September  9,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
249 
grand  clusters  of  Alicante  and  Gros  Maroc,  and  good  Black  Hamburgh 
and  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Mr.  W.  Mitchell,  gardener  to  F.  W.  Fleming, 
Esq.,  Ohilworth  Manor,  was  a  close  second,  his  Black  Hamburgh  and 
Mrs.  Pince  being  remarkably  well  finished.  Third,  Mr.  W.  Taylor, 
gardener  to  0.  Bayer,  Esq.,  London.  The  Madresfield  Court  in  this 
collection  were  veiy  fine. 
Fifteen  competed  with  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  but  Mr. 
W.  Mitchell  was  easily  first,  followed  by  Mr.  Allen,  gardener  to  W. 
Marsh,  Esq.,  Bath  ;  third,  Mr.  W.  T.aylor,  Bath,  In  the  any  other  Idack 
class  Mr.  C.  Bayer  was  a  good  first  with  Madresfield  Court,  second  Mr. 
W.  Mitchell.  Eight  competed  with  white  Muscats.  Mr.  Carpenter, 
gardener  to  A.  E.  Baily,  Esq.,  Frome,  was  first  with  beautifully  ripened 
Sluscat  of  Alexandria,  the  second  prize  going  to  IMr.  Bayer.  The  any 
other  white  class  was  also  well  filled.  First,  Mr.  W.  Marshall,  gardener 
to  .T.  Doyle,  Esq.,  Clifton,  who  staged  perfectly  ripened  Buckland  Sweet¬ 
water  ;  second,  Mr.  T.  Cloote,  gardener  to  D.  E.  Taylor,  Esq.  Local 
growers  were  well  represented  in  the  class  for  Grapes  set  apart  for  them. 
Mr.  S.  Hodges,  gardener  to  .1.  Fort,  Esq.,  was  first  for  good  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  and  Mr.  Marsh  second  with  excellent  Gros  Maroc. 
Melons  were  numerous,  and  the  quality  exceptionally  good.  Mr. 
W.  J.  Atkins,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Greaves,  was  first  for  a  scarlet  flesh 
variety,  showing  Suttons’  Al  of  excellent  quality,  Mr.  E.  Mallinson 
taking  the  second  prize.  Very  good  also  was  the  first  prize  fruit  of 
Imperial  Green-flesh,  shown  by  Mr.  .J.  Duckett,  Chippenham  ;  and  the 
second  prize  fruit  of  the  same  variety,  shown  by  Mr.  Strugnell.  Peaches 
and  Nectarines  were  numerous  and  good.  The  principal  prizewinners 
with  these  were  Messrs.  Atkins,  T.  Ackland  (gardener  to  A.  G.  Hay  man, 
Esq.,  Frome),  W.  Carpenter,  W.  Strugnell,  W.  Taylor,  and  ,1.  Clarke 
(gardener  to  J.  C.  Aiken,  Esq.).  Plums,  Figs,  Apples,  Pears,  and  Filberts 
were  represented  at  the  rate  of  about  twenty  entries  in  a  class,  and  a 
grand  variety  was  shown,  Mr.  Strugnell  was  among  the  most  successful 
in  these  classes  ;  Mr.  G.  Garraway,  Mr.  J.  Manning,  Mr.  Wilkins,  Mr. 
A.  Keevil,  and  others  also  taking  prizes.  Messrs.  Cooling  &  Sons,  Bath, 
staged  a  row  of  heavily  fruited  Apple  trees  in  pots,  just  as  lifted  from 
the  open  ground  ;  and  a  collection  of  Apples  and  Pears  in  dishes. 
Numerous  classes  were  provided  for  vegetables,  but  these  were 
arranged  in  the  open,  and  a  report  of  prizewinners  could  not  be  taken  in 
a  drenching  rainfall.  Mr.  T.  Wilkins,  Inwopd,  and  Mr.  Garraway,  Bath, 
were  the  most  successful  with  collections. 
WIEUAL  AND  BIEKENHEAD.— September  1st  and  2nd. 
On  Wednesday  and  Thursday  last,  under  most  distressing  circum¬ 
stances  as  regards  the  weather,  the  annual  show  in  connection  with  the 
Birkenhead  Agricultural  Society  was  opened  on  the  Society’s  grounds. 
On  the  whole  the  exhibits  were  of  excellent  quality,  this  being  most 
noticeable  in  the  fruit  and  vegetable  classes,  which  were  really  excellent, 
the  former  being  especially  fine  and  keenly  contested.  Plants,  with  the 
exception  of  Palms  and  Ferns,  were  lacking  both  in  colour  and  flower  ; 
but  taking  the  season  into  consideration  the  show  was  of  great  excellence. 
As  usual  the  Stewards,  with  the  indefatigable  Secretary,  Mr.  A.  H. 
Edwardson,  were  assiduous  in  their  attentions  to  all  present. 
For  ten  flowering  and  foliage  plants  Mr.  .1.  W,  Tottey,  gardener  to 
W.  Laird,  Esq.,  was  placed  first.  Crotons  (ineen  A'’ictoria  and  Countess 
and  Vinca  alba  being  the  best.  Mr.  S.  Haines,  gardener  to  E.  K.  Laird, 
Esq.,  second  ;  and  Mr,  A.  Brown,  gardener  to  Geo.  Webster,  Esq.,  third. 
Groups  arranged  for  effect  were  not  up  to  former  years.  Mr.  Bradshaw 
was  first ;  and  Mr.  J,  D.  Grindley,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Blackburn,  second. 
Mr.  A.  Brown  won  class  for  three  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  flower 
with  good  Statice  profusa,  Vinca  rosea,  and  a  Pelargonium.  Mr.  Tottey 
was  second.  The  order  was  reversed  for  three  foliage  plants,  Mr.  Tottey 
also  winning  classes  for  one  Palm,  one  foliage  plant,  one  Tree  Fern,  three 
Coleus,  one  Fuchsia,  and  three  table  plants.  IMr.  A.  Brown  was 
successful  for  one  greenhouse  plant  in  bloom,  one  stove  plant  in  bloom, 
and  for  three  Begonias.  Messrs.  Haines  and  Grindley  were  successful 
in  classes  for  three  Ferns  and  one  Fern.  Orchids  were  much  improved, 
Mr.  E.  Taylor,  gardener  to  E.  Pryor,  Esq.,  took  first  for  three  with  a 
lovely  piece  of  Cattleya  Eldorado  alba  and  Oncidiums  sarcodes  and 
incurvum.  Mr.  J.  Bracegirdle,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Watts,  Esq.,  was  a  close 
second.  Hand  bouquets,  ladies’  sprays,  and  gentlemen’s  buttonhole 
bouquets  were  superb,  the  winners  being  Messrs.  S.  .Johnson,  J.  Clarke, 
and  J.  Williams,  gardener  to  C.  ,J.  Procter,  Esq. 
Dahlias  were  excellent,  the  Cactus  varieties  coming  in  for  gi’eat 
admiration  ;  Messrs.  A.  J.  Stanley  and  F.  Davies,  gardener  to  J.  H. 
Howell,  Esq.,  being  the  winners  in  a  very  strong  competition.  The 
doubles  shown  by  Mr.  Clement  Aldred  were  charming.  Mr.  Howell 
also  won  in  the  Aster  classes,  and  Messrs.  T.  Williams  and  Haines  for 
Hollyhocks  and  Gladioli.  In  classes  for  twelve  and  six  varieties  of 
indoor  cut  flowers  Mr.  E.  Pinnington,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Banner,  Blacklow 
House,  Eoby,  won  with  a  very  choice  selection  ;  the  corresponding 
classes  for  outdoor  flowers  falling  to  Messrs.  Littlemore  &  Moore  and 
W.  Neish,  gardener  to  J.  H.  Ismay,  Esq. 
For  a  dessert  table  containing  six  distinct  kinds  of  fruit  (Pine  Apple 
excepted),  and  only  two  bunches  of  Grapes,  either  two  black  or  two 
white,  or  one  of  each  colour,  representing  one  kind  of  fruit,  five  staged, 
Mr.  E.  Pinnington  winning  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Gros  Maroc 
Grapes,  Negro  Largo  Figs,  Pineapple  Nectarines,  Crimson  Galande 
Peaches,  Best  of  All  Melon,  and  Madame  Treyve  Pears.  Ampelopsis 
Veitchi  and  Lygodium  scandens  were  used  for  foliage,  the  flowers  being 
Gloire  de  Dijon  Hoses  and  Anemone  japonica  alba.  Mr.  O.  Eoberts  was 
a  good  second  ;  Mr.  F erguson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Paterson,  Eock  Ferry, 
third  ;  and  Mr.  Stephenson,  gardener  to  P.  McGuffle,  Esq.,  Woolton 
Hall,  fourth. 
Mr.  ,J.  Bracegirdle,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Watts,  Esq.,  Elm  HaU, 
Wavertree,  had  a  choice  six  distinct  kinds  of  hardy  fruit,  comprising 
Irish  Peach  Apples,  Jargonelle  Pears,  Negro  Largo  Figs,  Victoria 
Plums,  Lord  Na[)ier  Nectarines,  and  Grosse  Mignonne  Peaches.  Mr. 
Hoberts  was  placed  second.  Grapes  were  of  excellent  quality,  Messrs. 
Ferguson  and  G.  .lackson,  gardener  to  E.  T.  Eichardson,  Esq.,  being  first 
and  second,  but  sui’ely  the  Judges  scarcely  gave  sufficient  heed  to  the 
two  grand  massive  bunches,  such  as  one  rarely  sees,  fine  in  berry,  well 
coloured,  flavour  good,  and  quite  five  times  the  weight.  Messrs.  Hanson  and 
Ferguson  had  well-coloured  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Messrs.  Neish  and 
Pinnington  with  iSIadresfield  Court,  and  IMessrs.  Pinnington  and 
H.  Morris,  gardener  to  George  Atkin,  Esq.,  with  any  other  white. 
Messrs.  Eoberts  and  Stephenson  took  the  Peach  and  Nectarine  prizes 
with  Sea  Eagle  and  Pineapple.  Melons  went  to  Messrs.  Downham  and 
J.  Williams.  Apples  were  large  and  well  formed,  the  winners  being 
Messrs.  J.  Jefferson,  P.  Stephenson,  S.  Jones,  H.  Eeynolds,  and  C.  .7. 
Waite,  gardener  to  Sir  Patrick  Talbot.  The  Plum  classes  fell  to  Messrs. 
Eoberts  and  Neish. 
Vegetables  are  nowhere  seen  to  greater  advantage,  but  as  varieties 
were  many  of  them  not  labelled  we  simply  give  some  of  the  winners — 
viz.,  Messrs.  Littlemore  &  Moore,  J.  ,1.  Brewin,  Neish,  J.  H.  Carter, 
C.  J.  Waite,  Kendrick,  .Jefferson,  ().  Hoberts,  and  H.  Banks.  The 
Tomato  prizes  were  taken  by  Mr.  Stephenson.  Owing  to  the  torrents  of 
rain  falling  on  both  days  there  was  a  deficit  of  something  like  £250,  but 
as  the  Society  is  composed  of  some  of  the  great  I.ancashire  and  Cheshire 
magnates  no  doubt  the  adverse  balance  will  soon  be  met,  for  the  educa¬ 
tional  value  of  such  shows  cannot  well  be  over-estimated. 
GLASGOW.— September  1st  and  2nd. 
The  Show  of  the  Glasgow  Horticultural  Society  was  held  in  the  St 
Andrew’s  Halls  on  the  above  dates.  Probably  the  accommodation  is  the 
worst  in  the  country,  the  halls  being  excessively  dark,  the  Kent  hall, 
where  the  vegetables  were  staged,  being  lighted  all  day  by  electric  light. 
Plants  are  never  a  strong  feature  at  Scotch  shows,  but  the  competition 
for  tables,  which  take  the  place  of  the  familiar  groups,  were  well  con¬ 
tested.  Mr.  D.  Wilson,  gardener  to  H.  Steven,  Esq.,  Westmount,  Kelvin- 
side,  taking  first  place,  and  winning  a  handsome  silver  cup.  The  table 
contained  well  coloured  Crotons,  Carex,  Cocos  Weddelliana,  Odonto- 
glossum  Alexandra,  and  was  light  and  elegant.  Mr.  H.  Miller,  gardener 
to  A.  Eussell,  Esq.,  Auchenraith,  was  second.  Ferns,  J’elargoniums, 
Palms,  and  other  plants  were  shown,  but  call  for  no  special  notice. 
Florists’  flowers  are  always  very  fine  at  Glasgow,  this  year  the  com¬ 
petition  being  wonderfully  keen  throughout.  For  twenty-four  Eoses 
Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  were  first,  and  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Son, 
Aberdeen,  were  a  close  second.  For  twenty-four  Gladioli  Mr.  Mair, 
Prestwick,  was  first,  staging  magnificent  spikes.  Mr.  Smith,  Prestwick, 
won  with  twelve  spikes.  There  were  six  lots  of  twenty-four  double 
Dahlias,  Mi*.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  taking  first  place  with  fine  examples, 
among  others  of  Chieftain,  Harry  Keith,  Duchess  of  York,  Shottesham 
Hero,  Mr.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  Morgan,  and  Cfieriih  ;  Mr.  Smellie,  Busby, 
second  ;  and  Mr.  A.  Lister,  Eothesay,  third.  For  twelve  sprays  of  Violas 
five-  competed,  Mr.  Campbell  winning  first  with  beautiful  examples,  Mr. 
Smellie  second.  Carnations  were  exhibited  in  great  quantity  and  splendid 
quality.  Mr.  Campbell  won  for  twenty-four,  showing  fine  blooms  of 
Alburea,  Ladas,  The  Dey,  Water  Witch.  Mr.  Lister,  Eothesay,  second. 
Marigolds  are  always  a  feature  here,  and  the  Africans  were  very  fine 
on  this  occasion.  For  twelve  African  Marigolds  Mr.  Gourlay,  Bishopbrigg, 
won,  and  Mr.  Stewart,  Lennoxtown,  was  second,  both  showing  perfect 
flowers  and  of  large  size.  For  twelve  bunches  of  herbaceous  flowers 
Mr.  Stewart  was  placed  first,  but  the  exhibit  was  rather  spoiled  by  every 
flower  being  wired  and  the  bunches  made  too  stiff.  If  exhibitors  would 
only  stage  hei’baceous  flowers  naturally  the  effect  would  be  much  more 
beautiful.  For  twelve  blooms  of  Cactus  Dahlias  Air.  AIcGregor, 
Kilmarnock,  was  first  out  of  ten  competitors,  showing  many  of  the  newer 
varieties.  Air.  Stewart  second. 
Fruit  was  well  shown,  especially  Grapes.  For  a  collection  of  twelve 
dishes  of  fruit.  Air.  D.  Alurray,  gardener  to  the  Alarquis  of  Ailsa, 
Alaybole,  won  with  a  Queen  Pine,  Passiflora  edulis.  Best  of  All  Alelon, 
Black  Hamburgh  and  Aluscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  as  his  best.  For 
four  bunches  of  Grapes,  Mr.  D.  Airdrie,  gardener  to  ,7.  Graham,  Esq., 
Larbert,  won  with  Muscat  Hamburgh,  Black  Hamburgh,  Aluscat  of 
Alexandria,  and  Aladresfield  Court.  Mr.  ,7.  Leslie,  gardener  to  A.  Coats, 
Esq.,  Pitcullen,  Perth,  was  second.  Air.  Airdrie  was  also  first  for  two 
bunches  of  black  Grapes,  a  collection  of  six  dishes  of  fruit,  and  for  si.x 
Peaches,  the  variety  being  Sea  Eagle.  For  two  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh  Grapes,  Air.  D.  Alenzies,  gardener  to  J.  Brown,  Esq., 
Dunipace,  Larbert,  was  first  ;  while  for  two  bunches  of  white  Grai>es 
Air.  J.  Taylor,  Black  Dale,  Largs,  took  first  place. 
Vegetables  were  very  fine,  clean,  and  of  good  quality  considering  the 
wet,  cold  season  experienced  in  the  neighboui’hood.  For  a  collection  of 
vegetables  arranged  in  a  box  Air.  .7.  Brown,  gardener  to  A.  Spiers,  Esq., 
Houston  House,  Houston,  was  first.  Amongst  others  splendid  Champion 
Leeks,  Autumn  Giant  Cauliflowers,  AVinningstadt  Cabbage,  and  Duke 
of  Albany  Peas  were  shown.  Mr.  C.  Trail,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Ballantine, 
Ivillwinning,  second.  Air.  Brown  was  also  first  for  a  smaller  collection 
of  vegetables.  There  was  great  competition  for  six  Leeks,  Mr.  Cole, 
gardener  to  Col.  Stuart  of  Torrance,  taking  first  place  with  fine,  clean, 
well-blanched  solid  examples.  Air.  J.  Gilchrist,  gardener  to  J.  D.  Bell, 
Esq.,  Clifton  Hall,  Eatho,  being  second.  Nine  lots  were  staged  in  this, 
