Bulwell Potteries, hit upon 
a very tasteful way of showing off the excellence of 
their pot wares. A charming little grotto had been 
arranged decorated with Ferns and Isolepis gracilis 
growing in pans and pots suitable for hanging against 
a wall or suspending from the roof. 
A Bronze Medal was voted to Mr. W. Piercy, 89, 
Beadnell Road, Forest Hill, for a small collection of 
Chrysanthemums, no buds having been taken from 
the plants from which the blooms were cut. 
A superb collection of cut sprays of perennial 
Asters won for Mr. Norman Davis, tie Vineries, 
Framfield, a Silver Gilt Medal. Despite the un¬ 
favourable character of the season. Lucidulus, 
Amellus, cordifolius elegaDS, Vimineus, and Andro¬ 
meda were all represented in splendid condition. 
Mr. C. Shaw, Sherwcod, Nottingham, sent a nice 
lot of cut early Chrysanthemums (Silver Medal). 
Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon, sent a 
number of well-developed Chrysanthemums, 
including grand samples, for the earliness of the 
seasoD, of Barbara Forbes, and Exmouth Yellow, 
the latter being one of the best yellow Japs lately sent 
out. From the same source also came a small batch 
of Calla Little Gem, the plants being clean, healthy, 
and well-grown (Silver Medal). 
Messrs. H. Canned & Sons, Swanley, Kent, con¬ 
tributed a very neat batch of Cancas in small pots 
(Silver Medal). 
