114 
JOURXAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  30,  1898. 
Natiojjal  Chrysanthemum  Society  and  Amateurs. 
Mr.  Charles  E.  Wilkins,  Swanley  Junction,  desires  us  to  publish 
some  correspondence  he  has  had  with  the  Secretary  of  the  N.C.S.  We 
cannot  publish  the  "whole  of  it,  and  we  do  not  publish  any  in  the  way 
of  reflecting  on  either  of  the  parties  concerned,  but  as  referring  to  a 
matter  of  public  interest  to  amateur  Chrysanthemum  gro^wers. 
Mr.  Wilkins,  having  inquired  if  he  could  compete  in  classes  14  and  IG, 
as  well  as  19,  received  the  following  : — 
Letter  from  the  Secretary. 
Class  16  in  the  schedule  of  prizes  for  November  3rd  is  for  amateurs 
only.  If  you  are  an  amateur  in  conformity  with  the  definition  set  forth 
in  the  special  regulations  for  exhibitors,  you  can  at  this  particular 
exhibition  compete  also  in  classes  12  and  1 0.  If  you  grew  for  sale  you 
cannot  compete  in  classes  10  or  19,  as  from  both  of  these  the  trade  is 
excluded. — R.  Dean,  Secretary, 
Mr.  Wilkins’  Re.toinder. 
I  regret  to  observe  that  the  amateurs  are  having  another  blow  struck 
at  them  by  a  further  curtailment  of  their  classes,  and  I  think,  as  one, 
considering  the  way  in  which  they  (the  classes)  were  filled  in  1894,  and 
no  doubt  would  have  been  the  same  last  year  had  there  been  the  same 
prizes,  that  far  greater  consideration  should  be  shown  them  than  in  the 
current  year’s  schedule. 
The  amateurs  this  year  who  will  be  able  to  cut  twelve  distinct 
Japanese  or  incurved  will  in  the  “  Grand  Jubilee  Celebration  ”  on 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  November  3rd  and  4th,  have  the  great  honour 
and  chance  of  getting  for  all  his  trouble  and  labour  “a  little  Samson 
heating  apparatus,”  which  would  be  useful  to  heat  a  greenhouse  capable 
of  holding  enough  plants  to  cut  twelve  distinct,  and  four  medals  ;  and 
in  the  “Grand  Jubilee  Celebration  on  November  5th  and  6th,”  the  poor 
amateur  has  to  be  content  with  three  classes  of  six  blooms  each. 
If  he  be  at  all  ambitious  he  can  show  in  the  open  classes  against  the 
leading  growers,  where  his  chance  of  gaining  honours  would  be  infini¬ 
tesimal,  and  bar  him  from  his  own  classes  ;  or  he  can  show  against  the 
single-handed  gardener,  who,  from  what  I  heard  last  year  at  the 
Aquarium  from  a  Croydon  gardener,  complain  they  have  a  great 
grievance  that  the  amateurs  whom  they  consider  have  greater  facilities 
than  themselves  should  be  allowed  to  compote  against  them. 
You  must  admit  that  even  an  amateur  likCT  to  be  able  to  partially 
pay  his  show  expenses,  and  a  medal  will  not  do  that,  and  I  should  be 
obliged  if  you  will  read  this  letter  at  your  next  meeting  to  ascertain  the 
feeling  of  the  Executive,  whether  it  is  their  desire  to  turn  the  Society 
into  a  purely  professional  one,  and  if  not,  why  they,  the  amateurs,  are 
so  palpably  being  gradually  excluded  from  the  shows. 
1  must  add  that  the  nurserymen  on  the  schedule  Committee,  if  it  is 
their  desire  to  exclude  the  amateur,  are  to  my  mind  acting  in  a  very 
suicidal  manner,  as  who  buy  and  pay  for  new  varieties  but  the  gentle¬ 
men  who  employ  the  gardeners,  and  the  amateurs  ?—Chas.  E.  Wilkins. 
The  purport  of  subsequent  correspondence  is  that  Mr.  Wilkins  was 
informed  he  was  eligible  to  compete  in  the  two  Veitch  Memorial 
classes,  and  reminded  that  “  amateurs  were  well  represented  upon  the 
Jubilee  and  Schedule  Committees,  and  they  should  have  insisted,  if 
such  were  necessary,  upon  some  additions  of  classes  for  amateurs  ” 
The  Secretary  declined  to  call  a  special  meeting  for  discussing  the 
subject. 
Mr.  Wilkins  object  is  referring  to  the  matter  publicly  is,  he  says,  to 
“  find  oat  the  views  of  others  who  are  in  the  same  boat  ”  as  himself. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
THE  MIDLAND  CARNATION  AND  PICOTEB. 
July  24th  and  25th. 
The  sixth  annual  show,  owing  to  the  long  spell  of  hot  and  dry  weather, 
had  to  be  held  a  week  earlier  than  was  originally  intended  ;  and  even  as 
it  was  two  or  three  of  the  usual  Southern  exhibitors  were  unable  to 
compete.  Exhibitors  and  others  who  visited  the  National  Society’s 
show  held  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  the  22nd  inst.  averred  that  the  Mid¬ 
land  was  the  finer  and  more  extensive  on  the  whole.  The  competition 
was  not  generally  very  keen.  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham  more  than  repeated 
his  great  successes  at  the  Palace  on  the  22nd.  On  both  days  fine  weather 
prevailed,  excepting  for  a  heavy  shower  on  the  second  day,  which  was 
acceptable  to  refresh  the  vegetation  in  the  Botanical  Gardena,  wherein, 
as  usual,  the  exhibition  was  held.  The  luncheon,  which  was  held  under 
'  a  large  marquee  in  the  Gardens,  was  well  patronised,  and  presided  over 
by  Professor  Hillhouse,  who,  in  the  course  of  his  remarks  anent  the 
exhibition,  suggested  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  class  for  “single” 
petalled  Carnations  and  Picotees  for  decorative  purposes,  as  w'ith  the 
“single”  Dahlias,  a  proposition  which  was  endorsed  by  one  or  two 
exhibitors. 
Eleven  exhibitors  contended  in  the  principal  class  for  twelve  flakes 
and  bizarres,  amongst  which  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  took  first  honours  with 
the  following — Arline,  Gordon  Lennox,  Robert  Lord,  Mrs.  Rowan, 
Guardsman,  Sarah  Payne,  W.  Skirving,  Rob  Roy,  Master  Fred,  J.  D. 
Huxtable,  George  Melville,  and  Edward  Adams.  The  second  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  Tom  Lord,  Todmorden.  for  a  very  close  stand,  comprising 
Master  Fred,  Admiral  Curzon,  Lord  Salisbury,  Magpie,  Thaddeus,  Sports¬ 
man,  Robert  Lord,  Thalia,  Guardsman,  Edith  Annie,  J.  S.  Hedderly, 
and  Arline.  The  third  to  Mr.  J.  Edmonds.  Manchester,  for  a  worthy  lot 
of  blooms  ;  whilst  the  fourth  went  to  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  Handsworth. 
Out  of  ten  competitors  for  six  blooms,  Mr;  Crossby  Head,  Hebden 
Bridge,  secured  the  first  prize  for  excellent  blooms  of  Robert  Houlgrave, 
Gordon  Lewis,  Thalia,  Admiral  Curzon,  and  Sportsman  ;  second,  Mr. 
W.  Kenyon,  Bury  ;  third,  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurston,  Wolverhampton  :  fourth, 
Mr.  J.  Brocklebank,  Chester  ;  fifth,  Mr.  George  Chaundy,  Oxford  ;  sixth, 
Mr.  J,  S.  Hedderly,  Bulcote  ;  and  seventh,  Mr.  E.  Hill,  Bulwell. 
There  were  twelve  competitors  in  the  class  of  twelve  white  ground 
Picotees,  and  here  again  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  led  the  way  with  fine  examples 
of  Favourite,  Mrs.  Wilson,  Little  Phil,  Pride  of  Leyton,  Jessie,  Lady 
Louisa,  Muriel,  Mrs.  Payne,  Amy  Robsart,  Mrs.  Openshaw,  Ganymede, 
and  Lena.  Closely  following  was  Mr.  J.  Edwards,  Manchester.  Mr. 
Tom  Lord  was  third,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown  fourth,  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Co. 
fifth,  Mr.  E.  Shaw  sixth,  and  the  seventh  to  Mr.  Ben  Simonite.  For  six 
blooms  Mr.  C.  Head  was  to  the  front  with  good  specimens  of  Brunette, 
Nellie,  Thomas  William,  Mrs.  Payne,  and  Esther.  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan 
was  second  with  fine  blooms  of  Brunette,  Little  Phil,  Thomas  William, 
Ganymede,  and  Mary,  the  third  prize  being  accorded  to  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones. 
For  twelve  yellow  grounds,  fancy  Carnations  or  Picotees,  there  were 
eight  aspirants  for  honours,  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  taking  the  lead  with 
grand  specimens  of  Romulus,  Monarch,  Ladas,  Mrs.  R.  Sydenham,  Mrs. 
Douglas,  The  Dey,  Yellow  Hammer,  Cardinal  Wolsey,  Janira,  Corisande, 
and  Nisbet  Hall.  The  second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown  for  fine 
blooms  of  Mr.  A.  Tate,  Mrs.  R.  Sydenham,  Mrs.  W.  Spencer,  Romulus, 
Monarch,  Mrs.  Wylie,  Harlequin,  The  Dev,  Mrs.  Douglas,  Cardinal 
Wolsey,  President  Carnot,  and  Janira.  The  third  prize  to  Messrs. 
Thomson  &  0  >.  for  a  bright  contribution  of  blooms  ;  the  fourth  to  Mr. 
Tom  Lord  ;  the  fifth,  Mr.  J.  Edwards,  Chester  :  the  sixth  to  Mr.  Walker, 
Thame  ;  and  the  seventh  to  Mr.  Ben  Simonite.  For  six  blooms  tbe  first 
prize  fell  to  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan,  his  George  Cruickshank,  Tbe  Dey, 
Yellow  Hammer,  Ladas,  Mrs.  Douglas,  and  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  being 
superbly  shown.  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones  was  a  good  second  with  Harlequin, 
Stadrath  Bail.  Mrs.  R.  Sydenham,  Ladas,  Cowslip,  and  George  Oruick- 
shank.  Mr.  J.  S.  Hedderly  was  third  ;  Mr.  Herbert  Smith  fourth  ; 
Mr.  E.  Hill,  Bulwell,  fifth  ;  Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley  sixth  ;  and  Mr.  Geo, 
Chaundy,  the  seventh  prizes. 
Mr.  A.  W.  Jones,  Handsworth,  was  first  -with  six  yellow-ground 
Picotees,  clean  and  shapely  blooms.  There  was  a  lively  competition  in 
this  class,  and  the  second  place  was  awarded  to  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  for 
fine  blooms.  The  third  prize  was  secured  by  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Co., 
the  fourth  by  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  the  fifth  by  Mr.  J.  Walker,  and  sixth 
Mr.  George  Chaundy. 
Mr.  W.  Kenyon,  Bury,  was  a  grand  first  for  twelve  seifs,  dissimilar. 
His  varieties  were  Germania,  R.  Headley,  Mrs.  R.  Hole,  Meteor,. Rose 
of  Cardiff,  Mrs.  Muir,  and  four  seedlings  of  high  form  ;  Mr.  Tom 
Lord,  Todmorden,  being  a  close  second  with  fine  examples  of  Meteor, 
Miss  A.  Campbell,  Ketton  Rose,  Mrs.  Muir,  Lady  Agnes,  Nipbetos, 
Germania,  Nero,  Gentle  Jackie,  Rev.  R.  Hole,  Mrs,  Gaskom,  and  a 
seedling.  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Co,  were  accorded  third  honours  for  a 
good  stand.  Mr.  R.  Svdenham  secured  the  fourth  position,  Mr.  A.  R. 
Brown  fifth,  Mr.  John  Edwardssixth,  andMr.  E.  Shaw  seventh.  Mr,  C.F. 
Thurstan  was  conceded  first  honours  for  fix  seifs  with  excellent  blooms 
of  Germania,  Bendigo,  Mrs,  E.  Hambro’,  Mancunian,  Hebe,  and  Alise- 
monde,  Mr.  J.  Brocklebank  was  a  close  second  ;  while  Messrs.  D.Walker, 
E.  Hill,  Gottwaltz,  G.  Bentley,  and  J.  W.  Bentley  were  the  other  winners 
in  their  respective  order. 
One  of  the  most  interesting  and  commendable  features  in  the  show 
was  the  class  for  twelve  self,  fancy,  or  yellow-ground  Carnation  or 
Picotee  blooms  staged  in  a  space  not  exceeding  20  inches  square,  to  be 
shown  as  naturally  grown,  and  with  as  little  dressing  as  possible,  Car¬ 
nation  foliage  and  buds  allowed.  There  were  nine  competitors  for  tbe 
seven  prizes  offered,  as  in  order  following  : — Messrs.  A.  W.  Jones, 
R.  Sydenham,  J,  Walker,  Tom  Lord,  Thomson  &  Co.,  J.  Edmonds  and 
A.  R.  Brown.  This  form  of  exhibiting  evidently  proved  attractive, 
especially  to  amateurs. 
In  a  similar  specified  class  for  six  blooms  the  prizetakers  were  Messrs. 
C.  F,  Thurstan,  H.  Smith,  Geo.  Chaundy,  E.  Hill,  D,  Walker,  H.  G. 
Owen,  and  W.  Pemberton  (Walsall).  For  six  flake  or  bizarre  Carnation 
and  six  Picottee  blooms  the  contestants  were  Messrs.  Tom  Lord, 
J.  Edwards  (Chester),  Thomson  &  Co.,  A.  R.  Brown,  R  Sydenham,  and 
J.  H.  Wilson  (Sheffield),  who  received  the  prizes  as  named.  For  three 
white  ground  Carnation  and  three  Picotee  blooms  Messrs.  J.  Brockle¬ 
bank,  C.  F.  Thurstan,  C.  Head,  W.  Kenyon,  J.  Hill,  W.  Pemberton,  and 
Herbert  Smith,  were  the  winners  according  to  order  named. 
In  the  class  for  six  Carnations  and  Picotees,  fancies'  and  seifs 
admissible  (for  those  who  have  never  won  a  prize  at  any  Carnation 
show)  there  were  eleven  competitors — Messrs.  Smith,  Aston,  Harold 
Ford,  H.  Hunter,  R.  0.  Cartwright,  Sellyhill  ;  J.  F.  Smith,  Sparkhill  ; 
E.  Cookson,  Stafford  ;  and  the  Rev.  C.  P.  Brickwell,  Broadway,  were  the 
successful  winners  in  the  order  named. 
In  the  classes  for  single  blooms  of  Oarnationa  and  Picotees  the 
