CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6507, 4 January 1882, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The members' of the Christchurch Horticultural Society held one of their ordinary monthly displays of fruit and flowers at the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association last evening, and attracted a considerable number of visitors. The character of tho exhibits, as a whole, was very fine—in some respects superior to anything previously seen at the exhibitions of the Society. Tho display of carnations and piootees was exceptionally good this month, tho competition being very keen. The antirrhinums were above the average in quality, and tho same may bo said of Mr Line’s exhibit of pentstem on*. In tho open class, Messrs Kerr and Barnett scoured tho first prize for six carnations and six piootees, with a very fine stand, in which tho “Maori Chief” carnation was especially worthy of notice; Mr Spicer look second honours in this class, and tho third prize was awarded to Messrs Nairn and Son. Mr W. Gregory’s six carnations, which gained a first prize, wore good blooms. Messrs Nairn and Son took both first and second honours for six picotecs. In their first prize stand a bloom of " Lord Radoliffo was par icnlariy well formed, and one of “ Maiden Blush ” was also much admired. Tho second prize collection shown by this firm contained some good flowers, notably a fine specimen of "delica a.” In the amateur class, the first prize for a stand of twelve carnations and piootees was gained by Mr W. Howell, who •Iso took first honours for six carnations and « T pjaotees. Mr Howell’s exhibits included some good seedlings. Mr Spicer’s first prize collection of antirrhinums were splendid flowers. Mr Howell obtained second honours in this class with some nice blooms. Tho first prize for twelve pentstemons was awarded to Mr B. Line for some well-grown flowers, of which the best was a fine specimen of “ Msdamo Chabert.” The show of gooseberries was a grand one, tho size and quality of tho fruit never having boon equalled at any show hold here. Mr John Hatton, an old Lancashire grower, who exhibited for the first time in Christchurch yesterday, secured the first prize for 36 gooseberries, of six varieties, with some splendidly-grown fruit. Mr Ashton’s second prize collection was also very good. Mr Hatton likewise ob ained the first prize for six heaviest gooseberries, with some specimens of the “ Clayton ” variety, the total weight of the six being 6oz odwt 20grs. Mr Ashton came second with six fruit of a total weight of soz 15gts. Mr B. Coates took first honours for 12 best-flavoured gooseberries.. His exhibits were of the “ Green Gascoyne ’’ variety. A stand of 10 large sized varieties, sent for exhibition only by Mr G. Green, eici'ed much admiration. Mr Hatton also exhibited a very good assortment, comprising 44 ki-'de. The following is the PRIZE LIST. Cut Blooms—(Open Class). Six carnations and aix picotees, varieties, Keir and Barnett, 1; Spicer and Son,-2 ; Nairn and Son, 3. Six carnations, varieties, William Gregory, 1; Robert Coates, gardener to Mr T. I. Joynt, 2; S. Manning, 3. Six picotees, varieties, Nairn and Son, 1 and 2 ; Spicer and Son, 3. Twelve hollyhocks, no award. Twelve antirrhinums, varieties, Spicer and Son, 1 ; William Howell, 2; D. O’ain, 3. Twelve pentitemons, varieties, B, Line, 1; D. Crain, 2. Amateurs. Sit carnations and six picotees, varieties, William Howell, 1. Six carnations, varieties, William Howell, 1. Six piootees, varieties, William Howell, 1. Six hollyhocks, no award. Fruit— (Open Class). 3G gooseberries, six varieties, John Hatton, 1; John Ashton, 2; 8. Manning, 3. Six gooseberries, heaviest, one variety, John Hatton, 1; John Ashton, 2; O. Marsh, 3. Twelve gooseberries, best-flavoured, ore variety, E. Coates, gardener to Mr T. I. Joynt, 1; C. Marsh, 2 and 3. Highly Commended. Collection of 44 varieties of gooseberries, John Hatton. Collection of ten varieties of gooseberries, George Green. Collection of carnations and picotees, Sp*ar and Son.