THE FLOWER-SHOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4908, 14 December 1876, Page 6

THE FLOWER-SHOW.

The spring -allow -of the Wellington -Horticultural Society was, held on November 21st in the Odd Fellows’Hall. The doors were opened to the public at 2'o'clock;'and by half-past the room was quite crowded*'‘the fair sex predominating;,!' ,The (beautiful summer Weather had ? ‘a most appreciable effect on the costumes of the ladies, .who all looked weUJ the excellent taste displayed,combining; with:.: the’•’surrounding flOjiye^s,-to .produce a picture to be;remembered £m(Jjlpqlredjl3aekiupou with pleasure.: .‘His-Fx-fiellency,,the,'jGovernor, Lady • Normanby and suite amyed \ a|. little after four, andjlVlessrs. Kohler"* .jjyVaud immediately up the National •Anthem,'..the .gentlementremoving their some, boyan and. a; person,who frjqm ]His years ;, should., have 'known'i.better; omitting•'tbVjfo/.fip., s l),unng: ithe; , Goyernorls his performances being very well received., His cornetrand/flageolet solos were also a great success and loudly applauded. The general-ap-pearance of the room-s|wa,s somewhat marred by the absence of the tree ferns and nikaus, which have at former exhibitions been so effective in adding to the general effect;'but it was most tastefully, (arranged, whiph may in a . measure account for the difficulty, experienced by pur reporter in, ascertaining (the; exact whereabouts of various classes* of exhibits. Amongst those sent as pot ;fof -, .competition was a green frog from .Tasmania; lent by. Mr. Donald, of Kairori. It .'is' a'. beaiitifuriittle creature, and withal a musieaj'frdg; the -tumbleronicon .performance seeming to 1 dp’.its'heart .'good,' ', Another -loan exhibition Was some of Mr: Jeffs’ carbolated' or catholicised hydrosulphuretted compound. This'substance is Something like soap,' and .was • Kah'ded ,tp_ Our reporter ' and another literary', gentleman for 1 inspection; They are -both of opihi6h J that "the blight or any other' creature will emigrate at. once .on being brought’ even in‘the'neighborhood of the compound, and that" irmight be' applied with'' great effect" to cockroaches and other watchful hunters by , night. If reduced to a powder it would make an economical snuff, as a little would.go a long way, and'its effect on the nasal organs is far ; superior to - that of the' smelling bottles used by the Chinese in maritime warfare. Perhaps ere’long there’ may be ‘ a' valuable export trade to Pekin in this article, and in any case the local gardeners find it so well adapted forits original purpose'that there is not much fear; of ,its.(becoming ia, drug in s the market. Mr, j -,Tolhurat exhibited' two.; very , choice, China,,, vases .and ,six miscellaneous plants,: and.(iMr.; (Croon .a .rarity ,i in the shape .of a oobweb.plnht. ((.The IVen.. Archdeacon-Stock, lent ; n variegated specimen ;of: Siebold’a, sedurn and, a.,variegated a lily of the .valley; which* is also,.a, great:rarity, andiiMr. H.'F,; Logan’s .collection of. native, ferns, in addition to those exhibited for competition, received, general.admiration: ;■! A stag’s horn fern lent by Mr. - j-.—-Hi -Wallace also attracted - con--siderable attention.. Two gloxinias lent from Government House, and, a, plant, not named, brought from the Snowy Mountains by Mr. Travers, received a good deal of notice from I those interfesWd in. floriculture. ■ The show: of pot plants in Class I; throughout the exhibition was very‘good/- Th the'competition for the best exhibit of a new and rare plant, no i special (provision Wais 1 made'for amateurs, they : and the/gardeners‘having ’to fight it out ;on“ an ‘ equal 1 fopting.- The ' - first;' prize t Was takbh by J. McNab 1 with a Glerodendron ’ ■ Balfourii,' ahd' the secohd by A McKay with ia Lucodendron Argetttium. A Variegated ‘Petunia was also : exhibited, but only came off j with barren-’, honors. For the best specimen* ' plant in flower Mr. Cooper ‘ took the first prize i with a ■ Maekaya' Bella, no ■ second being ; awarded. , - -

; Mr. 'iK Donald 'carried away first honors for ja'native plant in'flower with a Veronica luxiflora, and Mr. J. 'McNab, with a Cassinia fulvida,' took the second place. For two exhibits of variegated foliage plants Mr. A. McKay took the first prize, Aoalypta marginata being the best (of) his two exhibits.- ; A Croton Disraeli exhibited by Mr. H. H. Travers, | was a;capital specimen, and was of decided assistance in earning, the: second prize, s which {fell to him. In the competition for the best I three greenhouse plants: in .flower, each of distinct genus,,.Mr., Travers was"successful in taking .the first .prize, exhibiting aheath, . Erica Yentriposa supprba ! a i Maokaya. bella,, and a ißuphorbia ; jacquiniflora..,• i Mr.McJ£ay,V took 'second honors with.a Olerodendron, a Kusspllia ijunces, ; and a .'white,, lily, ' .which was. the; jMaokayabona,fide,,: or ; inother words, 'the real. McKay, being one of;;the best.exf jhibits in the show, and'universally admired. The, next,, contest was .thefour, best varieties lof fine foliage plants, and Mr. McKay,Carried, jofl prize;; exhibiting some very fine !plants r the -Egonia • being- especially excellent. |Mr. F. Copper took.- the- second place, his two .Palladiums being capital exhibits. The exhibition of four varieties of Colens does not call jfor comment. Mr. McNab took the first prize, and Mr. ■ McKay the , second. . The ■'ltorA'ttiS' i 4»fes6-' thrfee -‘ varieties lof, begonias in:, flower" was a, very ■ good Jone, idfifTfavefs'-and; Mr. ‘MeTJab exhibiting such splendid specimens that the judges jhad a difficulty* in r amvidg at a decision. ptJltimatfely first hbriote’l Were; awarded to Mr. Tracers, %, %e suppose Cn the’gfqund thaf hls fwo exhibits were; ' gi’eater- -'toVelties ’ ;than''those of > Mr.MoNab.Mr.'Travers again’tookthefirat prize for the best four varieties of single- gefa-' nfUms,°Mr. r! McKay CpminJjs’Secondvhis ! plaUts, being'- rather ' stragglingi although; the; blooms Were superior to those of Mr. Travers. There Ws no exhibit: r of j ivy-leaved geraniums,' and the contest for .the best four bi and tricolor leaved'geraniums was 1 nothing out of the way. Mri’’ Cooper took the. first" prize, and ' Mr. Travers the second! Mr.- McKay exhibited and took the first prize for four beautiful varieties bf pelargoniums, the. plants being really splendid, although there was hardly sufficient variety in;the(colos3/. of’the/hl9oms.i' Mi-., Tra,yers>' jvho 'took "the' second prize, showed .better] blooms;;althoughithe pfaptsiwerenotr so darge. For three Varieties of fuschias only one prize was awarded,,anfl this appeared to be for the quality of the;timber.; . Mr. r McKay, was the prizetaker, and also carried .off ..the honors for the besf single fusohia. There,yrore no exhibits.of. petumas, climbing plants in flower, orpalceo*farias, and for two varieties of .roses Mr. McKay took the, first; .prize , with a Baron jSptflspjdld ; and, John. Hoppin. John ,Hop-, 1 per H »nd ;the .Baroness Kothschild took second * honors for Mr. F. Cooper. -Azaleas, and aurir. pulan,, wery^not, represented, : svnd,. . the best twelve New Zealand ferns m pots, not exceed-, ing Binfjy.MjtlMcKayi took the first prize, and Mr.—Logan the second. - Although Mr. McKay’s plants were larger end older than Mr. Logan’s, they were comparatively common, being easily obtainable in the valleys in the immediate vicinity of ‘Wellington. Mr. Logan’s exhibits yrerp admirably classified,, and. most'df werd Very rare and difficult to jjet—the Lcmaria , nigra, . Lomaria. Banksii,' ;Lomaria alfiiha,'and Loniaria Patersoiili being i especially so. .Messrs. McKay, and McNab were -the prizetakbrs for the-best six'exhibits of exotic :ferns,'but they have all been seen at previous exhibitions and do not.'call for special comment. For •the best'six yarieties of'native shrubs in or out of.flower ;Mr. Donald' came first, and. Mr.■ Bratoley second,'and a similar comment may be made: with'regard to'them as previously made on the. exotic ferns. . The'exhibits for prizes confined.to amateurs, only in.pot plants,' Were ’ also' on the whole. Very. good.. Mr. -F. ■Smith carried’bff' the first prize' for’ the best specimon'plant with a irifolium, which was one •of the, most,admired, exhibits in the room. If r. TraverS took seebndhonors. _ For the beat variegated foliage plant . Mr. .Smith was first, with a Calladium hoiillettii, • no second prize bping awarded. Mr. Smith took a similar position for the best two greenhouse plants in flower. For two varieties of fine foliage plants Mr;,Travers: took 'first, honors;, hie- Calladium. being a very fine, specimen. .Mr. Smith was’ second, his.i.iAlocasia <, ? Jeimengsii 5 i tteserving special notice. Coleus-were not represented, and for two .varieties' 1 of ''begonias in flower hfr. Smith .took, the; first place, no' second prize being awarded.; Nobody exhibited f single ger- 1 aniums,: and;,:Mr.; .Smith 'Was i’a warded- the second., prize for:-the. bastii two si varieties of o] ivy-leaved geraniums. - There was-anoth'er ■ competitor, but tauwaa- disqualified, lowing’ tbhis _ specimens ;boingi',,bdthi :nlike,l-‘’-For two varieties of. bi and tricolor leaved 1 geraniums.* Mr. Smith was awarded a second prize, -there 1

heihgmo- other competitor. Mr. Travers exhibited, and took a first prize for two varieties of. pelargoniums, which were very handsome, and. well;deserved' the honor,■: although there was_ no other competitor. ’Mr. Travers’fwas again first in fuschias, but the exhibit was not of .first-class. order, 1 and’ in fact fuschias were weakly represented throughout the show..: .For - two varieties p£ petunias .Mr. ;W; Parris was awarded a second prize,. there being no- other competitor.-! 1 For the best climbing plant in flower, Mr. Hi !'F. : Smith took first honors'with a specimen of the box plants ~ .-'Mr, .H, If. Travers being second' .with a Rhyncospermum jasminorides variegatum; and if there is anything in a name,j shoiildf have: received better treatment. Calceolarias, roses, and azaleas, were - unrepresented. ctMr,. Smith took .firsts prize dor auriculas ; and there -'was 3 no; other 1 competitor. For-exotic ferns and varieties of native shrubs, there'was; no contest.. ( e,*ol -k- 1 !

In. Glass II (cut flowers);—There; was a good healthy rivalry between the gardeners and the ; amateurs." thp best collpptipq of. annuals and biennials there 1 were only two competitors. ; Mr. Heighten , taking' the first prize, and Mr. Phillips the’'second 1 . 1 ' The 1 exhibits of six varieties of were but poor, but the blooms have hardly 'had time to recover. : ! from the damage inflicted by the late boisterous; ; weather, 1 which will account' also for ’ the. ; poverty-stricken-look of the' 1 verbenas.’ Mr. ; O; 1 Duncan • took the first prize!, and' Mr. Cooper the second. 1 -Mr. McNab 1 was • first • with -twelve 'varieties of verbenas, and in the i contest for the best six varieties took second- ' horrors;-Mr. Cooper being first; Carnations were not represented, and 1 ’ for the- best :six varieties -of- pinks, 1 Mr, Cooper took the first prize, his exhibits being excellent, • with” the- exception of one; which looked- | uncommonly like a.picotee. Mr.-McNab took j the second prize, hut his exhibits were-too near [to the stand'to be as effective as they might I have been. There were no exhibitspf picotees, i and for varieties of’etdoks Mr." Mason took the i first prize'with'capital specimeha.fb TEere waa' | a second competition; but he-had thrown down I his flowers on the table-without-any attempt- | at .'order .-or . arrangement,land’ the-judgesre : i fused to take any notice of ithe exhibit. (For the best - six. varieties ' of: sweet-william, Mr. Jeffs; first,'- the bloom on- his'specimens being most- evenly divided, and: Mr. Mason took the second prize. Mr. Mason was first prizetkker with al-splendid collection Of (cut flowers; of 18 distinct species, and Mr. Bramley j took the second prize in this exhibit, his flowers being also very good. The roses exhibited were j very beautifullindeed, Mr. ; Mason taking the - first prize and Mr. McNab the second for the best' 6; varieties, 'in the contest for thebest 18' i varieties, Mr.' Mason was again first; and r Mr. ; Bramley came off with ; the second prize, I with some capital exhibits. It is a great -pleasure / to -record-./the : success of ■ the ■ Curator of; the.(Botanical -Gardens ;in 'this !respect; 'his specimens showing! that''time is’ I only required to render the gardens all that can i be desired, i. Mr. Mason exhibited three 1 yarie- ; ties of rhododendrons, each being a most perfect jbloom,i(and took the first p'rize in -this branch.’- | There was no other. competitor. 1 Mr. Mas on also took the first prize for the best • six varie-5 jties of azaleas and bulbs, there being no; other ’competitor in either branch. The bulbs excited general adniiration,! the gentleman in charge 1 /being frequently assailedifor informatioa as to ! ithe names of the flowers. Itwould be a’conivenient practice if in; the future each specimen . ' [was named. -Mr. F; Cooper-was the prizetaker ; for varieties of anemones, his; specimens - beihg-(first-class, [ ‘ iTheshow of sixvarieties of pansies i was very good, Mr.Budden taking the firstprize ■ with one of the best exhibits intheroom; and ; Mr. Cooper the second with very'godd speci:mens. In the exhibition of twelve varieties of' native flowers, Mr. Bramley took'the*-first [prize, l all-his specimens being neatly classified land arrangedand Mr. Duncan tookthe isecond prize. It is a fact worthy of notice' (that the lihum^or-coinmou flax, which has be-‘ [come aoolimatized'to our soil, found its place in ithe- collection- for the second prize,' although; lit seems hardly fair to .classify it as a ‘.native plant.'. I For a .collection of not. less •than six geraniums and pelargoniums. Mr. [Travers showed no less than forty exhibits, being altogether the finest collection of blooms in the show, and -he was awarded the first [prize,- there- being no other-competitors.;.; The competitions" .confined. to amateurs alone, in 1 out flowers, was very good j the six varieties : ‘of auterrhimuus having apparently- suffered [considerably from the ; bad. .weather. , • Mr. (Phillips took the. first, prize,. and',Mr.Read the second. In ‘' the' contest for the best twelve and six . varieties of verbenas, Mr. ’ H. H.. Travers and Mr. Phillips were first and second, the' position being reversed in the-latter case. 1 The-verbenas were, however, considerably . better, specimens; [than those exhibited by the gardeners.- -Carnations and picotees were unrepresented, and there was a pretty fair show for the six varieties of pinks by Mr. Travers, who .took the prize, there being no other competitor. Mr. Read took a second prize for a collection of stpeks; There Was no other competitor. In the contest for the best six sweet-williams, Mr,.Travers;'made a good. show, His exhibits being ,very fair, although the blooms .were not’■ very,, distinct ,in the outline - of,!, color, and\took the -first--1 prize, Mr. Okell taking the . second,- There, was no competition for. the .collection of ‘ eighteen’.specimens of out' flowers, as was also' the case "with -the rhpdodenebrous and azaleas. For . the bead’ ~ six roses Mr. Travers was the only competitor and prizetaker, as was also the case'with the best six Varieties of bulbs, I the gladiolus in the latter exhibit being a very fine specimen. Anemonies were .not represented, and Mr. Phillips, who although he was - the only - competitor, deservedly took apprize for- the best six varieties of pansies. ,{.b • : Class! lll.’(Fruit: and /Vegetables), is the most .important; and was .-altogether the best' Represented in *thp show. ~ In the prizes .open: to all for, competition there was a keen contest,, and "in the -first •;exhibit;. 24;strawberries, the judges , had great ■■ difficulty. in arriving at;.a decision;. The . temptation to commit felony wasyery igßeat in. this .case, and. the, management acted wisely in sending two'rival; reportera.Snto the room together,, acting on the. principle of setting a thief tp catch, a thief, in order to prevent a larceny. ; Mr, [McNab took the first .prize,, ’and, Mr.; Laing the second. The .show -for -the..best - twenty-four gooseberries was also very, good, and although it is not the silly season:! at .present, we feel bound to comment on their extraordinary size. There wore no less than eight competitors, Mr. McNab taking the first prize, and Mr. Cooper -'the f second. 1 '- * There 1 were’ enough' pucumbers, shown, . to., cause., any.. amount pf indigestion,-’and' - they all looked very well. Mr. Laing was the first prizetakor, and Mr. G. Mann the sepondi I’"The[rhubarb'Was 1 ’"The[rhubarb'Was one of tbe finest exhibits in the room. Mr. Mason’s specimens,; Which took the first prize; being the pest; ever 1 seen - at the ■ Wellington exhibitions. Mr.-Cooper.took tho second' prize. "For : ragus,:.;.Messrs.' - Mason" Shd- Donald took the first and second prizes, the specimens being very good; Broad beans iwere not represented; but there was an excellent show, of -pod peas, in which Mr.. Cooper came first, and Mr. P. ■Laing second. Kidney potatoes were capitally, , represented, ' an ; Irish friend, who was with—oor- reporter, - and—is -considered one of the finest judges of “ murpheys” in the .province going into- perfect eostacies on the subject. Mr. Mason took the first prize, and Mr. P. Laing the second. 1 - The round potatoes Wore;, also,first-class;- Mr; Mason' being first in tliis branch, and Mr. G. Mann second. Cauli* flpwers were efficiently represented, Mr. Cooper being first, and Mr. Mahoney second. No exhibit .was .offered for brocoli, but the cabbages, and onions were the strong points of the shlow ; - Mr. Mason being first and'.Mr. W. ’Heighten - second -in-- the:first-named. - branch,, •and Mr. G. ,Mapn, and Mr. F. Cooper fiijatfaud second, in: the .latter.;., Considering, th'e'time’of the year, the collection of onionswas most creditable. For turnips Mr. .Bs; Donald and -Mr.'G.' Mann, were .-the' prize-: ‘ takers, and'the carrots deserve especial mention: On account of tho early time of the year., Mivj Dun6an T , of Porirua,' took [the, first .prize, and; ■ Mr.’F.'H; Corbett'the second,.both -prizes being for shorthorn 1 ' carrots! [' Lettuces were well,represented, Mr, ‘B. Donald taking the. first-prize, and Mr. Heightonthe second! Red cabbages .unrepresented. Mr. Heightoh’s

collection of salads on a tray was most artistically ; arranged, attracting general -. attention, and; was most deservedly awarded the first (rizc, Mr. Corbett took second- honors 1 but ns - exhibits, ’ although-> splendid specimens, l were not. tastefully arranged, and perhaps suffered- by ' comparison. s ■ - Tho collection of vegetables was also very good, Mr.' Mason taking the first prize, and Mr. Laing the second. In the competitions for fruit and vegetables,- ' confined to amateurs only, of course no comparison could ,be made with the-exhibits of the gardeners. For" straw-' berries; Hr.. ■ >Mi ■ Read was first, and Mr. W. Russell _ second ; 1 gooseberries, 1 MS Okell first, and'Miss Cooper second ; for rhubarb, Mr. Helyer first, and Mr. N. Valentine second j for asparagus, Mr. N. Valentine first, ‘ there I being no other -competitor ;■ for broad beans ; Mr. M," Read ’ first, and , Mr.- J,- 1 Dransfield f T C01 “J ; pod peas, Mr. M: Read first, and' ;JVXr. Iv Valentine second:; for-kidney potatoes' ;Mr. S; Mason 1 first, and Mr. K Valentine' second ; for round potatoes Mr. W. Bussell 5lr S k’n a J 1( y^ r ‘ Read second ; for cabbages' ;Mr. M. Head first, and Mr. W. Hussell second:* for onionaMr. M. Reed first,’there being no second /competitor ; for turnips Mr. N. Valentine , first, and Mr. W. Russell se- ; andl for lettuces Mr. N- Valentine first, , and Mr. ;H. H. Travers second. There were no exhibits for cucumbers,'cauliflowers, brocoli carrotsorred cabbage. ClaaslV wasopen toall , and there were some most tasteful exhibits. ITor .the ibest-dressed flower stand there were 1 three 1 competitors, the prize being, justly awarded to ;Mr; Heighten, the display of' blooms and arrangement of-the ferns ■ being in most perfect taste.; Mrs. l McNab'took the second prize,-her exhibit i being also- beautifully' arranged. 1 'All. three: exhibits ; were in the same species of stand; and it was' consequently easier to 1 draw; a comparison than at previous shows,' where all’ softs of shapeshavebeeii used. 'Theshow of hand [bouquets, was also excellent, ’ Mrs'. McNab [taking the first prize, and Miss Best' the second,' ’her ’ bouquet,-’however, appearing if anything’ [not quite so good as two others which.did not' j obtain prizes. For the hand bouquet of native Rowers, Miss Duncan 1 took the first .prize;’ ihaving made a -wider ‘selection 1 ' than Mrs; : McNab who came second, and whose, flowers ; were arranged in better' form; For the bridal bouquets, Miss Hales took first honors with a l ' ".splendid collection, but hardly so gcod 1 as that :■ of Mrs. ;McNab, who tookthe second place. The I first prize for a button-hole bouquet was awarded ; 'to Miss'.Fletcher, and the second to Mrs.’; Powne. " All’ the exhibits. in this branch were’ ■most tastefully arranged;" For Mr.’ Budden’s ! special prize, Mr. C. 1 Johnston was the success- ’ [ful ■ competitor. 'For;Mr.; J.. 1 Burns’ special jprize—^lst,‘ Mri Travers ; 2nd, 1 Mr.' McKay. 1 |For Messrs. 1 Barraud and Son’s, special prizej' - j Mr! Travers. 11 For Messrs. Mepowell and' Go;’s special priz4, Mr. Travers.. For Mr.' F: ’ [Cooper’s special prize, Mr.‘M. 11 Read.’" For Mr. 1 iWilton’s special ■■ prize, Mr. Wilton”,himself,, [with three beautiful heaths and for Mr. Jeffs’; [special prize, Mr: Jeffs himself, with' 12 specL ! mens ■ from seedlings collected in Wellington. [There were no exhibits for the special prizes• [offered" by- Mr.‘Hill, Mr: Brandon, "Messrs. .McLeod and Weir, and the special subscription [prize to be competed for by the students of the .Wellington College. Honorable mention was’. [made awarded to the Venerable Archdeacon [Stock, Mr. 1 H.- : F. Logan, Mr. J. H. Wallace, land Mr.. G. Tolhurst, 1 for = collections 1 of plants -seht'for exhibition only, - " j Messrs. Heighten, Gibb, and Judd acted as 1 [judges in Classes I. and 11., open'to all, and jthei Ven. ; Archdeacon , Stock and Messrs. -Budden and Bennett in the same classes, open , ;to amateurs only. For Class lit, fruit and ■' [vegetables, Messrs. Bramley and Mr, McKay [were the judges; both in the open events and ' those 1 confined -to amateurs. <ln Class IV., 1 open to all, 'Mrs. G. Moore and Mrs. Grace' officiated as dispensers of justice.’ - The exhibition was altogether a great success, being absolutely'crowded out in the evening, upwards of ’ five l hundred people paying for admission; in ’ addition 1 to the subscribers whose families are' all entitled to free admission. In addition to the attraction afforded by Messrs. Kohler and ’■ Bent in the afternoon, a band was ’engaged • which discoursed appropriate music throughout the evening. The benefit of these meetings 1 cannot/ be over - estimated, and we can only ’ wish the Wellington Horticultural Society the 1 success ‘which the merits of their efforts deserve.