420 
JOURKAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  29,  1896. 
A  piece  of  challenge  plate,  along  with  4  guineas,  are  offered  for  a 
completely  laid  dessert  table,  Epergnes,  bouquets,  and  other  items  of 
floral  garniture  are  well  provid^  for  in  the  schedule. 
At  Liverpool,  in  St.  George’s  Hall,  a  full  and  fine  exhibition  is 
usually  to  be  seen.  In  addition  to  the  10-guinea  cash  prize  for  forty- 
eight  distinct  Japanese  and  incurved  blooms  a  challenge  vase,  value 
20  guineas,  is  included.  If  such  handsome  provision  does  not  bring 
keen  competition  I  shall  be  surprised.  For  eighteen  incurved,  distinct, 
a  gold  medal  and  £2  are  the  reward  to  the  first  prizewinner.  Groups  of 
Chrysanthemums,  specimen  plants.  Orchids,  and  fruit  receive  ample 
encouragement  here. 
Birmingham  ranks  as  one  of  the  finest  autumn  exhibitions  to  be  met 
with,  and  no  wonder  when  the  prize  list  is  examined.  No  less  than  six 
valuable  prizes  are  offered  for  both  Japanese  and  incurved  blooms,  the 
first  of  £10,  in  each  class  for  twenty-four  of  each,  distinct.  A 
sum  of  £10  is  also  offered  for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  and 
foliage  plants.  Trained  specimens  would  be  difficult  to  find  of 
better  quality  in  any  exhibition  than  are  yearly  seen  here.  In  addi¬ 
tion,  the  show  of  Primulas  and  fruit  is  alone  worth  a  journey  to  see. 
In  the  South  of  England  Beading  and  Bournemouth  hold  important 
meetings.  At  the  latter  the  principal  class  is  for  thirty-six  Japanese,  in 
not  more  than  two  of  any  one  variety  ;  £7  is  the  amount  of  the  premier 
award.  At  the  former  a  good  exhibition  is  always  obtained,  although 
the  prizes  are  small  compared  to  other  leading  societies.  Plants  and 
fruit  are  usually  well  represented.  In  Scotland  the  Dundee  Society 
has  chosen  the  same  date,  and  which  generally  produces  a  meritorious 
display.  In  Wales  the  Cardiff  Society  will  present  to  its  patrons,  I 
doubt  not,  a  worthy  exhibition. 
On  Thursday,  November  12th,  several  noted  exhibitions  are  held.  In 
the  South,  Winchester,  although  not  a  large  meeting,  takes  high  rank  for 
the  quality  of  the  cut  blooms.  The  principal  class  is  for  forty-eight,  half 
incurved  and  the  remainder  J apanese.  In  neither  section  need  they  be 
distinct — not  a  difficult  class  to  fill.  A  challenge  cup  and  a  cash  prize 
of  £7,  with  a  second  of  £5,  are  the  principal  amounts.  Glasgow  holds 
its  third  exhibition.  If  this  Society  continues  to  make  progress  in 
proportion  to  its  opening  show  it  will  quickly  rank  amongst  the  best. 
Friday,  13th,  is  the  date  selected  for  several  important  northern 
meetings.  Sheffield,  long  recognised  as  one  of  the  best  of  autumn  shows, 
holds  its  meeting  on  that  date  in  the  Corn  Exchange  as  usual ;  .£S  is  the 
leading  prize  for  twenty-four  incurved,  with  £5  for  the  second  winner. 
The  Japanese  section  is  treated  in  a  similar  manner.  Other  smaller 
classes,  too,  are  provided  with  liberal  prize  offerings.  In  addition  to  the 
open  classes  referred  to,  no  less  than  twenty-five  distinct  classes  are 
enumerated  in  the  schedule,  the  principal  item  being  a  group  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  and  foliage  plants,  £5,  £4,  £3,  £1  10s.,  and  £1  being  offered 
in  prizes.  For  twelve  large-flowered  incurved  and  the  same  number  of 
Japanese  handsome  prizes  are  offered.  Bradford  selects  the  same  day  for 
its  show.  The  leading  class  is  for  twenty -four  Japanese  blooms  ;  £5  and 
a  silver  challenge  cup  is  the  first  prize. 
Tuesday,  17th,  is  the  date  of  the  first  show  of  the  Chester  Society, 
and  the  meeting  promises  a  success.  The  following  day  Bristol,  York, 
Newcastle,  and  Basingstoke  are  to  take  place.  At  the  former  a  hand¬ 
some  challenge  vase  with  £5  goes  to  the  winner  of  the  best  thirty-six 
Japanese  blooms,  while  £5  is  provided  for  two  dozen  incurved  blooms  in 
not  less  than  eighteen  varieties.  Plants  for  many  years  have  been  a 
feature  of  the  Bristol  shows,  in  addition  to  the  high-class  blooms  staged 
there.  At  York  the  public  have  long  been  accustomed  to  the  best  of 
Chrysanthemum  groups  and  cut  blooms,  and  with  prizes  of  the  value  of 
those  offered  this  year  there  is  not  likely  to  be  any  falling  off  in  compe¬ 
tition  judging  from  the  liberal  prize  schedule  submitted  ;  £10  for  a 
group  of  plants  is  sufficient  encouragement  for  competitors  to  show  their 
utmost  skill  in  that  department,  while  that  amount,  added  to  the 
“ citizens’”  challenge  vase,  value  £20,  is  offered  for  tbirty-six  blooms, 
half  incurved  and  the  remainder  Japanese. 
November  19th  is  the  day  selected  for  the  great  Scottish  meeting 
in  the  Waverley  Market  Hall,  Edinburgh.  No  society  has  made  greater 
strides  than  this  in  the  developing  of  cut  blooms  of  the  highest  order 
of  merit.  The  City  of  Edinburgh  prize  value  £20,  with  £12,  £8,  £5, 
£3,  are  offered  for  forty-eight  distinct  Japanese  blooms,  which  by  its 
intrinsic  value  should  encourage  strong  competition.  Handsome 
prizes  are  also  offered  for  Scottish  grown  blooms  only.  A  special  feature 
is  here  made  by  exhibiting  cut  blooms  on  long  stalks  in  vases,  and  a 
capital  display  Is  the  result  of  offering  £7  as  first  prize.  Many  other 
classes  are  contained  in  a  liberal  schedule  if  space  did  permit  to 
mention  them.  At  Norwich,  where  the  first  Chrysanthemum  show 
was  held,  the  meeting  this  year  is  held  on  the  same  day  as  Edin¬ 
burgh,  and  is  usually  good  in  every  respect.  The  Lincoln  show  also 
falls  on  the  same  day. 
On  the  24th  a  good  show  is  expected  at  Leeds.  The  prize  list 
should  bring  first-rate  competition.  A  silver  challenge  cup  with,  £5 
is  the  leading  prize  for  eighteen  incurved  blooms ;  a  similar  award  is 
provided  also  for  the  same  number  of  Japanese. 
Since  penning  my  notes  on  specialities  in  schedules,  I  have  received 
notice  of  fourteen  more  fixtures,  which  brings  the  total  up  to  one  hundred 
and  twenty,  showing  a  marked  increase  over  the  number  of  last  year. 
This,  in  my  opinion,  is  practical  proof  that  Chrysanthemum  exhibitions 
are  on  the  increase,  and  that  they  are  appreciated  by  the  public.  Dun¬ 
fermline,  as  usual,  chooses  the  latest  date  on  the  list  for  its  meeting. 
Upon  reference  I  find  that  no  less  than  thirty-five  shows  are  being  held 
on  one  date — November  11th.  In  twelve  cases  this  date  is  the  second 
day,— E.  Molyneux. 
Batteesea  Pabk. 
It  is  now  several  years  since  the  annual  show  of  Chrysanthemums 
was  instituted  at  this  park,  but  to-day  its  popularity  far  exceeds  what  it 
did  in  the  year  of  its  inception.  Unlike  in  many  other  things  familiarity 
has  not  bred  contempt  with  these  flowers,  as  is  proved  by  the  thousands 
who  yearly  visit  the  shows.  On  Saturday  afternoon  and  Sunday  the 
flow  of  people  throughout  the  structure  is  continuous,  and  the  intelligent 
interest  taken  by  many  is  evinced  by  the  close  examination  of  a  variety 
that  is  more  than  ordinarily  meritorious.  Amateur  growers  of  the 
monarch  of  the  autumn  are  very  numerous  in  Battersea,  so  that  the 
critical  remarks  passed  are  often  from  men  who  know  what  ought  to  be, 
even  if  they  are  not  able  to  produce  it. 
The  age  in  which  we  live  must  be  ever  on  the  forward  movement, 
standing  still  being  barely  tolerated,  while  going  back  is  not  recognised 
at  all.  This  being  so,  the  endeavour  has  ever  been  in  these  autumn 
exhibitions  to  keep  well  up  with  times,  and  for  their  successful  efforts  in 
this  direction  both  the  London  County  Council  and  Mr.  F.  J.  Coppin 
deserve  hearty  congratulation.  Each  year  a  weeding  of  old  and  super¬ 
seded  varieties  is  rigorously  carried  out,  while  new  ones  of  good  promise 
or  proved  merit  are  added  to  fill  the  vacant  places.  Thus  it  is  that  the 
constant  visitor  coming  year  after  year  never  notes  a  sameness,  for 
though  old  favourites  are  still  to  be  seen  new  ones  have  a  place,  and 
are  generally  worthy  of  attention  from  the  grower  who  would  be  quite 
up  to  date. 
Though  the  house  at  the  command  of  the  Battersea  Supeiinteadent 
is  by  no  means  the  best  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  effective  display, 
everyone  may  be  sure  that  a  journey  to  the  collection  will  not  be  time 
wasted.  Earnest  endeavour  is  made  to  do  the  best  with  the  material  at 
command,  and  as  the  plants  are  always  good  success  generally  crowns 
the  efforts.  Standing  at  the  door  of  the  structure  the  scene  is  brightly 
beautiful,  while  closer  inspection  shows  that  the  condition  of  the  plants 
is  in  every  way  creditable.  They  are  not  so  tall  now  as  they  used  to 
be,  but  the  sturdiness  of  habit,  robust  strength  of  the  wood  and  foliage, 
with  the  charming  flowers  speak  well  for  the  cultural  details  that  have 
been  observed.  Evidently  the  grower  has  done  his  best  to  provide  a 
telling  display. 
The  collection  is  mostly  made  up  of  Japanese  varieties,  of  which  such 
as  Viviand  Morel,  Charles  Davis,  Florence  Davis,  Stanstead  White,  Sun¬ 
flower,  Mdlle.  Th^rftse  Bey,  W.  H.  Lincoln,  and  Avalanche  amongst  the 
older  sorts  are  always  sure  of  a  welcome.  Then  the  hirsute  section  as 
represented  by  Louis  Boehmer,  Mrs.  Alpheus  Hardy,  Hairy  Wonder, 
and  others  come  in  for  a  large  share  of  attention  and  admiration  ;  while 
the  newer  sorts  as  they  develop  their  varied  beauties  are  subjected  to  a 
running  fire  of  criticism  from  growers  both  amateur  and  professional. 
Let  readers  who  are  in  the  neighbourhood  make  a  point  of  seeing  the 
Chrysanthemums  in  Battersea  Park,  when  they  will  certainly  unite 
with  thousands  of  others,  including  the  writer,  in  thanking  everybody 
concerned  for  providing  us  with  such  a  beautiful  sight  every  autumn.— 
A  Battersea  Man. 
Finsbury  Park. 
As  a  caterer  to  the  Chrysantbemam  loving  public  Mr.  Melville  of 
Finsbury  Park  is  quite  in  the  front  rank,  for  the  displays  here  are 
always  amongst  the  very  best.  This  year  the  exhibition  is  about  of  the 
same  dimensions  as  in  previous  seasons,  while  the  quality  of  the  flowers 
is  quite  equal — superior,  indeed,  so  far  as  the  colours  are  concerned. 
The  system  of  arranging  is  decidedly  effective,  there  being  nothing 
formal  in  the  whole  of  the  general  view.  The  plants  are  arranged  in 
the  bulk  on  one  side  of  a  somewhat  narrow  structure,  but  as  the  plants 
are  arranged  so  as  to  form  small  bays  the  beauty  of  the  display  is 
considerably  enhanced. 
As  is  customary  in  all  displays  of  this  nature  the  Japanese  section 
meets  with  most  favour  at  Finsbury,  and  the  plants  carrying  excellent 
flowers  are  a  credit  to  their  grower,  and  tend  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
atmosphere  of  our  northern  suburb  is  admirably  adapted  to  them.  There 
is  a  richness  and  clearness  in  the  various  colours  that  assist  in  the  making 
of  a  beautiful  exhibition.  Then  the  plants  are  strong  and  sturdy  and 
carrying  the  best  of  foliage,  though  it  may  not  be  in  all  instances,  either 
here  or  elsewhere,  quite  down  to  the  pot.  The  wood,  considering  the 
hot  summer  weather,  followed  by  the  soaking  September,  is  apparently 
in  as  good  condition  as  we  have  seen  in  any  such  collections  this 
season. 
Begarding  the  flowers  themselves,  much  might  be  written  did  space 
permit.  There  is  a  grace  and  refinement  about  them  that  must  be 
particularly  pleasing  to  everyone  save  perhaps  those  enthusiasts  who  are 
of  the  opinion  that  size  is  by  far  the  greatest  desideratum.  Fortunately 
everyone  does  not  think  so,  as  if  they  did,  visitors  to  Finsbury  Park 
would  not  be  nearly  so  numerous  as  is  now  the  case,  for  the  blooms  as  a 
whole  are  below  the  average  in  mere  size,  more  than  making  up  for  it 
by  their  splendid  quality.  The  more  formal  style  of  beauty  peculiar  to 
the  incurved  section  continues  to  receive  a  fair  amount  of  support,  but 
it  is  plain  to  see  that  the  Japs  secure  the  major  portion  of  the  admiration 
bestowed  by  the  visitors.  The  charming  Pompons  and  Anemones  are  a 
never-failing  source  of  interest,  and  their  cultivation  might  advan¬ 
tageously  be  extended  at  these  "peoples’  exhibitions.” 
As  the  plants  number  thousands  and  the  varieties  hundreds,  mention 
cannot  be  made  of  all  those  grown,  and  the  doing  so  would  serve  no 
useful  purpose.  The  way  to  take  the  best  educational  advantage  of  the 
display  is  for  residential  visitors  to  make  notes  of  those  varieties  that 
meet  their  taste,  both  in  respect  of  colour  and  build  ;  then  would  the 
shows  be  fulfilling  the  chief  object  that  the  Council  had  in  view  when 
