PATEA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1118, 28 November 1883, Page 2

PATEA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Spring* Show.

President, Major Turner; Committee, Messrs A. W. Williamson, U. Orchard, J. .Paterson, J. Williamson, J, W. Bright. . Hon. Secretary, Mr H. E. P. Adams.

The Spring Show of the above Society was held in the Harmonic Hall yesterday. When the unfavourable weather that we have experienced lately is taken" into consideration, it must be admitted, that although in point of quantity the exhibits fell short of what we have seen her<\ still the display was a creditable one indeed. The hall was arranged on the nsnal plan, with centre table ami side benches and presented n pretty sight, the exhibits being carefully and . tastefully arranged. The committee of the society is a small one, but what it lacks in numbers is fully made, up by energy and enthusiasm. The result is that at these shows the committee have a groat deal of work to do, and it is only just to say that it'is.always well done.

The most .noticeable feature of the display was, of, .course, the cut flowers, the competitioTV-in this class being keen. The roses wore Very good, especially six specimens shown by ,Mr Adams, which received first prize, Mr A. H. Williamson also seemed two .first prizes for roses, and Mrs Wray look the honours for best single rose, Mr Alexander Wood, of Kaknramen, being.second with a nice bloom. The- pansies were handsome, one very dark coloured specimen being much admired.. In Verbenas, Mrs Adams / was; :placed first, VMrs Wray second, but in the collection of cut flowers, those positions were- reversed. The bciuqnetjs'' attracted n great deal of attention, and in the class for bridal bouquets „the judges had considerable difficulty in arriving at a decision. The first prize was ‘ awarded to A. Pearce, Miss B. : Hirstsecond. ,Many people thought the positions ought to have been reyorsod, it being a moot point ■whether,., the Interspersing; of green with the white flowersis ' an improvement. \Yi tit regard to the button hole botjcpu’ts, we certainly think the"judges were at fau|l and that almost any of the at her bonqu st s were entitled to the first prize before those that received it. Ii is of course a matter of taste, and we suppose the judges had gOod--grounds for giving their decision ns they did. The hand and table bouquets , were quite up to the usual standard. This class of exhibit is a favourite with exhibitors as well as with live public,t and at all flower shows it occupies a prominent place. Considerable taste is required to put a bouquet together with due regard to the blending of colours, and it is evident that we have, amongst ns a good many lovers of flowers who are not behind band in this respect. The second prize bouquet was perhaps the most artistic, and had it been a little larger would probably have taken first place. Mrs Adams’ exhibit was,, however, very pretty, as indeed were many of the others. The pot plants were not too numerous bat some of them were very fit e Mr Woods’ calceolaria and cinneraria were beautiful specimens. Mr C. Orchard, who is a tower of floral strength to the Society, so to speak,- had a nice little display, and look eight 'nwards in this class. Mrs Wray secured first for ferns, hut there is room for great improvement in this direction. It is a wonder to as that this class do f, s not receive creator attention for there arc few more beautiful sights than a well established pot of graceful ferns. The show of fruit was not large. In strawberries Mr J Rius repeated his victory of last year,, the prizes for gooseberries and rhubarb being taken by Mr A H-Williamson. Mrs E. Payne was awarded first prize for jams and jellies. The class for vegetables was better filled, and Mrs Wray, Messrs Ad'ams and Bins may be congratulated upon their exhibits. The potatoes looked especially good, but, unfortunately for Mr Rins, one of his exhibits was disqualified through being under the required number. We do not think this was the exhibitor’s fault ; certainly the potatoes (round) wore the finest. The kidney potatoes shown by M « Wray were very fine for the season of the year, and were a long way in advance of the others. A reference to the prize list will show the estimation in which the judges held the various exhibits. : ... -

The attendance during the afternoon and evening was, wo regret to say, less than usual. This may be easily accounted for and needs no explanation. The sum of £8 Is was taken at the door, and the auction sale of plants, for which Mr Cowern gave his services, realised £.2 14s Cd. Music was given during the evening. Several ladies, amongst whom wo noticed Mrs Orchard, and the Misses Gowern, Turner, and Paterson, presided at the piano and helped considerably to enliven the proceedings. The judging was performed 1 by some of the members of the Committee with the aid of outside assistance, Mr Laird,, of Wanganui being unable to attend. On the whole, the judges did their difficult work very well. Differences of opinion there always will, bo upon particular points. Following is the PRIZE LIST. i*ot Phints. Calceolaria, A Wood Cineraria, A Wood Fuscliias, A W Williamson Begonias, C Orchard Geraniums double,, C Orchard Geraniums 'tricolour, C Orchard Pelargoniums, C Orchard Petunias double, A W Williamson ISpecimen plant in bloom, C Orchard Specimen plant in bloom for which no class, 0 Orchard 1, A W Williamson 2 Specimen plant foliage, A Wood Specimen plant (foliage), for which no claws, C Orchard 1, Miaa li Williams 2 Ferns, Mrs Wray Musk (yellow), Mrs Wray 1, Mrs H Williamson %

■ Best collection of plants, 0 Orchard Coleus, II E P Adams Out Flowers. Boses six, HEP Adams 1, A H Williamson 2 Roses three, A II Williamson 1, A Wood 2 Best Rose, Mrs Wray 1, A Wood 2 Best collection of roses, A H Williamson Gladioli, Mrs Wray Petunias single, Mrs Wray Antirrhinums, J Williamson 1, A II Williamson 2 Dianthns, Mrs Wray Pansies, Mrs Wray 1, Mrs H E P Adams 2 Phlox Dnimmundi, HEP Adams Stocks, A Wood Carnations and Picotees, John Paterson Verbenas, Mrs II E P Adams 1, Mrs Wray 2 Fnscliias, R B Pearce Pelargoniums, C Orchard 1, R B Pearce 2 Collodion of cut flowers, Mrs Wray 1, Mrs II E P Adams 2 Hand bouquet, Mrs H E P Adams 1, Q Pearce 2 Bridal bouquet, A Pearce 1, Miss B Hirst 2 Tabic bouquet, A H Williamson Table decoration, 0 Orchard Floral device, A W Williamson Stand of Flowers, Mrs Ginger I,' Mrs Orchard 2 Button-hole Bouquet, J W Bright 1, Miss Williamson 2 Wreath of Flowers, Miss M .Williamson 1, Mrs J Williamson 2 ; JF’x-uit'. .•

Strawberries (flavour) J Rius T, J Williamson 2 Strawberries (size)'J Rios 1 Giosebenics, A II Williamson 1, J Williamson 2 Rhubarb, A II Williamson Jams and Jellies, Mrs E Payne 1, Mrs II Williamson 2 ’ , 'Vegretalbles. Asparagus, II E P Adams Turnips, J,Williamson.l, J Ritis 2 Radishes (long) A H Williamson 1, H E P Adams 2 ; t H Radishes (round) H E P Adams Onions, Mde Banks . ’ Potatoes (kidney) Mrs Wray, Potatoes (round) Airs Wray 1, A II Cauliflowers, J Rius Cabbages, A H-Williamson 1, J Rius 2 Carrots, J Rius .l, H E P Adams 2 __ Beaus (broad) J Stater 1, S Clover 2 Peas, H Horner I, H E P Adams 2 Lettuce (cos) H E P Adams 1, S Clover O‘ ■ 7

• Lettuce (cabbage) J Rius Horse Radish, Airs S\ ra} ; Collection of Vegetables, H E P Adams 1, J Rius 2

Extra ICxcliilbitss. Ferns in Frame, A H Arthur, highly commended. •

Walking Stick, A H Arthur, highly commended.

Bottled Fruits, Miss Williams, highly commended. ■ . r.,- ‘ v .' Eschalots, J Slater, highly commended. Water bouquet, Miss Williams, highly commended.