WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5307, 29 March 1878, Page 6

WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Patrons : His Excellency - the Governor and Lady Normanhy. President: .His Honor the Chief Justice. Vice-Presidents: Dr, Hector, C.M.G., F. 11.5.; T. Kirk, F.L.S., tut.; G. Hunter, M.H.B. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: T. W. Kirk. Committee; J. Buchanan, I'.L.S.,J. iiurme, ,T. Besclier. W. Bramley, P. Cooper, Gibb, J. Heighten, Helyer, Captain Johnston, H. S. MoKeUar, J. MoNab, A. McKay, W. Parris, W. Pnillips, M. Read, H. F. Smith, H. H. Travers. Auditor: A. P. Stuart.

The autumn exhibition of the, society was hold in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, on the afternoon and evening of Thursday, March 14th, 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 on Thursday. 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 so 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, M.H.li., for the best mangold-wurtzel,'and the result was some fine, specimens of globe andlongyellowbeiugsentin. Though in this class Mr. Hunter exhibited the best specimen,, his 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 shaddocks, and some capsicums in pots bearing 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, Bussell was awarded the'prize for .ton. varieties of very, fine potatoes. The salads, peas, beaus, , carrots, iturnips, ’ 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. Tljie■ 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 loc:ft grown oranges,, which; while . , not first class, served, to, show, what the climate is capable jof producing. The special prize - ,for the best cpllectioh of fruit was awarded to Mr. 'Mason, albeit the- competition was a .very, close one. [ Mr. George Tattle exhibited some thorn apples (stramoui). About forty varieties of coniferous plants in pots .were exhibited by Mr. 11. Donald. Although the show of pot plants was not so numerous as on some other occasions, this may bo accounted for by the

recent boisterous weather, and as a set-off to this, tlie 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 quite so pleasing to the ordinary observer. The cut blooms were very good, as were also the her* baceous phlox and phlox drummundil, 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, fme-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 gleichiua 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 maybe regarded as a most successful oue. Subjoined is the list of prizes :

fruit. Amateurs. Kitchen Apples—J. Burne, Ist prize Desert Apples—J. Burne, Ist Pears—w. H. Travers, Ist Peaches—J. Burne, Ist Spanish Blackberries—MissL. Hales, Ist White Grapes—.l. Burne, Ist • Black Grapes—J. Burne, Ist ;O, Bell, 2nd "Walnuts Pegdcn, Ist ; G. Hunter, M.H.8., Ist. Gardeners. Kitchen Apples—Mason, Ist prize ; Corbett, 2nd Desert Apples—Mason, Ist; Laing, 2nd Plums—Mason, Ist Peaches—Bramley, Ist; Mason, 2nd Spanish Blackberries—Mason, Ist Oranges— E. Vaughan, Ist; Mason, 2nd Lemons—E. .Vaughan, Ist; Mason, 2nd White Grapes—Cooper, Ist Black rapes—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. VEGETABLES. Amateurs. Cucumbers —M. Bead, Ist prize Rhubarb stalks—Bussell, Ist Kidney Beans (runners)—J. Burne, Ist Kidney Beans (other kinds;—Parris, Ist Peas—Parris, Ist; J. Burne, 2nd Potatoes (Kidney)—Bussell, Ist Potatoes (Bound)—Bussell, Ist . Cabbage—Parris, Ist; Bussell, 2nd ' Turnips—Bussell; Ist • Carrots—Bussell, Ist 1 ’ Bed Beet—Bussell, Ist Lettuce—Bussell, Ist • Onions—Russel, Ist ‘ Vegetable Marrows—J. Burne, Ist; Bussell, 2nd. Gardeners. Cucumbers —Donald, Ist; McKay, 2nd Rhubarb Stalks—Mason, Ist; Prior, 2nd Kidney Beans (Runners) —Laing, Ist; 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 —Rhodes,lst 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, lst ; : Lung, 2ml. Collection of Potatoes—Bussell, Ist; Mason, 2nd Mr. Laing’s special for Chilis—J. McNab : Mr. Hunter’s, M.H.8., special for Mangolds—T. Mason Mr. Hunter’s 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. McNab was the only exhibitor. POT PLANTS. Amateurs. Specimen Plant in Flower—Travers, Ist prize Variegated Foliage Plants—Travers, Ist Fine Foliage Plants—Travers, Ist Greenhouse Plants Travers, Ist Colens—J. Burne, Ist; W. Philips, 2nd Begonias (in flower)—J. Burne, 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 Folhige Plants—McNab, Ist prize; Kirkpatrick, 2nd Pine Foliage Plants—McNab, Ist; Kirkpatrick, 2nd Greenhouse Plants—McNab. Ist Colens—McNab, Ist; Kirkpatrick, 2nd Begonias (in flower)—McNab, Ist; Pegden, 2nd . Begonias (foliage)—Kirkpatrick, 2nd . Geranium (foliage)—G. Hunter, 2nd • Fuchsias—G. 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. Acliinaiuea—J. Bnrne. , . All comers.

Collection of Native Plants—Bramloy Ist prize Travers, 2nd

Plants for Table Decoration—McNab, Ist; Kirkpatrick, 2nd Now or Haro Plant (flowering)—McNab, Ist; Travers, 2nd NeWsOr Hare Plant (foliage)—Travers, Ist Mr. Logan’s special for New Zealand Ferns—o. K. Jeffs.

Messrs. Barbers' special for Two New or Hare Plants —Travers. .... Hon. J. Johnston’s special for Caladinius—Travers. Mr. J. Burno’s special for Greenhouse Plants— Travers. CLASS lI—CUT FLOWERS. Annuals and Biennials—Phillips, Ist prize; Mason, 2nd Six Verbenas—Hunter, Ist; McNab, 2nd Twelve Verbenas—McNab, Ist; Phillips, 2nd . Asters—Phillips, Ist; McNab, 2nd (Another collection sent in by Mr. McNab, for exhibition only, was specially commended.) Phlox—Mason, Ist • - Six Dahlias—Mason, Ist;- Hunter, 2nd Twelve Dahlias—Mason, Ist; Hunter 2nd Six Bulbs—Mason, Ist Six Hoses—Mason, Ist; Vaughan, 2nd Collection of Cut Flowers—Vaughan, Ist; Mason, 2nd; Bramley, special Collection of Native Plants—Bramloy, Ist Dress Flower Stand—Mrs. McNab, Ist Hand Bouquet—Mrs. McNab, Ist; Miss Hales, 2nd -Hand Bouquet of Native Flowers —Mrs. McNab, 1; Mrs. Bramloy, 2nd, Bridal Bouquet—Mrs. McNab, Ist; Miss Hales, 2nd A . certificate was awarded to Mr.. Jeffs for a dried llection of New Zealand ferns. Collection of Fruit on Tray—Laing, Ist; Mason, 2nd.!