188 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Angnst  iO,  18W. 
and  Mr,  S.  Kidley  second.  There  was  a  really  good  coljecion  of  fable 
plants  shown.  Mr.  Shelton,  gardener  to  W.  R,  Wtite,  E-q.,  Clifton,  was 
first ;  Mr.  J.  R.  Brain,  Bristol,  second,  and  Miss  Todd  third.  For  four 
varieties  of  Orchids,  Mr.  Thomas  was  first,  and  Miss  Todd  second. 
Mr.  Rowland  was  the  only  competitor  with  a  group  arranged  for 
effect  to  occupy  a  space  of  50  square  feet,  and  was  awarded  the  first 
prize. 
Cut  flowers  in  both  the  open  to  all  and  ama-eurs’  tents  made  a  most 
imposing  display,  and  were  better  than  we  anticipated,  the  West  of 
England  suffering  badly  from  the  prolonged  drought.  With  thirty-six 
varieties  of  Roses  Mr.  J.  Mattock,  Oxford,  was  well  first,  his  Teas  being 
particularly  fresh  and  good.  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester, 
were  a  creditable  second;'  and  S.  P.  Budd,  Esq.,  Bath,  third.  Mr. 
Mattock  was  also  first  for  eighteen  varieties  ;  Messrs.  Jarman  <k  Co., 
Chard,  taking  the  second  prize ;  and  Messrs,  Townsend  &  Son  the  third. 
Dahlias  were  not  nearly  so  good  as  usual,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend 
and  Son  were  the  most  snccersful  exhibitors  of 
these  ;  Mr.  W,  Smith,  Kingswood  ;  Mr.  H.  God¬ 
ding  and  Mr.  W.  Fligg,  Bishop’s  Lydeard,  also 
taking  prizes.  Phloxes  were  extra  good,  Messrs. 
H.  Godden  and  S.  Tottle  taking  the  prizes.  With  Asters 
the  Bath  competitors,  Mr.  C.  H.  Vickery  and  Mr.  A.  A. 
Walters,  were  the  principal  prizewinners ;  and  with 
Begonias;  Mr.  J.  B.  Blackmore,  Twerton,  was  invincible. 
Hollyhocks  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  J,  Burgess,  Bristol  ; 
and  Mr.  S.  Smith,  Mr.  Thomivs  was  first  for  stove  and 
greenhouse  flowers,  and  Mr,  Shelton  second.  Mr. 
Frome,  were  first ;  Mr.  Cuff,  Taunton,  second. 
In  the  amateurs’  tent  many  of  the  exhibitors  already 
named  again  figured  prominently.  Dr.  Badd,  Bath,  was 
first,  and  Mr.  Hobbs,  Bristol,  a  good  second  for  twenty- 
four  Roses,  distinct ;  the  same  positions  being  held  by 
these  competitors  in  the  class  for  twelve  varieties.  The 
first  prize  Gladioli,  shown  by  Mr.  F.  H.  Fox,  Taunton, 
were  remarkably  good  ;  Mr.  S.  Tottle  also  showing  good 
spikes.  Mr.  J.  Lloyd,  gardener  to  Vincent  Stuckey,  Esq., 
Langport,  was  first  with  both  French  and  German  Asters  ; 
Mr,  C.  H.  Vickery  being  second.  The  best  Show  Dahlias 
were  staged  by  Mr.  J.  Burgess  ;  second,  Mr.  T.  Hobbs. 
Cactus  Dahlias  were  in  good  condition.  Major  Wise, 
Bishop’s  Lydeard,  was  first ;  and  Mr.  S.  Tottle  second. 
There  were  grand  collections  of  hardy  herbaceous  flowers, 
and  with  these  Mr.  W.  James,  gardener  to  Mrs.  J. 
Macalister,  was  first ;  Mr.  W.  Fligg  second,  and  Mr. 
Kidley  third.  Mrs.  Hickley  was  first  with  hardy  annuals  ; 
and  Mr.  G.  Garraway,  Bath,  second. 
One  large  tent  was  wholly  devoted  to  gardeners’ 
exhibits  of  fruit  and  vegetables,  and  considering  the 
season  a  grand  display  was  made.  Unfortunately  those 
responsible  omitted  the  usual  precaution  of  railing 
off  the  tables,  and  as  a  con¬ 
sequence  the  great  crowd  of 
visitors  made  it  impossible 
for  a  detailed  report  to  be 
taken,  gardeners’  names  in  par¬ 
ticular  being  difficult  to  procure. 
There  were  six  competitors  with 
coRections  of  eight  varieties  of 
fruit,  and  of  these  three  were 
nearly  of  equal  merit,  only  one 
or  two  points  separating  them 
from  each  other.  Mr.  J.  Lloj  d 
was  first  with  fine  bunches  of 
Madresfield  Court,  a  little  lack¬ 
ing  in  colour,  and  fairly  good 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  a  hand¬ 
some  seedling  Melon  of  his  own 
raising,  good  Peaches,  Necta¬ 
rines,  Figs,  Plums,  and  Pears; 
Second,  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward,  Longford  Castle,  Salisbury,  who  lost 
more  points  on  his  front  dishes  than  he  gained  on  his  Grapes. 
Mr.  A.  Crossman,  gardener  to  J.  Bratton,  Esq.,  Yeovil,  was  third,  he  also 
being  strong  in  his  front  rows.  An  extra  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
R.  Carter,  Derby,  who  had  the  best  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  in  the 
show,  but  was  weak  in  front.  Still  more  competed  with  four  dishes  of 
fruit. 
Mr.  Webber,  gardener  to  G.  F.  Luttrell,  Esq.,  Dunster  Castle,  was 
first,  showing  a  bunch  each  of  Lady  Downe’s  (perfectly  ripened).  Buck- 
land  Sweetwater,  and  Foster’s  Seedling  Grapes,  a  good  Melon,  and  fine 
Peaches  and  Nectarines  ;  Mr.  Lloyd  was  second,  Mr.  Ward  third,  and 
an  extra  prize  went  to  Mr.  Crosaman.  Mr.  Carter  was  first  for  Pii  e 
Apples,  and  Mr.  Lloyd  second.  Grapes  were  largely  shown,  but  the 
quality  has  been  surpassed  at  previous  shows.  Mr.  J.  Ijloyd  was  first 
for  neat,  well  finished  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  Mr.  Kidley  second, 
and  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  gardener  to  the  Right  Hon.  W.  H.  Long,  M.P.,  Trow¬ 
bridge,  third,  both  showing  good  bunches.  In  the  any  other  black  class 
Mr.  Carter  was  first  with  M^resfield  Court,  perfectly  coloured,  but  none 
too  clean,  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  Crossman,  and  the  third  to  Mr. 
H.  W.  Ward,  these  also  showing  Madresfield  Court.  The  best  three 
bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  were  shown  by  Mr.  Carpenter,  gardener 
to  A.  R.  Bailey,  E»q.,  Frome  ;  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward  following  very  closely,- 
with  Mr.  Strugnell  only  a  point  behind.  With  any  other  white  variety 
Mr.  C.  D.  Harrod  was  first ;  Mr.  Marshall,  gardener  to  J.  Dob,  Esq., 
Clifton,  second  ;  and  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward  third,  all  showing  Buckland 
Sweetwater  in  good  condition. 
Melons  were  numerous.  Mr.  J.  Lloyd  was  first  with  his  seedling,  a 
white  fleshed  variety,  handsome  in  appearance  and  superior  in  point  of 
quality  ;  second,  Mr.  H  W.  Ward,  with  Earl’s  Favourite,  also  good  ;  and 
third,  Mr.  Webber.  Peaches  were  plentiful,  but  Mr,  Webber  was  easily 
first  with  fine  fruit  of  Barrington  ;  Mr.  Hobby,  gardener  to  the  Right 
Hon.  S.  Ponsonby  Fane,  Brympton,  Yeovil,  was  a  creditable  second.  A 
highly  coloured  dish  of  Pineapple  gained  Mr.  A.  Crossman  the  first  prize 
for  Nectarines,  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  Webber  for  Pitmaston 
Orange,  also  good.  Mr.  Kidley  was  first,  and  Mr.  Webber  second  for 
Apricots. 
Plums  were  grandly  shown.  In  the  class  for  a  dark  coloured  Mr. 
A.  Crossman  was  first  for  a  perfect  dish  of  Kirke’s,  Mr.  Lloyd  taking 
second  prize.  Equally  good  were  the  fruit  of  Jefferson’s  that  gained 
Mr.  Lloyd  the  first  prize  in  the  class  for  yellow  Plums,  Mr.  S,  Lawrence 
following  with  a  good  dish  of  the  same  variety,  an  extra  prize  going 
to  F.  J.  R.  Bentlev,  Wellington  fora  beautiful  dish  of  Early  Transparent 
G  age.  The  Morello  Cherries  shown  by  Messrs.  Webber  and  Kidley  were 
extra  fine,  and  there  were  many  excellent  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears 
shown.  In  the  dessert  Apple  class  preference  was  given  to  well  ripened 
fruit  of  Devonshire  Quarrenden  shown  by  Mrs.  Blake,  Taunton  ;  Mr. 
Harrod  being  second  for  the  same  variety.  A  fine  dish  of  Peasgood’s 
Nonesuch  gained  Mr.  W.  Strugnell  the  first  prize  in  the  class  for 
culinary  Apples,  Lord  Suffield  in  perfect  condition  gaining  Mr.  Hebditch, 
South  Petherton,  the  second  prize. 
Vegetables  were  as  abundant  and  good  as  on  previous  occasions, 
several  well  known  gardeners  competing,  Mr.  T.  Wilkins,  Henstridge, 
was  the  most  successful ;  Mr.  Copp,  gardener  to  W.  E.  S.  Erie  Drax,  Esq., 
Sherborne,  and  the  gardeners  to  Major  Aldworth,  West  Coker,  and 
C.  T.  D.  Ackland,  E*q.,  Taunton,  also  showing  well  and  successfully  in 
the  collection  classes.  Messrs.  R.  Veitch  &  Sons  arranged  a  very 
effective  non-competitive  group  of  flowering  and  fine-foliaged,  with 
alpine  plants  in  front.  They  also  exhibited  blooms  of  the  beautiful  new 
hybrid  Water  Lilies,  which  attracted  much  attention.  Fuchsia  triphylla 
hybrida  and  Browallia  speciosa  major  were  likewise  greatly  admired. 
Messrs.  Jarman  &  Sons,  Chard,  arranged  a  group  of  plants  and  cut 
flowers  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  tent.  The  display  of  cut  Gladioli 
made  by  Messrs.  Kelway  &  Sons,  Langport,  was  worthy  of  the  firm  who 
has  made  such  a  great  reputation  for  this  particular  class  of  plants. 
AN  ANGLO-DUTCH  HOE. 
Cue  friend  and  fellow  worker,  the  Rev,  A.  Foster-Melliar  (who 
has,  [however,  been  resting  of  late),  has  invented  a  hoe  for  stirring 
the  soil  in  ihis  Rose  garden  at  Sproughton.  It  is  not  a  first  inven¬ 
tion,  ibut  of  that  he  was  in  ignorance,  though  this  does  not  detract 
from  the  merits  of  tbe  implement  in  the  least.  The  rosarian  found 
it  so  handy  and  useful  as  to  be  indispensable,  that  he  thought 
others  should  have  a  chance  to  benefit,  as  he  has  done,  by  its  use, 
and  so  placed  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Ransomes,  of 
Ipswich.  The  Anglo-Dutch  “  Sproughton  ”  hoe  (fig  39)  works  both 
ways  with  equal  facility.  It  is  a  draw  hoe  and  a  push  hoe,  handy  and 
light,  skims  through  tbe  soil  freely,  except  where  it  comes  in  con¬ 
tact  with  Briar  suckers  or  fleshy  rooted 
weeds,  and  these  it  prongs  up  as  it  goes  along 
with  a  sensible  man  at  the  handle.  It  will 
draw  drills  for  small  seeds,  and  indeed  do 
most  things  that  can  be  done  in  free  soils 
by  tbe  draw  hoe  except  earth  Potatoes.  It 
is  a  valuable  summer  implement,  work¬ 
ing  easily  and  effectively;  We  know  this 
because  i<we  have  tried  it,  and  that  is  why  we  have  pleasure  in 
speaking  a  good  word  for  the  “  Sproughton  ”  hoe. 
The  Jebset  Potato  Crop  of  1896.— This  has  been  in  every 
respect  a  great  success,  comparing  most  favourably,  both  in  extent  and 
prices  gained,  with  other  good  years.  The  average  price  per  ton  has 
been  £6  14s.  9d.,  as  against  £6  12i.  7d.  in  1895,  The  crop  of  1895 
occupied  7414  acres,  and  if  the  area  for  1896  were  the  same  the  result 
has  been  a  return  of  £58  per  acre  for  this  crop  alone,  omitting  also  tubers 
retained  in  the  island  for  food  and  seed.  During  tbe  past  thirteen  years 
the  1896  export  of  64,583  tons  has  only  been  exceeded  as  follows  ;  —In 
1886,  64,820  tons  ;  in  1891,  66,810  tons  ;  in  1892,  66,332  tons.  The  value 
of  tbe  1896  crop  is  estimated  at  £435,192 ;  that  of  1886  was  £309,155  f 
of  1891,  £487,642  ;  that  of  1892  only  realising  £376,536.  The  first 
20  tons  exported  this  year  averaged  £32  per  ton,  and  the  next  26  tons 
realised  £10  per  ton  less.  These  were  dispatched  April  18th  and  25th. 
A  contemporary  says  the  May  export  was  20,820  tons,  realising  £178,465. 
During  June  39,992  tons  were  dispatched,  and  tbe  return  was  £243,600  f 
in  July  the  export  was  3725  tons,  valued  at  £12,025. 
