August  26,  1897 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
203 
CRYSTAL  PALACE. — August  20th  and  21st. 
The  twelfth  great  National  Co-operative  Elower  Show,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Association,  was  held  in 
the  Crystal  Palace  on  the  above  dates.  This  exhibition  has  usually  been 
favoured  with  fine  weather,  but  this  year,  during  the  opening  day,  rain 
fell  almost  incessantly.  This  was  unfortunate^  as  it  would  doubtless 
militate  against  a  very  large  concourse  of  visitors.  We  shall  deal  in  our 
report  with  Section  II.,  which  was  confined  to  members  or  customers  of 
the  Association  or  their  gardeners  and  employes,  the  exhibits  being 
staged  and  adjudicated  upon  on  Friday  ;  Section  L,  for  amateurs  and 
cottagers,  being  staged  on  Saturday.  This  year  there  was  a  notable 
departure  in  the  place  of  staging,  this  having  hitherto  been  done  in  the 
centre  transept,  whereas  this  season  it  was  in  a  splendid  marquee  that  had 
been  erected  on  the  terrace.  It  was  the  more  unfortunate  that  rain 
should  fall,  as  many  people  who  entered  the  Palace  would  not  venture 
even  such  a  short  distance  to  see  the  show. 
So  far  as  numbers  were  concerned  there  was  an  appreciable  falling 
off ;  indeed,  in  some  of  the  classes  there  wei’e  no  entries  at  all.  This 
was  especially  noticeable  in  the  classes  for  collections  of  vegetables, 
which,  as  a  rule,  make  a  very  fine  display.  Only  in  one  class  were  there 
any  exhibits.  While  quantity  was  less,  we  are  inclined  to  the  opinion 
that  amongst  the  fruit  and  vegetables,  especially  the  latter,  the  quality 
was  decidedly  higher.  There  has  often  been  at  these  shows  a  coarseness 
that  ought  not  to  be  seen  ;  but  on  this  occasion  size  had  not  apparently 
been  such  a  desideratum  with  the  growers.  All  the  green  Cabbages, 
however,  were  far  too  large  for  the  table,  and  it  is  hoped  that  next  year 
these  will  have  come  down  to  reasonable  dimensions,  when  the  table 
qualities  will  be  decidedly  enhanced.  The  display  of  Potatoes  was 
magnificent,  and  we  doubt  if  a  finer  collection  has  ever  been  seen  at  one 
of  these  shows.  Plants  Avere  not  of  particular  merit,  but  some  charming 
flowers  were  noticed. 
The  class  for  a  collection  of  vegetables  in  ten  distinct  kinds  grown  in 
the  Southern  district  was  won  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Waite,  gardener  to  the  Hon. 
W.  P.  Talbot,  Glenhurst,  Esher.  The  produce  represented  included 
Leek  Giant,  Carrot  New  Red  Intermediate,  Cauliflower,  Beet  Blood  Red, 
Celery  Mammoth  White,  Onion  Ailsa  Craig,  Scarlet  Runners,  Tomato 
Perfection,  Cucumber  Telegraph,  and  Potato  Satisfaction.  Mr.  A.  Basile, 
gardener  to  0.  L.  Powells,  Esq.,  Woburn  Park,  was  second.  His  Pota¬ 
toes,  Peas,  Marrows,  and  Celery  were  good.  Mr.  R.  Wadham,  Steeple 
Aston,  was  third  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Holton,  Oxford,  fourth. 
The  competition  in  the  Onion  classes  was  keen,  and  some  splendid 
bulbs  were  staged.  Mr.  R.  Chamberlain,  Reading,  was  first  for  spring 
sown  with  fine  Ailsa  Craig  ;  Mr.  A.  Basile  for  White  Spanish  ;  and 
Mr.  C.  J.  Waite  for  winter  Onions.  In  each  class  nine  bulbs  had  to  be 
shown.  The  last  named  exhibitor  staged  grand  Parsnips,  the  roots  being 
clean  and  straight.  Peas  were  not  particularly  well  staged,  almost  all 
being  old,  and  many  of  the  pods  not  filled.  Mr.  C.  J.  Waite  won  the 
single  dish  of  One  and  All  Exhibition  Marrows,  and  Mr.  A.  Basile  for  a 
dish  of  any  other  variety. 
The  dishes  of  Runner,  French,  and  Longpod  Beans  were  very 
numerous  and  excellent  in  quality.  The  first  prizewinners  in  the 
respective  classes  were  Messrs.  J.  Holton,  who  was  to  the  front  in  the 
Runner  and  French  Bean  classes  ;  Mr.  R.  Chamberlain  in  the  Longpod ; 
and  Mr.  G.  Palmer,  Oxford,  for  Broad  Windsor.  There  were  fourteen 
exhibits  of  Tap-rooted  Beets,  Mr.  C.  J.  Waite  winning.  For  Turnip- 
rooted,  in  which  there  were  about  eighteen  exhibitors,  Mr.  R.  Wadham 
took  the  premier  award.  Green  Cabbages  were  far  too  large  throughout. 
Mr.  A.  Basile  won  with  three  immense  heads,  which,  however,  were  clean 
and  fresh.  Nearly  all  others  were  coarse.  Mr.  J.  Martin,  Horsham,  had 
three  grand  Red  Cabbages,  as  had  Mr.  C.  J.  Waite,  who  took  second 
place. 
Potatoes  were  excellent,  and  made  one  of  the  best  features  of  the 
Show.  There  were  eight  exhibitors  of  six  varieties,  the  first  prize  going 
to  Mr.  A.  Basile,  who  showed  Satisfaction,  Supreme,  Up  to  Date,  Flour 
Ball,  Windsor  Castle,  and  International.  Mr.  J.  Holton  was  a  fair, 
second,  and  Mr.  R.  Webster,  Bromley,  third.  Mr.  J.  Holton  took  first 
for  a  single  dish  of  white  kidney,  while  for  coloured  kidneys  Mr. 
R.  Wadhams  was  first.  The  best  white  rounds  came  from  Mr.  C.  J. 
Waite,  and  Mr.  J.  Holton  the  best  coloured  rounds. 
M  r.  J.  Holton  staged  superb  One  and  All  Intermediate  Carrots,  as  did 
Mr.  R.  Wadham  the  ordinary  Intermediate.  Mr.  J.  Holton’s  Long  Red 
Surrey  Carrots  were  splendid.  Cauliflowers  were  not  very  grand.  Mr.  A. 
Basile  was  first  for  three  with  nice  heads.  Mr.  J.  Holton  staged  fine 
Red  and  White  Celery,  taking  first  in  each  case.  Herbs  were  numerously 
and  well  staged  by  several  competitors. 
Culinary  Apples  were  largely  shown.  For  three  dishes  Mr.  A.  Basile 
was  first  with  splendid  specimens  ;  Mr.  A.  Galvin,  Sittingbourne,  having 
the  best  dessert  varieties.  Mr.  T.  Osman  secured  the  first  prize  for  a 
collection  of  open  air  fruit,  and  was  closely  followed  by  Mr.  R.  Wadhams. 
Mr.  C.  J.  Waite  had  the  best  black  Grapes,  and  Mr.  Taylor  the  best 
white.  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  Pears,  Plums,  Gooseberries  and 
Currants  were  largely  staged.  Amongst  the  prizewinners  were  Messrs. 
C.  J.  Waite,  A.  Basile,  A.  Galvin,  W.  Taylor,  R.  Wadham,  J.  Humphrey, 
and  J.  Holton. 
The  second  day  was  the  industrial  day,  the  products  representing  the 
devotion  and  skill  of  the  wage-earning  community  in  various  parts  of  the 
country.  The  display,  as  a  whole,  was  altogether  creditable  and  com¬ 
mendable.  Vegetables,  with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  kinds,  were 
splendid,  and  competition  great  in  most  of  the  classes.  Potatoes,  Carrots, 
Parsnips,  Shallots,  Onions,  Peas,  Beans,  and  Celery,  in  fact  nearly  all 
kinds,  would  be  hard  to  surpass.  Turnips  were,  perhaps,  a  little  weak, 
and  Cabbages  too  large  and  coarse,  but  taking  the  display  as  a  whole  it 
was  decidedly  meritorious. 
Plants  and  flowers  were  never  so  well  represented  at  these  Shows 
before,  and  marked  improvement  was  apparent  in  the  arrangement  of 
flowers.  Still  there  were  many  examples  of  close  packing,  as  if  some 
of  the  earnest  competitors  had  tried  to  croAvd  the  greatest  possible  number 
into  the  smallest  possible  space.  When  they  find,  however,  that  this  is 
not  the  way  to  win  prizes  improvement  will  follow,  as  it  has  done  in 
numbers  of  instances. 
An  effort  is  being  made  to  encourage  floAver  culture  among  children 
attending  schools.  During  the  past  spring  the  Council  of  the  .Vssociation 
commenced  by  oflering  prizes  for  the  culture  of  pot  plants  to  the  children 
in  twenty-seven  London  schools.  No  less  than  1627  competitors  entered, 
and  the  results  were  exhibited  before  the  recent  breaking  up  for  the 
holidays.  So  much  interest  and  enthusiasm  was  shown  that  Mr.  Edward 
Owen  Greening,  at  whose  instance  the  experiment  was  made  this  year, 
hopes  to  see  a  great  development  of  the  movement  in  future  years. 
The  exhibition,  which  filled  a  marquee  500  feet  long  by  40  feet  wide, 
on  the  Terrace,  was  highly  successful,  and  the  courtesy  of  the  several 
officials  beyond  praise. 
NATIONAL  CARNATION  AND  RICOTEE  SOCIETY 
(Northern  Section). 
The  annual  exhibition  of  the  above  Society  was  held  at  the  Royal 
Botanical  Gardens,  Old  TrafTord,  Manchester,  on  Saturday,  August  14th. 
<  onsidering  the  excessive  heat  Avhich  prevailed  a  few  weeks  ago  the 
blooms  were  remai’kably  good,  and  taken  altogether  the  exhibition  was  a 
grand  success,  comparing  favourably  with  those  held  in  previous 
years. 
For  twelve  flakes  and  bizarres,  dissimilar,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  Todmorden, 
was  first  with  fine  flowers  of  George,  Master  Fred,  Gordon  Lewis,  .1.  S. 
Iledderley,  Bruce  Findlay,  Magpie,  Mrs.  Rowan,  Robt.  Houlgrave, 
Admiral  <  urzon,  Mrs.  T.  Ijord,  Guardsman,  and  Thaddeus.  Mr. 
.1.  Edwards  second ;  Mr.  Oeo.  Thornley  third  ;  and  Mr.  H.  Geggie 
fourth. 
For  six  bizarres  and  flakes,  dissimilar,  Mr.  C.  Head,  Hebden  Bridge, 
was  first  ;  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan,  AYolverhampton,  second  ;  third,  Mr.  J. 
Lees  ;  fourth,  Mr.  .1.  )Yhittaker.  In  the  class  for  twelve  seifs,  not  more 
than  two  flowers  of  any  one  variety,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  Todmorden,  was  first 
with  Germania,  Nero,  Mrs.  T.  Helliwell  (a  grand  new  coral  pink  self), 
Germania,  Albino,  Ruby,  Mrs.  Fred,  ,Ioe  Willet,  Topsy,  Lady  Agnes, 
Vesuvius,  and  Mr.  T.  Helliwell ;  second,  Mr.  ,loe  Edwards,  Blackley  ; 
third,  Mr.  AVm.  Kenyon  ;  fourth,  Mr.  L.  B.  Bleackley.  Six  self  Carna¬ 
tions,  not  more  than  two  floAvers  of  any  one  variety,  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan, 
^Yolverhampton,  was  first  ;  Mr.  E.  Shaw,  Moston,  second ;  Mr.  A.  R. 
Brown,  third  ;  Mr.  1).  AYalker,  fourth  ;  and  Mr.  Ed.  Kenyon,  fifth. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  Fancy  or  yellow  ground  Carnations,  not  more 
than  two  flowers  of  any  one  variety,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  Birmingham,  was 
first  with  grand  flowers  of  Voltaire,  Mrs.  A.  Tate,  Voltaire,  Stadtrath 
Bail,  The  Gift,  Eunomia,  Monarch,  Virgo,  Janira,  The  Dey,  Virgo,  and 
Mr.  Nigel :  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan,  AYolverhampton,  second  ;  third,  Mr.  D. 
V'alker,  Kilmarnock  ;  fourth,  Mr.  T.  Lord  ;  fifth,  Mr.  J.  Edwards.  Six 
Fancy  or  yellow'  ground  Carnations  and  Ricotees,  with  not  more  than  two 
flowers  of  any  one  variety. — First,  Mr.  F.  Steele,  Hanley,  Avith  Monarch, 
Rresident  Carnot,  Ladas,  Monarch,  Stadtrath  Bail,  and  Ladas  ;  second, 
Mr,  .1.  Brocklehurst  ;  third,  Mr.  W.  Kenyon  ;  fourth,  Mr.  J.  Lees, 
Rremier  Carnation,  Mr.  ,1.  AYhittaker,  Royton,  with  Robt.  Houl¬ 
grave,  S.B. 
Single  blooms  were  admirably  shown,  and  the  awards  were  made  as 
follows  Scarlet  bizarres.  -  First,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  Avith  Robt.  Houlgrave; 
second,  Mr.  L.  B.  Bleackley,  with  Robt.  Houlgi’ave  ;  third,  Mr.  Geo. 
Thornley,  with  Robt.  Houlgrave  ;  fourth,  Mr.  ,Tas.  Turner,  with 
George  ;  and  fifth,  Mr.  II.  Geggie,  with  seedling.  Crimson  bizarres. 
First,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  w'ith  Master  Fh-ed  ;  second,  Mr.  ,1.  Edwai’ds,  with 
.los.  Lakin  :  third,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  with  Master  Fred  ;  fourth,  Mr.  .1. 
Edwards,  with  J.  S.  Iledderley  ;  fifth,  Mr.  Geo.  Thornley,  with  Edith 
.\iinie.  Pink  and  purple  bizarres.— First,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  Avith  Edith 
Annie  ;  second,  Mr.  .las.  Etherington,  Avith  Mrs.  Barlow ;  third,  Mr.  T, 
Lord,  Avith  Sarah  Payne ;  fourth,  JVIr.  .1  as.  Etherington,  Avith  Mrs. 
BarloAv  :  fifth,  Mr.  Joe  Edwards,  Avith  Ellis  Crossley,  Scarlet  flake.— 
First  and  second,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  with  Sportsman  :  third,  Mr.  Ed.  Kenyon 
with  Guardsman  ;  fourth,  Mr.  .las.  Turner,  and  fifth,  Mr.  .Joe  Edwards, 
both  Avith  Sportsman.  Rose  flake.  -  First  and  second,  Mr.  ,Ioe  Edwards, 
with  Mrs.  Rowan  and  Mrs.  Gunn  ;  third,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  with  Tudor  ; 
fourth,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  with  Mrs.  T.  Lord  ;  fifth,  Mr,  J.  AAAiittaker,  with 
''ristagalli.  Purple  flake.  -  F’irst  and  second,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  and  third, 
Mr.  Joe  Edwards,  with  Gordon  Lewis  ;  fourth;  Mr.  ,T.  EdAvards,  Avith 
.las.  Douglas  :  fifth,  Mr.  J.  Lees,  with  Billy  Henderson. 
In  the  important  class  for  twelve  blooms,  distinct,  Mr.  T.  Lord,  Tod¬ 
morden,  was  first  with  finely  developed  blooms  of  Mrs.  Sharp,  Ijena, 
Mrs.  Coldridgc,  Brunette,  Amy  Robsart,  Nellie,  Somerhill,  Ifittle  Phil, 
.John  Smith,  Muriel,  Thomas  AYilliam,  and  Morna  :  Mr.  AY.  Kenyon, 
Bury,  second  ;  third,  Mr.  ,loe  Edwards  ;  fourth,  Mr.  E.  Shaw  ;  fifth,  Mr. 
.las.  Turner.  For  six  blooms,  distinct,  Mr.  C.  Head  was  first, 
with  Brunette,  Mrs.  Sharp,  Thomas  AA^illiam,  Muriel,  Nellie,  and  Mrs. 
AVilson  ;  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan,  second  ;  Mr.  J.  Lees,  third  ;  Mr.  Ed. 
Kenyon,  fourth  ;  Mr.  F.  Steele,  fifth  :  Mr.  .1.  AA’hitaker,  sixth. 
In  the  classes  for  single  blooms  there  were  some  fine  flowers  shown. 
For  heavy  edged  red,  Mr.  T.  Lord  was  first  and  second  Avith  John  Smith 
and  Brunette  ;  Mr.  E.  ShaAV,  third  and  fifth,  with  Morna,  and  Mr. 
AA^.  Kenyon  fourth,  with  Mrs.  AATlson.  Light  edged  red. — First  and  fifth 
