August 22, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
719 
SOCIETIES. 
GATEACRE SHOW. 
August I2th. 
This annual fixture was held in the ample grounds of The 
Grange on the 12th inst., by the kind permission of the pre¬ 
sident, Colonel W. H. Walker, M.P. 
As usual, the gardeners and nurserymen supported the show 
by many exhibits that enhanced the interest and value of the 
exhibition. Mr. Jones (gardener to S. Sunday, Esq.) had a 
charming group, in which Humeas and Campanulas proved 
highly effective. Amongst other groups were those of Colonel 
J.°B. Gaskell, J.P. (gardener, Mr. C. E. Moorman), Colonel 
W. H. Walker, M.P. (gardener, Mr. J. P. Barham), A. B. 
Atherton, Esq. (gardener, Mr. G. Cliffe), and H. D. Bateson, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. R. Briginshaw). 
Fruit was well set up by S. S. Bacon, Esq., .J.P. (gardener, 
Mr. J. Rothwell), Miss Janion (gardener, Mr. T. Hayes), and 
Mrs. Harrison (gardener, Mr. T. H. Thomas). 
Cut flowers were shown by W. D. Skinner, Esq., H. Middle- 
hurst, Esq., S. S. Bacon, Esq. ; Orchids and Palms by Messrs. 
John Cowan and Co. 
The exhibits of the cottagers were most satisfactory, the vege¬ 
tables being generally good. 
jlr. J. Glover, the veteran secretary, is to be congratulated 
upon his thirty-second annual show. 
LEITH HORTICULTURAL, 
August I4th and I5th. 
Leith Horticultural, Industrial and Sports Society’s twentieth 
show was held at Hawkhill Grounds on Friday and Saturday, 
August 14th and 15th. Three years have elapsed since the show 
was last held at Hawkhill, the site usually being the Victoria 
Park, but the committee, fully aware of the growing popularity 
of the exhibition, determined to hold the show at Hawkhill. 
Here there is ample room for the many attractions which lure 
the individ lal from city and hamlet, be he a lover of flowers, a 
devotee of sport, or an admirer of art. 
The only regrettable part is that these grounds are so difficult 
of access, being a considerable distance from either tram route 
or railway station. All round, the show was one of great merit, 
all the classes being well filled, the entries totalling 1,078, and 
entirely filling the large marquee which in former years con¬ 
tained both the flower show and industrial exhibition section. 
Competition was perhaps strongest in the section for plants and 
cut flowers, some remarkably fine specimens being staged. 
A class which usually excites great admiration is that for 
floral designs opien to florists in Edinburgh and Leith. A much 
admired design, which was worthily awarded first prize, was a 
beautiful cross and pedestal composed mainly of dark purple 
Sweet Peas, the cross being relieved by white Sweet Peas and 
Lily of the Valley, while the pedestal made an exquisite back¬ 
ground for a. cluster of Stephanotis, Pink Carnations, and Ferns. 
In all sections for tables o>f plants there were exhibited a 
standard of excellence which would have done credit to the 
i Waverley Market shows. 
In the class open to all for a table not to exceed 12ft, by 6ft., 
arranged to produce artistic effect, the first prize (a silver 
cup, value £10) was easily won by Mr. Win, Jobson, nurseryman, 
Portobello, with an exceedingly artistically-arranged display of 
foliage and flowering plants, surmounted by a fine specimen 
Cocos weddeliana. Mr. Phillips, Granton Road Nursery, secured 
n second place with a table which produced a pleasing effect, but 
rather heavily arranged. Mr. P. Hunt, Lansdowne House, 
Murrayfield, was a close third. In the gardeners’ class for the 
best arranged table of plants there were displayed some neatly- 
arranged tables. Mr. A. Alexander, Craigend Park, Liberton, 
took first place, the second being awarded to Mr. P. Hunt, 
The amateur section for tables of plants 8ft. by 4ft, brought 
forward a large number of entries, and the competition was keen. 
The first prize, “ Thos. Mackie Memorial Cup,” presented by 
Provost McKee, gold badge, and £2, was secured by W. J. 
Bryson, 53, East London Street; second, Isaac Black, 30, 
Bearerhall Terrace; third, Wm. Plenderleith; fourth, lb 
McPherson, 35, McDonald Road. 
For 24 Rose blooms, open to nurserymen, there were five 
entries, the first prize, gold medal, going to Messrs. D. and W. 
Groll, Dundee; second, silver medal, Mr. Hugh Dickson, 
Belfast. 
Twenty-four herbaceous spikes or bunches, - at least 12 
varieties: First, gold medal, Messrs. J. Cocker and Sons, 
Aberdeen ; second, Mr. John Downie, Murrayfield. 
Twenty-four Cactus Dahlias: First, Mr. Hugh Dickson, Bed 
fast ; second, Mr. John, Downie, Murrayfield. 
For some unknown reason the majority of the local nursery¬ 
men seem to have given this flourishing show the cold shoulder- 
in the way of exhibits, the only one forward being a highly 
artistically arranged display of Violas and Pansies (show and 
fancy) from Mr. John Downie’s Beech-hill Nursery. This was 
worthily awarded a silver medal. Close by, shown by the same 
firm, was a. bunch of a new Chrysanthemum maximum, King 
Edward VII., the flower being of great size,and the petals of good 
form and substance. It is the largest type we have yet seen, 
and seems a decided acquisition. 
Watching the crowds which flocked to- this show, even in the 
adverse climatic conditions which prevailed on Saturday after¬ 
noon, the writer could not but contrast the success of the_under¬ 
taking from a financial and general point of view with the poor 
returns which are often produced at our autumn show in the 
Waverley Market. The success of the Leith committee might 
well induce any society to follow in their footsteps, for, after 
all, even the beauty and variety of the flower may not appeal 
equally to all, and some other attraction in conjunction is not 
only desirable, but often necessary, in order to acquire success. 
May Mr. F’airley and his able- assistants long enjoy the success 
which their enterprise well merits. Edina. 
ROCK FERRY. 
August I3th. 
The third show under the auspices of the above society 
was held in the grounds of Mrs. Paterson, in a large marquee, 
a decided improvement on the arrangements of last year. I he 
entries numbered 700, 250 being cottagers. Unfortunately, many 
of the entries were not staged, which somewhat marred the 
general effect. 
Mr. G. Osborne (gardener to Dr. Cooke) secured the premier 
award for the largest group, consisting of a well-balanced 
arrangement, the foliage consisting of Palms, Ferns, Crotons, 
highly-coloured, Dracenas, Caladiums, etc., flowering plants, 
Liliums, Carnations, Phloxes, Geraniums, etc. Mr. Ogden 
was second. For the 45 square feet group Mr. H. Morris (gar¬ 
dener to G. Aitken, Esq.) had the best, his Caladiums and 
Liliums being strong points ; Mr. E. Stokes (gardener to J. H. 
Kennion, Esq.), second. 
Six stove or greenhouse plants : Mr. G. Osborne again led, 
the Crotons being weighty. 
Four stove or greenhouse plants : Mr. J. Bryan (gardener 
to Mrs. E. Peel) won. 
Two exotic Ferns : Mr. E. Jones (gardener to E. Evans,. Esq.) 
won with varieties of Nephrolepis and Davallia ; for the single 
specimen, Mr. W. Thomas (gardener to G. E. Grayson, Esq.) 
led with a good Adiantum cuneatum. 
Mr. Bryan led with Fuchsias and Mr. Thomas for Begonias 
with very fine varieties. 
Cut Flowers. 
Perhaps this section was the most admired, many classes 
being very fine. For a floral display 4 ft. by 2 ft. Mr. S. Bell 
(gardener to J. W. Hodgson, Esq.) won with a fresh, pleasing 
collection. 
For the single bouquet and that of flowers from the open, Mr. 
J. Williams led in each case. 
Six bunches stove or greenhouse flowers : Mr. Bell scored with 
good varieties. 
Twelve- bunches grown in the open : Mr. J. Lee staged a 
very fine lot, Mr. W. Millington leading for the six bunches. 
Six Cactus Dahlias : Mr. E. Pownall (gardener to J. Clarke, 
Esq.) was the winner. 
Collection of Carnations : Mr. G. W. Findlow (gardener to 
A. J. Oakshot.t,, Esq.) was to the fore in a very strong class, 
staging some 50 triplets. 
Twelve Roses : Mr. R. Jones (gardener to R. Kellock, Esq.) 
had a bright lot, chiefly hybrid Teas ; the same winner led for. 
six blooms. 
Twelve and six Asters : Mr. A. Smith (gardener to J. Roby, 
Esq.) won in each case. 
Twelve bunches of Sweet Peas : Mr. S. Bell won with quality 
of flowers, although badly set up. 
Fruit. 
Six varieties : Mr. T. Ferguson (gardener to Mrs. Paterson) 
had the best, having Grapes Black Hamburgh and Muscat of 
Alexandria, Pride of Stourbridge Melon, Stirling Castle and 
D. Hogg Peaches, and Pineapple Nectarine. 
