354 
fOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  OARDENEhL 
October  8,  1898. 
plants  are  very  nmmerous.  Superlative  is  the  sheet  anchor  at  Highclere, 
and  all  other  vaneties  are  being  gradaally  removed  to  make  room  for 
the  prime  favourite.  It  is  found  to  be  the  best  in  every  respect  and 
thus  must  completely  supersede  all  the  rest  in  this  garden. 
From  the  vegetable  and  fruit  garden  we  had  to  take  a  walk  of  some 
distance  ere  the  garden  of  flowers,  and  the  remainder  of  the  glass  houses, 
were  reached,  passing  by  the  way  through  thousands  of  immense  bushes 
of  Azaleas  and  Rhododendrons  for  which  Highclere  has  so  long  been 
justly  famed.  They  are  in  splendid  health,  and  the  spectacle  in  the 
spring  months  when  the  shrubs  are  in  fl.ower  must  he  nothing  short  of 
superb.  We  passed,  too,  beneath  the  shade  of  some  grand  old  Cedars, 
and  got  the  glimpse  of  the  mansion  that  is  depicted  in  the  photographic 
reproduction  (fig.  65).  The  flow'er  garden  has  an  Old-World  appear¬ 
ance  that  is  thoroughly  in  keeping  with  its  surroundings,  and  though 
the  rains  bad  performed  the  task  of  destroying  almost  all  the  beauty, 
one  could  not  but  admire  great  masses  of  various  kinds  of  flowers  which 
were  utilised  in  its  furnishing,  while  in  the  centre  of  the  whole  was  a 
miniature  pool  for  a  few  aquatic  plants.  It  would  have  been  a  sight 
well  worth  the  seeing  six  wetks  or  two  months  ago;  but  now  its 
beauty  has  gone,  despite  the  Dahlias,  for  jet  another  year. 
Under  glass  the  Grapes  in  the  range  of  vineries  that  has  not  long 
been  erected  were  seen  in  particularly  good  form,  the  berries  on  the 
whole  being  gcod  in  size  and  finish,  while  the  bunches  were  highly 
creditable.  Other  tender  fruits  were  seen  in  equally  good  form,  but 
specific  mention  cannot  now  be  made  of  them.  The  plant  houses, 
which  are  none  too  numerous  for  the  size  of  the  establishment,  were  all 
full  of  plants,  foliage  and  flowering,  the  majority  of  which  have  to  do 
duty  for  furnishing  purposes  in  the  mansion.  Noticeable  as  was  the 
cleanliness  of  everything  out  of  doors  it  was  no  whit  less  conspicuous 
within.  Everything  was  as  it  should  be  in  this  respect.  From  here 
we  returned  to  Mr.  Pope’s  house  to  partake  again  of  Mrs.  Pope’s 
hospitality,  after  which  our  farewells  were  said  and  thanks  conveyed 
for  the  kindness  that  bad  been  extended  to  the  stranger.  It  was  the 
first  visit  to  Highclere,  but  let  us  hope  it  will  not  be  the  last,  and  that 
the  next  one  will  be  when  the  Azaleas  and  Rhododendrons  are  at  the 
summit  of  their  beauty. — H.  J.  Weight. 
SHOW  OF  BRITISH  FRUIT. 
CRYSTAL  PALACE.— OcTOBEK  1ST,  2nd,  and  3bd. 
The  exhibition  of  British-grown  fruit,  which  was  held  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  above  dates,  is  the 
third  annual  event  in  direct  succession.  Though  the  weather  was 
inclined  to  he  dull  on  each  of  the  days,  the  rain  fortunately  kept  off, 
though,  so  far  as  we  :  :.w,  the  fine  weather  did  not  bring  with  it  crowds 
of  people.  The  attendance  on  the  opening  day  was  disappointingly  thin, 
the  second  day  showing  little  or  no  improvement  in  this  respect.  To  a 
material  extent,  no  doubt,  the  blame  of  this  rests  with  the  Palace 
Company,  who  undertook  the  advertising,  and  carried  it  out  to  a  very 
limited  extent.  Besides  omitting  advertisements  in  these  pages  and 
those  of  our  leading  horticultural  contemporaries,  very  few'  notifications 
were  made  at  the  railway  stations,  other  than  the  ordinary  closely 
printed  list  of  arrangements,  so  that  the  number  of  people  who  had  never 
heard  of  the  exhibition  must  have  been  great  indeed.  If  the  show  were 
not  a  financial  success  the  cause  may  be  ascribed  to  the  above  reasons, 
and  not  to  lack  of  effort  on  the  part  of  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs. 
J.  Weathers  and  S.  T.  Wright,  with  the  many  other  oflScials  who 
worked  with  the  utmost  assiduity  in  the  multifarious  duties  incident  to 
exhibition  of  such  magnitude. 
Turning  now  to  the  show  itself,  we  found  that  on  the  whole  there 
was  a  very  considerable  falling  off  in  the  number  of  competitors,  which 
was  no  doubt  to  a  large  extent  the  result  of  the  very  rough  and  boisterous 
weather  that  has  been  experienced  of  late.  So  far  as  entries  were  con¬ 
cerned,  we  understood  that  a  week  or  two  back  they  were  coming  in 
with  pleasing  persistency,  but  the  weather  precluded  all  of  them  Iwing 
filled.  As  regards  quality,  there  was  little  to  cavil  at,  many  of  the 
Apples  being  especially  brilliant,  while  the  Pears,  if  less  showy,  were  of 
almost  equal  merit.  Though  Grapes  were  numerous  it  w'ss  not  generally 
thought  that,  in  the  aggregate,  the  quality  was  equal  to  the  shows  of 
1894  and  1895,  though  a  number  of  individual  exhibits  were  splendid. 
Other  fruits  were  staged  in  lesser  numbers,  but  were  as  a  rule  good,  and 
we  subjoin  a  list  of  the  successful  exhibitors  in  the  principal  classes. 
COLLECTIONB  OF  FRUIT  AND  GRAPES— GARDENERS  AND  AMATEURS, 
The  principal  class  in  this  division  was  for  twelve  dishes  of  fruit, 
three  competitors  appearing.  Out  of  these  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington,  was  placed  first,  his  exhibit 
(and  he  has  staged  better),  consisted  of  Alicante  and  Muscat  of  Alex¬ 
andria  Grapes,  two  Pines,  Duchesse  d’Angoul&me  and  Beunb  Hardy 
Pears,  good  ;  Monarch  Plums,  Washington  and  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin 
Apples,  Golden  Eagle  Peaches,  and  Melons  Hero  of  Lockinge  and 
Countess.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr,  Harris,  gardener  to  Lady 
Henry  Somerset,  Eastnor  Castle,  Ledbury,  who  showed  fair  Muscat 
Grapes,  Madresfield  Court  lacking  in  co:onr.  The  best  dishes  in  the 
collection  were  Morello  Cherries,  Worcester  Pearmain  Apples,  Pitmaston 
Duchess  Pears,  and  Coe’s  Golden  Drop  Plums.  Mr  J.  Mclndoe,  gardener 
to  Sir  Joseph  Pease,  M.P.,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisborough,  was  third,  the 
Grapes  being  below  his  usua’  standard. 
Mr.  W.  Tidy,  gardener  to  W.  K.  D’Arcy,  Esq,  Stanmore  Hall, 
Middlesex,  was  first  in  the  class  for  eight  dishes  of  fruit,  there  being 
only  two  competitors.  The  exhibit  consisted  of  good  bunches  of  Alnwick 
Seedling  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Late  Admiral  Peaches,  Pit- 
maston  Duchess  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  Pears,  Ribston  Pippin 
Apples,  a  seedling  Melon,  and  a  dish  of  Paesiflora  edulis.  Mr.  W.  J. 
Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Wingfield,  Ampthill  House,  took  the  second 
award  with  a  collection,  which  included  Alicante  and  Muscat  Grapes, 
Pears,  Apples,  Peaches,  Figs,  Plums,  and  a  Melon. 
In  the  class  for  six  distinct  varieties  of  Grapes.  Mr.  William  Taylor^ 
gardener  to  Charles  Bayer,  Esq.,  Tewkesbury  Lodge,  Forest  Hill,  was 
placed  first  with  good  bunches  of  Black  Alicante  and  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  Gros  Colman,  Madresfield  Court,  Trebbiano  and  Gros  Maroc, 
but  all  were  not  well  coloured.  Mr.  G.  Reynolds,  gardener  to  Messrsi 
De  Rothschild,  Gunnersbury  Park,  was  placed  second,  his  best  examples 
being  Black  Alicante,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  two  highly  coloured 
though  small  bunches  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  ;  the  third  award  going 
to  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  whose  best  bunches  were  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
and  Gros  Colman. 
Six  competitors  appeared  in  the  class  for  six  bunches  of  Grapes  in 
three  varieties,  and  out  of  these  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  gardener  to  Alderman 
Chaffin,  Bath,  was  placed  first  with  Madresfield  Court,  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  and  Gros  Maroc.  Mr.  F.  Harris  took  second  award  with 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Gros  Maroc,  and  Gros  Colman.  The  third  prize 
went  to  Mr,  F.  Coll,  gardener  to  Sir  Geo.  Russell,  M.P,,  Reading,  the  best 
bunches  in  the  exhibit  being  two  good  examples  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria. 
Unfavourable  weather  had  left  its  impress  on  many  of  the  Grapes. 
Mr.  Taylor,  Forest  Hill,  had  the  best  three  bunches  of  Hamburghs, 
Mr.  M.  M'tchell,  gardener  to  F.  W.  Fleming,  Esq,,  was  placed  second ; 
and  Mr.  W,  H.  Godden,  gardener  to  Hon.  F.  W.  Buxton,  Sawbridge- 
worth,  third,  the  latter  exhibit  being  the  best  coloured,  but  small  in 
berry  and  bunch.  Lack  of  colour  was  the  drawback  in  the  Madresfield 
Court  class.  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  Bath,  had  the  best  three  bunches,  which 
were  of  good  size  in  both  bunch  and  berry.  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  Forest  Hill, 
was  second  ;  and  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson  third  with  bunches  below  the 
average  in  size,  though  the  colour  was  good. 
In  the  Gros  Colman  or  Gros  Maroc  class  Mr.  W,  Taylor,  Bath, 
headed  the  list  with  large  examples  of  Gros  Maroc.  The  bunches  were 
shapely  and  the  berries  good,  but  the  colour  might  have  been  better. 
Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  took  second  award  with  well-coloured  Gros  Colman  ; 
and  Mr.  G.  Reynolds  was  third,  Mr.  W.  Tidy  had  the  best  three  bunches 
of  Black  Alicante,  berries  rather  small  but  well  finished.  Mr.  W.  Taylor, 
Bath,  showed  large  bunches  for  the  second  place,  which,  however,  lacked 
the  finish  of  the  former.  Mr.  J.  Berry,  Petersham  Nurseries,  By  fleet, 
was  third. 
Mr.  Tidy  had  the  best  three  bunches  of  Lady  Downe’s,  which  might 
have  been  a  little  blacker.  Mr.  A.  Kemp,  Coolhurst,  Horsham,  was  a 
fair  second,  and  Mr.  A.  Maxim,  gardener  to  Colonel  H,  Walpole,  Winch- 
field,  third.  In  the  class  for  any  other  black  Grapes  Mr.  W.  Tidy  was  a 
good  first  with  Black  Alicante  ;  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  Forest  Hill,  second  with 
Gros  Guillaume;  and  Mr.  W.  Mitchell. gardener  to  F.  W,  Fleming,  Esq 
Chil worth  Manor,  Romsey,  third  with  Mrs.  Pince’s  Black  Muscat. 
Thirteen  competitors  appeared  in  the  class  for  three  hunches  of 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  out  of  these  Mr.  W.  Tidy  was  placed  first  with 
superb  examples,  large  in  bunch  and  well  coloured,  no  doubt  the  best 
three  bunches  of  Muscats  in  the  show.  Mr.  F.  Cole  was  a  good  second, 
and  Mr.  W.  H.  Lees,  gardener  to  F.  A.  Bevan,  Egq.,  Trent  Park,  third. 
Mr.  W.  Taylor  was  first  with  three  bunches  of  any  other  white,  showing 
well-colpured  specimens  of  Canon  Hall  Muscat.  Mr.  G.  Reynolds  showed 
Foster’s  Seedling  for  the  second  place,  and  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson  was  third 
with  the  same  variety.  Mr.  P.  H.  Edwards,  gardener  to  T,  W.  Erie, 
Eeq.,  Liphook,  had  the  best  dish  of  Figs. 
Mr.  A.  Wyatt,  Hatton,  was  awarded  second  prize  for  fifty  dishes  of 
hardy  fruit  grown  in  the  open.  These  comprised  fine  specimen  Pears  in: 
the  shape  of  Brockworth  Park,  Beurr^  Clairgeau,  Durondeau,  Pitmaston; 
Duchess,  Souvenir  du  Congr^s ;  Apples,  Dolphin,  Rosemary  Russet, 
Cellini,  Beauty  of  Hants,  Blenheim  Orange.  Warner’s  King,  Cox’s  Orange 
Pippin,  Manks  Codlin,  and  Duchess.  Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to  Lord 
Foley,  took  the  third  award,  also  showing  many  dishes  of  fine  fruit. 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  bad  the  best  collection  of  hardy  fruit,  not  exceeding 
thirty-six  dishes,  grown  partly  or  entirely  under  glass  to  illustrate 
orchard  house  culture.  The  exhibit  was  a  most  interesting  one,  and  was 
comprised  of  Grapes  Buckland  Sweetwater  and  Gros  Maroc ;  Pears 
Beurid  Superfin,  Beurrd  Clairgeau,  Doyenn^  Boussoch,  Doyenn^  du 
Comice,  Triomphe  de  Vienne,  Pitmaston  Duchess,  Durondeau,  and 
Beurrd  d’Amanlis.  The  best  Apples  were  Grand  Duke  Constantine,  Red 
Bietingheimer,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Maiden’s  Blush,  and  Wadhurst 
Pippin.  The  collection  also  contained  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Pigs,  Plums, 
and  Apricots  of  high  quality,  Mr.  J,  Nicholson,  gardener  to  J.  W. 
Melles.  Esq ,  Chingford,  showed  a  good  exhibit  for  the  second  prize. 
Nurserymen’s  Competitive  Exhibits. 
One  of  the  finest  exhibits  in  the  show  was  that  staged  by  Messrs. 
George  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone,  which  obtained  first  prize  in  the  class 
for  a  collection  of  fruit  grown  partly  or  entirely  under  glass  to  illustrate 
orchard  house  culture.  In  the  centre  of  the  table  was  a  dwarf  Apple 
tree  bearing  an  abundance  of  highly  coloured  fruits;  then  came  Vines 
and  Figs  in  pots  similarly  furnished  with  creditable  fruit,  while  magnifi¬ 
cent  dishes  occupied  the  remaining  space.  Amongst  the  Apples  were 
noticed  perfect  fruits  of  Warner’s  King,  Emperor  Alexander,  Gascoigne’s 
Scarlet  Seedling.  King  of  Tomkin’s  County,  Peasgofd's  Nonesuch,. 
Washington,  The  Queen,  American  Mother,  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  Cox’s* 
