September  16,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
273 
ALLIUM  PEUEMONTANUM. 
The  plant  represented  in  the  annexed  woodcut  deserves  all  that  can 
be  possibly  said  in  its  favour,  for  it  is  an  alpine  bulbous  plant  of  rare 
merit,  and  destined  to  assist  largely  in  the  embellishment  of  our  hardy 
bulb  borders  all  through  the  earlier  part  of  the  season.  It  is  fortunately 
quite  devoid  of  the  disagreeable  garlic  smell  usually  characterising 
Alliums,  and  which  must  be  tolerated  with  the  showy  dowers  of  the 
others.  For  making  clumps  in  the  mixed  border  or  the  rock  garden  this 
bulb  is  undoubtedly  an  exceedingly  desirable  accjuisition,  as  it  increases 
quickly  and  without  becoming  in  the  least  troublesome,  so  compact  is  its 
habit  of  growth.  It  is  also  a  most  useful  pot  plant,  with  a  considerable 
advantage  over  other  spring  bulbs  in  the  length  of  time  it  remains  in 
bloom,  and  even  after  being  cut  the  dowers  are  quite  fresh  for  a  long 
period.  It  forms  tufts  of  from  four  to  six  narrow  grass-like  leaves* 
having  a  very  graceful  drooping  habit,  and  above  the  foliage  rise  in 
great  profusion  the  charming  umbels  of  drooping  dark  rosy-pink 
dowers.  It  is  increased  by  division  or  seeds,  which  ripen  plenti¬ 
fully.— M. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
EDINBURGH. — September  Sth  and  9th. 
This  magnidcent  exhibition  was  held  in  the  Waverley  Market  on 
Wednesday  and  Thursday  last,  and  was  one  of  the  dnest  ever  held  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Society.  The  entries,  notwithstanding  the  backward 
season,  were  enormous,  upwards  of  2300  being  received,  and  yet  the 
competition  was  very  keen  throughout,  especially  in  the  fruit  and  cut 
dower  classes.  It  is  impossible  in  the  limits  of  a  short  report  to  give  a 
list  of  all  the  prizetakers,  but  the  following  were  the  fortunate  exhibitors 
in  some  of  the  principal  classes. 
The  Society,  to  celebrate  the  Diamond  Jubilee  of  her  Majesty’s  reign, 
issued  a  supplementary  prize  list,  offering  substantial  money  prizes  and 
medals  for  a  grouji  of  plants,  group  of  cut  dowers,  a  table  of  fruit,  and  a 
table  of  vegetables  respectively.  The  entries  included  some  of  the  best 
English  and  Scottish  growers,  and  in  each  case  the  first  prize  went  over 
the  border  to  England.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  Council  will  see  their  way 
to  retain  these  classes  in  future,  for  the  great  fault  formerly  of  Edinburgh 
shows  was  their  stereotyped  nature. 
Jubilee  Classes. 
Taking  these  first,  for  a  group  of  plants  IMr.  J.  McIntyre,  Darlington, 
was  first,  winning  the  Jubilee  silver-gilt  medal  and  £20  with  a  beautiful 
and  graceful  arrangement,  using  a  large  Kentia  in  the  centre,  on  a  cork 
stand,  Celosias,  Dracaenas,  Orchids,  and  fine-foliaged  plants,  making  a 
bright  display.  Mr.  Malcolm  McIntyre,  gardener  to  Sir  Charles  Tennant, 
Bart.,  was  a  close  second. 
For  a  table  of  cut  dowers,  15  feet  by  5  feet,  prizes  to  the  value  of 
£10,  £7  7s.,  and  £5  5s.  were  offered,  from  which  Dahlias  were  excluded 
(which  many  persons  thought  rather  a  ridiculous  exclusion  for  a 
September  show).  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  were  placed  first 
with  large  and  brilliant  masses  of  Ilelianthus,  Liliums,  Gladioli,  Mont- 
bretias,  a  bold,  bright  table,  but  lacking  the  quality  of  the  second  prize 
group  of  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons,  who  used  large  mirrors  at  the  back. 
Mr.  J.  Forbes,  Hawick,  took  third  place.  Mr.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  and 
Mr.  Irvine,  Jedburgh,  were  very  highly  commended.  This  was  a  splendid 
class,  all  the  exhibits  being  of  the  first  quality.  The  Jubilee  silver  medal 
went  with  the  first  prize. 
For  the  best  table  of  fruit,  for  which  the  prizes  were  £21,  £12  12s., 
and  £7  7s.  were  offered,  some  magnificent  tables  were  in  competition,  Mr. 
J.  Hunter,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Durham,  Lambton  Castle,  winning  with 
splendid  examples  of  Gros  Guillaume  and  Black  Alicante  Grapes, 
Victoria  Nectarine,  Pa  vie  de  Pompone  Peach,  Magnum  Bonum  Plum, 
Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Golden  Eagle  Peach,  Hybrid,  and  Charlotte  Roth¬ 
schild  Pines,  Washington  and  Gascoyne  Scarlet  Apples,  Duchess  of  York 
Melon,  and  IMtmaston  Duchess  Pear.  This  was  a  most  meritorious  table, 
not  a  weak  dish  in  the  lot.  Mr.  R.  Caiims,  gardener  to  Martin  White,  Esq., 
Balruddery,  Dundee,  w'as  a  splendid  second,  and  the  veteran,  Mr.  Kirk, 
Alloa,  thiri  The  large  Veitch  ^lemorial  medal  went  with  the  first, 
silver  and  bronze  Jubilee  medals  with  the  second  and  third  prizes. 
For  the  best  table  of  vegetables  there  was  the  same  keen  competition, 
Mr.  Jas.  Gibson,  gardener  to  W.  Watts,  Esq.,  Devonhurst,  Chiswick, 
leading  with  fine  examples  of  Excelsior  and  xkilsa  Craig  Onions,  Satisfac¬ 
tion  Potatoes,  Autumn  Giant  and  Mammoth  Cauliflowers,  Red  and 
M'^hite  Celery,  Student  Parsnip,  Lyon  and  International  Leeks,  Perfec¬ 
tion  Tomato,  Autocrat  Pea,  and  Best  of  All  Bean,  the  whole  forming 
a  handsome  exhibit  of  well-grown  and  well-staged  produce.  Mr.  R.  T, 
Rae,  gardener  to  Major  Scott  Kerr,  Roxburgh,  was  second  ;  and  Mr. 
W.  Harper,  gardener  to  J.  R.  S.  Richardson,  Esq.,  Perth,  third.  The 
medals  were  the  same  as  in  the  preceding  class. 
Geneeal  Classes. 
For  a  table  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,  Mr.  G.  M'ood,  gardener  to 
J.  Buchanan,  Esq.,  Oswald  Road,  Edinburgh,  was  first,  Eulalias,  Cocos 
Weddelliana,  and  splendid  plants  of  Oncidium  recurvum  being  effectively 
used.  Mr.  J.  McIntyre,  Darlington,  was  second. 
Mr.  J.  Napier,  gardener  to  P.  Neil  Frazer,  Esq.,  Murrayfield,  had  the 
best  four  Adiantums,  showing  a  huge  specimen  of  A.  digitatulh.  The 
same  exhibitor  was  first  with  four  British  Ferns,  and  also  with  four  exotic 
Ferns,  showing  splendid  specimens  in  each  case. 
Fine  double  Petunias,  Cockscombs,  Pelargoniums,  Begonias,  and 
Fuchsias  were  exhibited  by  the  local  gardeners.  Large  Palms  and  Tree 
F erns  were  placed  about  the  Market,  which  greatly  enhanced  the  beauty 
of  exhibition,  but  it  was  difficult  to  find  the  prizewinning  plants. 
Roses  were  a  fine  feature  of  the  Show.  For  twenty-four  Teas  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  led  with,  amongst  others.  Bridesmaid,  Catherine 
Mermet,  Ernest  Metz,  Innocente  Pirola,  and  Madame  Cochet.  Messrs. 
Adam  &  Craigmillar,  Aberdeen,  were  second.  IMessrs.  Cocker  &  Sons, 
Aberdeen,  won  with  twelve  Alfred  Colomb,  and  Messrs.  D.  «fe  W.  Croll 
for  twelve  scarlet  Roses,  showing  Captain  Hayward ;  Messrs,  Cocker 
and  Sons  were  second  with  A.  K.  Williams.  For  thirty-six  Roses 
Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll  won  ;  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons  were  second ;  and 
Mr.  Hugh  Dickson,  Belfast,  third.  For  eighteen  Roses  Messrs.  D.  &  W. 
Croll  were  again  first,  Messrs.  Cocker  second,  and  Mr.  Smith,  Stranraer,, 
third.  . 
For  thirty  spikes  of  Gladioli  Messrs.  Harkness,  Bedale,  were  first 
with  fine  clean  spikes ;  Mr.  Campbell,  Gourock,  second.  Mr.  iSl.  Camp¬ 
bell,  Blantyre,  was  first  with  twenty-four  double  Dahlias,  staging  fine 
solid  well-finished  blooms — Shottesham  Hero,  Colonist,  J.  Cocker,  and 
Penelope  were  the  most  notable ;  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were  second. 
Mr.  M.  Campbell  was  also  first  for  eighteen  sprays  of  Cactus  Dahlias, 
Messrs.  R.  B.  Laird  &  Sons  second,  and  Messrs.  Laird  &;  Sinclair,  Dundee, 
third.  For  eleven  spikes  of  Hollyhocks  IMr.  Forbes,  Hawick,  took  the 
first  place;  Mr.  Irvine,  Jedburgh,  second.  Messrs.  Laird  <&  Sons  had  the, 
best  eighteen  single  Dahlias,  staging  immense  sprays ;  Mr.  John  Downie 
second. 
Herbaceous  dowers  were  staged  in  bewildering  profusion.  F or  twelve 
bunches,  Mr.  Bryson,  Innerleithen,  was  first,  showing  grand  bunches  of 
Montbretias,  Lobelia  cardinalis,  Veronica  longifolia  subsessilis,  Statice 
incana,  and  many  others  ;  Mr.  Meiklem.  Bridge  of  'Weir,  was  second  ; 
and  Mr.  Patterson,  Selkirk,  third.  Mr.  M.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  won  with 
twelve  Carnations  in  a  great  competition, 
Feuit  Classes. 
For  a  collection  of  twelve  dishes  of  fruit.  Pines  and  Bananas  excluded, 
Mr.  J.  Hunter,  Lambton  Castle,  took  the  lead  with  fine  bunches  of 
Chasselas  Napoleon,  Gros  Guillaume,  and  Gros  Maroc  Grapes  ;  Golden 
Eagle  Peach,  ’  Victoria  Nectarine,  Pitmaston  Duchess  Pear,  Gascoyne 
Scarlet  Apple,  Magnum  Bonum  Plum,  Moor  Park  Apricot,  Brown 
Turkey  Fig,  and  Washington  Apple.  Mr.  Harris,  gardener  to  Lady 
