108 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
July  30,  1903 
(eight  blooms),  Lycaste  Deppei,  and  Oncidium  crispum.  Gloxinias, 
Dractenas,  and  Crotons  were  also  shown  well.  Single  and  double 
Begonias  were  excellent ;  the  first  prizetaker,  Mr.  J.  Hunter, 
Hexham,  who  is  a  schoolmaster,  and  an  amateur  all  round  that 
promises  a  future  brilliant  career.  Table  plants  were  an  even,  finely 
balanced  lot.  Mr.  H.  Hillier  received  premier  award. 
Cut  Flowers. — These  classes  are  always  interesting  to  north 
country  men.  For  thirty-six  Roses,  twelve  varieties,  Mr.  Hugh 
Hickson,  Belfast,  was  first.  He  had  an  inimitable  lot  for  freshness, 
size,  colour,  substance,  and  possessing  every  point  that  the  most 
fastidious  rosarian  could  desire ;  they  were  the  admiration  of 
visitors,  and  the  following  were  beautifully  staged  : — Mrs.  J.  Laing, 
Capt.  Hayward,  Ulrich  Brunner,  J.  Stuart  Mill,  Etienne  Levet, 
Marie  Cochet,  Her  Majesty,  Susanne  Marie  Rodocanachi,  R.  Hark- 
ness  and  Co.,  Hitchin,  second.  For  forty-eight  Roses,  distinct 
varieties,  twenty-four,  twelve,  and  twelve  any  sort,  and  tw’elve  any 
varieties  of  Tea  Roses,  Mr.  Dickson  w’as  first,  with  Messrs.  Harkness 
second,  except  for  twelve  any  variety  of  Tea  Roses,  when  Mr.  R.  Park, 
Bedale,  was  second. 
The  herbaceous  flowers  are  always  an  interesting  exhibition  at 
this  show,  and  this  year  they  were  a  credit  to  the  exhibitors. 
Mr.  F.  Edmondson,  florist,  Newcastle,  was  first  for  twenty-four 
bunches  with  large  bunches  of  Delphinium  Pysche,  Scabiosa  lutea, 
Aconitum  Napellus  bicolor.  Campanula  alba.  Acanthus  longifolius. 
Iris  English  and  Spanish,  Polemonium  Richardsoni,  Pyrethrum 
Vivid,  Lilium  auratum.  Gladiolus  The  Bride,  Campanula  psrsicifolia, 
Alstrbmeria  aurea,  Centranthus  ruber,  Gladiolus  Crimson  Queen, 
Erigeron  amethystina.  Mr.  Edmondson  is  an  old  exhibitor  at 
Newcastle,  and  his  success  was  much  appreciated.  Messrs.  Harkness 
were  second,  also  with  an  excellent  lot,  and  for  eighteen  bunches, 
Roses  excluded,  the  latter  firm  was  first.  Messrs.  G.  Gibson  and  Co., 
Bedale,  were  second.  These  flowers  caused  much  attraction,  and 
were  certainly  one  of  the  salient  features  of  the  exhibition.  Show 
and  Fancy  Pansies  w’ere  well  represented  for  the  season,  as  there  are 
many  keen  growers  around  Newcastle.  Carnations  were  grand. 
Messrs.  Thompson  and  Sons,  Hexham,  were  first  with  Hector 
McDonald  as  a  special  flower  and  well  grown. 
T.vble  Decob.vtions. — These  occupied  the  greater  portion  of  one  of 
the  tents,  and  were,  as  usual,  of  a  very  high-class  chai-acter,  and 
would  have  been  very  difficult  to  beat.  For  a  vase  or  epergne  for 
drawing-room,  Mr.  M.  Purvis,  Benton,  was  first  with  a  faultless 
arrangement  of  Orchids,  Lilies,  Roses,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  all  of 
which  were  effectively  draped  with  Adiantum  Ferns,  Asparagus,  and 
the  effect  was  charming.  For  a  vase  for  drawing-room.  Orchids 
excluded,  Mr.  F.  Edmondson  w’as  first  with  good  flowers  propor¬ 
tionately  balanced  in  colour,  and  each  one  showing  itself  wdthout 
crowding.  For  a  basket  of  cut  flowers,  not  to  exceed  12in,  and  for  a 
basket,  Orchids  excluded,  and  a  basket  of  Roses,  bridal  bouquet, 
hand  bouquet,  and  three  sprays  for  ladies,  Messrs.  Perkins  of 
Coventry  were  first  in  each  class.  They  were  all  in  this  well  known 
firm’s  usual  style  of  good  taste,  and  showing  a  valuable  lesson  how 
flowers  can  be  made  effective  without  using  too  many  of  them,  by 
exercising  taste  and  good  judgment.  The  bridal  bouquet  was  a 
marvellous  work  of  art ;  Odontoglossum  Alexandras,  white  Roses, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  and  other  Lilies  were  beautifully  mingled 
together,  and  uniquely  draped  with  Asparagus.  In  these  classes  the 
competition  was  very  keen,  Messrs.  W.  J.  Battensby,  Blaydon,  and 
F.  Edmondson  exhibiting  splendidly,  and  it  must  have  given  the 
judges  some  trouble  to  come  to  a  decision.  For  a  fireplace  decora¬ 
tion  Miss  Edmondson,  Newcastle,  was  first.  This  class  of  decoration 
is  becoming  very  fashionable,  and  is  well  worthy  of  encouragement. 
Fruit. — We  have  seen  much  better  displays  of  fruit.  Many  of 
the  Grapes  were  not  ripe,  especially  the  Muscats,  but  still  some 
excellent  examples  were  staged.  For  eight  dishes  of  fruit,  distinct 
kinds,  Mr.  J.  C.  McPherson,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Londesborough, 
was  first  with  good  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Black 
Hamburgh,  nicely  finished;  Nectarine  Early  Rivers,  Bellegarde 
Peaches,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Royal  Sovereign  Melon,  Queen  Pine, 
and  Sir  J.  Paxton  Strawberries.  This  was  an  even,  nice  collection. 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe,  Hutton  Hall,  was  second  with  Gros  Guillaume 
Grapes  and  Black  Hamburgh,  5  to  Gib  each,  and  a  Best  of  All  Melon. 
Mr,  Wm.  Nicbolls,  gardener  to  Lady  Beaumont,  was  third,  and  Mr. 
E.  Combey,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Durham,  fourth.  For  four  dishes 
of  fruit,  including  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Black  Hamburgh, 
Princess  of  Wales  Peaches,  and  Melon,  Mr,  E.  Combey  was  first. 
There  were  three  competitors  in  this  class.  For  four  bunches  of 
Grapes,  not  less  than  two  varieties,  Mr.  Wm.  Nicholls  was  first  with 
good  bunches  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  (very  fine)  and  Black  Ham¬ 
burgh.  For  two  bunches  of  White  Muscat,  Mr.  E.  Combey;  and 
for  two  bunches  of  white  Grapes,  any  other  variety,  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe, 
with  Duke  of  Buccleuch,  and  the  berries  very  large;  and  for  tw’o 
bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  and  two  bunches  any  variety  of  black, 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  first,  and  Mr.  Nichols  second  with  Madresfield 
Court.  For  a  dish  of  Peaches,  Mr.  J.  C.  McPherson  was  first  with 
Grosse  Mignonne,  ripe  and  finely  coloured,  and  for  Nectarines  Mr. 
Nichols  was  placed  in  the  same  position  with  Lord  Napier,  Tomatoes, 
Strawberries,  and  Melons  were  also  excellent. 
In  the  division  open  to  all  except  nurserymen,  Mr.  J.  Hunter  was 
first  for  four  plants,  well  flowered,  including  Clerodendron  fallax  and 
Balfouri,  Stephanotis  floribunda,  and  Allamanda  Wardleana.  Roses, 
Pansies,  Sweet  Peas  were  all  good,  and  herbaceous  plants  were 
excellent,  the  latter  being  won  by  Mr.  Wm.  - ,  Kirby  Moor 
side.  Some  excellent  vegetables  were  also  shown,  Mr.  W.  Hodgson 
Prudhoe,  Mr.  Wm.  Nichols,  and  Mr.  J.  C.  McPherson  being  the 
principal  winners.  The  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Silver  Flora 
Medal  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Perkins,  Coventry,  for  table  decorations, 
and  the  Royal  Horticultural  Banksian  Medal  was  won  by  Mr.  Thos. 
Pattison  for  his  group  of  plants. 
Nurserymen’s  exhibits  not  for  competition  were  Messrs.  Wm.  Fell 
and  Co.,  Hexham,  who  showed  a  splendid  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants  occupying  the  whole  of  end  of  the  tent,  including  choice 
Conifer®,  with  Palms,  Ferns,  Hydrangeas,  and  both  gold  and  silver 
varieties  of  the  Acer  Negundo ;  also  the  Loganberry,  which  the  firm 
claim  to  have  first  introduced  into  the  North.  A  Certificate  of  Merit 
and  a  special  Silver  Medal  were  awarded  to  this  firm.  Having 
watched  their  exhibits  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  we  must  say 
this  was  the  best  group  they  ever  staged  at  any  show. 
Messrs.  Backhouse  and  Son,  York,  exhibited  rock  and  alpine 
plants  as  a  miniature  rock  garden,  and  they  were  scarcely  ever 
allowed  to  remain  without  admiring  visitors.  They  showed  also  a 
new  Cupressus  argentea  alba.  Plants,  amongst  the  rock  and  alpine, 
conspicuous  w^ere  Silene  acaulis  fl.-pl.  (new),  Lithospermum  tinctorum, 
Sarracenia  purpurea,  Darlingtonia  californica.  Podophyllum  Emodi, 
Edrassanthus  dalmaticus,  Ramondia  pyrenaica,  Sempervivum  atro- 
purpureum,  Coronilla  minima,  Saxifraga  longifolia,  Potentilla  nivalis, 
Hypericum  nummularium.  These  were  the  first  time  here,  and  the 
pleasure  to  visitors  was  intense.  Another  interesting  exhibit  was 
the  hybrid  Water  Lilies  from  Mr.  A.  M.  R.  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill, 
London.  These  curious  plants  drew  forth  much  admiration,  and 
were  the  constant  theme  of  wonder  and  curiosity  to  the  largest 
number  that  perhaps  ever  visited  the  above  exhibition.  The 
Nymphieas  included  such  beautiful  varieties  as  Andreani,  Arc-en- 
‘  ciel,  a  new  white  and  salmon  variety;  Brakely,  rose;  Froebelli,  an 
intense  deep  crimson  with  orange  stamens,  and  the  different  variety 
Leydekeri,  including  rose ;  and  filifera,  of  a  delicate  pink  or  rose 
colour. 
Mr.  J.  Douglas  exhibited  Carnations  (grand)  ;  Mr.  J.  Thompson, 
Forest  Hill,  Newcastle,  a  miscellaneous  collection,  including  a  new 
Lobelia  he  has  raised ;  Air.  J.  J.  Barrow,  gardener  to  N.  F.  Henderson, 
Esq.,  Alelons  ;  Mr.  J.  Forbes,  Howick,  Pentstemons,  Verbenas,  and 
Phloxes  ;  Messrs  Laing  and  Mather,  Kelso,  Alessrs.  Alack  and  Alilne, 
Darlington,  and  Messrs.  Dixon,  Ltd.,  Ne.vcastle,  Roses;  Alessrs. 
J.  W.  Barber,  Newcastle,  cut  flowers;  Alessrs.  Kent  and  Brydou, 
Carnations;  and  Alessrs.  Wm.  Cutbush  and  Son,  London,  Carnations. 
From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  how  the  nurserymen  assisted  the 
show. 
Alessrs.  Harriman  and  Co.,  Newcastle,  had  on  view  vases  and 
fountains;  Messrs.  W.  E.  Foggin  and  Co.,  Newcastle,  wirework ; 
Messrs.  Henry  Walker  and  Son  and  Messrs.  J.  and  H.  Harrison,  Ltd., 
both  of  Newcastle,  garden  seats. 
The  staging  committee  and  the  executive  are  to  be  congratulated 
on  their  efforts  to  make  such  a  splendid  treat  for  the  horticultural 
public,  and  the  secretary.  Air.  J.  B.  Reid,  was  indefatigable  in 
assisting  them.  The  president,  Mr.  R.  E.  Lambton,  gave  a  splendid 
luncheon  in  a  marquee  on  the  grounds,  and  was  supported  by  the 
Alayor,  Alderman  Sir  AVm.  Stephenson  ;  chairman.  Councillor 
J.  Beattie  ;  vice-chairman,  Mr.  Pickering  ;  hon.  treasurer,  John 
Armorer  Batey. — Bern.vrd  Cowan,  F.R.H.S. 
Brentwood,  July  23rd. 
The  annual  exhibition  of  this  lone  e.stab]ishGcl  society  took 
lilace  in  the  grounds  of  Aliddleton  Hall,  Brentwood,  on  July  23, 
several  tents  being  required  to  take  the  exhibits.  The  Roses 
were  remarkably  good,  as  Brentwood  is  so  near  the  Rose  growing 
centre.  There  were  very  fine  specimen  Ferns  and  good  examples 
of  ornamental  foliaged  plants.  Fruit  and  vegetables  were  highly 
creditable,  and  the  iiroductions  from  cO'ttagers  were  very 
numerous.  A  very  heavy  storm  passed  over  the  show  ground 
about  noon  which  completely  flooded  the  tents  for  a  time.  After¬ 
wards  the  weather  cleared,  and  remained  fine  for  the  remainder 
of  the  day. 
In  the  way  of  plants  groups  arranged  for  effect  were  a  leading 
feature.  The  finst  prize  consisting  of  a  silver  cup,  offered  by  Aliss 
Willmott,  Avas  won  by  her  gardener  (Mr.  Preece)  ivith  an  arrange¬ 
ment  of  a  very  effectiim  character,  and  Air.  Preece  generously 
gave  the  cup  liack  to  the  society  to  be  offered  again  next  year. 
Air.  Holloway,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Baxter,  Esq.,  Hutton  Park,  was 
placed  second.  There  was  a  class  also  for  a  smaller  group,  in 
which  some  nice  arrangements  were  staged.  A  very  fine  feature 
in  the  plant  classes  was  the  six  exotic  Ferns  wdiicli  gained  the 
first  prize  (Mr.  Preece).  They  consisted  of  finely  developed  speci¬ 
mens  of  Alarattia  elegans,  Alicrolepia  davallioides^  furcans,  the 
golden  Gymnogramma  Alston!,  and  the  silvery  G.  AVettenhalliana 
fijiensis,  and  Adiantum  fragrantissimum.  Air.  Holloway  came 
second  with  a  magnificent  specimen  of  Davallia  fijiensis  elegans, 
fully  6ft  through,  a  fine  piece  of  the  Bird’s-nest  Fern,  Ac.  Orna¬ 
mental  plants  in  sixes  w’ere  also  well  shown.  Fuchsias,  Coleus, 
Gloxinias,  Tuberous  Begonias,  Streptocarpus,  table  plants,  Ac., 
were  also  shown. 
Cut  flowers  included  hardy  herbaceous  plants,  among  wbich 
some  good  things  were  staged;  also  hardy  annuals.  Sweet  Peas, 
