WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5295, 15 March 1878, Page 3

WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Pairons; HU Excellency the Governor and Lady Normanby. President: His Honor the Chief Justice. Vice-Presidents: Hr. Hector, C.M.G., F.K.S.; T. Kirk, F.L.S., &o.; G. Hunter, M.H.H. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer; T. W. Kirk. Committee: J. Buchanan, F.L.S.,J. Burne, J. Bescher, W. Bramley, F, Cooper, —Gibb, J. Heighten, Helyer, Captain Johnston, H. S. McKeUar, J. McNab, A. McKay, W. Parris, W. Phillips, M. Read, H. F. Smith, H. H. Travers. Auditor: A. P. Stewart. The autumn exhibition of the society was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, Lambton-quay, yesterday afternoon and evening, and as regards the quality of exhibits, took the lead from any of its predecessors. The objects of these societies being the improvement of horticulture in all its branches, ornamental as well as useful, the practicable benefits to be derived from such competitions must have made itself patent to visitors yestrday. There were as usual two classes of exhibitors, “gardeners” and “ amateurs,” and in each the entries were highly creditable. The exhibits of fruit and vegetables created general admiration, and for excellence of quality have never been surpassed here. There may have been better shows of fruit and vegetables at times, but they were never s» powerfully combined as on this occasion, both in respect of quantity and quality. It was satisfactory to notice that the list of exhibits had been extended by the introduction of products for which special prizes were given. A. “ special ” was offered by Mr. Geo. Hunter, for the best mangold-wurtzel, and the result was some fine specimens of globe and longyellow being sent in. Though in this class Mr. Hunter exhibited the best specimen, bis fellow-competitor, Mr. T, Mason, was ticketed as the prize-taker. Some forage carrots were among the fresh | exhibits. There were also three large size I shaddocks, and some capsicums in pots bear- \ ing fruit and flowers. Mr. J. Boscher, gardener to Mrs. W. B. Rhodes, gave evidence of his skill by exhibiting a dish containing thirty varieties of vegetables. Mr. Russell was awarded the prize for ten varieties of very fine potatoes. The salads, peas, beans, carrots, turnips, cabbages, parsnips, beet, and especially the tomatoes, were of good size, weight, and quality. Some remarkably large and sound short-necked onions were also on view. The large clusters of black “ Hamburgh ” grapes grown by Mr. McNab were especially worthy of mention. Mr. Mason, of the Taita, succeeded in placing among the fruit some local grown oranges, which, while not first class, served to show what the climate is capable of producing. The special prize for the best collection of fruit was awarded to Mr. Mason, albei\ the competition was a very close one. Mr. George Tattle exhibited some thorn apples (stramoni). About forty varieties of coniferous plants in pots were exhibited by Mr. B. Donald. Although the show of pot plants was not so numerous as on some other occasions, this may be accounted for by the recent boisterous weather, and as a set-off to this, the fact may be put down of the many rare and beautiful plants reared in conservatories, which possess an intrinsic value to the botanist, though not, perhaps, in some instances quits so pleasing to the ordinary observer. The cut blooms were very good, as were also , the herbaceous phlox and phlox drummundii, together with the China asters. Among the verbenas were many large and entirely new strains. , The pot plants included some excellent specimens of asplenium diversifolium, fine-foliaged begonias, coleos, and areca sapitas. A feature of the exhibition was a scientific collection of specimens of New Zealand ferns, having their generic and specific names attached from the gleichina to the todeas, showing also their allied mosses. These comprised forty-two varieties, including the whole of the ferns to be found about Wellington. They were gathered and carded by Mr. C. K. Jeffs, who also took the first prize for ferns in pots. Mr. Bramley was also successful in exhibiting twenty-seven varieties of native plants, in flower or fruit. The Show was extensively patronised in the evening, and may be regarded as a most successful one. Subjoined is the list of prizes : raciT. Amateurs. Kitchen Apples—J. Borne, Ist prize Desert Apples—J. Borne, Ist " Pears—W. H. Travers, Ist Peaches—J. Borne, Ist Spanish Blackberries—Miss L. Hales, Ist White Grapes—J. Borne, Ist Black Grapes—J. Borne, Ist; O. Bell, 2nd Walnuts—Pegden, Ist; G. Hunter, M.H.K., Ist. Gardeners. Kitchen Apples—Mason. Ist prize; Corbett, 2nd Desert Apples—Mason, Ist; Laing, 2nd Ploma—Mason, Ist Peaches —Bramley, Ist; Mason, 2nd Spanish Blackberries —Mason, Ist Oranges—E. Vaughan, Ist; Mason, 2nd Demons —E. Vaughan, Ist; Mason, 2nd White Grapes—Cooper, Ist Black Grapes—McNab, Ist; Kirkpatrick, 2nd Filberts or Cob Nuts—Mason, Ist Walnuts—J. Boscher. Ist. All Comers. Collection of Fruit on Tray—Laing, Ist prize; Mason, 2nd Black Currants —W, Prior, Ist. TBQETAJJLES. Amateurs. Cucumbers —M. Bead, Ist prize Bhubarb stalks—Bussell, Ist Kidney Beans (runners)—J. Borne, Ist Kidney Beans (other kinds;—Parris, Ist p eas —Parris, Ist; J. Burne, 2nd Potatoes (Kidney)—Bussell, Ist Potatoes (Round)—Bussell, Ist Cabbage—Parris, Ist; Bussell, 2nd Turnips—Bussell, Ist Carrots —Bussell, Ist Bed Beet—Bussell, Ist Lettuce —Bussell, Ist Onions—Bussel, Ist Vegetable Marrows—J. Borne, Ist; Bussell, 2nd. Gardeners. I Cucumbers—Donald, Ist; McKay, 2nd I Bhubarb Stalks—Mason, Ist; Prior, 2nd Kidney Beans (Runners)—Laing, Ist; Mrs. Rhodes (gardener, Austin), 2nd ■ Kidney Beans (other kinds)—Cooper, Ist; McKay, 2nd Broad Beans—Laing, Ist Peas—Hunter, Ist; Rhodes, 2nd Potatoes (Kidney)—Mason, Ist; Corbett, 2nd Potatoes (Bound)—Corbett, Ist Cabbage—Marrah, Ist (gardener, Thorner); Corbett, 2nd Cabbage (Red)— Laing, Ist Turnips—Corbett, Ist; Marrah, 2nd Carrots—Prior. Ist; Mason, 2nd Cauliflower—Rhodes, Ist; Hunter, 2nd Parsnips—Laing, Ist; T. Mason, 2nd Bed Beet—Cooper, Ist; Prior, 2nd Lettuce —Khodes, Ist Onions—Cooper, Ist; Corbett, 2nd Celery- Rhodes, Ist; Laing, 2nd Tomatoes—Laing, Ist; Hunter, 2nd Pumpkins—Laing, Ist Vegetable Marrows—Laing, Ist; Rhodes, 2nd. All Comers. Collection of Salads—Laing, 2nd Collection of Vegetables—Rhodes, Ist: Liing. 2nd. Collection of Potatoes—Russell, Ist; Mason, 2nd Mr. Laing’s special for Chilis—J. McNab . Mr. Hunter's, M.H.R., special for Mangolds—T. special for Feed Carrots—Mrs. Rhodes Mr. Freeman's special for Collection of Fruit—T. Mason Mr. McNab’s special for Six Bunches of Black Grapes —Mr, HcNab was the only exhibitor. tot PLANTS. Amateurs. Specimen Plant in Flower—Travers, Ist prize Variegated Foliage Plants—Travers, Ist Fine Foliage Plants—Travers, Ist Greenhouse Plants - Travers, Ist Coleus—J. Burne, Ist; W. Philips, 2nd Begonias (in flower)—J. Bums, Ist; Travers, 2nd Begonias (foliage)—Phillips, Ist; Travers, 2nd Geraniums (in flower)—J. Burne, Ist Geraniums (foliage)—W. Phillips, Ist Climbing Plant (In flower)—Travers, Ist; J. Burne, 2nd ' ' Climbing Plant (foliage)—Travers, Ist Exotic Ferns and allies—Travers, Ist. Gardeners. Variegated Foliage Plants—JlcNab, Ist prize; Kirkpatrick, 2nd Flue Foliage Plants—McNab, Ist: Kirkpatrick, 2nd Greenhouse Plants—McNab. Ist Colens—McNab, Ist; Kirkpatrick, 2nd 1 Begonias (in flower) —McNab, Ist; Pegden, 2nd Begonias (foliage)—Kirkpatrick, 2nd Geranium (foliage)—G. Hunter, 2nd Fuchsias—O. Pegden. Ist; McNab, 2nd Gloxinias—Kirkpatrick, Ist Petunias—G. Pegden, 2nd Balsams—G. Pegden, 2nd Climbing Plant (In flower) —McNab, Ist Climbing Plant (foliage)—Kirkpatrick, 2nd. "" Dahlias—T. Mason. ,12 Dahlias—J. Boscher. Achlmlnes—J. Bume. Allcomers, , . Collection of Native Plants—Bramley, Ist prize; Travers, 2nd Plants tor Table Decoration—McNab, Ist; Kirkpatrick. 2nd New or Kate Plant (flowering)—McNab, Ist; Travers, 2nd * New or Karo Plant (foliage)—Travers, Ist Mr. Bogan's special for Now Zealand Ferns—o. K. Jeffs, Messrs. Barbers’ special for Two New or Bare Plants ' —Travers. ' ” 1 ' '■ 1 Hon. J. Johnston’s special for Caladinlus—Travers. Mr. J. Bume’s special for Greenhouse Plants— Trareti.

, Annuals and Biennials—Phillips. Ist prize; MaS °six 2 Verbenas—Hunter, Ist; McNab, 2nd Twelve Verbenas—McNab, Ist: Phillips, -nd Asters-PhiUips. Ist; McNab, 2nd (Another collection sent in by Mr McNab, for ex hibition only, was specially commended.) Phlox— Mason, Ist Six Dahlias—Mason, Ist; Hunter, 2nd Twelve Dahlias—Mason, Ist; Hunter 2nd Six Bulbs-Mason, Ist 1 Six Eoses—Mason. Ist; Vaughan; 2nd Collection of Cut Flowers—Vaughan, Ist; Mason, 2nd; Bramley, special Collection of Native Plants—Bramley, Ist Dress Flower Stand—Mrs. McNab, Ist . Hand Bouquet—Mrs. McNab, Ist; Miss Hales. 2nd Hand Bouquet of Native Flowers—Mrs. MoNab, 1; Mrs. Bramley, 2nd. Bridal Bouquet—Mrs. MoNab, Ist; Miss Hales 2nd A certlticate was awarded to Mr. Jeffs for a dried collection of New Zealand ferns. Collection of Fruit on Tray—Laing, Ist; Mason, 2nd. ■ ■