September  If,  iR9e. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
257 
co-operatioa  made  the  sabjoined  audit  possible. — Thomas  Wells, 
Prendent  Cambridge  Chrysanitheimim  Society,  Oaldeigh,  Cambridge, 
N.Z,,  July,  1896. 
Vote  fob  Best  Thibty-six  Japanese  Vaeieties, 
No.  Votes  Mrks 
No.  Votes  Mrks 
1  Vi  viand  Morel . 
24 
846 
82  Madam  C.Audiguier 
4 
32 
2  Chas.  Davis  . 
23 
779 
83  F.  Wickham  Jones 
1 
31 
3  Mdlle.  T.  Key . 
24 
709 
84  Florence  Boyd 
2 
31 
4  Col.  W.  B.  Smith  ... 
24 
681 
85  Mrs.  J.  W.  Tibbs  ... 
1 
31 
5  Viscountess  Hamble- 
86  Primrose  League  ... 
1 
30 
don  ...  ...  ... 
18 
474 
87  Goliath  . 
1 
29 
6  Mrs.  Bruce  Findlay 
19 
461 
88  Mrs.  Briscoe . 
1 
29 
7  Miss  Dorothy  Shea... 
22 
455 
89  Coronet .  ... 
2 
29 
8  Madame  Carnot 
14 
450 
90  Mons.  J.  Molin 
3 
29 
9  Eda  Prass . 
21 
432 
91  Syringa . 
1 
25 
10  Golden  Gate  . 
14 
413 
92  Mrs.  H.  Cannell  ... 
1 
25 
11  The  Queen  . 
14 
393 
93  Mrs,  J.  H,  Starin  ... 
1 
25 
12  Florence  Davis 
21 
372 
94  Miss  M.  Blenkiron 
3 
25 
13  Mutual  Friend 
11 
352 
95  Alberic  Lunden  ... 
3 
25 
14  Wm.  Seward  . 
20 
307 
96  White  Syringa 
1 
24 
15  Niveus  . 
15 
299 
97  Charles  Blick 
2 
24 
16  Mdlle.  Marie  Hoste 
16 
297 
98  Harry  May  . 
3 
23 
17  Duke  of  York . 
18 
281 
99  J.  H.  Runchman  ... 
2 
23 
18  Golden  Wedding  ... 
13 
277 
100  L’lsere  . 
1 
22 
19  Edwin  Molyneux  ... 
14 
262 
101  Mrs.  F.  Jamieson  ... 
2 
22 
20  Mrs.  C.  H.  Payne  ... 
15 
253 
102  Lady  E.  Saunderf ... 
4 
22 
21  Miss  A.  Hartshorn  ... 
13 
239 
103  Mrs.  E.  L.  TrafforO 
2 
22 
22  H.  L.  Sunder bruck... 
9 
220 
104  Mrs.  J.  Wright 
2 
21 
23  Lord  Brooke  . 
12 
217 
105  Mrs.  C.  W.  Wheeler 
1 
20 
24  Sunflower . 
12 
188 
106  Nelson  . 
3 
20 
25  Excelsior . 
11 
183 
107  H.  Rieman  . 
1 
20 
26  Mrs.  Libbie  AUeu  ... 
11 
180 
108  Mrs.  R.  J.  Hamill... 
2 
20 
27  Stanstead  White  ... 
12 
179 
109  Hairy  Wonder 
1 
18 
28  G,  W.  Childs  . 
15 
165 
110  Rangatira  . 
1 
17 
29  Wm.  Tricker  . 
11 
162 
Ill  Louise  . 
1 
17 
30  Mrs.  E.  D,  Adams  ... 
6 
161 
112  Egmont . 
2 
17 
31  Duchess  of  Wellingt’n 
8 
161 
113  Domination  . 
3 
17 
32  Helen  Bloodgood  ... 
7 
153 
114  Miss  Goschen . 
1 
16 
33  Rose  Wynne  . 
9 
153 
115  Latest  Fad  . 
1 
15 
34  Robert  Owen . 
9 
153 
116  F.  H,  Browne 
1 
15 
35  Monk.  Panckoucke ... 
7 
149 
117  V,  n.Hallock 
1 
15 
36  Mrs.  Henry  Robinson 
8 
144 
118  Miss  Edith  Poster... 
1 
13 
37  Beauty  of  Exmouth 
9 
141 
119  Madam  Isaacs 
1 
13 
38  Mrs.  W.  H.  Lees  ... 
5 
130 
120  Dr,  L.  Boor  . 
1 
13 
39  Pride  of  Madford  ... 
7 
121 
121  Madam  Calvat 
2 
13 
40  Princess  May . 
8 
109 
122  Com.  Blusset . 
3 
12 
41  G.  C,  Schwab? . 
9 
106 
123  Lady  Postil  ...  ... 
1 
11 
42  Grandiflorum . 
8 
104 
124  Mrs.  Russell  Hairi- 
43  President  Borei 
6 
103 
Bon  . 
1 
11 
44  Mdme.  Ad.  Cbatin  ... 
5 
102 
125  Madam  P.  Detour... 
1 
11 
45  International . 
6 
102 
126  Yellow  Lacroix  ... 
2 
11 
46  Waban  . 
6 
99 
127  Yokohama  Beauty 
1 
10 
47  W.  H.  Lincoln . 
9 
97 
128  Mrs,  James  Murphy 
1 
10 
48  Thomas  Wilkins 
5 
96 
129  Mr.  H.  Cannell  ... 
2 
10 
49  Jennie  Falconer 
6 
94 
130  Mons.  Geo.  Biron  ... 
1 
9 
50  Etoile  de  Lyon 
5 
91 
131  H.  Shoesmith . 
1 
9 
51  Mrs,  0.  E.  Shea 
3 
89 
132  Harry  Cheesemat ... 
1 
9 
52  Thunberg . 
7 
88 
133  Mrs.  E.  W.  Clarke 
2 
9 
53  Chas.  Shrimpton  ... 
9 
86 
134  J.  H.  Horton . 
1 
8 
54  Her  Majesty  . 
3 
83 
135  Miss  Pamela . 
1 
8 
55  Gloire  du  Rocher  ... 
9 
79 
136  Pres.  W.  R.  Smith 
1 
8 
56  Good  Gracious . 
4 
75 
137  Robert  Williams  ... 
1 
8 
57  Mrs.  Leslie  Ward  ... 
10 
72 
138  Mrs.  Alpheus  Hardy 
2 
8 
68  Lizzde  Cartledge 
3 
71 
139  Source  d’Or  . 
1 
7 
59  R.  G.  Kingston 
6 
71 
140  Miss  G.  Bramhall... 
1 
7 
60.  L.  B.  Bird  . 
7 
69 
I4l  Madam  E.  Eey 
1 
7 
61  Duchess  of  York  ... 
3 
67 
142  Comte  de  Germiny 
2 
7 
62  John  Shrimpton 
5 
64 
143  W.  Falconer . 
1 
6 
63  Richard  Dean . 
5 
62 
144  Madam  Gambon  ... 
1 
6 
64  Lady  T.  Lawrence  ... 
3 
60 
145  Golden  Lotus . 
1 
6 
65  W.  G.  Newitt  ...  ... 
3 
53 
146  Cecil  Wray  . 
1 
6 
66  Mrs.  Dr.  Mandaville 
3 
53 
147  Mrs.  E.  G.  Hill  ... 
1 
6 
67  Mrs.  T.  C,  Williams 
4 
52 
148  Greater  Britain  ... 
1 
5 
68  Philadelphia  . 
6 
51 
149  Octoroon  . 
2 
4 
69  Mrs.  E.  J.  Whittle ... 
3 
44 
150  Gloriosum  . 
1 
4 
70  A.  H.  Neve  , . 
5 
44 
151  Silver  Queen . 
1 
3 
71  Mdme.  C,  Molin 
2 
41 
152  A.  T.  Ewing . 
1 
3 
72  Centenary  . 
3 
41 
153  Wilfred  Marshall  ... 
1 
3 
73  Puritan  . 
3 
41 
154  Mrs,  F.  L.  Ames  ... 
1 
3 
74  E.  L.  Jamieson 
2 
40 
155  Lucreece . 
1 
2 
75  Avalanche  . 
3 
40 
156  Mrs.  F.  A.  Spaulding 
1 
2 
76  E.  Dailledouze . 
4 
40 
157  James  Lynch . 
1 
2 
77  Condor  . 
2 
38 
158  Mrs;  Dunnett 
1 
2 
78  E.  G.  Hill  . 
4 
36 
159  Mrs.  W.  H.  Trotier 
1 
2 
79  Miss  G.  Bolton 
1 
35 
160  Mrs.  Geo.  Cole 
1 
1 
80  Eynsford  White 
2 
35 
161  Chas,  E.  Shea 
1 
1 
81  E.  Baldwin  . 
4 
34 
162  Christa  Bell  . 
1 
1 
[The  above  is  taken  from  the  “  Auckland  Star,”  and  the  information  j 
therein  ’will  doubtless  be  interesting  to  readers  of  the  Journal.  It  clear l.v  | 
(hows  how  enthusiastic  are  the  New  Zealand  Chrysanthemum  growers.] 
A  PEEP  AT  DICKSONS. 
Chestee  is  a  quaint  rambling  old  city,  full  of  interesting  phases, 
and  wrought  with  historical  romance.  Encircled  by  its  city  walls, 
against  the  buttresses  of  which  the  rippling  waters  of  the  Dee  splash  as 
they  did  centuries  ago,  the  place  has  a  unique  appearance.  The  streets, 
some  broad,  others  so  narrow  that  it  would  be  almost  possible  to  shake 
hands  across  the  thoroughfare,  twist  and  twine  about  in  an  unexplain¬ 
able  manner,  and  there  is  something  distinctly  old-fashioned,  yet  withal 
home-like  and  comfortable  looking,  about  the  heavily  timbered  and  over¬ 
hanging  gables.  What  wonder  then  that  the  hostelries  of  Chester,  and 
they  are  by  no  means  scarce,  entertain  numerous  visitors  bent  on  a 
variety  of  pursuits?  Some  of  antiquated  turn  of  mind  are  content  to 
wander  round  the  two  miles  of  city  wall,  or  find  food  for  a  romantic 
mind  among  the  watch  towers,  battlements,  and  fragments  of  ruin, 
which  seem  to  withstand  the  ravages  of  time  with  the  same  bold  resist¬ 
ance  as  they  formerly  did  the  onslaught  of  a  hostile  foe.  Sportsmen 
seek  the  famous  Koodee,  where  annually  jockeys,  horses,  and  patrons  of 
the  turf  congregate  at  the  famous  race  for  the  Chester  cup,  and  knights 
of  the  rod  are  wont  to  pass  their  nights  in  the  city  and  their  days  by  the 
Dee  side.  All  these  pursuits  interest  those  who  delight  in  them,  but 
gardeners  also  visit  Chester,  whose  mission  invariably  is  to  see  the  famous 
establishment  of  Dicksons  (Limited). 
On  the  day  preceding  the  Chester  horticultural  show  held  a  few 
weeks  ago  the  writer  alighted  at  the  railway  station,  and  finding  himself 
with  a  few  hours  to  spare,  inquired  of  a  small  boy  if  he  knew  the  way  to 
Dicksons.  “  Oh,  yes,  sir  ;  seed  warehouse  or  nurseries?”  ”  Oh,  seed 
warehouse,”  was  the  reply.  “  Eight  y©u  are,  sir,  it’s  in  Eastgate  Street  ; 
turn  to  your  right,  and  you’ll  be  there  in  ten  minutes.” 
The  large  and  imposing  building  presents  rather  a  striking  contrast 
to  the  more  old-fashioned  structures  that  surround  it,  but  the  welcome 
was  genial  and  hearty  ;  a  call  at  the  telephone  followed  brief  explana¬ 
tions.  Soon  a  conveyance  stood  at  the  door,  and  shortly  again  it  drew 
up  within  the  precincts  of  the  famous  nurseries. 
Another  hearty  welcome  on  the  part  of  Mr.  George  Dickson  and  Mr. 
E.  J.  Baillie  preceded  an  interesting,  rapid,  but  necessarily  tiring  walk 
through  the  maze  of  nursery  ground.  What  strikes  the  visitor  most  on  his 
first  visit  to  Dicksons  is  the  magnitude  of  the  place.  “  Limited  ”  is  the 
term  used  to  designate  the  firm,  in  one  sense  rightly  used  no  doubt,  but  in 
another  one  is  tempted  to  vote  it  rather  “  unlimited.”  It  is  easy  to  start 
the  round  of  inspection  with  a  well-meant  resolution  to  see  all  and  miss 
nothing;  but  how  futile  —  yea,  impossible  —  for  before  the  eye  has 
scanned  and  the  legs  traversed  many  acres  of  the  450  that  comprise  the 
nursery  one  gets  mystified  by  variety,  astounded  by  statistics,  and  tired 
out  by  the  long  walk  through  an  apparently  never-ending  labyrinth  of 
roadways,  and  at  length  when  the  “finis”  is  reached  one  finds  that 
memory  is  unequal  to  the  strain,  and  what  was  considered  extraordinary 
in  one  feature  is  obliterated  by  the  admiration  of  the  next.  First  of  all 
come  the 
Geeenhouses, 
with  a  special  guide  to  lead  the  way  and  answer  questions.  “  How  many 
houses  have  you  altogether?”  was  asked.  “About  eighty  in  different 
parts  of  the  nursery,”  from  which  the  reader  will  be  able  to  form  some 
idea  of  this  department.  For  the  most  part  the  structures  have  an  aged 
and  well-tried  appearance  about  them,  though  each  with  its  number  on 
the  door  is  admirably  suited  for  the  class  of  plants  it  accommodates. 
Here  was  a  collection  of  Bouvardias,  dwarf  sturdy  plants  in  fine  condi¬ 
tion,  Singles  and  doubles  were  largely  represented,  and  amongst  the 
former  were  noticed  candidissima,  elegans,  Vulcan,  and  others  ;  while  of 
the  doubles  such  well  known  varieties  as  President  Garfield,  Alfred 
Neuner,  and  Victor  Lemoine  added  largely  to  the  sum  total  of  a  thousand 
plants  that  were  accommodated. 
“You  seem  to  make  a  speciality  of  Begonias.”  “Well,  yes.  We 
grow  about  30,000  plants  and  among  the  vast  collection  were  noticed 
singles  and  doubles,  comprising  a  complete  range  of  colour — white, 
cream,  yellow,  pink,  salmon,  scarlet,  and  so  forth,  with  numerous 
varying  tints  that  come  between. 
Then  came  Palms  in  confusing  variety — large,  medium,  and  small,  to 
suit  all  classes  of  customers  as  regards  size  and  price.  Thousands  of 
plants  are  raised  annually,  packed  closely  in  miniature  pots.  They 
looked  healthy  and  green,  with  a  vigorous  appearance,  speaking  volumes 
for  the  future.  Ferns  and  Lycopods  have  numerous  houses  allotted  to 
them.  Here  in  a  close  propagating  pit  were  thousands  springing  up, 
then  came  a  batch  just  potted,  and  so  on  in  various  stages  of  growth  and 
variety,  from  the  commonplace  Adiantum  and  Pteris  to  the  Dicksonias, 
Cyatheas.  and  Alsophilas,  which  guineas  alone  will  buy.  It  would  take 
too  long  to  speak  fully  of  the  inmates  of  the  numerous  greenhouses,  as 
everything  found  in  an  up-to-date  representative  nursery  collection  is 
included.  Stove  plants  of  all  sorts  were  noted,  with  Zonal  Pelargoniums 
and  Fuchsias  for  the  greenhouse  in  great  variety,  with  only  a  passing 
word  for  the  large  and  complete  collection  of  the  all-popular  Ohrysan- 
tbemums.  Had  it  been  November  perhaps  more  time  would  have  been 
spent  amongst  them  :  as  it  was,  the  excellent  condition  of  the  plants, 
some  with  single  stem's  and  others  grown  as  bushes,  was  taken  in  at  a 
glance,  and  on  we  passed  through  a  perfect  maze  of 
FOEEST  AND  OENAMENTAL  TeEES 
in  quantity  almost  passing  comprehension,  while  the  variety  was 
equally  mystifying.  In  this,  like  all  other  departments,  planting 
and  arrangement  is  carried  out  methodically  and  orderly.  Were  it 
not  so,  how  could  such  a  concern  be  successfully  managed  ?  At  one 
point  we  noted  the  beginning  of  a  plantation  of  Lews,  the 
