324 
October  27,  1898. 
JOURNAL 
OF  HORTICULTURE  AND 
COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
attention.  The  meeting  is  to  ho  held  in  the  Royal  Aquarium  on 
November  8th,  Oth,  and  10th.  As  usual,  cut  blooms  are  the  best 
provided  for  iu  the  prize  list,  and  no  less  than  fifty  classes  are  set 
apart  in  this  section.  In  the  plant  department  only  seven  classes  are 
to  be  found,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  group  class  all  the  plants 
are  to  be  trained.  The  ordinary  decorative  section  receive  no 
encouragement  whatever. 
Amongst  the  cut  bloom  classes,  that  known  as  the  “  trophy”  class 
receives,  as  usual,  the  pride  of  place  in  the  schedule,  which  is  really 
a  competition  between  societies  by  the  aid  of  its  members.  The 
conditions  are  for  iorty-eight  blooms  distinct,  half  to  be  Japanese,  and 
the  remainder  incurved.  A  money  grant  of  £10  accompanies  the  trophy, 
to  be  divided  amongst  the  contributors  of  the  blooms.  Second  and 
third  prizes,  of  £6  and  £4,  are  also  offered.  Perhaps  the  greatest 
interest  is  centred  in  the  two  classes  in  which  the  “Holmes”  Memorial 
cups  are  offered,  in  addition  to  the  £10,  in  each  case  to  accompany  the 
cup  as  first  prize.  The  esteemed  President,  Sir  Edwin  Saunders, 
liberally  contributes  this  sum  in  both  classes.  £7,  £4,  £2  are  also 
given  by  the  Society  as  the  remaining  prizes.  In  one  case  thirty-six 
distinct  incuived  blooms  are  required,  and  in  the  other  forty-eight 
Japanese  varieties  is  the  stipulation.  These  two  classes  are  sufficient 
to  test  the  strength  of  any  competitor.  The  “  Turner  ”  Memorial 
challenge  cup  is  again  offered  for  thirty-six  Japanese  blooms,  in  three 
distinct  colours  of  white,  yellow,  and  crimson,  6  inches  of  clear  stem 
to  be  seen  above  the  boards,  and  Chrysanthemum  foliage  to  accompany 
each  flower.  This  should  prove  an  interesting  class,  especially  as  the 
conditions  stipulate  that  competitors  in  the  previous  two  classes  are 
not  allowed  to  stage  for  this  prize.  Mr.  11.  J.  Jones,  Lewisham, 
offers  £9  in  three  prizes  for  two  blooms  each  of  Madame  Carnot,  Mrs. 
W.  Mease,  and  G.  J.  Warren.  Miscellaneous  sections,  like  Anemone, 
reflexed,  Pompous,  and  single-flowered  varieties  all  receive  due 
encouragement. 
Sixteen  classes  are  provided  for  amateurs,  in  two  divisions,  and 
prizes  ranging  from  30s.  downwards  are  offered.  A  “maiden”  class 
is  very  properly  inserted,  and  should  receive  much  favour  from  would- 
be  exhibitors,  who  are  often  deterred  from  competing  in  the  ordinary 
classes.  Ample  provision  is  made  for  what  is  known  as  “  table 
decorations,”  vases  and  epergms  of  Chrysanthemums,  and  which 
always  attract  much  attention.  The  group  of  Chrysanthemums 
and  foliage  plants,  for  which  the  handsome  sum  of  £10  is  offered  as 
first  prize,  is  sure  to  receive  its  share  of  attention.  Taken  altogether, 
the  prospects  of  a  representative  show  seems  especially  well  assured. 
On  the  same  day  the  great  Midland  Show  is  held  in  Bingley  Hall, 
Birmingham.  For  many  years  this  Society  has  held  one  of  the  best 
autumn  exhibitions  to  be  found,  not  only  for  its  cut  bloom  display, 
but  also  for  specimen  plants,  as  well  as  groups  and  miscellaneous 
plants,  Primulas  especially.  Fruit  and  vegetables  are  staged  in  high 
order  of  merit.  For  twenty-four  incurved  blooms  prizes  ot  £10,  £7  10s., 
£5,  £2  10s,,  £1  10s.,  and  £1  are  given,  with  similar  sums  for  the 
same  number  of  Japanese  blooms.  Many  other  classes  are  provided 
for  cut  blooms,  so  arranged  that  every  grower  has  a  reasonable  chance 
of  success.  A  special  class  is  that  for  twelve  Japanese  blooms,  distinct, 
on  long  stems,  arranged  with  any  kind  of  foliage,  and  small  Ferns  or 
Palms  in  pots.  A  table  3J  feet  by  3  feet  will  be  provided  for  each 
exhibitor.  The  vases  or  vessels  in  which  the  blooms  are  stood  are  to 
contain  water,  and  not  to  exceed  15  inches  in  height.  The  object  in 
view  is  to  show  how  large  blooms  may  be  employed  for  decoration. 
For  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums,  Ferns,  and  foliage  plants  £10  is 
offered  as  first  prize,  with  £7  for  second. 
In  the  west  of  England  Bristol  has  long  been  noted  for  its  grand 
autumnal  exhibitions.  The  date  this  year  is  November  16th  and  17th. 
Cut  blooms  are  an  important  feature,  so  keen  generally  is  the  com¬ 
petition.  The  principal  class  is  that  for  thirty-six  Japanese,  in  twenty- 
four  varieties— always  an  easy  class  to  fill.  A  challenge  vase,  value 
twelve  guineas,  is  given  along  with  a  cash  prize  of  £5  lor  the  premier 
award.  Classes  for  baskets  and  vases  filled  with  Chrysanthemums 
and  other  flowers,  as  well  as  those  with  autumn  leaves,  are  scheduled, 
while  amateurs  receive  much  encouragement.  Plymouth  has  become 
quite  a  leading  society  owing  to  the  generous  prizes  offered,  and  the 
keen  competition  obtained  in  consequence.  November  3rd  is  the  date 
chosen  for  the  exhibition  this  year  ;  £10  is  offered  for  forty-eight 
Japanese  blooms,  with  £7  for  the  second  prize.  Substantial  prizes  are 
also  offered  in  the  smaller  classes.  Much  encouragement  is  given  to 
local  exhibitors,  especially  in  the  counties  of  Devon  and  Cornwall. 
A  special  class,  with  £21  as  prizes,  is  for  a  group  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  and  foliage  plants.  In  the  home  counties,  Reading  has 
long  held  a  thoroughly  representative  meeting,  this  time  it  is  to  be 
November  16th.  Cut  blooms  as  well  as  winter  flowering  plants 
receive  the  most  encouragement  here. 
Ascot,  Sunninghill,  and  Sunningdale  Horticultural  Society  holds 
annual  autumn  show  in  the  Grand  Stand  at  Ascot,  November  3rd. 
lor  years  this  Society  could  boast  of  having  the  best  groups  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  alone  ot  any  show.  Latterly,  though,  there  has  been  a 
falling  off  in  this  respect,  growers  apparently  devoting  more  attention 
to  cut  blooms,  for  which  liberai  prizes  are  offered.  Huddersfield,  in 
the  Town  Hall,  on  the  11th  November,  opens  its  show.  There  are 
only  two  open  classes  for  cut  blooms,  twenty-four  Japanese  and 
twenty-four  incurved.  £5  is  given  in  each  case  as  the  premier  award. 
The  Kingston  and  Surbiton  Society  holds  its  twenty-second  exhibition 
as  usual  in  the  Drill  Hall,  November  1st  and  2nd,  when  the  famous 
challenge  vase  will  be  competed  for.  This  class  is  a  thorough  test  of 
skill,  as  the  conditions  require  the  whole  of  the  forty-eight  blooms  to 
be  distinct,  half  Japanese  and  half  incurved.  Good  prizes  are  also 
offered  in  other  classes.  The  Borough  of  Croydon,  too,  holds  its 
eleventh  autumn  exhibition  on  the  same  date.  Here  a  challenge  cup, 
value  25  guineas,  is  offered  for  thirty-six  Japanese  blooms  in  not 
less  than  twenty-four  varieties.  Amateurs  and  single-handed  gardeners 
are  well  provided  for ;  the  classes  for  both  cut  blooms  and  plants  are 
numerous  and  valuable.  The  Chrysanthemum  Society  of  Maidenhead 
has  chosen  the  3rd  and  4th  for  the  first  autumn  show.  A  schedule 
containing  over  forty  classes  is  issued.  The  principal  class  in  the  cut 
bloom  section  is  one  for  two  dozen  Japanese,  in  not  less  than  eighteen 
varieties,  and  twelve  incurved  specimens,  distinct.  A  silver  medal 
accompanies  the  first  prize. — E.  Molyneux. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM  LEAF  RUST. 
Along  with  your  correspondent  “  R.  M.”  I  was  much  interested 
in  reading  the  remarks  which  appeared  in  the  Journal  of  the  13th  inst. 
respecting  the  scientific  and  practical  aspect  of  the  dreaded  disease. 
Your  able  correspondent  Mr.  G.  Abbey  aroused  much  interest  last 
year  amongst  “  Mum  ”  growers  with  his  valuable  information,  accom¬ 
panied  by  the  still  more  valuable  illustrations,  which  incited  every 
intelligent  gardener  to  keep  a  keen  and  constant  eye  on  the  plants 
under  his  care.  Whatever  the  life-history  of  the  disease  may  be,  there 
is  one  thing  certain,  and  that  is,  it  is  considerably  more  prevalent 
this  year  than  last,  particularly  in  the  Isle  of  Wight.  I  have  already 
received  from  nearly  every  part  of  the  Garden  Isle  an  intimation  of  its 
presence,  and  in  many  cases  this  information  has  been  accompanied  by 
diseased  foliage.  In  many  instances  it  is  only  one  or  two  plants  that 
have  the  “  rust,”  whilst  in  others  large  numbers  of  plants  are  suffering 
with  the  disease.  At  a  class  of  students  which  I  am  preparing  for  the 
R. H.S.  examination  we  carefully  submitted  the  disease  to  microscopical 
investigation,  and  there  found  the  production  of  teleutospores.  I  am 
afraid  little  can  be  done  in  destroying  the  disease,  but  much  may  be 
done  in  preventing  its  spreading  by  the  adoption  of  early  spraying 
with  the  various  solutions  already  referred  to  in  your  Journal. — 
S.  Heaton. 
The  Conference  recently  held  by  the  N.C.S.  will  undoubtedly 
lead  to  much  good,  and  I  should  have  liked  to  have  taken  part  in 
the  discussion,  but  was  afraid  I  could  hardly  squeeze  my  say  into 
the  five  minutes  wisely  limited  to  each  speaker. 
I  was  particularly  struck  with  the  large  attendance  of  growers, 
especially  as  only  a  few  admit  that  they  are  troubled  with  “  rust  on 
Mums.”  The  various  writers  inform  us  “  that  they  hear  that  the 
rust  is  rather  prevalent;”  but  oh,  dear,  no  !  they  have  not  noticed 
it  in  their  collection.  Still,  it  was  surprising  to  note  what  a  large 
number  of  growers  at  the  meeting  seemed  to  be  deeply  interested 
in  the  matter. 
During  the  past  few  weeks  I  have  seen  many  collections,  and  in 
no  instance  have  I  failed  in  finding  the  disease.  Its  course  seems 
peculiar  and  erratic.  One  collection  of  about  300  plants  was  last 
year  quite  free  Irom  the  rust,  although  the  stock  they  were  procured 
from  was  infected.  This  season  new  blood  was  introduced  in  the 
way  of  fresh  varieties,  and  these  are  now  clean,  although  obtained 
from  a  stock  which  was  badly  attacked  last  season ;  but,  strange  to 
say,  a  few  of  those  which  were  clean  last  year  have  recently  become 
infested  with  the  fungus.  In  many  instances  the  varieties  which 
were  badly  attacked  last  year  are  almost  clean  this,  whilst  those 
which  suffered  little  then  are  severely  attacked  this  season.  It  was 
rather  to  be  regretted  that  trade  rivalry  sprang  up  at  the  discussion. 
Mr.  Wells  honestly  stated  that  his  collection  was  affected,  but  he 
isolated  the  attacked  plants,  and  further  said  all  trade  collections  were 
more  or  less  contaminated,  which  was  nothing  but  the  truth,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  some  of  the  trade  wished  us  to  believe  their  stocks 
were  clean. 
During  the  season  plants  were  sent  out  by  all  the  most  important 
trade  growers  which  were  affected  by  the  fungus — at  least,  I  received 
them  as  such ;  and,  further,  I  supplied  hundreds  of  plants  and 
cuttings  which  were  more  or  less  diseased  to  the  members  of  the  trade 
who  attended  the  meeting,  and  when  one  trade  grower  alleges  that  the 
only  varieties  which  he  has  diseased  come  from  another  grower  he  is 
treating  the  latter  unfairly,  for  if  the  disease  is  only  in  these  plants  it 
simply  proves  that  it  makes  little  difference  whether  the  plants  are 
procured  from  an  infected  stock  or  otherwise,  for  this  grower 
obtained  plants  from  various  other  growers  where  stocks  were  “  rusty.” 
All  the  principal  trade  growers  obtain  large  quantities  of  stock  from 
each  other  every  season. 
