508 
JOURITAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  25,  1897. 
were  collected  visitors  were  at  once  attracted  by  the  blaze  of  >bloom. 
The  smaller  kinds,  however,  were  not  neglected,  and  there  was  variety 
in  other  directions  to  add  interest  to  the  show.  There  was  a  splendid 
display  of  fruit  and* vegetables.  There  were  classes  for  amateurs  and 
private  gardeners  combined,  for  amateurs  alone,  and  oj)en  classes.  There 
were  large  stands  for  exhibition  purposes  from  Messrs.  Little  &  Ballantyne, 
who  never  compete  at  local  shows.  One  formed  a  magnificent  semicircle 
on  the  floor  in  front  of  the  platform,  and  consisted  of  decorative  flowers 
and  plants,  among  which  Chrysanthemums  were  conspicuous,  affording  a 
striking  contrast  against  the  foliage  plants.  Its  highly  artistic  arrange¬ 
ment  was  only  what  one  is  accustomed  to  see  in  work  carried  out  by  the 
firm.  There  was  also  a  large  stand  of  vegetables  on  exhibition  by  the 
same  firm. 
In  the  open  competitions  Messrs.  Fairbairn  &  Son’s  group  of  C  hrys- 
anthemums  and  other  plants  was  properly  awarded  first  place.  It  included 
large  Chrysanthemums,  Eulalias,  Palms,  Dracaenas,  and  Ferns.  The 
second  prize  went  to  Messrs.  Mc^Iillan  &  Son  with  a  stand  not  quite  so 
well  filled,  but  very  bright  and  tasty.  i\Ir.  R.  Hall,  Botcherby,  was  first 
for  four  Japanese  Chrysanthemum  plants  with  fine  specimens  of  W.  H. 
Lincoln,  Viviand  Morel,  Jolm  Seward,  and  Charles  Davis.  Messrs. 
Fairbairn  &  Son  were  second.  Mr.  Hall  won  for  a  specimen  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  plant  with  a  Charles  Davis  full  of  fine  bloom.  In  cut  blooms  Mr. 
James  Hay  of  Houghton  Hall  w'as  first  for  twelve  incurved  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  with  specimens  which  were  rather  smaller  than  the  second, 
but  better  finished.  Mr.  Horne,  Xetherhall,  who  was  second,  showed 
scarcely  so  many  varieties,  but  they  included  a  very  fine  II.  Curtis. 
Messrs.  Fairbairn  ifc  Son  won  in  the  class  for  twenty-fours,  and  Mr.  Potter, 
Whitehall,  was  second  with  larger  but  rougher  blooms.  In  the  class  for 
six  blooms,  one  variety,  IMr.  Hay  was  again  first  with  half  a  dozen  blooms 
of  Mdlle.  M.  Hostc.  The  second  and  third,  from  IMr.  Horne  and  IMessrs. 
Fairbairn  &  Son,  were  both  Edwin  Molyneux. 
The  competition  for  bouquets  was  open,  and  was  won  by  Messrs. 
Fairbairn  &  Son.  There  was  a  good  entry,  and  all  were  shower 
bouquets,  the  winning  exhibit  being  a  tasteful  arrangement  of  Lilies 
of  the  Valley.  Messrs.  Fairbairn  also  won  for  basket  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  with  a  simple  and  elegant  arrangement  of  white,  yellow,  and 
bronze  Japanese  flowers  and  grass.  The  first  prize  ladies’  spray  was 
made  by  Mr.  Hall,  Botcherby,  and  consisted  of  bronze  and  white  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  and  Maidenhair  Fern,  The  second  prize  went  to  a  very  neat 
spray  of  white  single  flowers,  from  Messrs.  J.  Hammond  &  Son,  St.  Ann’s 
Hill.  Messrs.  Fairbairn  also  won  for  epergnes,  .in  which  the  competition 
was  very  keen.  The  first  prize  epergne  was  a  triHe  faulty  at  the  bottom, 
and  the  second,  from  Messrs.  Ilammond,  was  wanting  in  decoration  of 
the  middle,  but  on  the  points,  after  a  very  close  contest,  Messrs.  Fairbairn 
won.  In  the  class  for  epergnes  of  cut  flowers,  ladies  being  the  competitors, 
a  high  standard  of  artistic  merit  was  shown.  Miss  Fairbairn,  Botcherby, 
succeeded  in  winning  the  first  prize.  The  prizes  in  the  several  other 
classes  were  divided  between  the  above  named  and  many  other 
competitors. 
SOLIHULL.— Novembee  17th  and  18th. 
The  fifth  annual  show  was  held  on-  the  above  dates,  and  proved  to  be 
a  distinct  advance  on  any  of  its  predecessors.  The  seven  groups  of 
plants  made  a  very  imposing  effect,  and  in  the  main  were  tastefully 
arranged,  whilst  some  of  the  individual  blooms  were  of  a  superior 
character.  For  the  best  group  with  foliage  plants  admissible  the  first 
prize  and  a  silver  medal  (the  latter  given  by  W.  A.  Upton,  Esq.,  for  the 
most  meritorious  exhibit  in  the  show)  was  awarded  to  Mr.  D.  Bagg, 
gardener  to  AV.  E.  Berks,  Esq.,  Ashley,  and  was  deservedly  bestowed. 
The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Robbins,  gardener  to  Thomas 
Hewitt,  Esq. ;  and  the  third  to  Mr.  T.  Preece,  gardener  to  S.  Leitner, 
Esq.,  Alderbrook.  In  the  smaller  group  class  Mr.  T.  Leeson,  gardener  to 
H.  H.  Chattock,  Esq.,  Solihull,  gained  first  honours,  closely  followed  by 
Mr.  T.  Warner,  gardener  to  W.  A.  Upton,  Esq.,  and  the  third  position 
was  secured  by  Mr.  J.  Dixon,  gardener  to  L.  Grinsell,  Esq. 
For  one  trained  .lapanese  Chrysanthemum,  Mr.  G.  Robbins  led 
with  a  good  Viviand  Morel,  the  second  and  third  prizes  being  accorded 
Mr.  T.  Leeson  and  Mr.  D.  Bagg  respectively.  For  a  single  plant  of 
incurved  to  Mr.  G.  Robbins  fell  the  first  prize.  For  one  plant  of  the 
single  flowered  section,  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Robbins. 
It  was  a  keen  contest  for  the  first  prize  for  twelve  blooms  of  Japanese 
Chrysanthemums  between  Mr.  T.  Preece  and  Mr.  G.  Robbins,  the  victor 
being  the  first  named  exhibitor.  For  six  Japanese,  Mr.  G.  Milton, 
gardener  to  J.  Gillot,  Esq.,  took  first  honours,  Mr.  J.  Eales  the  second, 
and  Mr.  T.  Warner  the  third  positions.  Incurved  blooms  made  a  good 
class,  some  very  fine  blooms  being  put  up.  The  first  prize  was  secured 
by  Mr.  G.  Robbins,  and  the  second  by  Mr.  T.  Preece.  For  six  blooms 
Mr.  H.  Dix  won  the  first,  and  Messrs.  J.  Eales  and  T.  Warner  the 
second  and  third  prizes  in  order  named.  The  Anemone  section  was 
nicely  represented  by  Messrs  G.  Robbins,  T.  Leeson,  and  T.  Warner  in 
their  respective  order.  The  class  for  six  .lapanese  cut  blooms,  any  one 
variety,  was  worthily  represented  by  Mr.  G.  Alilton,  with  fine  examples 
of  Niveus,  Mr.  T.  Preece,  with  very  good  Modesto,  and  Mr.  T.  Leeson 
by  another  variety,  the  prizes  being  awarded  according  to  their  order 
named.  For  six  plants  for  table  decoration  Alessrs.  J.  Eales,  D.  Bagg, 
and  H.  Dix  were  the  respective  winners. 
SOUTH  SHIELDS.— Novembee  17th  and  18th. 
The  spacious  and  beautifully  decorated  hall,  known  as  the  Assembly 
Rooms,  was  resplendent  with  a  very  fine  display  of  Chrysanthemums 
— groups,  table  decorations,  bouquets,  and  cut  blooms — on  the  above 
dates.  This  is  the  sixteenth  annual  exhiliition,  and  it  speaks  well  for  its 
management  that  this  is  the  only  Society  in  the  county  that  has  survived 
so  long.  The  present  was  without  doulJ  a  great  advance  of  any  previous 
exhibition.  The  groups  were  good,  the  Imuquets  and  epergnes  of  an 
exceptionally  high  order  of  merit,  the  Orchids  and  other  choice  flowers 
employed  in  them  lieing  quite  an  exhibition  in  themselves.  The  cut 
blooms,  Japanese,  incurved,  and  Anemones,  very  bright,  clean,  and  of 
excellent  quality,  there  being  as  many  as  ten  entries  in  the  twelve 
Japanese,  and  the  other  classes  being  also  well  filled. 
The  leading  prize  was  for  twenty-four  Japanese,  in  not  less  than 
twelve  varieties,  for  which  a  silver  cup  and  £6  in  money  were  offered  as 
the  first  prize.  For  this  Air.  J.  Corbett,  gardener  to  the  Marquis  of 
Normanby,  Mulgrave  Castle,  Whitby,  was  a  good  first  with  the  following  : 
— Viviand  Morel  (2),  Alutual  Friend  (2),  Mens.  Panckoucke,  Etoile  de 
Lyon,  AA'aban,  Airs.  AV.  H.  Lees  (2),  Golden  Gate  (2),  Silver  King  (2), 
Eva  Knowles,  Duchess  of  Wellington  (2),  Florence  Davis  (2),  Chas. 
Davis,  International,  Phoebus,  Ther^se  Rey,  and  Duke  of  A'ork.  Messrs. 
Fairbairn  &  Son,  Carlisle,  were  a  good  second  ;  and  Air.  P.  Blair,  garflener 
to  the  Duke  of  Sutherland,  Trentham,  third,  with  large  flowers,  but  many 
somewhat  past  their  best. 
In  the  class  for  twenty-four  incurved,  in  not  less  than  twelve  varieties, 
the  prize  was  the  same  as  in  the  Japanese— a  Jubilee  silver  cup  and  £6 
in  money.  The  first  was  taken  by  Air.  .1.  Coultess,  gardener  to  Alderman 
Harding,  Hollyhurst,  Darlington,  with  J.  Agate  (2),  AL  Bahuant  (2), 
Chas.  Curtis  (2),  Empress  of  India  (2),  Robert  Petfield  (2),  Queen  of 
England  (2),  Emily  Dale  (2),  Lord  Alcester  (2),  George  Haigh  (2), 
Aladame  Darier  (2),  Alfred  Salter,  Aliss  AL  A.  Haggas,  Refulgens,  and 
Baron  Hirsch.  The  second  was  taken  by  Air.  P.  Blair  ;  the  third  by  Air. 
G.  Shotton,  gardener  to  H.  Andrews,  Esq.,  Swarland  Hall,  Northumberland. 
For  eighteen  Japanese,  in  not  less  than  twelve  varieties,  the  first  prize 
was  awarded  to  Air.  P.  Blair,  for  an  e.xcellent  stand.  Second,  Air. 
Corbett.  Third,  Alessrs.  Fairbairn  &  Son.  In  the  corresponding 
class  for  eighteen  incurved  Air.  P.  Blair  was  again  to  the  front,  the  second 
being  taken  by  Air.  John  Alclntyre,  gardener  to  Airs.  Gurney  Pease, 
AVoodside,  Darlington.  Third,  Air.  G.  Shotton.  In  the  class  for  twelve 
•lapanese,  distinct,  Messrs.  G.  Fairbairn  &  Son  were  first;  Air.  P.  Blair 
second  ;  Air.  AIcDougal,  gardener  to  H.  Pease,  Esq.,  Arcot  Hall,  Dudley, 
Northumberland,  third.  For  twelve  incurved,  distinct,  Air.  J.  Coultess 
was  again  first  with  a  neat  stand  of  the  leading  varieties  ;  Air.  P.  Blair 
second  ;  and  Air.  Shotton  third. 
The  Anemone  classes  were  well  contested  with  some  of  the  finest 
stands  that  have  been  exhibited  this  year.  The  first  prize  for  twelve  was 
awarded  to  Air.  George  Shotton,  with  a  fine  fresh  stand,  with  well- 
developed  cushions  ;  second,  Air.  G.  Smith,  Floral  Cottage,  Hull ;  and 
Mr.  AIcDougal  close  up  third.  For  twelve  reflexed  Air.  Shotton  was  first; 
and  Air.  Alclntyre,  Darlington,  second.  The  prizes  for  Pompons  were 
won  by  Air.  T.  Chalmers,  gardener  to  S.  P.  Austin,  Esq.,  Cocken  Hall, 
Durham;  Air.  Alethersol,  gardener  to  H.  AA^ilson,  Esq.,  AVestoe  ;  and 
Air.  J.  Fairlee,  gardener  to  T.  T.  Alaberne,  Esq.,  AVestoe,  in  the  order  of 
their  names. 
In  competition  for  the  medal  and  £5,  offered  as  first  prize  for  a  group 
of  Chrysanthemums  and  foliage  plants  arranged  for  effect.  Air.  John 
McIntyre,  Darlington,  was  a  good  first  with  a  very  artistic  arrangement 
of  Kentias  and  Cocos  Palms,  Crotons,  and  Pandanus,  surmounting 
pinnacles  formed  of  cork,  and  interspersed  with  good  Chrysanthemums; 
Calanthes  and  Anthurium  Andreanum  being  employed  with  pretty 
effect  in  the  dells.  The  second  was  taken  by  Air.  AIcDougal ;  third  by 
Air.  Gilchrist. 
Alessrs.  Clibran  exhibited  a  very  good  group  of  Celosias  and  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  (not  for  competition).  Alessrs.  C.  AVood  and  R.  Robson,  as 
Staging  Committee,  arranged  everything  for  the  Judges  in  methodical 
order,  and  Messrs.  H.  Hinde,  A.  Purvis,  Dr  Turnbull,  and  others  assisted 
Air.  Bernard  Cowan  (the  Hon.  Secretary)  to  carry  out  the  arrangements 
and  work  in  connection  with  this  very  successful  exhibition.  < 
SUTTON  COLDFIELD. — Novembee  17th  and  18th. 
The  twelfth  annual  exhibition  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall  on  the 
above  dates,  and  was  well  up  to  the  standard  of  previous  occasions.  The 
chief  feature  was  undoubtedly  the  splendid  half-circular  bank  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  arranged  for  effect,  exhibited  by  Air.  A.  Thorpe,  gardener 
to  T.  E.  Pears,  Esq.,  Elsmore,  Alanor  Hill,  and  to  whom  the  N.C.S.'s 
silver-gilt  medal  was  awarded.  The  second  prize  w'as  awarded  to  Air. 
A.  Jenkins,  gardener  to  AAA  A.  AATlls,  Esq.,  AA^ylde  Green  ;  the  third 
prize  being  given  to  Air.  T.  Padbury,  Erdington. 
Cut  blooms  were  grandly  shown,  and  the  stand  of  twenty-four 
Japanese  exhibited  by  Mr.  A.  Jenkins  contained  several  superb  examples. 
The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Air.  A.  Hughes,  gardener  to  AV.  L. 
Hodgkinson,  Esq.,  for  also  an  excellent  stand,  and  the  third  prize  to  Air. 
AV;  Pearce,  gardener  to  Airs.  Jerome,  Holland  House. 
For  twelve  blooms,  Mr.  T.  E.  Pears  was  awarded  the  first  prize  with  a 
very  good  stand,  the  best  blooms  being  Simplicity,  Niveus,  Etoile  de  Lyon, 
M.  Hoste,  and  Airs.  Lees,  the  second  and  third  prizes  falling  to  Air, 
A,  Hughes  and  Air.  A.  Jenkins.  For  twelve  incurved,  the  premier  prize 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  A.  Jenkins  for  beautiful  blooms  of  such  as  C.  H.  Curtis, 
•J.  Agate,  R.  G.  Kingston,  Baron  Hirsch,  T.  Musten,  and  Aliss  Simkins. 
The  second  prize  went  to  Air.  A.  Hughes  with  also  a  meritorious  lot. 
For  a  basket  of  dwarf  Chrysanthemums  with  foliage  plants,  arranged 
for  effect,  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Air,  A.  Hughes,  the  second  to 
Air.  A.  Jenkins,  and  the  third  to  Air.  A.  Jeffs,  all  with  effective  contri¬ 
butions. 
