August  18,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
133 
In  the  fruit  department  there  was,  as  previously  intimated,  a  falling 
off  in  the  number  of  entries  ;  only  two  competed,  with  a  collection 
of  eight  dishes.  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  gardener  to  Col.  Drexell,  Jlood 
Ashton,  Trowbridge,  took  the  first  prize,  showing  very  good  Alnwick 
Seedling,  and  small,  but  well-ripened  bunches  of  Foster’s  Seedling  Grapes, 
a  large  handsome  fruit  of  Taunton  Hero  Melon,  Alexandra  Noblesse 
Peaches,  Stanwick  Eliuge  Nectarines,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Moorpark 
Apricots,  and  Governor  Wood  Cherries,  all  uniformly  good  in  quality. 
Second  Mr.  A.  Crossman,  gardener  to  .T.  Brutton,  Esq.,  Yeovil.  With 
four  dishes  the  competition  was  very  keen,  or  better  than  usual.  Mr. 
W.  Mitchell,  gardener  to  J.  W.  Fleming,  Esq.,  was  first,  his  Madresfield 
Court  being  remarkably  fine,  while  the  Melon,  Sea  Eagle  Peaches,  and 
Lord  Napier  Nectarines  were  of  average  quality;  Mr.  Crossman  was  a 
good  second,  and  Mr.  S.  Kidley  third. 
The  class  for  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grape  was  well 
filled,  and  all  the  winning  stands  were  of  excellent  quality.  It  is  doubtful 
if  the  three  grand  bunches  which  gained  Mr.  Mitchell  the  first  prize 
would  be  beaten  anywhere.  Mr.  T.  Wilkinson,  gardener  to  Rev. 
T.  Greaves,  was  a  good  second  :  and  Mr.  S.  Kidley  third.  In  the  any 
other  black  class  Mr.  Mitchell  was  first  for  superb  Madresfield  Court. 
The  bunches  and  berries  were  large,  and  the  finish  perfect ;  nothing  so 
good  of  the  kind  ever  seen  previously,  in  the  West  of  England  at  any  late. 
Mr.  C.  Cooper,  gardener  to  Mrs.  McAdam  Smith,  was  second  with  very 
good  Alicante  ;  third,  Mr.  Crossman  ;  extra  fourth,  Mr.  W.  Eaves,  both 
showing  Madresfield  Court  in  a  creditable  condition.  Muscats  were  fairly 
numerous,  and  in  most  instances  well  ripened.  Mr.  W.  Mitchell  was  first 
for  fine  clusters  ;  second,  Mr.  T.  Wilkinson  ;  third,  Mr.  Crossman. 
In  the  any  other  white  class  Mr.  G.  b  utton,  gardener  to  A.  Todd,  Esq., 
was  first  for  fine  clusters  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  ;  second,  Mr.  Wilkin¬ 
son,  who  showed  grand  examples  of  Foster’s  Seedling  ;  third,  Mr.  Webber, 
gardener  to  G.  F.  Luttrell,  Esq.,  who  relied  on  good  Buckland  Sweet¬ 
water.  Melons  were  plentiful  and  good  in  quality,  but  only  a  few  were 
named.  First,  Mr.  C.  Cridgo,  gardener  to  B.  James,  Esq.  ;  second, 
Mr.  W.  Owen,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  P.  T.  Mirsey.  The  first  prize  for 
Peaches  went  to  the  Flower  and  Fruit  Co.,  Frome,  who  showed  fine  fruit 
of  Sea  Eagle  ;  Mr.  Mitchell  was  second.  Mr.  S.  Kidley  had  a  first  for 
good  Nectarine  Pineapple  ;  second,  Mr.  Webber.  Mr.  E.  Huxtable, 
gardener  to  F.  M.  Newton,  Esq.,  was  first  for  a  dish  of  fine  Apricots  ; 
second,  Mr.  W.  Eaves.  Plums,  Pears,  Cherries,  Apples,  and  other  fruits 
were  all  shown  in  separate  classes,  but  the  crowds  of  visitors  prevented 
the  names  of  prizewinners  being  taken. 
Private  gardeners  exhibited  fewer  vegetables  than  usual,  especially  in 
the  classes  for  single  dishes.  The  cottagers,  on  the  other  hand,  filled 
one  large  tent  with  their  produce,  and  better  vegetables  it  would  be  diffi¬ 
cult  to  find  anywhere.  In  the  open  classes  Mr.  T.  Wilkins,  Inwood 
Gardens,  Henstr  dge,  was  most  successful,  taking  the  first  prizes  offered 
by  the  Society  and  also  by  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  for  collections,  showing 
superior  produce  in  his  well-known  style.  Mr.  T.  Harrison,  gardener  to 
Major  Aldworth,  Yeovil,  was  first  for  a  collection,  the  prizes  for  which 
class  were  provided  by  Messrs.  Webb  &  Son,  Stourbridge,  showing  excel¬ 
lent  vegetables  in  a  praiseworthy  manner.  Second  prizes  were  won  by 
Mr.  T.  Harrison,  Mr.  J.  Webber,  and  third  prizes  by  Mr.  S.  Kidley.  The 
first  prize  for  Tomatoes  went  to  the  Frome  Flower  and  Fruit  Company 
for  good  fruit  of  Rolfe’s  Exhibition  ;  second,  Mr.  Cousins. 
Amateurs’  Classes. 
Another  large  tent  wholly  devoted  to  classes  from  which  trade  growers 
were  excluded  was  densely  packed  with  plants  and  cut  flowers.  For 
twelve  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  Mr.  W.  Thomas  was  first,  he  showing 
large  flowering  Anthuriums,  grand  Crotons,  a  good  Bougainvillea  glabra, 
a  huge  Pancratium  fragrans,  and  other  well-grown  plants.  Mr.  W. 
Rowland  was  second,  and  Mr.  W.  Peel,  gardener  to  Miss  Todd,  South¬ 
ampton,  third,  an  extra  prize  going  to  Mr.  S.  Kidley.  For  six  specimen 
plants  Mr.  W.  Rowland  received  a  first  prize,  the  second  going  to  Mr.  W. 
Thomas,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  W.  Peel.  The  best  four  flowering  plants 
were  shown  by  Mr.  Peel,  second  Mr.  Rowland.  Mr.  Peel  was  also  first 
for  fine-foliaged  plants,  second  Mr.  W.  Rowland.  The  first  prize  for  four 
Orchids  went  to  Mr.  W.  Thomas.  The  best  six  oxotic  Ferns  were  shown 
by  Mr.  W.  Peel,  second  Mr.  W.  Rowland,  third  Mr.  J.  Sheppard,  gardener 
to  Mrs.  Hickley.  For  table  plants  the  prizes  went  to  Mr,  W.  Shelton, 
gardener  to  W.  K.  Waite,  Esq.,  Clifton,  Mr.  G.  Sutton,  gardener  to  W.  A. 
Todd,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  II.  W.  Maidment  in  the  order  named  for  an  admirable 
assortment. 
Begonias,  Achimrnes,  Gloxinias,  Coleuses,  Petunias,  Cockscombs,  and 
other  plants  for  which  classes  were  provided  were  well  shown,  and  the 
principal  prizewinners  were  Messrs.  T.  Hubbard,  uardener  to  H.  St.  B. 
Goldsmith,  Esq.  ;  S.  Tottle,  W.  Thomas,  W.  Welbv,  gardener  to  C. 
Harman,  Esq.  ;  C.  Totterdell,  gardener  to  A.  J.  Spiller,  Esq.  ;  W.  H. 
Bruford,  W.  II.  Day,  J.  Moggridge,  C.  Cridge,  and  T.  Essex,  gardener  to 
C.  E.  Esdaile,  Esq.  * 
For  six  bunches  of  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers  Mr.  W.  Thomas 
was  well  first,  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  J.  Parrish,  and  the  third  to 
Mr.  W.  H.  Bruford.  Hardy  herbaceous  flowers  are  always  largely  and 
well  exhibited  at  Taunton.  For  a  collection  Mr.  J.  Cording  was  first, 
Mrs.  McAlister  second,  and  Mr.  S.  Kidley  third.  Mr.  W.  McAdam 
Smith  was  the  most  successful  exhibitor  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  second 
prizes  going  to  Mr.  S.  Tottle  and  Mr.  J.  Shepherd,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Y. 
Hinckley.  The  best  twenty-four  Roses  were  shown  by  Dr.  Budd,  the 
same  exhibitor  taking  the  first  prize  for  twelve  Hybrid  Perpetuals  and 
twelve  Teas,  Mr.  T.  Hobbs  having  to  be  content  with  second  place  in  both 
classes.  Classes  were  provided  for  various  other  flowers,  the  prizes  going 
principally  to  the  successful  competitors  in  the  open  classes. 
Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 
So  much  tent  space  was  occupied  by  the  exhibits  competing  for 
prizes,  that  not  nearly  enough  staging  could  be  spared  to  do  justice  to 
the  trade  displays  brought  from  various  parts  of  the  country.  Messrs. 
R.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Exeter,  arranged  an  attractive  group  of  choice  pot 
plants,  rock  plants,  hardy  herbaceous  flowers,  and  shrubs.  Dahlias, 
Roses,  and  the  like,  together  with  admirable  photographs  of  w  ater  scenery 
and  rock  gardens  formed  by  them.  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge, 
arranged  a  variety  of  annuals  and  other  flowers  in  an  effective  manner  ; 
while  from  Mr.  B.  R.  Davis,  Yeovil,  came  a  fine  assortment  of  Sweet 
Peas  arranged  with  grasses.  Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard,  occupied 
central  end  tables  with  a  bank  of  choice  pot  plants,  and  stands  of  garden 
and  other  Roses,  Begonias,  and  Dahlias. 
Very  imposing  were  Messrs.  Kelway  &  Sons’  stands  of  Gladioli,  and 
a  good  display  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Carnations,  and  hardy  herbaceous 
flowers  was  made  by  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Exmouth.  Messrs.  W.  Clibran 
and  Son,  Altrincham,  Cheshire,  arranged  a  grand  show  of  herbaceous 
flowers,  together  with  a  good  assortment  of  hardy,  ornamental-leaved, 
deciduous  plants,  Carnations,  Begonias,  and  Dahlias.  Mr.  H.  W. 
Weguolin  exhibited  cut  border  Carnations  grandly,  as  also  did  Messrs. 
E.  Foote  &  Son,  Sherborne. 
IIARBORNE  GOOSEBERRY  GROWERS’  SOCIETY. 
This  octogenarian  society  has  just  held  its  eighty-fourth  annual 
show  of  berries  The  show  was  preceded  by  other  two— the  Harborne 
Horticultural  Society’s  Show  held  on  Bank  Holiday,  and  that  of  a 
younger  society,  the  Harborne  and  District,  held  on  the  6th  inst.  The 
fact  of  exhibitions  held  by  three  separate  societies  in  the  same  locality 
for  several  years  past  is  an  earnest  of  the  interest  invested  in  the  culti¬ 
vation  and  exhibition  of  the  fruit  in  this  particular  spot  of  the  Midlands. 
The  recent  show  of  the  paternal  society  was  pronounced  to  be  the  best 
and  largest  that  has  been  held  for  several  years,  and  the  attendance  of 
visitors  hailing  from  Birmingham  and  the  surrounding  district  during 
the  two  days  was  unusually  large. 
The  heaviest  recorded  berry  ever  exhibited  at  either  of  the  Societies 
shows  was  one  of  Barton’s  Bobby,  weighing  upwards  of  37  dwts.,  some 
twenty  years  ago,  by  the  raiser  ;  whilst  the  premier  berry  at  the  recent 
show-,  Transparent,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Tom  Richards — an  ardent  old 
grower,  and  who  for  the  last  thirty  years  had  been  trying  to  secure  the 
coveted  honour,  but  without  success — only  weighed  28  dwts.  8  grs.  It  was, 
however,  the  heaviest  berry  recorded  for  several  years  past  at  either  of 
the  shows  in  question,  a  well-earned  reward  for  a  remarkable  example  of 
long-endured  patience.  The  rc  maining  prizes  were  as  follows 
Twin  Berries. — First,  Mr.  Boraston,  Leveller,  34  dwts.  12  grs.  Second, 
Mr.  Withers,  Ringer,  32  dwts.  Third,  Mr.  Richards,  Blucher,  28  dwts. 
Class  Prizes. —  First,  Mr.  Boraston,  Blucher,  24  dwts.  17  grs.  Second, 
Mr.  Withers,  Bobby,  24  dwts.  Third,  Mr.  Wyse,  Falstaff,  21  dwts. 
Yellow  Berries. — First,  Mr.  Boraston,  Ringer,  25  dwts.  Second, 
Mr.  Rose,  Leveller,  23  dwts.  18  grs.  Third,  Mr.  Withers,  Thatcher, 
19  dwts.  4  grs. 
Green  Berries. — First,  Mr.  James,  Surprise,  21  dwts.  12  grs.  Second, 
Mr.  Wyse,  Shiner,  20  dwts.  1  gr.  Third,  Mr.  Boraston,  Cheerful,  20  dwts. 
White  Berries. — First,  Mr.  Withers,  Transparent,  21  dwts.  18  grs. 
Second,  Mr.  Boraston,  Fdthful,  20  dwts.  6  grs.  Third,  Mr.  Richards, 
Fascination,  19  dwts.  12  grs. 
Plates  of  Twelve  Red  Berries  for  Weight. — First,  Mr.  Withers,  Bobby, 
260  dwts.  9  grs.  Mr.  Boraston,  Lord  Derby,  218  dwts.  12  grs.  Mr. 
Richards,  Blucher,  209  dwts.  12  grs. 
Twelve  Yellow  Berries  for  Weight.  —  First,  Mr.  Withers,  Ringer, 
238  dwts.  16  grs.  Second,  Mr.  Boraston,  Leveller,  238  dwts.  8  grs. 
Third.  Mr.  Richards,  Lady  Popham,  164  dwts.  12  grs. 
Twelve  Green  Berries  for  Weight.  —  First,  Mr.  J ames,  Surprise, 
210  dwts.  12  grs.  Second,  Mr.  Boraston,  British  Oak,  195  dwts.  12  grs. 
Third,  Mr.  Withers,  Diadem,  195  dwt.  10  grs. 
Twelve  White  Berries  for  Weight.— First,  Mr.  Withers,  Transparent, 
217  dwts,  18  grs.  Second,  Mr.  Boraston,  Fascination,  212  dwts.  Third, 
Mr.  James,  Careless,  174  dwts.  12  grs. 
Plates  of  Twelve  Berries  for  Flavour  (irrespective  of  colour). — First, 
Mr.  Withers,  Leveller.  Second,  Mr.  Rose,  Dan’s  Mistake.  Third,  Mr. 
Boraston,  Blucher.  Fourth,  Air.  Richards,  Transparent. 
Air.  Boraston  has  been  Secretary  of  this  Society  for  twenty-three 
years. _ 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Preservation. — Recognising  the  import¬ 
ance  of  the  best  methods  of  preserving  fruit  and  vegetables,  the  Royal 
Agricultural  Society'  is  offering  several  prizes  to  be  competed  for  at 
Alaidstone  next  year.  Two  prizes  of  £5  and  £3  are  offered  in  each 
of  five  classes  for  preserved  fruits  and  vegetables —(l)  collection  of  dried 
or  evaporated  fruits  ;  (2)  collection  of  dried  or  evaporated  vegetables  ; 
(3)  collection  of  bottled  fruits  (whole  fruit)  to  be  shown  in  clear  glass 
bottles  ;  (4)  collection  of  preserved  fruits  for  dessert  purposes,  in  boxes 
or  other  suitable  receptacles  ;  (5)  collection  of  jams,  to  be  shown  in 
1  lb.  clear  glass  jars.  Three  prizes  of  £5,  £3,  and  £2  respectively  are 
offered  in  each  of  four  classes  of  cider  and  perry— (1)  cask  of  cider,  not 
less  than  18  and  not  more  than  30  gallons,  made  in  the  autumn  of  1898  ; 
(2)  one  dozen  cider  made  in  the  autumn  of  1898  ;  (3)  one  dozen  cider 
made  in  any  year  before  1898  ;  (4)  one  dozen  perry.  1  he  Society  also 
offers  a  prize  of  £20  for  a  machine  for  the  evaporation  of  fiuit  anu 
vegetables,  and  two  prizes  of  £5  for  the  best  system  of  packing  jams  and 
fruit  for  travelling— (a)  for  soft  fruit,  (5)  for  hard  fruit.  Entries  for 
jams  and  preserved  fruits  and  vegetables  close  on  May  15th,  1899  ;  those 
for  evaporators  and  packing  close  on  April  1st,  1899. 
