August  31,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
195 
of  Gosforth  ;  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  were  second,  and  Mr.  Seale,  Sevenoaks, 
third.  Mr.  Treseder  again  scored  for  a  bouquet  of  Hoses,  employing  in 
this  instance  the  well  known  W.  Allen  Richardson,  intermixed  with  a  dark 
crimson  one ;  Messrs.  Pope  being  second,  and  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll, 
Dundee,  third. 
For  a  featherweight  bouquet,  Messrs  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  won 
with  an  extremely  light  arrangement  of  Asparagus,  Francoa,  and 
Calliopsis  ;  Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons  were  second,  and  Mr.  Seale  third. 
A  handsome  and  well  arranged  basket  won  for  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons 
the  premier  position,  Montbretias,  Paneratiums,  and  Lilies  being  the 
flowers  most  freely  used;  second,  Mr.  Treseder ;  third,  Mr.  Lash  more, 
Market  Drayton. 
For  a  dressed  flower  stand,  not  to  exceed  18  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
base,  Mr.  Seale  was  first  with  a  very  light  and  pretty  arrangement, 
Montbretias,  yellow  Statice,  Selaginella,  and  Asparagus  being  the  prin¬ 
cipal  materials  used  ;  second,  Messrs.  Jones,  with  a  very  light  arrange¬ 
ment  of  Oncidiums  and  Cattleyas,  but  scarcely  enough  greenery  had  been 
used  to  give  finish  ;  third,  Mr.  Vause,  Leamington.  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons 
were  first  for  six  buttonholes  and  six  sprays,  which  were  tastefully  made  ; 
second,  Messrs.  Jenkinson  &  Sons  ;  third,  Mr.  F.  Morris,  Handsworth. 
Other  Cut  Flowers.^ 
In  the  majority  of  the  classes  these  were  largely’  shown  and  added 
materially  to  the  attraction  of  the  exhibition  Dahlias,  Carnations, 
Gladioli,  and  hardy  herbaceous  plants  were  particularly  good,  and  the 
practice  which  prevails  at  Shrewsbury  of  providing  classes  for  groups  of 
such  useful  cut  flowers  as  Roses,  Carnations,  and  Dahlias  is  a  good  one, 
which  enables  the  exhibitors  to  make  imposing  displays.  For  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  Gladioli,  to  occupy  a  space  12  feet  by  5  feet,  Messrs.  Harkness 
and  Sons,  Bedale,  were  an  easy  first,  staging  spikes  of  brilliant  colour 
and  great  substance.  Striking  varieties  were  Madame  P.  Palmer,  Mr. 
Adnitt  (.new),  and  “  Shrewsbury.”  Mr.  Morren,  Leominster,  was  second 
with  much  smaller  spikes.  Messrs.  Croll,  Dundee,  won  easily  for  a 
collection  of  Roses,  staged  in  a  space  8  feet  by  5  feet,  the  Teas  and 
Noisettes  being  the  best  among  them.  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  were  second. 
Dahlias. — For  a  collection  of  any  varieties  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams, 
and  Co.,  Salisbury  were  first.  The  Cactus  and  Pompons  were  arranged 
in  pyramids,  and  the  Show  and  Fancy  varieties  on  boards.  The 
flowers  were  bright  and  fresh,  and  the  exhibit  as  a  whole  effective. 
Casilda,  yeilow,  and  Mary  Service  were  noticeable  vars.  Mr.  W. 
Treseder  was  second,  and  Mr.  Seale,  Sevenoaks,  Kent,  third.  The  same 
firm  won  for  Cactus  varieties  with  an  extremely  good  stand  of  brightly 
coloured  flowers  of  the  leading  varieties.  Notable  flowers  were  Laver- 
stock  Beauty,  Debonair,  Standard  Bearer,  Exquisite,  and  Mr.  J.  J. 
Crowe,  a  fine  pale  yellow  (new).  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  were  second, 
and  Mr.  M.  Campbell  third. 
The  class  for  twenty-four  Show  and  Fancy  was  a  good  one,  the  com¬ 
petition  being  close.  First,  Mr.  Seale,  who  had  Goldfinder,  Harry 
Hickling,  and  Alice  Emily  in  fine  condition.  Second,  Mr.  Mortimer, 
Duke  of  Fife  and  R.  F.  Rawlins  being  two  of  his  best  flowers.  Mr. 
Seale  also  won  for  twelve  bunches  of  Pompons.  Mr.  Mortimer  was  first 
for  twelve  Cactus  Dahlias  with  a  thoroughly  well  staged  collection  of 
flowers ;  Britannia,  Capstan,  and  Keynes’s  White  were  conspicuous 
among  them. 
Hardy  Powers  (annuals  and  shrubs  excluded). — Messrs.  Harkness  and 
Son  made  a  magnificent  display  of  these,  and  easily  won  the  premier 
award.  Lilium  Batemanni,  Lilium  auratum.  Gladiolus  Aurore  de  Feu, 
and  G.  Childsi  wore  especially  striking.  Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton, 
Birmingham,  were  second  with  a  good  exhibit,  but  the  flowers  generally 
lacked  the  substance  of  those  in  the  winning  stand. 
Carnations. — Mr.  M.  Campbell,  Blantyre.  had  no  difficulty  in  winning 
for  a  collection  staged  with  their  own  foliage  and  buds.  Striking  flowers 
were  Miss  Abbey  (grand  new  yellow),  Mrs.  McNish,  Germania,  and 
Stevenson’s  Scarlet.  Second,  Messrs.  Laing  &  Mather  ;  third,  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Croll. 
Roses. — For  twentv-four  single  blooms  in  not  less  than  eighteen 
varieties,  Messrs.  Croll  won  with  a  stand  containing  many  fine  flowers, 
Maman  Cochet,  Caroline  Testout,  and  Her  Majesty  being  some  of  the 
best.  Second,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons. 
Sweet  Peas. — These  were  a  great  source  of  attraction  to  visitors,  and 
almost  filled  one  tent.  Mr.  H.  Eckford,  Wem,  offered  a  silver  challenge 
cup  for  the  best  thirty- six  varieties  of  Peas,  the  cup  to  be  won  three 
times  before  becoming  the  property  of  the  holder.  Mr.  Bolton  was 
successful,  and  staged  good  flowers  of  the  leading  varieties,  Countess  of 
Powis,  Prince  of  Wales,  and  Duke  of  Westminster  being  a  few  varieties 
which  took  the  eye.  The  same  firm  offered  prizes  of  £3.  £2,  £1,  in  the 
class  for  eighteen  varieties.  The  premier  award  was  easilv  secured  by 
Thos.  Adersley,  Esq.,  whose  flowers  were  wonderfully  large,  fresh, 
brightly  coloured,  and  well  staged.  The  varieties  were  Lady  Grisel 
Hamilton,  Silurian,  Duke  of  Westminster,  Prince  of  Wales,  Venus, 
Emily  Eckford.  Queen  Victoria,  Lady  Mary  Currie,  Mrs.  Eckford, 
Countess  of  Radnor,  Countess  of  Powis,  Blanche  Burpee,  Chancellor, 
and  Lovely.  Second,  Mr.  Bolton. 
Mr.  Robert  Sydenham  offered  prizes  for  nine  varieties.  The  first  was 
won  by  Mr.  Blair  with  good  examples  of  the  leading  kinds.  Mars,  Her 
Majesty,  and  Salopian  being  particularly  striking.  Second,  Mr.  Durnett ; 
third,  Mr.  J.  Cooke. 
Stove  and  Greenhouse  Cut  Flowers. 
These  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  McDonald,  garaener  to  G.  H.  Kenrick, 
Esq.,  Edgbaston,  Birmingham,  who  was  first  for  twelve  varieties.  Hybrid 
Rhododendrons  were  well  represented  in  the  following  varieties,  Duchess 
of  Connaught,  Princess  Alice,  Princess  Frederica  (of  a  lovely  terra-cotta 
colour),  and  Lord  Wolseley.  Paneratiums,  Allamandas.  and  other  choice 
flowers  made  up  a  striking  collection.  Mr.  Hall,  gardener  to  J.  C. 
Waterhouse,  Esq.,  Macclesfield,  was  second  ;  and  Mr.  Cromwell  third. 
FRUIT. 
Choice  fruit  of  all  descriptions  invariably  provides  a  display  of  great 
magnitude  and  of  the  highest  quality  at  Shrewsbury.  This  year  was  no 
exception  to  the  rule,  though,  as  may  be  supposed,  the  best  Grapes  were 
staged  in  the  great  class.  In  all  other  sections  the  exhibits  were  surpris* 
ingly  good,  though  the  entries  in  single  dish  classes  were  not  so  numerous 
as  they  sometimes  are,  and  taking  the  Grapes  collectively  they  were 
scarcely  so  notable  for  high  finish  as  in  some  former  years,  though  in 
some  instances  they  were  the  finest  ever  seen  at  Shrewsbury. 
The  Great  Grape  Class. 
It  was  a  happy  thought  which  led  the  Committee  to  celebrate  the 
twenty-fifth  annual  Show  by  offering  the  princely  sum  of  £100  in  a 
single  class  for  Grapes,  as  there  can  be  no  doubt  it  created  the  keenest 
possible  interest  among  gardeners,  who  waited  eagerly  on  the  morning 
of  the  Show  to  hear  the  verdict,  though  the  general  opinion  after  the 
staging  was  completed  was  that  Mr.  Lunt  would  win,  and  the  decision 
of  the  Judges  gave  general  satisfaction.  The  money  was  divided  into 
six  prizes  as  follows — First,  Society’s  gold  medal  and  £26  ;  second,  £21 ; 
third,  £20  ;  fourth,  £15  ;  fi  th,  £10  ;  sixth,  £5.  Mr.  Lunt,  gardener  to 
Capt.  Stirling,  Iveir  House,  Dunblane,  N.B.,  staged  a  magnificent  collec¬ 
tion.  The  Muscats,  Alnwick  Seedling,  and  Muscat  Hamburgh  were  of 
enormous  size,  and  excepting  one  bunch  of  the  latter  variety,  grandly 
finished.  The  points  were  apportioned  as  follows  : — 
Number  of 
bunch. 
Cooper’s  Black 
>»  >) 
Muscat 
Muscat  Hamburgh 
»  )> 
Mrs.  Pince  ... 
M  #  D  ••• 
Alnwick  Seedling 
Black  Hamburgh 
V)  i? 
For  decorative  staging  ... 
Possible  number  of  points 
Maximum  number  of 
Points 
points. 
awarded 
•  •  • 
9 
... 
... 
6 1 
•  •  • 
9 
... 
6 
•  •  • 
10 
... 
9f 
... 
10 
9* 
... 
9 
... 
... 
8 
... 
9 
... 
... 
8 
... 
9 
... 
6 
... 
9 
... 
7 
... 
9 
8 
... 
9 
... 
8 
9 
•  o  . 
... 
lb 
9 
... 
1 
... 
6 
... 
... 
5  ’ 
... 
110 
96 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
We  now  give  a  detailed  description  of  each  bunch.  No.  1,  long  in 
bunch,  good  in  berry,  perfect  in  shape,  well  coloured  ;  No.  2,  just  a  shade 
more  colour  wanted,  similar  to  its  companion  in  other  respects  :  No.  3, 
a  grand  shapely  bunch,  upwards  of  a  foot  in  length,  broad  in  the 
shoulder,  berries  even,  of  good  size,  very  bright  in  colour  ;  No.  4,  not 
quite  so  long,  in  other  respects  equal  to  No.  3  ;  No.  5,  a  huge  cluster, 
good  in  berry,  but  wanting  a  shade  more  colour  ;  No.  6,  smaller,  but 
perfect  in  shape,  finely  coloured  ;  No.  7,  long,  solid,  and  shapely,  berries 
good,  slightly  rubbed  during  transit,  a  slight  tinge  of  red  near  the  foot¬ 
stalks  ;  No.  8,  finely  proportioned,  good  in  colour,  clean  ;  Nos.  9  and  10, 
immense  bunches,  well  shouldered,  large  in  berry,  grandly  coloured  ; 
No.  11,  large  and  shapely  in  bunch,  berries  fine,  slightly  deficient  in 
colour  ;  No.  12,  a  beautiful  shapely  bunch,  slightly  smaller  than  its 
companion,  colour  good. 
Arrangement, — A  few  graceful  plants  of  Cocos  Weddelliana  were 
employed  as  a  background,  and  Nepenthes  raised  on  neat  pedestals 
placed  between  the  Grape  stands  ;  small  Ferns  springing  from  tufts  of 
moss  were  placed  in  suitable  positions  in  the  foreground.  .  A  truly 
wonderful  exhibit,  which  thousands  of  visitors  lingered  to  admire,  and  of 
which  the  grower  might  well  feel  proud. 
The  second  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  A.  Kirk,  gardener  to  J.  T.  Baton, 
Esq.,  Norwood,  Alloa,  N.B.,  with  89 J  points.  His  black  <■  rapes 
were  in  many  cases  grand,  but  he  lost  ground  considerably  with  the 
white  ones.  The  Madresfield  Court  examples  were  the  finest  of  that 
variety  in  the  show.  The  points  were  awarded  as  follows  : — 
Madresfield  Court 
Duke  of  Buecleuch 
u  >» 
Black  Hamburgh 
Number  of 
bunch. 
1 
2 
3 
4 
>»  >>  ••• 
Gros  Maroc . 
i,  ii 
Buckland  Sweetwater 
Appley  Towers 
v  »  ••• 
For  decorative  staging 
G 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
Maximum  number  of 
points. 
9 
9 
...  10 
...  10 
9 
9 
9 
9 
9 
9 
9 
9 
...  6 
Points 
awarded. 
8J 
7 
6 
6 
lb 
8 
Gjf 
n 
6 
7 
7£ 
5 
Posssible  number  of  points 
116  89£ 
No.  1,  Madresfield  Court,  large,  shapely  bunches,  grand  berries, 
colour  beautiful  ;  2,  rather  smaller  in  bunch,  fine  in  berry,  colour  good  ; 
7,  Gros  Maroc,  bunch  of  great  size,  colour  good,  berries  medium.  8, 
large  and  shapely,  colour  good.  1 1 ,  Apploy  Towers,  perfectly  shaped 
