July  18, 1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
67 
established  in  1850,  and  was  never  in  a  more  flourishing  condition  than 
at  the  present  time.  The  position  occupied  by  the  huge  building  of  the 
Seckford  trust  is  such  as  a  nobleman  might  have  chosen  for  his  mansion, 
and  the  great  pile  of  buildings  might  excusably  be  regarded  by  the 
stranger  as  an  aristocratic  home.  It  is  there  where  the  aged  live,  each 
in  his  own  tenement,  everything  that  is  necessary  being  provided  with¬ 
out  any  badge  or  sign  of  pauperism  that  is  so  hateful  to  men  who  have 
lived  honourable  if  laborious  lives,  but  could  not  earn  a  competency  to 
tide  them  through  the  eventide  of  existence.  It  is  a  glorious  institu¬ 
tion,  is  the  Seckford  trust,  but  we  must  leave  it. 
Everybody  is  called  up  early  on  flower  show  morning  at  Wood- 
bridge,  for  the  bells  commence  moving  soon  after  sunrise,  and  peal  after 
peal  follows  throughout  the  day.  The  town  is  gay  with  flags  and 
streamers,  business  cares  seem  to  be  put  aside,  the  show  being  the 
absorbing  feature.  Visitors  come  from  far  and  near  dressed  in  holiday 
garb,  and  soon  the  beautiful  Abbey  grounds,  lent  for  the  occasion  by 
Captain  R.  J.  Carthew,  present  a  gay  and  animating  scene.  The 
schedule  provided  consists  of  between  200  and  300  elasses,  most  of  which 
are  here  disposed  of  by  the  mention  ;  but  Roses  have  the  post  of  honour, 
and  merit  what  is  said  of  them  in  the  notes  here  following  from  one  of 
the  most  competent  of  judges,  “  W.  R.  R,” 
The  hot,  dry  weather  was  considerably  against  the  Roses,  but  they 
were  shown  in  pretty  good  form.  In  the  open  class  for  forty-eight 
Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  was  flrst  with  a  fine  stand,  showing  Alfred  Colomb, 
S.  M.  Rodocanachi,  and  Mrs.  John  Laing  well.  Messrs.  W.  D.  Prior 
and  Son  were  second,  having  A.  K.  Williams  and  Horace  Vernet  in 
good  order.  Mr.  Frank  Cant,  who  took  the  third  place,  had  smaller 
blooms,  but  his  stand  was  brightened  by  several  good  Teas. 
The  principal  interest  lay  in  the  challenge-cup  class  for  twenty-four 
Roses,  open  to  all  the  world.  This  was  won  by  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  with  a 
fine  stand,  which  improved  if  anything  in  the  hot  tent.  Here  was  a  very 
fine  bloom  of  Dr.  Andry,  and  capital  specimens  of  Madame  G.  Luizet, 
Ernest  Metz,  Ulrich  Brunner,  and  Fisher  Holmes.  Mr.  Frank  Cant  was 
second  with  smaller  flowers,  among  which  were  noticeable  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  Star  of  Waltham,  the  old*  sort  Frangois  Louvat,  and  a  good 
specimen  of  the  little-known  Tea  Maman  Cochet,  which  oddly  enough 
was  to  be  found  in  good  condition  in  several  stands.  Messrs.  Prior  were 
third  with  smaller  specimens,  Madame  Eugene  Verdier  and  Mrs.  John 
Laing  being  among  the  best.  Mr.  Woods  of  Woodbridge  was  fourth. 
The  cup,  which  is  to  be  the  property  of  the  first  who  wins  it  three  times, 
has  now  been  competed  for  the  fourth  time,  and  has  been  won  on  each 
occasion  by  a  different  exhibitor,  Mr.  Frank  Cant,  Messrs.  Harkness, 
Messrs.  Prior,  and  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  holding  it  in  the  order  named.  Its 
value  is  twenty-five  guineas. 
For  twelve  Teas  (open)  Mr.  Frank  Cant  was  first,  having  good 
examples  of  La  Boule  d’Or,  Maman  Cochet,  and  Ernest  Metz,  Messrs, 
Prior  were  second  with  Innocente  Pirola  and  Ernest  Metz  as  their  best, 
and  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  third.  In  twelve  trebles  Mr.  Frank  Cant  was  first, 
Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria  and  Maman  Cochet  being  seen  to  advantage, 
and  Messrs.  Prior  second. 
For  twenty-four  (amateurs)  Rev.  A.  Foster  Melliar  was  first  with  a 
good  stand  of  H.P.’s  only,  but  they  had  lost  colour  considerably  on  the 
road.  Reynolds  Hole,  Grand  Mogul,  Horace  Vernet,  and  Sir  Rowland 
Hill  (the  latter  taking  the  medal  as  best  amateur  H.P.)  showed  how 
well  the  dark  Roses  have  profited  by  the  heat.  Mr.  Orpen  was  second 
with  fifteen  Teas  among  his  twenty-four,  as  became  the  Tea  champion 
of  the  year.  The  most  noticeable  bloom  in  his  stand  was  Sappho, 
very  fine,  clean,  solid,  and  well  shaped,  but,  I  fear,  unusual  specimen  of 
this  variety,  which  easily  took  the  medal  as  the  best  amateur  Tea.  He, 
too,  had  a  fine  bloom  of  Maman  Cochet,  and  also  a  very  bright,  clean 
specimen  of  Souvenir  d’un  Ami.  Rev.  H.  A.  Berners  was  third,  having 
a  good  bloom  of  Her  Majesty. 
For  twelve  Teas  (amateurs)  Mr.  Orpen  was  first,  Maman  Cochet 
being  again  noticeable  in  company  with  Comtesse  de  Hadaillac,  Ernest 
Metz,  and  Francisca  Kruger.  Mr.  Foster-Melliar  was  second,  and  Mr. 
Berners  third,  Teas  being  apparently  on  their  last  legs  with  both  of  them. 
For  six  H.P.’s  of  a  sort  Mr.  D,  G.  Warnes  of  Eye  was  first  with 
A.  K.  Williams,  and  Mr.  Orpen  second  with  Ulrich  Brunner.  Mr. 
Berners  was  first  for  six  Teas  of  a  sort  with  Madame  Bravy  in  poor 
condition,  and  Mr.  Orpen  second  with  Souvenir  d’un  Ami.  A  nice 
stand  of  Comtesse  Panisse  was  unnoticed.  For  four  trebles  Mr.  Berners 
'  was  a  good  first.  Her  Majesty  and  Gabriel  Luizet  being  well  shown  ; 
Mr.  Foster  Melliar  second,  and  Mr.  Orpen  third.  This  was  rather  hard 
lines  for  Mr.  Orpen,  as  the  winner  of  the  second  prize  in  pirtting  up  his 
box  in  a  great  hurry  (much  flustered  by  officials)  quite  spoilt  one  of  his 
triplets.  There  was  not  much  competition  in  the  local  classes,  which 
were  of  medium  quality. 
Among  other  features  that  the  pressure  of  space  only  permits  a 
mention  was  a  charming  group  of  plants  arranged  by  Mr.  Rogers, 
gardener  to  Lord  Rendlesham,  all  the  others  being  too  closely  and 
formally  packed.  Mr.  Rogers  also  had  the  best  basket  of  plants,  the 
exhibit  being  3  or  4  feet  across.  Gloxinias  and  Begonias,  associated  with 
Ferns,  had  a  most  pleasing  effect.  Tuberous  and  Rex  Begonias  were 
admirably  represented.  Several  examples  of  table  decoration  added  to 
the  interest  of  the  show,  one  of  the  most  pleasing  arrangements  being 
Mrs.  Orpen’s  study  in  lavender  and  white  Sweet  Peas,  with  Smilax. 
Fruit  was  admirably  staged.  Mr.  W.  Messenger,  gardener  to 
C.  H.  Berners,  Esq.,  Woolverstone  Park,  having  the  best,  and  a  very  fine 
collection.  Mr,  Andrews,  gardener  to  Hon.  W.  Lowther,  Campsea  Ashe, 
was  first  with  four  bunches  of  Grapes,  and  also  for  black  Grapes.  Mr. 
Rogers  clcselv  followed.  Small  fruits  were  splendidly  shown  by  many 
(xhibitors.  Vegetables  were  very  numerous  and  excellent.  Mr.  King, 
gardener  to  J.  A.  Berners,  Esq.,  won  the  cup  with  a  grand  collection  of 
twelve  kinds,  and  there  were  many  others  not  far  behind  them. 
A  non-competitive  exhibit  deserves  mention.  There  was  no  more 
beautiful  feature  in  the  show  than  a  table  of  choice  Liliums  and 
Caloehorti  from  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester.  Among  the 
former  were  the  charming  yellow  Parryi,  the  dark  dalmaticum  Catani, 
and  the  creamy  excelsum  arranged  with  other  large  kinds,  while  the 
bunches  of  Mariposa  Lilies  in  their  varied  and  translucent  colours 
attracted,  as  they  merited,  great  attention.  The  season  has  evidently 
suited  the  Caloehorti.  They  have  a  beauty  all  their  own,  and  as  the 
bulbs  are  cheap  they  might  be  more  freely  planted  in  warm  borders 
early  in  the  ensuing  autumn. 
This  is  all  that  can  be  said  about  what  a  local  paper  describes,  no 
doubt  with  accuracy,  as  “the  finest  show  in  Suffolk,”  and  Mr.  John 
Andrews  and  the  Committee  deserve  congratulations. 
^  ' 
NEW  BRIGHTON.— July  13th. 
This  show  was  held  on  Saturday  last  in  the  charming  grounds  of  St. 
George’s  Mount,  New  Brighton,  willingly  set  apart,  as  in  former  years, 
by  Dr.  W.  Bell,  J.P.,  who  is  not  only  a  good  judge  of  the  Rose,  but  has 
in  his  garden  a  collection  which  always  commands  the  greatest  admira¬ 
tion  from  visitors.  The  proceeds  are  given  to  the  Wallasey  Cottage 
Hospital,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  state  that  it  will  materially  benefit  by 
the  greatly  increased  attendance  over  last  year.  The  competition  was 
very  close  in  nearly  all  elasses,  the  exhibits  themselves  being  capital. 
Messrs.  Alexander  Dickson  &  Sons  of  Newtownards  put  up  forty- 
eight  distinct  varieties,  remarkable  for  size,  colour,  and  perfect  shape, 
and  which  were  justly  admired.  The  same  exhibitors  won  in  the  other 
open  classes  for  twelve  blooms,  any  H.P.,  and  twelve  Teas  or  Noisettes. 
Mr.  B.  R.  Cant,  Colchester,  bad  to  take  second  honours  in  each  case. 
Messrs.  Dibksons,  Limited,  Chester,  who  had  some  splendid  blooms, 
seeured  an  extra  first  for  twelve  H.  P.’s,  third  for  forty-eight,  and  an 
extra  for  a  charming  selection  of  Cluster  Roses.  They  also  won  for 
thirty-six  hardy  perennials,  perhaps  one  of  the  most  superb  collections 
they  have  ever  staged.  The  amateurs  exhibited  in  grand  form,  the  prin¬ 
cipal  prizetakers  being  Messrs.  T.  Latham,  two  firsts  and  gold  medal  ; 
H.  V.  Machin,  three  firsts  and  two  seconds;  T.  Raffles  Bulley,  three 
firsts;  W.  H.  Jowett,  two  firsts;  H.  G.  Roberts,  L.  Davidson,  and 
Dr.  Bell. 
Refreshments  were  served  in  the  grounds,  the  “  Gleam  of  Sunshine  ” 
silver  prize  band  discoursed  some  of  the  latest  music,  the  lawn  was 
used  for  a  tennis  tournament,  so  that  visitors  had  no  cause  to  complain 
of  the  laree  number  of  attractions  to  which  they  were  invited. 
Dr.  Bell,  J.P.,  and  Mr.  T.  Raffles  Bulley  are  deserving  of  every  praise 
for  the  excellent  arrangements. — R.  P.  R. 
PERPLEXING  TOMATOES. 
I  SEND  you  a  box  containing  a  Tomato  plant  and  some  soil.  Will 
some  of  your  staff  kindly  examine  and  reply  to  the  following 
questions  ?  ' 
1,  Is  the  plant  attaeked  by  the  drooping  disease  ? 
2,  Do  the  roots  show  any  form  of  fungoid  or  other  pests  ? 
3,  Does  the  soil  contain  anything  to  cause  the  drooping  ? 
I  have  used  the  mixture  of  superphosphate,  nitrate  of  soda,  and 
muriate  of  potash  as  advised  in  your  Journal  last  December.  I  grow 
Tomatoes  largely,  and  have  studied  this  form  of  disease  very  closely 
also.  My  employer,  a  retired  physician  of  great  eminence,  is  closely 
watching  it,  and  we  wish  to  satisfy  ourselves  as  to  the  queries  asked. 
The  results  of  our  observations  may  perhaps  interest  you,  and  if  you  so 
desire  I  may  send  them  to  you.  I  will  return  thanks  in  due  course  to 
the  counsel,  judges,  and  the  high  court  of  appeal  re  “  Profitable  Employ¬ 
ment  of  Glass  Structures  in  Winter.” — Perplexed  One. 
[The  plant  arrived  safely  and  fresh,  but  not  in  a  good  condition  for 
examination,  as  the  foliage  and  stem  were  coated  with  soil.  After 
closely  examining  the  plant  and  soil  we  are  enabled  to  reply  to  your 
queries.  ^ 
1,  Is  the  plant  attacked  by  the  “  drooping  disease  ?  ”  The  young 
growing  leaves  were  blackened  and  shrivelled,  also  the  tender  growing 
point  of  the  stem,  and  these  drooped  when  the  plant  was  placed  up¬ 
right.  This  is  characteristic  of  the  “  drooping  disease.”  The  older 
leaves  had  a  few  yellow  patches,  which  indicate  the  presence  of  the 
mycelial  hyphrn  of  a  fungus  growing  within  the  tissues,  but  we  failed 
to  discover  any  fungal  threads  ;  yet  streaming  through  the  cells,  espe¬ 
cially  just  within  the  walls,  was  the  plasma  of  a  Myxomycetes,  or  slime 
fungus  (Plasmodiophora  tomati),  whiph  absorbs  or  appropriates  the 
chlorophyll,  and  gives  rise  to  the  yellow  spots  or  blotches  in  the  leaves. 
Such  spots  are  slightly  clammy,  ultimately  become  brown,  shrink,  crack, 
and  fall  out.  We  have  not  detected  any  fungus  (Plasmodiophora  is  not 
a  fungus)  nor  the  spores  of  a  Myxomycetes  in  the  spots.  Indeed,  there 
is  seldom  any  in  the  browning  or  “brunissure”  of  the  Vine,  the  only 
organism  present  in  either  case  being  that  of  the  streaming  plasmodium. 
Affected  young  leaves,  however,  speedily  wither  up  without  falling  from 
the  stalks,  and  when  the  disease  is  restricted  to  this  affection  the  plants 
may  recover  ;  but  the  fruit  produced,  whether  Grapes  or  Tomatoes, 
appear  small  and  badly  nourished.  Some  growers  of  Tomatoes  over¬ 
come  this  difficulty  by  earthing-up  the  plants,  thus  getting  fresh  roots 
from  the  stem,  and  so  supplying  extra  nourishment. 
2,  “Do  the  roots  show  any  form  of  fungoid  or  other  pests?”  The 
roots  appeared  quite  normal,  there  being  plenty  of  fibres,  but  these  had 
