DAFFODIL SHOW.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 1 October 1919, Page 3

DAFFODIL SHOW.

N.Z. SEEDLINGS V. IMPORTED BXJLBS. WIN FOR MR R. C. GIBSON. For many months past daffodil growers and enthusiasts have been eagerly looking forward to the "meeting Qf giants" at Christ church, when New Zealand seedling daffodils were to be shown in competition with imported bulbs. The Christchurch "Sun" offered a valuable trophy, for this competition, Mr A. E. Lowe (gardener for Colonel R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., of "Otahuna," near Christchurch) staging all New Zealand seedlings, while Mr R.-C. Gibson, tho noted bulb-en-thusiast, of Taranaki, showed flowers. grown from improved bulbs.

The contest to.ok place at Christchurch last, week, and created intense interest among narcissi enthusiasts and other lovers of flowers all over the Dominion.

Mr Gibson was declared the winner. The Christchurch "Sun," in reporting the show, writes: — "Mr T. Waugh (Lower Ifutt) and Mr A. W. Reeves- (Christehurch) deliberated long and earnestly over tin: exhibits, and about five o'clock announced that the imported bulb's (Mr R. Gibson's) had won. The points recorded are not available. Both are beautiful exhibits, and some of the blooms in each are of marvellous quality. In the 'Otahuna' collection (Mr Lome's) there stand out with particular distinction tho chaste and lovely Lecdsii bloom, 'Silver Plane,' the rich 'Heart of Gold,' with its heavy lemon-yellow perianth and luxuriant orange cup, and tho beautiful 'War Cloud,' with its magnificence of colouring and quality. -Tho 'Carmelite,' a triaiidrus hybrid, is another of particular distinction, and so is the 'Red Trumpet,' a bloom of very vivid colouring. In Mr Gibson's collection there is the delicate and lovely 'White Emperor,' a white trumpet bloom,- the 'Pullman,' and the 'Crcesus' (the last with a very vividly-coloured cup), and tho 'Flectwing,' a fine bi-colourcd bloom, with star-shaped crcamy pcrianth, and a crimped yellow cup. Tho ' Robespierre' had a. sulphurcoloured perianth and a deep orange cup. Mr Gibson also showed one seedling raised by himself, which figured in "the exhibition as 'Gibson's seedling.' Regarding the competing exhibits, opinions naturally differed, some commending the judges' decision and some differing from it. Admirers of the 'Otahuna' blooms praised the colour, richness and substance of the blooms, whilst the TaTanaki fanciers declared that Mr Gibson's exhibit had more delicacy and refinement." Several newspapers, in referring to this contest, deplore the fact that the points gained by the competitors were not made- public. Questioned on this matter by an "Otaki Mail" representative, Mr T. Waugh (one oi: the judges) stated that ho was anxious to make the points public, but the other judge (Mr Reeves) objected. There was a difference of fifteen points in favour of Mr Gibson's exhibit (says Mr Waugh), and eight flowers Mr Waugh had challenged, which he considered should all have had to allow another point each, would make the difference in favour of Mr Gibson 23 points. Each flower was taken separately— not tho vases as a whole—and points allotted to each. The judging was done very thoroughly, and in accordance with tho B.H.S. rules. Mr Waugh states that, as the competition is for two out of three shows, it would not be quite right for him to give full particulars of Mr Lowe's exhibit, as he will have to judge again next year; but ho states that he considers the New Zealand seedlings exhibited by Mr Lowe, though a very beautiful lot, had not the same quality or finish as the imported varieties shown by Mr Gibson.

This competition is exciting very , keen interest, which will doubtless »- I crease before the next, contest, •which. we understand, will be held at Wellington. Mr Gibson naturally was under a slight disadvantage in having to con- i vey his blooms all the way from Tara- , naki to Christchurch, but next year : tbis will be equalised by Mr Lowe having to travel north. So far as we have been able to gather, the general opinion is that tho great contest at Christchurch last week lias demonstrated the fact that, though a great many magnificent varieties of daffodils have been raised in New Zealand, these are as yet not quite equal to tha imported bulbs. At the same time, Mr Lowe's display at Christchurch must have been a regular "eyeopener" to many, and clearly proved that this enthusiastic and successful grower has already done wonders in hybridising and growing many extremely beautiful varieties of narcissi Apart from the relative merits of imported and locally-raised narossu this show has created a healthy rivalry between the North Rd Sjg horticultural enthusiasts, which shoh K* result in an increased interest in that lv fascinating hobby, daffodil growing, r --throughout the Dominion