FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3875, 24 November 1928, Page 2

FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SUMMER SHOW. In opening the Summer Show on Thursday afternoon, the president (Mr. D. Christie) apologised for the unavoidable absence of the member for the district, Mr. J. Linklater, who was in Wellington on Manawatu County Council business. Mr. Christie also apologised for. the absence of the Mayor (Mr. Perreau). Mr. Christie said that it had been intended to hold the show on November Bth, but, owing to the lateness of the season, it was deemed advisable to alter the date to the 22nd. He thought that all would agree that the committee had done the right thing in postponing the show when they looked around the hall and saw the many beautiful blooms exhibited. The show compared more than favourably with those of previous years. The introduction of a needlework section added further interest to the exhibition and the work shown was of a very high standard, and caused the judge considerable difficulty in arriving at his dieisions. The reintroduction of the school work was an excellent idea as-it afforded the parents and others an opportunity of viewing the work done at the local schools. This exhibition alone, in Mr. Christie’s opinion, was worth more than the price of admission to the show. A visitor to the ‘show had informed him that (afternoon that the school exhibition compared more than favourably with that at tin* last Palmerston North A. and P. Association’s Show. It certainly reflected great credit upon the teachers and children. Touching on the rose section, Mr. Christie said that this section had produced some very fine exhibits and the judge had expressed his pleasure at having to judge such line exhibits. The champion bloom, grown by Miss Hughes, was well worth special mention, but even so, the judge had experienced great difficulty in selecting the champion rose. The entries in the sweet pea section were much better than anticipated as the season had been very much against sweet pea growing this year. Cut blooms were well represented, with about 200 entries. The decorative section was a strong feature of the' show and the entries in this section constituted a record. All together the entries were about 100 in excess of last year. Home industries were somewhat light this show but the exhibits were of excellent quality. It was pleasing to note that there was an improvement in the vegetable section but there was still ample room for expansion in this section. There was nothing that would do more to keep down the cost of living than a well-stocked vegetable garden. Another innovation introduced this year was the photographic section and the president expressed the hope that this section would develop into a large section in the near future. Mr. Christie formally declared the show open. PROGRAMME BY SILVER BAND. In the evening the Foxton Silver Band, under conductor W. S. Heyes, rendered a programme of music in front of the hall and later, inside. The music was much appreciated and the band is deserving of congratulation on its fine efforts. PRESIDENT’S THANKS. In the evening the president (Mr. D. Christie) thanked the exhibitors, the committee the general public and the band for helping to make the show the; success that it was. He also- referred to the fact that the Society intended giving consideration to plitting up into classes of' the cottage garden section next year. THE COTTAGE GARDENS. Mr. C. Evans, judge of the cottage garden section gave his decision as follows: — Mi 1 . F. Woods 1, Mr. Wm. Trueman 2, Mr. T. E. Hughes 3. A special prize of 10/6, donated by the judge was awarded Mrs. Heasman. In commenting on the gardens, Mr. Evans said all the competitors were to be congratulated on the general appearance and utility of the vegetables. Knowing what a bad season Foxton had had to contend with he was more than surprised, in fact, it was more than an eyeopener to him. He would like to suggest however, that the classes be divided into two sections, as he thought it would encourage more people with small plots to enter; those with, say, from one-eighth to about one-quarter acre and a half to one acre. He wished to give a special prize of 10/6 worth of plants to No. 3 competitor (Mrs. Heasman). Everything in this garden gave the competitor great credit, but it was really too small to judge on points with the other bigger plots, THE SCHOOL SECTION. The school section was possibly the most interesting exhibit at the show. The work of both the primary and secondary schools was nicely displayed at the rear of the hall and some very artistic work was presented. This section called forth many favourable comments from those visiting the show. The work was of a particularly high standard and reflected nothing but the greatest credit upon the teachers and the pupils. CHILD’S SCHOOL LUNCH. The judge’s comments in connection with the lunch for a school child innovation are as follows: “Concerning the entries themselves: —The winning entry showed thought and was an excellent example. The sandwiches were well cut, which so often makes the difference between attracting and put-

ting one oil’ what may be perfectly good in itself. The bottle of milk should always be included, and the orange- and prunes would certainly intrique most sensible brought-up children. This lunch could be produced in any home, poor or not, where common sense directed the commissariat. Had the wrappings been shown, one would have been perfectly content to say 100 per cent. “The second prize entry was also excellent and ran the winner very closely for the verdict. But it was too generous in this respect —that* it would probably induce a child to leave his crusts and get on to the next surprise! Not a lunch prepared in a busy home, five days in the week, for three or four sturdy youngsters. The lemon drink was a good alternative, as an occasional change. Well put up so as to avoid the sandwiches becoming dry, it was a very good effort. Only wholemeal bread was used for this lunch. “The third prize lunch -was also well balanced and nourishing, but m* the corned-meat sandwiches rather spoilt. “A very splendid entry, which would have otherwise been unbeaten, was spoilt utterly by a slice of plum cake,, plus the icing. Most kiddies do not clean their teeth at school after their lunch and also most kiddies presented with that lunch would make short work of the cake if nothing else. “The other entry was also good but only white bread was used and it is far better on every count to avoid this when possible—use both, if a change is needed, but always some bran bread, preferably also brown, whole-meal bread. “The little jam of preserved fruit was a distinctly pleasing idea. “As a whole the exhibits are a very great credit and would make a most delightful lunch for any child.” DECORATED TABLE BY POPULAR VOTE. The public decided by vote on Mrs. McMurray’s table (No. 2) with 75 votes as being the best decorated, with Miss B. Speirs second with 69 votes. ‘Strange to say this decision did not co-incide with the judge’s. The Rongotea visitors to the show did well in the rose and sweet pea sections. There was a good attendance at both the afternoon and evening sessions and the door takings represented a record. The success of the show was due in no small manner to the energetic efforts of, the president (Mr. Christie), the capable secretary (Mr. W. H. Nicholas) and the mittee and stewards. Messrs F. Woods and Wim. Trueman have kindly consented to throwingstheir gardens open .to the public and anyone interested in this section may thus inspect the prizewinning gardens. Children not admitted. An error appears in the seetion of the prize-list on page 4 of this issue. Mrs. D. Christie won first prize for gems and not Mrs. T. Hughes. The prize appears on page 4 of this issue.