340 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  8,  1903. 
Mr.  Beckett  was  again  to  the  front  with  Early  Gem.  Mr.  Fyfe  was 
first  with  a  brace  of  Cucumbers.  There  was  only  one  exhibit  of  six 
bulbs  of  Kohl  Rabi,  and  this  came  from  the  Guardians,  Hornchurch 
Homes,  Romford  (gardener,  Mr.  A.  Higgins).  For  Leeks  there  were 
four  competitors.  First,  Mr.  Beckett  with  Bobbie's  Champion  ;  Mr. 
Speirs  second  with  the  same;  and  Mr.  Horspool  third  with  New 
Model.  Cabbage  Lettuces  were  excellent.  Rev.  T.  McMurdie  was  an 
easy  first  with  Sutton’s  Supreme;  Mr.  R.  A.  Horspool  was  second 
with  All-the-Year-Round  ;  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Rickwood  third.  For  Cos 
Lettuce  Rev.  T.  McMurdie  was  first  with  Balloon ;  Mr.  F.  W. 
Herbert,  Nutfield  Court,  Redhill,  second  with  Veitch’s  Brown  Cos. 
Spinach  was  represented  by  one  dish,  and  New  Zealand  (Tetragonia 
expansa)  from  F.  M.  Brown,  Esq.,  Southfields,  S.W.  Tomatoes 
formed  a  notable  feature.  The  first  prize  for  four  dishes  of  six  fruits 
was  taken  by  Mr.  B.  Ashton  ;  second  by  Mr.  B.  H.  Hill,  Crediton, 
with  Frogmore  Selected  as  his  best ;  and  third  by  Mr.  H.  Forder, 
Ruthin  Castle.  Mr.  C.  Page,  Dropmore,  was  first  for  two  dishes  with 
Winter  Beauty  and  Perfection ;  second,  Mr.  Smith,  the  Convent 
Gardens,  Roehampton,  with  Perfection  and  Frogmore  Selected. 
Turnips  formed  an  extensive  class,  there  being  seventeen  exhibits. 
Rev.  T.  McMurdie  was  first  with  Model  White  Stone  ;  second,  Mr. 
R.  A.  Horspool;  and  third,  Mr.  B.  H.  Hill  with  Veitch’s  Red  Globe. 
There  were  only  two  yellow-fleshed  varieties.  Of  these  last  ]\Ir. 
B.  H.  Hill  had  very  tine  bulbs  of  Sutton’s  Perfection,  and  Mr.  Brown 
was  second  with  Golden  Ball.  Mr.  Beckett  was  first  for  a  collection 
of  named  pot  herbs.  For  any  vegetable  not  in  the  scheduled  classes. 
Rev.  T.  McMurdie  staged  very  large  white  Spinach  Beet ;  and  Mr. 
Brown  was  second  with  the  Chinese  Artichoke,  Stachys  tuberifera. 
Onions  were  remarkable  for  quality,  size,  and  finish.  Mr. 
E.  Beckett  first  for  six  very  beautiful  examples  of  Ailsa  Craig ;  Mr. 
Brown,  The  Worthys,  Kingsworthy,  Winchester,  was  second ;  and 
Mr.  W.  Allen,  Gunton  Park,  Norwich,  third.  Mr.  Bowerman  had 
the  best  bulbs  in  class  135,  with  Ailsa  Craig ;  Mr.  W.  Fyfe 
was  second,  and  Mr.  Beckett  third  with  white  Spanish.  Of  red¬ 
skinned  Onions  only  one  lot  was  staged  from  Mr.  Beckett.  For  six 
long  Parsnips,  Mr.  Brown  was  first  with  Bobbie’s  Selected ;  and 
J.  G.  Marsh,  Esq.,  Tamworth  Road,  Hartford,  second  with  shorter 
roots.  In  the  round,  short-rooted  class  there  was  no  competition. 
For  the  best  three  dishes  of  Peas  there  was  some  splendid  produce 
shown  by  Mr.  B.  Ashton,  Ormskirk,  who  had  Queen  of  Marrowfats, 
Duke  of  Albany,  and  Alderman  ;  Mr.  R.  A.  Horspool  was  second  with 
St.  Buthue  and  Gladstone.  'The  class  for  six  dishes  of  Potatoes 
brought  one  exhibitor,  Mr.  Forder,  who  showed  General  Buller, 
Windsor  Castle,  The  Colonel,  Sutton’s  Seedling,  and  Satisfaction. 
For  six  dishes,  six  tubers  each,  of  kidney  Potatoes,  H.  Padwick,  Esq., 
Manor  House,  Horsham,  was  first  with  British  Queen  ;  Mr.  Brown 
close  second  with  The  Factor,  Herd  Laddie,  and  The  Crofter.  For 
three  dishes  of  rounds  there  was  only  one  entry.  These  varieties 
were  excellent,  from  Mr.  R.  Milner,  gardener  to  Miss  Talbot,  Margam 
Park,  Port  Talbot.  For  kidney-shaped  varieties  there  was  more 
competition,  Mr.  Brown  being  a  good  first,  having  a  grand  dish  of 
Sutton’s  Ideal;  Mr.  George  Crabbe,  Park  House,  Addlestone,  being 
second,  having  handsome  tubers  of  Supreme  and  Reliance. 
Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 
Messrs.  John  K.  King  and  Sons,  the  King’s  seedsmen,  Coggeshall 
and  Reading,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  fine 
collection  of  vegetables,  including  some  thirty  varieties  of  Cabbages. 
Messrs.  Cannell  also  staged  a  display  of  vegetables,  in  which 
Onions  were  particularly  good.  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Soirs  had  a 
collection  of  Potatoes,  and  a  new  variety  named  Discovery  was 
shown.  So  much  as  381b  had  been  taken  from  one  root. 
Potatoes  also  came  from  Dobbie  and  Co.,  Rothesay' — a  truly 
wonderful  collection,  unexcelled  in  this  country.  Besides  many 
of  their  own  novelties,  the  new  Northern  Star  was  seen.  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  and  Harrison  and  Sons,  Leicester, 
also  displayed  exhibits  of  vegetables. 
Those  staging  fruit  or  fruit  trees  were  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and 
Co.;  Cutbush  and  Son,  Highgate ;  Paul  and  Son,  Cheshunt ; 
Geo.  Mount,  Canterbury;  J.  B.  Colwill,  Sidmouth ;  Spooner 
and  Sons,  Hounslow ;  J.  Cheal  and  Sons ;  Horne  and  Son  (dish 
of  Charles  Ross  Apples) ;  and  Geo.  Keif  (a  new  Melon).  Mr. 
J.  Ambrose,  Cheshunt,  Herts,  sent  a  new  black  Grape  named 
Melton  Constable. 
Medal  Awards  for  Exhibits. 
Miscellaneous. 
Gold  Medal  to  H.M.  the  King,  Windsor  Castle  (gardener, 
Mr.  Mackellar),  for  Grapes  and  Pineapples;  Messrs.  Ja.s.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  for  a  collection  of  vegetables;  Messrs. 
T.  Rivers  and  Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  for  fruit  trees  in  pots ; 
Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co.,  Rothesay,  N.B.,  for  (a)  collection  of 
Potatoes,  (b)  collection  of  vegetables. 
Silver-gilt  Knightian  Medal  to  Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons, 
Reading,  for  Potatoes;  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley, 
for  a  collection  of  vegetables ;  to  the  Horticultural  College, 
Swanley,  for  a  collection  of  vegetables ;  Agent  General  for 
British  Columbia,  Finsbury  Circus,  for  Canadian  preserved 
fruit ;  Marquis  of  Exeter,  Stamford  (gardener,  Mr.  Metcalfe), 
for  Melons. 
Silver  Banksian  Medal  to  Mr.  R.  W.  Green,  Wisbech,  for 
Potatoes;  Messrs.  J.  King  and  Sons,  Coggeshall  for  Cabbages; 
Messrs.  Harrison  and  Sons,  Leicester,  for  a  collection  of  vege¬ 
tables  ;  Mrs.  A.  Bramwell,  Kingsworthy,  Hants,  for  Onions. 
Hoeticultural  Sundries. 
Silver  Flora  Medal  to  Messrs.  Jos.  Bentley,  Ltd.,  Barrow-on- 
Humber,  for  horticultural  sundries. 
Silver  Banksian  to  Messrs.  W’.  Wood  and  Son,  Ltd.,  Wood 
Green,  N.,  for  horticultural  sundries;  Messrs.  Corry  and  Co., 
Ltd.,  13,  jFinsbury  Street,  E.C.,  for  -horticultuTal  sundries; 
Messrs.  D.  Dowell  and  Son,  Hammei'smith,  for  horticultural 
pottery;  Messrs.  Pulham  and  Son,  71,  Newman  Street,  W., 
Pulhamite  stone  vases;  Messrs.  Chanqnon  and  Co.,  City  Road, 
E.C.,  tubs  for  shrubs;  Mr.  John  Pinches,  Camberwell,  S.E.,  for 
Acme  labels. 
Bronze  Banksian  Medal  to  the  Lubrose  Paint  Co.,  Moor- 
gate  Station  Chambei's,  E.C.,  for  horticultural  paints;  Messrs. 
Vails  and  Co.,  Coleman  Street,  E.C.,  for  Beetlecute;  Mr.  Jas. 
George,  Putney,  S.W.,  for  horticultural  sundries;  Mr.  J. 
Cannon,  Ealing,  W.,  for  fruit  trees;  Mr.  H.  M.  Hamilton, 
Finchley,  N.  for  horticultural  sundries. 
Commended  to  Messrs.  Day  and  Thelland,  St.  Heliers,  Jersey, 
for  new  packing  case  for  fruit. 
Monster  Vegetable  Marrows. — At  the  Midhurst  Flower 
Show,  the  Workhouse  Master,  Mr.  A.  H.  Field,  exhibited  a 
Vegetable  Marrow  weighing  38^1b,  and  having  a  girth  measure¬ 
ment  of  455in.  A  second  Marrow,  of  smaller  dimensions,  turned 
the  scale  at  Sojlb. 
Tree  Within  a  Tree. — At  Moulton,  South  Lincolmshire,  there 
is  a  Willow  tree,  which  in  consequence  of  having  been  beheaded, 
and  having  reached  an  old  age,  has  become  hollow  and  rotten. 
From  a  seed  which  had  droppeel  into  the  hollow,  a  healthy 
Sycamore  has  grown  to  the  height  of  10ft. 
The  Pear-Apple  Not  a  Success. — The  possibility  of  Pear- 
Apple  was  suggested  to  a  Worce.stershire  gardener  by  finding  such 
a  freak  on  one  of  his  Apple  trees.  He  successfully  produced  it 
after  several  attempts,  but  it  is  likely  to  be  valuable  only  as  a 
curiosity,  for  there  is  little  that  is  inviting  either  in  its 
appearance  or  flavour. 
Peculiar  Hybrids. — It  is  possible  to  produce  the  strangest 
crosses.  Blackberries,  for  instance,  have  been  crossed  with 
Strawberries;  but  though  the  resulting  seed  produced  plants, 
these  plants  were  sickly  and  spindly,  and  utterly  refused  to 
bloom,  much  less  bear  fruit.  Perhaps  the  most  peculiar  attempt 
at  cros.sing  fruits  was  that  between  the  Black  Currant  and  the 
Gooseberry,  but  in  spite  of  every  effort  it  failed. 
The  Mendelian  Theory  Upheld. — Miss  Edith  Saunders,  at 
the  recent  meeting  of  the  British  Association,  spoke  on  the  results 
of  some  cross-breeding  experiments  with  plants.  The  results,  she 
explained,  were  in  many  cases  in  perfect  accordance  with  the 
Mendelian  theory,  and  those  which  at  firsts  sight  appeared  not  to 
be  so  were  on  examination  found  to  be  reconcileable  with  the 
theory.  Miss  Saunders  exhibited  diagrams  dealing  W'ith  the 
Stock  and  the  Salvia. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Chiswick. 
Taken  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens  at  Chis¬ 
wick,  height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
«4>t 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
<o 
1903. 
Direction  c 
Wind. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
d 
*3 
Ph 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
• 
Q  CO 
^  m 
d  c* 
P  oO 
O  P( 
September 
and 
October. 
Drv 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
CD 
<I> 
'S) 
s 
CO 
<B 
O 
J 
4-ft. 
deep. 
<u  ° 
B 
Sunday  ...27 
S.E. 
deg. 
57-2 
deg. 
56-8 
deg. 
66-4 
deg. 
49-3 
Ins. 
0-21 
deg. 
59-0 
deg. 
590 
deg. 
57-4 
deg. 
42-7 
Monday  ...28 
S.E. 
60-7 
59-3 
69-2 
55-5 
0'17 
59  0 
59-0 
57-6 
47  9 
Tuesday  ...29 
S.E. 
64-9 
63'0 
67'0 
59-8 
0-39 
60-3 
59-0 
b7'6 
WY 
Wed’sday  30 
S.W. 
62-7 
59-2 
69-2 
530 
— 
60-3 
59-3 
57-7 
448 
Thursday  1 
s.s.w. 
58-7 
58-2 
65-6 
47-9 
0-06 
59-0 
59-3 
57-7 
42  0 
Friday  ...  2 
S.W. 
57-7 
54-2 
64-4 
50-8 
0-02 
58-8 
59-0 
57-7 
45-2 
Saturday  3 
S.W. 
61-4 
60-0 
ee-o 
57-5 
0-20 
59-3 
59-0 
57-7 
52-9 
Means  ... 
60-5 
58-7 
66-8 
53-4 
Total. 
1-05 
59  4 
591 
57  6 
47  0 
The  weather  has  been  for  the  most  part  of  the  week  cloudy  and 
dull,  with  a  considerable  quantity  of  wind  at  times.  Rain  fell  on  six 
days. 
