1875 : Mr Pluck of Jersey Exhibits his Fruit
at Alexandra Palace

 

Title:The Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman. A Chronicle of the Homestead, Poultry-Yard, Apiary, & Dovecote , liv, n.s. xxix, 224
Date: 9 September 1875
Place: London

 

GREAT INTERNATIONAL FRUIT SHOW
SEPTEMBER 2ND

Although this was both a great and good Show, we thought it scarcely commensurate with the efforts that had been made, with the amount offered in prizes, and with its imposing name. There is, however, a suspicion, if not something more, that neither flowers nor fruit will ever look so good as they really are in this lofty and highly embellished hall. The high colouring of the edifice, the almost tiring blue of the ceiling, the scarlet flags and the gilded monarchs, are not the fittest associations for showing to advantage the natural colours of the earth’s products. In an edifice less ornate and unbroken by elaborate columns a collection of fruit such as this would have been more striking in its effect; the force of the picture was in a measure lost by the extensive and artistic frame.

It is not possible to give a full and satisfactory report of this Exhibition owing to the resuscitation of the almost obsolete system of exhibiting under numbers, and the delay necessarily caused in first attaching the names and subsequently the prize cards. When this work is not completed until after the admission of the public it is impossible to take due note of the collections. The time lost in attaching the awards was the cause of complaint on the part of exhibitors and spectators. A simple and more expeditious system is generally adopted at most great exhibitions. The Exhibition was divided into eleven divisions and eighty classes, most of which were filled, although in some there was but little competition. First in the schedule, and first also in point of interest, were the collections of fruit.

. . .

GRAPES

The division for foreign exhibitors only, was not a success, except as regards the Pears, and of these good specimens were sent. The Fine classes were empty, and the majority of the Grapes were indifferent. Muscat “Befire” was the best, and Gros Colman was fairly good, but it is clear that our foreign friends cannot teach us any good lessons in Grape-growing, yet the fruit was generally set up in good condition, while many of the English Grapes had been injured in packing and transit. Disfigurement in this respect was very noticeable. In this division some good collections of Apples were sent, but not equal to the best examples of home culture. The winners were in Grapes Mr. Le Sueur, and in Pears and Apples Mr. Bashford and Mr. Pluck.

Mr Pluck is James Pluck [PL1430] who can be found in Tree 1005

 

| Search & Site Map | Contact me: | ©2012 Derrick Porter