HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1188, 12 November 1873, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION

The exhibition of flowers, fruits and vc»c---gabloß was of the choicest description, but we are unable to give in our present issue the minute details as the prizes were not all awarded when our reporter left. Among a very largo assortment of plants and flowers in pots in the central range we noticed several fine collections of native plants, and especially a general col- ■ lection (No. 00), for which a first-class ! prize was awarded to Mr Robert Lyell; a iirst prize was also given to the same gentleman for a set of greenhouse plants (GG) in ' full blossom. First-class prizes were also j awarded to Messrs Mason Brothers for the I finest pot of fuchsias, and for two pots of splendid foliage plants. Second prizes were given to Mr David Hay for some rare specimens of pelargoniums in full blossom (44 and 45), and (5(3) for his superior azalias. We noticed further (29) a pot of single white roses, and other flowers of a similar class. Among the cut flowers we were particularly struck with the beauty of a variety of pansies, of almost every colour, for which that gentleman obtained a prize (55.) A hand bouquet (276), by Mrs Little, was also successful in winning a firstclass prizo, and doubtless many other competitors in cut flowers will be complimented in the same gratifying manner. A large number of verbenas and various specimens of double flowered seneca wore much admired by visitors, as they richly deserved to bo. Mr Lippiatt's magnificent roses formed the theme of general conversation ; we counted among his collection specimens of ];~G different sorts of these English representative flowers. VKGISTABLKH. Tlio collection, in this useful and encouraging show ?of natural productions was of a lirst-rato character, and showed that New Zealand soil is fnlly equal to the wants ofl her people, and that by industry and systematic care every vegetable necessity may l<e scoured in abundance to her in- : telligent population. We noticed that Mr ' William Thompson's sample of early green; peas won a first-class prize. Mr William Reay was also successful in obtaining lirst- ! class prizes for a line collection of green peas. Mr 11. G. Hawkins, for a very line sample of broad Windsor beans, and "Mr Ilcay for the best collection of monster white-heart cabbage, early white, and American rose potatoes. Second class prizes were allotted to the same fortunate grower for some fair samples of ash-leaved kidney potatoes, specimens of turnips and carrots. Our attention was; drawn -to a fine brace of cucumbers (5), produced by Mr George Wai Inn ton, some extraordinary cauliflowers and lettuce from the grounds of Mr. Alexander Macclonald, for which prizes were given. The fruit supply was not so large as that of vegetables, the season not being sufficiently advanced for an extensive ..how" There wero many dishes of strawberries exhibited from the localities of I'arnell, Dedwood, North Shore, and Stokes1 Point, beautiful in appearance and—we believe— sweet and agreeable to the taste. The first prize for strawberries and lemons were awarded lo Mason Brothers. .-We ' understand that New Zealand is capable of producing the finest lemons in the world. We hope to give a perfect description of this interesting section of the Newmarket exhibition in a futu.o issue. As we left the scenes we noticed groups of persons on their way to the show, and heard the City Band, xinder the management of Mr Impey. strike up a merry tune, to the evident delight of the gathering thousands, who were ready to enjoy

The fe-ist of nature and tlie .show of flowera, jllic laugh of chi'drcn and the rosy hour1;.