702 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 15, 1903. 
latter said that the general opinion of the judges was that there 
never had been a better show, and during the eighteen years of 
its existence it had enabled the committee to provide music for 
the parks and squares without drawing on the rates for a single 
penny. 
At the luncheon held at the Great Northern Railway Station 
Refreshment Room, Councillor Collier proposed “The Judges,” 
to which Mr. R. Dean, of Ealing, replied. He stated that lie 
noted from the records that the show was established in 1857, and 
if one could compare the Roses then shown with the Roses present 
that day they could understand what florists had done to improve 
the flower and in the interests of humanity during that period. 
He was glad the florists were not forsaking the Carnation and 
Picotee for the sake of Begonias and other new flowers. He also 
complimented Mr. Burn for the way in which he continued to 
improve the park from year to year. One of the glories of 
Leicester was the provision which the borough had made for open 
spaces. Mr. Owen Thomas also spoke, and said that the her¬ 
baceous plants were of a superior order, and that the fruit was 
commendable considering the untoward character of the season. 
The Rev. J. H. Pemberton said the Roses had improved con¬ 
siderably, but he should much like to see Leicester giving en¬ 
couragement to the decorative Roses by offering prizes in their 
schedule for the same. Other speakers were Mr. Cranston and 
Mr. J. Harrison, the latter proposing “ The Mayor and Corpora¬ 
tion.” The Mayor was glad the townspeople appreciated the 
work of the Corporation, which attended, among its other duties, 
to the amenities which tended to elevate the tastes of the people. 
On the first day of the show 33,077 people paid for admission, 
and the gate money amounted to £1,017 10s. 3d. This is a record, 
for the previous highest was 32,958 visitors, paying an aggregate 
of £1,014 0s. 6d., in 1899. 
Grouts or Plants. 
One of the finest features of the show was the tent which 
accommodated the big groups of pi tints. Of large mixed groups 
there were only four, although five prizes were offered. These 
four were -works of art, however, according to the present day 
methods of arranging this class of plants. All the four groups 
consisted of dwarf plants, flowering and foliage, arranged under 
an open canopy of taller plants, amongst which graceful palms 
took the leading place. Crotons were also highly coloured and 
in grand condition. Orchids in considerable variety, Lilimn 
auratum and Ixoras were also outstanding plants for general 
excellence in the matter of cultivation. 
The leading honours were secured by Messrs. J. Cypher and 
Sons, Cheltenham, whose group was evidently superior to all 
the rest. Mr. J. Thompson, Derby, took the second place with 
an excellent exhibit. The other two were also very close, and 
gave the judges a considerable amount of trouble in allocating 
the awards. 
The groups of stove and greenhouse plants occupied the same 
tent, and included some well-flowered specimens. Well-flowered 
plants were Bougainvillea glabra and B. g. sanderiana, the latter 
being notable for its darker coloured bracts and floriferousness. 
Noticeable also was a huge and well-flowered specimen of Ixora 
Williamsii. The leading award in this case was secured by Mr. 
W. Finch, Coventry. 
Exotic Ferns constituted another series of groups in this tent, 
and included several fine plants of species of Adiantum. Mr. H. 
Blakeway, Dunsmore, took the lead in this instance with very 
fine specimens. 
Cut Flowers. 
Roses took a leading place here, much space being required for 
their accommodation. The usual exhibition types are most in 
favour here, but the cause, we think, would be greatly enhanced 
by the inclusion of classes for purely decorative or garden Roses. 
The principal exhibitors in this section were Messrs. Alex. 
Dickson and Sons, Newtownards, Ireland; Messrs. Harkness 
and Co., Hitchin, Herts; and Messrs. D. and W. Croll, Dundee. 
The first named firm swept the boards of the leading prizes in 
the five principal or open classes. 
Some of the finer blooms consisted of Maman Cochet, Mildred 
Grant, Charles Lefebvre, Mrs. J. Laing, Kaiserin A. Victoria, 
Mrs. W. J. Grant, Miss Florence Pemberton, and Prince Arthur. 
Messrs. A. Dickson and Sons also had the best new crimson 
seedling Rose, in George Dickson, flowering for the second time, 
and now being put into commerce for the first time. It is a 
Rose of great promise, of a- rich orange crimson, of the hybrid 
perpetual type, and secured the special prize for its raisers. 
Tuberous Begonias and Carnations were well shown, the lead¬ 
ing winners in the last-named class being Messrs. Thomson 
and Co., of Birmingham, and Mr. R, G. Rudd, of King’s Norton. 
Two fine Carnations were Marconi and Golden Eagle. Messrs. 
Blackmore and Langdon, Twerton Hill Nursery, took the lead 
for single and double Begonias. Mr. P. Newbold, Littleover, 
took a leading place for Pansies and Violas, Belfast Gem and 
Hector Macdonald being fine varieties of the last-named class 
of flower. 
Bridal bouquets attracted considerable attention, and the 
lead was taken by Mr. Brown, of Stamford, for a tasteful arrange¬ 
ment of Stephanotis, Odontoglossum, and Lapageria. Mr. H. 
Rogers, Gipsy Lane, Leicester, was a very strong second, showing 
a fine arrangement of Roses, The Bride and Pancratium fragrans, 
both flowers being white. 
, FRUIT. 
The quantity of fruit was not so great nor was the quality 
so high as in previous years, yet the display, on the 
whole, was excellent, considering the adverse character of 
the weather. Grapes were quite up to the usual standard, how¬ 
ever, or even better than last year, and hothouse fruit generally 
gave little or no indication of unfavourable conditions. 
The class for a collection of eight dishes of fruit brought the 
most important exhibits in this section, and the schedule had 
stipulated for three varieties of Grapes, one Pine, and one Melon. 
Mr. J. II. Goodacre, Elvaston Castle Gardens, took the premier 
honours in this class. For Grapes he staged Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria, Black Hamburgh, and Madresfield Court, the latter being 
particularly fine. His Melon, Pineapple, Peaches, Nectarines, 
and Figs were excellent. It has been said that no better lias 
been shown at Leicester. Mr. J. Read, gardener to the Earl of 
Carnarvon, Bretby Park, took the second award with fine Peaches, 
Figs, etc. 
Mr. J. II. Goodacre also came to the front for a collection of 
fruit, including two varieties of Grapes, which in this instance 
were highly meritorious. His dessert Apples were also good for 
this early time of year, though it must be admitted that they 
were grown under glass. The variety shown was Lady Sudely, 
Dr. Jules Guyot Pear had also' been grown under glass. A 
seedling Melon and Nectarines were also a feature of his exhibit, 
so that we may expect indoor fruit to receive an impulse to 
furnish a supply in bad seasons like the present. Mr. J. Read 
followed with fine Peaches, etc. 
For three varieties of black and one white Grape the lead again 
fell to the lot of Mr. Goodacre. His finest bunches consisted of 
Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria. Mr. J. Read 
followed some way behind. 
Mr. Goodacre also took the lead for two bunches of Muscat of 
Alexandria and two bunches of Black Hamburgh, but was 
followed pretty closely by Mr. William Duncan, Rugby, 
especially for the white Grapes. 
For any other black Grape Mr. Goodacre was first with Muscat 
Hamburgh; while Mr. Duncan was second with Madresfield 
Court. Mr. J. Swanwicke came in third. 
For any other white Grape Mr. Wm. Chamberlain, gardener to 
W. T. Viccars, Esq., Anstey Pastures, took the leiad with 
Foster’s Seedling, followed by Mr. Wm. Duncan, showing Buck- 
land Sweetwater. 
Mr. H. Blakeway, Rugby, had the best Peaches, beating Mr. 
Goodacre, both exhibits being good. The same order was main¬ 
tained for Nectarines, the competition being pretty close. 
Mr. J. Swanwicke'diad the best green fleshed Melon, showing 
Sutton’s Perfection, in strong competition. In the class for a 
scarlet-fleshed Melon, Mr. F. J. Clark, Wistow Hall Gardens, 
Leicester, took the lead with Lord Derby. 
Mr. J. H. Goodacre was to the fore in the classes for a Pine¬ 
apple, for Morello and Black Circassian Cherry. 
Gooseberries made a strong class, being shown in quantity and 
of excellent quality. Mr. F. J. Clark took the lead in this 
section. He was also the leading prize-taker for Red and White 
Currants; while Mr. Geo. Pyatt had the best Black Currants. 
Mr. J. Hudson took the lead for Tomatos, showing Ruby, beat¬ 
ing Mr. J. H. Goodacre. The latter came to the front for dessert 
Apple Lady Sudeley and Kirk’s Plum. 
Vegetables. 
Comqmtition was very keen in some instances in this section, 
owing to the general excellence of the vegetables, and the number 
of competitors. The leader or champion in this class of exhibit 
was Mr. J. Hudson, of Leicester. His collection of vegetables 
was distinctly in front of all others. He was followed by Mr. 
J. Read, Mr. R. Hoe (Leicester), and Mr. F. Sansome (County 
Asylum), in the order named. The last named came to the 
front for Potatos, beating Mr. W. Chamberlain and Mr. F. J. 
Clark in this order. 
Mr. F. J. Clark took the lead for Peas, being followed by Mr. 
E. Jackson, of Leicester, and Mr. R. Hoe. 
The prizes for Broad Beans were taken by Mr. J. Read, Mr. J. 
Hudson, and Mr. G. Underwood. Mr. H. Blakcway, Mr. .1 
