158 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  16.  19(0. 
({orticultural  Shows. 
Moseley  aijd  King’s  Heatlj,  Angnst  7tli. 
This  society  celebrated  its  majority  on  the  above  date  by  holding 
the  annual  show  in  a  large  field  adjoining  the  charming  grounds  of  the 
Priory,  the  residence  of  J.  H.  Cartland,  Esq.  Fortunately  the  weather 
proved  propitious. 
The  competition  in  “  groups,  arrangement  for  effect”  was  not  so  keen 
as  on  some  former  occasions.  Mr.  Alfred  Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  A. 
Kenrick,  Esq.,  Borrow  Court,  Edgbaston,  was  first,  and  Mr.  E.  J.  Mustin, 
gardener  to  A.  F.  Bird,  Esq.,  The  Firs,  Moseley,  second.  Mr.  Cryer  was 
the  only  exhibitor  in  the  class  for  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants. 
Exotic  Ferns  were  most  creditably  shown  by  Mr.  Mustin  and  Mr.  G. 
Robinson,  gardener  to  J.  H.  Cartland,  Esq.  Single  Zonal  Geraniums 
were  also  well  staged  by  the  two  last  exhibitors  in  the  order  named. 
Coleuses  were  finely  represented  by  Messrs.  Cryer,  G.  Robinson,  and 
Mustin.  For  three  Palms  Mr.  Mustin  had  an  easy  win  with  elegant 
specimens  in  variety.  Mr.  G.  Robinson  was  the  only  exhibitor  of 
Dracaenas  with  large  and  well  coloured  specimens,  and  also  Caladium^. 
Messrs  A.  Crjer  and  Mustin  were  successful  with  six  table  plants. 
Gloxinias  were  a  feature,  and  the  first  prize  for  six  plants  taken  by 
Mr.  E.  J.  Mustin  were  notable  for  close  arrangement  of  their  erect, 
shapely  blooms,  and  rich  or  delicate  colouration.  Carnations  and 
Picotees  were  remarkably  well  staged  by  Mr.  John  Dewey  and  Mr.  W.  H. 
Paton,  King’s  Heath,  with  blooms  of  the  leading  varieties  extant. 
i  Floral  decorations  for  dinner  tables  were  much  in  evidence,  and 
most  tastefully  arranged,  more  especially  the  equal  first  prize  examples 
by  Miss  Boaler  and  Mrs.  Mustin,  while  the  baskets  of  flowers  for  dinner 
table  decoration  by  Mrs.  Mustin  and  Mrs.  H.  A.  Burberry  displayed 
considerable  artistic  taste.  Bouquets  also  merit  a  word  of  praise.  For 
a  shower  bridal  bouquet  Mr.  S.  Johnson,  Balsall  Heath,  was  placed  first; 
Mr.  E.  Burden,  Moseley,  second  ;  and  Mr.  Mustin  in  the  third  position. 
For  circular  ballroom  bouquets  Mr.  S.  Johnson  again  scored,  Mr. 
Mustin  being  a  close  second. 
Sweet  Peas  were  very  well  represented,  and  the  contest  for  the 
prizes  offered  by  Mr.  R.  Sydenham,  Birmingham,  was  keen,  Mr.  W.  H. 
Paton,  King’s  Heath ;  Mr.  James  Austin,  Sparkbrook  ;  and  Mr.  H. 
Hoyne,  King’s  Heath,  being  the  victors  according  to  order  named. 
Fruit,  on  the  whole,  was  never  better  shown  here,  the  Grapes 
especially  being  remarkably  good.  For  three  bunches  of  black  Grapes 
Mr.  Ganderton  was  placed  first  with  medium  sized  bunches,  large 
hammered  berries,  with  perfect  bloom  upon  them.  Mr.  G.  Robinson 
was  second  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Drury,  gardener  to  R.  P.  Franklin,  Esq.,  third. 
For  three  bunches  white  Grapes  Mr.  G.  Robinson  was  first  with  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  with  very  well  ripened  large  berries;  the  second  prize 
falling  to  Mr.  A.  Ganderton  with  Foster’s  Seedling,  large  both  in  bunch 
and  berry.  For  two  bunches  black  Grapes  Mr.  Ganderton  again  scored 
with  meritorious  examples,  and  Mr.  G.  Robinson  was  a  close  second. 
Mr.  E.  J.  Mustin  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  a  single  dish  of  Peaches,  and 
gained  the  first  prize  for  fine  and  well  coloured  fruit.  For  a  collection 
of  six  dishes  of  fruit  Mr.  A.  Ganderton  was  to  the  fore  with  very  good 
Black  Hamburgh,  Buckland  Sweetwater,  Peaches,  a  Melon,  Morello 
Cherries,  Gooseberries,  and  Black  Currants.  Hardy  fruits,  flowers, 
and  vegetables  were  well  staged  by  amateurs  and  cottagers,  as  well  as 
gentlemen’s  gardeners. 
Leicester,  August  7th  and  8th. 
The  great  exhibition  held  in  the  beautiful  Abbey  Park  on  the  above 
dates  was  undoubtedly  the  finest  ever  seen  in  this  flourishing  Midland 
town.  In  almost  every  section  the  exhibits  showed  a  decided  advance 
upon  those  of  last  year.  The  management  committee  have  just  cause 
to  congratulate  themselves  upon  the  success  of  their  efforts,  and  also 
upon  the  fact  that  the  show  opened  on  Tuesday  instead  of  Monday,  for 
the  rain  fell  in  a  perfect  deluge  throughout  the  popular  bank  holiday  ; 
and  although  Tuesday  was  not  an  ideal  day  for  a  show,  fortunately  only 
a  few  slight  showers  occurred  to  mar  the  enjoyment  of  the  24,000  who 
passed  the  turnstile.  The  terrific  gale  of  Monday  night  unfortunately  did 
considerable  damage,  as  it  levelled  several  of  the  tents  with  the  ground, 
and  damaged  many  valuable  plants  in  the  tent  where  several  of  the 
groups  had  been  arranged,  causing  the  exhibitors  to  have  the  whole  of 
their  work  to  perform  a  second  time,  and  with  less  satisfactory  results 
because  of  the  damaged  plants. 
The  grounds  of  the  Abbey  Park  were  in  exceptionally  fine  condition, 
for  although  the  heavy  rains  had  taken  the  brightness  from  the  flower 
beds,  everything  looked  so  fresh  and  clean.  The  subtropical  beds  near 
the  entrance  were  pictures  of  grace  and  beauty,  and  on  all  sides  great 
use  had  been  made  of  huge  vases  tastefully  filled  with  plants.  Mr.  Jno. 
Burn  and  his  assistants  have  ceitainly  just  cause  to  be  proud  of  the  con¬ 
dition  of  the  park.  In  attending  to  the  numerous  details  of  the  show, 
Mr.  Burn  is  also  indefatigable,  and  his  geniality  wins  the  esteem  of  all 
exhibitors  who  often  make  a  point  of  showing  at  Leicester,  even  if  it 
entails  great  personal  inconvenience. 
Groups  and  Specimen  Plants. 
Groups  were  undoubtedly  the  great  feature  of  the  show,  and 
judging  by  the  way  the  crowds  lingered  to  admire  the  beautiful 
combination  of  form  and  colour  they  provided,  it  is  evident  that  an 
appeal  to  the  artistic  taste  of  the  masses  is  not  often  made  in  vain.. 
The  prizes  offered  for  the  most  tastefully  arranged  group  to  occupy 
160  superficial  feet  were  £20,  £15,  £10,  and  £5.  The  veteran  from 
Cheltenham,  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  secured  the  coveted  award  with  an 
arrangement  which  for  lightness,  artistic  taste,  and  exquisite  finish 
could  not  easily  be  surpassed.  A  light,  wide  arch  formed  the  centre, 
this  being  topped  by  a  beautiful  Phoenix  ;  a  basket  of  Nephrolepis  wa& 
suspended  from  the  centre,  above  it  hung  a  well-flowered  plant  of 
Epidendrum  vittelinum  majus  growing  on  a  block,  and  the  arch  was 
lightly  dressed  with  Orchids,  Ferns,  foliage  plants,  and  creepers.  Thfr 
corners  were  formed  of  bold,  heavily  topped  and  graceful  Bamboos,  and 
filled  in  with  Orchids,  foliage  plants,  and  Ferns.  Mr.  H.  Rogers, 
Leicester,  was  a  good  second  with  a  well-finished  group.  The  third 
award  went  to  Messrs.  Artindale  &  Son,  Sheffield,  who  put  up  a  showy 
group  similar  in  method  and  arrangement  to  second  prize  one,  but  not 
so  varied  or  so  well  finished.  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Leamington,  was  fourth. 
An  Orchid  temple  formed  the  centre ;  the  whole  design  was  very 
lightly  worked  out,  and  it  is  unfortunate  that  so  fine  an  idea  should 
have  been  marred  by  damaged  plants.  May  the  gales  of  Leicester 
treat  you  more  kindly  in  the  future,  Mr.  Vause  !  An  extra  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  H.  Blakeway,  gardener  to  —  Muntz,  Esq.,  Rugby,  for  a 
light  and  pretty  arrangement.  Plants  were  not  largely  shown.  The 
last  named  exhibitor  was  first  for  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  and 
Mr.  H.  Rogers  occupied  a  like  position  for  the  same  number  of  exotic- 
Ferns.  In  each  case  the  specimens  staged  were  in  fine  condition, 
though  not  of  large  size. 
Fruit  and  Vegetables. 
The  exhibits  in  the  fruit  section  were  good  throughout,  the  black 
Grapes  being  uniformly  well  coloured.  Mr.  J.  Goodacre,  gardener  tc 
the  Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle,  Derby,  won  the  £6  offered  as 
a  first  prize  for  a  collection  of  eight  dishes.  He  staged  Black  HamJjurgh 
Grapes,  shapely  in  bunch  and  beautifully  coloured;  Canon  Hall  Muscat, 
Madresfield  Court,  fine  in  bunch,  grand  in  berry,  but  wants  a  shade 
more  colour  at  the  base  of  the  berries ;  Barrington  and  Royal  George 
Peaches  of  good  size  and  finely  coloured;  Lord  Napier  and  Elruge 
Nectarines,  the  latter  very  fine  in  colour,  and  a  good  Melon.  Mr.  J. 
Doe,  Rufford  Abbey,  was  second  ;  his  best  dishes  were  fine  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  and  Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  a  good  Queen  Pine,  well 
coloured  Dymond  Peaches,  and  Lord  Napier  Nectarines.  The  third 
award  went  to  Mr.  A.  McCulloch,  Newstead  Abbey,  who  had  grand 
Madresfield  Court  Grapes  and  Barrington  Peaches.  Mr.  Read,  gardener 
to  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  Bretby  Park,  was  fourth. 
For  eight  dishes.  Pine  excluded,  Mr.  Goodacre  again  scored,  staging 
fine  examples  of  Black  Hamburgh  and  Canon  Hall  Muscat  Grapes,  a 
beautiful  Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  Royal  George  Peaches,  and  Elruge 
Nectarines,  highly  coloured  Negro  Largo  Figs,  Kirk’s  Plum,  and  Lady 
Sudeley  Apples.  Mr.  McCulloch  was  second ;  his  Madresfield  Court 
Grapes  were  grand,  and  Peaches,  Melon,  and  Figs  good.  The  third 
prize  fell  to  Mr.  Doe,  and  the  fourth  to  Mr.  Read.  For  a  collection  of 
four  varieties  of  Grapes  there  was  strong  competition.  Mr.  McCulloch 
proved  the  victor,  staging  large  bunches  of  Madresfield  Court,  well 
coloured,  excepting  a  few  berries  at  the  foot  of  one  bunch ;  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  large  and  shapely ;  huge  clusters  of  Black  Hamburgh  and 
Gros  Maroc,  moderate  in  size  of  bunch,  but  well  coloured.  Mr.  Good- 
acre  was  second.  He  staged  Muscat  Hamburgh  in  fine  condition,  large 
bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  Canon  Hall  Muscat,  and  Muscat  of 
Alexandria.  Mr.  Read  was  third.  For  two  bunches  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  Grapes,  Mr.  Duncan,  Bosworth  Hall  Gardens,  proved  the 
winner  with  large  well-coloured  examples.  Mr.  McCulloch  was  first  for 
a  like  number  of  Black  Hamburghs.  For  any  other  black  Mr.  Goodacre 
proved  victorious  with  Madresfield  Court;  and  for  any  other  white,. 
Mr.  A.  J.  Elphinstone,  Nottingham,  scored  with  beautifully  coloured 
examples  of  Buckland  Sweetwater.  Mr.  McCulloch  was  first  for 
Peaches  with  Stirling  Castle,  Mr.  Read  for  Nectarines  with  a  lovely 
dish  of  Elruge ;  Mr.  Elphinstone  won  for  both  green  and  scarlet-fleshed 
Melon,  and  Mr.  Goodacre  was  first  for  a  dish  of  Figs  and  for  Cherries. 
Vegetables  were  largely  and  well  shown ;  the  various  collections 
made  quite  a  display  in  themselves.  For  twelve  distinct  varieties  Mr. 
J.  Hudson,  Leicester,  was  an  easy -first  with  a  wonderfully  clean  collec¬ 
tion  of  good  quality  throughout.  He  staged  Onions  in  fine  condition, 
grand  Perfection  Tomatoes,  Leeks,  Celery,  Beet,  Potatoes,  Peas,  Beane, 
Carrots,  Cucumbers,  Marrows,  and  Celery.  Unfortunately  the  varietal 
names  were  not  attached.  Mr.  Read,  who  was  second,  staged  fine 
Onions,  Peas,  and  Carrots.  The  third  award  went  to  Mr.  R.  Shaw, 
Garendon  Park  Gardens.  Mr.  Hudson  also  won  for  six  dishes  of 
Potatoes,  three  round  and  three  kidney,  being  large  clean  tubers,. 
Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  offered  special  prizes  for  six  distinct  kinds.  The 
first  prize  went  to  Mr.  R.  Shaw  for  a  collection  of  all-round  excellence, 
consisting  of  Onions,  Tomatoes,  Cauliflowers,  Potatoes,  Peas,  and 
Beans.  Mr.  E.  Jackson  was  second,  and  Mr.  R.  Hoe  third.  The  winner 
of  the  first  prize  offered  by  Messrs.  Harrison  &  Sons  of  Leicester  was 
Mr.  H.  Taylor,  Leicester.  Mr.  J.  Green  was  successful  in  winning  the 
