WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S AUTUMN SHOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4359, 10 March 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S AUTUMN SHOW.

t The autumn-exhibition of the, Wellington Horticultural Society was held in the Odd Eellows’ Hall yesterday. The show, whether iu point of number of exhibits or for of 1 blooms, was of course not to he compared with the summer exhibition, but there could, be no > doubt as to which was intrinsically the better show. Gardeners and amateurs yesterday showed remarkable advance ,in the quality of their exhibits as presented last autumn, greenhouse aud foliage plants of beautiful color and symmetrical shape being very numerous. The gardeners were allotted, as formerly, the righthand side of the hall, amateurs' exhibitions the left. The stage runs devoted to several lots of indigenous specimens of rare beauty, collected in the vicinity of Wellington, and the fruits and vegetables were shown in the same room as the flowers and plants, their usual place being in a side room. As at the summer show, the stands on which the plants were exhibited were of three tiers, a much bettor arrangement than the old-fashioned two-tier plan so long in use at our society’s shows. Immediately on entering the hall, one could not fail - to be struck with the grand appearance of two beautiful, though young, specimens of the New Zealand palm, the nikau. They were indeed beautiful plants, not a tear or scratch being noticeable on their symmetrical leaves—a fact which testifies to the care bestowed upon them - by Mr. Duncan, a resident of Porirua, who brought them from a bush in the vicinity of his residence. The punga, though by no means so pretty and graceful a plant as the nikau, would have enhanced the general, effect of the show had it had representatives there ; but the committee, doubtless, th rught there would have been greater competition for the prize for nikaus. For the first two hours after the doors were opened, the attendance was only moderate, which may easily . be accounted for, but in the evening the hall was crowded to excess, the many colored costumes of the ladies making the scene, as viewed from the gallery of the building, very pretty and exceedingly animated. Great credit is due to the committee for the taste displayed in the arrangement of the exhibits, which were in perfect harmony. The judges performed their onerous labors with almost universal satisfaction, although, of course, there were those present among the visitors who found fault at their awards. The judges of the vegetables and fruit were Messrs. Bramley and McKay ; of the gardeners' exhibits, Captain Johnston, Mr. H. F. Smith, and Mr. J. Buchanan ; of the amateurs’ exhibits, Archdeacon Stock, Mr. McNab, and Mr. Budden. But too much credit cannot be awarded to Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Heaps, the secretary. The former gentleman, from his knowledge of botany, and the energy he devotes towards making the shows of the society undoubtedly as successful as they have proved themselves to be, is an : invaluable member of the committee ; and Mr. Heaps, in the executive capacity of secretary, has done not a little, by his well-directed efforts, • in bringing the society’s shows into the great favor in which they are , now, held by the . aesthetic portion of the community. Certainly the most important character of the show were the three exhibitions of plants which competed for the £2O prize offered by "William Bull, Esq., F.L.S., of Chelsea, England. They were, indeed, exotic beauties, such as one would not dream of seeing in Wellington; but the judges of this class had no difficulty in discovering the superior merit of the twelve plants exhibited by Mr. H. H. Travers, which were without spot or blemish." The following are the names of the plants sent by each of the three exhibitors. Mr. H.- H. Travers : Alocasia hybrida, A. metalica, A. intermedia, Peperomia argyrea, Dieffenbachia picta, Caladium wightii, 0. bicolor, Cissus linden!,. C. discolor, Dracoena heudersoni, Croton youngii, and Aealyphia wilkesiana. Mr. Budden, "whose collection was highly commended, exhibited the following interesting collection : Dioacorea discolor, Caladium ; wightii; C.‘ metalicum, C. beethoven, C. belemyei, Fittonia:' argyrea, Passiflpra . trifasciata, Sanohezia nohilis, Dieffenbachia picta, Cissus discolor, Bilbergia gigantea, ’ add Alocasia ! jehningsii. Mr. Cooper, whose collection was also highly commended, made a good show with the following variety : Hemerocalis fulva .y.ariegata, Dracoena chelsoni, D. species, Iris fcetitlissima variegata, Calauthc zebrina, Maranta Tricolor; Caladium wightii, C. metalica, Fuschsia sunray, Musa eusete, ..Begonia Queen Victoria, Zea. 'japonic'a alba) '.yitatai., This grand collection' was, without doubt, the' best that ever, graced the sobietjy’s' show)). Mr. Budden exhibited a splendid lot Of indigenous alpiues, gathered on the Tararua ranges; hilt, r they were more of scientific than general interest. In this class Mr. Budden was awarded first- prize, Mr. Bramley second,:, and Mr. Donald, of Karori, third ; hut the second named gentleman, with a judicious collection of, twelve handsome New Zealand. ferns,, completely turned the tables on : Mr. -Budden. The competition for Mr. Gibson’s special prize for cased New Zealand ferns was very .meek, Mr. Heaps with an indifferent-selection, in bad , condition, taking the prize, beating Archdeacon Stock, who made, a much -better , show, But he was ruled , out. of order . by; the judges, on account of there being a couple of aliens in his case. Mr. Ludlam, , .of the Hutt, sent for exhibition two species of blooms which were generally admired,,a magnificent specimen of the Lillium , auratium , and several flowers of .the beautiful. Magnolia ■grandiflora. A rarity in Wellington .was sent , by Mr. H. H. Travers, being no less than an orchid in bloom, named Ccelogyne cristata. It was as pretty as it it is rare. The gardeners at this show reversed the order which had ruled at recent exhibitions, by eclipsing the amateurs,'both as regards quality and number of exhibits. On the gardeners’ side of the hall were to be seen beautiful fuchsias in heavy bloom, while the amateurs in this class, if we recollect aright, were unrepresented. Balsams were only fair, and there was not much improvement in coleus. Begonias were far superior to those hitherto exhibited, indi- , eating a partiality by floriculturists .for this pretty and beautifully-marked plant. ’ Gardeners also excelled in foliage plants, and it must have been difficult for the judges to decide as to who ought to have the honors. However, Mr. Budden was placed No". 1, Mr, Cooper No. 2, and Mr. McNab third, j We had forgotten to mention that Mr. Duncan, to whom was awarded the special prize for the nikau palms, also furnished their blossoms and . seed-pods, which attracted considerable attention. Mr. Bramley, of the Botanic Garden, was again to the fore with native blooms; But Mr. Duncan was not at all a mean competitor. Mr. Cooper carried off first honors for the best specimen plant in flower, Hr. McNab being awarded second prize for a veteran plant at the society’s shows. The show of dahlias was ■ not so good as might have been expected at this season, and, singular to relate, Mr. Mason beat 'Mr. Dixon in this class. The show of grapes was not up to the mark, although a bunch of black Hamburgs, which took Mr. McKay’s special prize, was very superior, turning tho scale at 31bs. Mr. Wilkinson, an old exhibitor in this class, at yesterday’s show was conspicuous by his absence. The number of hand and table bouquets was very limited, Mrs. McNab taking the first prize in the amateur class; and to Mr. McNab, for a prettily arranged stand, was awarded the gardeners’ prize. Apples, pears, melons,.blackberries, and several other kinds of fruit were shown to advantage, Mr. P. Laing being foremost in this class. In the vegetable class, pumpkins—and they were pumpkins with a vengeance—were the most conspicuous, Mr. Laing being the successful prize-taker, Mr. McMasters, of the Wairarapa, sent down some leviathan potatoes, but, excepting their size, there was nothing to recommend them for the special prize awarded by the judges. The best collection in this class was that sent by Mr. Mason. A Little heath melon, grown by Mr. Read, and the first one shown in this city, was noticed favorably by the judges ; but there was nothing to recommend the cucumbers which were awarded first prize in, the amateurs’ department of the hall; they were anything but pretty specimens, and very unlike others in tho hall. Twelve wonderfully large onions were conspicuous, as were a sample of peas, new to this city, and grown

by Hr. Cooper. Without attempting to.be at all invidious, many worthy exhibits have necessarily, been overlooked, but the subjoined list .will show the prize-takers in the several classes rox plants. _ Amateurs,—l new or rare plant—2nd prize, H. H. Travers. I specimen plant in flower —Ist, ‘H. H.. Travers ,-; 2nd, H. F. Smith. 1 variegated foliage plant—lst. H. F. Smith ; 2nd, H. H Travers. 3 greenhouse plants in flower—lst, H. H. Travers ; 2nd, \V. Seed. 3 fine foliage—lst, H. H. Travers ; 2nd, H. F. Smith.. 3. Coleus—lst, H,- H... Travers ; 2nd,. J. Burne. 3 hegonias in flower —Ist, H. H. Travers ; 2nd,‘J. Burne, 3 Ivy leaved geraniums—Ist, H. F, Smith. 3 tricolor; geraniums—lst, 1 H. F. Smith. 3 petunias, double—lst, "W. Parris. -1 climbing plant in flower—lst, J. Burne; 2nd, W. Seed. 12 New Zealand ferns—lst, H. H. Travers. Collection (24) New Zealand" shrubs—lst, H. H. Travers. 1 specimen ocliid in flower—lst, H. H. Travers. Gardeners. —l new or rare plant—lst prize, McNab; 2nd prize, H. Budden.' 1 specimen plant, in flower—lst, F. Cooper; 2nd,, J. McNab. 1 native plant, in flower—lst. H. Budden. 1 variegated foliage plant—lst, F. Cooper; 2nd, H. Budden ; commended, McNab. 3 greenhouse plants, in flower —Ist, F. Cooper ; 2nd, McKay. 3 fine foliage plants—lst, H. Budden: 2nd, P. Cooper. 4 coleus —Ist, McKay; 2nd, McNab. 3 begonias, in flower —Ist, H. Budden ; 2nd, McNab. 3 geraniums, tricolor —Ist, McKay: 2nd, I-'. Cooper. 3 geraniums, bicolor— lst, McKay. 4 fuchsias —lst, McNab ; 2nd, McKay. 1 fuchsia—lst, McNab: 2nd, F. Cooper. 4 balsams—2nd, McKay. 1 climbing plant, in flower- Ist, F. Cooper. 12 New Zealand ferns —Ist, "VV. Bramley ; 2nd, R. Donald. 6 Exotrc ferns—lst, H. Budden. Collection New Zealand trees and shrubs—lst, H. Budden ; 2nd, W. Bramley. The judges recommended a special prize to R. Donald.

, . . .. . OUT BLOOMS. - ' Amateurs. — 6 penstemons — 2nd prize, Thos. Mason. 6 verbenas (3 trusses) —2nd, H. 11. Travers. 1verbenas, do—2nd, H. H. Travers. G asters Ist prme. Miss Allen; 2nd prize, H. H. Travers. 0 gladiolus -Ist, T. Mason. 12 dahlias—lst, T. Mason ; and, E. Dixon. C dahlias—lst, T. Mason : 2nd, E. Dixon. 0 bulbs—lst, T. Mason ; 2nd, H. H. Travers. Colleotion cut blooms—lst, T. Mason ; 2nd, H. xl. liavers. vellow roses—lst, T, Mason. 'Gardeners. — Collection cut blooms — Ist prize, R. Donald. Collection native slirnbs—lst, w. Bramley; 2nd, C. Duncan. Collection cut fronds New Zealand ferns—2nd, C. Duncan. .

Amateurs.— l2 kitchen apples —lst prize, J. Borne; 2nd prize, T. Mason. 12 dessert apples—lst, J. Bume; 2nd, T. Mason. G pears—lst, 11. H. Travers. 12 peaches—lst, M. Read; 2nd, J. Burne. 24 Spanish blackberries —Ist, F. Harrison; 2nd, J. Burne. 3 lemons—lst, T. Mason. 2 bunches black grapes—lst, H. H. Travers: 2nd. G. Luxford. 2 bunches white grapes—lst, H. H. Travers. 25 filberts or cob nuts—--Ist, T. Mason. 12 walnuts—lst, T. Mason; 2nd, H. fl. Travers. Best. collection of fruit—lst, H. H. Travers; 2nd, T. Mason. ..Best collection of-apples—--Ist, T. Mason; 2nd, H. H. Travers. 12 kitchen apples —special prize, H. H. Travers. Little heath melon—special prize, M. Read. OardeMers. —12 kitchen apples l —lst prize, P. Laing; 2nd prize, B. Mantell. 12 dessert apples—lst, P. Laing ; 2nd, B. Mantell. 12 peaches—lst, W., Bramley. 24 mulberries —Ist, P. Laing, 24 Spanish blackberries—lst, C. Duncan. 2 bunched black' grapes—lst, A. do Brandon ; 2nd, McNab. 2 bunches white grapes—lst, J. McNab. 25 filberts or cobnuts —lst, B. Mantle; 2nd, C. Duncan. 12 walnuts—lst, J. McNab, . Best collection of fruit—lst, P. Laing. Best collection of apples--Ist, P. Laing.

Amateurs. —2 cucumbers—lst prize, M. Read. C stalks rhubarb —Ist, W. Hedger: 2nd, T. Mason.. 25 pods kidney beans, runners -Ist, W. Seed: 2nd, M. Read. 50 pods peas—lst. T. Mason : -2nd, H. H. Travers, 12 potatoes," kidney—lst: T. Mason: 2nd, J. D. Hills. 12 potatoes, round —Ist, T. Mason; 2nd, H. Freeman. 3 cabbages—lst, 11. H. Travers: 2nd, T. Mason. 6 turnips—2nd, T. Mason. 0 carrots—lst, T. Mason: 2nd, M. Read. G parsnips—lst, -T. Mason. l> red beet—lst, T. Mason. 12 onions—lst, H. Freeman; 2nd, T. Mason. 12 tomatoes —Ist, ."W. Seed. 2 pumpkins, -by weight-Ist, Helyer: 2nd, "W. Baird. - 2 vegetable marrows—2nd, T. Mason. Best collection of vegetables—lst, T. Mason, Best collection of potatoes—lst, T. Mason. 12 potatoes—special prize, A. McMasters. 12 onions—special prize, J. L. Hills. 2 vegetabie.marrows—highly commended, J. Burne. , Gardeners. —2 cucumbers —Ist prize, P. Laing; 2nd prize, B. Donald. G stalks rhubarb—lst, F. : Cooper; 2nd, P. Laing. : 25 pods kidney beans, runners—lst, P. Laing. 25 pods kidney beaus, other kinds —lst, C, K. Jeffs. 50 pods peas—lst, F, Cooper.' 12 potatoes, kidney—lst, P. Laing. 12 potatoes, round—lst. F. Cooper; 2nd, C. K. Jeffs. 3 cabbages. —lst, P. Laing; ,2nd, C. Duncan. ; 2 cabbages, red—lst, F. Cooper; 2nd, ,B. .Mantle. 0 turnips—2nd, F. Laing. 9 carrots—lst, F.; Cooper; 2nd, P. laing. 6 parsnips—-Ist, JP.’. Laing-2nd, B. Mantle; 6 red beet—lst,'- J., McNab.: .12,onions—1st, P. Laing. 3 heads celery—lst, B. Mantle: 2nd, P. Laing.. 12 tomatoes—lst; P. Laing ‘2nd, B. Mantle. 26 capsicums—2nd, P.'Laing.': 2 pumpkins; "by. weight—lst,, P. Laing; 2nd, C. Duncan. 2 vegetable marrows—--Ist, B. Mantle; 2nd, F,: Cooper. Beat collection of salads—lst, Pc Laing. Best collection of vegetables—--Ist, P. Laing-; 2nd, ,’B! Mantle. Best collection of potatoes—lst, P. Laing. Class V.—Open to all—Best flower a Land—let prize, Mrs. McNab ; 2nd prize,’ Miss Donald. Best hand bouquet—lst, Mrs, McNab ; 2nd,.Miss Halss. Best, hand bouquet (native flowers)—lst, Mrs. McNab; 2nd, Miss A. Donald. ' Special Prizes;— Open to all—Mr. Bull’s prize, Travers; Mr.:,McKay's prize, .McNab; Mr. Gibson’s prize, W. Heaps; Mr. H. Travcrs s prize, Miss Bramley. Society’s, for an extra 3 tricolor seed-, ling "geraniums (highly commended), .Mr.. H. iF.r Smith; ■ ■ ~ . ~.,u* , t . , Just" before the show closed, an Auction, of those of the exhibits given for the benefii; oU the Society was -held, Mr. Veunell kindly act-, ing as auctioneer. Nearly all the fruit and. vegetables, besides a number of plants and hand-bouquets, were thus., disposed < of, .Com-. petition for.choice.exhibits wasiveiykeen, aud the sales resulted in an appreciable addition to” file thp, society., , r - , . s