August 11, 1900. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
797 
known to all growers of these plants that they sel¬ 
dom open unless under the influence of sunshine. 
When they do open, all one need do is to bend back 
the strong fleshy green or brownish outer sepals 
under whose power it is that the flower is forced to 
close. Bend these back until they break and leave 
them thus. The “ trick " is not a new one, but it is 
worth the pointing out for the benefit of those who 
may not know it. 
Along the course of a stream which runs through a 
part of the upper nursery, one finds a collection of 
interesting and handsome aquatic and marsh plants. 
Of these a helping note may be written some time 
again. The very fine ornamental grasses Glyceria 
spectabilis and Phalaris arundinacea variegata 
(Gardener's Garter) were growing strongly on the 
banks by the stream. The Glyceria is even finer 
than the better known Phalaris, and where the one 
is, the other should be also. 
- 
SWEET PEAS IN THE ISLE OF 
WIGHT. 
Under the guidance of a well-known horticulturist 
in the Isle of Wight, and once well known at the 
Kingston-on-Thames and the National Chrysanth¬ 
emum Societies, two of the profession from the busy 
town spending their holidays at the popular little 
cool and shady seaside place of Bembridge, at the 
eastern end of the island, took a trip to Newport on 
Wednesday, July 25th, the object being a visit to the 
Royal Agricultural Show being held there, to which 
is connected also a horticultural exhibition, a special 
feature this year being a Sweet Pea exhibition by the 
members and friends of the Isle of Wight Horticul¬ 
tural Improvement Association, of which Dr. Groves 
is president, and Mr. S. Heaton, F.R.H-.S., is the hon. 
secretary. 
Newport is a nice, clean, old town. The central 
market place of the island contains a fine church in 
a spacious square, and many old and a few curiosity 
shops. The heat away from the sea was somewhat 
tropical and many whose duty it was to be any time 
under the canvas at the show were saved the expense 
of a Turkish bath. Of the many beautiful cattle at 
the show it is not in my province to speak, although 
much admired as well as the endless variety of dogs 
and poultry. 
In the horticultural department was a fine 
marquee, filled to the utmost with every variety of 
outdoor flowers in season, with which the island 
abounds, and many choice stove and greenhouse 
flowering and foliage plants. 
A special feature was the table decoration, chiefly 
confined to ladies. This is always a strong feature 
in the island, Sweet Peas and Carnations being the 
the chief flowers used, with Gypsophlla paniculata, 
Agrostis nebulosa and other grasses in relief. Pink, 
cream and light yellow colours found favour in the 
first prize stand. The show of Sweet Peas was 
beyond our expectations, one end of the tent being 
filled with them. The principal collections were 
arranged in rather tall vases, which set them off, and 
had all been arranged in the same way. There were 
sufficient flowers there to fill nearly double the 
space. New, up-to-date varieties were in evidence 
in the chief collections. No prizes were offered. 
Only the certificate of the association for the best in 
the three divisions—gardeners, amateurs and 
cottagers. 
Mr. J. Norris, gardener to W. Durnford, Esq., 
Pitt House, Bembridge, late of Eton, exhibited a 
fine collection of about thirty varieties and gained 
the Certificate. The flowers were well grown and 
arranged with their foliage, the best being Salopian, 
Gorgeous, Lady Grisel Hamilton, America, Triumph, 
Lady Mary Currie, Sadie Burpee, &c. 
Messrs. C. & F. Orchard, Bembridge, exhibited a 
well arranged collection of eighteen varieties, in¬ 
cluding Salopian, Oriental, Mars, Mrs. Eckford, 
Stanley, Royal Rose, Bridesmaid (new), Triumph, 
Royal Emblem (new), which was awarded a First- 
class Certificate, a flaked flower, the ground colour 
being crimson-lake, flaked and veined white; Blanche 
Burpee, &c. 
The Rev. L. Knights-Smith, Brighstone, a prize- 
taker at the Bi-centenary show at the Crystal Palace, 
exhibited a choice clean lot containing many beauti¬ 
ful varieties, Duchess of Westminster, Captivation 
and others being noticeable. He was awarded the 
Certificate in the amateurs’ division. Mr. George 
Chillerton was awarded the Certificate in the 
cottagers’ division. Mr. Heaton and Mr. H. 
Webber also exhibited meritorious collections. 
I cannot leave this subject without mentioning a 
delightful afternoon and evening visit to Carisbrooke 
Castle. There under the shady trees of leafy Caris¬ 
brooke we opened our lungs and breathed in the 
balmy breezes that were delightful. The well 
house was visited and the celebrated donkey, Neddy, 
patted, as he drew up the cooling draft from the deep 
well, which was tasted and enjoyed. The museum 
and keep, worthy of their reputation, are visited by 
thousands in the year, and enjoyed as by us no 
doubt.- M. 
SOCIETIES. 
SOUTHERN COUNTIES CARNATION AND 
PICOTEE.— August 3 rd. 
The third annual show of the southern Carnation 
Society passed off as a satisfactory event on Friday, 
August 3rd. Of course, the show had its draw¬ 
backs, yet the display, which was held in the Royal 
Pier Pavilion, Southampton, was exceedingly good. 
Fancy and yellow ground Carnations were strong, 
seifs were below par, but Picotees'" again were very 
fair. Bizarres and flakes seem to be passing from 
favour. They were not so extensively shown on this 
occasion. At the luncheon, Mr. A. WoltoD, London■ 
who occupied the chair, congratulated the society on 
the success of the year’s work. Between thirty and 
forty new members have been enlisted, a compliment 
to the activity of Mr. Garton, Junr., who is secre¬ 
tary. Mr. Garton, by the way, was a successful 
exhibitor. 
The judges, who were Messrs. J. Douglas, T. E. 
Henwood, J. Ball, and Charles Blick, did their work 
well, and gave all-round satisfaction. Pressure on 
space necessitates our condensing this report as much 
as possible. Much the same varieties as were men¬ 
tioned in our full report of the National Carnation 
Society were shown by the competitors at this 
Southampton show. 
The principal winners in the classes for flakes, 
bizarres, and seifs were Messrs. Thompson & Co., 
Birmingham; Mr. F. Wellesley, WokiDg; Mr. A. 
R. Brown, Birmingham ; S. A. West; E. H. Buck- 
land, Winchester; G. Chaundy, Oxford; F. W. 
Flight; W. Garton, Junr.; A. Turner; and G. A. 
Wigram. Besides being a winner in some of the 
Carnation classes Martin R. Smith, Esq., was chief 
winner in the Picotee classes. Messrs. Phillips & 
Taylor, of Bracknell, also showed and won in the 
Picotee classes. 
For a Silver Cup, value £7 10s., for the twelve 
best self or fancy Carnations, Martin R. Smith, 
Esq., Hayes, Kent, was first; Mr. E. C. Goble, 
second : and third, Mr. W. Garton, Junr. Mr. F. 
W. Flight won the amateur’s Cup, value £5 ; Mr. G. 
A. Wigram came second ; and Mr. S. Baverstock, 
third. Mr. W. Garton, Junr., was first for a group 
of Carnations. 
BIRKENHEAD SHOW. —August 3 id, 4th and 6th. 
This exhibition, held in connection with the agri¬ 
cultural show, has for several years had the unfor¬ 
tunate experience of having a considerable amount 
of wet and bad weather, but past years will now 
sink to unimportance after the fearful weather ex¬ 
perienced on the opening day of the present year. 
Before Messrs. N. F. Barnes, G. Beckett, R. Horne 
and J. Taylor (the judges) had concluded their work 
a severe thunderstorm broke upon them with a 
strong gale of wind sweeping across the exhibition 
field. A sudden rent from top to bottom in the 
centre of the tent prompted effective measures to be 
taken in hand at once. Willing workers soon trans¬ 
ferred the exhibits on the stages to the ground 
underneath, specimen plants were laid on their 
sides and the canvas roof dropped half down the 
poles. The value of this procedure was soon seen, 
for in a short time the Bee tent was levelled with the 
ground, followed by that of the refreshment, dog and 
pigeon erections, liberating the animals in these 
cases, the two last causing a great commotion 
generally. It would be difficult to picture a more 
complete wreck than the one described. During 
Saturday visitors were admitted at one end of the 
tent where some idea of the amount of damage 
could be gained. 
The entries numbered over 500, and in the cut 
flower and vegetable sections were very strong. 
Plants showed the loss of one or two Liverpool 
competitors. In the competitive classes, for ten 
plants, five foliage and five flowering, Mr. G. 
Webster gained the premier award with fair plants 
of Ixora coccinea, I. Williamsii, Statice profusa, 
Croton andreanum, Kentia fosteriana, &c. 
For a group of flowering and foliage plants Mr. S. 
Haines, gardener to E. K. Laird, Esq., was accorded 
first honours. 
Three stove or greenhouse plants in flower Mr. G. 
Webster won with Dipladenia amablis, Statice pro¬ 
fusa and a Bouvardia. 
For one greenhouse and one stove plant, Mr. 
Webster won in each class with Statice profusa and 
Ixora coccinea. 
For one foliage plant, Mr. J. D. Grindley, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. D’Arcy, was first with a fine Cycas 
revoluta. 
For three Ferns and one tree Fern the same ex¬ 
hibitor staged the best. 
For the single Fern, Mr. Harries scored with a 
large Davallia mooreanaand for three Coleus. 
For the single Fuchsia, Mr. A. G. Turpin was far 
ahead with a well flowered plant. In the Begonia 
classes the same exhibitor won with fine examples. 
For table decoration, Mr. J. Ennion was first with 
a charming arrangement, and for one bouquet, Mr. 
Tom Pelling scored, while for those of outdoor 
flowers, Mr. J. Williams, gardener to C. J. Procter, 
Esq., was first. Mr. Williams and Mr. Ennion had 
the best ladies’ sprays and gentlemen’s buttonholes. 
For Carnations or Picotees in twelve triplets, Mr. 
C. A. Young staged a grand lot; and Mr. W. Neish, 
gardener to J. H. Ismay, Esq., won for twelve and 
six varieties. Mr. Neish took the leading prizes in 
three classes of cut flowers. For six Roses and 
three Roses, the firsts went to Mrs. Kendall and 
Mr. J. H. Beazley respectively. 
In the fruit section, Mr. G. Fergusson, gardener to 
Mrs. Paterson, won in the class for six kinds of 
fruits, having Muscat of Alexandria and Black 
Hamburgh Grapes, Rivers’ Orange Peaches, 
Melons, Cherries, and Apples. For two bunches of 
Black Hamburgh Grapes, Mr. J. Richards secured 
first honours with fine berries; and for any other 
black with Madresfield Court. Two bunches white 
Muscats, Mr. H. May, gardener to C. Gatehouse, 
Esq., led, and for any other white, Mr. D. McLean 
won with Foster’s Seedling. For Peaches and 
Nectarines the winners were Messrs. C. Irvine and 
J. Richards. For green and scarlet-fleshed Melons, 
Mr. J. Clarke was first in each class. 
Vegetables were a strong feature. Mr. J. Clarke 
was first for eight kinds, having Potatos, Onions, 
Carrots, Cauliflowers, Peas, Tomatos, French 
Beans, and Celery. Other exhibits in this section 
were of uniform excellence, the leading prizes going 
to Messrs. J. Platt, Junr., W. Jordon, J. Richards, 
T. Alty, J. K. Carter, T. Totty, T. Brockbank, and 
J. Morris. 
Many exhibits were staged not for competition. 
Mr. H. Middlehurst, Liverpool, was awarded the 
society's Silver Medal for his Gateacre Swede. 
Sweet Peas were also well staged. Messrs. Talbot 
& Turner, Heswell, had a group of Tea Roses. 
Messrs. Harrison & Sons, Leicester, staged roots, 
cut flowers, and vegetables. Messrs. Dicksons, 
Ltd., Chester, had foliage plants and cut herbaceous 
flowers. Mr. T. W. Graham, Birkenhead, had roots, 
plants, and flowers. 
DEVON AND EXETER HORTICULTURAL.— 
August 4th. 
The annual summer exhibition of the above society 
was held on August 4th at Northernhay, unfortunately 
in unpropitious weather. And being held a fort¬ 
night earlier than usual to meet the wishes of 
numerous subscribers, this fact, coupled with the 
lateness of the season, militated against a full entry 
list. Fruits such as Apples, Plums, &c., were 
scarcely ready enough to be shown in any quantity. 
Plants and flowers were of moderate quality, but the 
season has been a good one for vegetables, which 
were well shown. The decorative classes ought to 
have been strong, whereas they were exceedingly 
weak. Notwithstanding the stormy weather, there 
was a fair attendance. The society’s committee 
very generously devoted 25 per cent, of the receipts 
after five o’clock to the local war fund. The band 
of Her Majesty's Royal Horse Guards (Blues) under 
