430 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  7,  1901. 
Ruabon,  came  second,  and  third  Mr.  Silas  Cole,  gardener  to  Earl 
Spencer,  K.G.,  Althorp  Park,  Northampton,  with  exceedingly 
massive  heads.  Evidently  quality  and  not  quantity  was  the  factor 
noted  by  the  judges.  For  three  heads  of  Savoy  Cabbages  there 
were  ten  sets  staged,  and  here  the  first  award  went  to  Berkliam- 
stead,  taken  there  by  Mr.  A.  G.  Gentle,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Denison,  of  Little  Gaddesden.  Mr.  C.  Brown,  Langley  House, 
Abbots  Langley,  was  a  capital  second,  and  third  Mr.  A.  Basile,  of 
Weybridge.  Nine  entered  for  the  three  heads  of  Red  Cabbage. 
Mr.  A.  Reid,  Bretby  Park,  Burton-on-Trent,  was  first;  Mr.  A.  G. 
Gentle,  second ;  and  Mr.  C.  Brown,  third ;  the  first  being  a  long 
way  in  advance.  Nine  also  staged  six  sticks  each  of  Celery,  and 
the  marvellous  half-dozen — so  far  as  size  goes — brought  forward 
by  Mr.  Gentle,  won  him  the  first  prize.  They  seemed  much  too 
large  and  coarse.  Mr.  S.  Cole,  came  second;  Mr.  C.  Osman, 
South  Metropolitan  District  Schools,  Sutton,  Surrey,  third ;  and 
Mr.  J.  Reid,  fourth.  Eight  sets  of  three  stems  of  Brussels 
Sprouts  were  set  up.  Mr.  R.  A.  Horsford  staged  the  best,  though 
these  were  but  poor  at  that;  Mr.  S.  Cole  was  a  splendid  second; 
and  Mr.  J.  Read  third. 
Nine  contested  for  the  set  of  eight  Onions,  the  prizes  falling 
respectively  to  Messrs.  S.  Cole,  A.  Basile,  and  R.  Lye  with  good 
samples.  The  latter  led  for  eight  white  Turnips,  Mr.  A.  G. 
Gentle  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Hall  third.  Potatoes  were  smooth, 
even,  and  of  fine  form  and  size.  Mr.  A.  G.  Gentle  beat  Mr.  A. 
Basile  for  two  varieties,  eight  of  each;  and  third  Mr.  S.  Cole. 
Mr.  Gentle  staged  the  premier  dish  of  Tomatoes ;  and  for  six 
Beets  Mr.  S.  Cole  led.  Mr.  R.  A.  Horsford  won  for  Leeks,  and 
Mr.  A.  Basile  for  Parsnips.  Mr.  Cole  had  the  best  set  of  six 
Carrots.  The  Challenge  Bowl  this  year  was  taken  by  Mr.  Gentle, 
with  forty-six  points. 
There  were  half-a-dozen  splendid  collections  of  nine  kinds  of 
vegetables  in  contest  for  Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons’  prizes.  The 
first  prize  was  £5,  and  went  to  Mr.  E.  Beckett  with  superb 
samples  of  Autumn  Giant  Cauliflower  in  the  background ;  Celery 
Webb’s  Pearl  White,  and  Colossal  Leeks  at  either  side.  In  front 
of  these,  at  the  middle  sides,  were  Carrots  (Prizewinner)  and 
Parsnips  (Improved  Hollow-crowned),  Onions  of  the  variety  New 
Masterpiece  being  in  the  centre.  Potato  Up-to-Date  was  repre¬ 
sented  by  perfect  samples.  There  were  also  Viceroy  Tomatoes, 
and  Matchless  Brussels  Sprouts,  the  whole  laid  over  a  deep  bed 
of  fine  Parsley.  Plenty  of  space  was  allowed  between  each  kind 
of  vegetable.  The  second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  Jas.  Gibson,  Danesfield, 
who  always  tries  Mr.  Beckett  closely;  third,  Mr.  A.  Basile; 
fourth,  Mr.  C.  Brown;  and  fifth,  Mr.  W.  L.  Bastin.  Exhibitors 
seem  to  require  a  great  many  lessons  before  they  will  attempt  to 
display  their  produce  effectively ;  or  have  they  not  the  skill  ? 
Fruit. 
The  Grapes  were,  on  the  whole,  up  to  a  high  standard  of  merit, 
though  the  great  fault  with  the  Muscats  was  their  want  of  colour. 
In  class  60,  for  three  bunches  of  white  Grapes  the  premier  award 
of  £3  went  to  Mr.  W.  J.  Batho,  of  Nether  Street  Nurseries, 
Finchley,  with  fair  samples  of  Canon  Hall,  though  rather  behind 
in  colour  and  shape.  Second,  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  gardener  to  C.  Bayer, 
Esq.,  Tewkesbury  Lodge,  Forest  Hili  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Lintott, 
gardener  to  Walpole  Greenwell,  Esq.,  Wardon  Park,  Caterham, 
was  a  fair  third.  There  were  some  massive  bunches  of  black 
Grapes  on  show,  and  here  Mr.  Lintott  led  the  way  with  broad 
shouldered  Alicantes  in  class  61,  which  brought  six  entrants. 
Mr.  H.  H.  Brown,  of  Castle  Hill  Gardens,  Englefield  Green, 
must  have  been  a  remarkably  close  second,  though  in  colour  his 
berries  were  lacking.  The  third  award  fell  to  Mr.  J.  Landford, 
gardener  to  G.  Wright  Ingle,  Esq.,  Wood  House,  Finchley,  N., 
also  with  Alicante.  Mr.  W.  Taylor  beat  Mr.  W.  J.  Batho  for  the 
three  bunches  of  Gros  Colman  Grapes.  Batho’s  seemed  the 
heavier -bunches,  but  the  quality  of  the  individual  berries  was  not 
so  good.  These  were  the  only  contestants. 
Half-a-dozen  collections  of  six  dishes  each  of  dessert  Apples 
were  staged.  Mr.  W.  T.  Stowers,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Dear,  Esq., 
80,  Harold  Road,  Sittingbourne,  led,  and  was  followed  for  second 
by  Charles  Valter,  Esq.,  Wantage,  Berks;  and  third,  Mr.  Bible, 
of  Draycot  Park.  For  a  like  amount  of  culinary  Apples  Mr.  W.  T 
Stowers  was  first,  Mr.  Walter  second,  and  third  Mr.  John  Smith’ 
Coombe  Court,  Kingston.  Messrs.  Stowers,  E.  Colman,  North, 
Frith,  and  John  Smith  were  placed  so  for  six  dishes  of  dessert 
Pears. 
Medals. 
following  medals  were  awarded  to  non-competitive 
exhibits:— -Gold  medals  to  Messrs.  H.  J.  Jones,  Cutbush  and 
Sons  R.  C.  Pulling  W.  and  R.  Owen,  T.  Rochford,  H.  Cannell 
and  Sons,  and  W.  J.  Godfrey.  Silver-gilt  medals  to  Hobbies, 
rn™te(U  Bamels  Bros->  B-  S.  Williams  and  Son.  Silver  medals 
to  Mr.  H.  Love,  J.  Peed  and  Son,  J.  Williams,  Spooner  and  Sons, 
and  J.  Boyes. 
Our  extended  report  of  the  miscellaneous  exhibits  and  of  the 
classes  devoted  to  floral  decorations  is  unavoidably  held  over  till 
next  week. 
Shirley  Gardeners’  Association. 
The  programme  of  lectures,  &c.,  from  October  to  March, 
1901-2,  is  as  follows  :  November  18. — Lecture.  “  Summer  Bed¬ 
ding,  with  special  reference  to  plants  to  be  used  for  Coronation 
Year,”  by  Mr.  J.  B.  Stevenson,  Chine  Garden  Cottage,  Bourne¬ 
mouth.  Prizes  awarded  for  six  cut  blooms  Japanese  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums,  “  distinct.”  Certificates  for  three  best  Chrysanthemums 
shown  on  stems  of  not  less  than  18in  long.  Vases  will  be 
supplied.  December  16. — Lecture.  “Some  Familiar  Wild  Birds, 
with  special  reference  to  the  Good  and  Harm  they  Do,”  &c.,  by 
Mr.  E.  J.  Wilcox,  the  Gardens,  Aldermoor,  Shirley.  Certificate 
offered  for  best  plant  in  bloom,  excluding  Chrysanthemums. 
January  20,  1902.- — Open  night  for  discussion.  To  be  opened  by 
Mr.  J.  Jones,  The  Gardens  , Terrace  House,  on  “The  Culture  of 
Vines.”  Prizes  awarded  for  four  pots  of  Primulas,  pots  not  ex¬ 
ceeding  6in.  Certificates  for  six  best  bulbs  in  flower  of  Roman 
Hyacinths.  February  17. — Lecture.  “  Landscape  Gardening,” 
by  Mr.  F.  Cleveley,  Basset.  Piizes  awarded  for  best  dish  of  Sea- 
kale,  also  for  best  three  Hyacinths  in  pots.  Prizes  3s.  each.  All 
plants  to  be  grown  in  the  pots  in  which  they  are  shown.  March 
17. — Entertainment.  Annual  meeting  date  to  be  fixed  and  due 
notice  to  be  given. — J.  Miles,  Hon.  Sec. 
Irish-  Gardeners’  Association. 
The  inaugural  lecture  of  the  above  was  held  on  Tuesday,  29th 
ult.,  at  Grafton  Street,  when,  although  the  evening  was  de¬ 
cidedly  unpleasant,  the  attendance  was  very  good.  Mr.  F.  W. 
Burbidge  discoursed  on  “The  Progress  of  Garden  Craft.”  The 
lecturer  indicated  the  tools  which  Nature  had  made  for  them,  and, 
by  means  of  lantern  slides,  he  showed  how  Nature  evolved  the 
varied  types  of  soils.  Then  he  led  his  hearers  into  tropical  life, 
pointing  out  the  most  striking  types  of  vegetation  and  mode  of 
living  of  same.  He  then  gave  a  brief  summary  of  the  lives  of 
prominent  horticulturists,  and  a  descriptive  note  of  the  foremost 
botanists,  who  have  raised  the  curtain  of  Nature,  allowing  a 
greater  grasp  of  plant  life  to  be  taken.  He  touched  upon  the 
varied  types  in  cultivation,  many  of  which  have  been  only  recently 
added  to  horticulture  by  the  skill  of  the  gardener.  They  com¬ 
prised  Orchids,  flowering  plants,  shrubs,  and  Ferns,  whilst  the 
curious  amongst  plant  types  had  a  prominent  place.  This  portion 
of  the  lecture  finished  with  a  choice  series  of  slides,  showing  the 
marked  strides  horticulture  had  achieved  by  means  of  views  of  pro¬ 
minent  country  seats.  Amongst  these  were  Mount  Usher,  in  co. 
Wicklow,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Swalpole,  which  has  earned  the 
sobriquet  of  a  tropical  garden  ;  also  Castlewellan ,  in  county  Down, 
where  shrubs  and  deciduous  types  attain  to  choice  specimens. 
Some  woodland  walks  through  the  grounds  of  Mr.  Greenwood  Pim 
in  both  winter  and  summer  had  a  pleasant  effect,  the  beauty  of 
snow  on  leafless  trees  being  vividly  impressed.  These  were 
followed  by  a  valuable  series  of  views  of  aquatic  types,  especially 
Water  Lilies,  in  Glasnevin  and  Trinity  College  Botanic  Gardens; 
and  of  specimens  alien  to  our  shores  which  had  been  successfully 
acclimatised.  The  lecturer  projected  upwards  of  seventy  slides, 
which  were  kindly  lent  by  the  chairman  and  Professor 
Johnson,  D.S.C.,  many  of  which  were  choicely  coloured.  A 
hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  to  the  lecturer  and  to  the 
chairman. 
Death  of  Mr.  Janies  Cypher. 
After  an  illness  extending  over  four  months,  Mr.  James 
Cypher,  Queen’s  Road  Nurseries,  Cheltenham,  breathed  his  last 
on  Friday,  November  2,  and  was  buried  amidst  signs  of  universal 
regret  and  esteem  on  Monday,  November  4.  From  an  exhibitor’s 
point  of  view  Mr.  Cypher  was  the  Grand  Old  Man  of  horticulture. 
No  grower  of  plants  or  firm  of  nurserymen  has  been  so  long  and 
consistently  pre-eminent  at  all  the  principal  flower  shows  in  the 
country,  and  ’wherever  he  went  he  made  many  friends,  and  not,  to 
my  knowledge,  a  single  enemy.  Always  genial,  kind,  and 
enthusiastic,  and  without  the  slightest  particle  of  pride  other 
than  that  which  he,  justifiably  enough,  took  in  the  productions  of 
his  own  nurseries,  he  was  welcomed  wherever  he  went,  while 
his  exhibits  have  been  the  making  of  innumerable  shows.  Not 
only  w-as  Mr.  Cypher  most  popular  in  all  parts  of  the  country, 
but  he  also  gained  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  classes  in 
Cheltenham,  and  it  is  ungrudgingly  conceded  that  he  did  much 
to  advertise,  beautify,  and  increase  the  popularity  of  that 
attractive  “  Garden  Town.” 
Mr.  Cypher  was  born  in  Tetbury,  Gloucestershire,  and  if  he 
