THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 44, 25 November 1871, Page 6

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

It is well that our gardeners made so excellent a show as they did last year, else their reputations must have suffered by the display of Wednesday. Of the extenuating causes for the shortcomings we are fully aware, and the wonder is not that there was so little deserving of praise, but that there was so much. We judge from correspondents’ letters which have appeared in our paper on the subject of our horticultural exhibitions, that there is not that proper harmony and thorough understanding which are essential in the management of matters of the kind. If we are mistaken in this impression, we shall be ready to admit our error; but certain it is that the show has been held at least three weeks too late for the exhibition of those plants which contribute most to the display on such oceasions. Though the exhibition may have been a trifle too early for fuschias, it was too late for greenhouse aud other rare plants, which had completely gone out of flower. Many of the fine things exhibited last year by Mr M‘Nab and Mr Budden were noticeable only for their absence yesterday, nor were many of Mr Burne’s “ dainties,” such as those excellently grown specimens of the Hoy a, anywhere visible in their appropriate niches, a want which was very noticeable, especially to a connoisseur. True to the instincts of gardeners, however, what was wanting in material was compensated for by the neat and excellent manner in which the stewards had arranged the exhibits at hand, and the general effect, taken into the vision as a whole, was very pleasing. Mr Buchanan, with his aides, had exerted all their “forcing” powers, and every good bloom or “taking” piece of foliage was brought to the front. Such a dilemma as the want of proper stuff necessary creates will be readily understood by those who have ever had anything to do with horticultural exhibits, and it was evident on Wednesday that every twig was made to do its duty to the utmost. Taking the species in groups, the balsams, fuschias, and pelargoniums were very poor, there was only a moderate display of begonias, which were a wonderful falling off from last year; and the coleus tribe was also thinly represented. The gloxinias were in good growth and flower, and were really the best of the greenhouse plants exhibited. The geraniums were very fine—some splendid single scarlets and whites being shown; the doubles and Lady Darlingß being also good. One of the best features of the

show was Mr Bennett’s display of tri-colors. These made a fine set off to many of the less meritorious exhibits on the Gehtre stage, being all healthy, well grown plants, beautifully marked. We commended Mr Bennett for his show of this geranium last year, and he seems to have sustained his reputation. The roses were not first class, very few good close flowers being exhibited. This, however, is the most readily explained of the whole, for the superabundance of wind and the want of sun with which we have and have not been favored recently were sufficient to destroy the blooms of those trees not in places very securely sheltered. One solitary calceolaria, a very good one, was exhibited by Mr M'Nab. The culture of the pansy does not seem to receive much attention from our gardeners. Those exhibited on Wednesday were exceedingly poor, not a good eye being visible among the lot shown, neither was there any of that richness of tint or velvety touch which forms thebeautvof a good pansy properly grown. As we have before stated, the general aspect was decidedly good. On entering the hall the visitor was faced -by a fine bold-looking specimen of the Aralia Capyriftra, a characteristic representative of the vegetation of Eastern "climes, its native place being in the neighborhood of the Nile. Immediately on the right were ranged the table bouquets These were very fine ; the mass of cut blooms, artistically intertwined, affording the judges an infinity of study in deciding on their respective merits. Amongst this display of profusion were placed some minaturo garden designs, displaying great pains and ingenuity in their arrangement. Next to these was ranged the kitchen garden display, which as a whole was not good, though again the weather apology came to the rescue, and it being admitted that the season had been a very unfavorable one, impossibilities could not be expected. Only one good pair of cucumbers was exhibited, so that out of six or seven exhibits to choose from the office of the judges was not difficult of performance. The new potatoes suffered by comparison with the exhibits of last year, and this remark embraces the cabbages, lettuces, radishes, and peas. The asparagus was very good ; there was one fair lot of rhubarb, and a capital dish of apples. Passing by these the next object worthy of notice was a Lady Balding geranium, exhibited by Mr W. H. Bannafcyne, a good plant; but not so well grown as one on the opposite side of the room. Next came Mr Buchanan’s usual collection of the blossoms of native ferns, as usual carefully named’ for the instruction of visitors. The dull and distinctive character of these flowers bore a very marked contrast to the gay colors of the plants in the neighborhood ; still they possess a beauty of their own which becomes more admirable on close examination. On a small table in the corner of the room past the entrance door, was the neatest collection in the exhibition. Here were exhibited a number of elegant ferns, beatifulty grown, and bearing. a tint which pi'onounced them to be in the pink of health. Ranged in front of these were Mrs and Miss Corlett’s “ exotics,” comprising a ceraceous collection of the leading flowers from bower and field, the corallas, petals, and foliage of which were so artistically touched off as fairly to rival the hand of These were deservedly much admired. This completed the whole of the right side, and first on the dramatic stage was the only handsome well-formed specimen of the Coleus specie in the room —the Duke of Edinburgh. Near to this was placed one of those diminutive, eccentric little fellows, a neat plant of the Salix Caprea Yarigata order ; and further on the only respectable-looking member of the pegonias present —the Duchess de Brabant. There were many representatives of the Begonia Hendersonia present, but they were in very poor condition. Standing in the centre of the stage was a strong-looking Amarillis in full bloom. This was one of the best exhibits of the day; close by and in marked contrast to which was a nice plant of the light and airy Swansonia Greyiana. A good cactus plant in flower was shown here, the whole of this part of the room being well set off by the fresh-looking and well-bloomed Gloxinias, of which we have already spoken. On the left side from the entrance were placed the hand bouquets, which displayed even greater taste in arrangement than the table bouquets. Eollowing these came a few contemptible-looking spikes of verbena, close to which were the pansies of which we have spoken. The worst things seemed, very judiciously, to have been placed all together, for between the verbenas and pansies were a lot of single petunias of mean shades, which were drawn to such an extent as to enjoy something of the symmetry of a “ daddy longlegs.” In the front row were a few good doubles, which, however, were not sufficiently grown for exhibition. They were nice, ciean, healthy little plants, for which we hope the owner received a mark. Trays filled with cut blooms of the rhododendron and peony were exhibited by Mr Ludlam ; the former were very attractive, but the latter were not short of beautiful. Mr Burne exhibited on this side a good specimen of the Euphorbia Splendens. There was another of the same Bort in the room ■which did not bear comparison with Mr Burne’s. Mr Wilkinson, MiMason, and Mr Ludlam exhibited sets of cut roses, which were only fair specimens of this beautiful flower. A staghorn fern next arrested attention by its peculiar method of maintaining existence, and following this came a specimen of the “ sporting” genius, a plant of the Synecliea, in all its oddness of one-sided colors. Setting off this stage was a young Azalea in profuse flow'er, and among a weedy lot of pelargoniums was one splendid plant of the Lady Darling sort; situated close to this being a delicately-tinted plant Rose Remclateu, which was deservedly awarded a first prize. There -were two specimens of the Lord Palmerston, both well

grown plants, one of which was awarded the second prize in the class. Right in the corner was a fair sample of the elaphantino fuschia, the Corymba Flora Alva. This completed the whole of the side- On the centre stand were ranged another collection of ferns of good growth, which deservedly called forth many commendatory remarks. These were succeeded by a few pelax-goniums with good blooms, although the plants were ill-shapen. On the fop of the stand was a fine specimen of the ornithogolum, familiarly known as the Star of Bethlehem. This was one of the chief attractions of the exhibition, and, being capitally placed, was much admired. Down on the lower range was another of the oddities, a cluster of flowers of a dark blue tint, but without a leaf of foliage. This was a plant of the Delphinum Eormosum. On the other side was ranged Mr Bennett’s collection of tricolor geraniums, and a splendid collection they were, Some had sported in an eccentric way, but others were as truly marked as if they had been painted in the rings. One plant, for symmetry and tint, could never be beaten. Mr Budden exhibited a fine double red of a new sort, the Wilhelm Pfitzer, This was also a very good plant, and helped to increase the general admiration of the geraniums. Mr Brandon exhibited a fine specimen of the palm Corypha Australis, which also drew forth expressions of wonderment. We had almost forgotten to make special mention of the great cleverness displayed by Miss Corlett in the working of the wax flowers exhibited by her. The taste and ability displayed in their manufacture was really wonderful for a girl of only twelve summers. As on former occasions the secretary, Mr Buchanan, and the judges, afforded us every assistance in their power. The judges of the flowers were Messrs Moore, Burne, and Collie; those for fruit and vegetables, Messrs Maunders, Wilson, and Bromley. Lady Bowen attended during the day, a special hour having been set apart for the visit of her ladyship and suite. Ths show was open till ten o’clock, and Mrs Corlett’s wax flowers were raffled during the evening. The following is the prize list:— POT PLANTS. GARDENERS. 1 Greenhouse Plant—lst, Mr Osborn 3 do do —Ist, Mr M‘Nab 3 Fne Foliage—lst, Mr Osborn ; 2nd, Mr Budden 6 Geraniums —Ist, Mr M f Nab; 2nd, MiMantle 4 Variegated Geraniums —Ist, Mr Mantle 1 Fushia —Ist, Mr Mantle 4 do Ist, Mr M‘Nab; 2nd, Mr Mantle 4 Gloxinias —4st, Mr M‘Nab 1 Best Specimen Plant in Flower—lst, Mr Budden 1 Vairegafced Foliage Plant Osborn 6 Exotic Ferns— Ist, Mr Osborn. AMATEURS. 6 Pelargoniums—lst, Mr Bennett. 6 Geraniums —Ist, Mr Bennett. 1 Fuschia —Ist, Mr H. F. Smith. 4 Petunias, double —Ist, Mr Cooper. 4d Do, single —Ist, Captain Johnston. 1 Specimen Plant, in flower —Ist, Mr Burne. 1 Do, out of flower —Ist, Mr Wallace. 1 Variegated Foliage—lst, Mr Bennett. CUT BLOOMS. GARDENERS. ' 6 Annuals —Ist, Mr Donald. 12 Roses —Ist Mr Ludlam. 6 Roses —Ist, Mr Wilkinson; 2nd, Mr M‘Nab. 6 Verbenas—lst, Mr Wilkinson. 6 Pansies —Ist, Mr Wilkinson ; 2nd, Mr M‘Nab. 3 Rhododendrons, different—lst, Mr Ludlam. 6 Carnations—lst, Mr Wilkinson. 6 Stocks, three varieties —Ist, Mr Donald. 6 Sweet Williams —Ist Mr Donald. Collection of Flowering Native Shrubs —Ist, Mr Donald. Best Floral Device —Ist, Mr Mantle. Table Bouquet —Ist, Mr Wilkinson ;-2nd, Mr Wilton. Hand do—lst, Mr Budden. AMATEURS. 12 Roses —Ist, Mr T. Mason g Do—lst, Mr T. Mason ; 2nd, Mr Mantle 6 Verbenas —2nd, Mr T. Mason 6 Pansies —l3t Mr Bell; 2nd, Mr Bennett Floral Device —Ist, Miss Donald ; 2nd, Miss Wilkinson Hand Bouquet —2nd, Miss Brandon FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. GARDENEES. Cherries (only one dish) —Ist, Mr Mason Strawberries—lst, Mr Mann; 2nd Mr Wilkinson. Gooseberries—lst, Mr Wilkinson, junr; 2nd, Mr Mann. p eas —i s t, Mr M £ Nab ; 2nd, Mr Cooper. Potatoes—lst, Mr Mann ; 2nd, Mr Copeland. 2 Cucumbers —Ist, Mr Mantle; 2nd, Mr M‘Nab. 6 stalks Rhubarb —Ist, Mr Cooper ; 2nd, Mr Mason. Asparagus DonaldCauliflowers —Ist, Mr Wilkinson, junr. Carrots —Ist, Mr Copeland. Lettuce—lst, Mr Mantle. Collection of-Salads—lst, Mr Mantle; 2nd, Mr Cooper. AMATEURS. Gooseberries—lst, Mr T. Mills ; 2nd, MiBell. 2 Cu.umbers —Ist, Mr T. Mills; 2nd, Mr Cooper. 6 Stalks Rhubarb —Ist, Mr T. Mason .Asparagus —Ist, Mr T. Muson Broad or Long Beans —Ist, Mr Barber 2nd, Mr Trim Pods of Peas—lst, Mr Cooper; 2nd, Mr F. Elliott

12 Kidney Potatoes Elliott; 2nd, Mr E. Vaunce 12 Round do—lst, Mr Copeland ; 2nd Mr Elliott Elliott Cauliflowers—ls, Mr T. Mason Cabbages—lst, Mr T. Mills; 2nd, Mr E. Elliott Turnips—lst, Mr E. Elliott Carrots—lst, Mr Copeland Lettuce—lst, Mr Cooper; 2nd, Mr Bell. Onions—lst, Mr Barber Radishes Barber 12 Red Potatoes, extra prize, Mr Bell. SPECIAL prize. Wax Ferns—Mrs Corlett honorable mention. The awards under this head were very numerous.