September  14,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Jefferson  Plums,  and  white  fleshed  Melon.  Mr.  Taylor  won  classes 
tor  Doyenne  rlu  Coinice  Pear  and  Ribston  Pippin  Apples  and  Scarlet 
Melon,  for  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch  prizes  was  well  won  by  Mr.  G.  Edgar, 
gardener  to  Mr.  Cleland,  J.P.  A  good  dish  of  Catillac  Pears  secured 
the  prize  for  Mr.  T.  Mill-.  Red  and  White  Currants  were  large,  fresh, 
and  of  rich  colour,  as  were  Barrington  Peaches,  and  Mr.  Cole  was 
the  winner.  A  handsome  eighteen  dish  of  Apples  secured  the  important 
prize  for  Mr.  J.  Cleland,  J.P. ,  who  also  won  with  Victoria  Plums. 
Amateurs’  classes  were  just  as  excelhnt,  and  the  competition  even 
keener  than  in  the  former  section,  and  reflected  every  credit  on  the 
growers. 
Vegetables  were  arranged  on  benches  outdoors,  and  well  they  looked, 
the  specimens  being  in  most  classes  of  the  finest  quality.  This  was  more 
than  noticeable  in  those  for  Potatoes,  Carrots.  Beef,  and  Cauliflowers, 
but  space  will  only  permit  of  the  leading  winners  being  given — viz., 
Messrs.  W.  Dickson,  Duffiu,  Cole,  and  Taylor. 
A  feature  to  visitors  is  the  grand  horse  jumping  competition  on  the 
permanent  course,  the  best  of  Irish  stock  competing.  The  third  battalion 
Irish  Rifles  (Royal)  discoursed  a  fine  selection  of  music,  and  the  day 
btJng  most  perfect,  the  handsome  »um  of  £213  was  taken  at  the  gate, 
apart  from  the  great  number  of  those  who  had  previously  secured  tickets, 
— R.  P.  R. 
WELLINGBOROUGH  AND  MIDLAND  COUNTIES  DAHLIA 
SOCIETY. — September  8th  and  9th. 
AY  ELLINGBOROUGH  can  make  the  proud  boast  of  holding  an  exhibi¬ 
tion  ot  Dahlias  worthy  ot  the  Midlands.  Though  the  Society  was 
established  only  four  years  ago,  it  cun  fill  the  Corn  Exchange  of 
Wellingborough  with  exhibits  of  the  popular  autumn  flower  that  in 
regard  to  the  Show  and  Fancy  varieties  was  equal,  if  not  superior,  to 
the  quality  observed  at  the  recent  exhibition  of  the  National  Dahlia 
Society  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  while  the  Cactus  and  Pompon  varieties 
were  remarkably  good.  Could  the  flowers  exhibited  at  the  first  exhibi¬ 
tion  in  1896  be  contrasted  with  those  seen  on  the  8th  inst.,  some  adequate 
idea  would  be  gained  of  the  immense  stride  made  in  Dahlia  culture 
in  the  district. 
One  of  the  best  testimonies  to  the  popularity  of  a  flower  show  is  the 
ineiease  in  the  number  of  entries  ;  the  increase  at  Wellingborough  this 
year  was  very  large.  Then  the  level  of  qualify  has  risen  to  it;  proper 
maik,  thanks  to  the  object  lessons  furnished  lor  the  past  three  years  by 
the  southern  growers,  who,  more  from  good  feeling  anal  genial  sympathy 
than  from  actual  gain,  have  given  the  Midland  Society  such  a  large 
measure  of  support.  There  skeins  to  he  a  peculiarly  attractive  force  about 
the  Wellingborough  Society,  and  the  men  at  the  head  of  it,  to  draw  to 
the  town  as  competitors  Messrs.  Walker  of  Thame,  Keynes  of  Salisbury, 
Mortimer  of  Farnham,  HumpUries  of  Chippenham,  Seale  of  Sevenoaks, 
Tranter  of  Henley-on-Thames,  YV.  Baxter  of  Woking,  and  that  enthusi¬ 
astic  amateur  H.  A  Needs.  Esq.,  of  Homell.  YVokng  ;  and  Mr.  R.  Kecble, 
gardener  to  T.  YV.  Sharp,  E.-q.,  Twyford,  Berks  :  for  all  were  there  with 
their  blooms,  while  local  growers  were  in  strong  fotC“. 
The  Society  is  very  fortunate  in  havu  g  Mr.  Thomas  Pendered,  a 
leading  townsman,  as  its  President,  who,  in  addition  to  being  a  first-rate 
man  of  business,  is  also  an  enthusiastic  gardener,  and  who  extends  a 
generous  hospitality  to  the  visitors  from  the  south.  The  Society  also  has 
an  excellent  Secretary  in  Mr.  W.  Spriggs,  and  a  Committee  who  loyally 
back  up  their  ofli  eis.  Unfortunately,  though  a  remarkably  fine  exhibi¬ 
tion  is  provided  in  ihe  very  heart  of  the  town,  only  a  grudging  support  is 
given  t  >  the  Society  by  the  townspeople,  which  is  to  be  regretted. 
Open  Classes. 
In  the  open  to  all  division  there  were  six  entries  of  thirty-six  cut 
blooms  of  Show  and  Fancy  Dahlias,  and  Mr.  John  Walker,  who  has 
exhibited  remarkably  well  all  the  season,  was  placed  first  with  capital 
examples  of  Duke  of  Fife,  Miss  Cannell,  Dr.  Keynes,  Daniel  Cornish, 
Mabel  Stanton  (a  very  attractive  yellow  self),  Duchess  of  York,  Perfec¬ 
tion,  Mrs.  Every,  John  Walker,  Matthew  Campbell,  James  Vick, 
Shottosham  Hero  (a  charming  tipped  variety),  and  Victor.  Mr.  M.  V. 
Seale,  nurseryman,  Sevenoaks,  was  second,  having  good  blooms  of  Dr. 
Keynes,  Goldsmith,  YV.  Powell,  Maud  Fellowes,  Henry  Glasscock, 
Florence  Tranter,  Pleasnunce,  Prince  of  Denmark,  John  Hickling, 
Harrison  Weir,  Hercules,  and  Mrs.  Gladstone.  Third,  Mr.  G.  Humphries, 
Kington  Langley,  Chippenham. 
There  were  seven  entries  of  twenty-four  varieties,  and  Mr.  J.  Walker 
was  again  to  the  tore.  His  leading  blooms  were  James  Cocker,  J.  T. 
West,  W.  Rawlings,  Hercules,  John  Standish,  Duchess  of  York,  Prince 
ot  Denmark,  John  Iliekling,  and  James  Stephens.  Mr.  S.  Mortimer, 
Swiss  Nursery,  Ftirnham,  was  second,  having  much  such  varieties  as  those 
named  ;  and  Mr.  George  Humphries  third.  There  were  also  seven 
entries  of  twelve  blooms,  and  aga  n  Mr.  Walker  came  in  first,  having  in 
excellent  character  Daniel  Cornish,  Chieftain,  Mabel  Stanton,  Diadem, 
Jas.  Cocker,  YVm.  Rawlings,  and  David  Johnston.  Mr.  S.  Mortimer  was 
again  second.  His  leading  blooms  were  Nilor,  Sunbeam,  R.  T.  Rawlings, 
YV.  Rawlings,  and  Mrs.  Gladstone.  Mr.  M.  V.  Seale  was  a  good  third. 
The  extent  to  which  the  Caetus  varieties  are  grown  was  shown  from 
the  fact  that  there  were  eight  entries  in  the  class  for  eighteen  blooms. 
None  but  true  Cactus  can  hope  to  win  in  competitions  where  the  flowers 
are  rightly  judged.  One  of  the  old  decorative  varieties  is  altogether  out 
of  place  in  a  stand  of  Cactus  Dahlias.  Mr.  S.  Mortimer  was  first  with  an 
excellent  collection  staged  on  boards  similar  to  the  blooms  in  the  preced¬ 
ing  classes.  Chief  among  them  were  Britannia,  Charles  YYroodbridge, 
Radiance,  Starfish.  Capstan,  Magnificent,  Lucius,  Allred  Vasey,  Countess 
of  Lonsdale,  and  Exquisite  with  one  or  two  prominent  seedlings.  Mr. 
239 
M.  V.  Seale  was  again  second,  having  in  excellent  form  Charles  YVood- 
bridge,  Britannia,  Countess  of  Lonsdale,  Lucius,  Mr.  Peart,  Starfish, 
Harmonj',  Island  Queen,  and  Mary  Service.  Third,  Messrs.  Keynes  and 
Co.  There  were  eight  entries  in  the  class  for  twelve  blooms,  and  Messrs. 
Keynes,  YVilliams  &  Co.  were  placed  first,  Mr.  S.  Mortimer  second,  and 
Mr.  M.  V.  Seale  third.  The  varieties  shown  were  pretty  much  as  those 
already  named. 
The  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  Cactus  Dahlias,  three  blooms  in  a 
bunch,  on  wire  frames,  brought  six  entries,  and  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams 
and  Co.  were  placed  first  with  excellent  examples  of  Mary  Service, 
Loyalty  (new^,  Magnificent,  Charles  YYroodbridge,  Jyeynes’  YY'hitP, 
Progenitor  (quite  a  new  t\pe,  having  the  points  of  the  petals  latiniated), 
Mrs.  Carter  Page  (new).  Innovation  (new),  Lodestono  (new),  Starfish* 
Ebony,  and  Mrs.  J.  J.  Crowe  (soft  yellow,  new).  Second,  Mr. 
R.  Keeblc,  gardet  er  to  T.  YV.  Sharp,  E-q.,  Twyford,  who  had  in  fine 
character  Stella,  Fantasy,  J.  F.  Hudson  (Cneal),  a  very  distinct  variety, 
shown  in  finer  character  than  we  have  seen  it  before  ;  Alfred  Y7asey,  and 
Mrs,  T.  YV.  Sharp  (new).  Third,  and  a  very  good  third  too,  Mr.  W.  Baxter, 
florist,  YVoking. 
There  were  five  entries  of  twelve  bunches  of  Pompons.  Mr.  George 
Humphries  was  first  with  a  charming  lot,  small,  even  in  size,  symmetrical, 
and  well  set  up.  The  varieties  were  Ganymede,  Adrienne,  Donovan,  Red 
Indian,  PhcebQ,  Demon,  Tommy  Keith,  Douglas,  Nerissa,  Snowflake, 
Ernest  Harper,  and  Emily  Hopper.  Second,  Messrs.  Keynes,  YVilliams 
and  Co.,  very  close  up  ;  the  leading  varieties  Cheerfulness  (new),  Princess 
(new),  Dr.  Jim,  Emily  Hopper,  Arthur  YYrest,  and  The  Duke  (new). 
Third,  Mr.  John  Walker. 
The  best  vase  or  epergne  of  Dahlias  with  any  foliage  came  from 
Mr.  H.  A.  Ne- ds  ;  simple,  end  yet  effective.  Cactus  Dahlias  being 
employed  ;  and  Mr.  J.  YValker  was  second. 
Special  Prizes. 
The  late  President  of  the  National  Dahlia  Society  in  his  lifetime 
offered  special  prizes  for  six  bunches  of  single  Dahlias,  Mr.  M.  V. 
Seale  taking  the  fir-t  prize  with  an  excellent  stand  of  pretty  varieties. 
Jeannette.  Alice  Seale,  Leslie  Seale,  Gulielma,  The  Geisha,  and 
Trilby.  Mr.  J.  YValker  was  second  ;  Aurora,  Beauty’s  Eye,  and  Folly 
were  the  leading  sorts.  Messrs.  T.  Perkins  &  Sons,  nurserymen, 
Northampton  were  third,  but  they  have  much  to  learn  in  the  way  of 
selecting  blooms  and  setting  them  up.  Messrs.  Seale  and  YValker 
furnished  capital  object  lessons. 
Mr.  U.  Turner,  Royal  Nursery,  Slough,  offered  special  prizes  for  the 
best  six  blooms  bf  a  Fancy  Dah  ia,  one  variety.  The  first  of  these  fell 
to  Mr.  M.  V.  Seale,  who  had  Professor  Fawcett  in  its  best  form,  the 
marking  perfect.  Mr.  G.  Humphries  came  second  with  six  very  good 
blooms  ot  Mrs.  J.  Doronce,  and  Mr.  Mortimer  was  third  with  Mrs. 
Saunders.  The  best  three  blooms  of  a  yellow  Show  Dahlia  in  competition 
for  the  sprcial  prizes  offered  by  Mr.  A.  Dunmore,  Mr.  M.  V.  Seale  was 
first  with  Mabel  Stanton  in  excellent  character.  Mr.  S.  Mortimer  was 
second  with  R.  T.  Rawlings,  and  Mr.  G.  Humphries  third  with  Thomas 
Pendered,  a  new  soft  yellow  self  of  great  promise. 
Amateurs’  Section. 
Several  classes  for  Dahlias  were  assigned  to  amateurs,  and  there  was 
a  brisk  competition.  The  best  twelve  came  from  Mr.  YYT.  Sprigg,  the 
energetic  Secretary  of  the  Society,  a  very  creditable  stand,  the  leading 
blooms  Crimson  King.  Mrs.  Gladstone,  Mrs.  J.  Downes,  John  Hickling, 
J.  T.  YVest,  Mabel,  J.  Walker,  and  Victor  Mr.  T.  Pendered,  the  Presi¬ 
dent  ot  the  Society,  was  second.  Witn  six  blooms  Mr,  YYr.  Prentice, 
YY’ellingb  rough,  was  first,  and  Mr.  Spriggs  second. 
Mr.  H.  A.  Needs  had  the  best  twelve  blooms  of  Cactus,  having  in  very 
fine  character  Mrs.  J.  Goddard,  Fusilier,  very  bright ;  Keynes’  YVhite, 
Starfish,  Mary  Service,  Mr.  YVilson,  Noble,  and  Countess  of  Gosford. 
Second  Mr.  Thomas  YVillmott,  Rushden.  The  latter  had  the  best  six 
blooms.  Mr.  H.  A.  Needs  was  second.  There  was  only  one  exhibitor  of 
six  bunches  of  Cactus,  three  blooms  in  a  bunch,  Mr.  YV.  Prentice  taking 
the  first  prize  ;  and  he  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  six  bunches  of  Pompons, 
also  taking  the  first  prize. 
The  best  bouquet  of  Dahlias  shown  by  amateurs  was  from  Mr.  Paul 
Jeffery,  Chadstone,  Castle  Ashby,  a  pretty  shower  bouquet  formed  of 
Cactus  Dahlia,  Tuberoses,  Hyacinthus  candicans,  and  foliage.  Mr.  J.  York, 
Desborough,  was  second. 
Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.  offered  special  for  twelve  Cactus 
Dahlias,  varieties  raised  by  themselves.  The  first  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  T. 
Pendered,  who  had  Countess  of  Lonsdale,  Fusilier,  Al'red  Y'asey, 
Britannia,  Arachne,  Keynes’  White,  and  Mary  Service;  Mr.  T.  Willmott 
was  second.  Mr.  John  YValker  offered  special  prizes  for  amateurs  for 
nine  blooms  of  Show  and  Fancy  Dahlias,  and  there  were  six  entries. 
Mr.  YV.  Prentice  was  first  and  Mr.  T.  Pendered  second.  The  first  of 
Mr.  Geo.  Humphries’  special  prizes  for  six  blooms  ot  a  Show  or  Fancy 
Dahlia,  one  variety,  was  won  by  Mr.  YV.  Prent  ce,  who  had  Mrs.  Gladstone 
in  very  fine  character  :  Mr.  YV.  Mason,  YVellmgborongh,  was  second  with 
Tom  YValker.  A  small  gold  medal  offered  by  Mr.  R.  Dean,  for  eighteen 
blooms  of  Cactus  Dahlias  in  not  less  than  twelve  varieties,  was  won  by 
Mr.  J.  Yorke.  Desbuiy,  with  a  very  good  collection  indeed,  but  he  was 
run  closely  by  Mr.  Pendered. 
There  were  several  classes  for  Dahlias  grown  by  cottagers,  and  it  was 
interesting  to  see  their  correct  ideas  as  to  quality  in  the  blooms,  and 
proper  staging.  The  principal  prizewinners  were  Messrs.  F.  Coles,  YV.  E. 
Prentice,  YV.  VValdeny,  YV.  Spriggs,  C.  Coles,  and  C.  Lily  man.  Some 
very  good  Asters  were  also  shown  by  cottagers,  and  nine  classes  were 
devoted  to  vegetables,  very  good  produce  indeed  being  staged. 
