254 
■JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
September  12,  1901. 
Messrs.  Hartland  of  Cork  showed  Begonias  to  advantage,  also  a 
•superb  display  of  fruit,  whilst  Gladioli  were  very  fine  and  recommended 
for  a  medal. 
Messrs.  McGredy,  Portadown,  had  Begonias  arranged  in  fan  shape, 
the  ground  being  filled  with  Adiantums;  Gypsophila  panioulata  was 
used  to  lighten  the  effect,  but  the  cat  blooms  were  a  shade  too  many 
(recommended  for  a  medal).  Messrs.  Ramsey  &  Son,  Ballsbridge,  had  a 
dine  array  of  cut  blooms,  and  Messrs.  Drummond  &  Sons,  Dublin,  had  a 
tent  fil  ed  with  hardy  plants  (reoommended  a  medal).  As  usual  the 
Botanic  Gardens,  Glasnevin,  had  erected  a  huge  bank  of  exotic  plants, 
forming  a  chief  feature.  It  seems  strange  why  they  are  banked  up  ; 
such  procedure  completely  prevents  a  detailed  examination  by  the 
visitor  (gold  medal).  Messrs.  Dicksons  of  Newtownards  had  Roses  in 
'fine  style,  also  an  equally  good  collection  of  hardy  plants,  with  Cactus 
and  decorative  Dahlias,  likewise  retaining  premier  honours  in  the  com- 
petitive  nursery  classes  for  Cactus  Dahlias,  and  for  the  box  of  forty- 
eight  blooms  of  Roses. 
For  the  group  of  foliage  and  flowering  plants,  Mr.  J.  Byrne, 
gardener  to  D.  Drimmies,  Esq.,  Bellevue,  Boot  erst  own,  easily  wrested  the 
premier  honours.  He  was  also  first  for  specimen  Orchid  with 
Epidendrum  prismatocarpum,  a  fine  pan  encrusted  with  bloom.  For 
exotic  Ferns  Mr.  Colohan,  gardener  to  F.  A.  Millar,  Esq.,  Windsor  House, 
Monkstown,  was  first  with  fine  plants  of  Davalliasand  Adiantums.  For 
a  stand  of  Cactus  Dahlias  of  twenty-four  blooms,  not  less  than  twelve 
•varieties,  Mr.  Rigg,  gardener  to  Lord  Cloncurry,  Lyons,  Hazlehatoh, 
won,  and  likewise  had  premier  honours  for  a  stand  of  twelve  Cactus 
Dahlias  in  at  least  six  varieties  ;  also  for  twelve  bunches  of  pompon 
Dahlias  in  at  least  six  varieties.  Gladioli  were  capably  shown  by 
Mr.  Andrew  Porter  in  the  stand  of  twenty-four  spikes  in  a  dozen 
varieties.  In  the  stand  of  twelve,  in  six  varieties,  Colonel  Jarvis  White, 
Healthfield,  co.  Wexford,  was  first.  For  a  stand  of  thirty-six  double 
Begonias,  at  least  eighteen  varieties,  for  the  Hartland  Challenge  Cup 
(Lough  Nurseries,  Cork),  Mr.  P.  Flanagan,  gardener  to  Hamilton 
Wtubber,  Esq.,  Moyne,  was  an  unquestioned  first  with  an  evenly  arranged 
box  of  almost  faultless  blooms.  In  a  stand  of  twelve  doubles  Mr.  Rigg 
led  with  a  choice  box  of  blooms. 
Mr.  Porter  retained  the  Ardelaun  cup,  value  £10,  for  his  collection 
of  hardy  flowers,  covering  a  space  of  16  feet  by  4  feet,  which  was  taste¬ 
fully  grouped.  Mr.  Webster,  gardener  to  Lord  Plankett,  Bray,  was  a 
close  second.  Carnations  were  small  but  compaot  flowers.  The  premier 
award  fell  to  the  stand  of  Surgeon- General  Beaumont,  Palmerston 
House,  Dublin.  Sweet  Peas  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Cole, 
gardener  to  Lord  Dunleath,  Ballywalter  Park,  co.  Down,  whose  stand 
was  artistically  arranged;  the  blooms  were  large,  and  enabled  him 
easily  to  outdistance  his  competitors.  The  other  stands  do  not  call  for 
comment,  as  there  was  no  attempt  made  to  display  the  flowers  to 
advantage. 
Fruit,  especially  Grapes,  was  very  fine.  For  six  bunches,  three 
varieties,  two  bunches  of  each,  Mr.  Andrew  Porter  was  first,  and  was 
closely  followed  by  Mr.  R.  McKenna,  gardener  to  Lady  Emily  Bury. 
For  white  Grapes,  Mr.  Andrew  Porter  was  first  both  in  the  Muscat 
classes  and  “for  any  other.”  In  this  latter  stand  “the  Duke”  was 
staged  very  well.  For  black  Grapes,  Mr.  J.  Colgan,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Meade,  St.  Michael’s,  Aileebury  Road,  Merrion,  was  first  with  magnificent 
bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh.  For  Melons,  Mr.  Tyndall,  gardener  to 
C.  Burrowes  Roche,  Esq.,  was  first  in  both  classes  with  choice  fruit.  Mr. 
Webster,  gardener  to  Lord  Plunkett,  easily  retained  premier  place  in 
the  class  allotted  for  Peaches  with  fine  fruit.  Apples  were  capably 
shown  by  Mr.  R.  McKenna,  gardener  to  Lady  Emily  Bury,  also  by  Mr. 
P.  Geoghegan,  gardener  to  J.  Millar,  Esq.,  Baggotrath,  Sandymount, 
who  took  premier  place  ;  the  former  also  took  first  for  Pears  and  Plums, 
not  Gage ;  for  the  latter  Mr.  Tyndall,  gardener  to  C.  B.  Roche,  Esq., 
Giltown,  was  first ;  he  likewise  took  a  similar  place  for  the  tray  of 
twelve  distinct  vegetables.  For  the  tray  of  six  kinds  Mr.  G.  Bogue, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Beveker,  Castlemartin,  Newbridge,  was  first,  the 
quality  all  round  was  of  a  high  order.  A  Miss  Conan  showed  a  fine  pan 
of  a  Stagshorn  Fern,  whilst  a  journeyman,  Mr.  Lees,  in  Sir  Maloom 
Inglis’  gardens,  Montrose,  Donnybrook,  displayed  a  model  of  a  garden, 
with  raised  parterres,  beds  filled  with  flowers  and  shrubberies,  also 
walks;  the  style  was  severely  formal.  It  was  a  meritorious  piece  of 
work,  and  worthily  deserved  recommendation.  Six  fine  exotic  Ferns 
were  also  displayed  by  W.  F.  Cotton,  Esq.  (not  for  competition),  and 
were  highly  recommended. — A.  E.  O’Neill. 
Preston,  September  4th  aijd  5th. 
The  first  honours  for  a  display  of  hardy  flowers  fell  to  Mr.  W. 
Troughton,  Fishergate,  Preston,  with  a  superb  stand.  From  the  centre 
arose  a  pyramid  of  cut  stems  of  Liliums  album,  Krastzeri,  and 
Melpomene,  and  on  either  side  smaller  pyramids  composed  entirely  of 
Lilium  longiflorum,  the  foliage  used  being  extremely  suitable.  The 
second  prize  went  to  Mr.  P.  W.  Hayes,  Preston,  with  a  splendid 
collection.  Very  fine  indeed  was  the  third  prize  lot  from  Mr.  Shand  of 
Lancaster,  whioh  consisted  of  huge  bunches  of  all  the  leading  sorts. 
For  a  200  feet  group  of  plants  staged  for  offset  Mr.  W.  Troughton 
■again  scored  a  decided  victory.  Mr.  E.  Payne  was  placed  seoond. 
There  was  much  material  and  a  certain  amount  of  artistic  work  shown, 
but  the  finish  might  certainly  have  been  better.  The  100  feet  group 
went  to  J.  B.  Dixon,  Esq.,  Ribblesdale  House,  Preston,  with  a  fairly 
good  arrangement,  in  which  were  noticed  some  fine  Cooksoombs 
judiciously  used.  Mr.  Dixon  had  a  handsome  Stephanotis,  Allamanda 
Hendersoni,  and  the  ever  welcome  Rondeletia  speoiosa  as  the  best  of 
his  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants.  The  same  exhibitor  had  great 
success  amongst  the  many  plant  classes  with  quality  that  left  nothing 
to  be  desired,  winning  with  six  good  Fuchsias,  six  exotic  Ferns, 
Adiantums  tenerum  and  cuneatum,  and  Gleichenia  dioarpa  the  most 
noticeable  ;  for  three  Liliums,  speoiosum  rubrum  and  album, 
Kraezeri,  the  best  specimen  a  fine  plant  of  the  latter  variety;  three 
Petunias,  poor;  six  British  Ferns,  extra  fine;  three  tuberous  Begonias, 
all  the  Pelargonium  classes,  three  Cockscombs,  and  a  grand  pieoe  of  the 
Royal  Fern  as  the  best  specimen  British.  Mr.  Dixon’s  success  was 
well  merited,  owing  to  keen  competition.  Mr.  G.  Morgan,  gardener  to 
H.  Dewhurst,  Esq.,  Lostock  Hall,  had  many  good  specimens,  his  suc¬ 
cesses  being  with  three  Fuchsias,  six  well-grown  tuberous  Begonias, 
and  three  handsome  Balsams. 
If  one  had  to  look  for  quality  of  the  highest  possible  kind  it  was 
found  in  the  classes  won  by  Charles  Parker,  Esq.,  Ashton-on-Ribble, 
who  won  with  handsome  plants  of  Odontoglossum  grande,  Cattleya 
Harrisonise,  and  Cypripedium  oiliolare.  His  single  Orchid,  which 
gained  the  prize  and  also  the  gold  medal,  was  a  seedling  raised  by 
Mr.  Parker,  Rothschildianum  x  Lawrenceanum,  a  gem  in  '  every 
way.  There  was  also  the  same  high  class  in  the  c  lleotion  of  stove 
and  greenhouse  flowers ;  ’sprays  and  buttonholes  saw  Mr.  Parker  well 
ahead. 
Cut  flvwers  were  so  abundant  that  only  a  few  cau  be  noticed. 
The  bouquets  were  of  the  best,  Mr.  Troughton  again  scoring  with  a 
lovely  hand  bouquet,  and  Mr.  W.  N.  Wood  with  an  exquisite  bride’s 
bouquet.  The  Sweet  Pea  class  was  worthily  won  by  Mr.  B.  Ashton, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Lathom,  Lathom  House,  Ormskirk.  To  the 
credit  of  a  cottager,  Mr.  R.  Moss,  let  it  be  said  that  he  was  quite 
beyond  reach  in  the  classes  for  twelve  Cactus  and  twelve  Show 
Dahlias.  In  Pompon  Dahlias,  twelve  perennial  Phloxes,  a  furnished 
epergne,  &o.,  Mr.  Moss  gave  a  fine  account  of  himself.  Gladioli  and 
Viola  classes  fell  to  Messrs.  Ashworth  and  Gardner. 
Fruit,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  and  sscond  classes  in  the 
collections,  was  not  up  to  the  mark.  Mr.  B.  Ashton  made  no  mistake 
in  the  six  dishes,  staging  grand  Madresfield  Court  and  Buckland 
Sweetwater  Grapes,  Earl  of  Lathom  Melon,  Brown  Turkey  Figs, 
Walburton  Admirable  Peaches,  and  Elruge  Nectarines.  Mr.  J. 
Bradshaw,  gardener  to  Mrs.  W.  Birley,  The  Larohes,  Ashton-on-Ribble, 
seoond,  having  conspicuous  Muscats,  Royal  George  Peaohes,  and  Pond’s 
Seedling  Plums.  In  this  class  there  was  a  stand  containing  over-ripe 
or  decayed  Peaches  and  Pears,  and  the  judges  did  perfectly  right  in  not 
entertaining  them.  Mr.  Ashton  had  splendid  Madresfield  Court  and 
Muscats,  winning  each  class;  Messrs.  C.  R.  Brown  and  J.  Bradshaw 
good  followers.  Extra  good  Peaches  and  Nectarines  came  from  Messrs. 
J.  Jones,  gardener  to  R.  H.  Fenton,  Esq.,  Dutton  Hall,  and  R.  Janson, 
gardener  to  T.  R.  Wilkins,  Esq.,  Longton.  Mr.  Ashton  also  won  with 
a  splendid  six  dishes  hardy  fruits,  and  six  dessert  Apples.  Melon 
classes  went  to  Mr.  Morgan  with  unnamed  specimens,  and  Plum  classes 
to  Mr.  P.  Rigby,  gardener  to  J.  Smith,  Esq. 
Vegetables  were  of  a  high  character,  Mr.  Ashton  taking  all  the  most 
important  class.  Mr.  Morgan  won  for  eighteen  Tomatoes  and  six,  Mr. 
Ashton  following.  Mr.  Troughton  made  a  splendid  secretary,  and  was 
ably  assisted  by  several  good  supporters.  He  received  two  certificates 
for  British  Ferns  also.  The  weather  was  of  the  best,  and  the  attendance 
very  large. — R.  P.  R. 
Shirley  Gardeners. 
The  members  of  the  Shirley  Distriot  Gardeners’  Association  held 
their  annual  outing  on  Wednesday,  September  4th.  Arrangements 
having  been  made  by  the  hon.  sec.  (Mr.  J.  Miles)  with  Messrs.  James 
Veitoh  &  Sons  to  visit  their  nursery  at  Coombe  Wood,  Kingston  Hill, 
the  party,  accompanied  by  their  chairman  (Mr.  B.  Ladhams,  F.R.H.S.), 
treasurer  (Mr.  Greenslade),  and  the  hon.  sec.,  entrained  at  Southampton 
West,  where  special  compartments  were  reserved  for  their  comfort. 
Arriving  at  Surbiton,  they  continued  by  ’bus  co  the  bottom  of  Kingston 
Hill,  finishing  the  journey  on  foot.  On  arriving  at  the  nursery  they 
were  most  hospitably  entertained  to  lunch,  to  whioh  every  member 
did  ample  justice.  Lunch  over,  the  party  divided  into  three  groups, 
and  were  shown  round  these  [delightful  grounds  by  the  genial 
foreman,  and  plants  pointed  out  whioh  would  otherwise  have  been 
missed.  After  some  hours  spent  in  gleaning  useful  knowledge,  the 
party  met  outside  the  office,  where  the  treasurer  proposed,  and  the 
secretary  seconded,  a  very  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  &  Sons  for  so  loyally  entertaining  them,  and  to  the  staff,  who 
did  their  best  to  help  pass  a  very  pleasant  afternoon.  On  leaving 
Coombe  Wood  a  start  was  made  for  Hampton  Court,  where  again  good 
use  of  the  time  was  made  in  viewing  the  lovely  grounds,  whioh  are 
now  at  their  best.  The  party  finished  up  its  tour  of  inspection  by 
seeing  the  noted  Vine,  with  its  hundreds  of  bunches  of  Grapes.  Outside 
the  Palace  grounds  the  members  had  tea,  after  which  they  returned  to 
Surbiton,  where  they  entrained  for  Southampton,  reaching  the  latter  at 
10.30  P.M.,  where  all  agreed  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  pleasant  days 
spent  by  the  members  of  the  association. — J.  M. 
