202 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  26,  1897. 
Lyon  Leek,  and  Ailsa  Craig  Onion,  New  Intermediate  Carrot,  Oiant 
White  Celery  (grand).  Perfection  Tomato,  Windsor  Castle  Potato. 
Ne  Plus  ITtra  Knnner  Bean,  and  Autocrat  Pea.  .\Ir.  G.  A.  luglefield 
was  second,  and  Mr.  .1.  Hayes  third.  For  twelve  Tomatoes  first, 
Messrs.  G.  Watts  &  Sons  second,  Mr.  T.  K.  Ingram  ;  and  third,  Mr. 
C.  II.  Katsch. 
EASTBOURNE.— August  18th. 
Compton  Place  is  an  ideal  spot  for  a  flower  show.  This  sea.son  it 
was  an  immense  success  both  as  regards  exhibitors  and  attendance.  Mr. 
J.  Warren,  Handcross  Park,  Crawley,  was  well  to  the  fore  in  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants,  all  being  good  specimens,  and  a  few  of  extra  merit, 
lie  was  in  front  of  Mr.  T.  Portnell,  gardener  to  Sir  A.  Lamb,  Bart., 
Battle,  for  eight  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  Lapageria  rosea  splendens 
and  Allamanda  Henderson!  being  extra  good.  Mr.  Portnell  turned  the 
tables  in  a  class  for  six  plants,  but  was  again  forced  into  second  position 
for  eight  variegated  and  ornamental  foliaged  plants.  Mr.  Warren  was 
well  ahead  of  Mr.  Tugwell,  gardener  to  Miss  Swift,  Beechwood,  for  eight 
exotic  Ferns,  but  Mr.  Tugwell  won  for  six  of  the  same.  The 
brightest  coloured  Croton  (Sunset)  we  have  seen  was  in  Mr.  J.  Warren’s 
lot  of  eight,  who  also  had  some  good  Crotons  in  his  winning  exhibit  of  six 
ornamental  foliaged  plants. 
Groups  of  Ferns  were  numerous  and  good,  Mr.  A.  McBean,  gardener 
to  Miss  Wragg,  Braemer,  winning  from  Mr.  T.  Fuller,  gardener  to 
J.  Hooke,  Esq.,  Arundel  House,  Eastbourne.  Mr.  J.  Warren  won  for 
six  table  plants,  Mr.  Portnell  for  six  pyramidal  Fuchsias,  and  Mr. 
G.  Holding,  gardener  to  Rev.  H.  V.  Shoreland,  Eastbourne,  for  good 
Zonal  Pelargoniums  and  Coleus. 
Fruit  was  good,  especially  Grapes  and  collections.  Mr.  Tugwell, 
gardener  to  .Miss  Swift,  was  well  ahead  in  a  class  for  three  bunches  of 
blacks  with  Black  Hamburgh.  Eight  competed  here.  He  also  won  for 
three  of  any  white  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  with  Black  Hamburgh 
in  the  class  for  a  single  bunch  of  any  variety.  Mr.  AV.  F'.  Thomas, 
IVannock,  Polegate,  was  first  for  collections  both  of  indoor  and  outdoor 
grown  fruit. 
Mr.  J.  Warren  again  led  Mr.  T.  Portnell  for  twelve  varieties  of  stove 
and  greenhouse  cut  flowers.  Roses  were  fairly  good,  Mr.  Will  Taylor, 
Hampton,  winning  for  thirty-six  varieties.  Mr.  T.  I).  Voung,  Eastbourne, 
followed.  In  the  amateur  division  R.  E.  West,  Esq.,  Wray  Park,  Reigate, 
was  ahead  for  twenty-four  and  for  twelve  varieties.  Seven  competed  in  the 
class  for  three  stands  of  table  decorations,  Mr.  Sherrard,  Hailsham,  just 
beating  Miss  Smith,  St.  Leonards-on-Sea.  Mr.  T.  D.  Young  was  successful 
in  floral  designs,  winning  for  a  superb  anchor  lying  upon  a  lai-ge  mirror, 
for  both  bridal  and  ballroom  bouquets,  and  for  shoulder  sprays  and 
buttonholes. 
The  chief  non-competitive  exhibits  were  from  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  and 
Son.  Crawley,  Dahlias  ;  Mr.  J.  Charlton,  Tunbridge  Wells,  Dahlias  and 
herbaceous  cut  flowers  ;  Mr.  F.  W.  Thomas,  Polegate,  fruit ;  and  groups 
from  Mr.  H.  May,  Compton  Place  Gardens,  and  Messrs.  G.  F.  Scott  and 
Co.,  Ceylon  Nursery,  Eastbourne. 
DUBLIN.— August  19th. 
The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland  contributed,  by  the 
autumn  Show,  held  on  this  date,  amongst  the  greenery  of  Merrion  Square, 
their  quota  to  the  gaieties  now  dominant  in  the  Milesian  Metropolis. 
Comparatively  small  as  was  this  Exhibition,  it  was  decidedly  fresh  and 
bright  ;  well  arranged,  too,  as  far  as  the  limits  of  one  day  allowed  for 
staging,  judging,  clearing  up,  and  clearing  away  ;  and  last,  not  least, 
that  capricious  gentleman — the  clerk  of  the  weather  acted  exceedingly 
well  as  against  some  very  bad  behaviour  indulged  in  for  the  ten  days 
previous. 
Probably  no  prettier  scene,  in  its  way,  was  ever  witnessed  in  Dublin 
than  the  decorations  provided  in  compliment  to  the  Royal  visitors,  and 
from  Merrion  Square,  looking  citywards  down  Nassau  Street,  whei-e  a 
thousand  flags,  banners,  and  bunting  fluttered  bravely  in  the  breeze,  a 
charming  coup  d'wil  was  afforded.  The  remark  made  that  Dublin  had  for 
the  nonce  outdone  itself  in  the  decorative  way  elicited  the  information 
that  the  citizens  instead  of  carrying  out  individual  notions  had  put  all 
these  arrangements  into  the  hands  of  a  I.ondon  firm,  hence  the  continuity 
of  effect  and  harmony  of  design.  However,  the  “  London  firm  ”  had 
naught  to  do  with  supplying  the  hearty  cheers  of  welcome  accorded  to 
their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of  York,  who,  preceded 
by  a  prancing  cavalcade  of  Hussars,  drove  up  to  the  north  entrance,  with 
the  Viceregal  party  strong  in  numbers  and  happy  looking  at  the  loyal 
greetings  they  shared  with  their  distinguished  guests. 
( )ne  may  be  pardoned,  surely,  for  digressing  somewhat  from  the  direct 
subject,  such  visits  to  our  flower  shows,  as  well  as  to  our  shores,  being  all 
too  few  and  far  between  ;  and  although  another  public  function  in  the 
way  of  opening  the  Countess  Tadogan’s  Textile  Exhibition  delayed  the 
horticultural  visit  to  a  late  hour,  the  Royal  visit  was,  undoubtedly,  the 
attraction  which  thronged  the  greensward  of  the  Square  with  a  patient 
multitude,  which  3s.  admission  (unless  furnished  with  a  ticket)  was  no 
preventive.  Flora  and  Pomona  must,  however,  have  their  turn,  and  they 
were  in  some  ways  worthily  represented. 
Looking  round  the  plants  non-competitive  groups  were  as  usual  a 
feature,  Glasnevin  Botanic  Gardens  contributing  a  good  lot  of  plants, 
some  handsome,  others  curious,  and  all  interesting,  including  such 
things  as  a  superb  Croton  Reidi,  to  my  mind  the  king  of  its  kind  ;  a 
flourishing  plant  of  the  distinct  Nepenthes  Burkei  e.xcellens,  and  some  of 
the  most  curious  of  the  Cacti  being  dispersed  through  a  well  arranged 
stand  of  the  “  rich  and  rare,”  Various  trade  groups  comprising  small, 
fresh,  decorative  plants  also  helped  to  furnish  the  large  mar(|uee,  in  which 
the  competing  exhibits  were  not  strong  in  numbers.  Amongst  the  latter, 
for  twelve  foliage  and  flowering  plants  Mrs.  McUomas  was  awarded  the 
first  prize,  L.  (i.  Watson,  Es(i.,  an  old  exhibitor,  being  placed  second. 
For  six  similar  plants,  Mr.  Colohan,  gardener  to  F.  Millar,  Esej.,  led,  and 
for  e.xotic  Ferns,  Mr.  IVatson’s  grand  plants,  including  a  fine  Todea 
superba,  as  usual  triumphed  ;  Miss  Wallis  (gardener,  Mr.  Kenny)  follow¬ 
ing  Mr.  Millar,  who  took  second.  For  Tuberous  Begonias  (plants),  six 
doubles,  the  prizes  were  taken  by  the  enthusiast,  Mr.  O'Connor,  gardener 
to  R.  H.  McComas,  Esq.;  the  veteran,  Mr.  ^Mackenzie,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Pease,  and  Miss  Wallis  respectively;  the  prizes  for  single  varieties  being 
competed  for  and  won  by  the  same  exhibitors  in  the  same  order.  Mrs. 
Pease,  Mrs.  IMcCann,  .and  ,1.  Millar,  Esq.,  took  first,  second  and 
third  for  six  Zonal  Pelargoniums.  Ivy-leaved  varieties  were  best  from 
Mrs.  Pease,  and  second  best  from  .1.  Millar,  Esq.  Sir  Roger  Palmer 
showed  the  best  specimens  exotic  ;  Mr.  T.  Byrne,  gardener  to  Geo. 
Drimmie,  Esip,  having  the  best  specimen  Orchid.  Mr.  T.  Goff,  Mrs. 
McCann’s  gardener,  in  a  well-filled  class  for  six  Coleus  in  variety,  had 
six  matchless  beauties  which  captivated  the  eye  of  the  most  critical  of 
the  critics  ;  the  Right  Hon.  J.  Meade,  LL.D.,  and  Mrs.  Pease  being  second 
and  third. 
Stands  of  cut  blooms  bring  one  first  to  the  Dahlias,  of  which  the 
Show  and  Fancy  section  was  probably  not  so  strong  a  featui'e  as  usual  in 
Dublin.  In  the  class  for  thirty-six,  in  twenty -four  varieties.  Lord  Ash- 
brook,  The  Castle,  Durrow  (gardener,  Mr.  McKellar),  was  first ;  Mr. 
McLennan,  for  Lord  Carew,  Castleborough,  being  second.  Mr.  Rigg 
showing  the  best  twenty-f»>ur  in  twelve  varieties  for  Lord  Cloncurry  ; 
Mr.  McKenna,  gardener  to  the  Lady  Emily  Howard,  Bury,  second  ; 
third,  W.  F.  Darley,  Esq.  (Mr.  Leonard,  gardener).  Cactus  Dahlias 
were  well  shown,  noticeable  among  the  stands  being  Gloriosa,  and  the 
rich,  dark  satiny  Matchless  ;  Lord  Carew,  Lord  Cloncurry,  and  Lady 
E.  H.  Bury  taking  the  honours  respectively.  Lord  Cloncurry  had  the 
best  stand  of  twenty-four  Roses  in  twelve  varieties,  and  also  the  best  stand  of 
twelve  ;  E.  D’Olier,  Esq.,  sending  from  Knocklin,  Bray,  the  best  stand 
of  twelve  Teas.  Gladioli  were  sparsely  shown,  H.  Jervis-White,  Esq., 
having  the  first  prize  stand  of  twelve  spikes.  Twelve  varieties  of  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  were  awarded  first,  second,  and  third  to  Lord  Ashbrook, 
Geo.  Drimmie,  Esq.,  and  Mrs.  Pease. 
A  challenge  cup,  value  10  guineas,  presented  by  Lady  Ashtown,  to 
be  won  three  times  before  finally  claimed,  for  forty-eight  blooms  of 
Begonias,  half  double,  half  single,  went  to  Lord  Ashbrook,  Mrs.  Pease 
being  second  ;  leading  honours  in  a  smaller  class  of  double  varieties 
going  to  the  same  exhibitors,  also  for  a  similar  class  of  single  varieties. 
Passing  over  some  few  classes  for  Asters  and  Marigolds,  that  enthusi¬ 
astic  amateur,  H.  A.  Smallman,  Esq.,  came  second  to  Lord  Cloncurry 
for  six  bunches  of  Carnations,  who  took  the  lead  in  the  larger  class  of 
the  same  popular  flower,  Surgeon-fieneral  Beaumont  being  second  here, 
with  B.  Philipson,  Esq.,  of  Dalkey,  third.  The  prize  for  twelve  bunches 
of  Eckford’s  Sweet  Peas,  presented  by  the  eminent  raisers,  was  carried 
off  by  Mr.  Mitchison,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  Col.  Crichton.  Nurserymen’s 
classes  for  Dahlias  and  Roses  were  led  off  by  Messrs.  Campbell  of 
Blantyre,  N.B.,  and  Dicksons  of  Newtownards,  the  first  having  the  best 
Dahlias,  whilst,  it  goes  without  saying,  that  the  great  Irish  Rose  growers 
held  front  rank  on  their  own  ground  among  the  Roses,  their  forty-eight 
being  in  fine  form  for  the  season. 
Some  few  classes  are  unavoidably  passed  over,  though  a  passing  notice 
must  be  given  to  the  fine  stands  of  Begonia  blooms  and  the  grand  display 
of  Carnations  not  for  competition.  The  Begonias  from  Cork,  400  blooms 
being  staged  by  Ilartlands,  were  a  marvel  of  size,  colour,  and  freshness  ; 
and  from  Mr.  Watson  of  the  Clontarf  Nurseries  came  a  goodly  array  of 
his  grand  C arnations,  which  were  well  represented  and  took  honours  at 
Chester  previously.  Mr.  R.  .Jameson  of  the  Sandymount  Nurseries  was 
a  bit  squeezed  at  one  end  of  a  tent  with  a  good  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants,  and  Mr.  Ramsay’s  portly  manager  looked  well  satisfied  in 
showing  off  his  well-grown  plants  from  the  Ball’s  Bridge  Nurseries. 
Fruit  must  be  briefly  surveyed.  Ijord  Holmpatrick’s  prize  for  six 
bunches  of  Grapes  in  three  varieties  went  to  the  Lady  E.  H.  Bury  ; 
Robt.  Tedcastle,  Esq.,  of  Marluy,  second  ;  third,  T.  Bradshaw,  gardener 
to  the  Marquis  of  Downshire.  In  the  first  and  second  prize  stands 
Cooper’s  Black  was  conspicuous  by  superbly  coloured  high-finished 
bunches,  being  far  and  away  the  best  black  Grape  shown.  Other  classes 
in  the  Grapes  were  faiidy  well  filled,  Muscat  of  Alexandria  generally 
lacking  colour.  First  for  a  collection  of  twelve  dishes  of  fruit  was 
taken  by  the  Lady  E.  H.  Biuy  ;  Mr.  W.  Bradshaw,  gardener  to  Sir 
David  Harrell,  K.C.B.,  coming  second,  the  Marlay  collection  third. 
Good  Peaches  from  E.  D’Olier,  Esq.,  gained  him  first  prize.  Good- 
looking  specimens  filled  the  Melon  classes,  the  best  green-fleshed  coming 
from  the  Marquis  of  Downshire  ;  scarlet,  Lady  Bury. 
F'or  the  best  twelve  varieties  of  vegetables  Lord  Carew  staged  a  fine 
tray,  which  included  samples  of  Carrots  and  Parsnips  as  seldom  seen  on 
this  side.  Potatoes  were  not  a  strong  feature,  Sir  .James  Mackey's  prize 
for  twenty  kidneys  and  twenty  rounds  going  to  the  Right  Hon.  I.  M. 
Meade,  lloubtless  the  indefatigable  Secretary,  G.  M.  Ross,  Esq.,  con¬ 
cluded  his  hard  day’s  work  with  the  satisfied  feeling  that  “  all’s  well  that 
ends  well,”  for  ere  another  day  had  dawned  came  a  deluge,  and  one 
regretfully  appends  to  the  recent  satisfactory  notes  sent  from  here  upon 
things  generally  a  qualification  proceeding  from  inclement  weather  which, 
unless  a  change  comes  quickly,  cannot  but  be  regarded  as  serious. — 
K.,  Dublin. 
