234 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  5,  1895. 
Committee  of  Management  is  also  formed,  large  numbers  of  influential 
patrons  have  been  secured  as  Vice-Presidents,  and  two  officers  of  excep¬ 
tional  ability — namely,  B.  T.  Leeds  Smith,  Esq.,  Hon.  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  and  Mr.  William  Green,  the  active  working  Secretary,  have 
helped  in  a  material  degree  to  bring  the  affiirs  of  the  Society  into  the 
present  highly  satisfactory  condition. 
The  stimulus  imparted  to  industries  in  country  districts  by  such 
shows  as  these  cannot  be  duly  estimated,  as  fortunately  the  Society’s 
income  of  nearly  £800  permits  the  preparation  of  a  substantial  prize 
list,  the  money  value  ranging  from  £12  down  to  a  few  shillings.  As  a 
consequence  the  number  of  entries  has  now  reached  3249,  that  being 
the  total  for  the  present  year,  and  the  largest  yet  obtained.  A  dozen 
huge  marquees  were  required  to  contain  the  competing  exhibits  alone, 
but  on  the  ground  there  were  between  twenty  and  thirty  tents  in  all, 
a  wonderful  display  of  canvas  in  itself.  The  site  is  an  excellent  one, 
the.  Park  of  Sandy,  place  kindly  lent  by  the  proprietor,  it  is  conveniently 
near  the  railway  station,  is  pleasantly  diversified,  and  forms  a  most 
agreeable  resort  for  holiday  makers,  especially  as  excellent  musical 
attractions  are  provided. 
With  the  horticultural  portion  we  are  only  concerned  here,  but 
special  tents  were  also  set  apart  for  pigeons,  poultry,  cage  birds,  rabbits, 
dogs,  bread,  butter,  honey,  needlework,  and  various  other  objects  that 
could  not  be  enumerated.  Prominent  in  importance  were  the  fruit  and 
vegetables,  of  which  an  excellent  display  was  provided,  the  competition 
extremely  keen,  and  the  quality  of  the  exhibits  most  creditable  to  the 
district.  No  less  than  300  entries  with  fruit  were  actually  staged,  about 
the  same  number  of  vegetables,  350  in  the  farmers’  and  market 
gardeners’  classes ;  while  in  the  cottagers’  division  nearly  400  entries 
were  received. 
With  a  collection  of  eight  kinds  of  fruit  in  the  open  classes  Mr. 
G.  R.  Allis,  gardener  to  Major  Shuttleworth,  Old  Warden  Park,  Biggles¬ 
wade,  was  awarded  chief  honours  for  excellent  examples  of  Black  Ham¬ 
burgh  and  Buckland  Sweetwater  Grapes,  compact  bunches  with  large, 
clean,  well  coloured  berries.  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Fig,  Cherries,  Melon, 
and  Plums  constituted  the  other  dishes,  all  fine  table  fruit  such  as  we 
should  expect  from  a  skilful  cultivator  like  Mr.  Allis.  Mr.  R.  Carter, 
gardener  to  Captain  Duncomhe,  Waresley  Park,  wag  a  good  second,  and 
Mr.  C.  Forbes,  gardener  to  E.  B.  Foster,  Esq.,  Cambridge,  was  third, 
both  showing  well  developed  fruits,  but  few  points  behind  the  first. 
Six  collections  of  six  kinds  of  fruit  were  staged.  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson, 
The  Gardens,  Ampthill  House,  won  the  premier  prize  with  Alicante  and 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Jefferson  Plums, 
Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  and  Noblesse  Peaches  of  even  quality  through¬ 
out,  and  most  creditable  to  this  energetic  exhibitor,  who  scored  largely 
in  many  other  classes  with  produce  that  proved  his  ability  as  an  all¬ 
round  gardener.  Mr.  T.  Lockie,  gardener  to  A.  J.  Thornhill,  Esq., 
Diddington  Hall,  Huntingdon,  was  a  very  close  second,  showing  remark¬ 
ably  fine  examples  of  JeSerson  Plums,  Morello  Cherries,  Williams’  Bon 
Chr&tien  Pears,  and  Sutton’s  A1  Melon  ;  but  he  lost  a  little  on  the  other 
dishes.  Mr.  G.  Claydon,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Astel),  Woodbury  Hall,  Sandy, 
was  third,  his  most  notable  dish  being  Royal  George  Peaches,  very 
fine.  Grapes  were  shown  in  good  numbers,  and  generally  in  fine  condi¬ 
tion.  With  two  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  there  were  eight  exhi¬ 
bitors,  Mr.  Allis  leading  with  capital  solid  bunches  bearing  a  good 
bloom.  Mr.  J.  M.  Fowler,  Clifton,  and  Mr.  C.  Moore,  St.  Neots,  were 
second  and  third  respectively.  Mr.  C.  Moore  had  the  best  two  bunches 
in  the  any  other  black  variety  class,  showing  Gros  Maroc  in  fine  condi¬ 
tion,  Mr.  Empson  following  with  Madresfield  Court,  large  in  bunch  and 
berry  and  fairly  coloured.  The  best  Muscat  of  Alexandrias  came  from 
Mr.  Allis,  both  bunches  being  beautifully  coloured,  while  Messrs.  Emp¬ 
son  and  Forbes  followed  with  large  bunches  rather  deficient  in  colour. 
Two  unusually  good  examples  of  Buckland  Sweetwater_from  Mr.  Allis 
again  secured  him  first  honours,  Messrs.  Forbes  and  Empson  taking 
second  and  third  places  with  Foster’s  Seedling.  Both  indoor  and  out¬ 
door  Peaches  with  Nectarines  were  shown  in  good  numbers  and  of  meri¬ 
torious  quality,  Messrs.  Claydon,  Forbes,  Allis,  God  by,  Lockie,  H.  J. 
Rebow,  and  Empson  taking  the  leading  prizes.  Apples  were  also  nume¬ 
rous,  and  comprised  some  extremely  fine  examples  of  culinary  varieties. 
Mr.  Godby  had  the  best  six  dishes  of  Apples  in  a  very  strong  competi¬ 
tion,  staging  even  fruits  of  three  culinary  varieties  and  the  same  number 
of  dessert  varieties,  clean  and  bright  in  colour.  Mr.  J.  Bennett  was 
second  with  fine  kitchen  Apples.  Mr.  Allis  was  a  close  third,  and  Mr. 
Empson  fourth,  there  being  very  little  difference  between  the  whole  of 
the  prizewinning  exhibits  in  this  class. 
Vegetables  constituted  a  show  in  themselves,  and  were  of  wonderful 
quality  throughout.  In  the  gardeners’  classes  the  collections  of  twelve 
sorts  were  the  great  feature,  Mr.  Lockie  winning  the  first  place  with  a 
superb  assortment  of  well  grown  vegetables,  including  Ne  Plus  Ultra 
Beans,  Sutton’s  Matchless  Potatoes,  Autocrat  Peas,  Autumn  Giant  Cauli- 
fiowers.  Snowball  Turnips,  Perfection  Tomatoes,  large  white  Vegetable 
Marrows,  Cardoons,  Celery,  Carrots,  &c.  Mr.  Empson  followed  with  a 
nearly  equally  fine  exhibit,  his  Canadian  Wonder  Beans,  Perfection 
Carrots,  Satisfaction  Potatoes,  Snowball  Turnips,  Tomatoes,  Beet,  and 
Cauliflowers  being  of  high  merit ;  and  Mr.  R.  Carter  was  third  with  a 
praiseworthy  collection.  The  other  vegetable  classes  were  too  numerous 
to  particularise,  but  all  the  principal  garden  crops  were  largely  repre¬ 
sented,  and  it  must  be  said  that  they  were  of  high  quality,  even  for  a 
district  where  vegetable  culture  is  a  special  industry.  In  the  market 
gardeners’  classes  Onions  and  Potatoes  were  the  chief  exhibits,  these 
being  shown  in  great  quantity. 
Specimen  plants  with  groups  occupied  one  large  marquee,  the  four 
collections  of  ten  stove  or  greenhouse  plants  occupying  considerable 
space,  as  Mr.  J.  Cypher  of  Cheltenham  brought  his  gigantic  specimen^ 
looking  as  fresh  as  possible,  and  again  won  premier  honours.  Mr.  Finch, 
gardener  to  J.  Marriott,  Esq..  Coventry,  was  second,  losing  the  leading 
place  by  a  few  points.  Mr.  VV.  Vause,  Leamington,  was  third  ;  and  Mr. 
Redman,  gardener  to  J.  H.  Goodgames,  Esq.,  St.  Neots,  was  fourth,  with 
smaller  plants.  With  six  fine-foliage  plants  Mr.  Empson  took  the  lead, 
having  well  coloured  specimens  of  Crotons  Countess  and  Weissmanni, 
Dracmnas  Douceti  and  Baptisti,  and  a  healthy  Kentia  Belmoreana. 
Fuchsias,  Ferns,  Pelargoniums,  and  Coleuses  also  occupied  much  space 
in  this  tent,  the  chief  prizes  going  to  Messrs.  Redman,  Claydon, 
Empson,  and  Dale  ;  while  for  groups  arranged  for  effect  Messrs.  Vause, 
Claydon,  and  Empson  were  placed  in  the  order  named  with  bright  and 
tasteful  groups,  but  in  some  cases  containing  rather  too  much  colour. 
Cut  flowers  were  wonderfully  good,  and  included  extremely  fine 
collections  of  hardy  herbaceous  flowers,  for  which  Messrs.  Harkness  and 
Son,  Bedale,  Laxton  Brothers,  Bedford,  the  Rev.  W.  Crouch,  Gamlingay, 
and  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  were  the  prizetakers  in  that  order.  Dahlias 
of  all  kinds.  Show,  Fancy,  Cactus,  Pompon  and  Single,  were  extensively 
and  beautifully  represented,  Messrs.  Harkness,  Keynes,  Williams, 
Walker,  Humphreys,  Mortimer,  Lockie,  Burgin,  Bright,  and  Paul  &  Son 
taking  the  honours.  The  best  forty-eight  Roses  were  staged  by  Messrs. 
Harkness,  fresh,  bright  and  excellent  blooms  for  the  season.  Messrs. 
G.  Burch  &  Co..  Peterboro’,  were  second,  and  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt, 
third.  Mr.  W.  Kingston,  of  Bedford,  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  twenty- 
four  Roses,  winning  the  first  prize  with  a  cood  stand.  French  and 
African  Marigolds,  Gladiolus,  Asters,  Phlox,  Zinnias  and  other  flowers 
were  well  shown  in  their  respective  classes.  Floral  decorations  had  a 
tent  set  apart  for  them,  and  the  competitors  were  numerous,  but  there 
was  a  great  uniformity  in  the  styles  of  arrangement,  Iceland  Poppies, 
with  Grasses,  Gypsophila,  Yellow  Sultan,  Sweet  Peas,  and  a  few  Coreopsis 
constituting  the  chief  feature,  but  nearly  all  were  commendably  light 
and  graceful. 
The  non-competing  exhibits  were  abundant  in  most  tents.  Messrs. 
Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  sent  a  group  of  plants.  Messrs.  Laxton, 
Bedford,  had  several  fine  collections  of  cut  flowers  and  Apples,  and 
Messrs.  Biddles  &  Co.,  Loughborough,  showed  a  large  collection  of  cut 
flowers.  It  speaks  well  for  the  arrangements  of  the  railway  com¬ 
panies  that  so  many  exhibits  and  such  a  concourse  of  visitors  could  be 
to  and  from  Sandy  in  so  short  a  time,  but  the  public  have  the  advan¬ 
tage  of  two  Companies’  lines,  the  Great  Northern  and  the  North- 
Western,  so  no  doubt  some  advantage  is  derived  from  the  rivalry. 
ROYAL  AQUARIUM. — September  3rd,  4th,  and  5th. 
The  early  exhibition  of  Chrysanthemums,  held  under  the  auspices  of 
the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society,  opened  on  Tuesday  in  conjunction 
with  the  exhibition  of  Dahlias  and  Gladioli,  towards  which  the  sum  of 
£50  was  provided  by  the  Directors  of  the  Royal  Aquarium  for  prize 
money  in  the  latter  classes  and  show  expenses.  As  might  have  been 
anticipated  at  so  early  a  date.  Dahlias  formed  the  chief  feature  of  the 
show,  many  of  the  open  classes  being  well  filled  with  excellent  blooms. 
Nurserymen  contributed  largely  to  the  display,  and  both  Fancy,  Cactus, 
Pompons  and  singles,  were  well  represented.  Among  the  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  competition  was  not  so  keen,  though  in  most  of  the  classes 
provided  the  examples  staged  were  of  good  quality.  A  feature  in  the 
show  was  the  numerous  miscellaneous  groups  sent  by  nurserymen, 
which  added  no  small  share  to  the  brightness  and  variety  of  the 
exhibition. 
Chrysanthemums. 
Mr.  S.  B.  WheadoD,  gardener  to  R.  Collier,  Esq.,  Bickley,  was  first 
for  twelve  blooms  of  Madame  C.  Desgrange  with  creditable  flowers; 
Mr.  W.  Webster,  gardener  to  W.  Higgs,  Beq.,  Clapham,  took  the  second 
place  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Wright,  Camberwell,  third.  Mr.  E.  F.  Such,  Maiden¬ 
head,  was  awarded  first  prize  for  twenty-four  bunches  of  Chrysanthemum 
blooms,  the  exhibit  including  Golden  Fleece,  Blushing  Bride,  Madame 
C.  Desgrange,  Mrs.  Cullingford,  Mr.  G.  Grunerwald,  and  Madame 
Jolivert.  Mr.  Chas.  Shaw,  Sherwood,  Nottingham,  followed  with 
second.  The  premier  prize  for  twelve  blooms  of  any  varieties  went  to 
Mr.  C.  Cox,  gardener  to  J.  Trotter,  Esq.,  Hertford,  who  staged  Edwin 
Molyneux,  Edith  Rowbottom,  Louise,  Stanstead  White,  and  R.  Dean. 
Mr.  S.  B.  Wheadon,  gardener  to  R.  Collier,  Esq.,  Bickley,  took  the 
second  award ;  and  Mr.  J.  Knapp,  gardener  to  F.  W.  Amsden,  Esq., 
Croydon,  the  third. 
Miss  Debenham,  St.  Peters,  St.  Albans,  was  first  for  twelve  bunches 
of  Pompons  with  Alice  Butcher,  Gorden  Shower,  Mdlle.  Jolivant, 
Golden  Fleece,  Strathmeath,  California,  Pr^cocit^,  Blanche  Colomb, 
and  Bronze  Bride.  For  six  bunches  of  Lady  Fitzwygram,  Mr.  J.  Wright, 
Camberwell,  was  first,  being  the  only  exhibitor.  Mr.  W.  C.  Pagram 
was  first  for  six  bunches  of  any  yellow  varietifs,  staging  G.  Wermig, 
Mrs.  Burrell,  and  Mrs.  Hawkins.  Premier  honours  for  six  distinct  blooms 
fell  to  Mr.  Charles  Cox,  who  staged  good  examplesof  Miss  Anna  Hartshorn, 
R.  Dean,  Louise,  Edwin  Molyneux,  and  W.  H.  Lincoln.  A  bronze 
medal  was  granted  to  Mr.  H.  Wedekind,  Paddington,  for  six  blooms  of 
Madame  C.  Desgrange.  Mr.  D.  B.  Crane  took  the  premier  award  for 
a  vasG  of  Chrysanthemums  with  an  elegant  arrangement  ;  the  second 
prize  falling  to  Mr.  E.  Cowell,  Kensal  Rise. 
Dahlias. 
Nurserymen. — In  the  premier  class  for  forty-eight  distinct  blooms, 
not  less  than  thirty-six  varieties,  the  highest  award  fell  to  Mr.  Charles 
Turner,  Slough,  for  an  exhibit  in  every  way  worthy  of  it,  the  flowers  being 
well  formed  and  of  excellent  substance.  Amongst  others  were  noticed  fine 
