September  22,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
233 
mossy  banks  and  tho  luxuriant  Lastrasa  sent  forth  his  arches  of  lustrous 
reenery  beneath  the  high-grown  hedges  ;  past  great  bushes  of  purpling 
loes  ar.d  well-tilled  farmyards,  where  the  delicate  Aspleniums  clung 
lovingly  to  the  old  stone  walls.  And  so  we  come  at  last  to  the  tents  and 
the  generous  hospitality  meted  out  to  us  ;  and  could  I  not  tell  of  that 
ride  homeward  in  the  evening  by  another  route,  over  long  wooded  ravines, 
through  the  queer  old  villages,  and  past  the  “  Smiling  Mountain.”  But, 
alas  !  as  I  think  of  my  fellow  judge,  I  know  that  never  again  will  that 
strong  right  hand  grasp  mine,  for  ho  lies  still  and  silent  beneath  the 
flickering  shadows  of  the  trees  he  loved  so  well.  -  Ex-Secretary. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
ROYAL  CALEDONIAN  SHOW. 
Held  as  usual  in  the  Waverley  Market,  Edinburgh,  on  Wednesday 
and  Thursday  last,  this  proved  in  many  respects  one  of  the  most  excellent 
shows  held  by  the  Society  during  the  past  few  years.  The  feature  of  the 
exhibition,  undoubtedly,  was  cut  flowers,  which  were  shown  in  vast 
quantities,  though  perhaps  not,  as  a  rule,  rising  to  the  highest  quality. 
These  and  the  fruit  may  fairly  claim  to  have  received  the  greatest  amount 
of  attention  during  two  days  of  splendid  weather.  Groups  of  plants, 
mainly  exhibited  by  nurserymen,  were  also  of  great  merit. 
The  chief  prize  of  the  exhibition  was  that  for  the  best  and  most  taste¬ 
fully  decorated  table  of  dessert  fruit,  10  feet  long  by  4  feet  6  inches  wide, 
the  prizes  being  £7,  £5,  and  £3  respectively.  The  number  and  kind  of 
fruit  was  distinctly  specified,  as  well  as  the  maximum  number  of  points 
allowed  to  each.  Thus  tho  maximum  for  a  Pine  Apple  was  10,  Grapes, 
black  or  white,  9,  Melons,  Nectarines,  and  Peaches  8,  Apricots  and  Figs  7, 
all  others  6.  For  decoration  :  Beauty  of  flowers  and  foliage,  10  points  ; 
harmony  of  colour,  10  ;  tasteful  arrangement,  10.  Only  Mr.  Cairns,  Bal- 
ruddery  Gardens,  and  Mr.  Kirke,  Norwood,  Alloa,  competed.  It  must  be 
noted  that  the  number  of  dishes  allowed  was  sixteen,  to  make  up  which 
four  dishes  of  Grapes  were  allowed  (two  black,  two  white)  ;  of  all  other 
kinds  of  fruit  not  more  than  two  dishes.  The  points  had  not  been  pub¬ 
lished  when  we  had  to  leave,  but  Mr.  Cairns  was  deficient  in  frmt,  the 
floral  accessories,  on  the  ether  hand,  being  much  the  better.  The  flowers 
used  were  mostly  Orchids  of  the  Dendrobium  Phalaenopsis  Schroeder- 
ianum  type,  but  unfortunately  in  too  lavish  a  manner.  Mr.  Kirke’s 
arrangement  was  not  more  graceful,  with  the  disadvantage  of  the  flowers 
being  commoner  and  less  harmonious. 
Mr.  Cairns  was  again  successful  in  the  class  for  ten  dishes  of  fruit, 
Mr.  Smith,  Oxenford  Castle,  being  second.  Mr.  Day,  Garlieston,  was 
easily  first  for  a  collection  of  twelve  dishes  of  hardy  fruit,  the  several 
dishes  being  composed  of  not  large  but  well  coloured  fruit.  For  twelve 
dishes  of  fruit  grown  in  an  orchard  house,  Mr.  Besant,  Castle  Huntly,  was 
first  with  a  superior  collection,  Apples  in  particular  being  fine.  For  six 
bunches  of  Grapes,  Mr.  Lunt,  Keir  House,  with  unexceptional  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  two  bunches,  two  fine  Black  Hamburghs  and  Alicante,  was 
easily  first  among  a  large  number  of  exhibitors.  For  four  bunches  of 
Grapes,  Messrs.  Murray  &  Son,  Polmont,  took  first  honours,  followed  by 
Mr.  Lunt  in  the  second  place.  Mr.  Lunt  was  also  first  with  two  bunches 
as  well  as  one  bunch  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  each  of  the  greatest  merit. 
The  pair  of  clusters  of  Black  Hamburgh  with  which  Mr.  Menzies, 
Larbert,  secured  first  in  this  class  were  superior  in  quality,  and  the  same 
remark  applies  to  the  second  and  third  stands.  Among  other  Grapes  were 
good  Alicantes,  Lady  Downe's,  and  Buckland  Sweetwater,  but  the  greater 
part  of  the  Grapes  were  slightly  below  the  average. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines,  especially  the  latter,  were  fine,  Mr.  Lunt 
showing  the  best  dish  of  the  former,  and  Mr.  Smith  of  the  latter.  Of 
Plums  a  large  number  of  dishes  was  shown.  The  season,  which  has 
rightly  been  blamed  for  many  deficiencies,  required  not  to  be  appealed  to 
in  this  case,  as  without  exception  they  were  all  well  shown.  The  first 
place  for  dessert  varieties  was  secured  by  Mr.  Williamson,  Tarvit,  and  for 
culinary  by  Mr.  Day. 
Apples,  on  account  of  the  number  of  varieties  of  single  dishes  for 
which  prizes  are  offered,  formed  a  large  show  of  themselves.  As  a  rule 
they  were  deficient  in  size,  though  the  fruit  was  clean  and  good.  This 
does  not  apply  to  the  collection  of  twelve  varieties  shown  by  Mr.  McLeod, 
Dover  House,  Roehampton,  which  were  much  superior  to  those  of  the 
other  exhibitors.  Mr.  R.  J.  Hamil,  Jersey,  was  second.  For  a  collection 
grown  in  Scotland,  Mr.  Day,  Garliestown,  was  first  with  small  but  well- 
coloured  examples.  About  four  dozen  kinds  were  represented  in  single 
dishes.  A  similar  series  of  prizes  were  offered  for  Pears.  For  twelve 
varieties  Mr.  Hamil  was  first,  and  for  twelve  sorts  confined  to  Scotland 
Mr.  Day  was  first. 
In  the  plant  classes  the  principal  prize  was  offered  for  a  circular  table 
12  feet  across,  and  arranged  with  plants  for  effect.  All  the  tables  were  over¬ 
crowded,  Mr.  Wood,  Oswald  Road,  Edinburgh,  being  first ;  Mr.  McIntyre, 
Darlington,  second  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Cocker,  The  C Lesters,  Himshaugh,  third. 
In  the  classes  devoted  to  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  flower  none  were 
of  special  merit,  Mr.  Mackay,  Liberton,  being  first  for  four.  Ferns 
graced  one  end  of  the  hall,  four  exotic  being  particularly  excellent,  Mr. 
J.  Cocker  possessing  the  finest.  The  specimens  with  which  Mr.  Lunt  was 
successful  in  the  class  for  six  foliage  plants  were  fine.  The  same  grower 
secured  first  place  also  for  two  Crotons.  In  addition  to  these  were  many 
examples  of  successful  cultivation,  ranging  over  a  great  variety  of  plants, 
among  which  Liliums,  Vallotas,  Fuchsias,  and  a  large  number  of  pretty 
table  plants  were  conspicuous. 
Among  the  cut  flowers  many  were  below  the  average.  However,  the 
twelve  blooms  of  Hollyhocks  with  which  Mr.  A.  Oliver,  Morpeth,  gained 
first  prize  would  be  difficult  to  surpass.  Many  Dahlias  in  the  various 
sections,  a  largo  number  of  Roses,  Pansies,  Gladioli,  Asters,  and  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  blooms  were  also  more  or  less  well  shown.  Twelve  bunches 
herbaceous  were  specially  good. 
Of  vegetables  the  show  generally  was  below  the  mark.  The  collec¬ 
tion  of  sixteen  varieties,  the  prize  for  which  is  £4,  was  secured  by  Mr. 
Harper,  Perth,  while  for  ten  varieties  Mr.  Waldie,  Dollar,  was  the 
successful  exhibitor.  Tomatoes  themselves  formed  a  large  show,  Mr, 
Galloway,  Liberton,  claiming  the  first  prize  for  twelve. 
In  the  few  classes  set  apart  for  nurserymen  the  chief  prize  was  for  a 
table,  15  feet  by  5  feet,  artistically  furnished  with  cut  flowers  of  hardy 
plants  grown  in  the  open  air.  The  number  of  bunches  allowed  was  fifty, 
and  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen,  who  were  first,  and  Messrs. 
Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  Yorks,  who  were  second,  took  full  advantage 
of  the  conditions  under  which  they  were  allowed  to  stage,  and  the  outcome 
was  two  specially  grand  exhibits  of  hardy  plants.  Messrs.  Cocker’s  were 
more  gracefully  arranged  than  their  runner-up;  they  were  very  little 
ahead.  Messrs.  Harkness  secured  first  for  thirty  Gladioli.  Roses  were 
very  largely  shown  ;  all  were  fresh  and  the  colouring  good,  though  only 
a  few  stands  contained  large  blooms.  Messrs.  Hugh  Dickson,  Belfast, 
D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  J.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen,  and  Smith  &  Son, 
Stranraer,  were  the  chief  prizewinners. 
Of  produce  not  for  competition  the  table  of  fruit  sent  by  Mr. 
O.  Thomas,  Royal  Gardens,  Windsor,  natura  ly  attracted  much  attention. 
It  included  a  large  collection  of  Apples  and  Plums  with  many  Pears,  a 
few  baskets  of  Grapes,  Royal  Sovereign  and  British  Queen  Melons, 
Bananas,  Pine  Apple,  and  a  variety  of  small  fruits.  The  introduction  of 
flowers  in  vases  amongst  the  fruit,  and  a  number  of  Nepenthes  standing 
high  above  the  whole,  with  an  edging  of  dry  Statice  flowers  formed' 
a  pleasing  exhibit.  A  gold  medal  marked  the  value  the  Council  set 
upon  this  exhibit.  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  arranged  a 
large  circular  table  of  the  finest  plants  going  in  the  trade.  A  gold  medal 
was  awarded  in  this  case  also.  Messrs.  Laird  Sc  Son,  T.  Methven 
and  Son  and  John  Downie  &  Co.,  all  of  Edinburgh,  also  had  most  meri¬ 
torious  groups  of  plants.  Messrs.  Dickson  Sc  Co.,  Waterloo  Place,  had  a 
large  table  of  plants,  Grapes  in  fruit  in  pots,  Violas,  Carnations,  and 
Sweet  Peas  in  great  numbers.  Messrs.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester, 
received  a  silver  medal  for  Lilies. 
Mr.  Jones,  Lewisham,  arranged  on  the  floor  an  undulating  group  of 
foliage  and  flowers,  for  which  a  silver  medal  was  awarded.  Messrs. 
Thomson  and  Co.,  Ltd.,  Clovenfords,  had  a  like  award,  and  also  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Buchanan,  Kippen,  the  latter  for  a  pretty  arrangement  of  Vine 
foliage,  Ferns,  and  fruit  in  trumpet  vases,  with  examples  of  splendid  Grapes 
and  Tomatoes  on  the  table.  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.  showed  Dahlias  mainly  ;. 
Mr.  Forbes  a  variety  of  florists’  flowers  ;  Mr.  Campbell  Dahlias  and 
Carnations  ;  Messrs.  Cocker  Sc  Co.  a  fine  group  of  hardy  flowers  ;  Mr. 
Irvine,  Jedburgh,  wonderful  spikes  of  Pentstemons.  Other  exhibitors 
included  Messrs.  Kerr,  Dumfries  ;  Cuthbertson  and  A.  Lister,  Rothesay 
Grieve  &  Sons,  Pilrig.  and  J.  Smellie,  Busby. 
First-class  certificates  were  awarded  to  Mr.  Angus,  Norwood, 
Aberdeen,  for  a  double  Sweet  Pea  ;  to  Mr.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  for 
“  Mrs.  Alley,”  yellow  Carnation ;  and  to  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Buchanan, 
Kippen,  for  a  new  black  Grape. 
Under  the  presidency  of  Mr.  D.  P.  Laird  a  largely  attended  dinner 
was  lteld  in  the  afternoon  of  the  14th.  Besides  the  Royal  and  patriotic 
toasts,  that  of  the  Judges  coupled  with  the  name  of  Mr.  Thomas,  was 
given.  The  new  Secretary,  Mr.  P.  Murray  Thomson,  S.S.C.,  who  gave  a 
delightful  sketch  of  the  Society  in  its  infancy.  At  the  first  Show,  in 
1809,  the  only  cut  flowers  were  six  Carnations.  When  the  writer  left  the 
“  Only  Jones”  was  being  toasted. 
WOKING  DAHLIA  SHOW. 
The  first  exhibition  of  Dahlias  arranged  by  the  Committee  of  the 
Woking  Horticultural  Society  was  held  in  the  Onslow  Hall  on  Wednes¬ 
day,  the  1 4th  inst.  For  the  past  week  or  two  the  extreme  heat  and 
absence  of  rain  has  had  such  a  detrimental  effect  upon  these  flowers  in 
the  district  that  it  became  a  serious  question  whether  sufficient  could  be 
staged  to  fill  the  hall  in  anything  like  a  respectable  manner.  Happily 
these  fears  proved  groundless,  as  every  available  inch  of  table  room  was 
occupied  with  stands  of  blooms  with  which  very  little  fault  could  be 
found,  the  Judges  in  several  instances  finding  great  difficulty  in  coming 
to  a  final  decision. 
Mr.  T.  W.  Girdlestone  staged  a  lovely  stand  of  twenty-four  distinct 
singles,  including  several  which  received  first-class  certificates  at  the 
recent  show  held  at  the  Crystal  Palace.  The  most  notable  were  Eric, 
scarlet  shaded  cerise  ;  Columbine,  the  most  beautiful  of  all,  a  neat 
flower  of  a  soft  cerise;  Louisette,  rose  tipped  with  white;  Nan,  white 
on  a  red  base  ;  Puck,  terra-cotta  ;  Violet  Forbes,  white  with  a  rose  edge 
and  Foil}',  light  rose  with  deeper  edge. 
For  twenty-four  Show  and  Fancy  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Farnham,  was 
first  with  fine  blooms  of  Eldorado,  R.  T.  Rawlings,  Mrs.  Sanders, 
Crimson  King,  Wm.  Powell,  Victor,  Wm.  Keith,  Reliance,  Mrs.  Gladstone, 
and  Duke  of  York.  Mr.  W.  Baxter,  The  Nurseries,  Woking,  was  second 
with  good  blooms  of  Maud  Fellows,  R.  T.  Rawlings,  Wm.  Rawlings, 
Matthew  Campbell,  John  Iiickling,  and  Geo.  Harris.  For  twelve  Show  or 
Fancy  Mr.  S.  Mortimer  was  again  first  with  practically  the  same  varieties 
as  in  his  other  stand  ;  Mr.  A.  H.  Needs  was  second  with  good  specimens 
of  Duchess  of  York,  Wm.  Powell,  Shottesham  Hero,  and  others  ;  and  Mr. 
W.  C.  Pagram,  Weybridge,  third. 
For  twenty-four  Cactus  Mr.  Shoesmith  was  first  with  a  level  stand, 
the  best  being  Annie  Nightingale,  Mrs.  W.  Noble,  Starfish,  and  Fusilier. 
