THE SUMMER SHOW

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2664, 27 November 1923, Page 3

THE SUMMER SHOW

ROME OBSERVATIONS AND RE- ~ ELECTIONS. ' (By Corolla.) I* I'oin the viewpoint of a person hot-intimately connected with the Horticultural: Society, there was something a little different in the presentation of the exhibits at Friday’s Summer Show. To the patron of these exhibitions who takes but a casual interest in them, a change in their arrangement means a break from the path of monotony, and, consequently, presents a fresh angle of the old story. The method of presenting the goods is a vital factor in their appeal, and although the diversion was but. slight on the occasion under review, still it made for attractiveness. The alteration in the location and method of staging some of the sections created the distinction which gave freshness to a necessarily stereotyped exhibition. This factor is one that could be reflected upon by those in authority, who are doubtless eager to make the exhibitions as appealing as possible to the general public. The Society is to be congratulated upon The increase in entries this year, and there is no doubt the Show was a good one. The exhibits in the rose section were somewhat disappointing, due no doubt to the date being a little too late for the best blooms. However, the deciding of dates is a very problematical question, due to decision of necessity being made some weeks ahead. The sweet peas section was a special delight, and the staging was very attractive, especially in the evening, the location of the exhibits permitting’of concentrated illumination, which presented the blooms to the best advantage. The points prize in this section went to Mr Wilson, of .Otaki, who had some very nice blooms, and his exhibits played an important part in making the showing so attractive. Mrs P. Easton was the happy winner for the season of the handsome Citizen’s Trophy, a distinction that one can well he proud of. The other exhibitors in this section had very worthy entries, and the task of alloting the awards would have been bewildering to any other than a • eonnoiseur. The cut blooms, as usual, presene. ted a kaleidoscope of colour, and contained many worthwhile blooms. The unfortunate insnfficieny of space in staging these exhibits cramps them to suffocation, and robs them of the relief which is so necessary to the display of their beauty. A contrast in this connection is afforded by the delight of ample spacing on the. sweet peas benches. Tall flow-o-nin the advantage in such environment to the unavoidable detriment of Hie small and short-stem-med varieties. Some decorative genius may some day present TT scheme for the ideal arrangement in this section, when we will again have a new twist to the old story, and therefore a fresh attraction from a very familiar subject, The pot plants section is a test of enthusiasm in these exhibitions. There are few owners of graceful and tender pot plants whose love of a good exhibition would induce them 1o risk these prized possessions in their transportation to and from \ the Show. And, it might be said, the risk of having them “pruned” by unscrupulous people who like to “pinch” a cutting for themselves. Mrs McMurray, .Miss Nye and Mrs Andrews were the real sports in this section, and their exhibits did them justice.' The vegetables have a greater utility appeal-, and not being so showy, require a more concentrated mood for full appreciation. Here were to be seen some good products of Foxton’s sandy soil, although, as the President inferred in bis address, they were not the cream of local gardens, but diligence has its reward, and those who placed their goods before the judge are to be congratulated. Foxton soil is a gardener’s paradise if he only has the time and conveniences for the proper pursuit of his hobby. To the king of gardeners —the intensive culture man—a light sandy soil is liis prime necessity, and next comes an unlimited water supply. We have the prime necessity in Foxton, and we hope to have unlimited supply of water also. With manure and still more manure, judiciously prepared in some cases, we would have the intensive culture man’s indispensible tripod upon which hangs his success. One exhibit in the vegetables section, on exhibition only, which calls for more than passing comment, were some beautiful potatoes grown by Mr C. H. Symons. The gastronomic - propensities were keenly aroused in the fruit, department. A dish of bright red strawberries, bearing the hall mark of the first award, over the name of Miss 0. Nye, looked delicious. Gooseberries (not as good as some years), red currants, and early plums, together with the strawberries, did "not make a big group, but were none the less worthy. The cookery, home industries, and fancy work sections were very meritorious and attracted keen attention from the ladies, the men, of course, in most cases, showing only that interest which is to be expected of those not versed in the fine points of these arts. Disdain is sometimes a cloak for ignorance but merfaTman is a good judge of what when the practical test of ■IT mastication is open to him! But seriously, the opportunity is taken of paying a special tribute to the children’s cookery, which was a quality exhibition. __ The decorative sections, wherpin lies the opportunity of applying art-

istic taste to the arrangement of Nature’s handiwork, is always a favourite bench and the judge must feel relieved of a mental millstone when his task in this sestion lias been completed. Rweet pens, of course, are princes among decorative flowers, and tlie section, bowl of sweet peas, always has a personal attraction. This year they were again very nice, if not great in point of 'numbers, and the merits of all appeared very even. The class, lady’s hat trimmed with natural flowers, is to me .a perennial source of curiosity and the exhibit gaining first award this year was worthy of that sentiment, part of the trimmings looking remarkably like a hand and bow of the most orthodox style in phorrahim leaf carefully tied and ironed out. The entries throughout this section appeared to be up to standard, and the decorated tables were again a feature. It is indeed gratifying that the Society is meeting with the success it deserves, and it is to be hoped that the general public will afford the support which should be accorded such a worthy institution. The internal organisation of the Society at the present time appears to be sound, and possibly the success of the Summer Show presages a period of greater future success. While it is to be regretted that the school work was not on exhibition this year, perhaps it wa.s a blessing in disguise, as it was apparent that the available space for staging the exhibits to advantage at this show was fully taxed. Perhaps the society’s Show woulfl afford an acceptable opportunity for the display of school work, acceptable both to the Society and to those who have the authority to grant or refuse the children and the public this pleasure.