10 
July  2,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE 
AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Societies. 
Yorkshire  Gala,  June  24th,  25th,  and  28th. 
This  exhibition,  the  forty-fifth  in  succession,  was  held  in 
Boothani  Park,  York,  on  June  21  and  two  succeeding  days.  The 
exhibits  this  season  were  slightly  fewer  than  usual,  owing  to  the 
very  untoward  season,  but  the  show  was  still  most  attractive,  and 
on  the  opening  day  was  favoured  with  ideal  weather.  Arranged 
in  five  large  tents  Opening  into  one  another,  the  show  was  a  most 
effective  one,  and  arranged  in  such  a  way  as  to  reflect  much  credit 
on  the  management,  and  especially  to  the  exertions  of  Mr.  Fred 
Arey,  the  energetic  and  courteous  secretary,  who  did  everything 
possible  for  the  convenience  of  exhibitors  and  competitors. 
Plants. 
Groups. — The  leading  feature  of  the  plant  classes  was  the  com¬ 
petition  for  groups,  the  prize  being  for  a  group  of  plants  in  or 
out  of  bloom,  arranged  for  effect,  space  not  exceeding  300  square 
feet.  There  were  five  competitors,  all  of  very  equal  merit,  and 
all  most  meritorious.  The  designs  of  the  whole  were  most  similar, 
differing  only  in  detail,  and  while  all  had  grace  and  effectiveness, 
it  is  regrettable  that  in  every  case  the  same  general  plan  was  fol¬ 
lowed,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  limit  of  design  in  plant 
arrangement  has  not  been  reached.  The  plants  used,  generally 
speaking,  were  of  much  merit.  Palms  were  in  fine  health  and 
appropriate  in  size  to  the  general  design.  -Crotons  were  beauti¬ 
fully  coloured.  Variegated  Abutilons  were  most  graceful  and 
effective  ;  Acalypha  tricolor  was  also  prominent  and  beautiful 
among  flowering  subjects.  Lilium  longiflorum  was  largely  in 
evidence,  and  several  of  the  groups  were  rich  in  cut  stems  of 
Odontoglossum  crispum.  The  judges  had  a  hard  task  in  deciding, 
where  all  were  good,  and  spent  a  very  long  time  over  their  task, 
the  first  prize  being  eventually  awarded  to  James  Blacker,  Esq., 
Selby  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  Curtis);  second,  Mr.  J.  S.  Sharp, 
Almondbury,  Huddersfield ;  third,  Messrs.  Artindale  and  Son, 
Sheffield  ;  and  fourth,  E.  B.  Faber,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Harrogate  (gar¬ 
dener,  Mr.  W.  Townsend). 
Specimen  Plants. — In  the  open  classes  for  twelve,  six,  .and 
three  plants  in  bloom,  Messrs.  Cypher  and  Son,  Cheltenham, 
were  easil,y  first  with  beautiful  examples  from  their  well-known 
collections,  prominent  being  beautiful  plants  of  Statice  inter¬ 
media,  Txora  Williamsi  and  salicifolia,  Bougainvillea  C,vpheri, 
Ericas  Bothwelliana  and  Candolleana,  Dracophyllum  gracile,  Ac. 
Col.  Harrison,  Broadle,v,  was  second,  for  twelve  plants,  and  was 
the  onl.v  exhibitor  for  six  .specimens  open  to  amateurs  only.  For 
one  specimen  greenhouse  plant  (open)  ther§  were  ten  entries,  the 
first  prize  again  going  to  Messrs.  CVplier  with  a  grand  specimen 
of  their  Bougainvillea.  In  the  classes  for  fine  foliaged  and  varie¬ 
gated  plants,  Messrs.  C.ypher  held  leading  position,  with  fine, 
healthy,  well-cultured  specimens,  their  Crotons  being  very  rich 
in  colour.  Messrs.  Sharp  and  A.  F.  Faber  were  also  very  meri¬ 
torious  exhibitors  in  these  classes. 
Orchids. — Of  these  there  was  quite  a  brilliant  display,  which 
formed  a  most  attractive  feature  of  the  exhibition.  In  class  19, 
for  table  of  Orchids  arranged  for  effect,  either  dwarf  plants,  cut 
blooms  in  glasses,  or  baskets  admitted,  there  were  two  entries. 
Messrs.  C-.ypher  and  Son  gained  the  first  prize  with  a  verv  rich 
and  massive,  exhibit,  containing  beautiful  examples  of  Cattleya.s, 
Cypripediums,  Odontoglos.sum  crispum,  Bra.ssavola  Digbyana,- 
Ac.  The  arrangement  of  this  was  very  fine,  but  slightly  heavy. 
Mr.  John  Rob.son,  Altrincham,  was  second  with  a  very  elegant 
exhibit  of  similar  sorts.  Some  onlookers  favoured  this  exhibit 
for  first  prize,  but  elegance  had  to  give  place  to  massiveness. 
For  ten  specimen  Orchids,  Messrs.  Cypher  were  easily  first  with 
very  fine  plants,  chief  among  them  being  Cattleyas  Warneri, 
Mossise,  gigas,  and  Mendeli,  Brassavola  Digbyana,  Lselia  tene- 
brosa,  Odontoglossum  citro.snmm.  Mr.  Robson  was  again  second, 
and  W.  P.  Burkinshaw  ,Esq.,  third.  For  six  Orchids  and  three 
Orchid.s  Messrs.  Cypher  and  Mr.  Robson  were  again  first  and 
second  respectively.  In  the  amateur  classes  for  six  and  three 
Orchids  the  first  in  both  cases  was  gained  by  Walter  Bateman, 
Esq.,  Leeds  (gardener,  Mr.  J.  Rollison);  and  second  W.  P.  Bur¬ 
kinshaw,  Esq.,  Hull  (gardener,  Mr.  Barker).  For  four  Orchids 
(Messrs.  Backhouse’s  prize),  Mr.  Burkinshaw  was  first  and  Mr. 
Bateman  second. 
Pelargoniums. — For  Zonals  and  Ivy-leaved  varieties  there 
were  good  competition,  but  the  classes  for  stage  Pelargoniums, 
which  used  to  be  a  great  feature  at  York  shows,  did  not  fill.  The 
bank  of  Zonals  were  an  effective  blaze  of  colour,  but  the  plants 
grown  on  the  flat  pancake  .system  with  blooms  all  tied  to  a  uniform 
level,  we  did  not  admire.  The  leading  prizes  were  gained  by  Mr. 
Henry  Pybus,  Leeds,  and  Mr.  J.  Sunley.  The  Ivy-leaved  varie¬ 
ties  were  more  naturally  grown. 
Begonias. — There  were  six^groups,  12ft  by  oft,  interspersed 
with  foliage  plants ;  these  were  pretty  and  effective.  Mr.  F. 
Styan,  York,  gained  first  prize  with  a  very  pretty  exhibit  of 
choice,  blooms.  Miss  Wharton  was  second,  and  Messrs.  Walshaw 
and  Son  third.  There  was  also  a  good  competition  for  eight 
specimen  Begonias. 
Groups  of  Carnations  were  well  shown,  Malmaison  varieties 
being  much  in  evidence.  Mr.  Robson  was  first,  Mr.  Barker 
(gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle)  second,  and  Messrs.  Walshaw 
third.  There  were  good  classes  for  groups  and  specimens  of 
Fuchsias  (very  good).  Gloxinias,  Calceolarias.  The  prize  for 
group  of  Cannas  had  only  one  entry,  Me.ssrs.  Wahshaw,  but  they 
were  very  creditable  and  showy.  Ferns  and  table  plants' were 
well  .shown. 
Roses. 
Great  hopes  were  expected  this  season  of  a  fine  display  of 
Roses,  and  most  liberal  prizes  were  offered,  but  the  season  proved 
so  bad  that  the  efforts  of  the  committee  were  practicallj'  abortive. 
Both  southern  and  northern  growers  were  disappointed,  those  in 
soTith  preferred  to  exhibit  at  Holland  House,  while  northern 
growers  had  none  to  show.  For  groups  of  Rose  plants  there  were 
three  fair  collections,  arranged  too  closely  to  show  well.  Mr. 
Pybus,  Leeds,  was  first,  and  Mr.  Hutchison,  Kirbymoorside, 
second. 
In  the  cut  bloom  cla.sses  Mr.  Geo.  Mount,  nurseryman, 
Canterbury,  saved  the  Rose  section  from  failure,  and  took  the 
first  prizes  for  seventy-two  blooms,  also  for  forty-eight,  thirty-.six, 
twenty-four,  and  eighteen  blooms.  His  blooms  generally  were 
not  large,  but  fresh  and  well  coloured,  the  most  prominent  varie¬ 
ties  being  Flrich  Brunner.  Liberty,  General  Jacqueminot,  Captain 
Hayward,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Mrs.  Sharman 
Crawford.  Messrs.  Harkness  and  Co.,  Hitchin,  were  second  in 
these  classes  with  blooms  much  below  the  first  prize  stands  in 
quality.  Amo-ng  other 
Cut  Flower  Classes, 
those  for  hardy  border  flowers  were  most  prominent, 
and  were  a  leading  feature  of  the  exhibition.  For 
collection  of  hardy  cut  flowers,  15ft  by  Gft,  Me.ssrs. 
Harkness,  Bedale,  were  first,  Messrs.  Gibson  and  Co.,  Leeming 
Bar,  second,  and  Messrs.  Harkness  and  Co.,  Hitchin,  third. 
These  were  most  effective  exhibits,  containing  the  leading  hardy 
flowers  now  in  bloom ;  Pyrethrums,  Iris,  Poppies,  Campanulas, 
Heucheras.  Paeonies,  Ac.  For  twenty-four  bunches  hardy  flowers 
Messrs.  Gibson  were  fiisst,  and  the  two  firms  of  Messrs.  Harkness 
second  and  third.  For  twelve  bunches  hardy  flowers  (amateurs) 
good  exhibits  Avere  from  Mr.  Hutchinson,  Mr.  Meindoe,  and  Mr. 
Whitehead. 
Sweet  Peas  had  only  tiA  O  exhibits  for  tivelve  di.stinct  A^arieties 
— both  Amry  good.  Mr.  Geo.  Cottam,  Cottingham,  AA'as  first  AA'ith 
A'ery  good  examples,  the  most  prominent  being  Gorgeous,  Aurora, 
Countess  of  Radnor,  LoA'ely,  Blanche  Burpee.  Mr.  MeIndoe  Avas 
second. 
Bouquets  and  Floral  Decorations. 
In  the  bouquet  cla.sses  the  veteran  prizetakers,  Messrs.  Perkins 
and  Son,  of  Coventry,  had  a  A'ery  easy  task,  capturing  all  the 
first  prizes  in  a  AAalk.  The  Iaao  bride’s  bouquets  AA’ere  exceed¬ 
ingly  elegant  AAith  their  AAealth  of  Alexandra  Orchid.s.  The 
pair  AA’ith  Odoutoglossums  and  Cattleyas  AA’ere  also  A'ery  beautiful. 
Zvie.s.srs.  Artindale  and  Son,  Sheffield,  had  all  the  seconds;  their 
boiujuets  AA'ere  composed  of  fine  floAAers,  mostly  Orchids,  but 
sadly  lacking  in  artistic  fini.sh  ;  some  of  them  so  unfinished  in 
the  handles  that  they  should  hardly  have  been  admitted  to  the 
prize  list.  Competitors  should  bear  in  mind  that  an  unfini.shed 
bouquet  is  not  a  bouquet.  For  ba.skets  of  floAA’ers  Messrs.  Perkins 
AA’ere  again  easily  first,  tlie  basket  of  Roses  being  a  dream  of 
fragrant  beautj'.  Messrs.  Artindale  AA’ere  again  second,  their 
baskets  shoAA’ing  the  .same  faults  as  their  bouquets.  For  a  table 
of  floral  designs  there  AA’as  only  one  entry,  which  Avas  very  flatter¬ 
ingly  dealt  AA’ith  Avhen  the  judges  aAvarded  it  a  second  prize.  A 
A'ase  or  epergne  for  decoration  of  dinner  tables  brought  out  fir^e 
competitors.  Miss  Ada  Stanley,  Didsbnry,  getting  first  award 
AA’ith  an  elegant  and  certainly  simple  arrangement  of  Iceland 
Poppies  and  Gypsophila. 
Fruit  and  Vegetables. 
I'he  principal  prize  AAas  that  for  a  decorated  table  of  ripe 
fruit,  not  to  exceed  fourteen  dishes,  or  liaA^e  less  than  ten.  For 
this  there  AA’ere  five  competitors,  and  as  they  AA’ere  all  highly 
meritorious  and  beautifully  decorated,  they  formed  both  a  pleas¬ 
ing  and  important  feature  of  the  exhibition.  As  the  judging  was 
by  points,  to  be  placed  on  each  exhibit,  the  judges  spent  a  long 
time  over  the  different  exhibits  before  making  the  final  awards. 
The  first  prize  aars  aAA’arded  to  Lord  Barnard,  Raby  Castle,  Dar¬ 
lington  (gardener,  Mr.  J.  Tullett),  Avith  a  total  of  104  points— 82 
for  fruit  and  22  for  floral  decoration.  Mr.  Tullett  had  very 
handsome,  AA'ell-fini.shed  Hamburgh  Grapes,  a  beautiful  Pine, 
tAA'o  Melons,  splendid  Nectarines,  good  Peaches,  Figs,  Apples,  Ac. 
The  second  place  AAas  aAA’arded  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington  (Mr. 
Goodacre,  gardener),  Eh’aston  Castle.  AA’ith  a  total  of  99  points — • 
75  being  for  frtiit,  and  24  for  floAA’ers  (the  maximum).  Black 
Grapes  AA’ere  veiy  fine.  Hale’s  Early  Peach  and  Early  Rivers 
Nectarine  AA’ere  also  choice.  Third  place  fell  to  Mr.  J.  Meindoe, 
Hutton  Hall,  AA’ith  91  points — 76  for  fruit  and  15  for  flowers.  Mr. 
DaAves,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Ingram,  had  also  a  A'ery  meri¬ 
torious  table,  the  floral  decorations  being,  perhaps,  the  finest 
of  the  lot,  and  more  nearly  approaching  the  decoration  of  a 
real  dinner  table  in  contrast  to  one  for  exhibition — one  or  tAA’O 
tables  being  slightly  overdone.  Mr.  Dawes’  centre  of  Alexandra 
Orchids  AA’ere,  perhaps,  the  finest  thing  in  the  shoAA’. 
