196 
.JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
Augast  2?,  189S. 
prize  Cabbages  would  have  been  fitly  displaced  at  Bingley  iHall  or 
Islington  for  cattle  food.  Certainly  in  no  other  show  in  the  kingdom 
would  they  have  been  placed  first.  In  another  rather  small  white 
kidney  Potatoes  came  first,  then  large  ones,  then  smallish  ones  again. 
In  another,  winter-raised  Onions,  Ailsa  Craig,  were  placed  first  in  both 
autumn  and  spring-sown  classes  from  the  same  sowing,  while  the  very 
best  Cauliflowers  in  the  show  had  no  prize  at  all,  but  were  simply 
“commended.”  I  found  rare  fun  in  noting  this) judging,  but  it  was 
anything  but  fun  to  the  exhibitors. — A.  D. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall,  August  25th. 
The  show  at  the  Drill  Hall  was  large,  but  not  particularly  diversified. 
Asters  and  other  hardy  flowers  taking  up  a  large  proportion  of  the  space. 
Fruit  was  splendidly  staged,  as  also  were  Pitcher  Plants  from  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons, 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  Philip  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ! 
with  Messrs.  T.  F.  Rivers,  H.  J.  Pearson,  Geo.  Bunyard,  T.  Saltmarsh, 
T.  H.  Crasp,  A.  Dean,  J.  Willard,  W.  Bates,  J.  A.  Laing,  J.  H.  Veitch, 
F.  Q.  Lane,  H.  Balderson,  G.  Norman,  and  Robert  Fife. 
Messrs.  S.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow,  sent  an  interesting  collection 
of  Apples  and  Plums.  Amongst  the  former  were  some  fine  fruits  of 
Duchess’s  Favourite,  The  Baron,  Alexander,  Duchess  of  Oldenburg. 
Alfriston,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Worcester  Pearmain,  Warner’s  King,  and 
Manks  Ccdlin,  Amongst  Plums  were  noticed  Pond’s  Seedling,  Black 
Diamond,  and  Monarch  (bronze  Knightian  medal).  Mr.  G.  Elliott, 
gardener  to  P.  Graham,  Esq.,  West  Molesey,  Surrey,  exhibited  half  a 
dozen  bunches  of  Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  cut  from  one  Vine,  shapely 
and  large  in  berry.  The  same  exhibitor  also  staged  six  superb  pieces  of 
Gros  Maroc,  remarkable  for  the  cleanliness,  dense  colour,  size  of  berries, 
and  the  neat  even  shape  of  the  bunches  (silver  Knightian  medal). 
A  superb  collection  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines  came  from  Mr. 
AV.  Walters,  gardener  to  Lord  Gerard,  Eastwell  Park,  Ashford.  The 
colour  and  quality  of  the  fruit  were  superb.  Peaches  comprised  Gros 
Mignonne,  Princess  of  Wales,  and  Sea  Eagle  ;  and  the  best  Nectarines 
were  Melton,  Pineapple,  Elruge,  Rivers’  Early  Orange,  Prince  of  Wales, 
and  Humboldt  (bronze  Knightian  medal).  Mr.  Tbos.  Dennes,  gardener 
to  W.  K.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Bracknell,  sent  three  bunches  of  Black  Muscat 
Hamburgh  Grapes.  The  bunches  were  large,  but  would  have  been  better 
if  the  berries  had  been  thinned  more  (bronze  Knightian  medal).  A  large 
space  of  tabling  was  occupied  by  a  collection  of  Grapes  from  the  R.H.S. 
Gardens  at  Chiswick.  Amongst  them  were  noticed  good  pieces  of 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Madresfield  Court;  Foster’s  Seedling,  Black 
Hamburgh,  Golden  Hamburgh,  Black  Prince,  Foster’s  Seedling,  Mrs. 
P  nee’s  Black  Muscat,  and  San  Antonio  were  also  represented. 
The  whole  of  one  table  side  was  occupied  by  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons’ 
exhibit  of  fruit.  This  comprised  Peaches  and  Nectarines  in  variety, 
large  baskets  of  Pears  and  Apples,  Cherries,  Apricots,  and  Damsons. 
Following  these  came  Figs  fruiting  in  pots.  Dessert  Apples  of  the  best 
varieties  were  in  perfect  condition,  and  the  large  collection  of  Plums 
were  very  interesting.  These  were  shown  in  trays,  and  comprised 
Gages,  Victoria,  Diamond,  Pond’s  Seedling,  Archduke,  Kiike’s,  Wash¬ 
ington,  Denniston’s  Superb,  and  many  others  of  the  best  known  varieties 
(silver-gilt  Knightian  medal).  Mr.  George  Bunyard,  Maidstone,  sent  an 
interesting  collection  of  Pears,  Plums,  and  Peaches. 
From  the  Royal  Gardens  at  Frogmore  came  a  grand  exhibit,  com¬ 
prising  fifty  dishes  of  fruit.  Mr.  Thomas  staged  superb  Plums,  such  as 
Gages  in  variety,  Goliath,  Archduke,  Kirk’s,  Jefferson,  and  Victoria  ; 
fine  Peaches,  large  and  richly  coloured,  the  best  being  Dymond,  Barring¬ 
ton,  and  Premier.  These,  with  ten  dishes  of  well-coloured  Nectarines, 
made  up  a  striking  and  unique  exhibit  (silver-gilt  Knightian  medal). 
Mr.  J.  Johnson,  Duffield,  Stoke,  sent  fruits  of  an  Apple  called  Johnson’s 
Seedling.  From  Mr.  S.  Cole,  Swallowfield  Park,  Reading,  came  fruits 
of  a  new  Melon,  Swallowfield  Park  Favourite.  Mr,  H.  Poulton,  gardener 
to  C.  T.  Cayley,  Esq.,  Stieatham,  sent  half  a  dozen  fruits  of  a  Melon 
called  Improvement.  A  fruit  of  Melon  The  Duchess  was  shown  by  Mr. 
Thomas,  Frogmore.  but  no  award  was  made.  Mr.  G,  Wythes,  gardener 
to  Earl  Percy,  Syon  House,  sent  fruits  of  a  Melon  called  “  Syon  Gem,” 
a  cross  between  Syon  House  and  Hero  of  Isleworth,  and  also  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  hardy  fruit,  for  which  a  silver  Knightian  medal  was  awarded. 
Mr.  Becker,  Jersey,  sent  a  dish  of  Pears,  Dr.  Jules  Guyot;  and  also  a 
dish  of  Apples,  to  be  named.  The  same  exhibitor  sent  a  dish  of  Red 
Currants,  The  Comet. 
Mr.  J,  Meindoe,  gardener  to  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Hutton  Hall, 
Gnisborough,  sent  a  dish  of  Burbank  Plums,  and  fruits  of  the  same 
variety  came  from  Messrs.  T,  Rivers  &  Son,  Saw  bridge  worth.  Fruits 
of  a  new  Peach  of  dull  colour  and  red  flesh,  called  Maresfield  Park 
Seedling,  were  staged  by  Mr.  Alex.  Findlay,  Maresfleld  Park,  Sussex. 
Messrs.  Watkins  &  Simpson,  Strand,  sent  fruits  of  Raspberry  Steel’s 
Victoria.  Several  dishes  of  Tomatoes  were  staged,  including  Abbey 
Wood  Crimson  and  Abbey  Wood  Scarlet,  exhibited  by  Mr.  J.  Clark, 
Abbey  Wood,  Kent ;  and  a  dish  of  Young’s  Eclipse  from  Messrs.  Young 
and  Dobinson,  Stevenage.  Messrs.  Robert  Veitch  &  Son,  Exeter,  sent 
specimens  of  their  new  Intermediate  Carrot,  and  a  new  Pea,  Mr. 
Gladstone,  was  sent  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Holmes,  Tain. 
Mr.  T.  H.  Crasp,  Osbeiton  Gardens,  Worksop,  sent  fruits  of  a  Tomato 
Osbeiton  Scarlet  and  also  several  splendidly  grown  bunches  of  the  small 
amber- coloured  Ferdinand  de  Lesseps  Grapes.  Messrs.  Harrison  and 
Sons,  Leicester,  sent  an  exhibit  consisting  of  twenty-four  varieties  of 
French  Beans  in  good  condition.  Mr.  J.  Day,  gardener  to  C.  J. 
Massey,  Esq.,  Galloway  House,  Garlieston,  sent  a  good  collection  of 
Plums,  in  which  many  of  the  best  varieties  were  included  (bronze 
Knightian  medal). 
Competitive  Classes.— Mr.  Norman,  gardener  to  Marquis  of 
Salisbury,  Hatfield,  was  placed  first  for  the  best  flavoured  Pear  with 
Beurrd  de  I’Assomption  ;  Mr.  G.  Wythes  was  placed  second  with  Williams’ 
Bon  ChrStien.  Mr.  Col  vile  Browne,  Hextable,  Kent,  showed  Worcester 
Peaimain  for  the  best  flavoured  Apples,  Mr.  Wythes  being  second  with 
Duchess’s  Favourite.  Nine  dishes  of  Pears  were  shown,  and  fourteen 
dishes  of  Apples. 
Floral  Committee.— Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  H,  B.  May,  H.  Herbst,  G.  Nicholson,  G.  Stevens, 
J.  Hudson,  J.  F.  McLeod,  R,  B.  Lowe,  C.  J.  Salter,  R.  M.  Hogg,  W.  Bain, 
C.  E.  Pearson,  and  C,  Jefferies. 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  exhibited  a  large  bank  of  Asters 
representing  the  several  sections.  Several  of  the  German  varieties  from 
German  seeds  with  flowers  of  Victoria,  Pseony-fiowered,  Comet,  and 
others.  Many  of  the  flowers  were  in  good  condition,  and  it  is  evident 
that  the  soil  at  Orpington,  where  they  were  grown,  suits  them  well.  A 
few  blooms  of  the  new  white  Cactus  Dahlia  Miss  Webster  were  also  staged 
(silver  Flora  medal).  As  usual,  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  staged  a 
large  collection  of  hardy  flowers,  amongst  which  Dahlias,  Liliums,  and 
Rudbeckias  were  most  conspicuous  (silver  Flora  medal).  Messrs. 
R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  exhibited  an  interesting  collection  of 
Gladioli,  principally  of  the  Lemoinei  section,  and  also  numerous  Liliums 
in  variety  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Herbaceous  flowers  from  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood,  formed  a 
bright  display,  and  comprised  Sunflowers.  Gaillardias,  Phloxes,  Dahlias, 
Hollyhocks,  and  others  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  Young  and 
Dobinson,  Stevenage,  exhibited  a  diversified  collection  of  Violas  with 
a  few  Stocks  and  some  fine  double  Begonias  (bronze  Banksian  medal). 
The  whole  of  one  side  of  the  Hall  was  occupied  by  a  collection  of 
Asters  from  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley.  Various  forms  were 
employed,  and  the  flowers  were  of  excellent  quality.  All  the  best 
varieties  were  staged  where  this  was  possible  (silver-gilt  Flora  medal). 
Mr.  W.  Bain,  gardener  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Dorking,  sent  superb 
Pentstemons  and  Gladioli  in  variety. 
The  honour  of  staging  the  most  imposing  exhibit  in  the  Hall  must 
be  given  to  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  for  their  collection  of 
Nepenthes.  The  plants  tastefully  arranged  with  other  things  make  a 
really  remarkable  display,  almost  equalling  that  made  by  the  plants  at 
home.  The  varieties  comprised  Mastersiana,  Dicksoniana,  Cincta, 
Hookeriana,  mixta  sanguines,  Rafflesiana,  Burkei,  mixta,  Northiana, 
Domini,  Chelsoni,  and  Rafliesiana  pallida  (gold  medal). 
Orchid  Committee.— H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with 
Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  H.  M.  Pollett,  H.  J.  Chapman,  S.  Courtauld, 
W.  Cobb,  and  A.  H.  Smee. 
Only  a  few  groups  of  Orchids  were  staged.  One  was  from  Messrs. 
H.  Low  &  Co.,  Clapton,  and  comprised  Dendrobiums,  Cattleyas,  Cypri* 
pediums,  and  a  few  others  (silver  Banksian  medal).  The  second  one 
was  from  Mr,  J.  Davis,  gardener  to  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  South  Wood¬ 
ford,  and  contained  several  flowers  of  first-rate  quality  (silver  Flora 
medal).  Mr.  W.  H.  White,  grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart,,  sent 
a  few  Orchids,  including  Habenaria  carnea,  Saccolabium  Blumei  majus, 
Maxillaria  fucata,  and  a  few  others.  Mr.  J.  Powell,  gardener  to  Colonel 
Brymer,  M.P.,  Dorchester,  sent  Lselio-Cattleya  Brymeriana,  receiving  a 
first-class  certificate. 
W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Stone,  Staffs,  sent  Dendrobium  longicorum 
(award  of  merit).  Mr.  F.  J.  Thorne,  gardener  to  Major  Joicey,  Sunning- 
dale  Park,  staged  a  small  collection  of  Orchids,  comprising  Stanhopea 
eburnea,  Miltonia  Candida  grandiflora,  Laelia  monopbylla,  each  securing 
an  award  of  merit. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Beqonia  Louise  Closon  Impd  (J,  Laing  &  Sons).— The  outer  portion 
of  this  Rex  Begonia  are  slaty  black,  the  inner  part  being  patched  pale 
claret  red  (award  of  merit). 
Cdladium  Donna  Carmen  Macedo  (J.  Laing  &  Son#).— Rich  red  is  the 
ground  colour  of  this  v.ariety,  of  which  the  veins  are  green  (award  of 
merit). 
Campanula  Profusion  (E.  H,  Jenkins).  — This  is  a  hybrid  form 
between  C.  isopbylla  and  C.  carpatica  alba ;  the  colour  is  a  pleasing 
shade  of  blue,  and  the  flowers  are  produced  in  great  profusion  (award  of 
merit). 
Cychnoches^  no  name  (E.  Hill). — The  sepals  and  petals  of  this  Orchid 
are  green  spotted  with  brown.  The  peculiarly  formed  lip  is  rosy  white 
(award  of  merit). 
Dahlia  Miss  Webster  (Dobbie  &  Co.). — This  is  a  pure  white  Cactus 
variety  of  good  form  (award  of  merit). 
Dendrobium  longicorum  (W.  Stevens). — This  is  a  plant  of  peculiar 
habit,  the  flowers  hanging  down,  and  being  half  closed.  White  is  the 
prevailing  colour,  save  the  deep  yellow  lines  on  the  lip  and  the  brick-red 
throat  (award  of  merit). 
Gladiolus  Atlas  (W.  Bain). — Very  delicate  mauve  is  the  hue  of  this 
handsome  Gladiolus  (award  of  merit). 
Gladiolus  Fostell  de  Coulanges  (W.  Bain).— A  charming  variety  of 
the  Lemoinei  section.  The  flowers  are  bright  rose,  with  a  white  throat 
(award  of  merit). 
Lalia  monophylla  CP.  J.  Thorne).— Another  well-known  plant.  The 
flowers  are  orange  red  (award  of  merit). 
