CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW, 1874.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 140, 13 November 1874, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW, 1874.

Patron—His Honor W. Rolleston, Esq., Superintendent. President W Wilson, Esq, Vice-Presidents—G Gould, Esq, J M Smith, Esq, E C J Stevens, Esq, H Wynn Williams, Esq, A Duncan, Esq, M B Hart, Esq. Treasurer—G Gordon, Esq. Committee of management—Mr J Greenaway, J Leigh, A Stewart, J Allen, R Chudley, T R Proctor, W J Smith, R Easterbrook, C Collins, G W Nalder, H Crooks, J Low. Secretary—Mr W H Newman, Upland Cottage, Christchurch. Judges—For pot plants and cut flowers, Messrs H R Webb, T Proctor, and R Chudley. Fruit and vegetables, Messrs J Allen, J Lowe, and D Barker. The spring exhibition of the Christchurch Horticultural Society took place as usual in the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and was in every way a great success. Considering the earliness of the season, it was surprising to see so many well grown flowers, and the vegetables were also

worthy of high commendation. • The committee and secretary of the association were indefatigable in their efforts to accommodate the public, but both the tent and the portion of ground enclosed were too small for such a number of visitors, and it is to be hoped that next year a larger space will be taken. The ladies, attracted no doubt by the fine weather, mustered in great numbers,, and the beautiful tints of their costumes vied with the flowers. It would be a great accommodation to the sex if some larger area were covered with an awning, for wandering about the grounds is very wearying, and a shady seat, a thing almost impossible to procure yesterday, would have been a boon indeed.

The conifers exhibited by Messrs Duncan and Son and W T Mitchell were placed in the open enclosure, and were much admired. Competent judges seem to be of opinion that it is the best spring show ever held here, and in some departments it was certainly magnificent, the grouping was most effective.

The judges remarked that the show of plants for exhibition only was highly commendable, more especially those shown by Mr Wilson and Mr Greenaway, Mr Wilson's pot roses and geraniums being especially fine, and Mr Greenaway's showing that gentleman's usual excellent taste. They specially noticed two English rhododendrons, recently imported, and commended highly Mr D. Craw's pansies, remarking at the same time that those exhibited by Mr Justice Gresson were of a remarkable character. Some of the vegetables shown by Mr Gimblett were exceptionably fine, and Mr Wallace's cucumbers were excellent. Amongst the novelties that attracted most attention were the Ericas or Cape heaths, shown by Mr W. Wilson and Messrs Duncan and Son, and they are a class of plant that all lovers of horticulture will be glad to see in Canterbury. The Ventricosa, a beautiful yellow variety, was well grown and full of bloom, as also were two nice specimens of the charming Cavendishii, a beautiful claret-and-white, and one of the Boweniana, a pure white. The azaleas were better bloomed than on previous occasions, and show that this beautiful plant is _ coming into very general cultivation here. ' * The] begonias, \ or as they are popularly called elephants' ears, were also peculiarly fine. The pelargoniums were not specially noticeable, bnt the geraniums, though not large, showed excellent; cultivation, and the foliage of some of them* was very beautiful. The pot roses, though, few in number, were very creditable,, and w* particularly noticed one handsome, plant of.' our old friend the exquisite Celine Forester,, that was sent by Mr W. Wilson for exhibition. The exotic ferns seem to increase im size and beauty with every recurring season;. Two grand plants of the stag-horn variety,, slightly different in foliage, shown by/ Mr G. Gould, are specially worthy of notice. The extra prize offered by James Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, for "the best 2 new or rare plants, brought forward three competitors. Mr Gould took first prize with two new fine-foliaged plants—the Peperomia argyrea, with a fine pellate leaf, and the Gymnoslachyani Pearcei, with red veins on an ovate leaf, both were warmly admired as rare and beautiful specimens. The 2nd prize was awarded to Messrs Duncan and Son for two orchidaceous plants, the Anthurium Scherzerianum, and the Lycaste Skinnerii, two very fair specimww.Mr Smith's basket of bedding plants contained many new and rare and* was well worthy special inspection. Amongst Mr Gould's exhibits was an ornamental fine ■■ foliaged plant, the Pandanus VeitchiJ, worthy also of special commendation. It is »• long sword-leaved plant with white stripesin a green ground, and small spines at the: edges of the leaves, and was one of the most • prominent features of the show. In the cut blooms we especially noticed some fine ranunculuses, exceedingly good, and were; sorry to see so few. The vegetables andi fruit were, as a whole, exceedingly good, the asparagus, rhubarb, carrots, peas, strawberries, cabbages, and lettuces being all 1 well grown. In the Ist division, pot plants; open to all, there were a good many classes • not filled. Messrs Duncan and Sons and 1 A Davidson took the great majority of the: prizes, their exhibits being a great credit to> them. In the division for pot plants shown' by amateurs only, Messrs W J Smith, Wallace, and H. Crooks were the only exhibitors, Mr W J Smith taking most of the: prizes, his exhibits being generally admiredi. The show of cut flowers was rather poor, the entries being very few. Mr D Craw's pansies and Messrs Duncan and Son's i*;elargoniums were fine, and the two bouquets shown by Mr W J Smit)* Mr H Crooks were very pretty, »j fr " Sm i t h had succeeded in contrasting ' che co i onrß m his bo as to blend them beautifully. Mr D Craw s ranunculuse* we have not i ce d as exceptionally r In the fruit ' ctll d vegetable class Mr Sisson's strawberry were very large and full, and his cher' ies were a j so g 00( j . both, especially *sL°strawberries, being much admired. Mr " 'allace's rhubarb was of immense size and great weight, and called forth general commendation ; his cucumbers also were wonderfully good. Mr Nancarrow's peas, and Mr Davidson's asparagus, were large and fine. The exhibits of potatoes were few and poor. Mr Gimblett's cabbages were admirable, and also his collection of vegetables. The show of salad was poor. The Horticultural Society may well be pleased at the success of their first show this season, at it has certainly, at this period of the year, never been excelled in Canterbury. We append the

Prize List, pot plants—open to all. One Specimen Orchidaceous Plant—No award. Three Orchidaceous Plants—No award. One Specimen Pitcher Plant—No award. Three Camellias, varieties —No award. Six Rhododendrons, at least 3 varieties— No award. Three Ericas, varieties—lst prize, Duncan and Son. One Erica—lst prize, W Wilson. Three Azaleas varieties—lst prize, Duncan and Son. One Azalea—2nd prize, Duncan and Son. Two Cinerarias, varieties—lst prize, JGreenaway. One Epacris—No award. Six Begonias, varieties—lst prize, Duncan : and Son ; 2nd, A Davidson. Six Fine Foliaged and Variegated, three of each variety—lst prize, Duncan and Son;. Ist, A Davidson (equal). One Specimen Stove or Greenhouse Plant in Flower—lst prize, A Davidson; 2nd Dimct* and Son.

Four Pelargoniums, varieties, show— Ist prize, A Davidson; 2nd, Duncan and .Sod. Four Pelargoniums, fancy—lst prize, Duncan and Son ; 2nd, A Davidson. Six Geraniums, fancy—lst prize, Duncan and Son ; 2nd, W Wilson. _ Six Geraniums, fancy variegated—lst prize, Duncan and Son; 2nd, W Wilson, 3rd, A Davidson. . . . , , Four Geraniums, varieties, ivy-leaved—--Ist prize, W Wilson; 2nd, Duncan and Son. Four Geraniums, varieties, double—lst prize, W Wilson. Six Roses, varieties—lst prize, W Wilson. Four Calceolarias, varieties—No award. Four Fuchsias, varieties—No award. One Fuchsia—No award. Four Verbenas, varieties —No award. Three Petunias, varieties —No award. Nine Miscellaneous, varieties, in flower — Ist prize, Duncan and Son ; 2nd, A Davidson. Three Auriculas, varieties, in flower—No

award. Twelve Ferns, native species—lst prize, A Davidson. Six Ferns, exotic species—lst prize, A Davidson; 2nd (awarded, but we were unable to ascertain to whom). POT PLANTS —AMATEURS ONLY. One New or Rare Plant—lst prize, W J Smith. Three Calceolarias, varieties—2nd prize, W J Smith. Four Pelargoniums, varieties—2nd prize, W J Smith. Twelve Geraniums, varieties, in flower—lot prize, Thos Wallace; 2nd, H Crooks. Three Miscellaneous varieties, in flower—--Ist prize, H Crooks; 2nd, W J Smith. One Cineraria—lst prize, W J Smith; 2nd, H Crooks. Three Fuchsias, varieties—lst prize, W J Smith. One Fuchsia, variety—lst prize, W J Smith.

Three Roses, varieties—2nd prize, Thos Wallace. Nine Ferns, native species—lst prize. W J Smith; 2nd, H Crooks. CUT FLOWERS —OPEN TO ALL. Twelve Roses, varieties—No award. Twelve Verbenas, varieties, three trusses of each—No award. Twelve Pansies—lst prize, D Craw. Twelve Anemones, varieties —No Twelve Tulips, at least six sorts—No Collection of Primulas and PolyanthusNo award. Collection of Cut Blooms—No award. Hand Bouquet—2nd prize, W Wilson; 3rd, J Harding. Table Bouquet—No award. Collection of Blooms of Bulbous Plants— No award. Twelve Pelargoniums, at least six varieties, not more than three trusses of each—lst prize, Duncan and Son. CUT FLOWERS —(AMATEURS ONLY). Six Roses, varieties—No award. Six "Verbenas, varieties, three trusses of each —lst prize, H Crooks. Six Pansies, varieties Crooks. Six Anemones, varieties—No award. Hand Bouquet—lst prize, W J Smith; 2nd, H Crooks. Six Ranunculuses, varieties—lst prize, D Craw. Six Tulips, varieties—No award. Collection of Cut Blooms—lst prize, D Craw; 2nd, H Crooks. Collection of Blooms of Bulbous Plants— No award. Table Decoration—lst prize, W J Smith. Six Pelargoniums, at least three varieties, not more than three trusses of each —Ist prize, W J Smith. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES —OPEN TO ALL. Twenty-five Cherries—lst prize, Sissou. Twenty-five Strawberries—lst prize, Sisson.

Six Stalks Rhubarb, heaviest—lst prize, Thomas Wallace ; 2nd, W Gimblett. Two Cucumbers—lst prize, Thomas Wallace. Fifty Asparagus—lst prize, A Davidson; 2nd, W Gimblett. Fifty Pods Peas—lst prize, M Nancarrow; 2nd, H Crooks. Twelve Potatoes, round—2nd prize, M Nancarrow. Twelve Potatoes, kidney—No award. Six Turnips—lst prize, W Gimblett; 2nd, M Nancarrow. Two Cauliflowers or Brocoli—lst prize, Thomas Allen ; 2nd, W Gimblett. Three Cabbages, fit for table—lst prize, W Gimblett; 2nd, A Davidson. Six Lettuces —Ist prize, Thomas Wallace ; 2nd, W Gimblett. Collection of Vegetables, at least nine sorts—lst prize, W Gimblett; 2nd, Thomas Allen. . „. Six Strawberries, in pots—lst prize, Sisson.

Salad—2nd prize, D Craw. EXTRA PRIZES—OPEN TO ALL. Sir Cracroft Wilson's prize for best collection of Coniferous Plants—lst prize, Duncan and Son; 2nd, W J Mitchell. Messrs Veiteh and Son's prize for the best two New or Pare Plants—lst prize, A Davidson; 2nd, Duncan and Son. Mr Sandstein's prize for six New or Rare Plants, natives of New Zealand or the Chatham or Auckland Islands—l prize, W J Smith. , Messrs Lee's prize for best collection of Stove or Greenhouse Plants, not leas than ■ix in number—lst prize, A Davidson. Mr J Allen's prize for six Strawberries, in pot, of any one variety—lst prize, Mr Sisson.