Results of Flower Show.

Patea Mail, 6 March 1882, Page 3

Results of Flower Show.

The judging at Saturday’s show was well done on the whole, though exceptions might be named where the popular verdict differs from the other. The judges for grain, seed, and roots were Mr C. Syme and Mr E. Payne. The judges for flowers were Mr A. Laird senr, Wanganui, and Mr James Dickie junior, Waverley. Flowers were not in perfect bloom, in many cases, the season being unfavorable. It would help to a better show, if plants in pots were matured under skelter, such as an open verandah with plenty of light, and closed at the ends to stop the swirling wind. Ferns in pots and baskets might be trained to a nice showy condition in this way, if regularly watered and syringed. The established ferns seen in the room were few, and needed much improvement. Culture in closed greenhouses is hardly desirable in this climate, but shelter from wanton winds and nipping draughts should be secured by one device or another. Success of a much higher kind is attainable with flowers, with foliage plants, and with ferns, by judicious management as to situation, shelter, and watering. The flowering of a plant might be checked or hastened to suit the date of the show. The specimens exhibited were encouraging as showing what this climate is capable of, rather than as proof of attained success. The . best stand of flowers was shown by Mr A. W. Williamson, grown at the School-house; the second best by Mrs Robinson. Mr Pearce’s dahlias (two first prizes) spoke well for Kakaramea; Mrs Wray’s three specimens being next in size and perfection of form, while Mr H. W illiarason was second, not for single specimen dahlias but for the merits of a collection. A large floral device in form of a harp was ingenious and pleasing; the rich dark everlasting flowers toning well with the modest moss, and showing a sense of quiet harmony in the designer, Mr A. W. Williamson, of the School-house. He gained Mr Riseley’s prize. An interesting novelty was a collection of local wild flowers and grasses, apparently all native of the soil. There is a brownish tinge about most of them which is monotonous, yet rich and pleasing ; and the native plants shown are all small. It must be owned they would make a pretty bouquet for a dusky Maori beauty, matching her brown complexion, yet full of low-toned variations in color. Mr James Williamson exercised good taste in sending these to the show, as being outside the usual classes; and he was properly accorded a special prize.

The bridal bouquets were less temptingly pretty than at the spring show ; not that weddings are becoming too common, but those delicate little blooms suitable for bridal posies are less choice at this season. It may be that Nature provides a plenitude of nuptial flowers in spring-time, as being the proper season for matching and mating. Birds do their billing and cooing in the spring : why shouldn’t lads and lasses ? It was a true inspiration when Tennyson said, In the Spring a young man’s fancy , Lightly turns to thoughts of love.

The poet is silent about young women. It is carious to notice that Mr James Patterson again took first prize for bridal bouquets. The second was awarded to Miss Williamson. The other hand bouquets were also less numerous ; Mr Jas. Patterson taking first prize, Mrs Long second. Her interesting water bouquet, which was an acquatic puzzle at the last show, had not been imitated, as was expected ; nor had Mrs Long again shown her skilful cunning in that way. Pansies were moderately good. For table bouquets, Mr A. W. Williamson took first prize, and Mr James Patterson second. Mr H. E. P. Adams gained first prize for a specimen plant in bloom, the flower being exquisite. Only three autumn roses were shown (and they were fast fading) from

Mr H. Williamson’s well-kept garden, which is a treat to see all the year round.

The screen of greenery dividing the middle table was a marked improvement. The seeding of the noble nikau palm was shown by bunches in three stages, at one end of the table ; contributed by Mr Riseley. A sample of the sugarcane from which much is hoped in this colony, the sorghum, was shown by Mr H. Williamson ; grown on his land from Auckland seed. The cane was about 7 feet high, and not fully matured. It attains to 12 feet in parts of America.

Fruit were an excellent show. The apples were magnificent; some few pears were large and luscious; and the peaches were equal to expectation. Not many orchards in this district yield good samples of pears ; but some do. The best pears for table were grown close to Patea, in the Spanish garden ; Mr John Patterson showing the best cooking pears. The best grapes were also shown by Rius from the Spanish garden ; but they were small and early. Mr John Patterson showed a surprising collection of fruit, in no less than 34 varieties. This speaks well for Kakaramea; and he gained the special prize offered by Mr James Williamson, who is also one of the strongest fruit exhibitors in this district, in conjunction with his brother. Apples were a close competition. Mr John Patterson showed 29 varieties, and Messrs J. and H. Williamson nearly twenty. The first prize was awarded to the latter on the general merits of each collection, and the second to Mr Patterson. This is one of the cases where opinions differ as to which collection had most ■“ points ” to commend it. Both were remarkable collections.

Vegetables and roots did not equal a previous autumn show, taken as a whole. The season has not been favorable. Potatoes were good samples for size and soundness; carrots were moderate; pumpkins not quite equal to last year; rhubarb a fair sample ; tomatoes good ; onions very good; cabbages large and sound. In grain, Mr J. Hurley’s oats were remarkable for size and cleanness ; no wheat being shown. Farmers were backward in these classes at this show. Linseed is getting into this district slowly, one local sample being shown. Local grass seed was considered good. Roots are always immense in this district, but grain and vegetables need more attention.

Mrs Salmon sent some neat samples of her skill in cone-work —card baskets, and watch pockets lined with silk. .

The attendance in the evening was a crowded success. The Brass Band played on the stage, converting the affair into a pleasant promenade concert, which seemed to be attended by everybody. The evening being close and warm, with full moon, many visitors from the country stayed till near the close; and the room was so thronged that the joke of the evening seemed to be “ How do you like your Turkish bath?”

Fruits were sold by auction at the close, Mr Barker officiating. ; The special prize for best home-made bread, given by Williams Brothers, was awarded to Mrs Gunn, Storey’s paddock.

CASH RESULT.

The amount taken at the door for admission was nearly £ls. The sum realised by the auction of fruits and other articles presented by exhibitors was £6 10s. . Other expenses will probably absorb the whole available sum in hand. The fact that all expenses can be met should be satisfactory. The committee have merited, by their zealous labour, the handsome success which has resulted. The public know pretty well who the workers are. The new Horticultural Society may be now considered well established, under excellent management.