-182 
JOURNAL  Oi  hORTlGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  18,  1897. 
taken  from  a  Vine  {^rowing  on  a  south  wall.  They  were  fairly  large, 
well  coloured,  and  flavour  excellent.  The  same  award  was  granted  to 
-Mr,  Taylor  for  a  splendidly  bloomed  plant  of  Viviand  Morel.  The  silver 
and  silver-gilt  llyecroft  medals,  for  which  the  Committee  are  kindly 
indebted  to  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones  of  Lewisham,  were  won  by  Mr.  Bracegirdle 
and  Mr.  Young. 
BIRMINGHAM.— November  9th,  10th,  and  11th. 
The  thirty-seventh  annual  exhibition  of  Chrysanthemums,  fruits,  and 
vegetables  of  the  Birmingham  Society  was  held  in  Bingley  Hall, 
under  most  auspicious  circumstances,  and  proved  to  be  the  best  yet  held  by 
the  Society.  To  such  an  extent  have  the  later  shows  increased  in 
popularity  and  dimensions  that  the  Committee  has  at  last  been  compelled 
to  seek  for  some  other  place  with  more  accommodation  than  the  com- 
jiaratively  spacious  Town  Hall  could  afford,  resulting  in  the  selection  of 
Bingley  Hall,  and  on  the  ground  floor  of  which  a  bird’s  eye  view  from 
the  surrounding  gallery  was  obtained  of  the  whole  of  the  exhibition. 
With  further  characteristic  enterprise  the  Committee  commendably 
signalised  the  record  reign  of  the  Queen  by  increasing  the  number  and 
value  of  the  prizes,  and  which  was  further  augmented  by  generous  sup¬ 
porters  giving  various  handsome  cups.  The  total  value  of  the  prizes 
offered  is  £500,  or  about  £200  more  than  on  any  previous  occasion.  It 
may  be  remarked  that  the  whole  of  the  vast  Hall  was  illuminated  for  the 
occasion  by  the  “  New  Intensifled  Gaslight  ”  Company,  and,  but  for  which 
great  ac(iuisition  the  comparatively  feeble  light  afforded  by  the  old  system 
would  have  proved  disastrous.  We  are  informed  that  upwards  of  32,000 
people  visited  the  show. 
To  the  visitors  in  general  undoubtedly  the  most  attractive  feature  in 
the  show  was  the  splendid  and  large  display  of  “  floral  arrangements,” 
occupying  spaces  not  exceeding  20  feet  by  5  feet,  and  Messrs.  Perkins  and 
Sons,  Coventry,  added  lustre  to  their  reputation  by  securing  the  coveted 
first  prize — viz.,  the  City  of  Birmingham  Victorian  Jubilee  silver  cup, 
value  £25,  for  a  grand  display  of  bouquets,  baskets,  wreaths,  and  crosses. 
Mr.  John  Crook,  Birmingham,  carried  off  a  silver  cup,  value  £17  10s.,  as 
second  prize,  with  an  excellent  arrangement.  The  third  prize  silver  cup, 
value  £10,  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  for  also  a 
very  good,  though  somewhat  heavier  arrangement ;  and  the  fourth  prize 
silver  cup,  value  £6,  fell  to  Messrs.  John  Pope  &  Sons,  Birmingham. 
A  new  feature  was  that  in  the  shape  of  a  class  for  “  collections  of 
British  grown  fruit,”  to  occupy  a  space  not  exceeding  50  square  feet. 
There  were  three  competitors,  and  the  first  prize,  the  Gardeners  of  Bir¬ 
mingham  Victorian  Diamond  Jubilee  silver  cup,  was  taken  by  Mr.  J.  H. 
Goodacre,  Elvaston  Castle  Gardens,  for  a  fine  assortment  of  Grapes, 
Pine.s,  Oranges,  Melons,  Apples,  and  Pears,  the  gi  eater  variety  of  sorts  of 
fruit  having  proved  the  chief  factor.  The  second  prize,  a  silver  cup, 
value  £10,  was  worthily  won  by  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone, 
with  a  grand  collection  of  Apples  and  Pears,  the  former  especially  being 
in  most  cases  very  fine  and  richly  coloured.  The  third  prize  exhibit  was 
that  of  Mr.  J.  Colwell,  Sidmouth,  Devon. 
The  groups  of  Chrysanthemums  arranged  for  effect  in  circular  form  in 
a  space  16  feet  in  diameter.  Ferns  and  foliage  plants  admissible,  and  of 
which  there  were  seven  exhibits  arranged  in  a  line,  with  plenty  of  space 
between  and  around  them,  proved  to  be  a  source  of  much  interest  and 
attraction.  They  were  chiefly  j)yramidal  in  shape,  and  surmounted  with 
specimen  Palms.  The  first  prize  of  £10  and  the  Society’s  Victorian 
Diamond  .lubilee  gold  medal  fell  to  Mr.  Thomas,  gardener  to  .1.  Whitefield, 
Esq.,  Moseley.  The  finely  developed  blooms  and  substantial  foliage,  sup¬ 
plemented  with  elegant  Crotons  and  Palms  judiciously  intermixed,  was 
much  admired.  The  second  position  was  accorded  to  Mr.  G.  Menzies, 
gardener  to  Richard  Cadbury,  Esq.,  Moseley,  the  prize  being  £7  and  the 
Society's  silver  medal.  The  third  prize  of  £5  and  the  Society’s  bronze 
medal  was  secured  by  Mr.  W.  H.  'Westbuiy,  gardener  to  Charles  Showell, 
Esq.,  Edgbaston.  The  fourth  prize  went  to  Mr.  Oliver  Brasier,  gardener 
to  Lady  Martineau,  Edgbaston. 
There  was  also  a  keen  contest  in  the  class  for  groups  occupying  oval 
spaces,  10  feet  by  7  feet,  one  exhibitor  having  inadvertently  chosen  a 
circular  space.  The  first  prize  and  a  silver  challenge  cup,  given  by  Mr. 
R.  Sydenham,  were  won  by  Mr.  Lewis  Eewkes,  gardener  to  T.  Clayton, 
Esq.,  Castle  Bromwich,  with  a  highly  creditable  group.  The  second 
prize  and  the  Society’s  silver  medal  were  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Torevall, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Scarf,  King’s  Heath.  The  third  prize  fell  to  Mr.  C. 
Batchelor,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Armfield,  Edgbaston  ;  and  the  fourth  to  Mr. 
E.  J.  Musten,  gardener  to  A.  F.  Bird.  Esq.,  Moseley.  Specimen  plants 
of  Chrysanthemums  were  hardly  up  to  the  usual  form  seen  at  the  Society’s 
shows.  Mr.  Oliver  Brasier,  however,  in  the  class  for  nine  large  flowering 
(Japanese  excluded)  was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  very  good  examples. 
The  second  position  was  assigned  to  ]Mr.  .1.  Maldrem,  gardener  to  George 
Cadbury,  Esq.,  Northfield  ;  and  the  third  to  Mr.  J.  V.  Macdonald.  The 
remaining  seven  smaller  classes  for  l  hrysanthemums  in  pots  were  well 
represented  by  Messrs.  Brasier,  A.  Cryer,  ,J.  Maldrem,  Macdonald,  and 
W,  Otway. 
Cut  blooms  were  one  of  the  leading  features,  and  the  various  classes 
were  keenly  contested.  For  twenty-four  incurved,  distinct,  the  first  prize 
and  the  Society’s  V.D.J.  gold  medal  fell  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre,  Elvaston 
Castle,  for  superb  e.xamples  of  the  leading  varieties,  his  best  blooms 
being  such  as  C.  H.  Curtis,  Lord  Alcester,  Miss  V.  Tomlin,  Mrs. 
S.  Colmau,  Prince  of  Wales,  Miss  M.  A.  Haggas,  1).  B.  Crane,  and 
Madame  Darier.  The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  C.  Crookes, 
gardener  to  Lady  Hindlip,  Droitwich.  His  examples  of  J.  Agate,  IMajor 
Bonnafron,  C.  H.  Curtis,  .leanne  d’Arc,  and  Ijord  Alcester  were  especially 
good.  The  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  .1.  Copson,  gardener  to  !Mrs. 
P.  Phipps,  Northampton  ;  whilst  the  fourth  and  fifth  prizes  fell  to  IMr. 
W.  Mease,  gardener  to  A.  Tate,  Esq.,  Leatherhead,  and  IMr.  U.  J'ones, 
gardener  to  C.  A.  Smith- Hyland,  Esq.,  Warwick,  respectively.  For 
eighteen  blooms  of  incurved,  distinct,  Mr.  C.  Crookes  ;  Mr.  J.  Parker, 
gardener  to  W.  Roberts,  Esq.,  Stourbridge  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Gould,  gardener 
to  J.  Entwistle,  Esq.,  were  the  winners  in  the  order  named.  For  twelve 
incurved,  distinct,  the  first  prize  fell  to  Mr,  C.  Crookes,  the  second  to 
Mr.  F.  G.  Foster,  Havant,  and  the  third  to  Mr,  J.  Copson,  all  having  very 
good  examples. 
.  The  Japanese  section  was  very  strongly  represented,  both  in  numbers 
and  quality  ;  and  the  premier  honours  fell  to  Mr.  W.  Gleeson,  a  new 
exhibitor  here,  from  Stanmore,  for  a  sjJendid  collection  of  twenty-four 
blooms,  distinct.  His  examjJe  of  Simplicity  attracted  much  attention, 
his  other  best  blooms  being  Phoebus,  Mons.  Chenon  de  Leche,  Edith  Tabor, 
Viscountess  Hambledon,  Oceana,  Mrs.  H.  Payne,  and  Duke  of  York.  The 
second  prize  was  secured  by  Mr.  W.  Mease,  Avhose  best  blooms  were 
Mrs.  J.  Lewis,  Madame  Carnot,  E.  Molyneux,  Phoebus,  Australian  Gold, 
Mrs.  C.  Blick,  Madame  G.  Henri,  and  yellow  sport  from  IMadame  Carnot. 
The  third  prize  fell  to  Mr.  C.  Crookes,  and  the  fourth  to  Mr.  C.  Beilis, 
gardener  to  Sir  E.  11.  Boughton,  Ludlow.  The  fifth  and  the  sixth  jmizes 
went  to  Mr.  W.  Pearce,  gardener  to  S.  Loder,  Esq.,  AVeedon,  and  Mr. 
J.  Copson. 
For  eighteen  blooms,  distinct,  the  first  prize  was  well  won  by  Mr.  K. 
Jones,  the  second  by  Mr,  F.  G.  Foster,  and  the  third  by  Mr.  11.  Liney, 
gardener  to  W.  M.  Lowe,  Esq.,  Wellesbourne.  For  twelve  Mr.  R.  J  ones  was 
the  only  exhibitor,  and  was  awarded  the  first  prize  with  a  fine  exhibit. 
The  competition  in  several  other  cut  bloom  classes  was  keen.  Primulas 
and  Cyclamens  with  hand  bouquets  were  excellent  in  all  respects. 
Fruit  was  a  prominent  feature  and  deserving  of  special  record.  Grapes 
were  strongly  in  evidence,  and  our  sympathy  was  extended  to  the  several 
non- successful  exhibitors  of  meritorious  productions.  Amongst  the  prize¬ 
winners  were  Messrs.  S.  Bremmell,  gardener  to  H.  H.  F.  Hay  hurst, 
Esip  ;  J.  H.  Goodacre;  J.  Jones,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Need,  Malvern  ;  T.  J. 
Nelson,  gardener  to  A.  Barnes,  Esq.,  Chesterfield  ;  J.  Jones ;  A. 
Chandler,  gardener  to  A.  .Tames,  Esq.,  Rugby  ;  W.  Harman,  gardener 
to  the  Earl  of  Denbigh,  Lutterworth  ;  J.  Lambert,  gardener  to  the  Earl 
of  Powis,  Powis  Castle ;  and  H.  Russell,  W orcester.  Apples  were 
exceedingly  fine  and  numerous,  while  Pears  were  finely  represented. 
Vegetables  proved  to  be  a  fine  class,  and  the  competition  very  strong. 
Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  exhibited  (not  for  competition)  a 
fine  group  of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine.  A  gold  medal  was  awarded  to 
Mr.  AV.  J.  Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  AVingfield,  Ampthill,  Beds,  for  a 
remarkable  display  of  fruits  and  vegetables  (not  for  competition).  An 
exceedingly  fine  and  interesting  collection  of  Cacti  was  exhibited  by 
Mr.  F.  A.  W alton,  The  Friary,  Handsworth,  Birmingham. 
Y^EOVIL. — November  10th. 
This  Society  still  retains  its  popularity  among  both  exhibitors  and 
sightseers,  and  another  very  successful  exhibition  was  held  in  the  Town 
Hall  and  Corn  Exchange.  Mr.  E.  H.  Oakley  is  the  Honorary  Secretary, 
and  performs  his  duties  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 
There  were  fewer  large  groups  of  Chrysanthemums  than  usual,  but 
the  (juality  and  arrangement  of  those  shown  left  little  to  be  desired. 
For  one  of  the  largest  size  Mr.  A.  Crossman,  gardener  to  J.  Brutton, 
Esq.,  was  well  first,  his  front  rows  of  miniature  plants  giving  a  good  finish 
to  the  group.  Mr.  AV.  Rendle,  gardener  to  H.  S.  Bennett,  Esq,,  was  a 
creditable  second,  but  had  evidently  reserved  his  strength  for  the  smaller 
group  class,  where  he  was  a  good  first.  Bush  plants  were  better  than 
usual.  Mr.  G.  Gillingham,  gardener  to  Aliss  Phelps,  was  first ;  Mr.  G. 
Gilham,  gardener  to  W.  J.  Davis,  Esq.,  second  ;  Mr.  F.  Biss,  gardener  to 
•labez  Bradford,  Esq.,  third,  and  Mr.  A.  Crossman  fourth. 
All  the  cut  bloom  classes  were  well  filled,  and  a  fine  display  was 
made.  For  thirty- six  blooms  of  Japanese  varieties  the  first  prize  was 
£5,  and  six  growers  competed.  Mr.  A.  Rohinson,  gardener  to  J.  S. 
Dunn,  Esq.,  Castle  Carey,  was  placed  first,  his  collection  comprising 
grand  blooms  of  Mutual  Friend,  Reine  d’Angleterre,  Primrose  League, 
Australie,  Silver  King,  J.  Seward,  Graphic,  Duke  mf  York,  Mons. 
Panckoucke,  Madame  Rozain,  Dorothy  Sewai’d,  International,  Pheebus, 
Good  Gracious,  Rose  AVynne,  Lily  Love,  G.  Schwabe,  Ther^se  Rey,  and 
Mons.  Chenon  de  Lech6.  Mr.  J.  Lloyd,  gardener  to  Vincent  Stuckey, 
Esq.,  Langport,  was  a  very  close  second,  his  most  noteworthy  blooms 
being  Simplicity,  Graphic,  Souvenir  de  Petite  Amie,  Chenon  de  Lech^, 
Alutual  Friend,  Bellem,  Australie,  Mons.  Gruyer,  E.  J.  AVhittle,  and 
Florence  Davis.  Mr.  A.  J.  Allsopp,  gardener  to  Viscount  Portman,  took 
the  third  for  a  good  array  of  fresh  well  coloured  blooms,  the  fourth  prize 
going  to  Air.  J.  Horner,  gardener  to  A.  D.  Pauli,  Esq.,  Chard. 
AYith  eighteen  Japanese  varieties  Mr.  .1.  Lloyd  was  first,  Air.  A. 
Robertson  followed,  while  the  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  F.  AV.  Pitman, 
gardener  to  F.  G.  Lemon,  Esq.,  Castle  Carey,  all  staging  superior  blooms 
of  the  best  varieties.  For  twelve  varieties  Mr.  T.  J.  Stone,  gardener  to 
Colonel  Berkley,  was  first,  his  stand  including  excellent  blooms  of  Viviand 
Morel,  C.  Davis,  Edith  Tabor,  T.  AA^ilkins,  and  Fltoile  de  Lyon.  Mr.  A. 
Crossman  was  second,  and  Mr.  H.  S.  Bennett  third.  Some  of  the  best 
blooms  in  the  show  were  to  be  seen  in  the  classes  for  six  blooms  of  one 
colour.  Mr.  A.  Robertson  was  first  for  a  yellow  variety,  showing  Phoebus; 
and  also  for  a  white  variety,  with  Aldlle.  Therese  Rey.  In  the  any  other 
class  Mr.  Pitman  won  the  first  prize  with  Mons.  Chenon  de  Lech6,  the 
competition  in  each  instance  being  keen.  Liberal  ])rizes  were  off’ered 
for  single  specimen  blooms.  Air.  A.  Crossman  was  first  in  both  the  open 
and  local  classes  with  grand  blooms  of  Pride  of  Yeovil,  a  nearly  white 
refined  sport  from  Viviand  Morel,  which  has  been  repeatedly  shown 
