THE FLOWER SHOW.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 190, 28 April 1914, Page 4

THE FLOWER SHOW.

last Week's Exhibition. There have beeu general expressions .of appreciation of the autumn flower show held on Wednesday and Thursday last under the auspices of the Pukekohe District Horticultural Society. When a show is over the hard work comes and to Mr Drivei aud Mr Hubbard especial praise is due. They both worked like trojans on Friday, all day. To Mrs Grigor, also, the thanks of the Society are due. Not only did sho superintend the refreshment room but she found time to do a lot of hard work in addition to arranging several artistic floral exhibits. It is workers like these who make for the success of the show.

POT PLANTS. The first prize extiibit in the collection of pot plants for amateurs comprised coleus, maidenhair ferns and asparagus plumosa. CUT FLOWERS. The collection of blooms was most comprehensive. One exhibitor of asters showed 20 kinds. An orange cosmos was well worthy of Inspection. Among Mr Townson's collection of chrysanthemums were Lord Cromer, Mrs G. Gunn, Wallaroo, Nellie Marshall, Mrs Knight, Mary Mason, Nellie Pocket, Madam Guiot, Edith Dashwood, Mrs Duckham. M. Nagelmaker, W. Mease, Kimberley, Rose Pocket, Silver Pins, Silver Queen and General Bainbridge. The champion chrysanthemum of the show was a Miss Annie Hamilton, bloom of white. This single specimen had a diameter of 5J incheß and a blotm height of 4 inches. Among other endrmous blooms by the same exhibitor were Susie (a bronze red) and Lharles Basque. Rev. Nixon, who obtained first prize for the big cactus dahlia collection, obtained all his bulbs from Mr E. Allan, of Buckland. Three of the most handsome of these were perhaps the Snowdon (a white variety which was awarded the championship), a yellow bloom, Harold Peerman and a crimson Floradora. Mrs Sharp's, Rama Rama, entry included J. H. Jackson, a black-red; Leah Whitehead, a yellow; Mrs Baxter, a magenta. Mr J. B. Brown's collection included Sheriff Anderson, Nellie Riding, White Gem and Liberty.

Some of Mr Bockett's varieties were Nantwick, Harkaway, Mrs Douglas Fleming, Le Coeur and Claudius. Mr IS. Allan's (open class) included Dr Gray, Antarctic, Ada Crossley, Antagonistic, Simplicity, Mrs Brousson, Rev. Bridge, Marathon, Orion, Johannesburg, A. Pickard, Vedette and Mrs Motley. Mr Allan's exhibit of collarette dahlias (open class) included Souvenir de Chambonne, La Congo Beige, Gallia and H. Farnham. The judge, Mr Sharp, of Waikumete, also showed some of these dahlias for exhibition only. They comprised Exposition de Lyon, Henri Farman, Maurice Rivoire, Leitstern, Kheinkrone and Caroline Vicari. Mrs Baxter's bowl of delphinium in a variety of blue shades was much admired; and Mrs Driver's sweet pea collection attracted lovers of that bluom.

DECORA I'IVE CLASSES. These classes were staged to advantage on !h3 gallery. Several were arranged in autumn colourings, while one of heliotrope chrysanthemums of a quilled variety, and another in yellow, were particularly dainty. Of the basket? of dahlias perhaps the most striking were thnse in amber and old rose shades. Epergne and vases were all ot highclass blooms and were all arranged in very tall vases with light-weight effect. Floral designs exhibited by Miss lownson showed what could be done in this class. Some designs shown were a harp, 2 lyres, a butterfly and a bicycle device. The prize mantelpiece was done with autumn shaded foliage and bronze-red chrysanthemums, which toned remarkably well, although less regularity oC arrangement would have added to the general effect. The other mantelpiece with small yellow chrysanthemums and autumn foliage was much admired, ana judging by spectators' comments would have been more popular had fewer vases been used.

The decorated dinner tables brought out five competitors. One table was in yellow chrysanthemums, with autumn leaves and trailers and bronze ribbon. Another of pale pir.k roses, maidenhair and asparagus, while Miss Mackenzie's exhibit was of exquisite lightness. The decorations used were red gerbera. red rose berries, brown grasses, wea Virginia, and maidenhair fern. This table ssemed to be the general favourite of the public. HOME PRODUCTS.

The butter classes were poor but eggs had a good showing, although no fewer than three exhibitors broke eggs in the unpacking. This necessitated walks homo and back with others to replace them. Preserved fruit and other storable cookery had not much competition, while adult cookery did not bring as many exhibits as children's cookery classes. In the tea cake class yeast tea cakes were awarded first place. Biscuits and sweets were expected to bring more competitors, as good prizes were offered, hut the quality of the first prize exhibits were quite professional, while the variety of the last was altoget,er praiseworthy.

CHILDREN'S CLASSES. The cookery of the children was very good, attention having been given to detail, especially was this the case in sausage rolls, which tempted one's appetite. Doris Willcocks' sweets were splendid for a child's collection. The children's decorative classes formei an additional attraction at this show. The baskets which were arranged by girls were meritorious, while the hand bouquets, all exhibited by boys, showed that they too intended to cultivate the artistic temperament. Similar comparison may be made with the buttonholes and ladies' sprays. The girls also did their vases with taste. The decorated pram showed patience and ability and the same may be said ot the decorated parasol", two of which were dainty heliotrope and white, the other cream. As the children appparently took great pleasure in their efforts to help the Society the committee look forward to the further development of these sections in the future.