THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5554, 16 January 1879, Page 3

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

The Summer Exhibition of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, held under the auspices of the Wellington Horticultural Society, came off yesterday in the lower hall at the Athemeum. The season has been very favorable for horticultural work, and as a natural sequence the show was excellent in almost every department. Indeed, on the whole, perhaps a better summer exhibition has not been seen here. The room was not all that could have been desired, being far too dark during the daytime. In the evening this difficulty was removed, but then, owing to the crush of visitors, the atmosphere was very hot. Looking at the exhibits in point of order on the cotalogue, POX PLANTS command first attention. The display of these was exceedingly good. Eorthe prize for specimen plants competition was limited to two or three persons, and Mr. McKay, gardener at Government House, by unanimous consent gained the premium with a plant called plumbago, which has a delicate green foliage and a beautifully tinted blue flower. It is really a pretty thing. Mr. Pigden, gardener at the Ministerial residence, gained second prize with an oleander. The variegated foliage plants were excellent on account of their rich growth and great variety, and the colors were especially admirable, particularly those shown by Mi - . McNab, who took first prize. The variegated geraniums were good, but it was rather late for flowering geraniums, and they did not appear to advantage. Pelargoniums and fuchsias were well represented, especially the latter, but we cannot say very much for the petunias. In the amateur division Mr. H. H. Travers as usual was almost invincible, but Mr. Joseph Burne pushed him in several classes, and in one or two instances beat him. The exhibits were all very good. Among the new plant exhibits was a specimen of orchid brought from Rio do Janiero by Mies Barraud. In native plants Mr. H. H. Travers was also victorious with a superb collection, and Mr. Bramley’s collection of native plants was much admired for its completeness and the variety of some of. its items. There were no loss than thirty-five varieties, including, a senicio Hectorii and other rare species. Mr, E. Cooper was sucoesful in his competition for the prize for a collection of ferns, and Mr. McNab came second. In the latter collection there were several capital specimens of Queensland flora. Mr. McKay was fortunate enough to secure Messrs. Kitchen and Co.’s special prize. The special prizes offered by his Honor the Chief Justice, Mr. Hislop, and Messrs. Kohn and Co. brought forward some very handsome plants. Mr. H. H. Travers, who secured his Honor’s prize, showed Maranta hibispatha, cyanophyllum Bowendanii, Croton Maoafeeanum, and Caladium chantini fulgens; Mr. F. Cooper taking second prize. Mrs. Travers also took Mi - . Hislop’s prize with Maranto leopardiana, croton veitchi, caladium Dr. Bindley, Dracoena Hendersoni, Dieffenbarhia Bowenannii, and Acalypha Macleaya ; Mr. A. McKay taking second prize. Messrs. Kohn and 00.. s prize also fell to Mr. H. H. Travers, whose collection included Draccena Cooperi, Croton Queen Victoria, Eranthemum tricolor, Caladium Dr. Bindley, Acalypha tricolor, a grand plant of Maranta zebrina, Phyllanthus nirsus, Brassaia aotinophylla. Hibiscus rosa sinensis folios variegatis, Theophrastra imperialis, Bandanna veitchii, and a fine-leaved plant not named. Mr. Cooper also showed some very good plants, for which he very deservedly obtained a certificate of merit. cur FLOWERS. There were some very good verbenas exhibited, Mr. Hunter, M.H.R. (T. Bosher, gardener) and Mr. McNab, dividing honors. Mr. Hunter also secured the prize for carnations, but he was closely pressed by Captain Johnston, who exhibited some capital specimens. The gladioli were splendid, and the judges had great difficulty in deciding between Messrs. Mason and McNab. The pansies, dahlias, and roses were very good, especially the dahlias. Mr. Mason, as usual, carried off the prize for a collection of cut flowers with a really splendid exhibit, but Mr. Bramley’s collection was by no means bad. Mr. Bramley’s collection of native flowers was also excellent. There was a keen competition between Mrs. McNab and Miss Hales in regard to dressed flower stands and bouquets of various character, but in almost every instance Mrs.. McNab was successful, the only exception being when Mr. Bramley stepped in and defeated both the ladies. All the bouquets were arranged with great taste, and contained many rare flowers. This portion of the exhibition cannot be left without a reference to soma exquisite specimens of delphiniums, shown by Mr. McNab. They formed the beat collection we have yet seen in the colony. FIIUIT AND VEGETABLES. The more practical part of the exhibition was well filled up. Several benches were almost weighed down by the grand display of prime vegetables and luscious fruit. So far as the gardener classes were concerned, Mr. Peter Laing, as usual, ran away with most of the premiums for vegetables, but Messrs. Mason, McNab, Cooper, Bramley, and others gave him battle frequently, and occasionally came off best. The vegetable department was especially well filled, and as one gazed upon the fine samples displayed, he could not Help feeling astonished that while such vegetables could be produced in the Hutt Valley, the Wellington market continues to be so badly supplied. The truth is, we suspect, that many of our market gardeners go on year after year taking all they can get but of the land, and returning nothing to it in the way of manure. The wretched character of the vegetable supply becomes more marked and inexcusable after such an exhibition as that under notice. The fruit, too, was excellent, and quite disposed of the statement that good fruit cannot be grown in Wellington. In the Amateur classes Mr. M. Read was well to the fore, and exhibited many samples which put the Gardeners to the blush. The following is the prize list:—

Gardeners.—Specimen Plant—lst prize, A. McKay; 2nd, Pegden. Variegated Foliage Plants —lst A. McKay ; 2nd, Cooper. Greenhouse Plants in flower—--Ist , McNab. Fine Foliage Plants—lst, Cooper ; 2nd, McKay. Colens—lst, MoNab; 2nd, McKay. Foliage Begonias—lst, McKay. Begonias In Flower—lst, McKay; 2nd, G. Pegden. Geraniums Flowering—lst, G. Pegden ; 2nd, A. McKay. Geraniums, Variegated Foliage—lst, F. Cooper ; 2nd, G. Hunter (T. Bosher, gardener). Pelargoniums—lst.G. Hunter (T. Bosher); 2nd, McKay. Fuchsias—lst, G. Pegden ; 2nd, MoNab. Petunias—lst, Pegden. Amateurs. —Specimen Plant—lst prize, H. H. Travers. Variegated Foliage Plant—lst, H. H. Travers. Greenhouse Plants—lst, H. H. Travers ; 2nd. Joseph Burne. Fine Foliage—lst, H. H. Travers. Colens—--Ist, Joseph Bume; 2nd, H. H. Travers.. Begonias in Flower—lst, IV. T. L. Travers ; 2nd, Joseph Burne. Four Geraniums Flowering—lst. H. It. Travers. Geraniums Variegated Foliage—lst, H. H. Travers. Pelargoniums—lst, H. H. Ti avers. Fuchsias—lst, H, Travers. Petunias—lst, Joseph Burne. Balsams, two—lst, Joseph Burne. All-Comers. —New or Hare Plant, flowering—lst prize,H.H. Travers; 2nd, J. McNab. Newer Karo Foliage—lst, F. Cooper: 2nd, H. H. Travers. Native Plants -Ist, H. H. Travers ; 2nd, Bramiey. Collectisn of Ferns—lst, F. Cooper; 2nd, A. McKay. : CLASS H. —COT FLOWERS. Six Verbenas—lst prize, G. Hunter, M.H.K. (T. Bosher, gardener); 2nd, J. McNab. Twelve Verbenas —lst, J. McNab: 2nd; G. Hunter. Carnations—lst, G. Hunter: 2nd, Captain Johnston. Six Gladiolus—--Ist, T. Mason ; 2nd, J. McNab. Twelve Gladiolus—--Ist, J. McNab. Six Stocks—lst, fl. H. Travers. Six Pansies—lst, G. Hunter; 2nd. Captain Johnston. Phlox—lst, G. Hunter. Six Dahlias—lst. T. Mason. Twelve Dahlias—lst. T. Mason: 2nd, G. Hunter. Six Eosos—2nd, T. Mason. Twelve Eoses—2nd, T. Mason. Collection of Cut Flowers—lst, T; Mason ; 2nd, IV. Bramiey. Collection of Native Flowers—lst, :IV. Ernmloy. Fenstemons —Ist, T.: Mason; 2nd J. McNab. Dressed Flower Stand—lst, Mrs MoNab: 2nd, Miss Hales. Hand Bouquet—lst Mrs McNab : 2nd, Miss Hales. Hand Bonquet. of Native Flowers—--Ist, W. Bramiey; 2nd, Mrs McNab. Bridal Bouquet—--Ist. Mrs McNab; 2nd. Miss Hales. Mr Common’s Special for Buttonhole Bouquets—lst, Mrs McNab ; 2nd, Miss Hales. Mrs Powne’s Special' for Buttonhole Bouquets—lst, Miss Hales; 2nd, MlssC. E. Kirk.

CLASS lII.—3FBUIT. ' ' Amateurs.—Dessert Apples—lst prize, Joseph Bnmo. Kitchen Apples—lst, Joseph Bnrne. Plums —lst, J. Bnrne, Strawberries—let; J. Burne; 2nd, D. Duck. White Currants—lst, M. Bead. Gooseberries—lst, M. Bead; 2nd, D. Duck. Cherries—lst, H. Travers, Baspberries—lst, M. Bead. Gardeners.—Dessert Melon—lst, A. McKay. Kitchen Apples—lst, P. Laing; 2nd, W. Bramley. Dessert Apples—lst, P. Laing; 2nd, C. Duncan. Plums—lst, P. Laing. Apricots. Ist, PLaing. Strawberries—lst, J. McXab; 2nd, G. Hunter. Pears—lst, C. Duncan. Black Currants—lst, P. Laing;' 2nd, W.- Prior. White Currants—lst, W. Prior: 2nd, P. Laing. Gooseberries—lst, T. Mason; 2nd, 0. Duncan. Mulberries—lst, G. Hunter. Easpberries—lst, C. Duncan: 2nd, P. Laing. ; All-Comers.—Collection of Fruit—lst prize, P. Laing. CLASS IV.—VEGETABLES. Amateurs.—Cucumbers—lstprize.M.Eoad. Bhubjirb —lst, M.'Bead. Kidney Beans and Banners —IsL A. I'. Mason. Kidney Beans— lst, M. Bead; 2ud,VW

Parris. Broad Beans—lst, M. Bead : 2nd, J. Burne Peas—lst, M. Bead; 2nd, J. Burne. Bound Potatoes —lst, M. Read. Cabbage—lst, M. Road; 2nd, H. Travers. Turnips—lst, M. Read. Carrots —Ist, 31. Bead. Lettuce—lst, AV. Parris; 2nd, H. Travers. Onions Ist, 31. Read. Vegetable Marrows—lst, 31. Read.

Gardeners —Cucumbers—lst prize, F, Cooper. Rhubarb—lst, P. Laing : 2nd, T. Mason. KidneyBeans and Runners—lst, P. Laing. Kidney Beans—--Ist, F. Cooper; 2nd, G. Hunter. Broad Beans—--Ist, P. Laing. Peas —Ist, AV. Prior; 2nd, IV. Bramley. Round Potatoes—lst, P. Laing; 2nd, A. McKay. Kidney Potatoes—lst, P. Laing; 2nd. W. Bramley. Cauliflower—lst, P. Laing. Cabbage—lst, AV. Bramley; 2nd, P. Laing. Turnips—lst, P. Laing. Parsnips—lst, P. Laing. Carrots—lst, P. Laing; 2nd, C. Duncan. Lettuce—lst, A. 3lcKay; 2nd, P. Laing. Red Beet—--Ist, P. Laing. All comers.—Bed cabbage (special)—lst, P. Laing. Collection of salad—lst. P. Laing ; 2nd, A. McKay. Collection of vegetables—lst, P. Laing. Collection of cucumbers—F. Cooper, highly commended.

Special prizes.—J. Kitchen and Sons’, awarded to A. McKay. Mr. Hislop’s, awarded to H. H. Travers. His Honor the Chief Justice, Ist awarded to H. H. Travers; 2nd, Cooper; Gear & Co., awarded to H. H, Travers; Kohn & Co., awarded to H. H. Travers; Blr. Cooper’s exhibit obtained a certificate of merit.