182 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  8,  1898. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  Fbuit  and  Vegetable  Committee  at  Chiswick. 
August  30th. 
The  holidays  evidently  were  responsible  for  the  very  moderate 
response  to  the  invitations  to  members  to  meet  at  Chiswick  on  the 
above  date,  as  out  of  forty  persons  only  the  following  attended  : — The 
Rev.  W.  Wilks  ;  and  Messrs.  J.  Cheal,  A.  F.  Barron,  W.  Poupart, 
R.  Fife,  W.  Pope,  C.  Herrin,  and  A.  Dean.  As  a  result  only  “highly 
commended”  awards  could  be  made.  There  was  plenty  to  examine, 
commencing  with  some  sixty  to  seventy  diversely  named  stocks  of 
Onions.  Few  vegetables  present  less  distinctness  than  do  these  bulbs, 
the  chief  diversity  being  found  in  shape  and  colour  of  the  products. 
In  too  many  cases  there  was  difference  only  in  name. 
Onions. 
Great  interest  attached  to  the  trial  of  these,  because  of  each 
stock  received  last  autumn  there  had  been  then  sown  a  row  outdoors, 
and  a  second  row  of  the  same  length  was  sown  in  the  spring,  a  third  row 
of  plants  taken  from  the  autumn-sown  one  being  also  planted.  The 
winter  fogs  played  havoc  with  some  of  the  varieties,  and  notably  the 
white-skinned  forms  and  the  commonly  grown  Tripolis.  The 
Roecas  seem  to  have  stood  better.  However,  there  was  a  capital  trial 
all  the  same,  and  in  not  a  few  cases  the  autumn-sown  plants,  both 
undisturbed  and  transplanted,  gave  excellent  bulbs.  In  a  few  cases 
the  autumn  results  were  better  than  from  the  spring  sowings.  In 
others  the  spring  bulbs  were  best.  Some  autumn-sown  ones  gave 
rather  broad  flat  bulbs  that  had  split  or  divided  ;  others,  especially  the 
deep  rounds  or  ovals,  were  first-rate.  No  doubt  all  these  diversities 
will  be  detailed  when  the  results  of  the  trial  are  published  in  the 
Society's  Journal.  It  was,  however,  clearly  demonstrated  that  some  of 
our  finest  stocks  of  Round  and  Globe  varieties  gave  far  better  results 
from  autumn  sowings  than  did  the  Tripolis.  Cottagers  and  allotment 
holders  should  specially  note  that  fact. 
The  Committee,  after  a  very  careful  scrutiny  of  the  whole  trial, 
awarded  three  marks  to  Banbury  Cross,  Nuneham  Park,  Wroxton,  and 
Rousham  Park  Hero  ;  and  would  have  given  the  same  to  Buttons’  At 
and  Cocoa-nut,  but  these  had  been  previously  honoured.  All  these  were 
stocks  of  great  excellence.  Very  good  also  were  Trebons,  Giant  Zittau, 
Cranston’s  Excelsior,  Suttons’  Globe,  and  Eclipse. 
Potatoes. 
A  move  was  then  made  to  the  Potato  trial,  this  year  an  extensive  one, 
and  for  Chiswick  a  rather  remarkable  one,  seeing  that  hardly  the  slightest 
evidence  of  disease  was  seen.  The  first  earlies  were  very  good  but  rather 
small,  having  ripened  off  early.  Some  of  the  late  ones  had  tops  of 
inordinate  growth,  and  had  produced  no  tubers,  but  only  a  mat  of  root 
stolons.  In  a  few  cases  tubers  had  begun  to  grow  out.  So  good  were 
the  crops  that  no  less  than  thirteen  varieties  were  selected  to  be  cooked, 
six  tubers  of  each  being  taken  for  that  purpose. 
Ultimately  these  were  very  admirably  cooked  and  presented  to  the 
Committee  “  all  hot  ”  for  tasting.  The  following  had  three  marks 
awarded  : — Challenge,  a  splendid  flat  white  round  ;  The  Major,  a  fine 
flattish  white  variety  ;  The  Queen,  a  large  round ;  Devonian,  white 
kidney  of  delicious  quality  ;  Ellen  Terry,  white,  a  huge  cropper  ;  Ivo, 
rather  shortish  top  with  curled  leaves,  from  the  Canary  Islands,  capital 
flavour  ;  and  Fishtoft  Seedling,  a  great  cropper,  well  suited  for  field 
culture.  None  of  the  coloured  varieties  grown  came  out  well. 
Tomatoes. 
There  was  next  seen  a  large  collection  of  Tomatoes  in  pots.  Whilst 
most  of  the  varieties  seemed  to  be  good,  very  few  indeed  showed 
evidence  of  any  special  excellence.  Any  variety  that  can  excel  the  best 
now  in  commerce  must  indeed  be  wonderfully  good.  The  Committee 
liked  the  appearance  of  St.  Simon,  a  variety  that  has  medium  sized, 
very  round,  and  handsome  fruits ;  and  Stirling  Castle,  also  having 
moderately  sized  fruits  very  abundantly  produced.  Both  these 
are  red-fruited.  Also  Peach  Yellow,  the  fruit  also  smallish,  and  very 
round  and  handsome  ;  colour  straw  yellow,  covered  with  white  bloom. 
These  had  three  marks  awarded,  the  latter  for  its  fine  tiavour  for 
dessert  purposes.  Two  marks  were  awarded  to  Semper  fructifera  as  a 
decorative  variety  ;  the  fruits  are  small,  Pear  shape,  and  borne  in  wonderful 
profusion  in  great  clusters. 
•  Beet. 
Finally  a  trial  of  Beet  was  seen,  though  not  in  first-class  condition, 
owing  to  the  drought.  The  roots  of  Cheltenham  Green  Top  were  with¬ 
out  doubt  the  best,  and  it  was  agreed  to  recommend  it  for  a  F.-C.C. 
This  variety,  Mr.  Poupart  stated,  has  now  become  by  far  the  most  popular 
in  the  London  markets.  Three  marks  were  given  to  a  first-rate  deep- 
rooted  and  rich-coloured  stock  of  Red  Globe,  one  of  the  very  best  we 
have  seen.  It  was  sent  by  Messrs.  Watkins  &  Simpson. 
DRILL  HALL. — Sept.  6th. 
The  meeting  on  Tuesday  was  a  comparatively  small  one,  but  quite  as 
good  as  could  be  expected  at  this  period  of  the  year.  Fruit  was  numerous 
and  of  excellent  quality,  but  Orchids  were  few  in  number.  Exhibits 
before  the  Floral  Committee  were  bright  and  attractive. 
Feuit  Committee. — Present  :  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with 
Rev.  Y\  .  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  J.  Cheal,  W.  Poupart,  A.  H. 
Pearson,  M.  Gleeson,  G.  Norman,  J.  Smith,  H.  Balderson,  W.  Pope, 
C.  Herrin,  J.  J.  Miles,  and  A.  Dean, 
The  duties  of  the  Committee  commenced  with  an  examination  of  the 
Onions,  Potatoes,  and  Beet,  which  had  been  recommended  by  the  Com¬ 
mittee  that  last  week  examined  the  crops  at  Chiswick.  All  the  varieties 
(which  will  be  found  in  our  report  of  the  Chiswick  meeting  above)  were 
granted  awards  of  merit. 
Messrs.  R.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Exeter,  sent  a  fine  yellow  fruit  of  Hero  of 
Taunton  Melon  ;  it  was  thin  in  the  flesh  and  not  ripe,  and  therefore  no 
award  was  made. 
Mr.  Miller  sent  from  Ruxley  Lodge,  Esher,  three  dishes  of  splendid 
Princess  of  Wales  Peach,  and  a  cultural  commendation  was  unanimously 
awarded. 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas  sent  from  the  Royal  Gardens  a  handsome  Melon, 
straw  colour,  and  finely  netted  ;  rind  thin,  flesh  thick,  white,  juicy,  tender, 
and  deliciously  flavoured.  It  is  worthy  of  its  name,  British  Queen,  and 
secured  a  first-class  certificate. 
Mr.  J.  Cole,  gardener  to  H.  Faure  Walker,  Esq.,  Highly  Manor, 
Balcombe,  Sussex,  sent  handsome  Morello  Cherries,  for  which  a  cultural 
commendation  was  awarded. 
Mr.  J.  Day,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Galloway,  Garlieston,  Wigton- 
shire,  sent  dishes  of  Early  Grosse  Mignonne  Peach  and  Rivers’  Orange 
Nectarine  grown  against  an  open  wall  (cultural  commendation).  Mr.  J. 
Robinson,  Elsfield  Gardens,  Hollingbourne,  Kent,  sent  Sea  Eagle, 
Princess  of  Wales,  and  Lord  Palmerston  Peaches,  and  obtained  a 
similar  award.  Mr.  H.  C.  East,  gardener  to  H.  O.  O’Hagan,  Esq,, 
River  Home,  Hampton  Court,  sent  handsome  fruits  of  Exquisite  Peach, 
also  good  dishes  of  Nectarines  (cultural  commendation).  Mr.  Mclndoe 
sent  handsome  fruits  of  the  hybrid  Japanese  Plum — the  Burbank — 
grown  in  an  orchard  house,  but  no  award  was  made.  Messrs.  T.  Rivers 
and  Son  sent  a  Grape  of  enormous  size  named  the  Centennial,  berries 
greenish  white  and  a  little  rusted,  also  more  or  less  hollow.  No  award  ; 
also  bunches  of  the  white  Grape  Gradiska,  similar  to  Buckland 
Sweetwater. 
The  so-called  Strawberry-Raspberry,  Rubus  palmatus,  was  sent  by 
Messrs.  Laxton — ornameptal,  but  not  eatable,  and  regarded  as  a  garden 
curiosity. 
Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son  exhibited  a  collection  of  Plum  trees  grown  in 
8  to  10-inch  pots  laden  with  fruit.  A  silver  Knightian  medal  was  awarded. 
Mr.  Spooner  staged  a  collection  of  Apples,  and  was  adjudged  a  bronze 
Banksian  medal.  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons  staged  a  fine  collection 
of  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  and  Crabs,  also  well  fruited  dwarf  Fig  trees, 
and  were  worthily  awarded  the  silver  Knightian  medal. 
Flokal  Committee.— Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
and  the  Rev.  H.  Honywood  D’Ombrain  ;  with  Messrs.  E.  Molyneux, 
G.  Stevens,  J.  Hudson,  J.  F.  McLeod,  H.  B.  May,  J.  Fraser,  W.  Bain, 
H.  S.  Leonard,  J„  Walker,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  J.  W.  Pawle,  G.  Paul, 
H.  Turner,  E.  T.  Cook,  and  J.  Fraser  (Kew). 
Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  sent  plants  of  Acalypha  Sanderi, 
with  Dracaena  Sanderiana,  Hasmanthus  multiflorus  superbus,  Dendrobium 
Schrodera?,  and  Cattleya  gigas.  Mr.  W.  Rumsey,  Waltham  Cross, 
exhibited  a  number  of  fine  blooms  of  Rose  Mrs.  W.  Rumsey,  which  is 
taking  a  high  place  in  public  estimation  (bronze  Banksian  medal).  Mr. 
H.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton,  occupied  a  large  portion  of  the  centre  of 
the  hall  with  a  group  of  Salvia  splendens  grandiflora,  Swainsonia  alba, 
Fuchsia  Ballet  Girl,  Carnations,  Bouvardias,  and  Ferns  (silver  Banksian 
medal).  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Son,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  exhibited  Hibiscus  totus 
albus,  H.  coelestis,  and  H.  monstrosa,  with  an  excellent  collection  of 
hardy  Nymphasas.  The  varieties  were  well  diversified.  The  same  firm 
sent  also  a  collection  of  Childsi  hybrid  Gladioli  (silver  Banksian 
medal). 
Mr.  A.  Pentney,  gardener  to  A.  J.  Howard,  Esq.,  Worton  Hall, 
Isleworth,  staged  a  bright  collection  of  Cannas  and  Streptocarpus  inter¬ 
spersed  with  small  Ferns  (silver  Banksian  medal),  Mr.  W.  Bain, 
gardener  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bt.,  Dorking,  showed  a  number  of 
hybrid  Pentstemons,  as  well  as  a  few  other  plants.  Mr.  W.  Parrott, 
Sevenoaks,  and  Mr.  T.  W.  Girdlestone,  Sunningdale,  contributed  an 
assortment  of  decorative  Dahlias,  in  which  some  effective  colours  were 
observed.  An  interesting  and  varied  collection  of  Ferns  was  sent  by 
Messrs.  J.  Hill  &  Son,  Lower  Edmonton  (silver  Flora  medal). 
Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  were  represented  by  an  extensive 
collection  of  hardy  flowers  with  trees  and  shrubs.  Cactus,  Pompon,  and 
single  Dahlias  made  a  very  bright  display,  and  comprised  many  varieties 
of  excellent  quality.  The  substance  in  the  Cactus  varieties  was  great, 
and  the  colours  were  particularly  rioh.  Some  of  the  best  of  these  were 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  Lady  Penzance,  Mrs.  Turner,  Miss  Webster,  Mrs. 
Kingley  Foster,  Mrs.  Wilson,  Noble,  Starfish,  Mrs.  Dickson,  Loreley, 
Mrs.  Scrase  Dickens,  Beatrice,  and  Mrs.  Finlay  Campbell  (silver-gilt 
Banksian  medal). 
Sherwood  Cup. — This  was  the  last  occasion  upon  which  it  was 
necessary  to  send  annuals  and  biennials  in  competition  for  this  cup.  As 
has  become  customary,  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  were  the  only  exhi¬ 
bitors,  and  considering  the  date  and  the  protracted  dry  weather  the  group 
was  in  all  respects  creditable. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  A.  H.  Smee,  De  B.  Crawshay,  S.  Courtauld 
J.  G.  Fowler,  H.  M.  Pollett,  W.  H.  Young,  W.  H.  White,  H.  J.  Chap¬ 
man,  T.  W.  Bond,  J.  Douglas,  and  T.  B.  Haywood. 
The  only  collection  of  Orchids  that  was  sent  came  from  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  and  was  most  interesting.  The 
