October  7,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
337 
Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  exhibited  a  very  attractive  display  of  Gladioli, 
Phloxes,  Gaillardias,  and  a  variety  of  hardy  flowers.  A  grand  exhiViit  of 
Roses  came  from  Messrs,  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross.  They  were 
chiefly  Teas  and  Chinas.  In  the  latter  section  Queen  Mab  was  very  note¬ 
worthy.  A  special  feature  was  made  by  the  varieties  introduced  by  the 
firm  during  the  Victorian  era,  which  included  Empress  Alexandra  of 
Russia,  Sylph,  Enchantress,  Medea,  and  Corinna. 
Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  exhibited  a  choice  collection  of 
Tomatoes,  including  several  novelties.  Sunbeam.  Perfection,  Eclipse, 
and  Prince  of  Wales  were  very  fine  indeed.  Peachblow  and  Pomegranate, 
both  novelties,  were  well  shown,  but  the  colour  is  hardly  likely  to  meet 
the  popular  taste.  Mr.  B.  Wells,  Crawley,  had  an  exhibit  of  Apples, 
including  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  Bramley’s  Seedling,  Bismarck,  and 
Worcester  Pearmain.  A  pleasing  change  was  provided  by  Mr.  AV.  Wells, 
Redhill,  who  showed  early  Chrysanthemums,  Harvest  Home,  T.,ady  Fitz- 
wygram,  and  Rose  Wells  being  well  represented,  ^tr.  W.  Horne,  Cliffe, 
Rochester,  staged  a  good  collection  of  Apples. 
From  ^Ir.  Owen  Thomas,  the  Royal  Gardens,  Windsor,  came  a  regal 
display  of  Pines,  Grapes,  Pears,  Apples,  and  Tomatoes,  all  effectively 
arranged  and  affording  a  very  pleasing  exhibit.  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and 
Sons,  Swanley,  had  a  group  of  Physalis  Franchetti  in  good  form,  also  a 
fine  group  of  Cannas  somewhat  formally  arranged,  ^lessrs.  .1.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  Ltd.,  had  a  very  attractive  show  of  Nerines  grown  in  small 
pots,  arranged  with  Palms  and  ^laidenhair  Ferns  ;  also  a  large  exhibit  of 
the  leading  varieties  of  Apples  and  Pears,  with  baskets  of  Physalis  Fran¬ 
chetti  and  bunches  of  Rosa  rugosa.  The  Horticultural  College,  Swanley, 
sent  an  exhibit  of  fruits  both  fresh  and  bottled,  the  latter  consisting  of 
Raspberries,  Gooseberries,  Currants,  Plums,  and  Cherries. 
ilessrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  had  an  imposing  display  of  Apples 
and  Pears  in  dishes,  also  a  number  of  cordons,  to  illustrate  the  free- 
bearing  character  of  the  varieties.  The  same  firm  showed  Dahlias, 
including  the  Pompon,  Cactus,  and  single  sections.  Messrs.  Fisher,  Son, 
and  Sibray,  Sheffield,  staged  a  large  collection  of  Apples  and  Pears,  as 
also  did  Messrs.  J.  jpeed  &  Sons,  Norwood.  ^lessrs.  Gaymer  &  Sons, 
Attleboro’,  Norfolk,  exhibited  a  collection  of  Apples  and  cider  bottles,  the 
latter  for  the  most  part  empty,  though  some  were  filled  with  the  necessary 
contents. 
Messrs.  A.  W.  Young  &  Co.,  Stevenage,  had  a  display  of  ornamental 
Gourds  and  Tomatoes,  also  a  large  exhib't  of  hardy  flowers.  A  very 
large  and  attractive  collection  of  Apples  and  Pears  was  staged  by  Messrs. 
S.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow,  comprising  all  the  leading  varieties.  A 
collection  of  Pears  and  Grapes  came  from  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society’s  Gardens,  Chiswick.  This  exhibit  included  the  largest  bunches 
of  Grapes  in  the  Show.  The  variety  was  Gros  Guillaume  from  the  large 
vinery  at  Chiswick. 
A  VISITOR’S  COAQIENTS. 
Although  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  Directors  of  the 
Crystal  Palace  may  be  assumed  to  know  their  own  business  best,  yet 
their  way  of  arranging  the  recent  great  fruit  show  did  materially 
detract  from  the  fine  effect  which  otherwise  would  have  been  produced 
could  the  whole  of  the  exhibits  have  been  blocked  into  the  centre 
transept,  rather  than  broken  into  three  sections,  which  not  only  detracted 
from  the  effect,  but  also  materially  from  the  pleasure  such  a  fine 
show  might  be  expected  to  furnish.  Judging  by  the  rather  small 
attendance  on  the  second  day,  it  seems  as  if  the  firework  attractions 
on  the  first  day,  when  the  attendance  was  large,  were  even  greater  with 
the  public  than  the  show.  Somehow  we  never  can  at  the  Palace,  grand 
a  place  as  it  is,  get  the  crowds  which  went  to  see  the  famous  Guildhall 
Fruit  Show,  but  that  w  as  at  least  a  gratuitous  show,  and  was  centrally 
situated. 
I  can  hardly  regard  the  Conferences  on  the  two  first  days  as  successes. 
I  could  not  attend  the  third.  It  seemed  as  if  the  public  present  at  the 
Palace  were  not  notified  of  the  proceedings,  either  by  means  of  prominent 
notices  in  the  Palace  or  the  distribution  of  small  handbills.  Unless  these 
functions  provoke  more  interest  in  the  future  they  may  not  be  worth 
keeping  up.  Probably'  they  suffered  somewhat  from  the  fact  that  the 
papers  read,  though  full  of  interest,  were  yet  rather  retrospective  and 
descriptive  than  practical  or  controversial,  but  that  was  another  of  the 
products  of  a  jubilee  year  that  is  happily  nearing  its  end.  Any  future 
arrangements  should  require  papers  not  exceeding  twenty  minutes 
duration  on  topics  likely  to  arouse  active  interest  and  promote  what  is 
sometimes  so  lacking  — free  and  full  discussion.  It  would  be  well  if,  also, 
persons  present  would  send  in  their  names  on  paper  if  they  wished  to 
take  part  in  the  discussion,  and  that  preference  should  be  given  to  new 
men,  or  strangers,  as  in  that  way  more  widespread  information  is  obtained. 
It  is  questionable  whether  the  Conferences  would  not  be  better  attended 
about  6  P.M.,  rather  than  in  the  afternoon,  just  after  lunch,  when  everyone 
wants  to  enjoy  the  show. 
No  doubt  from  some  quarters,  especially  from  those  who  like  to  croak 
about  the  decadence  of  gardening,  we  shall  hear  that  the  Grapes  were 
not  up  to  the  proper  standard.  Grape-showing  seems  to  be  like  the 
-exhibiting  of  other  products,  very  much  depends  on  the  value  of  the  prizes 
offered.  Something  also  depends  on  the  time  of  year  when  a  show  is 
held,  and  a  good  deal  depends  also  on  the  duration  of  the  show.  Growers 
from  a  distance  find  that  to  bring  fruit  to  the  Crystal  Palace  means 
leaving  home  on  the  W ednesday,  and  getting  back  on  Sunday  or  Monday. 
It  is  thus  a  long  and  a  costly  outing.  Also  the  exposure  of  Grapes  for 
three  days  takes  the  gilt  off  them  very  much.  Such  things  make  subjects 
for  consideration,  and  big  prizes  are  needed  to  encourage  the  bringing  of 
the  finest  bunches.  Y et  all  the  same,  there  were  many  fine  samples  present, 
:«uch  as  served  to  show  that  Grape-growing  is  far  from  being  a  lost  art ; 
indeed,  some  of  the  best  bunches  shown  would  have  been  hard  to  beat 
anywhere.  It  is  true  size  is  a  great  point  with  so  many  persons,  but 
Grapes  have  much  higher  qualities  than  is  found  in  size  of  bunch,  such 
as  handsome  massive  contour,  size  of  berry,  finish,  bloom,  and  flavour. 
These  were  features  found  in  many  directions  at  the  Palace,  and  no  doubt 
will  be  so  long  as  the  fruit  show  endures. 
In  very  few  cases  were  there  disijualifications  arising  from  non- 
observance  of  the  classification  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums  published  in 
the  schedule.  That  fact  serves  to  show  that  these  classifications  were 
studied  and  observed.  Their  value  is  great,  because  they  leave  no  room 
for  dispute,  should  any  arise,  during  the  show.  In  Plums,  one  dish  was 
disqualified  because  it  was  Monarch,  shown  as  Kirke’s.  One  wonders 
whether  the  exhibitor,  after  all,  might  not  have  been  misled  by  receiving 
the  wrong  variety  from  the  nursery.  That  there  was  any  intention  to  do 
wrong  no  one  believes.  A  prominent  exhibitor  was  in  one^  case,  with 
fine  fruit  too,  disqualified  for  showing  Baumann’s  Red  Reinette  as  a 
kitchen  Apple,  whereas  it  is  now  definitely  classed  by  the  R.Il.S.  as  a 
dessert  variety.  As  the  classified  lists  run  to  seventy  each  of  dessert  and 
kitchen  varieties,  there  is  little  need  for  making  mistakes,  the  range  of 
selection  being  so  great. 
Very  interesting,  as  a  rule,  are  the  single  dish  classes,  especially  of 
Apples.  Out  of  the  twenty-three  devoted  to  the  dessert  varieties,  four 
only  were  poorly  filled.  The  general  entry  in  a  class  soon  tells  not  only 
whether  a  variety  is  widely  grown,  but  also  whether  it  is  good.  The 
poorest  rejiresented  were  Allen's  Everlasting,  Egremont  Russet,  and 
Williams’  Favourite  ;  indeed,  these  varieties  are  little  known  or  grown. 
Surely  there  are  many  much  more  popular  varieties  than  the.se  worthy 
of  all  encouragement.  I  did  not  see  in  either  anything  specially  wOTthy 
of  notice,  or  showing  that  they  were  meriting  the  honour  paid  them. 
Rosemary  Russet,  Cockle’s  Pippin,  Braddick  s  Nonpareil,  Golden  Pippin, 
Golden  Russet,  and  Wyken  Pippin  are  all  better  and  well  worthy  or  a 
place  with  the  best.  Few  new  dessert  varieties  can  excel  them,  many  are 
not  nearly  so  good.  There  should  be  a  variation  of  several  varieties  in 
the  list  every  year. 
Of  kitchen  varieties,  there  being  no  less  than  thirty-eight  classes, 
a  pretty  comprehensive  selection,  a  few  seemed  to  be  hardly  worth 
the  honour.  There  is  Golden  Spire  for  instance,  a  singularly  ungainly 
Apple  of  the  most  wasteful  description  to  grow,  totally  devoid  of 
exhibition  excellence,  and  one  that  rarely  crops  up  in  a  good  class 
selection.  We  have  much  better  than  that.  Seaton  House 
indifferently  seen  ;  and  a  very  poor  Ap)ile,  as  its  flesh  is  so  very  hard, 
though  it  is  handsome  to  look  at,  is  Spencer’s  Favourite  or  Queen 
Caroline.  Such  varieties  as  these,  if  anyone  has  decent  samples,  can 
always  find  their  place  in  the  class  for  any  other  variety.  Hormead 
Pearmain  might  also  be  omitted,  as  it  brings  such  poor  competition. 
Far  finer  for  ordinary  use  or  for  exhibition  are  Dutch  or  Catshead 
Codlins,  Gloria  Mundi,  Waltham  Abbey  Seedling,  and  either  of  the 
Beefings,  as  really  useful  for  keeping.  I  wonder  how  many  grow 
St.  Edmund  Pippin,  which  two  years,  though  I  am  not  sure  of  in 
succession,  took  the  first  prize  in  the  class  for  any  other  dessert  variety. 
It  has  a  brown  russetty  cover  on  a  rather  yellow  skin,  and  makes  a  nice 
sample  ;  but  it  after  all  differs  very  little  in  appearance  from  Golden 
Russet,  and  I  do  not  know  in  what  respect  it  is  better.  If  in  this  class 
judo-ment  is  to  be  for  pure  dessert  purposes,  the  test  should  be  flavour. 
I  do  not  think  any  such  test  was  applied  at  the  recent  show.  I  notice 
we  have  not  seen  the  variety  in  the  competition  for  [Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons 
flavour  prizes  yet.  r  ..i.  u  f 
Some  useful  information  might  be  obtained  were  a  census  ot  the  best 
twelve  dessert  or  kitchen  Apples  and  twelve  best  Pears  in  every  case  for 
succession,  for  cropping,  and  general  excellence,  either  at  the  show  or 
taken  from  the  Society’s  single  dish  classes.  lYe  have  not  jmt,  so  rar_  a^s 
I  know,  obtained  any  general  opinion  on  these  things  since  the  Chiswick 
Apple  and  Fear  Congresses.— A.  D. 
Isle  op  Wight  Horticultural  Association.— The  monthly 
eeting  of  the  above  Association  was  held  at  Newiiort  on  Saturday 
St.  Dr.  J.  Groves,  .I.P.,  presided  over  a  large  attendance  of  members, 
paper  was  read  on  “Fruit  Culture  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,”  by  Mr. 
Heaton,  Hon.  Sec.  of  the  Association,  and  Horticultural  Instnictor  for 
e  Isle  of  Wight  County  Council.  There  were  excellent  cMlections 
fruit  staged  by  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  [Maidstone ;  T.  Collister, 
3mbridge;  C.  H.  Snork,  Shanklin  ;  A.  J.  Munson,  Brading ;  Geo. 
'illiams,  Gatcombe  ;  W.  Cooke.  Wootton  ;  R.  Parsons,  W  Scott,  G. 
rchard,  H.  Webber,  C.  Russell,  J.  J.  Limington,  Newport;  i.E.  -Mole, 
hillerton  ;  and  the  Rev.  H.  R.  Venn,  Newtown.  [Mr.  J.  H.  King, 
[ackwater,  staged  bottled  fruits  of  Currants,  gooseberries,  and  Plums  ; 
essrs.  F.  Guy  and  T.  E.  Mole,  Tomatoes  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Niblett,  Niton,^ 
;as.  Cauliflowers,  and  Cactus  Dahlias.  Mr.  W.  ^latthews,  Carisbrooke 
owed  Apples  and  blooms  of  Dahlias;  Mr.  H.  Webber,  a  collection  of 
irnation  Alargaret,  and  Mr.  [Martin  Silsbury,  Shanklin  seedling  blooms 
Chrysanthemums.  The  Adjudication  Committee  awarded  several  ot  the 
ssociation  certificates  for  the  meritorious  e<hibits,  and  named  a  large 
imber  of  dishes  of  fruit  which  had  been  staged  for  that  purpose.  A  vote 
■  condolence  was  passed  with  Mrs.  Spittal  and  family  in  their  sa 
■reavement  in  the  loss  of  the  Rev.  J.  Spittal,  late  Vicar  of  Haven  Street, 
ho  was  an  honorary  member  of  the  Association  from  its  commencement, 
id  a  i)rominent  rosarian  and  horticulturist.  Thirty  new  members  were 
ected,  which  brings  the  total  number  of  members  up  to  213.  i  he  next 
cture  will  be  on  “  Chrysanthemums,”  by  Mr.  J.  Barkham,  of  Ha^en 
