THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF OTAGO.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2136, 11 March 1870, Page 2

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF OTAGO.

The show of flowers, fruit, and vegetables at the New Post-office Hall, to-day, is an unmistakeable proof of the increased attention that is now given to horticulture as au art. In no previous season have the vegetables been shown of such enormous growth and so good in quality. There have been more numerous exhibits, but the care with which those of to-day are assorted, and the freshness and size of the various culiuery vegetables, would excite admiration in Covent Garden market, where all know if good vegetables are to be obtained it is there. Amongst cabbages, there are two specimens of savoys weighing twenty pounds each, grown at the Forbury. Another giant of the drum-head species weighs twenty-three pounds ; and an idea may be formed of the progress that has been made in the art of cultivation wh n we mention, that the heaviest red pickling cabbage exhibited last year weighed six pounds, while this year there is one of twenty pounds weight. In potatoes there is great variety, and of excellent sort*. Many of them are of immense size, and generally clean, thin in the skin, and of regular form. We apprehend these are the best tests of the condition of the ground in which they were grown, and an equally conclusive evidence of care in the preparation of the soil is afforded in the splendid carrots exhibited. Some of the early horn and intermediate kinds shown by amateurs, are of the finest specimens we have seem. Passing from the useful everyday classes in demand, we may draw attention to the enormous vegetable marrows, some of which we were given to understand weighed nineteen or twenty pounds each. Of the fruit it is needless to speak. Otago’s reputat:on is already established for its suitability to the production of every description that will grow in the open air at home ; and the exhibition of grapes, peaches, and other kinds' that can only be mature 1 in hot-houses, points to the attention that is given to the production of luxuries as well as necess iries. ft is rather late in the year for flowers, but there was a good show of dahlias, geraniums, and others; and like the fruit and vegetables, they were excellent of their kind. There were flowers in pots, cut flowers, vases of flowers, floral designs, in such variety that description is impossible. On a side table are some very pretty specimens of pines, of various sorts ; gigantic fern trees stand like sentinels in the corners of the hall. We must not omit to mention, as something new and worthy of mention, a herbarium and some collections of ferns artistically preserved. The exhibition of these indicates that scientific investigation of the fl irte of the Province is attended to, and that careful observers are at work from whose patient labors much advantage may be anticipated. The following is the prize list : AMATEUR LIST. Class I.—Plants in Flower and in Pots. Collection of three distinct species named. —E. Lamhton, 1 j Peter M‘Gregor, 2. Single specimen plant.—A. H. Shury, 1; H. Walden, 2. Fuschias, best three.—Robert Thomson, 1; Peter M'Grego.-, 2. Petunias, two varieties.—Robert Thomson, 1 ; E. Lambton, 2. Verbenas, two varieties,—Robert Thomson, 1. Coxcombs, two varieties.—A. H. Shury, I. Zonal Pelargoniums, four varieties. Robert Thomson, 1 ; Peter M‘Gregor, 2. Class 2. Foliage Plants. Collection of four species named.—J. W. Jago, 1; Robert Miller. 2. Goniferm, six varieties named.—Robert Thomson, 1 ; .1. W. Jago, 2. Class 3.—Cut Flowers. Roses, six varieties named.- John Graham, 1 ; Robert Thomson, 2. d Roses, three varieties named. —John Graham, 1 ; Peter M ‘Gregor, 2. Dahlias, best six, three self and three fancy, named.—Peter Dick, jun., 1 ; J. Wilson, Anderson’s Bay, 2. Gladioli, best collection. —Robert Thomson, 1. Bulbs, best collection.—Robert Thomson, 1. Asters, three best.—Robert Miller, 1. Phloxes, herbaceous, three varieties. Peter M‘Gregor, 1. Herbaceous plants, six varieties. Peter M'Gregor, 1 ; Robert Thomson, 2. Picotees, six varieties, —J. Wilson, 1; E. Lambton, 2. Annuals, six varieties. —Robert Thomson, 1. Bouquet garden flowers for table. —Robert Thomson, 1. Do. for hand. —E. Smith, 1; P. M‘Gregor, 2. Class 4.—Fruit. Grapes, two bunches. —Dr. Huhne, 1. Miscellaneous collection.—R. Thomson, 1. Peaches, best three —R. Kirkpatrick, 1 ; John Reid, 2, Nectarines, best three. —Robert Miller, I. Apples, three varieties, two each, named. - W. Jago, 1 ; John Gillies, 2. Fears, two varieties, two each, named.— Alex. Grant, 1 ; John Gillies, 2. Gooseberries.—P. M‘Gregor, 1. Class 5. Vegetables. Best collection.—James Knox, 1 ; John Graham, 2.

Cucumbers, best brace.—W, Bramble, 1, Cabbage, best two. —A. H. Shmy. Red cabbage.—John Graham, 1. Vegetable marrow, heaviest. —Robert Millar, 1; John Graham, 2. Carrots, turnips, parsnips.- John Mitchell. Beet, best three.—W. Bramble. Onions, best s’x. —W. Brumble, 1 ; Alex. Grant, 2. Potatoes, best six.—Jas. Dippie, 1; do. 2. Pumpkins, heaviest.—A. H. Shury, 1. Celery, two stalks, one red, one white.— John Mitchell, 1. Eschalots, six bulbs.—P. Dick, jun., 1 ; Robert Miller, 2. Open to All Members. Best twelve ferns, in pots, not to exceed eight inches diameter, named.—A. Beverley, 1 ; A. C. Purdie, 2 ; Robert Paterson, highly commended. Floral design.—D. S. Mackenzie, 1 ; D. Munro, 2. Collection of carnations, piccotees, and pinks, distinct varieties, not to exceed 24 in number. —Charles Lawrence, 1. Special Prizes. Best hand bouquet, not to exceed five inches in diameter (prize offered by Miss Ramsay, ss). —Henry Fazakerley, I. Best six cut specimens of ornamental foliage plants in flower, distinct species (Ist prize, 10s 6d ; 2nd, 7s Gd, offered by Mr W. Martin). —Jas. Gebbie, sen., 1; A. Beverley, 2. Best six trusses of zonal geraniums, named varieties (prize offered by Mr P. M'Gregor), —J. Wilson, 1. Best three specimens of plants, distinct varieties in flowers and pot. Prize, a frame presented by Messrs Bennett and Wedderspoon. —W. Martin, Green Island. GARDENERS’ LIST. Class I.—Plants in Flower and in Pots. Verbenas, three varieties.—Charles Lawrence, 1. Collection of six distinct species named,— W. Gordon, 1 ; Thomas Allan, 2. Fuschias, four varieties.—Thos. Allan, 1. No competition in seven departments. Class 2.—Foliage Plants in Pots. Collection of six distinct species.—Charles Carter, 1. Native ornamental plants, twelve varieties.—A. Beverley, 1. Class 3. -Cut Flowers. Roses, twelve distinct varieties named.— James Gabbie, sen., 1; James Gebbie, jun., 2. Dahlias, six fancy varieties named.— James Gebbie, sen., 1; Alex. Begg, 2. Best collection of other bulbs.—James Gebbie, jun., 1. Asters, six best.—James Gebbie, sen., 1. Marigolds, six African, six French.—R. Saudilauds, 1. Stocks, six varieties.—James Gebbie, sen., 1. Phloxes, herbaceous, six varieties.—James Gebbie, sen., 1. Carnations, twelve varieties.—James Gebbie, jun., 1. Picotees, twelve varieties.—R. Sandilands, 1; James Gebbie, jun., 2. Verbenas, twelve varieties.—Charles Lawrence, 1 ; James Gebbie, sen., 2. Hollyhocks, herbaceous, six species.—Jas. Gebbie, sen., 1. Annuals, twelve varieties.- Jas. Gebbie, sen., 1. Basket garden flowers, not to exceed two feet in diameter.—Jas. Gebbie, senior, 1 ; Chas. Lawrence, 2. Bouquet garden flowers, for hand, not to exceed live inches in diameter.—H. Fazakerly, 1 ; James Gebbie, jun., 2. Class 4.—Fruit. Miscellaneous collection. —Jas, Gebbie, 1. Grapes, best two bunches, dark and light. —H. Fazakerley, 1. Peaches, best three. —T, Gebbie, sen., 1 ; H. Fazakerley, 2. Nectarines, best three.—D. Munroe, 1. Melon, best flavored.—J. Gebbie, 1. Apples, three varieties, —Collins, 1 ; Begg, 2. Pears, two varieties.—Collins, 1; Begg, 2. Class 5.— Vegetables. Collection of vegetables. —D. Mnnro, gardener to Mr R. B. Martin, 1 ; Chas. Lawrence, 2. Salad, best. —Chas. Lawrence, 1. Cucumbers, best brace. —G. H. Douglas, 1; Chas. Lawrence, 2. Tomatoes, best disli red or yellow.—H. Fazakerly, 1. Red cabbage, best two.—P. Beasdale, 1 ; Thos. Allan, 2. Vegetable marrow (heaviest pairs).—Peter Beasdale, 1 ; J. Smith, 2. Celery, four stalks (two white, two red). — Chas. Lawrence, 1 ; H. Fazakerley, 2. Rhubarb, four heaviest stalks. Alex. Begg, 1 ; C. Lawrence, 2. Pumpkin (heaviest). —James Gillies, sen., I. Open to all Members. Best twelve ferns in pots, not to exceed 8 inches diameter, named.—A. Beverly. Collection of carnations, picotees, and pinks, distinct varieties, not to exceed 24 in number. —Chas, Lawrence, 1. Special Prizes. Best collection of dried native plants suitable for a herbarium; first, L2 ; second, LI ; offered by Mr A. Beverley.—Thomas Dohbie, 1 ; Robert Paterson, 2. Extra prizes were awarded to Miss Christina Mi 1 - ler and James Gebbie, jun. Best hand bouquet not to exceed 3 inches diameter ; prize, 5s ; offered by Miss Ramsay. —H. Fazakerly, 1. Best six trusses of zon il geraniums, named varieties ; prize, ss; offered by Mr M'Gregor. —J. Wilson, 1. Best three specimen plants, distinct varieties, in flower and pots ; prize, a frame, presented by Messrs Bennett and Wedderspoon.—W. Martin, 1. Best six cut specimens of ornamental foliage plants in flower, distinct species; first, 10s fid ; second, 7s 6d ; offered by Mr W. Martin.—Jas. Gebbie, I; A. Beverly, 2,