582 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
June  25,  1898 
READING.— June  24th. 
Oh  Wednesday  the  National  Rose  Society  held  its  Southern 
exhibition  in  the  Forbury  Gardens,  Reading,  in  conjunction  with  the 
annual  show  of  the  Reading  Horticultural  Society.  The  Society  may 
fully  congratulate  itself  on  this  venture  so  far  as  the  number  and 
quality  of  the  exhibits  are  concerned,  as  in  the  majority  of  instances 
competition  was  keen,  and  the  flowers  good. 
The  premier  nurserymen’s  class  was  for  forty-eight  distinct  blooms, 
in  which  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant,  Colchester,  was  first  with  a  splendid  stand, 
which  comprised — (back  row)  :  Alfred  Colomb,  Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam, 
Augusta  Rigotard,  Marchioness  of  Dufferin,  Madame  Henri  Periere, 
Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Victor  Hugo,  and  Susanne  Marie  Rodocanachi,  Gustave 
Piganeau,  MarchionesB  of  Lome,  Xavier  Olibo,  Her  Majesty,  Abel 
Carriere,  Caroline  Testout,  Dr.  Sewell,  Duchess  de  Moray  ;  (middle  row): 
Horace  Vernet,  Marie  Baumann,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Monsieur 
Noman,  Charles  Lefebvre,  La  Fraicheur,  Fisher  Holmes,  Madame 
Eugene  Verdier,  A.  K.  Williams,  Jeannie  Dickson,  Earl  of  Dufferin, 
Madame  Hoste,  Maurice  Bernardin,  Maman  Cochet,  Madame  Crapelet, 
Baroness  Rothschild  ;  (front  row) :  Comtesse  de  Ludre,  Kaiserin 
Augusta  Victoria,  Duke  of  Teck,  Thomas  Mills,  Prince  Arthur,  Camille 
Bernardin,  The  Bride,  Prince  C.  de  Rohan,  Jean  Soupert,  Madame  Cusin, 
E.  Y.  Teas,  Ernest  Metz,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Madame  Gabriel  Luizet,  Dr. 
Andry,  and  Edith  Gifford.  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  were 
placed  second,  the  stand  displaying  few  weak  points  ;  and  Mr.  F.  Cant, 
Colchester,  took  the  third  place,  there  being  five  exhibits  in  the  class. 
Eleven  exhibitors  competed  in  the  class  for  twenty-four,  and  out  of 
these  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester,  were  placed  first  with — 
(back  row)  :  Heinrich  Schultheis,  Lady  M.  Fitzwilliam,  Prince  Arthur 
Marchioness  of  Dufferin,  Gustave  Piganeau,  Marchioness  of  Londondery, 
Alfred  Colomb,  Victor  Verdier  ;  (middle  row)  :  Merveille  de  Lyon,  Xavier 
Olibo,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  A.  K.  Williams,  The  Bride,  Louis  Van  Houtte, 
Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  Fisher  Holmes  ;  (front  row)  :  Abel  Carriere, 
Francisca  Kruger,  Earl  of  Dufferin,  Marie  Van  Houtte,  Madame  Victor 
Verdier,  Anna  Olivier,  Pride  of  Reigate,  and  Catherine  Mermet.  Messrs. 
G.  &  W.  H.  Burch,  Peterborough,  took  the  second  award  ;  and  Mr. 
Charles  Turner,  Slough,  third. 
In  the  class  for  twenty-four  trebles  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  was  a  splendid 
first,  showing  superb  flowers  of  Caroline  Testout,  Horace  Vernet,  Mer¬ 
veille  de  Lyon,  Marie  Baumann,  Camille  Bernardin,  Madame  Eugene 
Verdier,  Thomas  Mills,  Madame  Cusin,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Gustave 
Piganeau,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Grant,  Alfred  Colomb,  Fisher  Holmes,  Marchioness 
of  Londonderry,  A.  K.  Williams,  Her  Majesty,  Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam, 
Le  Havre,  Marchioness  of  Dufferin,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Suzanne  Marie 
Rodocanachi,  Prince  Arthur,  and  Baroness  Rothschild.  Mr.  Frank  Cant 
was  a  creditable  second  ;  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  third. 
Eighteen  exhibitors  competed  in  the  class  for  twelve  distinct  blooms 
open  to  amateurs,  for  which  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  offered  as  first  prize 
a  silver  cup  valued  at  10  guineas.  The  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton, 
Havering-atte- Bower,  took  the  coveted  trophy  with  superb  flowers  of 
Her  Majesty,  A.  K.  Williams.  Gustave  Piganeau,  Ulrich  Brunner, 
Horace  Vernet,  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  John  Stuart  Mill,  Comte  Raimbaud,  and  Francois  Michelon. 
Mr.  E.  B.  Lindsell,  HitchiD,also  showed  good  flowers  for  the  second  award, 
silver-gilt  medal.  Mr.  C.  J.  Grahame,  Leatheihead,  was  third,  taking  a 
silver  medal,  and  Mr.  0.  G.  Orpen  as  fourth  obtained  a  bronze  medal. 
In  the  amateurs’  class  for  twenty- four  single  trusses  Mr.  E;  B. 
Lindsell  was  first  in  a  keen  competition,  showing  good  blooms  of 
Horace  Vernet,  La  France,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Frangois  Michelon,  and 
others.  The  second  prize  fell  to  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  and  the  third  to 
Mr.  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Woodford.  Eight  exhibitors  competed  in  the 
amateurs’  class  for  eighteen  distinct  varieties,  Mr.  P.  G.  Barnard,  Reigate, 
winning  with  a  good  all-round  exhibit.  The  Rev  H.  A.  Berners,  Ipswich, 
was  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  E.  M.  Bethune,  Horsham,  third.  In  the 
class  for  twelve  distinct  flowers,  open  to  amateurs,  Mr.  R.  H.  Langton, 
Hendon,  was  first ;  Mr.  M.  Whittle,  Liecester,  second  ;  Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen, 
Colchester,  third.  For  six  distinct  trusses  Mr.  G.  Moules,  Hitchin,  was  a 
good  first  in  a  keen  competition  of  twelve  exhibitors.  Mr.  W.  D.  Fresh- 
field,  Reigate,  was  a  fair  second  ;  and  Mr.  H.  C.  Landon,  Brentwood,  third. 
In  the  Tea  and  Noisette  section  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son  were  to  the 
front  in  the  nurserymen’s  class  for  twenty-four.  The  exhibit  comprised 
good  flowers  of — (back  row)  :  Souvenir  de  S.  A.  Prince,  Ethel  Brownlow, 
The  Bride,  Madame  Hoste,  Maman  Cochet,  Innocente  Pirola,  Catherine 
Mermet,  Marie  Van  Houtte  ;  (middle  row)  :  Souvenir  d’un  Ami,  Perle 
des  Jardins,  Souvenir  d’Elise,  Jean  Ducher,  Hon.  Edith  Gifford,  Etoile 
de  Lyon,  Alba  rosea,  Madame  de  Watteville  ;  (front  row)  :  Rubens, 
Ernest  Metz,  Medea,  Madame  Cusin,  Anna  Olivier,  Luciole,  Francisca 
Kruger,  and  Caroline  Kuster.  Mr.  Frank  Cant  was  a  good  second  ;  and 
Mr.  B.  R.  Cant  third. 
Mr.  John  Mattock,  Oxford,  was  first  in  the  class  for  twelve  single 
Teas.  Messrs.  Jas.  Townsend  &  Sons  were  second  ;  and  Messrs.  J.  Burrell 
and  Co.,  Cambridge,  third.  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son  were  first  for  twelve 
trusses  of  any  Tea,  showing  Marie  Van  Houtte  in  good  form  ;  Mr.  J. 
Mattock  was  second  ;  and  Messrs.  Harkness  third.  Messrs.  D.  Prior  and 
Son  were  also  to  the  front  with  twelve  treble  Teas,  showing  fine  flowers. 
Mr.  Frank  Cant  was  second  ;  and  the  third  prize  fell  to  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant. 
In  the  amateurs’  class  for  eighteen  Teas,  distinct,  Mr.  0.  G.  Orpen 
was  a  good  first.  The  Rev.  H.  A.  Berners  was  a  close  second,  and  Rev.  A. 
Foster-Melliar,  Ipswich,  third.  For  nine  Teas  Mr.  C.  Jones,  Gloucester, 
was  a  good  first,  Mr.  R.  H.  Longton  second,  and  Mr.  Jas.  Parker,  Oxford, 
third.  Mr.  C.  Jones  was  first  with  six  treble  Teas,  his  best  flowers  being 
Francisca  Kruger  ;  Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen  was  second,  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Gray,  Bath, 
followed  with  the  third. 
Events  of  the  Week,— The  principal  events  of  the  ensuing  week 
are  numerous  Rose  shows  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  the  dates  and 
places  of  which  may  be  found  on  page  580. 
-  Weather  in  London.— Though  rain  has  been  reported  from 
various  paits  of  the  country  during  the  past  week,  no  appreciable  down¬ 
fall  has  taken  place  in  the  metropolis,  the  result  being  that  the  want  of 
moisture  is  again  being  felt.  The  grass  in  the  public  parks  has  assumed 
a  brown,  parched  appearance.  Rain  is  falling  heavily  as  we  write,  and 
a  continuance  is  hoped  for. 
-  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry.— In  the  “  Jottings  ”  in 
your  last  issue  I  see  a  question  about  the  above  Strawberry.  The 
first  dish  was  gathered  here  under  a  south  wall  on  May  26th.  What 
do  other  growers  say  about  Gunton  Park  Strawberry  ?  We  had  a 
fine  dish  of  it  on  the  16th  inst.,  large  fruit,  and  of  excellent  flavour. _ 
Arthur  Mesham,  Flintshire. 
-  Death  of  Mrs.  G.  W.  Cummins.— It  is  with  extreme 
regret  that  we  have  to  announce  the  death  of  Mrs.  Cummins,  wife  of 
Mr.  G.  W.  Cummins,  gardener  to  A.  H.  Smee,  Esq.,  The  Grange, 
Carshalton.  Mrs.  Cummins  had  not  been  strong  for  some  time,  and 
passed  away  rather  suddenly  on  Saturday  night.  She  was  an  industrious, 
cheerful  gardener’s  wife  and  devoted  mother.  Mr.  Cummins  is  left 
with,  we  think,  seven  children,  the  youngest  about  two  years  old,  and 
his  many  friends  will  mourn  with  him  in  his  great  bereavement. 
-  Blackberries. — It  does  now  seem  so  certain  that  there  will 
he  but  a  very  restricted  crop  of  cultivated  hardy  fruits,  that  seme 
attention  may  well  be  bestowed  on  our  native  Blackberry.  These 
hedgerow  fruits  are  blooming  very  early  and  profusely,  and  no  doubt 
there  will  be  a  heavy  crop  later  if  sufficient  moisture  falls.  It  was  odd 
that  whilst  we  have  such  easily  grown  varieties  indigenous  to  England, 
we  should  have  gone  to  America  for  other  varieties  ;  these,  however, 
have  not  been  with  us  great  successes.  I  wonder  whether  anyone  has 
ever  endeavoured  to  cross  the  cultivated  Bramble,  the  best  of  the 
Americans,  with  any  good  native  form.  Sach  a  crosB  is  decidedly 
worth  trying  ;  so  also  would  be  the  saving  of  particularly  fine  berries 
from  hedgerow  Brambles,  and  sowing  the  seed,  giving  the  product  good 
cultivation  in  strong  holding  soil,  and  with  annual  pruning  such  plants 
might  give  highly  profitable  crops. — D. 
-  The  Late  Mr.  Bruce  Findlay.— It  is  with  sincere  regret 
we  have  to  state  that  another  well-known  horticulturist  has  passed  away 
in  the  person  of  Mr.  Bruce  Findlay,  the  well-known  Superintendent  of 
the  Botanical  Gardens,  Old  Trafford,  Manchester,  and  Secretary  of  the 
Manchester  Botanical  and  Horticultural  Society,  who  died  late  on  the 
evening  of  June  16th.  Mr.  Findlay  had  been  ailing  for  a  considerable 
time,  but  the  general  impression  was  that  his  health  was  improving. 
We  are  informed,  however,  that  a  relapse  occurred,  which  was  rapidly 
followed  by  death.  Mr.  Findlay  was  born  at  Streatham,  in  Surrey,  and 
some  of  his  earliest  experience  was,  we  believe,  gained  in  Rollisson’s 
Nurseries  at  Tooting.  While  still  a  young  man  he  was  appointed  at  Old 
Trafford  as  successor  to  the  late  Mr.  Campbell,  and  since  that  time  (1858) 
he  has  steered  the  Society  with  a  skilful  hand  through  many  ups  and 
downs.  We  join  with  our  readers  in  offering  condolence  to  his  sorrowing 
relatives,  and  as  a  tribute  to  the  deceased  horticulturist  no  words  of  ours 
could  be  more  fitting  than  the  following,  which  appeared  respecting 
him  from  the  pen  of  a  correspondent  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  in 
1881  : — “  Mr.  Findlay  is  a  gentleman  of  calm  demeanour,  sound  judg¬ 
ment,  extensive  knowledge,  great  professional  attainments,  and  never 
fails  to  accomplish  what  he  undertakes.  From  the  time  he  came  to 
Manchester  he  has  gradually  risen  in  public  esteem  and  confidence— both 
rich  and  poor  respect  him.  Amongst  friends  and  acquaintances  he  is 
very  social,  and  an  excellent  conversationalist.  His  society  is  coveted 
and  sought  by  the  wealthy  around  him.  He  is  interested  in  the  pro¬ 
gress  of  horticulture,  willingly  writes  and  reads  papers  to  help  in  the 
formation  of  small  societies  of  gardeners,  is  always  anxious  and  willing 
to  help  respectable  gardeners  seeking  situations,  and  is  very  frequently 
applied  to  for  gardeners  to  fill  vacant  places.  He  is  enthusiastic  in  his 
profession,  and  in  all  respects  is  an  excellent  man.” 
