162 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTWULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Angnist  IS,  1898. 
Bougainvillea  glabra,  B.  glabra  Sanderiana,  a  fine  Statice  profusa,  and 
equally  fine  well-flowered  plants  of  Stepbanotis  floribunda,  and 
Dipladenia  Brearleyana,  Mr.  Oliver  Brasier,  gardener  to  Lady  Martineau, 
Edgbaston,  was  accorded  second  honours..  Exotic  Ferns  were  also  shown 
grandly  by  Messrs.  Meldrum  and  Brasier, 
Tuberous  Begonias  were  excellently  shown  by  Mr.  Meldrum  for  the 
first  prize,  the  second  Mr.  Brazier,  third  Mr,  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  A. 
Kenrick,  Esq.  Caladiums  were  good,  and  Mr.  Meldrum  was  the  only 
exhibitor.  Coleuses  were  unusually  fine  grown  as  pyramids,  Mr.  A, 
Cryer  having  the  best  examples.  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  always  a  feature 
at  the  show,  were  finely  shown  by  Messrs.  Meldrum,  S.  Gibbs,  and  Mr. 
Cryer.  For  three  table  plants  Mr.  S.  Gibbs  was  a  good  first.  Collections 
of  cut  hardy  garden  flowers  were  a  strong  feature  as  usual,  and  well 
represented  in  the  amateurs’  and  cottagers’  classes,  and  a  certificate  of 
merit  was  accorded  to  Mr.  W.  Charlton  for  a  very  meritorious  collection, 
artistically  arranged,  also  first  wit’n  a  hand  bonquet  in  the  amateurs’ 
division.  In  the  open  class  for  band  bouquets  Mr.  G.  Newell  was  first 
for  an  attractive  though  somewhat  crowded  arrangement,  Mr.  S.  Gibbs 
second  for  a  much  lighter  arrangement,  but  a  trifle  too  flat,  so  that  there 
was  a  divided  visitors’  opinion  as  to  the  merits  of  the  two  exhibits. 
For  table  decorations  (epergnes)  Mr.  H,  Chamberlain  secured  the 
first,  and  Mr.  S.  Gibbs  the  second  prizes.  Mr.  W.  Gardiner  laid  out 
a  dinner-table  decoration  (not  for  competition)  which  evoked  much 
admiration  by  reason  of  its  novel  character. 
Grapes  were  shown  fairly  well  by  Mr.  H.  Chamberlain  and  Mr. 
Oliver  Brasier.  For  white  Grapes  Mr.  Herat,  gardener  to  \V.  Hyland, 
Esq,,  was  accorded  the  first  prize  for  two  very  good  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgbs.  A'egetables  and  hardy  fruits  were  most  creditably  shown 
all  round,  the  Potatoes  especial'y  were  very  good.  The  show  of  Goose¬ 
berries  was  an  interesting  feature,  special  prizes  being  offered  for  the 
heaviest  single  berries,  twin  berries,  four  berries,  and  twelve  berries. 
ABBEY  PARK,  LEICESTER.— Auoust  4th. 
This  excellent  and  very  popular  show  is  promoted  by  the  Parks 
Committee  of  the  Leicester  Town  Council,  Mr.  John  Burn,  the 
Curator  of  the  Abbey  Park,  being  the  Seeretary  of  the  show,  the 
duties  of  which  offices  are  most  ably  discharged  by  him  ;  in  fact,  it  is 
mainly  due  to  his  untiring  exertions  that  the  show  has  become  such  a 
successful  and  popular  one.  A  writer  in  the  local  daily  paper  says  of 
it — “  There  is  no  more  popular  institution  in  Bank  Holiday  week,  so 
far  as  Leicestershire  is  concerned,  than  the  annual  flower  show  and  gala.” 
The  numerous  and  fine  exhibits  served  to  fill  five  large  tents,  apportioned 
as  follows — No.  1,  cottagers’  exhibits  ;  No.  2,  open  class,  cut  flowers ; 
No.  3,  groups  and  specimen  plants  ;  No.  4,  open  class  fruits  and  vege¬ 
tables  ;  No.  5,  amateurs’  exhibits. 
The  most  effective  feature  in  the  tent  for  the  open  class  cut  flowers 
was  the  grandly  filled  table  of  cut  Roses.  Classes  were  provided  for 
thiity-six  and  twenty-four  single  blooms,  dissimilar,  also  for  twelve  Teas 
or  Noisettes,  dissimilar,  and  twelve  Roses,  one  variety  ;  also  in  an 
amateurs’  class,  open  to  amateurs  and  gentlemen’s  gardeners,  shown  in 
the  same  tent,  were  classes  for  twenty-four,  eighteen,  and  twelve  Roses, 
single  blooms,  dissimilar,  six  Tea  or  Noisette,  and  six  Roses  any  one 
variety.  The  competition  was  very  keen  in  each  of  these  classes,  and 
the  quality  of  the  flowers  shown  very  high,  especially  in  the  exhibits 
from  Scotland. 
In  the  class  for  thirty-six  blooms,  dissimilar,  Messrs.  James  Cocker 
and  Sons,  Aberdeen,  were  placed  first,  their  flowers  being  very  fine,  fresh, 
and  high  coloured.  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  were  a  very  good 
second,  and  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  third,  with  a  stand  which 
showed  plainly  enough  that  with  them  the  Rose  season  is  over.  In  the 
class  for  twenty-four  blooms,  Messrs.  Jas.  Cocker  &  Sons  were  again 
first  j  Mr.  H.  Merryweather,  of  Southwell,  Notts,  second,  with  a  stand 
of  massive,  heavy,  fresh  flowers  ;  Messrs.  D.  &  W,  Croll  third.  For 
twelve  Teas  or  Noisettes. — First,  Messrs.  J,  Cocker  &.  Sons  ;  second, 
Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll ;  third,  Mr.  H.  Merryweather.  Twelve  Roses, 
one  variety, — First,  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  with  Mrs.  Jno.  Laing,  very 
fine  indeed ;  second,  Messrs.  J.  Cocker  &  Sons ;  third,  Mr.  H. 
Merryweather. 
In  the  amateurs’  classes,  H.  V.  Machin,  Esq.,  Worksop,  was  first  for 
eighteen  blooms,  dissimilar ;  second.  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering  ; 
third,  Mr.  M.  Whittle,  Belgrave,  Leicester.  For  twenty-four  blooms, 
dissimilar. — First,  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton  ;  second,  H,  V.  Machin,  Esq.  ; 
third,  Mr.  F.  Ley,  Bath,  For  twelve  blooms,  H.  V.  Machin,  Esq  ,  and 
Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton  were  adjudged  equal  first;  Mr.  M.  Whittle, 
third.  Six  Teas. — H.  V.  Machin,  Esq.,  first ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton, 
second  ;  Mr.  R.  Bonnet,  Bedford,  third.  A  very  telling  feature  of  this 
exhibition  of  cut  Rcses,  was  the  numerous  very  fine  stands  of  Mrs. 
John  Laing,  and  the  high  quality  of  the  Teas  generally. 
The  classes  provided  for  bouquets,  wreaths,  sprays,  and  coat  bouquets 
were  well  contested,  and  the  exhibits  proved  a  great  centre  of  attraction. 
7  he  first  prize  for  a  wreath  of  white  flowers  was  obtained  by  Messrs. 
Yarde  &  Son,  Northampton,  for  a  large  and  massive  arrangement  of 
L’%8,  Eucharis,  Gladioli,  and  Tuberoses  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  K.  Woodcock, 
Syaton ;  thirdj  Mr.  J.  Brown,  Stamford.  For  hand  bouquets  :  First, 
Mjstrs.  Norman  &  Co.,  Leicester;  second,  Mr,  W.  K.  Woodcock  ;  third, 
Mr, ''if.  Brown  ;  fourth,  Mr.  J.  Bonnet,  Bridal  bouquet ;  First,  Mefsrs. 
Norman  k  Co.;  eecond,  Mr.  J.  Brown;  third,  Mr.  W.  K.  Woodcock  ; 
fourth,  Mr.  J.  Bonnet.  Coat  bouquets  :  First,  Mr.  W.  K.  Woodcock  ; 
second,  Messrs.  Norman  k  Co.;  third,  Mr.  J.  Brown.  Three  sprays  : 
First,  Messrs.  Norman  &  Co.;  second,  Mr.'W.  K.  Woodcock  ;  third,  Mr. 
J.  Brown. 
A  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  stove  or  greenhouse  flowers  was  well 
contested,  the  results  being:  First,  Mr.  W.  K.  Woodcock;  second,  Mr. 
C.  J,  Mee,  Nottingham  ;  third,  Mr.  H,  Rogers,  Gipsy  Lane  Nurseries, 
Leicester.  For  twelve  bunches  hardy  herbaceous  flowers  Mr.  James 
Wright,  Leicester,  was  first  with  a  fine  collection.  Carnations  and 
Picotees  were  shown  in  great  numbers  and  generally  of  fine  quality, 
particularly  by  Mr,  Campbell  of  High  Blantyre,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown, 
Hansworth,  and  Mr,  Makepeace,  Leicester. 
In  this  tent  was  also  shown  a  fine  collection  of  cut  Zonal  Geraniums, 
about  sixty  varieties,  three  trusses  of  each,  by  Messrs.  J.  R,  Pearson  and 
Sons,  Chilwell,  comprising  all  their  latest  and  best  new  varieties.  A 
few  of  the  most  effective  and  telling  amongst  them  were  Cassiope, 
salmon  pink ;  Iseult,  salmon  ;  Zenobia,  bright  rose ;  Donald  Beaton, 
bright  orange,  almost  yellow;  and  Dr.  E.  Rawson,  dark  purple.  In 
this  same  tent,  also,  occupying  the  whble  of  the  floor  space  across  the 
end,  was  a  fine  group  of  specimen  Caladiums,  having  a  groundwork  of 
Maidenhair  Fern,  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Peed  k  Sons,  Roupell  Park 
Nurseries,  Upper  Norwood,  a  similar  group  in  every  respect  to  the  one 
set  up  by  the  same  firm  at  the  Temple  Gardens  Show  of  the  R.H.S.  in 
May  last.  Also  in  this  tent  was  a  group  of  Orchids  and  decorative  plants 
from  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  k  Son,  and  a  fine  exhibit  of  double 
tuberous  Begonias  (cut  flowers)  from  Mr.  B.  R.  Davis,  Yeovil,  Somerset. 
In  the  tent  devoted  to  groups  for  effect  and  specimen  plants  were 
three  groups,  each  occupying  a  space  of  100  square  feet,  set  up  by 
Mr.  C.  J.  Mee,  Nottingham  ;  Mr.  H.  Rogers,  Leicester ;  and  Mr.  H. 
Blakeney,  gardener  to  P.  A.  Muntz,  E‘q.,  M.P.,  Dunsmore,  and  to  whom 
the  prizes  fell  in  the  order  named.  Mr.  Mee’s  group  was  an  effective 
arrangement,  a  large  Areca  occupying  the  centre,  its  base  well  furnished 
with  Crotons,  Anthuriums,  and  Grasses,  four  finely  coloured  Crotons 
occupying  the  centre  of  the  corner  banks ;  Orchids,  small  Ferns,  and 
Nertera  depressa,  finely  berried,  being  used  freely  as  dot  plants  in  the 
moss-covered  spaces  between  the  banks.  The  second  prize  group  was 
very  light  and  pleasing  in  its  arrangement,  with  a  capital  central  bank, 
but  was  lacking  in  bright  coloured  foliage  plants.  Mr.  Blakeney’s  third 
prize  group,  consisting  largely  of  Ferns  and  Palms,  was  much  lacking  in 
bright  colours,  and  consequently  had  a  dull  appearance. 
For  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  Mr.  Blakeney  was  first  with  a 
fine  lot  as  follows  : — Phoenix  recline ta  (large  and  effective),  Croton 
Victoria,  Ci  majestica,  Ixora  Fraseri  (good),  Statice  profusa  (very  fine), 
and  Allamanda  Hendersoni.  Mr.  C.  J.  Mee  was  second  with  a  good 
exhibit.  For  six  specimen  Ferns  the  latter  exhibitor  was  first  with 
Dicksonia  antarctica  (fine),  Nephrolepis  exaltata,  Microlepia,  Gleichenia 
Mendeli,  and  two  varieties  of  Adiantum.  Mr.  W.  S.  Bolton,  gardener 
to  Mr.  W.  Billson,  Barkby,  was  second  with  an  exceedingly  fresh,  bright, 
and  healthy  six,  in  this  respect  surpassing  those  to  which  the  first  prize 
had  been  given,  but  lacking  size  compared  with  them. 
Double  and  single  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  also  double  and  single  tuberous 
Begonias  and  Fuchsias,  were  very  well  shown,  the  entries  occupying  a 
large  portion  of  the  floor  space  in  this  tent.  The  principal  prizetakers 
in  these  classes  were  Messrs.  H.  Rogers,  Jas.  Wright,  Leonard  Sibson, 
and  E.  C,  Carnall,  Leicester.  The  end  of  the  tent  was  occupied  by  a 
group  of  Ferns  and  foliage  plants,  not  for  competition,  contributed  by 
Mrs.  G.  A.  Ellis,  Knighton  Hayes  (gardener,  Mr.  Lawson).  Coleus  were 
shown  in  good  form,  Mr.  Hy.  Rogers  taking  first  place  ;  Mr.  R.  Hobson, 
Belgrave,  second  ;  and  Mr.  C.  J.  Mee,  Nottingham,  third. 
In  the  next  tent  were  numerous  fine  collections  of  fruit,  Mr.  J.  H. 
Goodacre,  Elvaston  Castle  Gardens,  Derby,  taking  first  prize  in  the 
collection  of  eight  varieties,  and  first  also  in  that  of  four  varieties.  In 
the  large  collection  were  good  Black  Hamburgh,  Alicante,  and  Muscat 
Grapes,  Queen  Pine,  The  Countess  Melon,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and 
Figs  (all  very  fine).  In  the  same  exhibitor’s  first  prize  collection  of  four 
varieties  were  very  fine  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  (the  best  in  the  show). 
The  Countess  Melon,  Bellegarde  Peach  (very  fine),  and  Spencer 
Nectarine.  Ths  second  prize  for  the  collection  of  eight  varieties  went 
to  Mr.  A.  McCulloch,  Newstead  Abbey,  Notts ;  third,  Mr.  Jno.  Read, 
Bretby  Park,  Burton-on- Trent ;  also  for  four  varieties,  second,  Mr.  A. 
McCulloch  ;  third,  Mr.  Jno.  Read  ;  fourth,  Mr.  R.  Shaw,  Garendon 
Park; 
Grapes  were  plentifully  shown  ;  blacks  mostly  good.  Muscats  gene¬ 
rally  unripe.  The  prizes  went  as  follows : — Two  bunches  Black 
Hamburghs. — First,  Mr.  A.  MeVinish,  Lockington  Hall,  Derby.  Second, 
Mr.  R.  Shaw.  Third,  Mr.  A.  McCulloch.  Muscat  of  Alexandria. — 
First,  Mr.  A.  MeVinish.  Second,  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre.  Black  Grapes, 
other  than  Hamburghs.— First,  Mr.  A.  McCulloch.  Second,  Mr.  J.  H. 
Goodacre.  Third,  Mr.  A.  MeVinish,  the  two  first  named  showing 
Alicante,  good  bunches  well  coloured.  White,  not  Muscats. — First,  Mr. 
J.  H.  Goodacre.  Second,  Mr.  J.  Read.  Third,  Mr.  A.  MeVinish. 
Melons,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Figs,  Cherries,  Apples,  and  Plums  were  all 
very  well  shown  in  this  tent,  and  Tomatoes  particularly  so,  there  being 
no  less  than  twenty-two  entries  for  a  dish  of  twelve.  The  Judges  must 
have  found  some  difficulty  here,  as  the  quality  was  so  high  almost 
throughout. 
The  collections  of  vegetables,  both  in  the  open  and  amateur  classes, 
were  very  fine  indeed,  and  elicited  high  commendation.  Mr.  A.  MeVinish 
obtained  the  first  pr’ze  for  the  open  class  collection  of  twelve  varieties. 
Second,  Mr,  J.  Read.  Third,  Mr.  R.  Shaw.  Fourth,  Mr.  G.  Garraway. 
Messrs.  Clibran  k  Sons,  Messrs.  Carter  &  Co.,  Mr.  J.  Brown,  Stam¬ 
ford  ;  Mr.  J.  Wright,  and  Mr.  H.  Rodgers  all  exhibited  groups  of  plants 
and  cut  flowers,  not  for  competition.  A  sixth  tent  was  occupied  by  honey 
and  appliances  for  the  apiary,  which  attracted  many  on-!ookers. 
As  showing  the  popularity  of  the  exhibition,  it  may  be  stated  that 
there  were  21,234  admitted  through  the  gates  during  the  afternoon  and 
