HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 230, 5 March 1875, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

AUTUMN SHOW.

Patron—His Honor W. Rolleston, Esq. President—Mr W. Wilson. Vice-Presidents —Messrs G. Gould, E. C. J. Stevens, H. Wynn Williams, A. Duncan, and M. B. Hart, Committee of Management—Messrs. 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. The competition of the two societies now existing in Christchurch has at least one merit, in that it has caused a far greater interest to be felt by the members of them in horticulture, the result being that the public are gainers by a finer display in the various classes Last week we chronicled the autumn show of the younger of the societies, and we are glad to be able to state that the show of yesterday was also a success, though we missed many familiar names from the list of exhibitors. Before proceeding to note in detail the various exhibits, we may first remark|that both these exhibitions point to this fact, that the amateurs are fast gaining upon, if not excelling, the gardeners in the quality of their exhibits. This was more noticeable yesterday in the department of pot plants, where the amateurs had much the best of it.

Taking the catalogue, and commencing in order, we first come to the pot plants open class; In this, though not numerous, the exhibits, taken as a whole, showed great merit. There was no exhibit staged in the stove or greenhouse class, which is to be regretted, because there are some really excellent specimens in the city. For the fine f oliaged plants Mr Davidson was the only exhibitor. His stand was a very goodone, including a splendid plant of Pandanus Veitchii, one of the finest ornamental plants in cultivation, a nice BMttonia Argyroneura, and a wellgrown specimen of Dracteue feras rosea. Achimenes were not represented, and the same was the case as regarded gloxinias. In the class for six fuchsias, Mr Greenaway was the only exhibitor, with only an average stand, the plants being very stalky, and short of blossom. No first prize was awarded in this class. Mr Greenaway took the prize for single fuchsia with a plant of Sunray, similar to the one exhibited by Mr Abbot at the last show of the Arboricultural Society. The plant is not remarkable for the beauty of the bloom, but for the peculiarity of the leaves which present an appearance similar to a ray of sunshine falling on a green leaf. In geraniums Mr Wm Wilson was the orly exhibitor of zonales. His stand of six included well grown and bloomed plants of Lurline, Lavinia, and, Chang which deserve notice. The variegated were not of great merit, being dull of color. Mr Wilson took second prize, no first being awarded ; this lot included Mrs Turner, Lady Cullum, Mrs Pollock, and Louisa Smith. In doubles Mr Wilson had it all his own way, being the only competitor. He exhibited very fine blooms of Madame Lemoine, and also of Marie Lemoine, the latter especially being capitally grown. The begonia class did not fill so well as might have been expected, Mr Davidson, gardener to Mr G. Gould, being the sole representative. They were very fine plants, deserving the first prize honors awarded to them. Ericas were not represented, and the cockscombs exhibited by Mr W. Napier, though of good colour, were deficient in shape and size. The same gentleman exhibited six very nice balsams, varieties, which deserved a higher mark of recognition at the hands of the judges than a second prize, baing well bloomed and good plants. In the class for twelve native ferns, Mr Crooks had a very nice collection, but unfortunately it was disqualified on account of a tropical fern, Pteris serrulata, being included. Mr W. T. Smith took first prize with a good collection, including a nicely grown plant of Hyrophilla. For the exotic ferns, Mr Davidson came first with a capital lot, including Gymnogramma (gold and silver), Nidus avis (bird's nest), stag horn, and Blechnum Braziliensis. Mr W.J; Smith came second with a stand of fair average merit. The next class in order is pot plantß grown by amateurs, and here we may say that the show made by the amateurs in this class is worthy of high commendation. In the class for stove or greenhouse, Mr W. J. Smith took first prize with a good stand, including Taurania Asiatica, and Thunbergia alata. Mr Crooks came second with a plant of Pensopleca lanceolata and a gloxinia. The same gentlemen were competitors in the class for single specimen plant, Mr Crooks securing first prize with a well bloomed plant of Hydrangea (var.) ; Mr Smith taking second with a good specimen of Begonia erecta alba, both lots being very creditable indeed. In the class for three fine foliaged plants, Mr W. J. Smith exhibited a specimen of the New Zealand pepper plant, and a wellgrown Aphelandra Leopoldi. Mr Crooks had a good plant of Plumbago capiensis in his stand. As in the open class, neither achimenes nor gloxinias were represented. In the class for fuchias, Mr Crooks bore off both prizes for the trio and for single plant, both lots being very nice plants, with a good proportion of bloom. In the class for six geraniums, Mr Crooks took first prize with a .good collection, including capital representatives of Mrs Wm. Paul, Memnon, Sir George Bovven (seedling), and Lady Darling. The variegated geraniums were of fair average merit, but the doubles deserve special mention, particularly Mr Crook's stand, including Madame Lemoine, Marie Lemoine, and others. Coming to the open class for cut flowers, we may notice that the dahlias and. rose*

exhibited, particularly those of Mr Greenaway and Mr G. A. Keade, were excellent, the latter, considering the lateness of the season, more particularly so. The first class to claim attention is that for eighteen dahlias, varieties. This prize was taken by Mr Greenaway with a really splendid stand, as fine a lot as we have seen exhibited. It comprised capital blooms of Yellow Boy, Leah, Lord Derby, Bob Ridley, Triomphe de Pecque, and others. Mr Greenaway was the only exhibitor in this class. In the class for twelve Mr Greenaway was also successful in obtaining first prize with good blooms of Lady G. Herbert, Model, Queen of Beauty, and Lord Derby. Mr W. Wilson took second, and Mr W. J. Smith third prizes respectively, both having good stands of well-grown blooms. Before leaving the dahlias, though somewhat out of the the order of the catalogue, we may note that Mr Greenaway took Mr Montgomery's prize for eighteen dahlias, varieties, with a magnificent collection, including fine blooms of Yellow Boy, Chang, Novel, Imperial, VicePresident, and Charlotte Darling. Mr Smith, who came second, had some nice blooms of Lord Beaumont, Beacon, Criterion, Gem, and Peri. For the prize offered by Mr Montgomery for the best nine dahlias Mr W. J. Smith was the only competitor, and had a very creditable stand. The gladioli exhibited by Mr Greenaway were very fine blooms indeed, some of them would have done credit to any show. Of course the lateness of the season prevented any great show of roses being made, but Mr Greenaway's exhibit for the twelve was astooishingly good, the blooms being large and in spendid condition. This stand comprised creditable representatives of Marechal Neil, Pierre Notting, Caroline de Sansal, Reine du Midi, and Paul Neron. Mr G. A. Reade's exhibit in this class was exceedingly creditable for an amateur, the flowers though small, beiug well grown. Mr Beade had some good blooms of Souvenir de Dr Janin, President Villermorz, and La France. Mr Greenaway exhibited a very nice lot of phloxes and Mr Wallace's asters deserve mention. There was only one exhibit of stocks, and they were only of ordinary merit. Mr Crooks had some very good marigolds, both African and French, exhibiting a good variety of colors. Mr Greenaway was the only exhibitor of collection of cut blooms. He had a nice lot, comprising picotees, pinks, double Zinnia elegans, striped everlasting pea, &c. For table bouquets there were three competitors, Mr A. Carrick obtaining first prize. This was very nicely and tastily designed, and looked both light and elegant, but to our mind was somewhat small for a dinner table ornament; the second prize, that of Mr Smith, was better as regarded size, but lacked lightness in construction; Only one miniature flower garden waß exhibited, made by Mr Barnett, and was a very creditable and ingenious production. The amateur classes for cut flowers were hardly so well filled as we should have liked to have seen. The class for nine dahlias did not fill, and in that for six Mr Ash ton was the only exhibitor with a stand of average merit, comprising Miss Ruth, Triomphe de Pecque, and Yellow Beauty. The prize offered by Mr Greenaway, for the best six dahlias, open to those who have not taken a prize in dahlias previously, was also taken by Mr Ashton.

The roses exhibited in the amateur class, especially those of Mr Reade, unfortunately omitted from the judging, were excellent, and reflected great credit upon the growers. In the class for six gladioli, Mr W. J. Smith was first with a very good lot, Mr Crookes taking second. The verbenas exhibited by Mr Crookes were the finest we have seen for some time, the trusses being large and well bloomed. The exhibits of Messrs Smith and Ashton in this class were also good. Mr Crooks had some well grown asters, and Mr Ashton some very nice phloxes. We are sorry to disagree with the judges as regards the awards of the hand bouquets, but we are at a loss to imagine why Mr Smith's exhibit should have taken first prize. Mr Reade's bouquet was better built and quite as tastefully arranged, and should certainly have had the prize. Mr A. Carrick took first prize for collection of cut blooms in this class, Mr Crooks being a good second. Mr Carrick's exhibit was seen to great disadvantage, as it was huddled up in a box, preventing any possibility of seeing what it comprised. The extra prize for hand bouquet, made by girls under fifteen, was taken byiMiss Smith with a very good exhibit. The articles for exhibition comprised seedling hollyhocks by Mr Allen ; a magnificent collection (twenty-four sorts) of verbenas by Mr Crooks ; some asters and double zinnias by Mr T. Wallace ; a very tastefully designed table decoration by Mr G. A. Reade; a bloom of Magnolia grandiflora by Mr M. B. Hart; a splendid collection of roses by Mr Abbot, and some very fine dahlias by Mr Greenaway. On the stage were some splendid pot plants exhibited by Mr Greenaway, and greenhouse plants from Mr G. Gould, including Dracaenes, Gymnostachyum Pearcii, Allemanthea variablis, Paperonia argyrea, Alamanda neufolia, and Caladiums. Mr Greenaway's collection included new double white fuschia, Smith's Avalanche, and a number of geraniums, balsams, and lobelias. The judges' report, speaking of the extra exhibits, says, "The judges wish specially to notice the collection sent by Mr G. Gould and Mr Greenaway, the geraniums, fuschias, and balsams sent by Mr W. Wilson and Mr Greenaway, the roses exhibited by Mr Greenaway, and by Mr Chudley, and by Mr Abbot, also a new double tiger lily by the latter gentleman. They wish specially to commend the verbenas exhibited by Mr Crooks, the asters and zinnias by Mr Wallace, and the hollyhocks by Mr Allen."

Of the show of fruit in all classes we may Bay that it was excellent. In Muscat grapes Mr W. Wilson was the only exhibitor, with a very fine bunch, and in Hambro's also he took first prize, Mr Hunley coming second with a good bunch, well colored, but somewhat small in the berries. Mr Wilson exhibited a bunch of this kind weighing 41bs 6oz, and a specimen of a new grape, golden champion, very fine. The collection of fruit which took the Society prize was exhibited by Mr Napier, and was one of the finest we have seen at any show, as not only did it include nearly every variety of fruit, but the arrangement was also good. The same gentleman won the Superintendent's prize for best collection, with a. second very well got up collection. Mrs Baber's peaches were splendid, in fact, the pick of the show, and altogether the fruit classes was excellent. Mr Wilton's prize for best collection of apples brought out two competitors. Mr Stanley taking first prize with a splendid Jot, including forty varieties, amongst others

Kerry pippin, golden do, russet, nonpareil, and Ribston pippin (dessert), Emperor Alexander, Blenheim, Orange, and Kentish fillbasket (culinary). Mr Sisson came second with a good lot of thirty varieties, including some of the best sorts. The vegetables generally were very fine, especially some Veitch's autumn giant cauliflower exhibited by Mr Chudley, potatoes exhibited by Mr Greenaway and Mr Dutton, and a very fine collection of vegetables by Mr Mitchell, which took the Superintendent's prize, and included chilies grown in the open air. Mr W.Wilson exhibited some fine hops grown at Kaiapoi, which show what can be done in this direction by careful cultivation.

Owing to Mr G. A. Reade's exhibit of six roses being overlooked by accidentally being allowed to remain under the table, without being seen by the judges, a special first prize was awarded by the sub-committee and judges to Mr Reade, the stand being one of the best in the show. The judges also in their report highly commend Mr Dutton's exhibit of seedling potatoes ; and also remark that the collection of fruit and vegetables was far superior to any yet exhibited. The attendance during the day was not large, but improved considerably in the evening. We append the PRIZE LIST. Pot Plants—Open to all. (Judges : Messrs Low, Webb, and Mitchell.) Six Stove or Greenhouse "Varieties, in flower—No exhibit Six Fine Foliaged Species, in flower—lst, A. Davidson Four pans or pots of Achimenes, varieties —No exhibit Foar Gloxinias, varieties—No exhibit Six Fuchsias, varieties—2nd, J. Greenaway One Fuchsia—lst, J. Greenaway Six Geraniums, varieties—lst, W. Wilson Six Geraniums, variegated varieties—2nd, W. Wilson Six Geraniums, double varieties—lst, W. Wilson Six Begonias, varieties—lst, A. Davidson Three Ericas, varieties—-No exhibit Three Cockscombs, varieties 2nd, W. Napier Six Balsams, varieties—2nd, W. Napier Four Liliums, grown in pots, varieties— No exhibit Twelve Ferns, native species—lst, W. J. Smith Nine Ferns, exotic species—Ist, A. Davidson ; 2nd, W. J. Smith. Pot Plants (Amateurs only). (Judges—Messrs Low. Webb, and Mitchell.) Three Stove or Greenhouse, in flower, varieties—lst, W.J. Smith; 2nd, H. Crooks One Specimen Plant, in flower—lst, H. Crooks; 2nd, W. J. Smith Three Fine Foliaged, species—lst, W. J. Smith; 2nd, H. Crooks Three pans or pots of Achimenes, varieties —No exhibit Three Gloxinias, varieties—No exhibit Three Fuschias, varieties—lst, H. Crooks One Fuschia—lst, H. Crooks Six Geraniums, varieties—lst, H. Crooks Four Geraniums, variegated, varieties—--Ist, H. Crooks; 2nd, W. J. Smith Five Geraniums, double, varieties—lst, H. Crooks Three Balsams, varieties—No exhibit. Three Petunias, double, varieties—No exhibit Three Liliums, grown in pots, varieties —No exhibit CUT flowers—(Open to all.) (Judges same as pot plants.) Eighteen Dahlias, varieties Greenaway Twelve Dahlias, varieties —Ist, J. Greenaway ; 2nd, W. Wilson ; 3rd, W. J. Smith Twelve Roses, varieties —Ist, J. Greenaway ; 2nd, G. A. Reade Twelve Gladiolus, spikes, varieties—lst, J. Greenaway Six Hollyhocks, two blooms each, varieties —No exhibit Twelve Verbenas, three trusses each, varieties—No exhibit Twelve Phloxes, herbaceous, spikes, not less than six varieties—lst, J. Greenaway Twelve Asters, quilled, at least six varieties —No exhibit Twelve Asters, not quilled, at least six varieties—lst, T. Wallace ; 2nd, J. Greenaway Twelve Stocks, spikes, six varieties—lst, W. Napier Twelve Marigolds, six French and six African, varieties—lst, H. Crooks ; 2nd, W. Allen Collection of Cut Blooms—lst, J. Greenaway Table Bouquet—lst, A. Carrick ; 2nd, W. J. Smith ; 3rd, R. Chudley Hand Bouquet—No exhibit Miniature Flower Garden—lst, A.Barnett cut flowers (amateurs only.) Nine Dahlias, varieties—No exhibit Six Dahlias, varieties—lst, J. Ashton Six Roses, varieties special prize, G. A. Reade; 2nd, J. Ashton Nine Gladiolus, varieties, spikes—No exhibit Six Gladiolus, varieties, spikes—lst, W. J. Smith; 2nd, H. Crooks Six Verbenas, varieties, three trusses of each —lst, H. Crooks; 2nd, W. J. Smith; 3rd, J. Ashton Six Asters, varieties, quilled—lst, H. Crooks Six Asters—varieties, not quilled—No exhibit Six Stocks, varieties, spikes—No exhibit Six Phloxes, herbaceous, varieties, spikes Ist, J. Ashton Six Marigolds, varieties, three French and three African—No exbibit Hand Bouquet—lst, W. J. Smith; 2nd, G. A. Reade Collection of Cut Blooms—lst, A. Carrick, 2nd, H. Crooks EXTRA CLASS FOR CUT FLOWERS. Hand Bouquet, made by girls under 15 years old—lst, Miss F. Smith; 2nd, Miss N. Hill Collection of Cut Blooms, grown by boys under 15 years old—lst, R. Nairn fruit (Open to all). (Judges—Messrs E. B. Collins; W. J. Smith, and E. Nalder.) Two bunches Muscat Grapes—lst, W. Wilson

Two Bunches Hambro' Grapes—lst, W. Wilson; 2nd, Hunley One bunch of any other variety of Grapes —No exhibit One Melon—No exhibit fruit (Open to all.) Twelve Peaches—lst, W. T. Mitchell; 2nd, W. Gimblett

Six Nectarines—lst, W. Napier ; 2nd, W. Gimblett Six Apricots—No exhibit Eighteen Apples, desert, threel varieties, six of each—-lst, W. Napier j 2nd, J?, Robertson

Eighteen Apples, culinary, three varieties, six of each—lst, W. Gimblett ; 2nd, D. Robertson Twelve Pears, four varieties, three of each —lst, D. Robertson; 2nd, W. Wilson Twelve Plums—lst, W. Napier and W. T. Mitchell (equal) ; 2nd, D. Robertson and T. Weeks (equals Collection of Fruit—lst, W. Napier FRUIT (Amateurs only ) Two Bunches of Grapes—No exhibit One Melon—No exhibit Twelve Peaches—lst, Mrs Baber Six Nectarines —No exhibit Eighteen Apples, six varieties, three of each—lst, H. Crooks Twelve P. are, three varieties, four of each —No exhibit Twelve Plums, three varieties, four of each —No exhibit Collection of Fruit—H. Crooks vegetables (Open to all). Two Cucumbers—lst, H. Crooks; 2nd, T. Allen Two Cabbages—lst, A. Dandson; 2nd, W. Gimblett; 3rd, T. Weeks Two cabbages, red—lst, H. Crooks; 2nd, A. Davidson Two Cauliflowers—lst, R. Chudley; 2nd, J. Ashton; 3rd, W. Gimblett Two Savoys—lst, T. Weeks; 2nd, W. Napier Six Celery, white—lst, W. T. Mitchell Six Celery, red—No exhibit Three Beet—lst, H. Crooks; 2nd, T. Weeks Six Parnips—lst, W. T. Mitchell; 2nd, H. Crooks Six Carrots—lst, W. T. Mitchell; 2nd, H. Crooks; 3rd, A. Davidson Four Lettuce3—lst, R. Chudley Six Turnips—lst, T. Weeks: 2nd, W.Wilson Fifty pods Peas—lst, H. Crooks; 2nd, T. Allen; 3rd, T. Weeks Fifty pods French Beans—lst, T. Allen; 2nd, H. Crooks; 3rd, W. T. Mitchell Twenty-five pods Runner Beans —Ist, H. Crooks; 2nd, T. Allen Twenty-five pods Broad or Long Pod Beans—No exhibit Twelve Potatoes, Kidney—lst, J. Greenaway; 2nd, A. Davidson; 3rd, H. Crooks Twelve Potatoes, Round—No exhibit Twelve Onions—lst, A. Davidson; 2nd,W. T. Mitchell; 3rd, T. Weeks Six Leeks—lst, W. T. Mitchell; 2nd, T. Allen; 3rd, W.Wilson Salad—2nd, H. Crooks Honey, in Comb—No exhibit Collection of Tomatoes —No exhibit Collection of Vegetables—lst, T. Allen; 2nd, H. Crooks Collection of Potatoes—lst, J. Greenaway; 2nd, W. T. Mitchell Extra. Prizes. The president, Mr. W. Wilson, gave the following prizes : For the best collection of apples, £2 2s and £1 Is—lst, J. Stanley; 2nd, R Sisson For the best collection of Pears, £1 5s and 15s—1st, D. Robertson; no second prize awarded. Mr J. M. Smith, V.P., prizes of 15s, 10s, and ss, as Ist, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for Hand Bouquets, to boys and girls not exceeding fourteen years of age, who attend school — Ist, Jas. Craw ; 2nd, R. Nairn ; 3rd, Emma Merson Mr H. Crooks' prize of 10s 6d for the best collection of Fruit —No exhibit Mr R. Reid's prize of 10s and 5s as Ist and 2nd prizes, to amateurs, for the best collection of Vegetables—lst, T. Weeks; 2nd, E Mackett. Mr Greenaway's prizes, 7s 6d and ss, as Ist and 2nd prizes, for the best six Dahlias, exhibited by persons who have never taken a prize for Dahlias—lst, J. Ashton; no second prize awarded. His Honor Mr W. Rolleston's prizes of £2 and £1 for the best collections of Fruit; and 25s and 15s, for the best collections of Vegetables, both in the open class—lst, W. Napier ; 2nd, W. T. Mitchell Mr W. Montgomery's prizes of 26s and 16s for Eighteen Dahlias, varieties, in the open class ; and 12s 6d and 8s 6d, for Nine Dahlias, varieties, in the amateurs' class; the dahlias to be named in both classes—lst (for eighteen), W. Greenaway ; 2nd, W. J. Smith. Ist (for nine), W. J. Smith MR. SPURGEON ON PREACHING. The fifth quarterly Conference of Christian Workers, whose central ofiice is at Mildmay Park, has been held in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington Butts. "Christian Workers" is the name given to an alliance of pastors and preachers engaged in various ways in the promotion of the duties implied in their title. Mr Spurgeon gave an address on the subject prescribed for the occasion, "What to preach, and how." The former part of the question, he said, addressed itself more particularly to older preachers, while " How to preach" was the question which perplexed beginners. Young preachers thought too much of "How to preach." Older preachers thought, perhaps, too little of that, and too much of the other. Now, it was possible to get too careless. There should not merely be the right food, but it should be rightly cooked. Truth was the main thing, but the preparation and delivery had far more to do with it than was generally supposed. If a man were uncertain what to preach he had better not preach at all. The best thing would be for him to wait until he did know some elementary truth of which he was sure, for it would be a pity for him to preach as soul-saving truth that which might be error after all. As pastors, their range was as wide as the Word of God. Many congregations, he _ believed, thought their ministers were not sincere because they talked in such a whining way. They would never get the working classes to them unless they spoke naturally.