Date: 27 November 1879
Place: Torquay
TORQUAY
This Show was held on the 11th November, and proved in many respects very satisfactory. The prizes for collections of Chrysanthemums in pots were mostly divided between Mr. R. Hannay and Rev. J. B. Tomlinson. In the class for six Pompon Chrysanthemums, Col. Campbell of Villa Como secured the first prize with four plants. In the nurserymen’s class for twelve distinct varieties in pots Messrs. Curtis, Sandford & Co. were first with well-grown plants.
The cut flowers were most excellent. The Judges must have had some little difficulty in coming to a decision in several cases. In the open class for eighteen distinct large-flowered Chrysanthemums the first prize went to the Misses Carew, the second to Capt. Tucker. In the amateurs’ class for twelve, first prize Mr. W. J. Watts; second Misses Carew. In this class some most excellent blooms were staged. Mr. Watts’s were set up the best and were not so crowded, the black velvet-covered stage suiting the Chrysanthemums extremely well. In the other classes too much cannot be said in praise of the twelve blooms of Mrs. Dixon and twelve of Mrs. George Rundle exhibited by the Misses Carew and Mr. John Clements. The gardener is to be congratulated upon his success.
The fruit competition was not very close. The Rev. W. H. Gretton was first in most of the amateurs’ classes for Pears and Apples, he staged good collections. Judges are not infallible, or those at Torquay would never have decided in Class 10 as they did. The prize was for “six fruit of any other sort.” Mr. Gretton exhibited very well indeed the delicious Doyenne du Cornice, but was placed second to Mr. Retty, who elected to show six not very large Belle de Jersey. Some people may prefer a stewing Pear to a luscious dessert fruit.
In order to encourage nurserymen to send fruit to this Show the Committee offered two prizes, £3 and £2 respectively, for best collections of Apples and Pears, all varieties to be correctly named. Messrs. Cranston & Co. had entered for this class, but when their representative found that a Jersey fruiterer had entered he withdrew from the competition. I believe the Judges expressed an opinion that Jersey and foreign growers should not be allowed to compete on the same terms with English growers. Mr. Pluck of St. Heliers, Jersey, received the first prize for a collection consisting of thirty-four varieties of Pears and twenty-eight of Apples. It was certainly an excellent collection. Messrs. Cranston exhibited their fruit, which considering the past season was worthy of the well-known firm.
There were some good dishes of vegetables shown, including some marvellous Leeks. The attendance at this Show was very large, the room being quite uncomfortably crowded. — J. A. W.