November  14, 1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGULTDRE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
465 
and  Crotons,  which  were  judiciously  disposed  about  the  building. 
These  were  contributed  by  Mr.  W.  Finch,  gardener  to  J.  Marriott,  Esq., 
Coventry,  who  also  exhibited,  not  for  competition,  a  splendid  specimen 
of  Ixora  Duffi. 
For  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  arranged  in  a  space  equal  to 
50  square  feet,  there  were  four  entries,  Mr.  Finch  being  a  good  first 
with  plants  carrying  blooms  of  fine  quality  arranged  in  his  usual 
finished  style,  Lilian  Bird,  E.  Molyneux,  Miss  M.  A.  Haggas,  and 
Madame  Barrier  being  thoroughly  well  represented.  Mr.  Morris, 
gardener  to  Sir  R.  Moon,  Copsewood,  Coventry,  was  a  good  second,  his 
arrangement,  however,  being  rather  too  flat.  The  third  prize  fell  to 
Mr.  Blake,  gardener  to  G.  Singer,  Esq.,  Coventry.  Specimen  plants 
were  not  numerously  shown.  For  four  Japanese,  distinct,  dwarf-trained, 
Mr.  Blake  was  a  good  first,  and  Mr.  Finch  second.  The  latter  exhibitor 
also  obtained  the  only  award  given  for  four  incurved  specimens. 
The  cut  blooms  were  undoubtedly  the  feature  of  the  show.  Prizes  of 
£3,  £2,  and  £1  were  offered  for  twenty-four  Japanese  in  not  less  than 
eighteen  distinct  varieties.  The  premier  position  was  won  by  Mr.  H. 
Pearce,  gardener  to  S.  Loder,  Esq.,  Floore  House,  Weedon.  His  blooms 
were  heavy,  fresh,  and  of  good  colour.  The  varieties  were — Back  row  ; 
J.  Shrimpton  (grand),  W.  G.  Newitt,  Col.  W.  B.  Smith,  Mods.  Ricaud, 
Miss  Dorothy  Shea,  Mdlle.  Th^r^se  Rey,  Sunflower,  and  Mrs.  G.  H. 
Payne.  Middle  row  :  Eda  Prass  (large  and  solid),  G.  Schwabe,  Mdlle. 
Marie  Hoste,  J.  S.  Dibben  (grand),  Viviand  Morel,  Mrs.  F.  Jameson,  W. 
Seward,  and  Louise.  Front  row  :  W.  H.  Lincoln,  Mrs.  H.  Payne,  C. 
Davis,  Mdme.  C.  Molin,  Sunflower,  Mons.  Bernard,  Comte  de  Germiny, 
and  Bonle  d’Or.  Mr.  W.  Tustin,  gardener  to  A.  James,  Esq.,  Coton 
House,  Rugby,  was  a  very  close  second,  with  large  highly  coloured 
blooms,  the  ^st  being  Commandant  Blusset,  Miss  Dorothy  Shea,  and 
J.  Shrimpton  ;  Mr.  Blake  being  a  rather  lucky  third.  For  twelve 
Japanese,  distinct,  the  latter  exhibitor  led  with  good  fresh  blooms  ;  Mr. 
J.  L.  Yates  being  second,  and  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons  third.  A  teapot, 
valued  at  358.,  was  offered  by  Mr.  T.  Colchester,  Ipswich,  for  the 
best  six  blooms  of  Japanese  which  had  been  fed  with  ichthemic  guano. 
This  was  well  won  by  Mr.  Pearce  with  solid  examples  of  V^iviand 
Morel,  Sunflower,  Mdlle.  Th^r^se  Rey,  C.  Davis,  W.  Seward,  and 
Madame  Ricaud. 
For  the  prizes  offered  for  twenty-four  incurved,  in  not  less  than 
eighteen  varieties,  three  exhibitors  competed,  the  first  prize  being 
deservedly  awarded  to  Mr.  Tustin  for  stands  of  solid  and  even  blooms 
of  the  following  varieties — Back  row  :  Alfred  Salter,  J.  Lambert,  Mons. 
Bahuant,  Golden  Empress,  A.  Salter,  Empress  of  India,  Lord  Wolseley, 
J.  Lambert.  Middle  row  :  Empress  of  India,  Miss  M.  A.  Haggas,  Madame 
Darrier,  Empress  Eug4nie,  Baron  Hirsch,  J.  Doughty,  Princess  of  Wales, 
and  Alfred  Lyne.  Front  row :  Baron  Hirsch,  Jardin  des  Plantes, 
Madame  Darrier,  Jeanne  d’Arc,  Mrs,  W.  Shipman,  Madame  F.  Minstral, 
Mrs.  Brunlees,  Jeanne  d’Arc,  and  Lord  Wolseley  ;  Mr.  Blake  was  a  good 
second,  and  Mr.  Morris  third,  each  showing  well.  For  twelve  incurved, 
distinct  varieties,  Mr.  H,  Dunkin,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Warwick, 
Castle  Gardens,  Warwick,  secured  the  first  prize  with  a  stand  of  even 
clean  blooms  ;  Mr.  Blake  following  closely.  Messrs.  Sander  &  Co.,  St. 
Albans,  offered  as  a  prize  for  the  best  six  incurved  blooms  of  one  variety, 
an  Orchid  of  the  value  of  £2  2*.  This  was  well  won  by  Mr.  Blake,  with 
good  blooms  of  Lord  Rosebery. 
Good  collections  of  Apples  and  Pears,  not  for  competition,  were 
staged  by  Mr.  C.  Wilkins,  gardener  to  E.  Petre,  Esq,,  Whitley  Abbey, 
Coventry,  and  by  Mr.  Morris.  The  latter  exhibitor  also  staged  several 
well  grown  Orchids  in  flower,  and  a  tastefully  arranged  group  of 
Orchids  was  shown  by  Mr.  Blake,  which  included  several  fine  forms  of 
Oncidium  varicosum  Rogers!,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Co.  exhibited  in  their 
usual  finished  style  baskets  and  bouquets  of  Chrysanthemums  and  other 
flowers,  a  splendidly  formed  harp  of  Chrysanthemums  with  Violet  strings 
occupying  a  central  position. 
The  arrangements  in  connection  with  the  show  were  admirably 
carried  out  by  Mr,  F.  Curtis  and  the  Committee  who  supported  him. 
DUBLIN.— November  6th  and  7th. 
The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland  have,  apparently,  wound 
up  by  their  winter  show  a  fairly  successful  year.  Held  somewhat  earlier 
than  usual,  it  was  a  question  with  competitors  of  being  up  to  the  fixed 
date  with  their  exhibits.  Judging  from  appearance  in  the  cut  bloom 
section,  it  was  beyond  dispute  that  so  far  as  the  popular  Japs  were  con¬ 
cerned  the  mark  had  been  hit,  for  seldom,  if  ever  have  they  been  shown 
here  in  better  form,  nor  more  conspicuous  by  their  freshness.  Not  until 
the  evening  of  the  second  day  was  the  opportunity  afforded  to  me  of 
noting  their  merits,  and  the  appearance  then  of  this  section,  indeed  of 
all  the  cut  bloom  classes,  led  one  to  conclude  that  the  bulk  of  the 
blooms  would  keep  in  the  cool  large  hall  at  Ball’s  Bridge  for  a 
fortnight. 
In  deference  to  public  taste,  which  inclines  to  the  Japs  and  not  in 
the  order  of  the  schedule,  these  shall  receive  first  attention.  Class  10, 
stand  of  twenty-four  varieties,  distinct,  the  first  prize  for  which  is  the 
gardeners’  challenge  cup,  valued  at  twenty  sovereigns,  to  be  won  three 
times,  with  £4  added  annually  to  the  winner,  was  taken  for  the  second 
time  by  Mr.  Hugh  Crawford,  who  presides  over  the  Countess  of  Pem¬ 
broke’s  fine  gardens  at  Mount  Merrion.  His  blooms  were  the  freshest 
of  the  fresh,  and  made  up  an  even  well  balanced  stand  without  a  sus¬ 
picion  of  coarseness  ;  the  most  prominent  being  Hairy  Wonder,  Madame 
Carnot,  Violetta,  Col.  Chase,  and  Amos  Perry.  For  the  above  prize 
Mr.  McKellar,  gardener  to  Lord  Ashbrooke,  was  second,  and  Mr. 
Mitcheson,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  Col.  Crichton,  third,  whilst  several 
stands  of  the  ten  entries  were  commended. 
Much  interest  was  centred  in  what  is  rather  a  large  order — viz., 
thirty-six  Japanese  in  eighteen  varieties,  not  more  than  two  of  each. 
Amongst  eleven  competitors  Mr.  Crawford  again  took  the  lead,  followed 
by  Mr.  Sayers,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Goodbody,  with  Mr.  Wm.  Bradshaw, 
gardener  to  Sir  David  Harrel,  close  at  his  heels.  For  class  15,  twelve 
Japanese,  which  brought  out  fourteen  entries,  Mr.  J.  Gumming,  gardener 
to  Viscount  Gough,  was  a  good  first  ;  second,  Mr.  Taylor,  gardener  to 
J.  L.  Naper,  Esq.  ;  third.  Lord  Carew  (gardener,  Mr.  McLellan),  For 
six  white  Japanese,  one  variety,  a  fine  stand  of  Marie  Hoste  was  passed 
over  for  six  albinos  of  Viviand  Morel,  though  it  is  but  right  to  say  that 
as  far  as  whiteness  went  they  were  purity  itself.  The  awards  went  to 
Mr.  McKenna,  Mr.  Crawford,  and  Mr.  Mitcheson  in  this  order.  For 
Mr.  Cumming’s  prize  for  six  Japs,  any  colour,  one  variety,  Mr.  Murphy, 
gardener  to  J.  E.  Barry,  Esq.,  was  first ;  second,  Mr.  McKellar  ;  third, 
Mr.  Sayers. 
Class  9. — The  Waterhouse  challenge  cup,  valued  at  10  guineas,  for 
the  best  thirty-six  blooms,  half  Japs,  half  incurved,  was  strongly 
contested  for  by  nine  competitors,  Mr.  Crawford,  the  winner  last  year, 
again  being  first,  with  Lloyd  Vaughan,  Esq.,  and  Lord  Ashbrook  second 
and  third  respectively.  Amongst  the  incurved  proper,  for  twenty-four  Mr. 
Crawford  proved  himself  the  giant  that  he  is,  and  secured  the  handsome 
prize  given  by  the  Ichthemic  Guano  Company,  a  prize  which  will  be  useful 
when  his  friends  drop  in  to  lea.  Mr.  Gumming  just  missed  it,  and  third 
in  the  running  was  Mr.  McKenzie  of  Willow  Park  Gardens.  Nine 
entered  for  the  twelve  incurved,  and  Mr.  O’Conner,  gardener  to 
R.  H.  McComas,  Esq.,  led,  with  Mr.  Porter  and  Mr.  Coghlan  following. 
Except  a  fewearly  varieties,  notably  Baron  Hirsch,  M.  R.  Bahuant,  Jeanne 
d’Arc,  and  its  coloured  sport,  the  date  was  apparently  ten  days  early  for 
the  incur veds,  the  more  refined  Princess,  Queen,  and  Empress  types  being 
but  half  up. 
That  enthusiastic  amateur,  Mr.  J.  L.  Smallman,  for  the  best  stand 
of  twelve  half  Japs,  half  incurved,  had  it  all  his  own  way.  Reflexed 
were  only  represented  by  three  stands  of  twelve,  and  Mr.  McKenna, 
Mr.  Taylor,  and  Mr.  Gumming  divided  honours  in  the  order  named, 
Mr.  McKenna  being  again  first  with  twelve  Anemone  flowered  ;  R. 
de  la  Poer,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Fernie),  and  Mr.  Smallman,  second 
and  third. 
Of  the  plants  (Chrysanthemums)  the  first  glance  on  entering  the 
large  hall  revealed  the  fact  that  they  were  not  in  it — figuratively,  and, 
moreover,  it  was  the  one  thing  wanting.  Circular  groups  were  arranged 
by  Messrs.  McKenzie  and  Sayers  ;  the  latter’s  group,  placed  second,  was 
charmingly  fresh  on  the  second  day  ;  but  the  jovial  veteran  McKenzie’s 
exhibit  had  stood  well  to  him  at  the  judging  by  gaining  the  first  prize 
given  by  Lord  Ardilaun.  The  same  nobleman’s  handsome  trophy  for 
the  best  group  arranged  on  50  superficial  feet  went  to  Mr.  Goff,  gar¬ 
dener  to  Mrs.  McCann  ;  second  to  J.  White,  Esq.  For  the  six  best 
Japanese  Mr.  Gumming  was  first ;  with  remaining  plant  classes  but 
little  or  no  competition  ensued,  Mr.  McKenzie  being  prominent. 
Four  nursery  groups  of  miscellaneous  flowering  and  foliage  plants 
formed  an  admirable  background  at  the  far  end  of  the  hall.  Messrs. 
Ramsay  &  Sons,  of  the  Ball’s  Bridge  Nurseries,  being  awarded  the 
Society’s  large  silver-gilt  medal ;  the  bronze  medal  going  to  Mr.  Jame¬ 
son,  of  Sandymount.  Messrs.  Henderson,  of  Templeogue,  and  Mr. 
Watson,  of  the  Clontarf  Nurseries,  having  nice  exhibits  of  fresh  and 
healthy  decorative  plants — the  useful  and  elegant  Kentias  being  con¬ 
spicuous.  A  bright  and  pretty  table  was  arranged  by  Mr.  Sayers,  gar¬ 
dener  at  Obelisk  Park,  Blackrock,  with  nice  bits  of .  Cattleya  labiata,  a 
fine  plant  of  C.  Bowringiana,  some  3  feet  high,  bearing  two  spikes  of 
its  charming  flowers,  the  whole  set  off  with  Maidenhair  greenery. 
Another  table,  contributed  by  the  Viceregal  gardens,  materially  assisted 
the  decorations. 
Fruit  made  a  good  display,  and  medals  offered  by  the  Society  for  the 
best  stand  of  six  bunches  of  Grapes  in  three  varieties,  brought  six 
exhibitors  into  alignment,  those  who  were  beaten  being  certainly  not 
disgraced.  Mr.  Thomas  Bradshaw  bore  off  the  large  silver-gilt  medal  for 
the  Marquis  of  Downshire  ;  Mr.  McKenna  taking  the  bronze  medal, 
third  prize  going  to  Earl  Fitzwilliam  (gardener,  Mr.  Wybock).  The 
smaller  classes  for  Grapes  were  well  filled,  and  Apples  and  Pears  were 
generally  dished  up  in  good  form. 
Trade  exhibits  did  much  for  the  Society’s  winter  show,  attractive 
fruit  stands  being  fixed  up  by  Messrs.  Saunders  of  Cork,  McCreedy  of 
Portadown,  Tait  &  Co.,  and  Edmondsons  of  Dublin.  Dicksons,  Ltd., 
of  Chester  staged  sixty-five  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears,  their  table  being 
relieved  with  pot  plants  of  their  new  Cupressus  macrocarpa  lutea.  One 
long  table  displayed  the  produce  of  “  sunny  Kent  ”  in  the  way  of 
104  dishes  (distinct)  of  Apples,  matchless  in  form  and  colour.  Messrs. 
Bunyard’s  representative,  Mr.  Middlebrook,  presided  over  this  tempting 
table,  and  what  he  does  not  know  about  Apples  is,  I  should  say,  not 
worth  knowing.  American-grown  Apples  are  not  in  it,  was  the  inference 
drawn  in  noting  such  varieties  as  Bismarck,  Washington,  Gascoigne’s 
Seedling,  St.  Lawrence,  Lady  Henniker  and  Tyler’s  Kernel.  In  looking 
at  this  unrivalled  stand  it  was  easy  to  understand  a  little  dissatisfaction 
felt  by  “  the  man  in  charge  ”  at  the  award  of  “highly  commended”  it 
received,  this  being  the  highest  recognition  the  Society  is,  under  existing 
conditions,  able  to  give.  As  they  are  anxious  to  keep  pace  with  the 
times  they  will,  doubtless,  see  their  way  to  improve  matters  in  this 
direction.  A  certificate  of  merit  would  not  share  the  fate  of  that 
commended  ticket  which  a  vexed  pomologist  tore  up  and  threw  under 
the  table. — K.,  Duilin. 
