Xoveinber  22,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
471 
Cliester,  November  13tli  and 
The  eleventh  annual  show  of  fruit  and  Chrysanthemums  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Chester  Paxton  Society  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall  on 
the  dates  named,  and  was  an  unprecedented  success.  Lady  Lattice 
Grosvenor  opened  the  exhibition  in  presence  of  a  large  and  fashionable 
gathering  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  and  congratulated  the  committee  on 
the  outcome  of  their  efforts.  The  entries  exceeded  those  of  any 
previous  exhibition,  while  so  great  an  advance  was  noticeable  in  the 
cultivation,  particularly  of  the  popular  winter  flower,  that  plants. which 
several  years  back  would  have  been  awarded  honours,  this  year  were  not 
deemed  worthy  of  notice  when  compared  with  their  gorgeous  betters. 
In  the  competition  for  the  best  group  of  Chrysanthemums,  for  the 
third  time  in  succession  Mr.  Edwin  Stubbs,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Hudson, 
Bacbe  Hall,  carried  off  first  prize,  a  fresh  exhibitor,  Mr.  T.  Gibbons- 
Frost  of  Mollington,  Banastree,  being  a  good  second ;  a  veteran 
exhibitor,  Mr.  John  Taylor,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Potts  of  Hoole  Hall,  was 
third  ;  and  Mr.  Arthur  Ellis,  gardener  at  the  County  Asylum,  fourth. 
The  groups  were  so  excellent  that  the  judges  declared  they  had  never 
seen  them  equalled.  The  classes  for  specimen  plants  and  cut  blooms 
were  all  well  competed  for,  the  principal  prizewinners  being  Mr.  S. 
Garner,  gardener  to  Mrs.  McLaren,  Curzon  Park;  Mr.  Robt.  Wakefield, 
Newton  Hall;  Mr.  Thos.  Weaver,  Christleton  Hall;  Mr.  F.  W.  Soames, 
and  Mr.  T.  Case  Morris. 
There  was  a  magnificent  collection  of  fruit.  In  the  gardeners’ 
classes  for  home  grown  Apples  the  class  for  twenty-four  distinct  dishes 
brought  out  strong  competition.  The  first  honours  went  to  a  local 
grower,  Edward  Paul,  Esq.,  of  Barrow  (gardener,  Mr.  H.  Fletcher),  a 
near  neighbour  in  H.  Lyle  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Barrowmore  Hall,  (gardener, 
Mr.  Morris),  being  awarded  second  honours,  while  Lord  Combermere 
had  this  year  to  be  content  with  the  third  prize. 
For  smaller  growers  the  classes  this  year  were  made  for  twelve  and 
six  varieties.  For  the  best  twelve  Mr.  J.  Saunderson  of  Bodnant  Hall 
easily  took  first  prize.  Mrs.  Townsend  Ince  was  second,  and  the  Hon. 
Mrs.  Kenyon  third.  In  the  class  for  six  dishes  Mr.  Simon  Nowell  of 
Whitby  Heath  was  first,  Captain  Feilden,  Mollington  Hall,  second,  and 
Mr.  R.  R.  Salmon  of  Rowton  third.  The  entries  for  Pears  were  much 
above  the  average,  and  the  quality  was  of  an  unusually  high  standard. 
For  the  best  collection  of  six  distinct  dishes  the  Rev.  L.  Garnett  of 
Christleton  Rectory  carried  off  the  first  honours,  Lord  Combermere 
being  second,  and  Mr.  H.  Lyle  Smyth  third.  The  most  attractive  dish 
of  Pears  in  the  exhibition  was  the  Pitmaston  Duchess  staged  by  Mr. 
J.  Saunderson,  who  gained  the  first  prize;  Captain  Feilden  (gardener 
Mr.  C.  Worker)  was  second,  while  the  Rev.  L.  Garnett  was  third.  Other 
chief  competitors  in  this  section  were  Mrs.  Ambrose  Dixon,  Christleton; 
Mr.  J.  W.  Macfie,  Rowton  Hall;  Mr.  John  Thompson  of  Netherleigh,  and 
Mrs.  Arthur  Potts  of  Hoole  Hall.  The  all-comers’  section  for  the  best 
collection  of  fifty  distinct  dishes  of  Apples  brought  out  splendid 
collections  grown  by  Mr.  John  Watkins,  Withington,  Hereford,  and 
Messrs.  Pewtress  Bros.,  Tillington  Nurseries,  Hereford. 
A  most  meritorious  collection  of  fruit  and  flowers  sent  by  his  Grace 
the  Duke  of  Westminster  (gardener,  Mr.  Barnes)  was  awarded  the  society’s 
gold  medal.  Excellent  displays  were  also  made  by  Messrs.  Dicksons, 
Ltd.,  who  staged  flowering  and  foliage  plants.  Apples,  Pears,  &c.  ; 
Messrs.  McHattie  &  Co.,  and  Mr.  F.  W.  Dutton,  all  of  Chester.  Mr. 
Robt.  Wakefield  acted  as  chairman  of  committee,  with  Mr.  G.  P.  Miln 
as  hon.  secretary. 
Winchester,  November  13th  and  14tli. 
As  usual,  the  autumn  exhibition  was  held  in  the  Guildhall,  and 
was  an  unqualified  success.  Never  has  a  better  show  been  held  here 
than  the  present  display.  Cut  blooms  are  always  of  high  quality,  the 
present  being  no  exception.  The  competition  is  keen ;  plants,  too,  are 
well  displayed,  while  fruit  and  vegetables  leave  little  to  be  desired. 
Groups  of  Chrysanthemums  arranged  for  effect,  as  usual,  were 
characterised  by  high  culture.  Mr.  G.  Street,  gardener  to  Rev.  Dr. 
Fearon,  The  College,  Winchester,  secured  the  premier  award  with  a 
capital  exhibit.  Mr.  R.  Stone,  gardener  to  the  Ven.  Archdeacon  Haigh, 
The  Close,  Winchester,  was  a  good  second.  Plants  suitable  for  con¬ 
servatory  decoration  were  well  shown.  The  plants  are  dwarf, 
untrained,  and  carry  remarkably  fine  blooms.  For  six,  any  variety, 
Mr.  G.  Adams,  gardener  to  Col.  Dickins,  Edge  Hill,  Winchester,  was 
first  prizewinner  with  an  admirable  set;  Mr.  H.  Pittman,  gardener  to 
H.  Sewell,  Esq.,  Otterbourne,  a  good  second  ;  Mr.  H.  Gigg,  gardener 
tc  the  Rev.  R.  M.  Moorsom,  Holyrood,  Winchester,  third.  In  the  class 
for  six  white  flowered  varieties  there  was  a  stiff  competition.  Mr. 
Adams  won  with  Ma  Perfection  ;  Mr.  E.  Astridge,  gardener  to 
W.  Barrow  Simmonds,  Esq.,  Abbots  Barton,  Winchester,  was  second  ; 
Mr.  Gigg  third.  Mr.  Adams  followed  up  his  previous  success  by 
annexing  the  premier  award  for  six  yellow  flowered  varieties  with 
grand  examples  of  C.  H.  Curtis,  W.  H.  Lincoln,  and  Phoebus  ;  Mr. 
Cousins,  gardener  to  E.  H.  Buckland,  Esq.,  Southgate  House,  Win- 
Chester,  second ;  Mr.  Pitmann  third.  In  the  single  specimens  Mr.  A. 
Taylor,  3,  Hillside  Terrace,  Bar  End,  Winchester,  was  unapproachable, 
winning  first  place  for  a  fine  plant  of  Golden  Christine,  for  a  standard 
(Siveus),  and  also  for  Phoebus  in  the  amateurs’  division. 
For  twenty-four  incurved  and  the  same  number  of  Japanese,  distinct, 
a  handsome  silver  vase  was  offered  with  a  substantial  money  prize. 
For  this  there  were  five  competitors,  making  a  bold  di.splay.  Mr. 
Neville,  gardener  to  F.  W.  Flight,  Esq.,  Cornstiles,  Twyford,  was 
easily  first  with  a  handsome  set  of  blooms.  The  incurved  were  large, 
solid  and  beautifully  arranged.  The  varieties  were  Mrs.  R.  C. 
Kingston,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Madame  Feriat,  Ohrysantheme  Bruant, 
lalene,  Mrs.  H.  J.  Jones,  Hanwell  Glory,  Le  Macedeon,  Topaze 
Orientals,  Dun  d’Orleans,  Ma  Perfection,  Miss  V.  Foster,  Yvonne 
Desblanc,  C,  H.  Curais,  Lord  Wolseley,  Golden  Empress,  Golden 
Queen  of  England,  Violet  Tomlin,  Miss  M.  A.  Haggas,  Mrs.  Coleman, 
Emile  Nonin,  Lucy  Kendall,  R.  Petfield,  and  Princess  of  Wales. 
Japanese  :  Duke  of  York,  Mrs.  W.  Mease,  E.  Molyneux,  Lady  Hanham, 
G.  J.  Warren,  Mr.  T.  Carrington,  Mrs.  Coombes,  Madame  Carnot, 
Graphic,  Mrs.  J.  Lewis,  Phoebus,  Mrs.  Weeks,  Sir  H.  Kitchener,  Miss 
A.  Byron,  Modesto,  E.  Towers,  J.  R.  Upton,  Mrs.  Cursham,  Simplicity, 
Edith  Dashwood,  Mr.  C.  Blick,  Souvenir  de  Madame  F.  Rosette,  Miss  N. 
Pockett,  and  J.  C.  Schwabe.  Mr.  G.  Hall,  gardener  to  Lady  Louisa 
Ashburton,  Melchet  Court,  Romsey,  a  good  second.  Mr.  J.  Hughes, 
gardener  to  Messrs.  A.  Hart  &  Sons,  Guildford,  third. 
In  the  class  for  twenty-four  Japanese,  Mr.  J.  Wasley,  gardener  to 
J.  B.  Taylor,  Esq.,  Sherfield  Manor,  Basingstoke,  had  the  best  exhibit 
amongst  five  entries  :  Messrs.  Street  and  Hall  followed  in  the  order  here 
given.  Mr.  Neville  won  pride  of  place  for  twelve  incurved  with  a  stand 
of  even  sized,  neatly  finished  blooms.  Mr.  A.  J.  Marsh,  gardener  to 
M.  Hodgson,  Esq.,  Morton  House,  Kingsworthy,  was  second,  and  Mr.  C. 
Smith,  gardener  to  W.  J.  Forwood,  Esq.,  Hook,  third. 
For  twelve  blooms  in  four  varieties,  three  of  each,  Mr.  Neville  once 
more  secured  the  leading  award  with  handsome  examples,  if  small,  of 
C.  H.  Curtis,  Mrs.  R.  C.  Kingston,  lalene,  and  Hanwell  Glory.  Mr. 
Hughes  followed  with  larger  blooms,  but  a  trifle  wanting  in  finish. 
Five  competed  in  the  class  for  twelve  Japanese.  The  premier  award 
was  secured  by  Mr.  L.  Dawes,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Ogilvie,  Rosecroft, 
Hambledon,  Mr.  W.  Hunt,  gardener  to  J.  Moss,  Esq.,  Fern  Hill, 
Blackwater,  second. 
Numerous  classes  were  provided  for  local  growers,  which  were  well 
filled ;  space,  however,  forbids  details,  a  similar  remark  applying  to 
the  amateur  and  cottagers’  exhibits.  Mr.  W.  Hunt  secured  the  leading 
award  for  Pompons,  in  a  special  class  for  this  section,  with  a  praise¬ 
worthy  exhibit.  Several  classes  were  devoted  to  ladies,  table  decoration, 
epergnes,  vases  of  Chrysanthemums,  foliage,  and  berries,  all  of  which 
were  well  filled  with  praiseworthy  exhibits. 
Hull,  November  14tli  and  15th. 
The  seventeenth  annual  show  of  the  Hull  and  East  Riding  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  Society  was  held  in  the  Artillery  Barracks  on  the  above 
dates.  The  competition  was  not  so  keen  in  some  of  the  classes  as 
we  have  seen  in  previous  years.  This  was  more  noticeable  in  the 
group  sections  than  in  those  for  out  blooms ;  the  groups,  too,  had  not 
the  exceptional  excellence  that  has  characterised  them  in  the  past, 
but  these  will  probably  improve  again  in  succeeding  years.  There 
was  only  one  miscellaneous  group,  and  this,  too,  lacked  elegance  of 
arrangement  and  quality  of  plant  culture  as  compared  with  those 
from  Mr.  Wilson  of  Swanland  with  which  visitors  to  Hull  have  become 
accustomed. 
In  previous  seasons  we  have  had  the  pleasure  of  testifying  to  the 
exceptional  excellence  of  the  arrangements  made  by  Messrs.  Edward 
Harland  and  Jas.  Dixon.  In  several  respects  the  Hull  executive 
teaches  lessons  to  the  managers  of  other  societies.  The  most  com¬ 
mendable  point,  however,  is  that  of  punctuality.  Judging  is  advertised 
to  commence  at  ten  o’clock,  and  done  or  not  done  exhibitors  have  to 
go  out  at  that  moment,  for  Mr.  Dixon  passes  the  word  for  everyone 
to  clear  for  the  judges.  This  enables  the  judges  to  carry  out  their 
duties  in  a  manner  that  is  satisfactory  to  the  society,  the  exhibitors, 
and  to  the  judges  themselves,  with  the  natural  result  that  an  excellent 
feeling  is  maintained.  Then,  too,  a  complete  prize  list  is  printed  and 
on  sale  in  the  show  some  half-hour  or  rather  more  after  the  judging 
is  completed,  and  for  this  alone  the  society  is  to  be  congratulated. 
The  quality  of  the  out  blooms  was  generally  excellent,  and  with 
increased  competition  the  show  would  easily  maintain  its  reputation  as 
one  of  the  foremost  exhibitions  in  the  kingdom. 
Open  Classes — Cut  Blooms. 
There  were  only  two  competitors  in  the  class  for  twenty-four 
incurved,  in  not  less  than  eighteen  varieties,  and  not  more  than  two 
blooms  of  any  one  variety.  The  position  of  honour  was  taken  by  Mr. 
W.  Higgs,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Hankey,  Esq.,  Fetcham  Park,  Leatherhead, 
who  staged  in  practically  perfect  form.  The  varieties  were  Duchess  of 
Fife,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Geo.  Haigh,  Countess  of  Warwick,  Ma  Perfection, 
Topaze  Orientate,  Hanwell  Glory,  lalene,  Mrs.  W.  Harvey,  Lady  Isobel, 
Globe  d’Or,  Dorothy  Foster,  Ralph  Hatton,  Bonnie  Dundee,  Mrs.  H.  J. 
Jones,  Mrs.  G.  Williams,  C.  B.  Whitnall,  Mdlle  Lucie  Faure,  and  Miss  A. 
Hills.  The  premier  incurved,  C.  H.  Curtis,  in  the  open  division  was  in 
this  stand.  Mr.  W.  Mease,  gardener  to  A.  Tate,  Esq.,  Downside,  Leather- 
head,  was  second  with  Ralph  Hatton,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Countess  of 
Warwick,  Mrs.  H.  J.  Jones,  Miss  A.  Hills,  Ma  Perfection,  Lord  Rosebery, 
and  Topaze  Orientale  as  his  best. 
