HORTICULTURE IN OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 3498, 9 May 1874, Page 1 (Supplement)

HORTICULTURE IN OTAGO.

To the Editor. Sir, — I notice that the last Annual meeting Ifif. itho Royal; Horticultural L 1 Society! has ended in a general collapse, by there being no committee or office-bearers elected for the ensuing year, and dcTinquiring the reason for such an unusual occurrence; I,'found that, owing to the petty jealousies dxistifit between the members of the like Royal Horticul tnral Society, it ' r seems impossible 1 for them to 'elect a Committee able to Work harmoniously together. Such being- the cate, would it not-be advisable to form ah Ataidtear Society; to consist of honorary and c6ihpeting members. i n In bringing forward this suggestion;'! may mention it is not a new idea’, the necessity of making new efforts if they wish tb cCUtintth the exhibitions, having been gradually -forcing itself on the minds of many-amateurs. It must be patent to all that the late shows, owing to one cause and another, havb gradually, decreased in interest, many of thfe formerly leading exhibitors, both amateurh and gardener.*, having at the last four or five shows discontinued exhibiting. :In proposing an Amateur Society I would have competing who .should pledge themselves; to exhibit something at each show, heldbythe Society, and honorary members on,>the same terms as members of the E. H. £. 0.,; by this means,, if the Society was once fairly Btarted, there should be no lack of fitst-claas exhibitions. At the late, shows .it , was a common thing to hear a visitor re- ** Well ! if that is, a first .prize,, I couid beat that.” • ‘ r In forming the new Society I.would be no party to exclude gardeners ; they should b© hberty to join the Society as competing members, and of course take prizaa they gained, but should have nothing to dq with the management of the SoCjety. I think, W this means, three good exhibitions . might be . spring- to comprise . espe? cially heaths, camelias, azaleas, early bulpßj ; and the other two about the time of the summer and-autumn shows of the R. H. S. Nurserymen and gardeners should also be allowed to exhibit anything they pleitsed m their Ime of business as an advertisement, even to stating the price. —I am, &c., ■n j- ' 'Amateur. Dunedin, May 7. J . ;