Date: 4 December 1865
Place: Birmingham
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW
Those who come to Birmingham during the next few days in search of instruction in natural history, combined with amusement - and their name is legion - will have “ample room and verge enough” to gratify their wishes to the full extent.
. . .
And then again, should their tastes turn floriculturewards, the chrysanthemum and fruit show in the Town Hall, got up by the Handsworth Society, will amply replay a visit. The show was opened to private view on Saturday [2 December 1865], and will not close until Tuesday evening. The flowers have been carefully arranged on platforms running the entire length of the Hall on each side; on a wide table in the centre are placed the baskets of fruit, and at the end of the Hall, near the orchestra, are disposed a variety of cut chrysanthemums and some of the fruit. If we compare the show with those previously held by the same society and at the same period of the year, the comparison is not favourable to the present show. Few of the classes of plants appear to be filled, and when in contrast to this we recollect the crowded state of the Hall last year and the year before, it is evident that there it is falling off somewhere. The chrysanthemums (more especially the large bloomed ones) appear to be altogether past their prime, and though the Pomepones were in the best condition, they also have seen better days. The plants, to do them justice, certainly give evidence of having been well trained, nicely cultivated, and got into proper shape.
. . .
In spite of its being a bad season for keeping fruit, both dessert pears and apples appear in fine condition. In these classes, Messrs. Pluck, Perry, and Burley divided the honours.
THE PRIZE LIST
OPEN CLASSES -
1st prize for kitchen apples, twelve varieties, Mr. R. A. Cartwright; 2nd, Mr. C. J. Perry; third, Mr. Pluck (Jersey). 1st prize for dessert pears, twelve varieties, Mr. Pluck (Jersey); 2nd, Mr. C. J. Perry; 3rd, Mr. Burley. 1st prize for twelve varieties of stewing pears, Mr. C. J. Perry; 2nd, Mr. Pluck (Jersey); 3rd, Mr. Burley.
EXTRA PRIZES
Extra prize for collection of ferns, Mr. R. H. Vertegans, Chad Valley; and for twelve dishes of pears, Mr. Pluck, Jersey.
The show will remain open to-day and to-morrow.
Mr Pluck is James Pluck [PL1430] who can be found in Tree 1005