44 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 15, 1900. 
SOCIETIES. 
NATIONAL DAHLIA.— September 7 th and 8 th. 
The annual display of cut Dahlia blooms, held at 
the Crystal Palace, under the auspices of the 
N.D.S., was again recorded on Friday and Saturday, 
the 7th and 8th insts. Blooms all round were of 
average merit, comparing favourably with any 
preceding sear though their numbers were less 
numerous than at last year’s show. Among the 
competitive exhibits there were some magnificently 
fine blooms rivalling, to say no more, the best of the 
competitive entries. The show also emphasised the 
fact of the ascendency of the Cactus and single 
Dahlias, and also marked the decay of the show and 
fancy varieties. 
Among the newly certificated sorts there was not 
a single " show " or •• fancy " representative. The 
Pompons, of course, hold their own. In all respects 
the show of 1900 will be pronounced satisfactory. 
Nurserymen. 
Show and fancy Dahlias, intermixed. —In 
division A, for sixty blooms distinct, Mr. J. Walker, 
Thame, Oxon, came out first, with blooms up to the 
average, but nothing very sensational. The best were 
A. Rawling’s, Mabel StantoD.Mrs. J. Downie, Royal 
Queen, and J. Bennett. Mr. S. Mortimer, Farnham, 
came second with a collection of smaller but better 
coloured blooms. Mrs Saunders, Mrs. Gladstone, 
and Arthur Rawlings were especially fine. Mr. 
M. V. Seale, Vine Nursery, Sevenoaks, was a fair 
third. For the forty-eight blooms distinct, Mr. J. 
Walker, Thame, again led off, his blooms here being 
distinctly good ; Mr. S. Mortimer was a remarkably 
close second, having very fine blooms indeed. 
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, were 
third. 
In division B, for thirty-six blooms distinct, Mr. 
G. Humphries, of Chippenham, beat Mr. W. 
Treseder, Cardiff, each showing even lots. The 
blooms were specially well formed, pure, and of 
good colour. The third prize went to Mr. H. 
BrowDhill, Sale, Cheshire. 
Messrs. J. Cray & Sons, of Frome, led off for 
twenty-four blooms distinct; Mr. G. Humphries, 
second ; and Mr. W. Treseder, third. 
Mr. J. R. Tranter, Henlej-on-Thames, led in the 
class for twelve ditto; second, Messrs. J. Cheal & 
Sons, Crawley. 
In class V. a, for eighteen fancy Dahlias, six vars , 
three blooms of each, Mr. G. Humphiies was first 
with Walter Sprigs, Lottie Eckford, Mrs. J. Downie, 
Dorothy, Sunset, and Sailor Prince ; Mr. ]. Walker, 
Thame, was second. 
Cactus Dahlias.— In class VI, for eighteen 
distinct varieties in bunches of six blooms each, the 
first prize on this occasion was awarded to Messrs. 
J. Burrell & Co , Cambridge, who staged a singularly 
even and distinct collection. Of course there was 
not much to draw between any two of the exhibits, 
but the greater refinemert was found in this The 
varieties were Artus, Ignea, Mrs. J. J. Crowe, 
Elvira, Elsie, Norma, J. W. Wilkinson, Dinorab, 
Lyrie, Mrs. Peart, Rosine, Uncle Tom, Persa, Vesta, 
Grandee, Nevada, and Imperator. 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, were second 
with much the same varieties ; and Mr. J. Stred- 
wick, St. Leonards-on-Sea, second. 
Mr. S. Mortimer was first for twelve varieties 
ditto; second, Mr. H. Shoesmith, Woking; and 
third, Mr. M. V. Seale. 
For a collection of sixty blooms, not more than 
two of a sort, Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., Cambridge, 
received the premier award, having very fine 
specimens of Cygnet, Westo, Bernice, Nevada, and 
others ; Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, second, 
with blooms not quite matured ; and third, Mr. J. 
Stredwick. The latter, however, stood first for 
twenty-four blooms distinct, beating Mr. W. Baxter, 
Woking, and Mr! G. Humphries. 
For twelve varieties, six blooms each, to be 
arranged with any suitable foliage in vases, Mr. 
M. V. Seale was the proud winner, he having a 
table rich in colour and beautifully displayed; 
Messrs. Cheal & Sons came second, and Mr. W. 
Treseder, third. This was one of the finest classes 
in the show. 
Pompon Dahlias. —Mr. C. Turner, Slough, was 
first for twenty-four bunches, ten blooms each, 
showing a bright collection. The varieties included 
were:—Galatea, Orpheus, Bacchus, Iris, Tommy 
Keith, Isabel, Whisper, Eurydlce, Wara, Sybil, 
Fabio, Arthur West Snowflake, Nora, Sunnybreak, 
Ganymede, Capt. Boyton, Imogene, Phoebe, 
Clarissa, &c. ; Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, 
were second, and Mr. M V. Seale, third. 
Single Dahlias.- Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, 
Crawley, came out first for single Dahlias, in the 
class of twenty-four varieties, in bunches of tea 
blooms each. They had Columbine, Miss Roberts, 
Shamrock, Tommy, Demon, Miss Gordon, Violet 
Forbes, The Bride, Donna Casilda, Fqrmosa. Mr. 
M. V. Seale was second; Mr. J. Walker was first for 
twelve varieties, ditto. 
Amateurs. 
Show and fancy.—Mr. F. W. Fellowes, Hitchin, 
was first for twenty-four blooms, distinct, having 
amongst other good specimens the Broze Medal 
Bloom in this section, a fine form of Duchess of 
York. Mr. T. Antiss, Brills, came second, and 
third, Mr. R. Burgin, St. Neots. 
Mr. E. West, Junr , Henley-on-Thames, led for 
the eighteen distinct; Mr. W. Wheeler, Henley-on- 
Thames, second. Mr. J. Thomson, Hollingwood, 
near Oldham, was first for twelve blooms, ditto, and 
for six of the same, Mr. R. Whittington, Cranleigh, 
Surrey, was first. Mr. Burgin led for twelve 
fancies, and Mr. Seamer, Peterboro', for the six. 
Cactus Blooms —For twelve varieties in bunches 
of six blooms each, Mr. F. W. Sharp, Twyford, 
Berks, beat Mr. J. F. Hudson, Gunnersbury House, 
Acton, W. Mr. H. L. Brousson, Junr., Sidcup 
Place, Kent, was first for the nine varieties, and for 
the six, Mr. E. Jefferies, of Langley Burrell, was fore¬ 
most, winning a Silver Gilt Medal. Mr. J. Bryant, of 
Salisbury, was first in the class for eighteen blooms, 
distinct. 
Pompons. —The chief prize winners in the classes 
for pompon Dahlias were Messrs. H. J. Stenning, 1, 
Cromwell Road, Tunbridge Wells ; J. F. Hudson, 
Gunnersbury House; W. Mist, Ightham; W. C. 
Pagram, Weybridge ; S. Cooper, Chippenham ; W. 
Peters, St. Leonards. 
Single Dahlias. —The show of these was not 
numerous, though the exhibits were good. 
For eighteen varieties of fancy single Dahlias, ten 
blooms each, Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons were first, 
winning a Silver Medal and money prize, and beating 
Mr. M. V. Seale, of Seveocaks. 
The first prizes in Classes XL. and XLI. for six 
blooms of one variety of light Dahlia in the one case 
(Mrs. Gladstone), and dark sort (Prince of Denmark) 
in the o.her, went to Mr. J. Walker, Thame. He 
also won for the best yellow variety with Wm. 
Powell. 
Mr. H. E Boucb, The Limes, Keston, won in the 
decorative class for a vase of twelve Dahlia blooms, 
effectively arranged. 
Mr. R. Edwards, Beechy Lees, Sevenoaks, being 
first for an epergyne of Dahlia blooms. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. 
Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgewortb, staged 
Plum trees in pots. These rivalled in fruitfulness 
aod high quality the Peach trees shown by them 
which lately caused a furor in inner circles. They 
were mostly of dwarf bush form, and were certainly 
practical illustrations that the treatment advocated 
in Mr. Somers Rivers’ paper recently delivered in 
the Drill Hall, was the correct one. Rivers’ Grand 
Duke, Rivers’ Golden Transparent, Cos’s Golden 
Drop, Rivers’ Seedling No. 120, Jefferson, Pond’s 
Seedling, McLauchlin’s Gage, Admiral Plum and 
Reine Victoria were the varieties staged. 
Messrs. W. Young & Co., The Nurseries, Steven¬ 
age, Herts, exhibited hardy cut blooms, the freshest 
lot the firm has set up this season. Phloxes, Sweet 
Peas and Dahlias were chiefly in evidence. Tri- 
tomas, Gladioli, Helianthus Miss Mellish, Mont- 
bretia rosea, Lilium auratum macranthum, were 
other of the subjects well shown. The fine Pent- 
stemon barbatus, Gaura Leindheimeri and Lilium 
speciosum, were also meritorious. 
Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Stanley, Kent, filled a 
table, 54 ft. long by 3$ ft. broad, entirely with 
cactus Dahlias in bunches of six blooms each. The 
exhibit formed a most imposing display and was 
admirably set up, a fact always prominent in Messrs. 
Cannell's exhibits. Among ethers of greater merit 
were Beatrice, heliotrope-mauve ; Starfish, scarlet; 
Radience, orange-red ; The Queen and Miss 
Webster, two pure white; Clio, maroon: Erasmus, 
blood-red-crimson ; The Clown, oraDge-crimson with 
white tips; and Maid of Kent, a conspicuous and 
and lovely variety with white tipped petals and 
crimson base. 
Mr. A. Williams, 4A, Oxford Road, Ealing, showed 
his graceful "Tabli Decorations” for holding 
flowers. These are worked in light silver and brass¬ 
like metals, in various forms and all elegant. 
Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Braiswick Nursery, 
Colchester, were as strong in Roses as in the hey-day 
of summer. They set up a fine collection of garden 
and decorative Roses on this occasion. Chief among 
these were Irene Watts, a soft blush bedder ; Papa 
Gontier, L’ldeal, coppery-red , Queen Mab, orange ; 
Mdme. A. Chatenay, pink ; White Maman Cochet, 
Tom Wood, crimson, and such others, all in the 
finest condition. 
Mr. J. T. West, Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex, 
set up eight dozen of the best Cactus Dahlias in 
stands, arranged with their own foliage and that of 
Maidenhair Fern. The blooms were elegant, clean, 
and good, affording plenty of variation for a 
selection. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, King S.reet, Covent Garden, 
arranged a hardy cut flower exhibit. Cactus Dahlias 
were shown in some quantity in the centre of the 
table, a number of the beautiful hybrid Water Lilies, 
which the Messrs. Barr have a full and fine collec¬ 
tion of, being set up in front of the Dahlia display. 
Phloxes in all the finer and distinct varieties were 
liberally shown, as were specimens of all the hardy 
flowering bulbous plants at present in bloom. 
Japanese Anemone*, Montbretias, Gladioli, Liliums, 
and Pentstemons were comprised in this seasonable 
collection 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, S.E.,had 
two separate collections of groups. The first under 
notice comprised hardy herbaceous cut flowers and 
pot specimens of Campanula isopbylla alba. Cactus 
Dahlias were in profusion, and such fine autumn 
flowers as Asters, Soladigos, Heleniums, Tritomas, 
Eryngiums, &c., were also staged. Of other pot 
plants attention might be called to Dracaena 
Eckhautei (figured in The Gardening World, 
June 30th, p. 697, vol. xvl), D. lentignosa, and 
specimens of Chrysanthemums. They also exhibited 
two dozen blooms of Mrs. John LaiDg, H. P. Rose, 
and a stand of decorative Roses, together with a 
collection cf variegated and golden-leaved cut shrub 
shoots. The other large group was arranged at the 
north end of the transept, and consisted of well 
fruited Peach and Nectarines in pots, with Chrys¬ 
anthemums and foliage plants, Crataegus py racantha, 
See , in front, forming a handsome and refreshing 
group. They had a fine representation of their 
hybrid Sireptocarpi. 
Messrs John Peed & Son, Roupell Park Nurseries, 
Norwood Road, S E„ had a brilliant and creditable 
display of double and single seedling tuberous 
Begonias. They were the more remarkable, having 
been picked from the open ground, being bright, 
chan, and of good form and depth of substance. 
Messrs. Hobbies, Ltd. (Mr. John Green), Dereham, 
had a magnificent and impressive display of Cactus 
Dahlias, filling a space of tabling over 60 (t. in 
length, raised up in terraced' fashion with convex 
groups of special varieties set up at intervals all 
along the stage. 
A special feature of these minor groups was 
the finished style of arrangement, the large blooms 
being given plenty of space, well set out, and having 
an under screen of Wellingtonia gigantea branchlets 
which proved very effective. 
Among the best of the newer varieties was Lucius, 
The Clown, Uncle Tom, almost black; Emperor, 
Radiance, Sundew, Mrs. Carter Pegg, and Zephyr. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, 
London, showed a new decorative Dahlia named 
Snowflake, a white variety. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY.— Sept. 12 th and 13th. 
By Telegraph. 
This old established society continues to make head¬ 
way in keeping ahead of the times as indicated by 
their autumn show held on the 12th and 13th inst. 
Prizes were offered in 261 classes for various exhibits 
by gardeners, amateurs, and nurserymen, and the 
number of entries is a guarantee of the steady pro¬ 
gress made as well as the innovations to meet the 
requirements of the times. On this occasion there 
were 2,161 entries as compared with 2,068 last year, 
and the competition was so great in many of the 
