496 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  November  28,  1901. 
'offered  special  prizes,  which  brought  a  good  competition.  It 
was  quite  evident  excellent  vegetables  can  be  grown  in  the  neigh¬ 
bourhood  of  Maidenhead.  Mr.  W.  Broughton,  florist,  Maiden¬ 
head,  set  up  a  charming  group  of  plants  (not  for  competition), 
among  which  could  be  seen  retarded  Lilies,  &c.  Mr. 
Broughton  had  very  attractive  floral  decorations,  among  them 
one  illustration  which  attracted  much  attention,  a  fac-simile  of 
the  Gates  Ajar  sent  by  the  Emperor  of  Corea  to  the  Capitol  at 
Washington  for  the  obsequies  over  the  remains  of  President 
McKinley.  Messrs.  W.  and  R.  Owen  had  a  large  and  imposing 
collection  of  Chrysanthemums  on  the  platform,  and  some  excel¬ 
lent  pottery  was  contributed  by  a  local  manufactory. 
Highgate  and  Dis  rict  Chrysanthemum,  November  20th. 
The  seventeenth  annual  dinner  of  the  above  society  was  held 
on  the  20th  inst.,  the  president,  C.  F.  Cory-Wright,  j.P.,  D.L., 
presiding.  He  was  supported  by  Captain  C.  B.  Balfour,  M.P., 
several  of  the  vice-presidents,  and  about  eighty  members  and 
friends  of  the  society,  including  the  treasurer,  Mr.  J.  McKerchar, 
Mr.  T.  Bevan,  Mr.  J.  H.  Witty,  Mr.  H.  Barnaby  (the  first  secre¬ 
tary  of  the  society),  and  Mr.  W.  E.  Boyce,  the  present  secretary. 
The  tables  were  profusely  decorated  with  Chrysanthemum  blooms, 
some  fine  specimens  coming  from  Messrs.  H.  Canned  and  Sons. 
.After  the  Royal  toasts  had  been  loyally  honoured,  the  toast  of 
the  evening,  viz.,  that  of  “The  Society  and  the  President,”  was 
proposed  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Birks,  who  said  that  the  society  had 
almost  attained  hcary  antiquity,  and,  looking  back  on  the  past, 
he  thought  he  could  claim  to  have  done  something  for  the  district. 
The  president,  in  responding,  said  that  in  his  opinion  the  North- 
field  Hall  was  not  a  proper  place  for  a  show,  and  he  suggested 
that  the  committee  should  take  the  show  to  the  Alexandra  Palace. 
He  was  sure  that  they  would  be  very  glad  to  hear  that  Lord 
Mansfield  had  given  him  permission  to  say  that  he  would  be 
pleased  to  become  their  president  for  next  year,  and  that  he 
would  open  their  show,  and  also  attend  their  annual  dinner. 
Mr.  T.  Bevan  gave  “  the  Vice-Presidents  and  Donors  of  Special 
Prizes,”  to  which  Mr.  S.  L.  Dove,  J.P.,  responded.  Mr.  E.  H. 
Smithett  proposed  “  The  Officers  and  Committee,”  and  compli¬ 
mented  the  secretary  on  the  arrangements  made  for  the  show, 
which  he  considered  was  one  of  the  finest  he  had  ever  seen.  The 
toast  was  responded  to  by  the  treasurer,  Mr.  J.  McKerchar. 
Other  toasts  followed,  and  a  capital  musical  programme  inter¬ 
spersed  the  toast  list,  the  hearty  singing  of  “  Auld  Lang  Syne  ” 
concluding  a  most  enjoyable  evening. 
Leamington,  Warwick  md  District,  Nov.  21,  22  and  23. 
Leamington  Spa  is  noted  for  beauty  of  many  kinds,  and  in 
numerous  respects  it  is  the  most  delightful  of  Midland  towns, 
where  at  various  seasons  of  the  year  music  of  the  highest  class 
can  be  enjoyed  amid  the  charms  of  lovely  surroundings.  A  large 
portion  of  the  spacious  “  Pump  Rooms,”  which  in  winter  is  known 
as  “  Arcadia,”  was  on  the  above  dates  the  scene  of  a  highly  suc¬ 
cessful  Chrysanthemum  Show.  The  splendid  groups  of  Chrysan¬ 
themums  and  other  plants  which  occupied  the  centre  of  the  build¬ 
ing  were  a  fine  feature  ;  cut  blooms  were  also  of  wonderful  quality, 
and  fruit  and  vegetables  numerous  and  good.  The  fittings  around 
the  walls  formed  both  a  beautiful  and  suitable  background  for  the 
exhibits,  and  considerably  enhanced  the  general  effect.  The 
Blue  Hungarian  Band  performed  twice  daily  during  the  course  of 
the  show.  It  is,  therefore,  by  no  means  surprising  to  find  the 
attendance  was  a  record  one,  and  that  the  early  struggles  of  the 
society  have  at  length  been  overcome.  E.  A.  Smyth-Ryland, 
Esq.,  and  the  Mayor  of  Leamington,  were  each  donors  of  sub¬ 
stantial  prizes.  The  committee,  of  which  Mr.  R.  Jones  is  chair¬ 
man,  and  the  energetic  secretary,  Mr.  A.  J.  Nichols,  are  to  be 
congratulated  on  the  result  of  their  labours.  Mr.  C.  S.  Birch,  a 
popular  townsman,  has  also  contributed  largely  to  the  success  of 
the  venture  by  associating  it  with  “  Arcadia,”  and  providing  such 
exquisite  music. 
Cut  Blooms. — For  twenty-four  Japanese  distinct  a  special 
prize  of  five  guineas  was  offered  by  C.  A.  Smith-Ryland,  Esq.,  for 
the  best  exhibit;  second  prize,  £2;  third,  £1.  In  this  class 
many  grand  flowers  were  staged.  Mr.  A.  Chandler,  gardener  to 
A.  James,  Esq.,  Coton  House,  Rugby,  proved  the  winner.  His 
flowers  were  of  great  depth,  fresh  and  well  coloured,  being  so 
good  I  append  their  names.  Those  marked  with  an  asterisk  were 
especially  good.  Back  row — Mrs.  J.  Lewis,*  Silver  King,  M. 
Louis  Remy,  Graphic,  Australie,  G.  J.  Warren,  Mrs.  Mease,*  and 
Madame  Carnot.*  Middle  row — Madame  G.  Debrie,*  Madame 
G.  Henri,  Nellie  Perkins,  Mrs.  J.  Bryant,  E.  Molyneux,*  Etoile 
de  Lyon,  Master  H.  Tucker,*  and  Madame  Von  Andre.  Front 
row — Mons.  C.  de  Leche,  Oceana,  Madame  R.  Cadbury,*  Phoebus, 
Lionel  Humphrey,  Miss  J.  Cottie,  Mrs.  Barkley,  and  Mrs.  G. 
Mileham.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  H.  Blakeway,  gardener 
to  P.  A.  Muntz,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Rugby,  who  also  staged  heavy 
blooms.  Mr.  H.  Liney,  gardener  to  W.  M.  Low,  Esq.,  Welles- 
bourne  House,  was  an  exceedingly  close  third,  staging  fresh, 
highly  coloured  blooms. 
For  twelve  incurved  distinct,  and  a  like  number  of  Japanese, 
a  Silver  Cup,  valued  at  three  guineas,  was  offered  as  a  first  prize, 
and  here  the  struggle  for  supremacy  was  a  grand  one ;  indeed, 
worthy  to  rank  with  some  of  the  stiffest  fights  in  the  Chrysan¬ 
themum  world.  Mr.  Chandler,  however,  came  out  “  on  top  ”  (it 
is  really  wonderful  how  Chrysanthemum  men  manage  to  “just” 
beat  each  other).  The  winner  was  very  strong  in  incurveds,  but 
lost  points  on  the  Japanese.  The  varieties  were,  Japanese,  back 
row — Madame  Cadbury,*  Australie,*  M.  Louis  Remy,  and 
Madame  Carnot.*  Middle  row — Madame  G.  Debrie,  Master  H. 
Tucker,  Etoile  de  Lyon,*  Mrs.  G.  Mileham.  Front  row — G.  J. 
Warren,  Mrs.  J.  Lewis,  Lionel  Humphrey,  and  Mrs.  Mease. 
Incurved — Duchess  of  Fife,*  Frank  Hammond,*  Madame  Lucie 
Faure,*  Lady  Isabel,  General  Symons,*  Ma  Perfection,  Mrs. 
H.  J.  Jones,  C.  H.  Curtis,*  Nellie  Threlfall,  W.  Tunnington,* 
Bonnie  Dundee,*  and  J.  Agate.  Mr.  R.  Jones,  gardener  to  C.  A. 
Smith-Ryland,  Esq.,  Barford  Hill,  won  the  second  prize  with  a 
very  fine  exhibit.  His  Japanese  were  large,  fresh,  and  well 
coloured.  Many  of  his  incurveds  were  also  of  fine  depth,  and 
solid,  but  he  lost  a  few  points  on  the  others.  The  third  prize 
went  to  Mr.  W.  L.  Bastin,  gardener  to  A.  Henderson,  Esq.,  M.P., 
Farringdon.  He"  also  staged  grand  incurveds,  but  fell  away  con¬ 
siderably  with  the  Japanese.  Messrs.  Chandler  and  Jones  secured 
(in  the  order  given)  the  prizes  for  twelve  incurveds  in  not  less 
than  nine  varieties.  For  twelve  Japanese  distinct  the  prizes 
went  to  Mr.  Chandler,  Mr.  Blakeway,  and  Mr.  Jones.  Six 
grand  blooms  of  Madame  Cadbury  secured  for  Mr.  Chandler  the 
special  prize  offered  for  that  number  of  Japanese  blooms,  and 
Mr.  L.  Bastin  won  for  six  incurved  with  deep,  solid  blooms  of 
Countess  of  Warwick,  Madame  Lucie  Faure,  and  Mrs.  J.  Eadie. 
This  prize  was  a  Silver  Medal  given  by  the  Ichthemic  Guano 
Company. 
In  the  local  class  for  twelve  Japanese,  Mr.  W.  Goodman,  gar¬ 
dener  to  P.  A.  Leaf,  Esq.,  was  first,  and  Mr.  W.  Wright,  gar¬ 
dener  to  M.  P.  Lucas,  Esq.,  second.  Mr.  Jones  won  the  cruet- 
stand  offered  by  Messrs.  Burgis  and  Col  bourne  for  twelve 
Japanese,  being  followed  by  Mr.  Goodman.  For  twelve  Chrysan¬ 
themums  on  long  stems,  arranged  in  a  vase,  Mr.  J.  Rench,  gar¬ 
dener  to  Alderman  G.  A.  Bland,  was  first,  Messrs.  Goodman  and 
Wright  following  in  the  order  named. 
Floral  Designs. — Mr.  W.  Finch,  of  Coventry,  was  first  for  a 
bouquet  of  Chrysanthemums,  with  a  well  finished  example,  Mr. 
Vause,  Leamington,  being  second,  and  Mr.  C.  Finch  third.  For 
a  cross  of  Chrysanthemums  Mr.  C.  Finch  won  with  a  splendid 
exhibit,  being  followed  by  Mr.  Vause,  and  Mr.  R.  Greenfield, 
jun.,  Leamington.  The  three  last-named  exhibitors  won  in  the 
same  order  for  a  wreath  of  Chrysanthemums.  Mr.  W.  Draper, 
gardener  to  R.  C.  Milne,  Esq.,  wras  first  for  six  foliage  plants  in 
5in  pots.  The  Leamington  Nurserymen  and  Florists  second,  and 
Mr.  Chandler  third. 
Groups. — For  a  miscellaneous  group  of  plants  (Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  excluded),  not  to  exceed  100  square  feet,  prizes  of  £5,  £3, 
and  £2  were  offered.  The  Leamihgton  Nurserymen  and  Florists 
here  created  a  delightful  feature,  and  won  the  first  prize  well. 
A  low  arch  formed  the  centre ;  this  was  surmounted  by  a  mass  of 
scarlet  Salvia,  graceful  foliage  plants,  and  Orchids.  Pedestals 
of  cork  were  also  employed  here  and  there,  brightly  coloured  and 
graceful  plants  being  arranged  in  prominent  positions,  the  whole 
springing  from  a  groundwork  of  moss,  formed  one  of  the  great 
features  of  the  show.  Mr.  Vause  was  second.  He,  too,  staged 
a  grand  group.  The  same  firm  also  proved  victorious  in  the  class 
for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  in1  pots ;  the  blooms  were  of  high 
quality,  and  the  arrangement  very  smart. 
Dinner  Table  Decorations. — For  a  decorated  dinner  table, 
fully  laid,  three  contestante  entered  the  field.  Mr.  W.  Vause 
proved  the  winner;  his  arrangement  was  well  finished,  but 
slightly  heavy.  The  Leamington  Nurserymen  and  Florists,  who 
came  in  second,  showed  in  their  design  a  pretty  idea,  but  the 
general  arrangement  of  the  flowers  lacked  finish,  and  the  surface 
needed  light  materials  to  take  off  the  flatness.  Mr.  E.  M.  Garlic 
was  a  good  third  ;  his  arrangement  was  well  balanced,  but  lacked 
finish  at  some  points.  Some  of  the  flowers  had  lost  their  glossy 
freshness,  and  the  pale  yellow  material  down  the  centre  of  the 
table  did  not  harmonise  well  with  the  flowers  used. 
Fruits. — For  a  collection  of  fruit,  Mr.  T.  Kean,  gardener  to 
F.  Williams,  Esq.,  Barford,  was  first.  He  staged  upwards  of 
twenty  dishes,  principally  consisting  of  very  fine  Apples  and 
Pears.  Mr.  E.  Crump,  Leamington,  who  was  placed  second,  put 
up  a  very  smart  exhibit,  which  contained  several  fine  bunches  of 
Grapes,  and  good  pyramids  of  Apples,  and  some  good  dishes  of 
Pears ;  but  the  greater  number  of  fine  dishes  in  his  opponent’s 
collection  placed  him  slightly  ahead.  The  committee  will  pro¬ 
bably  next  year  see  their  way  to  limit  the  number  of  dishes. 
Third,  Mr.  C.  Hunt,  Barford.  Mr.  Chandler  won  the  principal 
prizes  for  Grapes,  among  them  being  one  offered  by  Messrs. 
W.  Thomson  and  Sons,  Limited,  Clovenfords.  He  also  won  for 
three  dishes  of  dessert  Apples,  Mr.  Kean  being  first  for  a  like 
number  of  Pears. 
Miscellaneous  Exhibits. — These  were  a  great  feature,  and 
deserve  more  notice  than  limited  space  will  allow  us  to  give. 
Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons,  of  Reading,  staged  a  wonderful  collec¬ 
tion  of  Potatoes  and  Cyclamen.  The  former  were  handsome  in 
