September  7,  1899.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
215 
Thornhill,  Esq.,  DiddingtOD,  was  first  with  twelve  fine  plants.  Mr.  G. 
Redman  was  second  with  smaller  specimens.  In  the  class  for  six  foliage 
plants,  Ain  A\  .  J.  Empson  was  awarded  first  place  with  good  plants  of 
Dra<  aena  Sanderiana,  Heliconia  illustris  rubricaulis,  Dracaena  Honletti 
and  Acalypha  Alacafeeana.  Mr.  G.  Redman  followed  with  smaller  plants, 
his  specimens  of  Kentia  Fosttriana,  [Dracaena  terminalis,  and  Pandanus 
veitchi  were  best.  For  six  plants  in  flower,  Mr.  G.  Claydon.  gardener 
^11  rS‘  Woodbury,  was  first  with  a  well  flowered  Eucharis,  also 
Allarranda  Hendersoni,  and  Dipladenia  boliviensis.  Mr.  G.  Redman  was 
f  rst  for  six  Coleuses,  with  bright  well  grown  plants. 
Mr.  W .  J.  Eirpson  was  to  the  fore  with  ten  stove  and  greenhouse  Ferns. 
His  best  examples  were  Adiantum  Farleyense,  A.  scutum,  A.  tenerum.  and 
A.  fragrantissimuni.  Mr.  G.  Claydon  was  sec:nd,  showing  good  plants 
of  Dicksonia  antarcttca,  Adiantum  formosum,  and  A.  gracillimum.  For 
six  Fuchsias  Mr.  G.  Redman  was  placed  first  with  tall  plants  that  were 
past  their  best,  and  Mr.  E.  T.  Leeds  Smith  was  second  wiih  smaller 
plants,  staged  in  good  condition.  For  six  Zonal  Pelargoniums  Mr.  G. 
Claydon  was  easily  first,  and  Mr.  G.  Lawson,  Clifton,  followed.  The 
Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  made  a  good  display,  and  the  first  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Claydon  with  well  trained  plants,  and  Mr.  G.  Redman 
followed  with  larger  plants  not  in  such  good  condition.  For  six  hardy 
Ferns  Mr.  E.  T.  Leeds  Smith  was  first  with  well  developed  plants,  closely 
followed  by  Mr.  G.  Redman. 
Cockscombs  wer®  a  great  feature,  all  the  exhibitors  staging  fine  plants. 
Mr.  T.  Lockie  was  first  with  four  large  plants  ;  Mr.  G.  Redman  followed 
with  blooms  of  better  quality,  though  smaller,  ami  Mr.  W.  Caiins, 
gardener  to  Sir  A.  Osboin,  Chicksands,  was  third.  Tuberous  Begonias 
were  not  largely  exhibited  ;  Viscount  Peel  was  first  with  well-flowered 
plants,  «nd  Mr.  E.  T.  Leeds  Smith  was  second.  F.  r  a  specimen  plant  in 
flower  Mr.  G.  J.  Gribble,  Biggleswade,  was  first  with  a  fair  specimen  of 
Bougainvillea  glabra.  Mr.  G.  Redmar  took  second  place  with  a 
Stephanotis,  snd  Mr.  G.  Cluydon  was  thiid  with  Allamanda  Hendersoni. 
The  tent  for  cut  flowers  was  quite  full,  and  the  display  of  Roses  was 
exceedingly  fine  for  the  season.  In  the  class  for  forty-eight  blooms,  not 
less  than  thirty  varieties,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry,  led  off  with 
a  stand  particularly  r>ch  in  dark  colours.  The  best  blooms  were  Horace 
Aernet,  Duke  of  Wellington,  Harrison  Weir,  Duke  of  Connaught, 
Madame  J.  Cotntet,  Gustave  Piganeau,  Duke  of  Teck,  A.  K.  Williams, 
and  Jean  Soupert.  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Beda'e,  were  second,  and 
Messrs.  G.  &  W.  H.  Burch,  Peterborough,  third.  The  Tea  Roses  were 
very  refreshing.  For  eighteen  trusses,  not  less  than  twelve  varieties, 
Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  w ere  first  with  a  good  box.  Messrs  Perkins 
and  Sons,  Coventry,  -were  second  with  smaller  flowers,  and  Mr.  J_,hn 
Mattock,  Oxford,  third. 
For  tw'pntv-four  spikes  of  Gladioli  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were 
first  Mr.  C.  T.  Bright,  Cambridge,  second  ;  and  Messrs.  A.  W.  Young 
and  C<\,  Stevenage,  third.  There  were  only  two  competitors  in  the  class 
for  twenty-four  bunches  of  herbaceous  flowers,  but  Messrs.  Harkness  and 
Sons  were  well  ahead.  The  best  were  Phlox  Josephine  Gerbaut,  Liliums 
lancifolium,  and  1.  rubrum,  L.  tigrinum,  Scabiosa  caucasica,  Carnation 
Miss  Audrey  Campbell,  and  MontLretia  crocosmteflora.  Messrs.  A  W. 
Young  &  Co.  were  second. 
The  Dahlias  were  decidedly  below  the  average.  In  the  class  for 
twenty-four  Show  and  Fancy  varieties  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were 
the  only’  exhibitors,  with  a  moderate  stand,  which  was  awarded  second 
prize.  For  twelve  blooms,  distinct,  Mr.  R  Burgin  was  first  with  a  strong 
exhibit.  The  best  blooms  were  Mrs.  Gladstone,  Goldfinder,  Prince  of 
Denmark,  [Maud  Tellowes,  and  R.  T.  Rawlings.  Messrs.  Harkness  and 
Sons  were  second,  and  Mr.  T.  Lockie  third.  For  twelve  bunches  of 
Cactus  Dahlias  Mr.  C.  J.  Bright,  Cambridge,  was  first  with  a  clean 
exhibir.  The  chief  varieties  were  Britannia,  Starfish,  Fusilier,  Casilda, 
Mary  Service,  and  Regulus.  Mr.  John  Mattock,  Oxford,  was  second 
with  good  bunches  not  so  well  displayed.  The  Pompon  classes  were  not 
so  well  patronised  ;  Mr.  C.  T.  Bright  was  placed  first  with  a  fresh  even 
exhibit,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  fol.owing. 
Ibe  fruit  classes  were  well  filled,  and  the  quality  was  good.  There 
were  three  con  petitors  for  the  collection  of  eight  varieties  of  fruit,  Mr. 
M  .  J.  Empson  winning  the  blue  ribbon  handsomely  with  good  Madresfield 
Court  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grspre,  Biunswiek  Fig-*,  Williams’  Bon 
Chietien  Pears.  Best  of  All  Melon,  Kirke’s  Plum,  Royal  George  Peaches, 
and  Pineapple  Nectarines.  Mr.  R.  Carter,  gardener  to  Capt.  Dunct  mbe, 
Waresley  Park,  was  second  with  good  Jargonelle  Pears,  Jefferson  Plums, 
Noblesse  Peaches,  and  Muscat  Grapes.  Mr.  G.  J.  Gribble  was  third. 
There  were  again  three  competitors  in  the  clas*  tor  six  varieties. 
Mr.  R.  A.  Cochrane.  St.  Neots,  was  first  with  grand  Grapes,  good  Melon, 
and  Peacties.  Mr.  T.  Lockio  was  second,  staging  good  dishes  of  Rivers’ 
Orange  Nectarine  and  Jefferson  Plum  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Claydon  third.  The 
Committee  should  insist  on  exhibitors  labelling  their  fruit ;  half  the 
dishes  in  the  tent  lacked  this  necessary  finish  to  the  exhibits. 
Mr.  G.  J.  Gribble  wa9  again  in  front  for  two  bunches  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes,  with  rather  small  but  well  finished  bunches.  Mr.  J.  M.  Fowler, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Osborne,  Biggies* ade,  must  have  been  a  clo-e  second, 
and  Mr.  Chas.  Mooie  third.  The  competition  for  any  other  variety  black 
Grapes  was  keen.  Mr.  T.  Stone,  gardener  to  R.  A.  Cochran-,  Esq.,  St. 
Neots,  was  first  with  Black  Alicante,  Mr.  J.  Empson  tollowing  with  the 
same  variety,  and  Mr.  C.  Forbes  th  rd.  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson  w  as  first  for  a  pair 
of  Muscat  t  f  Alexandria,  with  well  cAoured  bunches,  and  Mr.  C.  Forbes 
was  second.  For  any  other  variety  white  Grapes,  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson  was 
first  with  superb  Foster’s  Seedling.  Mr.  IS.  Cranfield,  gardener  to 
C.  E.  Foster,  Esq.,  Cambridge,  was  second  with  the  same  variety,  and 
Air.  W.  Cairns  third  with  Bucklar.d  Sweet w'ater. 
For  six  dishes  of  Apples  Air.  G.  J.  Giioble  was  placed  first  with  Lady 
Sudeley,  Devonshire  Quarrenden,  Irish  Peach,  and  Lord  Grosyenor. 
Air.  R.  Carter  was  second  with  gt  od  examples  of  Stirling  Castle,  Irish 
Peach,  and  Kerry  Pippin  ;  and  Air.  S.  Cranfield  third. 
The  class  for  a  collection  of  ten  varieties  of  vegetables  brought  out  » 
strong  array  of  exhibits.  Air.  T.  Lockie  proved  the  victor  with  good 
examples  of  Ailsa  Craig  Onion9,  Lyon  Leeks,  Ideal  Potatoes,  and  New 
Intermediate  Carrots.  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson  was  second  with  good  Ne  Plus 
Ultra  Onions,  Up-to-Date  Potatoes,  Autumn  Giant  Cauliflowers,  and 
Royal  Windsor  Cucumbers;  and  Air.  W.  Emerton,  Buckingham,  was 
third.  Potatoes  are  always  a  great  feature  here.  For  a  collection  of  Bix 
varieties  Mr.  T.  Clarke,  Huntingdon,  was  first  with  splendid  samples  of 
Duke  of  York,  Lord  Tennyson,  Peerless  Rose,  Conquest,  Alatchless,  and 
Lily  Langtry.  Mr.  R,  Carter  followed  with  a  clean  collection,  and  Air. 
W.  Whybrow,  Poxton,  third.  The  Tomato  class  was  well  filled.  Air. 
W.  J.  Empson  led  off  with  a  grand  dozen  of  Polegafe  ;  Air.  R.  Brown  * 
Somersham,  was  second,  and  Air.  R.  Carter  third. 
NATIONAL  DAHLIA. — September  1st  and  2nd. 
On  Friday  and  Saturday  the  National  Dahlia  Society  held  its  annual 
Exhibition  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  the  whole  of  the  northern  transept 
biing  devoted  to  the  flowers.  Generally  speaking  the  quality  was  well 
up  to  the  average,  and  when  the  season  is  taken  into  consideration  the 
display  w  as  characterised  by  great  excellence.  Almost  all  the  classes  in 
each  section  were  keenly  contested,  and  in  some  cases  the  competition  was 
particularly  keen.  For  example,  in  the  class  for  tw  enty-four  Cactus  Dahlias 
in  distinct  varieties  there  w  ere  nine  stands,  all  of  which  showed  considerable 
merit ;  while  in  many  classes  there  were  four  and  five  competitors. 
Opinions  were  divided  as  to  which  section  was  the  best,  but  the  majority 
was  in  favour  of  the  Cactus  varieties,  which  were  characterised  by  being 
of  the  very  best  type  ;  tew  old  varieties  were  staged.  The  coRurs  wer& 
well  developed,  and  the  number  of  flowers  was  large.  The  Show  and. 
Fancy  flowers  in  the  nurserymen’s  section  were  excellent,  as  were  mo9t 
of  the  Pompons. 
In  the  amateurs’  section  the  chief  features  were  the  Show,  Fancy,  and 
Cactus  classes,  in  each  of  which  there  were  many  blooms  of  splendid 
quality.  It  may  be  noted  (bat  in  the  classes  for  Pompons  and  singles 
many  of  the  varieties  were  not  named  at  all,  and  others  were  wrongly 
designated.  It  is  rsgrettable  that  the  Secretary,  Air.  J.  F.  HudsoD, 
was  particularly  remiss  in  this  respect,  as  he  should  be  the  first  to  uphold 
the  educational  standard  ol  the  Exhibition.  There  did  not  appear  to  b& 
a  very  great  number  of  people  enterirg  the  Palace  on  Friday.  The 
arrangements  were  well  carried  out,  but  the  judging  was  not  started 
until  quite  half  an  hour  after  the  advertised  time.  The  presence  of  the 
late  Air.  T.  W.  Girdlestone  was  sadly  missed  at  this  gathering  and  we 
heard  many  expressions  of  profound  regret  that  he  should  have  bren. 
called  to  rest. 
Nurserymen’s  Classes. 
There  were  four  competitors  in  the  class  for  sixty  distinct  Show  and' 
Fancy  Dahlias,  and  some  flowers  of  great  excellence  were  represented. 
Air.  John  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon,  secured  the  premier  position  with  an 
even,  well  arranged  stand.  The  varieties  included  Goldsmith,  ChiettaiD, 
Dr.  Keynes,  Mr.  Glasscock.  John  Walker,  Purple  Prince,  Colonist, 
T.  W.  Giidledone,  Alajestic,  Harry  Keith,  John  Hickling,  Joseph  Ashby* 
Airs.  Every,  Imperial,  Airs.  Langtry,  Wm.  Rawlings,  Comte  de  Saux, 
Emin  Rasha,  Harrison  Weir,  S.  Alortimer  (self),  Sydney  Humphries, 
Florence  Tranter,  Geo.  Rawlings,  Aliss  Canned,  Duke  of  Pile,  Hercules, 
Rev.  J.  Gooday,  Mrs.  Saunders,  Jas.  Cooker,  Yirgiuale,  Rosamond* 
S.  Alortimer,  Rebecca  (self),  Alaud  Eellowes,  J.  T.  West,  Wm.  Powell, 
T.  S  Ware,  Earl  of  Ravensworth,  Diadem,  Shottesham  Hero,  J.  C. 
Vaughan,  Victor,  R.  T.  Rawlings,  Jas.  \rick,  Airs.  Gladstone,  John 
Bennett,  Alr%  Jefford,  Duchess  of  York,  Golden  Gem,  E.  Boston.  Airs* 
Harris.  Geo.  Dickson,  Flag  of  Truce.  Shirley  Hibberd,  Airs.  Alorgan, 
Hon.  Airs.  P.  Wynflham,  David  Johnstone,  Frank  Pearce,  Comedian, 
and  Vice-President.  The  colour  in  almost  every  case  was  exceptionally 
pure  and  bright.  Air.  Al.  V.  Seale,  Sevenoaks,  was  accorded  the  second 
position  with  blooms  that  lacked  the  size  and  brightness  of  Air.  Walker’s* 
A  few  of  the  most  attractive  were  Prank  Pearce  (self),  Airs.  W.  Slack, 
Airs.  David  Saunders,  Aluud  Fellowes.  William  Rawlings,  Peacock,  Wm. 
Powell,  Mrs.  Gladstone,  John  Walker,  and  Aliss  Canned.  Air.  Al* 
Campbell,  High  Blnntyre,  was  placed  third  with  larger  flow  ers  that  lacked 
solidity.  Mr.  S.  Alortimer  was  fourth  with  a  somewhat  uneven  stand,  in. 
which  were  several  refined  flowers. 
Air.  John  Walker  maintained  the  front  position  in  the  class  for 
forty-eight  Show  and  Fancy  Dahlias,  distinct  :  and  again  showed  a 
splendid  stand,  containing  some  superb  flowers.  The  varieties  were  Aliss 
Canned,  Alajestic,  Buttercup,  Colonist.  Henry  Keith,  Emin  Pasha,  Airs* 
Morgan,  Chieftain,  Airs.  W.  Slack,  W.  Glasscock,  J.  T.  West,  Champion 
Rollo,  T.  W.  Girdlestone,  Airs.  Every,  Imperial.  Sydney  Humphries, 
Jas.  Vick.  Goldsmith,  Wm.  Rawlings,  John  Walker,  Edmund  Boston, 
John  Hickling,  Diadem,  Dr.  Keynes,  Purple  Prince,  Prince  of  Denmark* 
Wm.  Powell,  Jas.  Cocker,  Airs.  Saunders,  Duchess  of  York,  Flo  Tranter, 
Rev.  J.  Gooday,  Airs.  Gladstone,  Victor,  Alabel  Sianton,  Airs.  Harris* 
Airs.  Jefford,  Arthur  Rawlings,  Comedian,  Aluriel  Hobbs,  John  Wyatt, 
Alatthew  Campbell.  Duke  of  Fife,  Julia  Wyatt,  David  Johnson,  Alaua 
Pellows,  Shirley  Hibberd,  and  R.  T.  Rawlings.  Air.  Al.  V.  Seale  occupied 
the  second  position  with  an  attractive  atand.  The  colours  were  well 
blended.  Some  of  the  most  conspicuous  were  Eclipse,  Crimson  King, 
Watchman,  Prince  of  Denmark,  R.  T.  Rawlings,  Goidfinder,  Dr.  Keynes, 
Airs.  Alortimer,  Airs.  Charles  Noyes,  and  Alabel  Stanton.  Air.  S.  Alortimer 
was  placed  third. 
Air.  W.  Treseder,  Cardiff,  showed  magnificently  in  the  class  for  thirty- 
