HORTICULTURE IN CANTERBURY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 138, 10 November 1874, Page 3

HORTICULTURE IN CANTERBURY.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sir, —Another horticultural season is about lo commence in Christchurch, and our associated horticulturists have already advertised their show of spring flowers, which is to be followed by a series of other shows greater in number than in any previous season. This increase of shows, however, does not appear to be due to any advance in horticulture amongst ns, or to the greater number of show visitors which might reasonably be expected from our enlarged population. So far from this latter result being anticipated, the society which has for many years been known as the Christchurch Horticultural Society, resolved, at its last annual meeting, to discontinue its midsummer exhibition, solely from the fear that it would not meet with sufficient public patronage, a fear which had been generated in the minds of its members by several years' experience. The multiplication of flower shows in Christchurch is due to a tendency amongst exhibitors to divide. Our Education Ordinance has, to some extent, checked religious denominationalism by inducing discussion which has made it offensive; but the sectarian feeliDg is breaking out in horticulture which now boasts two societies bere» ostensibly

based on some difference of creed or social government too occult to be intelligible. But the source of much sectarian difference is less the result of opinion than of feeling. This is the source of it in reference to things higher than flowers; and it i 3 not surprising, therefore, it should appear in their midst. Tim simple desire to exhibit one's flowers in a public show, and to invite the criticism of people who know something about the subject of flower-growing, and that higher desire to minister to the pleasure of others by exhibiting the products of our skill and industry, are largely adulterated with lower feelings in societies whose members come into competition with each other. To be "damned with the faint praise" of being " highly commended " to mercy, while other people get the prizes ; to receive a certificate of merit when we have expected a more solid reward ; or to get a third class prize when we are sure we ought to have been awarded a first class one, are, doubtless, very hard to bear. We may strive against the feeling of discontent, but it gains ground nevertheless ; we grow horticulturally co'd, keep aloof from thesociety,and ultimately fall away. And that the old Horticultural Society of Christchurch has been surrounded by people of this class for years may be readily conceived. But now they have returned to social life. An enterprising spirit stimulated by a quarrel became the nucleus of a rival society, and all the old malcontents have rallied round him and organised the society ; obtained an unceptionable president, raised their flag, and proclaimed a horticultural millennium. They will instruct the cottager how to grow his daisies, and admit school-boys amongst their flowers, even when these are flanked by fruit. We wish them every success, and should their brightest hopes not be realised they should not be cast down ; they cannot fail altogether. The excitement they are producing amongst flowergrowers must to some extent benefit their favorite science, and when it has been found, as it probably will be, that two societies cannot find nourishment in Christchurch, there may come a re-union. They may embrace, beg one another's pardon, and swear to a renewal of horticultural friendship which shall last as long as the science itself. Yours, &c, PETER JENKINS.