Spring Flowers In Rich Profusion

Chronicle (Levin), 10 September 1949, Page 2

Spring Flowers In Rich Profusion

The Otaki HorticUltural Society was favoured a brilliaiit spring day for *its flower -stiow at Otaki yesterday and the ideal conditions saw ari- outstandingly successful function take. place.. ' Outside entries were sparse, but thanks to a generous local response the number grCatly .exceeded; the total at the corresponding show 1-ast year. The quality of the exhibits was considered to be little inferior to the very best. In this respect the vagaries of the weather, as usual, played a part, several growers reporting that due to the miidness of the season many varieties had passed their best before the day of the show arrived. All agreed, however, that the quality of the blooms was particularly good. In addition to the open class, the cut blooms and decorative sections filled very well, with a pleasing number of entries in the children's classes also. A record entry of 22 prescntaticm box;es of flowers earned deserved commendation in the amateur section. The judges, Mrs. Ashworth (Paraparaumu) , Mr. H. H. Poole (Lower Hutt) and Mr. C. Evans (Otaki) had no easy task and together with the executive officers and hard-working committee responsible, deserve high praise for the success of the function. With 34 firsts and 12 seconds, Mr. E. T. Bartosh scooped the pool in the open section, and three of the four champion blooms were exhibited by him, the remaining one being shown by Mr. C. F. Atmore. The task of selecting the champion of champions proved a difiicult one and considerable time was 'taken by the judge before his decision was made known. The result was'a further triumph for Mr. Bartosh, his trumpet "Bastion," securing a "photo finish" verdict over Mr. Atmore's leedsii, "Buffo." Commenting, Mr. Poole said that the balance of colour was the deciding factor. The champion barrii exhibited by Mr. Bartosh was an "Elspeth" and the incomparabilis was a seedling grown by him. Outstanding displays were .featured by the Otaki Women's Institute Garden Circle and the Garden House Florists, while a striking vase of early tulips, grown by the society's president, Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, earned very favourable comment. The full prize-list will be published on Monday.