186 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  vOTTAGE  GARDENER . 
August  22  l  *  H. 
as  Asters,  Stocks,  Sweet  Peas,  and  collections  of  annuals  were,  on  the 
present  occasion,  fine,  as  were  many  of  the  plants  in  pots  and  some  of 
the  vegetables.  Potatoes  were  decidedly  of  superior  quality,  while 
Tomatoes  were  splendid. 
The  present  show  saw  a  departure,  for  with  it  were  associated  the 
collections  of  produce  brought  together  under  the  Rural  Education 
•Scheme,  at  whose  head  is  Lady  Warwick.  For  this  an  entirely  separate 
schedule  was  compiled,  in  which  were  classes  for  institutions  of  a 
character  similar  to  the  Reading  Hostel,  for  Home  Offioe  sohools,  for 
boys  and  girls  cultivating  school  gardens,  and  others.  Taken  as  a  whole, 
the  produce  staged  was  rough  and  inferior,  and  demonstrated  the  fact 
that  the  exhibitors  were  by  no  means  accustomed  to  the  show  tent. 
The  vegetables  had  not  that  excellence  with  which  frequenters  of 
present  day  shows  are  familiar  and  expect  to  find.  Some  of  the  flowers 
were  good,  notably  Dahlias  and  Sweet  Peas.  The  competition  in  every 
class  save  one  was  most  disappointing  to  the  promoters,  who  are  hoping 
for  much  better  things  in  future  years.  Some  control  should  be 
exercised  by  the  committee  at  staging  time,  for  more  than  one  exhibit 
exceeded  the  allotted  space,  while  in  one  class  we  observed  that  one 
grower  had  three  different  exhibits. 
In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  vegetables,  ten  distinct  kinds,  Mr.  A. 
Basile,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  O.  L.  Powels,  was  the  only  exhibitor,  and 
received  the  premier  prize  with  good  produce.  The  exhibit  comprised 
Onion  Ailsa  Craig,  Cauliflower  Early  Mammoth,  Leek  Giant,  Carrot 
New  Red  Intermediate,  Giant  Scarlet  Runner,  Marrow  Lane’s  White, 
Pea  Late  Perfection,  Tomato  Perfection,  and  Potato  International. 
Messrs.  R.  Chamberlain,  gardener  to  F.  W.  Lonegan,  Esq.,  Reading, 
A.  Basile,  and  W.  Emerton,  Buckingham,  received  the  prizes  for 
Scarlet  Runner  Beans,  all  showing  splendidly.  For  dwarf  French  Beans 
Mr.  A.  Basile  was  first,  Mr.  R.  Bass,  Bromley,  second,  and  Mr.  N.  E. 
Stilwell,  Bromley,  third,  all  staging  Canadian  Wonder  in  excellent 
form.  For  Beet  Mr.  W.  Emerton  won  with  Blood  Red,  and  Mr.  R.  T. 
Howell  with  Turnip-rooted.  Cabbages  were  poor ;  Mr.  N.  C.  Stilwell 
was  first,  and  Mr.  A.  Basile  second.  Mr.  G.  W.  Hunt,  Leicester,  had 
the  best  Red  Cabbages,  and  Mr.  A.  E.  Kirtland,  Oxford,  the  best  Red 
Intermediate  Carrots.  In  the  class  for  a  brace  of  Cucumbers  Mr.  A.  E. 
Kirtland  was  easily  first  with  Lockie’s  Perfection,  Mr.  W.  Emerton 
was  second.  Mr.  A.  Basile  had  the  finest  Leeks. 
Onions  and  Potatoes  made  the  best  display.  For  nine  Onions  grown 
in  the  open  ground  Messrs.  R.  Chamberlain,  A.  Basile,  and  W.  Emerton 
seoured  the  awards  in  the  order  here  given.  The  variety  in  each  case 
was  Ailsa  Craig.  Mr.  A.  Basile  staged  Lemon  Rocca  in  the  class  for 
autumn  sown  Onions,  and  received  the  leading  prize;  Mr.  J.  Martin, 
Newells,  Horsham,  was  second.  For  a  dish  of  Peas  Mr.  R.  Chamberlain 
was  first  with  Autocrat,  and  Mr.  C.  Moody  second  with  Exhibition 
Marrow.  For  six  dishes  of  Potatoes,  distinct  varieties,  Mr.  W.  Emerton 
was  first  with  fine  tubers  of  Supreme,  Reading  Russet,  Lord  Tennyson, 
International  Kidney,  LordlRaglan,  and  Purple  Perfection.  Mr.  A.  Basile 
was  an  excellent  second.  For  two  dishes  of  white  Potatoes  Mr.  Emerton 
was  first  with  Britannia  and  Ideal,  Mr.  A.  E.  Kirtland  being  second  with 
Satisfaction  and  Sensation.  Mr.  W.  Emerton  was  again  first  for  two 
red  Potatoes  with  Prizetaker  and  Reading  Russet ;  Mr.  A.  E.  Kirtland 
was  second  with  Mr.  Bresee  and  Reading  Russet.  Mr.  A.  Basile  was 
placed  first  for  Tomatoes  with  over-large  specimens  ;]Mr.  R.  Chamberlain 
with  even,  medium  sized  fruits  was  second.  For  green  Marrows  Mr.  A. 
Basile  was  first;  while  for  white  Mr.  J.  Bugby,  Desborough  went  ahead. 
The  floral  section  was  attractive  and  beautiful.  Mr.  R.  Chamberlain 
had  the  best  six  annuals,  amongst  which  Mallows,  Coreopsis,  Salpiglossis, 
and  Chrysanthemums  were  especially  good.  Asters  were  not  so  good 
as  is  usual  at  this  gathering.  Messrs.  A.  E.  Kirtland  and  W.  Emerton 
shared  the  awards.  For  six  single  Dahlias  Mr.  C.  Osman,  Chertsey, 
was  first.  For  a  dozen  Cactus  Dahlias  Messrs.  H.  A.  Needs  and 
W.  Baxter  were  respectively  first  and  second,  both  showing  excellently. 
African  Marigolds  were  splendidly  staged  by  Mr.  J.  Panter,  Desborough, 
and  Mr.  N.  C.  Stilwell  had  very  fine  Mignonette.  Mr.  R.  Chamberlain 
won  for  Sweet  Peas  and  hardy  herbaceous  flowers,  showing  admirably 
in  each  instance.  Mr.  J.  Wilby  had  the  finest  single  Zonal  Pelargoniums, 
Mr.  C.  Moody  being  ahead  with  doubles.  Annuals  in  pots  were  well 
grown,  but  we  have  not  space  for  particulars. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Stowers,  Sittingbourne,  was  a  splendid  first  for  three 
dishes  of  cooking  Apples  with  Lord  Suffield,  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  and 
Ecklinville.  Mr.  T.  Osman,  gardener  to  L.  J.  Baker,  Esq.,  Chertsey, 
was  second.  Mr.  W.  Stowers  also  won  with  three  dishes  dessert  Apples 
with  Beauty  of  Bath,  Lady  Sudeley,  and  Duchess’  Favourite.  Mr.  T. 
•Osman  was  first  for  a  collection  of  six  kinds  of  fruit  with  Melon 
Windsor  Castle,  Nectarine  Dryden,  Peach  Stirling  Castle,  Grapes 
Black  Hamburgh  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  Apple  Red  Astraohan. 
Mr.  T.  Osman  was  also  first  for  six  dishes  open-air  fruits  with  Peach 
Hale’s  Early,  Nectarine  Early  Rivers,  Fig  Brown  Turkey,  Cherry 
Morello,  and  Apricot  Moorpark.  Mr.  J.  Panter  was  second.  Mr.  W. 
Taylor  had  the  best  black  Grapes,  Mr.  T.  Osman  following.  In  the 
class  for  white  Grapes  the  order  was  reversed.  Mr.  W.  Taylor  won  with 
Nectarines,  and  Mr.  J.  Powell  with  Peaches.  For  three  dishes  of 
dessert  Pears  Mr.  A.  Basile  was  first  with  Pitmaston  Duchess, 
Marguerite  Marrillat,  and  Beurre  Clairgeau.  Mr.  W.  Taylor  was  first 
for  two  dishes  of  Plums.  The  educational  class  for  fruits,  vegetables, 
and  flowers  was  won  by  Mr.  S.  Chamberlain  with  101  points,  Mr.  T. 
■Osman  being  unfortuuately  disqualified  for  not  conforming  to  the  rules; 
he  soored  103  points  exclusive  of  Apricots,  which  were  not  allowed. 
Birmingham  Gardeners’  Association. 
A  “detachment”  of  about  a  score  of  the  fraternity  of  this  society 
on  the  15th  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  visiting  (by  kind 
permission  of  T.  W.  Webley,  Esq.)  the  oharming  and  mo3t  interesting 
pleasure  grounds  of  his  suburban  residence,  The  Uplands,  Selly  Hill, 
near  Birmingham.  Photographic  illustrations  of  the  rockery  and 
garden  streamlet  of  this  place  were  pleasingly  reproduced  in  the  Journal 
for  September,  1899.  The  party  was  chaperoned  by  Mr.  William  Spinks, 
who  was  responsible  for  the  designing  and  laying  out  of  the  grounds  in 
general,  much  credit  likewise  being  due  to  him  for  the  good  taste  and 
judgment  evinced  in  the  selection  and  planting,  more  especially  of  that 
pertaining  to  the  rockery  and  water  gardens. 
Unfortunately  the  afternoon  of  the  date  in  question  proved  not  the 
most  auspicious,  as  a  drizzling  rain  prevailed,  though  not  so  far  as  to 
preclude  a  thorough  and  leisurely  inspection  of  the  numerous  garden 
scenes  presented  at  every  turn.  The  most  enohanting  of  all  was  the 
streamlet  with  its  various  plaoid  lakelets,  the  rocky  margins  of  which 
are  exquisitely  olothed  with  a  large  variety  of  suitable  shrubs  and 
waterside  plants.  More  than  one  lakelet,  terraced,  so  to  speak,  one 
above  another,  displayed  thriving  plants  of  several  of  the  superb 
Marliac  Lilies,  and  further  enhanced  by  lively  motions  of  resplendent 
gold  fish  in  their  shallow  rooky  aquariums.  Considerable  interest  was 
also  centred  in  the  extensive  fruit  garden,  with  its  hundreds  of  standard 
and  pyramidal  Apple  and  Pear  trees,  planted  in  long  lines  in  several 
divisions,  with  well-kept  grass  walks  between,  and  of  the  rows  of  trees 
being  apportioned  each  to  one  variety  of  Apple  or  Pear. 
Of  dessert  Apples  King  of  the  Pippins  appeared  to  be  the  most 
prolific.  Several  varieties,  bith  dessert  and  culinary,  were  in  fairly 
good  cropping  condition,  otherwise  the  crop  was  light  or  nil  as  regards 
the  majority  of  both  Apples  and  Pears,  especially  the  latter,  attributable 
chiefly  to  tbe  unfavourable  state  of  the  weather  during  the  blossoming 
period.  Several  of  the  trees  were  also  evincing  the  severe  ordeal  they 
had  been  subjected  to  from  the  lifting  or  root-pruning  process  practised 
upon  the  over-luxuriant  proportion  of  them. 
A  meed  of  praise  must  be  accorded  to  Mr.  Fawdery,  the  industrious 
and  capable  gardener  in  charge,  for  the  way  in  which  he  exeoutes  his 
onerous  duties,  and  the  general  good  keeping  everywhere  apparent, 
weeds  being  conspicuous  by  their  absence. — W.  G. 
Cardiff  Gardeners’  Association. 
The  annual  outing  of  the  members  took  place  on  August  12fch,  when 
a  good  party  journeyed  to  Kew  Girdens,  where  luncheon  was  served  at 
the  Rose  and  Crown  Hotel,  Mr.  G.  Tolman,  the  chairman,  presiding, 
supported  by  Mr.  Thos.  Malpass,  hon.  treasurer,  and  Mr.  J.  Julian, 
hon.  secretary  (conductor  of  the  party).  A  brief  toast  list  was  gone 
through,  and  a  move  was  made  for  Dover  House,  Roehampton,  the  seat 
of  Mr.  J.  P.  Morgan  (millionaire  of  steel  fame),  and  whose  gardens  are 
in  charge  of  Mr.  J.  McLeod,  whose  abilities  as  a  high-class  gardener 
were  plainly  shown  by  the  wav  everything  had  received  attention.  The 
garden  was  simply  a  model  of  cleanliness.  A  large  area  of  glass  is 
devoted  to  Peach  oulture  in  various  stages  of  growth,  all  remarkably 
healthy,  vigorous,  and  fine  fruiting  wood  ;  in  fact,  the  scarcity  of  gross 
wood  indicated  that  their  rooting  propensities  were  perfect.  Carnations 
are  done  well  there,  and  very  fine  batches  now  in  the  course  of 
preparation  for  future  use.  Melons  and  Tomatoes  were  certainly  doing 
well,  the  latter  planted  in  boxes.  The  fruit  garden  was  excellently  well 
stocked  with  manv  of  the  very  best  kinds  in  great  variety,  and  many 
of  the  Apple  and  Pear  trees  were  perfect  pictures,  carrying  heavy  orops 
of  good  shaped  fruits.  The  pruning  knife  has  been  used  for  some  years 
pist  in  this,  as  well  aB  other  departments,  in  a  manner  in  which  only  a 
mister  of  the  art  can  use  it;  and  quite  a  treat  to  see  how  well  the  sun 
and  air  could  perform  their  share  towards  developing  fine  fruits,  and 
mature  the  buds  for  next  season’s  supply.  On  the  lawns  were  many 
fine  specimens  of  trees ;  particularly  noteworthy  were  a  fine  Purple 
Beech  (as  fine  as  is  possible  to  find),  also  an  Ailantus  and  Judas  Tree. 
Six  dwarf  and  very  old  Conifers,  costing  nearly  £700,  stood  in  vases, 
this  department  having  evidently  suffered  most  acutely  from  the  late 
drought. 
H  |  After  viewing  a  portion  of  the  kitohen  gardens,  which  was  abundantly 
stocked  with  the  best  kinds,  a  splendid  tea  was  served  and  thoroughly 
enjoyed,  thanks  to  Mr.  McLeod’s  hospitality,  and  wishing  him  good-bye, 
a  move  was  made  for  Manresa  House  for  the  purpose  of  viewing  the 
large  Vine,  remarkable  for  its  robust  growths,  healthy  foliage,  and  fine 
bunches  of  Grapes.  The  house  is  223  feet  long,  the  Vine  planted  nearly 
in  the  middle,  and  extending  its  enormous  rods  from  end  to  end,  and 
from  the  bottom  to  the  top  of  the  house  (which  is  a  lean-to  about 
18  feet  high),  and  the  great  thickness  of  bark  goes  well  to  show  that 
these  gardens  are  a  natural  Vine  border  in  themselves  to  produce  such 
growth  in  a  Vine  thirty-six  years  old.  Several  other  Vines,  also  of  a 
good  size,  produced  exactly  the  same  class  of  wood.  Several  of  the 
members  having  seen  the  historic  Vine  at  Hampton  Court,  also  the 
one  at  Cumberland  Lodge,  say  that  if  anyone  wants  any  further  insight 
into  Vine  culture,  they  can  certainly  get  it  at  Manresa  House.  There 
are  15  acres  of  garden  devoted  to  fruit  and  vegetable  oulture,  all  looking 
well.  Bidding  Mr.  Davies,  the  courteous  head  gardener,  good-bye,  the 
party  spent  the  remainder  of  the  time  in  London,  returning  to  Cardiff 
at  2  a.m.  Tuesday  morning,  having  spent  a  most  enjoyable  holiday. 
— J.  Julian. 
