202 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  29,  1896. 
design  in  which  flowers  are  employed  for  special  purposes  was  represented, 
and  many  deft  fingers  must  have  been  engaged  in  their  production.  Had 
the  leading  condition  been  a  “group  arranged  for  effect”  Mr.  Chard 
might  have  stood  higher,  but  it  was  not  ;  the  leading  idea,  and  a  very 
good  one,  was  excellence  in  floral  arrangements,  with  a  few  plants 
allowed,  taste  having  to  be  considered  in  the  staging.  The  four  judges 
appointed  to  adjudicate  were  unanimous  in  their  decisions,  and  they 
never  before  had  three  such  beautiful  exhibits  of  the  same  nature  to 
judge.  The  prizes  were  £12  lOs.,  £10,  £7  lOs.,  and  £.5,  and  were  well 
deserved  by  the  competitors. 
The  prizes  of  £5,  £4,  and  £3  for  two  bouquets  were  good,  and  the 
competition  was  really  closer  than  in  the  previous  class.  It  was  not 
until  the  two  Duke’s  gardeners — Sutherland  and  Westminster — were 
asked  to  say  which  pair  they  would  prefer  handing  to  the  respective 
Duchesses  for  presentation  for  the  purposes  indicated  that  the  decision 
was  arrived  at.  They  preferred  the  bouquets  of  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons, 
even  though  the  wiring  of  two  or  three  blooms  was  rather  too  obtrusive 
in  one  of  them.  The  other  judges  concurring,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son  had 
to  take  the  second  place  with  very  beautiful  but  fully  large  examples. 
Mr.  Chard  third.  It  is  no  easy  task  to  win  anything  at  Shrewsbury.  In 
another  class  of  the  same  kind  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons,  C.  H.  Kenrick,  and 
F.  H.  Norris,  all  of  Birmingham,  secured  the  prizes  in  the  order  named. 
Passing  some  minor  classes  we  came  to  collections  of  flowers  arranged 
in  certain  stipulated  space — to  wit.  Gladioli,  12  by  .u  feet ;  Roses,  8  by 
6  feet ;  Dahlias,  10  by  G  feet ;  hardy  border  flowers  (annuals,  bulbous 
and  tuberous-rooted  plants,  also  shrubs  excluded),  15  by  6  feet ;  hardy 
bulbous  and  tuberous-rooted  border  flowers  in  variety,  12  by  6  feet ;  and 
Carnations  and  Picotees,  10  by  6  feet,  with  competition  in  all  of  them, 
the  effect  in  the  aggregate  may  he  as  easily  conceived  as  described.  It 
was  splendid,  and  all  that  can  be  said  beyond  is  that  the  prizes  of  £5  to 
four,  and  in  some  cases  to  three  in  each  class,  were  won  by  the  following 
exhibitors  in  the  order  of  their  names  : — Gladioli,  Messrs.  Darkness  and 
Sons,  Bedale ;  and  Mr.  Robert  Morrow,  Leominster  ;  Roses,  Mr, 
R.  Crossling,  Penarth ;  and  Mr.  E.  Murrell,  Shrewsbury;  Dahlias, 
Messrs,  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons,  and  Messrs. 
Jones  &  Sons ;  hardy  border  flowers  (bulbous  and  tuberous  rooted 
excluded),  Messrs.  Dickson,  Chester  ;  Messrs.  Darkness  &  Son,  and  Mr. 
W.  F,  Gunn,  Alton,  Birmingham  ;  hardy  bulbous  and  tuberous-rooted 
flowers,  first  and  second  as  in  the  preceding  class,  third  Messrs.  Barr 
and  Son,  Covent  Garden  ;  Carnations  and  Picotees,  Mr.  M.  Campbell, 
Blantyre,  and  Messrs.  Laing  &  Mather,  Kelso. 
Various  kinds  of  flowers  were  shown  in  stands,  and  in  some  cases,  as 
in  Dahlias,  Asters,  Marigolds,  and  border  flowers,  the  competition  w’as 
keen ;  but  it  can  only  be  said  that  the  prizes  for  twenty-four  Roses 
went  in  the  open  class  to  Mr.  Crossling,  Messrs.  Proctor  &  Son,  Chester¬ 
field  ;  and  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son,  Coventry,  respectively  ;  for  twenty- 
four  Dahlias  to  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Surrey  ;  Messrs.  Kimberley 
and  Son,  and  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.  ;  for  eighteen  Gladioli  to 
Messrs.  Darkness,  Mr.  Shaw,  Kidderminster  ;  and  Mr.  R.  Morrow  ;  for 
twelve  Carnations,  also  for  twelve  Picotees,  to  Mr.  J.  Edwards,  Man¬ 
chester  ;  Mr.  M.  Campbell,  and  Messrs.  Proctor  &  Son  ;  for  twenty-four 
Asters  to  Mr.  Cook,  Shrewsbury  ;  and  Mr.  Morrow.  It  should  be  added 
that  Mr.  Mortimer  staged  a  large  collection  of  Dahlias  not  for  com¬ 
petition.  We  did  not  observe  any  special  award,  but  two  seedlings,  one 
similar  to,  but  not  the  same  as,  Mrs.  Gladstone,  were  recommended  to 
be  placed  before  the  National  Dahlia  Society  for  examination. 
Fruit. 
Twenty-nine  classes  were  provided  for  fruit,  and,  substantial  prizes 
being  offered,  the  competition  was  very  keen  throughout.  The  Judges 
would  have  willingly  awarded  more  prizes  had  it  been  in  their  power. 
Never  before  has  such  a  magnificent  display  of  fruit  of  such  high  excel¬ 
lence  been  seen  at  Shrewsbury. 
Special  Class. — In  the  first  class  devoted  to  fruit  we  had  a  new 
departure,  which  was  suggested  by  the  late  Mr.  W.  Dean  of  Birmingham. 
It  was  for  a  collection  of  twenty-feur  varieties  of  fruit,  to  be  staged  in 
a  space  of  10  feet  by  4  feet  G  inches.  Lycopodium  and  other  trailing 
plants.  Ferns,  and  foliage  being  used  for  effect, ^tasteful  arrangement 
being  considered  by  the  Judges  in  addition  to  the  quality  of  the  fruit. 
Four  prizes  were  provided,  the  first  being  £20.  There  were  only  four 
exhibitors,  and  these  each  secured,  as  he  deserved,  a  prize.  The  coveted 
position,  as  stated  last  week,  was  won  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  gardener 
to  the  Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle,  Derby,  with  a  tastefully 
arranged  collection.  Small  graceful  plants  of  Ferns,  Palms,  Pandanus,  and 
Crotons,  were  slightly  raised  along  the  back,  and  interspersed  between 
were  some  of  the  larger  kinds  of  fruit,  while  in  the  front  the  different 
varieties  were  arranged  on  a  groundwork  of  Moss  with  tracings  of  Smilax. 
The  fruit  was  of  high  quality,  and  consisted  of  the  following  varie¬ 
ties  : — Two  bunches  Foster’s  white  Grape,  two  large  bunches  of  Gros 
Guillaume,  two  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  two  Morocco,  Hero  of  Lockinge 
and  The  Countess  Melons  (both  fine  examples),  two  Cayenne  Pines, 
Lady  Sudeley  Apple,  Moorpark  Apricot,  Jargonelle  Pear,  Barrington 
Peach,  Victoria  Nectarine,  Kirke’s  Plum,  Brown  Turkey  Fig,  Princess  of 
Wales  Peach  (very  good),  Elruge  Nectarine  (beautifully  coloured), 
Hemskirke  Apricot,  Pineapple  Nectarine,  Royal  George  Peach, 
Washington  and  Goliath  Plums,  Williams’  Bon  Chretien  Pear,  and 
Powell’s  Apricot. 
The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  J.  Meindoe,  gardener  to 
Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Bart.,  Guisborough,  York,  who  was  a  close  second. 
His  fruit  was  of  exceptional  merit.  He  staged  two  bunches  of 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  two  Gros  Maroc,  two  Golden  Queen,  a 
large  banch  of  Bananas,  Best  of  All  and  Noble  Melon,  Violette  Hfitive, 
Stirling  Castle,  and  Alexandra  Noblesse  Peach,  Spencer  Nectarine, 
Clapp’s  Favourite,  Doyenn^  Boussoch,  and  Souvenir  du  Congres  Pears, 
Victoria,  yellow  Magnum  Bonum,  and  Green  Gage  Plums,  large  Early 
St.  Ambroise  Apricot,  Brunswick  and  Negro  Largo  Figs,  and  Lady 
Sudeley  Apple.  Coloured  foliage  was  used  in  this  collection. 
Third,  Mr.  J.  Edmunds,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  St.  Albans  ;  Peaches 
and  Nectarines  were  exceptionally  good.  A  number  of  baskets  were 
used,  which  gave  this  collection  a  rather  heavy  appearance.  The  fourth 
prize  was  taken  by  Mr.  J.  Mowell,  gardener  to  H.  Pitt,  Esq., 
Abergavenny. 
Collections. — In  the  class  for  eight  dishes  of  fruit.  Pines  excluded, 
there  were  ten  entries.  The  premier  position  was  easily  taken  by  Mr. 
J.  MeIndoe,  who  staged  perfect  examples.  One  large  Melon,  two  bunches 
of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  and  two  of  Gros  Maroc,  Negro  Largo 
Fig,  Souvenir  du  Congres  Pear,  Stirline  Castle  Peach,  Lady  Sudeley 
Apple,  and  Elruge  Nectarine.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  was  second,  his 
best  fruit  being  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Alnwick  Seedling  Grapes, 
The  Countess  Melon,  and  Royal  George  Peach.  Third,  Mr.  Bannerman, 
gardener  to  Lord  Bagot ;  Peaches  and  Nectarines  being  very  good  in 
his  collection.  Fourth,  Mr.  E.  Gilman,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Shrewsbury. 
In  the  corresponding  class,  open  to  the  county  of  Salop  only,  Mr, 
C.  Beilis,  gardener  to  Sir  C.  S.  Rouse  Boughton,  Downton  Hall,  Ludlow, 
was  again  first.  His  collection  consisted  of  B  uckland  S  weet  water  and  Black 
Hamburgh  Grapes,  Pineapple  Nectarine,  Tne  Countess  Melon,  Barrington 
Peach,  Moorpark  Apricot,  White  Marseilles  Fig,  Morello  Cherries,  and 
Oullins  Golden  Gage  Plum.  Mr.  C.  Roberts,  gardener  to  C.  H.  Wright, 
Esq.,  Oswestry,  second  ;  Alexander  Noblesse  Peach,  Pitmaston  Orange 
Nectarine,  and  Williams’  Bon  Chretien,  being  very  good.  Third,  Mr. 
Jno.  Langley,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  F.  M.  B.  Owen,  Tedsmore  Hall, 
Fourth,  Mr.  S.  Bremmell,  gardener  to  H,  H.  France  Hayhurst,  Esq., 
Wellington. 
Grapes, — In  the  class  for  six  bunches  of  black  Grapes,  two  bunches 
of  three  varieties,  prizes  of  £10,  £7  10s.,  £5,  and  £2  10s.  were  pro¬ 
vided,  and  brought  out  a  large  number  of  competitors  with  fine  pro¬ 
duce.  The  first  prize  was  well  won  by  Mr.  J.  Craven,  gardener  to 
J.  Grant  Morris,  Esq.,  Allerton  Priory,  Liverpool,  with  bunches  of 
exceptional  merit,  Black  Hamburgh,  Madresfield  Court,  and  Black 
Alicante  being  the  varieties  staged.  Mr.  J.  Barker,  gardener  to  J.  W. 
Raynes,  Esq  ,  Rock  Ferry,  was  second  with  Black  Hamburgh,  Mrs,  Pince,. 
and  Madresfield  Court,  the  latter  being  splendid  bunches,  heavy,  well 
shaped,  large  berries,  and  well  finished.  Third,  Mr.  T.  Lambert, 
gardener  to  Lord  Harlech,  Oswestry,  who  staged  Gros  Maroc,  Madresfield 
Court,  and  Alnwick  Seedling.  Fourth,  Mr.  Bannerman. 
For  the  class  for  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  Mr, 
B.  Silk,  gardener  to  F.  M.  Franklin,  Esq  ,  was  first,  Mr.  J,  Craven  second, 
Mr.  0.  Bennion  third.  For  any  other  variety  of  black  Grapes,  three 
bunches,  Mr.  J.  Barker  was  first  with  Madresfield  Court,  Mr.  J.  Craven 
second  ;  Mr.  G.  Davis,  gardener  to  Rev.  F.  Alderson,  Oswestry,  third. 
There  was  a  large  number  of  entries  in  the  class  for  four  bunches 
of  white  Grapes.  Mr.  Craven  was  first  with  good  bunches  of  Buckland 
Sweetwater  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  F,  M.  Franklin,  Esq.,  was 
second  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Pearson’s  Golden  Queen.  Mr.  J. 
Meindoe  third,  who  staged  Golden  Champion  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria. 
For  three  bunches  of  white  Muscat  Grapes  Mr.  Craven  was  again 
first,  with  large,  well  shaped  bunches.  W.  H.  Verdin,  Esq.,  second, 
with  much  smaller  bunches,  but  splendidly  finished.  Mr.  Meakin 
third.  For  three  bunches  of  any  other  white  Grapes,  Mr.  E.  Silk  was 
first  with  heavy  bunches  of  Pearson’s  Golden  Queen  ;  Mr.  J.  Craven 
second  ;  Mr.  Meindoe  third. 
Four  classes  for  Grapes  were  open  to  the  county  of  Salop'  only. 
With  two  bunches  of  Black  Hamburghs  the  Rev.  F.  Alderson  was  first  ; 
C.  H.  Wright,  Esq.,  second  ;  and  G.  Burr,  Esq.,  third.  In  the  corre¬ 
sponding  class  for  two  bunches  of  any  other  black,  Mr.  T.  Lambert  was 
first ;  Mr.  Jno.  Langley,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  T.  M.  D.  Owen,  second  ; 
Mr.  S.  Bremmell,  third.  In  the  class  for  two  bunches  of  white  Muscats,^ 
Mr.  T.  Lambert  was  again  first  ;  Sir  C.  H.  Rouse  Boughton,  Bart., 
second  ;  Mr.  R.  Darby,  third.  In  the  corresponding  class  for  two 
bunches  of  any  other  white,  Mrs.  R.  Darby  was  first ;  Rev.  F.  Alderson 
second  ;  Sir  C.  H.  Rouse  Boughton,  Bart.,  third.  Two  classes  were 
also  provided  for  amateurs,  two  bunches  of  black  and  two  of  white, 
S.  N.  Hale,  Esq.,  first  ;  G.  Burr,  Esq.,  second,  for  black.  G.  Burr,  Esq. 
first  ;  and  J.  Barker,  Esq.,  second,  for  white. 
Other  Fruits. — Some  excellent  dishes  of  fruit  were  staged  in  the  two 
classes  for  Peaches  and  Nectarines.  For  six  Peaches,  Mr.  J.  Harris, 
gardener  to  Lady  Henry  Somerset,  was  a  good  first,  with  perfect 
examples  of  Barrington;  Sir  G.  T.  Meyrick,  Bart.,  Anglesea,  being  a 
close  second,  with  fine,  well  coloured  fruits  of  the  Nectarine  Peach  ; 
W.  H.  Verdin,  Esq.,  third.  For  six  Nectarines,  G.  F.  Kynnersley,  Esq., 
Ironbridge,  first ;  Mr.  T.  Bannerman,  second  ;  Mrs.  Meakin  third.  An 
extra  prize  was  given  to  Mr.  J.  Wallis,  gardener  to  R.  Sneyd,  Esq.,  New¬ 
castle,  Staffs.  For  six  Apricots,  Mr.  S.  Bremmell  was  first,  with  even, 
well  coloured  examples  of  Moorpark;  Mr.  Davis,  gardener  to  W.  E. 
King,  Esq.,  Bodenham  Manor,  second  ;  A.  E.  Darby,  Esq.,  third. 
Two  classes  were  devoted  to  Plums.  For  twelve  green  or  yellow, 
T.  Meares,  Esq.,  was  first ;  R.  L.  Kenyon,  Esq.,  second  ;  and  W.  H. 
Verdin,  Esq.,  third. ^  For  twelve  purple  or  red,  Mr.  J.  Meindoe  was 
well  first  with  quite  ripe  examples  of  Kirke’i  ;  Rev.  T.  M.  B.  Owen 
second  ;  Mrs.  Wingfield  third.  There  were  numerous  exhibits  in  the  two 
classes  for  Melons.  For  green  flesh,  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  first ;  Mr.  J. 
Craven  second.  For  scarlet  flesh,  Mr.  Craven  was  fl'S%  and  Lord 
Berwick  second.  For  a  dish  of  Cherries,  H.  Pit*",  Esq.,  Abergavenny, 
