212 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Angnst  27,  1893. 
the  first  for  twenty-four  varieties  going  to  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son, 
Coventry,  who  had  some  good  blooms.  Mr,  T.  Currant  Young,  Roselands 
Nursery,  Eastbourne,  was  a  good  second.  For  twelve  Teas  Messrs.  Perkins 
and  Son  were  again  in  front,  but  closely  followed  by  Mr.  H.  Harris, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Eversfield,  Denne  Park.  Horsham. 
Dahlias  were  good,  particularly  the  Cactus  and  Show  varieties.  For 
forty -eight  Show  or  Fancy  varieties  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Swiss  Nursery, 
Farnham,  was  well  ahead  of  Mr.  M.  V,  Seale,  Sevenoaks,  followed  by 
Mr.  J.  Dawson,  57,  Alma  Villas,  Hastings.  Mr.  Mortimer  and  Mr.  M.  V. 
Seale  took  like  order  for  twenty-four  varieties.  Mr.  Seale  beat  Messrs, 
J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  for  twenty-four  varieties  of  singles.  For 
twelve  varieties  of  Cactus,  and  also  for  twelve  varieties  of  Pompons, 
Mr.  M.  V.  Seale  was  in  front  of  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley  ;  Mr. 
S.  Mortimer  following  in  each  case.  A  class  for  twenty-four  herbaceovs 
cut  flowers  was  strongly  conteaied,  Mr.  J,  Charlton,  Tunbridge  Wells, 
winning  from  Mr,  T.  H.  Sage,  Ham  House,  Richmond. 
The  beat  arranged  basket  o'  cut  flowers  and  foliage  (amateurs)  came 
from  Mr.  W.  Brockwa’^,  The  Gardens,  Tudor  House,  Burgess  Hill,  but 
table  decorations  and  floral  designs  were  not  up  to  the  usual  standard. 
The  best  twelve  cut  Roses  from  amateurs  came  from  Mr,  E.  Lawrence, 
gardener  to  T.  Oliver,  Esq.,  Horsham  ;  Mr.  H.  Harris  being  a  close 
second. 
Collections  of  fruit  were  good,  eight  competing  in  a  class  for  eight 
dishes.  Mr.  G.  Goldsmith,  gardener  to  Sir  E.  G.  Loder,  Bart.,  Leonards- 
lee,  Horsham,  winning  with  grand  d  shes  of  Nectarine  Pineapple, 
Figs  Brown  Turkey,  Pears  Williams’  Bon  Chretien,  Peaches  Violette 
H4tive,  and  black  and  white  Grapes,  Mr.  H.  Harris  running  him  very 
closely.  Thirteen  competed  in  a  class  for  three  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh  Grapes,  Mr,  T.  Dancy,  The  Gardens,  St.  Leonard’s  Forest, 
Horsham,  and  Mr.  G.  House,  gardener  to  Sir  F.  Nowatt,  K.C.B.,  With- 
dean  Hall,  Brighton,  being  first  and  second.  For  three  bunches  of  any 
other  black  Grape  Mr.  W,  Cheater,  gardener  to  Sir  W.  Pink,  Cosham, 
won  with  Madresfield  Court,  and  Mr.  T.  Bashby,  Heene,  Worthing, 
second  with  grandly  coloured  Black  Alicante.  Mr,  W.  Tidy,  gardener 
to  W.  K,  D’Arcy,  Esq ,  Stanmore  Hall,  Middlesex,  won  for  three 
bunches  of  white  Grapes  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  Mr.  C. 
Duncan,  gardener  to  C.  J,  Lucas,  Esq.,  Warnham  Court,  Horsham, 
very  close  up  with  the  same  variety. 
Mr.  C,  M,  Carter,  gardener  to  F.  Freeman  Thomas,  Esq.,  Ratton,  was 
in  front  for  a  pair  of  Melons  ;  and  Mr.  G.  H.  Sage,  Ham  House,  Rich¬ 
mond,  for  a  single  Melon.  For  two  dishes  of  Peaches  the  Brighton 
Florist  Stores  were  first ;  and  for  one  dish  Mr.  L.  W.  Bastin,  gardener  to 
A.  J.  Reynolds,  Esq.,  Welwyn,  Herts,  won  with  Princess  of  Wales,  Mr. 
J.  Coles,  gardener  to  H.  Faure  Walker,  Esq.,  Highley  Manor,  Balcombe, 
was  first  for  two  dishes  of  Nectarines.  Apples  were  very  good  and 
numerous,  Mr.  G.  H.  Sage,  Ham  House,  Richmond,  winning  for  four 
dishes  of  dessert  Apples  ;  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Parsons,  Mailing,  Lewes,  for 
four  dishes  of  culinary  Apples. 
READING— August  26th. 
Foebuey  GAitDENS,  Reading,  is  an  ideal  spot  for  a  flower  show, 
the  old  Abbey  ruins  lending  themselves  admirably  for  the  purpose. 
Again  this  spot  was  chosen  for  the  summer  show  of  the  Reading 
Horticultural  Society  on  Wednesday  in  stormy  weather.  In  com¬ 
parison  with  its  predecessors  the  exhibition  was  one  of  the  best  yet 
held,  each  section  being  well  represented.  Several  miscellaneous 
exhibits  assisted  in  making  up  the  display,  including  collections  of  fruit 
and  flowers  from  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea  ;  J,  Laing  and 
Sons,  Forest  Hill  ;  and  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley. 
The  premier  open  class  was  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect 
and  occupying  a  space  of  200  square  feet.  Four  exhibitors  competed, 
and  the  first  prize  went  to  Mr.  E.  Wills,  Shirley,  for  an  arrangement 
which  was  too  flat  to  be  very  effective.  Mr.  Pope,  gardener  to  J.  P. 
White,  Eeq.,  was  second  with  a  group  much  overcrowded.  The  third 
prize  exhibit,  set  up  by  Mr.  Finch,  Coventry,  was  in  many  respects  the 
most  artistic  of  the  three,  a  lack  of  finish  along  the  front  being  the  chief 
drawback.  Five  exhibitors  appeared  in  the  class  for  a  group  occupying 
75  square  feet,  and  out  of  these  Mr.  Howard  was  placed  first ;  Mr. 
Alexander,  gardener  to  R.  Hewett,  Esq.,  Reading,  second  ;  and  Mr, 
Goddard  third.  Mr;  Finch  had  the  best  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants 
in  the  open  class.  Mr.  E.  Wills  was  a  fair  second  ;  and  Mr.  Finch  was 
placed  first  for  six  foliage  plants.  Mr.  Howard,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Myers, 
Newbury,  showed  good  plants  for  the  second  place  ;  and  Mr,  E.  Wills 
was  third. 
Mr.  Dockrill,  gardener  to  G.  W.  Palmer,  Esq.,  Elmhurst,  was  to  the 
front  with  six  Ferns  ;  Mr.  Willis,  gardener  to  H.  C.  Simonds,  Esq., 
Caversham,  was  second  ;  and  Mr.  Howard  third.  Mr.  Dockerill  had 
the  best  six  Lycopodiums  ;  Mr.  Mayne,  gardener  to  Miss  Wallace, 
Reading,  second.  Mr.  Bright,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Karslake,  Esq.,  White 
Knights,  gained  first  prize  for  a  specimen  plant  with  a  splendidly 
grown  Fuchsia.  Mr.  J.  Hinton,  gardener  to  Major  Battiscombe,  Bath 
Road,  second.  Mr.  Bright  was  a  good  first  with  six  Fuchsias,  showing 
tall  admirably  grown  plants,  well  furnished  to  the  pots.  Mr.  G.  Hinton 
also  showed  good  plants  for  the  second  place. 
Mr.  Wolford  gained  first  prize  with  well-grown  double  Zonal  Pelar¬ 
goniums,  Mr.  Bright  taking  the  second  place.  Mr.  W.  H.  Lees,  gardener 
to  F,  A.  Bevan,  Esq,,  Trent  Park,  had  the  best  six  table  plants,  followed 
by  Mr.  T.  Boweiman,  gardener  to  C.  Hoare,  Eiq.,  Hackwood  Park, 
second  ;  and  Mr.  Best,  gardener  F.  D,  Ley  land,  Esq.,  Basingstoke, 
third. 
Fruit. — Mr.  W.  H.  Lees  had  the  best  collection  of  eight  dishes  of 
fmit.  Mr.  Cole,  gardener  to  Sir  Geo.  Russell,  Bart.,  Fallowfield  Park, 
was  second  ;  and  Mr.  Howard,  third,  Mr.  Dennes  was  first  for  six. 
dishes  ;  Mr.  Johnson,  gardener  to  A.  Gilliat,  Esq.,  second  ;  and  Mr, 
Chamberlain  third.  Mr.  J.  Read,  gardener  to  F.  Wilder,  Esq,,  Pursley 
Hall,  was  first  with  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  fruit,  followed  by 
Mr.  Dennes,  second  ;  and  Mr.  F.  J.  Fletcher,  Maidenhead,  third. 
Mr.  Mitchell  had  the  best  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  in  a 
keen  competition.  Mr.  J.  W.  McHattie,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Welling¬ 
ton,  Strathfieldsaye,  was  a  fair  second,  and  Mr.  T.  Turton,  Maiden 
Erlegh,  third.  Mr.  MacHattie  won  first  prize  for  any  other  black  with 
superb  pieces  of  Madresfield  Court,  Mr.  Dennes  second,  and  Mr.  J .  Bower- 
man  third.  Mr.  Cole  had  the  best  three  bunches  of  Muscat^  of 
Alexandria,  Mr.  W.  H.  Lees  being  second,  and  Mr.  Dennes  was  third. 
Mr.  Bowerman  had  the  best  dish  of  Peaches  ;  and  for  Nectarines  Mr, 
Howard  won.  Mr.  Howard  bad  the  best  Apricots,  and  Mr.  Mitchell 
the  best  Figs.  Mr.  Dockrill  was  first  with  a  green-fleshed  Melon,  and 
also  a  scarlet;  Plums,  Apples,  and  Pears  were  well  shown,  the  principal 
winners  being  Messrs.  J.  Wells,  Woolford,  and  Pope. 
The  cut  flower  section  was  large  and  well  filled,  Messrs.  Perkins  and 
Sons,  Cheal  &  Sons,  Lees,  and  Walker  being  the  chief  winners. 
Vegetables, — Three  exhibitors  competed  for  Messrs.  Sutton’s  principal 
prize,  and  out  of  these  Mr.  Pope  was  placed  first  wnth  a  grand  collection 
which  contained  superb  Autumn  Mammoth  Cauliflower,  Ailsa  Craig  and 
Silver  Glebe  Onions,  Perfection  Tomatoes,  Prizetaker  Leeks,  splendid 
Satisfaction,  Reading  Russet,  Nonesuch  and  Prizetaker  Potatoes, 
Intermediate  Carrots  were  fine,  as  also  were  Turnips,  Beet,  Celery,  Red 
and  White  Cabbage,  Beans,  and  Peas,  Mr.  Bowerman  was  a  good  second, 
the  quality  being  as  good  as  the  former,  but  not  so  many  dishes  were 
staged.  Mr.  Chas.  Foster,  gardener  to  M.  S.  Williams,  Esq., 
Aberpergwm,  took  the  third  award,  the  quality  in  this  case  also^  being 
good,  especially  the  Potatoes.  Prizes  were  also  offered  for  collections  of 
vegetables  by  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge,  and  Messrs.  John 
Sharpe  &  Sons,  but  owing  to  the  show  taking  place  just  as  we  were 
going  to  press,  our  reporter  was  obliged  to  leave  before  any  other  awards 
were  made. 
HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Strawberries. — Preparation  of  the  Soil. — The  soil  now  in  most 
gardens  is  in  a  favourable  condition  for  planting  after  the  recent  rains, 
being  where  previously  well  prepared  neither  too  wet  nor  too  dry.  In  the 
latter  state  the  young  plants  do  not  take  readily  to  their  new  quarters 
when  placed  therein  and  are  likely  to  suffer  from  remaining  stationary. 
If  the  soil  is  wet  and  clings  to  the  boots  or  tools  it  is  wise  to  wait  until 
the  surface  dries.  Delaying  planting  under  such  circumstances  is  better 
than  trampling  the  land  into  a  sticky  adhering  mass,  which  on  becom¬ 
ing  dry  hardens  and  cracks.  Soil  that  was  thoroughly  well  enriched  in 
spring  and  deeply  stirred,  being  occupied  since  with  Potatoes  or  Onions 
or  some  crop  easily  removeable  now,  will  be  in  suitable  condition  with  a 
little  surface  cultivation  such  as  forking  or  hoeing.  Good  results 
usually  follow  from  this  method  of  preparation,  especially  on  heavy 
retentive  soils.  More  stubborn  soils  require  a  good  winter  coarse  of 
breaking  up  and  exposure  to  the  elements.  Light  soils  are  more  easily 
dealt  with,  and  they  may  be  dug  over  and  manured  a  few  weeks  prior  to 
planting.  It  is  not  necessary  to  bury  the  manure  deeply,  but  place  it 
and  mix  with  the  staple  so  that  the  roots  can  readily  lay  hold  upon  it. 
Firming  the  Ground. — Recently  prepared  ground  will  require  to 
be  made  firm  before  planting.  This  may  be  done  by  well  treading  with 
the  feet  when  the  surface  is  dry,  but  avoid  by  all  means  of  compression  if 
much  moisture  is  present.  More  consolidation  is  necessary  when  the 
soil  has  to  be  dug  over  for  immediate  planting,  because  no  time  can  be 
afforded  it  to  settle  down  naturally.  The  disadvantages  of  a  loose  and 
rich  root  run  are  a  luxuriant  growth  of  foliage  and  slender  crowns.  A 
rich  and  firm  medium  produces  a  vigorous  growth  which  builds  up  bold 
crowns. 
Selecting  Plants.— There,  is  less  need  of  planting  hurriedly  when  good 
and  well-rooted  plants  are  obtainable.  Plants  rooted  in  pots  are  suitable 
for  forming  early  and  main  crop  plantations.  Later  plants  may  be 
secured  from  the  open  ground,  the  best  being  those  which  have  received 
proper  attention  in  the  shape  of  securing  them  early  to  mounds  of  good 
soil,  liberal  space  afforded  them  to  develop  strongly,  and  all  growth 
beyond  the  plants  stopped.  Frequently  is  it  the  case  that  excellent 
plants  may  be  obtained  from  among  the  runners  which  have  rooted 
without  any  special  attention.  These  answer  admirably  both  for  main 
crop  and  late  plantations,  providing  always  that  the  parent  plants  are 
strong  and  fruitful— important  points  which  must  not  be  overlooked. 
Planting. — The  soil  surrounding  the  roots,  especially  plan’s  from 
pots,  ought  to  be  quite  moist,  therefore  in  dry  vveatber  give  a  thorough 
soaking  of  water  a  few  hours  previously  to  planting.  Similar  attention 
is  necessary  to  plants  rooted  in  the  open  ground  so  that  they  can  be 
lifted  with  balls  of  earth  adhering,  transferring  directly  to  the 
positions  assigned.  Should  the  soil  be  dry  when  planting  out,  the 
holes  in  which  the  plants  are  placed  may  be  filled  with  water,  thua 
moistening  the  soil  immediately  round  the  roots,  then  fill  up  the 
