September 10, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
121 
SOCIETIES. 
NATIONAL DAHLIA. 
September 2nd and 3rd. 
The annual exhibition of Dahlias by the National Dahlia 
Society was held at the Crystal.fPalaoe, Sydenham, on the above 
dates " and was quite a success as far as Dahlias and weather 
were ’concerned, but the attendance was still very thin when 
we left on the afternoon of the first day. The blooms in the 
nurserymen’s class were, ou an average, somewhat smaller than 
last year owing to the drought during the period of growth, but 
otherwise the quality was very good. Some of the amateurs who 
make a hobby of Dahlias had some splendid exhibits, in which the 
size of bloom left little to be desired. We think the society 
would get a better attendance in the new Horticultural Hall. 
Nurserymen. 
Tire premier award for forty-eight blooms of distinct varieties 
of Dahlias was secured by Mr. S. Mortimer, Swiss Nursery, 
Kowledge, Farnham, Surrey. Some of his finer blooms were S. 
Mortimer (a perfected Harry Keith), John Hickling, Maud 
Fellows, Pleasance, Mrs. Mortimer (yellow self), Warrior, Shot- 
tesha-m Hero, John Standish, Lord Chelmsford, John Walker, 
Jos. B. Service, Chieftain, Miss Cannell, George Rowlings, Reli¬ 
ance, Perfection, Rothesay, Lord Salisbury, Mrs. Gladstone, 
Harry Keith, Mrs. G. Noyes, H. W. Ward, Diadem, Jos. Ashby, 
William Rawlings, Comte de la Saux, Arthur Rawlings, 
Mrs. Langtry, J. C. Vaughan, and Glowworm, the latter 
being a small bloom of wonderfully rich scarlet colour. 
Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, took the second place with fine 
blooms of Harry Keith, John Standish, J. T. West, James 
Cocker, John Walker, Dr. Keynes, S. Humphries, Duchess of 
York, etc. Messrs. Keynes, Williams and Co., Salisbury, came 
in third with fine blooms of Gloire de Lyon, S. Mortimer, George 
Barnes, Duke of Fife, Dr. Keynes, etc. The three entries were 
good representatives of the show types of Dahlias. 
The first award for twenty-four show blooms of Dahlias, dis¬ 
tinct, was secured by Mr. William Treseder, The Nurseries, 
Cardiff. Fine blooms were Excellent, Harry Keith, J. Walker, 
Pleasance, Dr. Keynes, Southern Queen, etc. Mr. G. Humphries, 
Langley Nursery, Chippenham, was a good second; and Mr. 
M. V. Seale, Vine Nursery, Sevenoaks, came in third. 
Mr. S. Mcvtimer again came to the front for eighteen distinct 
fancy varieties of Dahlias in the nurserymen’s class. Very fine 
fancy varieties were Dazzler, Plutarch, Edmond Boston, Buffalo 
Bill, Rev. J. B. M. Carnm, Mrs. John Downie, and Mrs. 
Mortimer. He- was followed by Mr. J. Walker. 
Mr. William Treseder had the best twelve fancy blooms' show¬ 
ing fine samples of Mrs. Saunders, Emin Pasha, Watchman, 
Buffalo Bill, Comedian, Prince Henry, etc. The second prize 
was won by the Trustee of Mr. G. Humphries, and the third by 
Messrs; Keynes^ Williams and Co. 
Mr. M. V. Seale came to the front for twelve blooms of show 
and fancy varieties in the nurserymen’s class. Show varieties 
were predominant. Mr. G. Humphries was again second. Mr. 
J. R. Tranter, Henley-on-Thames, was a good third. 
As usual, the Cactus Dahlias produced a distinct and pleasing 
effect, owing to the way they are displayed in trasses in three 
successive tiers, one above the other. The leading award for 
eighteen varieties (Silver Challenge Cup) was secured by Messrs. 
J. Stredwick and-Son, Silverhill Park, St. Leonards-on-Sea, who 
had fine bunches of H. F. Robertson, Columbia, Lady Colin 
Campbell, Ella Kraemar, Thomas Parkin, J. B. Riding, 
Florence M. Stredwick, George Gordon, Pearl, Rainbow, 
Mrs. H. L. Bro-usson, Antelope, H. J. Jones, and England’s 
Queen, a large creamy white variety. Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, 
Lowfield Nursery, Crawley, Sussex, took the second award for a 
very fine exhibit, including F. M. Stredwick, George Gordon, 
Phineas. Mrs. Clinton, Rainbow, Mrs. Winstanley. etc. Messrs. 
Keynes, V ilHarris and Co. took the third award with several fine 
types. 
The competition for twelve blooms of Cactus varieties in the 
nurserymen's class was keen. The lead was taken by Mr. H. 
Slioesmith, A\estfield, Woking, who had fine bunches of Mrs E 
Mawley, Mrs. S. T. Wright, H. W. Sillem, Mrs. Dorothy Oliver 
(soft canary yellow), Amy, Mrs. Frances Wellesley, W. Hopkins, 
W. E. Dickson, and Phyllis, most of which are new varieties of 
his own raising. Mr. G. Humphries was second with blooms of 
heavier build. Mr. S. Mortimer was a -good third. There were 
seven entries in the class. 
In the class for forty-eight blooms of distinct Cactus varieties. 
staged on boards, the lead was taken by Messrs. J. Stredwick 
and Son with grand blooms of J. B. Riding, Mrs. E. Mawley, 
H. F. Robertson, etc. Messrs. Keynes, Williams and Co. were 
a good second, though the blooms were distinctly of heavier build. 
Mr. W. Treseder had the best twenty-four blooms of Cactus 
Dahlias, staged on boards. Fine blooms were Mrs. J. J. Crowe, 
H. F. Robertson, Phineas, and Mrs. E. Maw-ley. Mr. J. Walker 
took the second place, and Mr. S. Mortimer came in third with 
massive blooms of even size. 
In the class- for twelve varieties of Cactus Dahlias set up in 
vases with other foliage, the lead was taken by Mr. M. Y. Seale, 
who used Snowberry, Pyrus fruit, Barberries, and other fruits 
with autumn foliage. Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons took the second 
place, using Crabs, Barberries, Sea Buckthorn berries, etc. Mr. 
J. Walker came in third. 
For twenty-four pompon varieties the lead was taken by Mr. 
C. Tinner, Slough, who had charming bunches of Isabel, Queen 
of Whites, Ganymede, Jessica, Elsa, Wilfrid, Thalia, Nerissa, 
Elaine, Edina, and others. He was followed by Messrs. J. Cheal 
and Sons with charming trasses of Ernest Harper, Distinction, 
Nerissa, Galatea, Minnie, Elsa, etc. Mr. M. V. Seale came in 
third. 
Mr. J. Walker led for twelve varieties of pompons, showing 
neatly. He was followed by Mr. George Humphries. Messrs. J. 
Cheal and Sons' took the lead for twenty-four single Dahlias, 
which were simply charming. Grand varieties were Columbine, 
Puck, Vesuvius, Snowdrop, Beauty’s Eye, Eric, and Naomi Tighe. 
Mr. M. V. Seale came second with some fine varieties. 
Mr. J. Walker was the only exhibitor of twelve single Dahlias, 
Hilda being a satiny blush variety, edged yellow. 
Amateurs. 
For twenty-four show or fancy varieties in the amateur's’ 
classes the lead was taken by Mr. T. Jones, Bryn-pen-y-lan, 
Ruabon, who had gome- grand blooms of Vice-President, S. Mor¬ 
timer, etc., securing the Silver Challenge Cup. The second p-lac 
was secured by Mr. S. Cooper, The Hamlet, Chippenham, Wilts. 
Mr. T. Hobbs, The Cedars, Do-wnend, near Bristol, took the third 
place. There were five- entries in this class of a meritorious 
character. 
Mr. S. Cooper had the best twelve blooms, showing very evenly. 
He was followed by Mr. G. Dansley, Nag’s Head Hill, St. George, 
Bristol, and Mr. R. Burgin, St. Neots, all showing well. 
Mr. T. Jones again led for six show Dahlias; Mr. J. Cousins, 
May Cottage, Greenway Lane, Chippenham, was second; and 
Mr. G. Hood, Langley Burrell, Chippenham, third. 
Mr. S. Cooper had the best twelve fancy Dahlias, Mr. T. 
Anstiss, Brill, being second, and Mr. G. Densley third. 
Mr. W. E. Peters, Holmhurst, Baldslow, Hastings, had the 
best nine- bunches of Cactus Dahlias set up in bunches, thus 
securing the Silver Challenge Cup. All of his varieties were 
good, but the tray or board was too large. Mr. P. W. Tulloch, 
Forest Cot, Balcombe, Sussex, took second with enormous 
blooms,, especially those named P. W. Tulloch and Florence M. 
Stredwick. Mr. J. Shoebridge, St. Margaret’s, East- Grinstead, 
was a good third. There were seven entries in this class. 
Mr. F. H. McGrath, Lindley, Huddersfield, took the iead for 
six Cactus Dahlias, showing grand blooms of Winsome-, Mrs. E. 
Mawley, etc. There were nine entries. 
Mr. H. A. Needs, Heath View, Horsell, Woking, easily took 
the lead in the class for twenty-four Cactus blooms, staged on 
boards, securing the Gold Badge. Magnificent blooms were Mrs. 
E. Mawley, Phineas, Lauretta, and Mrs. Mackintosh. All his 
blooms were excellent. Mr. J. Bryant, 5, St. Martin’s Terrace, 
Salisbury, was a good second; and Mr. L. McKenna, Honeys, 
Twyford, Berks, a good third. There were nine entries in this 
keenly contested class. 
For twelve Cactus varieties on boards the lead was taken by 
Mr. F. H. McGrath, who was followed by Mr. W. Lockyer, The 
Gardens, Greenhill Park, New Barnet, and by Mr. R. Burgin in 
this order. 
Mr. H. Brown, 174, North Street, Luton, Beds, had the best 
twelve and six bunches of pompon Dahlias, showing well in both 
classes. 
Mr. .T. Newman, Bell Inn, New Cheltenham, Kingswood, 
Bristol, had the best six single Dahlias, in handsome varieties. 
Non-competitive Exhibits. 
Hobbies, Ltd., Norfolk Nurseries, Dereham, Norfolk, staged a 
very extensive collection of Cactus Dahlias, interspersed with 
Ferns, branches of Conifers, Kochia-scoparia. Palms, and Roses. 
The Dahlias were set up in half-conical groups with bays between. 
Handsome varieties were Helen Stevens, Dorothy Vernon, Mrsi 
