512 
November  25,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
and  Dixon  are  to  be  once  more  congratulated  on  the  magnificence  of 
their  fourteenth  annual  show. 
Cut  blooms  were  numerous  and  good,  the  schedule  of  prizes  being 
extensive  and  varied.  The  principal  classes  were  those  for  twenty-four 
incurved  and  for  the  same  number  of  .Japanese.  In  the  first  namffd  six 
competed,  making  a  Pne  display.  The  premier  award  fell  to  Mr.  C.  .1. 
Salter,  gardener  to  T.  B.  Haywood,  Esq.,  Woodhatch,  Reigate.forauniform 
collection  of  medium  sized  well-finished  1  dooms  of  the  following  varieties  : 
— C.  H.  Curtis  (2),  Lord  Alcester  (2),  Mrs.  R.  G.  Kingston  (2),  Mrs. 
Gardiner  (2),  ,T  Agate  (2),  Duchess  of  Fife,  Golden  Queen  of  England, 
^ladame  Ferlat,  Major  Bonnaffon,  iMiss  D.  Foster,  G.  Haigh,  Mrs.  N. 
Davis,  Mr.  J.  Ixearn,  Barbara,  H.  Shoesmith,  Lady  .Dorothy,  Mrs. 
Heales,  Violet  Tomlin,  and  Jeanne  d’Ai’c.  Mr.  ,T.  P.  Leadbetter, 
gardener  to  A.  Wilson,  Esq.,  Tran1)y  Croft,  Hull,  was  second  with 
blooms  a  trifle  smaller  ;  and  iMr.  W.  Mease,  gardener  to  A.  Tate,  Esq., 
Downside,  Leatherhead,  third. 
Mr.  iMease  was  an  easy  first  in  the  Japanese  class,  with  grandly 
developed  blooms  of  Madame  Carnot,  Phoebus,  Etoile  de  Lyon,  Baron  Ad. 
Rothschild,  Viviand  Morel,  iMrs.  Weeks,  i\Irs.  G.  Carpenter,  G.  J.  Warren, 
Jidia  Scaramanga,  Mrs.  .T.  Lewis,  E.  ^folyneux,  Mutual  Friend,  iMrs. 
Bernard,  Mons,  Chenon  de  Lechd,  iVIdlle.  M.  A.  de  Galbert,  iVI.  Ricoud,  Mrs. 
Blick,  Miss  Storer,  B.  Owen,  V.  Hambleden,  ^f.  Gruyer,  Simplicity, 
M.  de  la  Rocheterie,  and  iMrs.  W.  H.  Lees.  iMr.  Salter  was  a  good  second  ; 
and  iMr.  W.  Backhouse,  The  Bar,  Beverley,  third.  For  six  .Japanese,  any 
one  variety,  iMr.  Salter  won  with  fine  blooms  of  Chenon  de  Lcche.  Air. 
R.  Walker,  gardener  to  ('ol.  Stacey  Clitheroe,  Hotham  Hall,  Brough, 
second  with  the  same  variety  ;  and  Air.  C.  .Tennings,  gardener  to 
W.  Maw,  Esq.,  Barrow-on-Humber,  third  with  Phoebus. 
For  twelve  Anemone  flowe:  ed,  Mr.  Salter  staged  grandly  developed 
examples  of  W.  W.  Astor,  Airs.  H.  Gardiner,  Sir  W.  Raleigh,  ,lohn 
I’unyan,  Robin  Adair,  Descartes,  Gluck,  and  Delaware,  and  secured 
the  premier  award.  Air.  W.  Alason,  gardener  to  Col.  A.  K.  Dibb,  Kirk 
Ella,  won  second  place  with  a  fine  stand.  Air.  G.  E.  Smith,  Floral  Cottage, 
Hull,  was  a  close  third.  Air.  Salter  also  won  premier  place  in  the  class 
for  twelve  reflexed,  with  blooms  leaving  little  to  be  desired.  Air.  G. 
Picker,  gai'dener  to  F.  R.  Pease,  Esq.,  Hesslewood.  Hull,  second  ;  Air.  R. 
Walker,  third.  Air.  Salter  also  led  the  way  with  Pompons,  and  was 
followed  by  Air.  R.  Walker,  and  Air.  ,1.  W.  Bearpark,  Thornton  Street, 
Hull,  third.  Air.  Waterhouse,  gardener  to  ,T.  N.  Owbridge,  Esq.,  Cheny 
Garth.  Cottingham,  staged  the  best  singles  in  twelve  bunches  ;  Air. 
Sinclair,  gardener  to  B.  Alackrill,  Esq.,  Thwaite,  Cottingham,  second. 
In  the  district  class  for  eighteen  incurved  blooms  Air.  A^.  AVater- 
house  was  first  with  good  specimens  in  all  respects.  Air.  G.  AVilson, 
gardener  to  Sir  J.  Reckitt,  Swanland  Alanor,  Hull,  a  good  second.  For 
twelve  incurved  Air.  R.  AValker  won  first  place  with  neat  fresh  blooms. 
Air.  Thos.  Down,  gardener  to  11.  S.  Constalile,  Esq.,'Wassand,  Hull, 
second  with  a  bright  stand  of  blooms.  In  the  district  class  for  eighteen 
.Japanese  there  was  brisk  competition,  and  a  good  display.  Air.  C. 
Jennings  was  first  with  a  grand  exhibit  of  popular  varieties.  Air.  R. 
AA^alker  second.  Air.  H.  Thompson,  gardener  to  C.  .1.  Ringrose,  Esq., 
The  Grange,  Cottingham,  third.  No  less  than  eight  competed  in  the 
class  for  twelve  .Japanese.  With  a  very  fine  exhibit  Air  Thomas  Down, 
gardener  to  H.  S.  t^onstable,  Esc[.,  AVassand,  Hull,  won  first  place  with 
extra  good  blooms.  Amateurs  staged  creditable  examples  in  the  classes 
set  apart  for  them. 
An  intere.sting  class  was  that  for  two  vases,  each  containing  si.x 
blooms,  one  variety,  .Japanese  arranged  for  effect,  with  any  kind  of 
foliage.  Air.  F.  Alason,  gardener  to  Alexander  Smith  Esq.,  AAIoodleigh, 
Hessle,  won  with  creditable  examples  of  Nivens,  and  Thos.  AA^ilkins, 
associated  pleasingly  with  Asparagus  plumosa.  For  two  baskets  or  vases, 
each  containing  twelve  blooms,  distinct,  one  of  Japanese  and  the  other 
incurved,  arranged  for  effect  with  any  kind  of  cut  foliage.  Air.  G.  AA’^ilson 
was  first,  and  Air.  AVaterhouse  a  good  second. 
Groups  are  here  always  pleasing,  and  of  the  finest  quality.  This  year 
they  were  no  exception.  A  silver  challenge  cup  with  £6  is  the  premier 
prize,  therefore  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  there  is  invariably  keen 
competition.  The  conditions  are  thus :  —A  group  of  Chrysanthemums, 
interspersed  with  foliage  plants,  arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  of  100  square 
feet.  Four  competed.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  a  group  belonging 
to  the  Hull  Corporation  ;  but  as  this  cannot  take  a  prize  the  honour  fell 
to  the  second  in  merit,  that  arranged  by  Air.  G.  AVilson.  The  former 
received  the  certificate  of  merit  given  by  the  N.C.S.  Both  were  grand 
groups.  The  quality  of  the  Chrysanthemum  blooms  in  the  Corporation 
group,  combined  with  a  pleasing  arrangement  at  the  back,  won  for  it  the 
place  of  honour.  Air.  G.  .Tarvis,  gardener  to  Airs.  AA^hitaker,  Cliffe  House, 
Hessle,  was  a  creditable  second  ;  and  Air.  E.  Foulsen,  The  Nurseries, 
Hull  Road,  Cottingham,  third.  Aliscellaneous  plants,  arranged  for  effect 
in  a  space  of  100  sc^uare  feet,  made  an  imposing  display  down  the  centre 
of  the  principal  room.  Air.  G.  AVilson  easily  won  the  premier  award. 
An  interesting  class  was  that  for  a  decorated  drawing-room  mirror  or 
panel  group  of  Chrysanthemum  plants,  interspersed  with  foliage  plants 
arranged  for  effect,  in  a  space  of  9  square  feet.  No  less  than  seven  entries 
w'ere  received.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Air.  J.  P.  Leadbetter  for 
a  pleasing  arrangement.  Air.  G.  AATlson  was  a  good  second,  and  Air.  G.  S. 
Coates  was  third. 
Plants,  as  previously  stated,  were  an  improvement  upon  recent  years. 
For  three  trained  specimens.  Air.  H.  Thompson,  gardener  to  C.  J.  Ring- 
rose,  Esq.,  .1  ,P,,  The  Grange,  Cottingham,  staged  freely  flowered  specimens, 
and  was  awarded  the  premier  position  :  Air.  AV.  Alason  second.  Air, 
Thompson  also  won  first  honours  for  three  standards,  freely  flowered  ; 
Air.  Alason  second.  A  class  is  provided  for  “  cut-hacks,”  quality  of 
bloom,  with  dwarfness  and  good  foliage,  to  be  the  chief  points  .of  merit. 
Air.  AVaterhouse  won  with  good  plants  ;  Air.  E.  AVest,  Cottingham,  being- 
second.  Bush  grown  plants  were  well  represented  by  Air.  R.  Smith, 
gardener  to  1 1.  Sawman,  Esq.,  AValkergate  House.  Beverley,  who  secured 
the  premier  position.  Air.  R.  Theisk,  Grovehill  Road,  Beverley,  second. 
The  last  named  staged  the  best  trained  specimens  in  three  varieties,  as 
also  did  he  in  the  leading  amateur  classes,  and  really  good  examples 
they  were. 
Table  decorations,  open  to  ladies  only,  have  long  been  a  feature  of  the 
Hull  shows,  a  special  room  being  set  apart  for  them.  The  principal  class 
was  for  a  dessert  table  8  feet  by  4  feet,  completely  laid  for  six  persons. 
Chrysanthemums,  with  any  kind  of  foliage  or  grasses,  to  be  u.sed  in  its 
decoration.  Six  entered,  making  a  grand  display.  Mrs.  F.  S.  AVheeler, 
Chepstow,  Prince’s  Avenue,  Hull,  was  first  with  bronze  and  yellow 
Chrysanthemums  and  Ferns,  lightly  disposed.  Aliss  Kirk,  Owstwick, 
Benstick,  Hull,  second.  Airs.  Arthur  Dibb,  Kirk  Ella,  Hull,  third.  Airs. 
F.  S.  AA^heeler  also  had  the  premier  award  for  the  most  tasteful  arrange¬ 
ment  of  miscellaneous  flowers.  Chrysanthemums,  foliage  and  grasses.  Aliss 
Ethel  G. 'Fisher,  Willerby  Hall,  Hull,  was  second,  Aliss  Pudsey,  6,  Crown 
Terrace,  Anlaby  Road,  Hull,  had  the  best  epergne,  decorated  with 
Chrysanthemums  and  any  kind  of  foliage,  grasses,  or  berries. 
Messrs.  AV.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  had  a  pleasing  exhibit  of 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  and  Chrysanthemums,  which  was  a  source 
of  attraction  to  the  numerous  visitors. 
THE  HARTLEPOOLS.— November  19th  and  20th. 
This  year’s  exhibition  was  held  in  the  new  public  hall  of  the 
Technical  College,  Al^'est  Hartlepool,  and,  as  a  local  show,  it  reflects 
great  credit  upon  promoters  and  the  exhibitors.  It  was  well  supported 
by  the  residents  of  both  the  Hartlepools, 
In  the  cut  bloom  classes  much  interest  centred  in  the  challenge  cup 
for  twenty-four  blooms  distinct,  twelve  incurved,  twelve  .Japanese.  There 
were  four  exhibitors,  and  the  competition  Avas  very  close,  the  prize 
eventually  falling  to  Air.  George  Harvey,  Avho,  having  secured  premier 
position  for  the  third  time  in  succession,  the  cup  becomes  his  property. 
The  stand  was  made  up  of  very  neat  and  compact  and  fresh  blooms  of — 
Incurved  ;  C.  H.  Curtis,  Princess  of  AVales,  Geo,  Haigh,  J.  Agate,  Airs. 
Heale,  Aliss  AI.  A.  Haggas,  Violet  Tomlin,  Jeanne  d’Arc,  Prince 
Alfred,  Lucy  Kendall,  ,1.  Salter,  and  Nil  Desperandum.  Japanese . 
Graphic,  Chas.  Davis,  Viviand  Alorel,  Edith  Tabor,  E.  Alolyneux, 
Commandant  Blusset,  Alutual  Friend,  Alons.  C.  Alolin,  Oceana,  Australie, 
Pride  of  Exmouth,  anJ  Aladame  Gustave  Henri  (very  fine,  and  premier 
Japanese  bloom  of  the  show).  Second,  Air.  D.  Reid.  Third,  Air.  T]. 
Smith.  Fourth,  Air.  Taylor. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  .Japanese  and  twelve  incurved  Air.  Harvey  was 
again  first  with  the  same  varieties  as  in  the  cup  class  ;  second,  Air.  T. 
Smith  ;  third.  Air.  A.  Taylor.  Mr.  Harvey  was  also  first  for  twelve 
incurved  ;  second,  Mr.  A.  Taylor  ;  third.  Air.  D.  Reid.  Twelve  .Japanese. 
— First,  Air.  Harvey  ;  second.  Air.  Stokill  ;  third.  Air.  A.  Taylor. 
Groups  of  Chrysanthemums  were  very  effective,  all  the  exhibitors 
showing  fine  fresh  blooms  and  well  arranged.  First,  Mr.  D.  Reid  ; 
second,  Mr.  T.  Smith  ;  third.  Air.  G.  Harvey  ;  fourth.  Air.  A.  Taylor. 
Group  of  miscellaneous  plants. — First,  Air.  Pattison  ;  second.  Air. 
Wharton.  Vases  of  Chrysanthemums,  baskets,  bouquets,  and  epergnes 
were  very  effective,  the  prizes  falling  to  Alessrs.  Taylor,  Pattison, 
Barker,  Huy  ton  and  Wharton. 
[Owing  to  late  arrival  this,  with  several  other  shows,  has  had  to  be 
considerably  abridged.] 
SWEET  PEAS. 
Sicily,  a  large  island  in  the  Mediterranean,  a  few  miles  from  the 
coast  of  Italy,  enjoys  the  hon*  ur  of  being  the  native  home  of  the  Sweet 
Pea  (Lathyrus  odoratus),  whence  it  was  introduced  into  England  in  1700 
—  nearly  200  years  ago.  There  is  some  uncertainty  as  to  its  original 
colour,  some  authorities  asserting  that  more  than  one  variety  of  the 
species  came  over.  Philip  Aliller,  however,  in  his  “  Gardeners’  Dictionary,” 
mentions  it  in  1731  as  the  “broad-leaved,  soft,  hairy  chickling,  with  large 
and  very  beautiful  purple,  sweet-smelling  flowers,  commonly  called 
sweet-scented  Peas.”  (.  hickling  is  an  old  name  formerly  applied  to  the 
Pea  or  Vetch.  This  must  be  considered  good  authority,  and  it  gives  us, 
as  far  as  I  can  learn,  the  first  reliable  date  of  its  existence  after  its 
introduction.  I  think  purple  or  bluish-purple  was  probably  its  original 
colour,  as  there  is  a  tendency  to  revert  to  this  more  than  to  any  other 
shade. 
I  have  a  copy  of  “Alawe’s  Gardener,”  published  in  1800,  in  which 
annuals  are  ranked  in  three  sections,  and  Sweet  Peas  are  placed  in  the 
third,  or  lowest  class,  containing  the  hardiest  and  commonest  plants,  so 
that  its  position  at  this  date  could  not  have  been  a  very  high  one.  The 
work  mentions  five  varieties — the  Purple,  the  Black  Purple,  White, 
Scarlet,  and  Painted  Lady.  This  shows  the  position  of  the  Sweet  Pea 
1 00  years  after  its  introduction,  or  its  centenary.  Its  bicentenary  will 
soon  be  here,  and,  as  it  has  become  the  custom  in  modern  times  to  com¬ 
memorate  these  periods  in  a  favourite  flower,  we  shall  no  doubt  in  1900 
show  our  due  appreciation  of  this  most  beautiful  of  all  annuals. 
The  variety  of  colour  in  1800  was  very  good,  seeing  that  there  were  a 
white,  scarlet,  purple,  and  a  bicolor  called  Painted  Lady,  and  it  is 
remarkable  that  the  last  named  variety  has  retained  its  position  up  to  the 
present  day.  In  Page’s  “  Prodroinus,”  published  in  1817,  a  striped  variety 
