540 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
June  21.  19  lO 
Tlie  York  Floral  Fete. 
June  13th,  14th,  and  15th. 
On  Wednesday  June  13th  the  York  Floral  Fete  was  held  for  the 
■forty-second  time,  and,  as  usual,  a  brilliant  display  was  brought 
together.  The  majority  of  the  classes  were  well  filled,  but  as  is 
<;ustomary  in  a  gathering  of  such  magnitude  as  this,  the  competition 
was  not  very  keen  in  some  instances.  The  reputation  the  Yorkshire 
exhibitors  have  made  for  themselves  with  Pelargoniums  was  well 
maintained  on  the  present  occasion,  while  fruit  was  admirably  staged 
for  such  an  early  date  in  a  late  season.  Orchids  were  particularly 
attractive,  as  were  groups  and  specimen  plants,  though  some  confusion 
was  observable  in  the  arrangement  of  the  latter.  The  trade,  as  usual, 
contributed  handsomely  to  the  general  d'splay. 
For  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,  occupying  a  space  not 
exceeding  300  square  feet,  the  first  prize  went  to  Mr.  W.  Townsend, 
gardener  to  E.  Beckett  Faber,  Esq.,  Belvedere,  Harrogate,  who  effected 
a  very  meritorious  arrangement.  A  fine  Kentia  Fosteriana  stood  in  the 
centre  of  the  background,  and  the  front  of  the  group  had  as  a  centre  a 
cork  grotto  from  which  spikes  of  Odontoglossum  crispura  issued,  two 
other  mounds  being  crowned  with  fine  Cocos  Weddelliana.  The 
undulating  surface  was  relieved  by  single-stemmed  Crotons,  Lilium 
Harris!  and  Dracaena  Sanderiana.  Caladium  argyrites,  Pancratium 
fragrans,  and  Eulalia  japonica  variegata  were  skilfully  employed.  The 
second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Vaiise,  Leamington,  who  had  larger 
Palms  in  the  background.  Phoenix  rupicola  stood  on  a  central  mound 
towards  the  front  of  the  group,  and  was  flanked  by  low  rustic  arches. 
This  group  had  more  variety  than  the  first,  but  was  a  little  crowded. 
The  third  prize  was  secured  by  Mr.  W.  Curtis,  gardener  to  Jas.  Blacker, 
Esq.,  Thorp  Villa,  Selby. 
In  the  classes  for  twelve,  six,  and  three,  stove  and  greenhouse  plants 
in  bloom,  Mr.  Cypher,  Cheltenham,  was  first,  and  Mr.  Vause,  Leamington, 
second  in  each  instance;  Mr.  C.  Lawton,  gardener  to  Col.  Harrison, 
Broadley,  Welton  House,  Brough,  being  third  in  the  class  for  twelve. 
For  a  single  specimen  stove  plant  in  bloom,  Mr.  Vause  went  to  the 
front,  and  was  followed  by  Mr.  Cypher  and  Mr.  J.  McIntyre,  gardener 
to  Mrs.  Gurney  Pease,  Woodside,  Darlington.  For  a  single  specimen 
greenhouse  plant  in  bloom,  Mr.  Vause  again  received  the  premier  prize. 
Mr.  Cypher  regained  the  chief  position  with  six  ornamental  foliage 
plants,  Mr.  C.  Lawton  being  first  for  three.  In  the  class  for  three 
Crotons,  Messrs.  E.  Simpson  &  Son,  Selby,  were  first,  and  Mr. 
J.  McIntyre  second.  Mr.  Cypher  came  first  with  a  single  specimen 
Cape  Heath  with  Erica  depressa,  and  Mr.  Vause  second.  For  six 
exotic  Ferns  Mr.  J.  McIntyre  took  first  prize  with  handsome  plants  of 
Davallia  Mooreana,  D.  bullata,  D.  fijiensis,  Gleichenia  rupestris, 
Microlepia  hirta  cristata,  and  Adiantum  concinnum.  The  second 
position  was  adjudged  to  Messrs.  E.  Simpson  &  Son,  and  the  third  to 
Mr.  J.  Snowden,  gardener  to  the  Eev.  G.  Yeats,  Heworth  Vicarage, 
York.  Mr.  J.  McIntyre  retained  the  lead  with  three  exotic  Ferns,  Mr. 
J.  Snowden  being  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Eastwood,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Tetley,  Fox  Hill,  Weetwood,  Leeds,  third.  For  a  group  of  Carnations 
in  bloom,  not  less  than  fifty  pots,  arranged  amongst  Ferns,  the  first 
prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  J.  P.  Leadbetter,  gardener  to  Arthur  Wilson, 
Esq.,  Tranby  Croft,  Hull,  who  staged  in  his  customary  excellent  style. 
The  Malmaisons  were  large  and  full,  and  the  foliage  healthy.  Tree 
Carnations  Duke  of  York  and  Germania  were  conspicuous.  Mr.  J.  W. 
Hutchinson,  Kirby  Moorside,  secured  the  principal  prize  for  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  Eoses  in  pots  grouped  for  effect.  Messrs,  Jackson  &  Son, 
Bedale,  were  second,  and  Mr.  H.  Pybus,  Monkton  Moor,  Leeds,  third. 
For  a  table  of  Orchids,  12  feet  by  5  feet,  good  arrangement  to  be 
the  test,  the  first  prize  went  to  Mr,  Cypher.  This  table  had  at  the 
back  two  arches  composed  of  Asparagus  plumosus  set  with  spikes  and 
single  blooms  of  various  Cattleyas,  Lselia  purpurata,  and  Dendrobium 
Dalhousianum.  The  Orchids  in  pots  sprang  from  a  groundwork  of 
Ferns,  and  amongst  the  various  plants  were  Cattleya  Mossise,  C.  Mendeli, 
Lselia  tenebrosa,  Epidendrum  vitellinum  majus,  Oncidium  concolor, 
Miltonia  vexillaria,  and  Thunias.  Mr.  John  Eobson,  Altrincham,  was 
second.  Mr.  Cypher  was  again  first  for  ten  Orchids  in  bloom,  with 
Cymbidium  Lowianum,  Lselio-Cattleya  (seedling),  Thunia  Marshalliana 
superba,  L.  purpurata  alba,  Cypripedium  Lawrenceanum,  Miltonia 
vexillaria,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  and  Cattleya  Mossise  splendens. 
Mr.  J.  T.  Barker,  gardener  to  W.  P.  Burkinshaw,  Esq.,  West  Hill, 
Hessle,  was  a  creditable  second.  The  last  named  grower  showed  six 
excellent  Orchids  in  bloom,  and  secured  the  first  prize.  Sobralia 
macrantha  in  splendid  form  gained  the  premier  prize  in  the  class 
for  a  single  specimen  Orchid  for  Mr.  C.  Lawton. 
Mr.  Skill,  gardener  to  Mrs,  Lloyd,  Lingcroft,  York,  headed  the 
class  for  a  group  of  herbaceous  Calceolarias  arranged  for  effect.  For  a 
hand  basket  of  cut  flowers  the  first  prize  was  justly  awarded  to  Messrs. 
Perkins  &  Son,  Coventry.  It  was  a  most  charming  arrangement  of 
Oncidiums,  Odontoglossums,  Cattleyas,  and  Dendrobiums,  with 
Asparagus  plumosus.  Mr.  Jas.  Summers,  Fawcett  Street,  Sunderland, 
was  second  with  a  basket  that  was  a  trifle  crowded,  Eoses  being 
intermixed  with  Orchids.  Mr.  Vause  came  third.  For  two  bridal 
bouquets  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons  distanced  everybody  with  an  inimitable 
arrangement.  The  second  prizewinner,  Mr.  J.  Summers,  also  staged 
admirably,  Mr.  Geo.  Webster,  New  Market,  Sunderland,  being  third. 
Precisely  the  same  order  was  maintained  in  the  classes  for  two  ball  and 
two  hand  bouquets,  the  exhibits  being  again  of  exceptional  merit.  For  a 
single  bouquet  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons  were  fitst,  and  M"*.  Webster 
second. 
Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  secured  the  premier  award  in  the 
class  for  seventy-two  Eose  blooms,  in  not  less  than  thirty-six  varieties ; 
Messrs.  J.  &  A.  May,  Hope  Nurseries,  Bedale,  being  second,  and  first 
for  forty-eight,  and  also  for  thirty-six  distinct  varieties  of  cut  Eoses. 
For  twenty -four  distinct  varieties  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were  first ; 
while  for  eighteen  distinct  varieties  Mr.  J.  W.  Hutchinson,  Kirby 
Moorside,  was  the  most  successful  exhibitor.  Messrs.  Burrell  &  Co., 
Cambridge,  were  second;  and  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  third.  For  a 
stand  of  twelve  white  and  yellow  Eoses,  in  six  distinct  varieties,  Messrs. 
Harkness  &  Sons  were  first,  and  Mr.  J.  Hutchinson  second. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  stove  and  greenhouse  cut  flowers 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe,  gardener  to  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Bart.,  Hutton  Hall, 
Guisboro’,  was  first ;  Mr.  Alderman,  gardener  to  J.  D.  Ellis,  Esq., 
Sparken  House,  Worksop,  second;  and  Mr.  Key  wood,  gardener  to 
W.  H.  Battie  Wrightson,  Esq.,  third.  For  a  stand  of  flowers  suitable 
for  a  dinner  table  Mr.  Geo.  Webster  was  first,  and  Mr.  G.  Cottam,  Alma 
Gardens,  Cottingham,  was  the  best  exhibitor  of  twelve  bunches  of 
hardy  border  flowers. 
The  first  prize  for  a  collection  of  hardy  cut  flowers,  in  a  space  not 
exceeding  18  feet  by  6  feet,  went  to  Messrs.  E.  Smith  &  Son,  Worcester, 
who  had  a  very  exhaustive  display,  including  everything  at  present  in 
flower.  The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Son, 
Bedale. 
Mr.  Mclndoe  annexed  the  premier  award  for  a  decorative  table  of 
fruit  not  less  than  ten  dishes.  The  exhibit  was  composed  of  Pine 
Charlotte  Eothschild,  Grapes  two  bunches  each  of  Black  Hamburgh 
and  Poster’s  Seedling ;  Peaches  Grosse  Mignonne  and  Early  Alfred ; 
Nectarines  Lord  Napier  and  Stanwick  Elruge;  Pigs  Brown  Turkey, 
Plums  Early  Transparent  Gage  and  Purple  Imperial ;  Cherries 
Bigarreau  Napoleon,  and  Downton ;  Melons  Hutton  Hall  and  Best  of 
All,  and  a  dish  of  Strawberries.  This  exhibit  received  127  points  out 
of  a  possible  136,  and  was  awarded  twenty -four  points — the  maximum 
— for  decorative  effect.  Mr.  J.  Tullett,  gardener  to  Lord  Barnard,  Eaby 
Castle,  secured  the  secoud  prize  with  a  magnificent  dish  of  Pig  Brown 
Turkey,  and  two  grand  dishes  of  Strawberries  as  the  best  features. 
The  exhibit  received  102  points,  twenty  of  which  were  for  decorative 
qualities.  For  a  collection  of  six  kinds  of  fruit,  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was 
again  first  with  three  bunches  each  of  Grapes  Black  Hamburgh  and 
Chasselas  Napoleon;  Peach  Grosse  Mignonne  ;  Nectarine  Lord  Napier; 
Pig  Brown  Turkey  and  Melon  Hutton  Hall  green  flesh.  Mr.  J.  Easter, 
gardener  to  Lord  St.  Oswald,  Nostell  Priory,  Wakefield,  who  staged 
Grapes  Black  Hamburgh  and  Foster  Seedling ;  Peach  Eivers’  Early 
York;  Nectarine  Eivers’  York;  Pig  Brown  Turkey,  and  a  seedling 
Melon,  was  awarded  second,  and  Mr.  Tullett  third.  For  a  small  col¬ 
lection  of  four  kinds  of  fruit  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  maintained  the  lead,  and 
was  followed  by  Messrs.  J.  P.  Leadbetter  and  J.  Easter  in  the  order 
given. 
Mr.  Jordan,  gardener  to  J.  Corbett,  Esq.,  Impney,  Droitwich,  was 
first  for  one  Pine.  For  three  bunches  of  black  Grapes  Mr.  Oates, 
gardener  to  Lady  Hawke,  Wighill  Park,  Tadcaster,  was  first  with 
perfectly  finished  Black  Hamburgh ;  Mr.  W.  Nichols,  gardener  to 
Viscountess  Beaumont,  Carlton  Towers,  Pontefract,  being  second  ;  and 
Mr.  W.  Allsop,  gardener  to  the  Eight  Hon.  P.  J.  Saville-Eoljambe, 
Osberton,  Worksop,  third.  For  three  bunches  white  Grapes  Mr. 
W.  Nichols  was  first  with  Buckland  Sweetwater,  fine  in  bunch  and 
berry.  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  had  to  be  content  in  the  second  place  with 
Poster’s  Seedling.  Mr.  C.  Lawton  went  to  the  front  in  the  class  for 
six  Peaches,  showing  Grosse  Mignonne,  looking  perfectly  ripe.  Mr. 
Williams,  gardener  to  Earl  Peversham,  Duncombe  Park,  Helmsley,  was 
second  with  Hales’  Early  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Allsop  third.  For  six  Nectarines 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  first  with  Lord  Napier;  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle,  Derby,  second ; 
and  Mr.  J.  P.  Leadbetter  third.  For  one  scarlet  fleshed  Melon  the  first 
prize  was  not  awarded ;  Mr.  Jordan  taking  the  second ;  and  Mr. 
Keywood,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Battie  Wrightson,  Esq.,  Casworth  Park, 
Doncaster,  the  third.  For  a  green  fleshed  Melon  Mr.  Jordan  was  first, 
and  Mr.  C.  Lawton  second.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  won  for  a  white  fleshed 
Melon,  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  being  second,  and  Mr.  Keywood  third.  In  the 
class  for  a  dish  of  Cherries  Messrs.  J.  Mclndoe  and  Williams  received 
the  awards  in  the  order  named.  For  a  dish  of  Strawberries  Mr. 
Alderman  was  first ;  Mr.  W.  Chuck,  gardener  to  H.  Thelluson,  Esq., 
Brodsworth  Hall,  Doncaster,  second ;  both  showing  admirably.  For 
twelve  Tomatoes  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  first,  Mr.  Keywood  second,  and 
Mr.  W.  Allsop  third. 
Several  nurserymen  added  greatly  to  the  interest  of  the  show. 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  arranged  a  grand  display 
of  Orchids,  including  Lselio-Cattleyas  Aphrodite  alba,  Canhamiana, 
Daphne  superba,  Wellesiana  albidiana,  and  Hippolyta,  and  Lselia 
Digbyana.  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Bradford,  had  a  fine  group,  in 
which  were  observed  Lmlia  cinna-brosa,  Odontoglossum  crispum 
magnificum,  Cattleya  Mossise  Wagneri,  Oncidium  concolor,  Cattleya 
Warner!,  Oncidium  crispum  grandiflorum,  Lselia  purpurata  Williams!, 
Cattleya  Mossise  Eeineckiana,  and  Lselio-Cattleya  Lady  Wigan.  Messrs. 
Laxton  Bros.,  Bedford,  had  baskets  of  new  Strawberries,  Climax, 
