NOTES ON THE HUTT VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SPRING SHOW, 1927.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 13, 23 September 1927, Page 3

NOTES ON THE HUTT VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SPRING SHOW, 1927.

(By E. C. Buckingham.)

The Spring Show of the Hutt Valley Society, and the initial exhibition of the newly-formed New Zealand National Daffodil Society, was held on September 14th and 15th in King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. The weather was all that could be desired, and this was responsible for a record financially, as well as socially. With regard to the blooms on exhibition, it was an eye-opener, even to the oldest growers and exhibitors. There has been a wonderful advance made in the narcissi during the last few years by the various specialists

and seedling raisers, and it is very hard to predict the type of flower that will come forward during the next few years. Among the many fine flowers on exhibition there were a few that appealed to me, but it would be almost impossible to give a detailed account of all, and various tastes have their own fancies. The following are a few of the varieties that I think will hold their place as show flowers for some time to come: Yellow Trumpets: Dardanus, Prospector, Asgard, Bonny Glen, Lord Roberts. Bicolour Trumpets: Dreadnought, Conqueror, Swanley Perfection, Lady Primrose, Moira O'Neill. White Trumpets: White Emperor, Kantara, Vestal Virgin, Sybil Forster, Mrs. Kreleage. Incomparabilis Yellow: Seedling 3XA, Yellow Poppy, Royalty, Leontes. Incomparabilis Red Cups: Mulwa, Macebearer, Orange Glow, Scarlet Pimpernel, Scarlet Queen, Sweet Sixteen, Flashlightning, Militant, Donax, Burnett, Kennack, Merkara, Croesus. Barriis: Lady Superior, Lillian McLean, Mozart, Miss Wilmott, Pixie, Queen of Hearts, and Isis. Leedsii: White Nile. Silver Plane, Basilia, Phyllida, Silver Dawn, Kingdom, Silver Queen, and Tenedos. Double Varieties: Apricot Phoenix, Volcano, Royal Sovereign, and among the Hybrids, a real beauty named Trevethian. Among the many exhibitors, pride of place must again be given to our old friend Robert Gibson, who seems to improve with age. The North Island Amateur Championship was again won by Mr. W. Slater, but I do not think he was as strong as last year's exhibit. There were so many growers with fine, well grown blooms, that space will not permit of individual mention. The Cooper Memorial Medal was awarded to Messrs. E. Anstis and Son for the most meritorious exhibit in the show, and was well worthy of the award. This was made up of a collection of polyanthus, primroses and the Old English cowslip; over 60 distinct varieties, all well grown. As showing the great interest taken in the Daffodil by the many keen growers, I append a list of visitors from outside districts: —Auckland: A. E. Grinrod, N. W. R. Thomas. Gisborne: G. F. Maunder. Huntley: E. George. Cambridge: J. Hopkirk. Taumarunui: T. Broad. Hawke's Bay: C. J. Baker. Hawera: C. Goodson. Eltham: A. Chrystal, Rev. W. Avery. Manaia: W. A. Grace, C. H. E. Rhodes, C. Phillipson, N. C. Barstow. Feilding: F. Mason, J. G. Weightman. Otaki: Mrs. Mitchell, A. W. Broadway, Alex. Wilson. Waikanae: Miss and A. W. Burgess. Paraparaumu: Mrs. D. F. Howell. Masterton: A. H. Ahrens. Carterton: W. H. Booth. Martinborough: Mrs. John Martin,, Mrs. G. Pain. Christchurch: Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, A. G. Bull, A. K. Wilson, A. T. Ball, Lawrence T. H. Clark. Dunedin: H. T. Trevena. Invercargill: C. E. Longuet; also all the local growers, Messrs. Poole, Hobbs, Westbury, Buckingham, Ball, Pointon, Waugh, Wilson, Wakelyn, Thompson, Slater, Dr. J. R. Boyd, Conning, and many others, who will be the growers of the future. I venture to say that never before was there such a gathering of Daffodil growers and enthusiasts. I think a word of praise is due to the ladies of the committee and their assistants for the energy they displayed in dealing with the unprecedented crowd in the tea rooms. The Hutt Valley Society is fortunate in having such a hard-working committee, so ably led by Sir Alexander Roberts. The duties of secretary were ably carried out by Mr. W. H. Smith. The residents of the Lower Hutt are fortunate in having such a Society in their midst, both from the beautifying and educational point of view.