292 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  5,  1899. 
EXHIBITION  OF  BRITISH-GROWN  FRUIT. 
Crystal  Palace. — September  28th,  29th,  and  30tii. 
Seldom,  if  ever, has  the  Crystal  Palace  been  so  crowded  with  interest 
to  horticulturists  as  it  wa9  during  the  second  half  of  the  week  just  past, 
for  on  those  three  days  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  brought  to  a 
most  successful  issue  the  annual  Show  of  British-grown  Fruit.  The 
Exhibition  was  this  year  accommodated  in  the  northern  transept,  but 
the  fact  of  the  space  being  limited  did  not  tell  materially  against  the 
general  effect.  In  past  years  the  exhibits  have  occupied  the  two 
transepts  and  the  centre  of  the  building,  and  have  been  vciy  handsome. 
The  change,  which  necessitated  upwards  of  100  competitive  classes 
being  relegated  to  back  portions,  together  with  practically  the  whole  of 
the  non-competitive  exhibits,  led  many  visitors  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  Eihibition  was  much  inferior  to  its  predecessors  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  this  was  not  the  case,  Lr  the  number  of  entries  was  very  little 
short  of  last  year’s  total.  True,  there  was  a  perceptible  shortage  in 
the  single  dish  classes,  but  the  collections,  both  large  and  small,  in  tho 
majority  of  cases  showed  a  material  increase,  which  practically 
balanced  the  diminution  referred  to.  The  most  prominent  absentee 
was  Mr.  Geo.  Woodward  of  Barham  C -urt,  who  was  unable  to  show 
owing  to  devastation  caused  by  a  terrible  hailstorm.  We  hope  he  will 
be  able  to  come  forward  in  his  customary  style  r.ext  year. 
In  quality  we  think  it  will  bo  agreed  that  the  average  was  gcod. 
There  were  examples  of  the  highest  excellence  and  the  reverse,  but 
neither  extreme  was  greatly  in  evidence.  As  a  section  the  nurserymen's 
must  be  placed  first  with  Apples  as  the  best  individual  kind  of  fruit. 
These  had  size  and  solidity  with  cleanliness,  and  in  many  instances 
wonderful  richness  of  colour.  Pears,  Feachrs,  and  Nectarines  were  also 
good,  but  Plums  showed  a  marked  falling  of  Ir.un  last  year’s  display. 
•Grapes  varied  considerably  in  merit,  many  bring  of  the  best,  while  others 
were  scarcely  fit  to  put  on  any  exhibition  board.  The  arrangements  of 
the  Show  were  most  excellent,  and  reflected  the  greatest  possible  credit 
on  the  Bev.  W.  Wilks,  aLo  Messrs.  S.  T.  AVright  and  T.  Humphreys, 
with  Mr.  Caselton,  the  garden  sup  rintendont  of  the  Crystal  Palace, 
whose  duties  must  have  been  very  arduous.  Every  individual  exhibit  in 
each  of  the  175  classes  could  be  readily  found,  as  there  was  scarcely  or. e 
out  of  its  nlac^.  Tho  judging  commenced  at  the  appointed  time,  and 
•was  completed  well  in  advance  of  the  opening  of  the  show,  which  was 
visited  by  upwards  of  31,000  peop’e. 
OPEN  TO  GARDENERS  AND  AMATEURS. 
Under  Glass  Fruit— Collections. 
The  gardeners  and  amateurs  opened  the  ball  with  a  collection  of  fruit 
to  consist  of  nine  dishes  in  six  kinds  at  least,  with  no  two  dishes  of  the 
same  variety.  There  were  only  three  competitor?,  and  Mr.  G.  Mullins, 
gardener  to  Lady  Henry  Somerset,  Easlror  Ca  tie,  Lidbury,  proved  the 
victor.  The  exhibit  consisted  of  fair  Muscat  of  Alexandra  anrl  Gros 
Maroc  Grapes,  good  both  in  berry  and  bunch  ;  Countess  Melon,  a  good 
dish  of  Ribston  Pippin  Apples,  Barrington  Peaches,  grand  Pitmaston 
Duchess  Pears,  Lord  Palmerston  Peaches,  Albert  Victor  Nectarine,  and 
Coe’s  Golden  Drop  Plum.  Air.  J.  Mclndoe,  gardener  to  Sir  J.  W.  Pease, 
Bart.,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisborough.  followed  closely.  He  bad  a  good  Queen 
'Pine,  barely  ripe  ;  capital  Gros  Maroc,  Foster’s  Seedling  (small  in  berry) 
'Grapes,  good  dishes  of  Bryan: ton  Gage  Plums,  Prince  of  Wales  and  Sea 
•Eagle  Peaches,  a  fine  specimen  of  Scarlet  Premier  Meloi  ,  Humboldt 
Nectarines,  and  a  good  dish  of  Souvenir  du  Congttis  Pears.  Air.  J.  II. 
‘Goodacre,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Hanington,  Elvaston  Castle,  brought 
■up  the  rear  with  excellent  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  a 
beautifully  finished  Queen  Pine,  well  coloured  Golden  Eagle  Peaches, 
and  Coe's  Golden  Drop  Plum. 
In  the  smaller  collection  of  >ix  dishes,  from  which  tho  exhibitors  in 
the  previous  class  were  excluded,  at  least  four  kinds  had  to  be  shown,  and 
Pines  were  excluded.  There  were  five  entries,  and  the  first  prize  fell  to 
Mr.  A.  Maxim,  gardener  to  Col.  II.  Walpole,  Winchfield,  with  a  capital 
exhibit,  which  con  prised  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  beautifully  coloured,  and 
grand  bunches  of  Cooper’s  Black  Grapes,  a  bright  dish  of  Lady  Surleley 
Apples,  a  good  Melon  which  looked  like  Countess,  Albi  rt  Victor  Necta¬ 
rines,  and  a  splendid  dish  of  tr.e  Nectarine  Peach.  The  second  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  Jas.  Dawes,  gardener  to  M.  Biddulph,  Esq.,  M  P.,  Led¬ 
bury,  who  had  good  bunches  of  Gros  Maroc  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
Grapes,  Ribston  Pippin  Apples,  Williams’  Bon  Chretien  Pears,  and 
Princess  of  Wales  Peaches,  while  Mr.  W.  Tidy,  gardener  to  W.  Iv. 
D’Arcv,  Esq.,  Stanmcre  Hall,  was  third  with  good  specimens  of  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Frogmoro  Scarlet  Melon,  and  fine  dishes  of 
Williams’  Bon  Chretien  Pears  anel  Walburton  Admirable  Peaches.  The 
judging  in  this  class  was  severely  criticised  by  competent  growers. 
Grapes. 
Great  interest  was  evinced  in  the  class  for  the  collection  of  Grapes, 
six  varieties,  two  bunches  each,  for  in  this  class  Messrs  W.  Wood  and 
Son  offered  a  silver  challenge  cup,  value  25  guineas,  to  be  won  three  years 
in  succession  before  becoming  the  property  of  the  exhibitor.  There  were 
only  three  competitors  to  lace  the  Judges.  Air.  J.  II.  Gcod. ere  was 
clearly  ahead  of  his  rivals  with  a  strong  exhibit  The  varieties  were 
Gros  Alaroc,  good  in  bunch  and  berry,  but  lacking  colour  ;  Alnwick 
Seedling,  rather  small,  but  beautifully  finished  ;  Alu.-cat  of  Alexandria,  a 
pair  oi  handsome  bundles  ;  Gros  Guillaume,  two  enormous  bur.ches  ; 
well-finished  bund  os  of  Airs.  Pinco  rather  deficient  in  colour,  and  Black 
Alicante.  Air.  W.  Tay lor,  gardener  to  C.  Bayer,  Esq.,  Forest  Hill,  was 
secon  1  ;  IBs  best  varieties  were  Black  Alicante,  Gros  Maroc,  and  Gros 
Column.  Air.  F.  Cole,  gardener  to  Sir  Chas.  Russell,  Bart,  Swallow  field 
Park,  Reading,  was  third  with  capital  examples  of  Coopers  Black  and 
Black  Alicante. 
In  the  class  for  three  distinct  varieties,  of  two  bunche.  each,  there  was 
only  one  exhibitor,  Air.  J.  Dawcs,  who  staged  excellent  examples  Gros 
Alaroc  ;  Black  Alican’e  wa3  also  of  first-rate  quality,  and  the  other 
variety  was  Aluscac  of  Alexandria. 
For  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  there  were  five  entries,  and 
tho  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Air.  W.  Alitchell,  gardener  to  .1.  W. 
Fleming,  Esq,  Chilworth  Manor,  Hornsey,  with  good  bunches,  well 
finished.  Mr.  F.  Cole  wa9  second,  and  Air.  J.  II.  Goodacre  third. 
For  three  bunches  of  Atadre.- field  Court  the  first  prizr  was  awarded  to 
Mr.  W.  Alitchell.  Mr.  W.  Taylor  secured  tho  second  place  with  small 
bunches  ;  and  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson  came  third  with  ill  coloured  berries. 
Airs.  Pince  was  represented  by  two  exhibitors,  Air.  W.  Mitchell  again 
staging  spDndil  bunches,  followed  by  Air.  W.  Taylor,  who  had  good 
bunches  of  rather  small  berr.es.  The  three  bunelms  of  M  useat  Hamburgh 
only  secured  one  entry,  from  Air.  J.  II.  Goodacre,  who  was  awarded  first 
prizN 
As  might  be  expected,  the  Black  Alicante  competition  brought  out 
some  noble  bunches.  There  wire  eight  competitors,  but  Air.  W,  Allar, 
gardener  to  Lord  Suffield,  Gunton  Park,  secured  the  first  position  with 
grand  bunches.  Air.  F.  Cole  was  second  with  well  finished  examples,  and 
Air.  W.  Alitchell  third.  Lady  Donne’s  was  not  so  strongly  in  evidence, 
only  five  exhibitors  staging.  Air.  W.  Alitchell  was  again  to  the  front 
with  well  finished  bunches,  Air.  W.  Taylor  following. 
In  the  class  for  any  other  black  Grape  we  always  have  a  good 
contest,  as  it  proved  on  this  occasion,  six  boards  being  entered.  Tho 
first  piize  fell  to  Air.  W.  Allan  with  excelh  nt  examples  of  Gros  Maroc. 
Air.  A.  Sadler,  gardener  to  Airs.  Turk,  Cowley  House.  Chertsey,  w-as 
second  with  the  same  variety  ;  and  Mr.  A.  Alaxim  was  third  with 
excellent  bunches  of  Cooper's  Black. 
Coming  to  the  white  Grape  classes,  Muscat  of  Alexandria  started 
with  four  boards.  Air.  G.  Duncan,  gardener  to  C.  J.  Lucas,  Esq., 
Warnham  Court,  Iloreham,  was  placed  in  the  first  position  with 
magnificent  examples,  large  in  bunch,  berry,  and  splendid  in  colour, 
Air.  Edward  Skelton,  gardener  to  J.  Barker,  Esq.,  Bishop  Stortford, 
fni lowed  with  long  tapering  bunches;  and  Air.  A.  Alaxim  was  third. 
T  hen  we  came  to  Airs.  Pearson  with  three  entries.  Air.  T.  Osmar, 
gardener  to  S.  J.  Baker,  E<q.,  Ottershaw  Park,  was  first  with  lai  ge  bunches 
of  small  green  berries  ;  and  Air.  W.  J.  Empson  followed  with  better 
berries  and  finish,  but  tho  bunches  were  not  so  large.  For  three  bunches 
of  any  other  white  Grape  there  were  only  three  entries,  Air.  T.  Osman 
being  placed  first  with  good  bunches  of  Dr.  Hogg.  Air.  F.  Cole  was 
s^  cond  with  large  bunches  of  Foster's  Seedling. 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  Plums,  and  Figs. 
Peaches  were  represented  by  nine  dishes.  Air.  A.  Alaxim  staging  a 
grand  dish  of  the  Necturine,  and  was  awarded  first  place.  Air.  W. 
Alitchell  followed  with  some  fine  Sea  Eagle.  Nectarines  brought  out 
three  dishes,  all  of  ordinary  quality,  Air.  F.  W.  Thomas.  Polegate, 
taking:  first  prize  with  Sponsor;  and  Air.  W.  II.  Bacon,  gardener  to 
Sir  At.  Samuel,  second  with  Victoria. 
There  is  only  one  class  for  indoor- grown  Plums,  to  consist  of  three 
distinct  varieties,  and  there  were  two  exhibitors.  Air.  J.  Hudson,  gar¬ 
dener  to  L.  de  Rothschild,  Esq,  Gunnersbuiy  House,  Acton,  was  first 
with  a  splendid  exhibit.  The  varieties  were  Transparent  Gage,  Golden 
Tran-parent  Gage,  and  Cce’s  Golden  Drop.  Air.  J.  Alclndoc  was  second 
with  good  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay  and  Bryanston’s  Gage. 
For  a  dish  of  Eigs  there  were  three  entries,  but  the  Judges  did  not 
deem  any  of  them  worthy  of  the  first  prize.  Air.  Jas.  Hudson  was 
awarded  second  with  Negro  Largo,  and  Air.  W.  J.  Empson  third  with  the 
same  variety. 
Collection  of  Hardy  Fruit. 
The  colli ction  cf  thirty-six  dishes  of  hardy  fruit  in  distinct  varieties 
to  be  grown  entirely  in  the  optn,  is  one  th»t  is  closely  watched  by  the 
exhibitors.  There  wore  only  two  collections  staged.  Mr.  R.  Potter, 
girdmer  to  S  r  Murk  Collet,  Kemsing,  Sevenoakp,  proved  the  victor  with 
a  capital  exhibit.  The  Apples  were  represented  by  grand  samples  of 
Stone’s,  Pensgood’s  Nonesuch,  Alere  de  Ale’nage,  Gloria  Mundi,  Warner  s 
King,  Lady  Henniker,  Betty  Geeson,  Cox’s  Grange  Pippin,  Washington, 
Bramley’s  Seedling,  The  Queen,  Ribston  Pippin,  Emperor  Alexander, 
Fiarn’s  Pippin,  and  Worcester  Pearmain.  Pears  were  represented  by 
Duchesse  cl’Angouleme,  Alaie'chal  ie  Cour,  Nouveau  Poiteau,  Triompbe 
de  Vienne.  Beurre  d’Angoq  Dayenn<$  de  Alerori,  Pitmaston  Duchess, 
Cunfirence,  Doycnnd  du  Comice,  Beurr^  Bachelier,  and  Grosse  Cala- 
basse.  Peaches  were  good,  tho  vaiietics  including  the  N«  ctarice,  O  sprey, 
and  Lady  Palmerston.  Pond’s  Seedling  Plums  were  grand,  as  were 
Reine  Claude  de  Bavay,  and  Coe’s  Golden  Drop.  Negro  Largo  Figs  and 
seme  excellent  Kent  Cob  Nuts  completed  the  exhibit.  Air.  J.  Daw>  s 
was  a  good  second.  Apples  and  Fears  were  the  best  features,  of  which 
No:  folk  Bee  ting,  Warner’s  King,  Tyler’s  Kernel,  and  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch 
in  the  Apples,  and  Williams’  Bon  Chre:ien,  Souvenir  du  Congres,  and 
LouLo  Bonne  de  Jersey  in  the  Pears  were  conspicuous. 
