FLOWER CULTURE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 10

FLOWER CULTURE.

ADDRESS BY MR E. F. STEAD. "The ordinary rhododendrons that are planted to-day arc not worth putting in, compared with the better types raised during the last few years," said Mr Edgar F.' Stead, in an address to horticulturists iu the Canterbury Jockey ' Club's rooms last night. An exhibition of flowers was held, organised for the purpose of stimulating individual growers and nurserymen to import types worth growing in the Dominion's favourable climate. Mr Stead exhibited a large number of different varieties of rhododendrons, snowing hybrids in comparison with the products of the present day. The new varieties, he said, were incomparably superior to those sold by the average nurseryman. The difference between the first-class rhododendron and the old hardy hybrid was that the modern flower was of such beauty and quality as to bear close inspection. The other gave a flash fii colour, but a close examination showed the inferior quality in a moment. Exhibits by Mr Orton Bradley, of Charteris Bajv included a collection of flowering shrubs; by MrT. B. Grimley, veronicas; Mr 0. TV. B. Anderson, shrubs imported from 'France; Mr E. Haynes, stocks and pansies; and Mr Stead,, rhododendrons*