THE FLORAL EXHIBITION.
The - v hall of the Mechanics' Institute never presented a more gala appearance than it did yesterday afternoon when, draped^with flags and festooned with foliage of every hue, its contents were thrown open to pubhc inspection. After the inclement spring and destructive gales experienced throughout the province we did not expect to see a very brilliant display, and therefore willingly confess to a feeling of pleasurable sur. prise at the amount of floral beauty coUected. The centre ofthe bmlding was occupied by a. fairy forest of delicate leaf and blossom. A mimic fountain, its basins composed of native mosses, threw up a jet, not of wefcer, but the spray of the toi-toi — the grass so much prized by the natives in the construction of their primitive dwellings. Even the very depths of the forest had I been ransacked for the taU and graceful tree fern and climbing plants. Seen from the gallery of the hall, the tout ensemble of varied hues, together with the elegant toilettes of ladies present, was most brilliant. The contrast between the hot wind blowing out of doors, driving occasional clouds of sharp"dust before it, with the cool and perfumed atmosphere of the haU, was also a pleasant feature of the exhibition. Although imbued the love of flowers we do not pretend to have dived deeply into the mysteries of floricultural science. Our readers must not expect an exhaustively professional description of the many beautiful plants. Among the first to attract attention was a geranium, " Distinction," a perfect mass of blossom so dense as to conceal the foliage beneath the roseate surface. Another " Perfection," with each flower more than two inches across, weU deserved its name, and could, we think, hardly be surpassed* Then there was the " Delight," and " Eclat" geraniums, and perhaps the most imposing of aU • the " Robusta," a giant of its tribe : — the " Magnet," with its clusters of scarlet flowers packed so closely that each main stem might almost have been taken for a bouquet. Then the " Diadem,' with its deeply tinted horse-shoe leaf. Turn we now to the fuchias ; of these there wa3 a full display in fine condition; among the most beautiful were " Splendens," a new variety, of symmetrical ""growth with large pink wax-like flowers ; " Reward," a taU and handsome plant, with magnificent crimson and purple flower leaves of a singular reflex growth. A specimen we must not omit to notice was one of unusual height and dimensions, we felfc almost inclined to caU ifc a fuchsia tree. The calceolarias showed weU and gave convincing proof of their acclimatization in their profusion of weU shaped flowers. Specimens of numerous varieties of antirrhinums were displayed, but of these ifc is to be regretted the late hailstorm somewhat, impaired the beauty Enongh, however, remained to enable one to judge of what they would have been under more favorable circumstances. Some of the homely old favorites, the SweetwiUiams, particularly those of double blossoms, were very fine ; a Chinese variety displayed flowers nearly four times the ordinary size. Of cut flowers there was quite a profusion, the exhibitor having been kindly favored with some choice roses &c, by John Blacklock and W. H. Calder, Esqs. Wifch the latfcer exception, fche whole of the flowers were grown by Mr. D. J. Morton, a resident of the suburban township M'Master's Estate. Had the exhibition been the result of the united efforts of many contributors, it would have been a most gratifying one ; but> when we consider that ifc is the work of one person — devoted certainly to his profession, but after all, only one of a numerous community — we think he can hardly be too highly praised for the perseverance and tact requisite to bring togethei* such a combination of what we may call works of nature assisted by art. We cannot close this notice without a word of remark with regard to the Horticultural and Floral Association. We beheve it is stiU in existence, although apparently hybernating tiU late in the season, As one of the mosfc powerful incentives to progress in the art of cultivation we think it is a pity such should be the case. The capabilities of our climate and sod would also be better published to the world by the facts elicited in a healthy between all classes— whether the amateur, cottar, or large agricultu * rist — than by anything that can be done by fine writing.
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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 197, 3 January 1866, Page 2
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737THE FLORAL EXHIBITION. Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 197, 3 January 1866, Page 2
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