FIRST MIDSUMMER EXHIBITION OF THE SOUTHLAND HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Southland Times, Issue 875, 3 January 1868, Page 2

FIRST MIDSUMMER EXHIBITION OF THE SOUTHLAN D HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The first Show attempted at this season of the year by the above society took place in'the Theatre Royal on "Wednesday and Thursday last, and was successful beyond the anticipations of the most sanguine. The rich and rare display of fruits, flowers, vegetables, &c. presented to public view on the occasion, was matter for no small surprise to a large number of the visitors, whose notions of what might be expected were based upon their recollections of the weather that has been experienced in our bleak exposed streets during the present summer. It is . fortunately rare that the gardener and farmer have to contend with a season so unseasonable as this has been, and it says much for the fertility of the soil, and the general geniality of the climate, when protected from the prevalent westerly winds, . that such perfection as was apparent in almost every department of exhibits could be attained at this early period of the year. The first question naturally suggesting itself to ones mind on entering the exhibition was — Where did such a profusion of choice fruits and flowers come from ; how has it been possible in the midst of storms of wind, rain, and hail to produce, within a reasonable distance of the town, such a cloud of beautiful and fragrant blossoms, such stately shrubs, such clusters of berries of every hue and species, such baskets of fruit, such splendid vegetables of all kinds ? An inspection of the prize cards attached to the various lots afforded a very satisfactory reply to this query, showing that the whj^e collection was the produce of the immediate vicinity of the town. A perusal of the subjoined list of awards will also convince those acquainted with the locality, that, as a natural consequence, those have been most successful who have displayed most skill and energy in selecting the sites for, and cultivating their gardens. Amongst the flowers one beautiful specimen, of the Magnolia Grandinora, exhibited by Mr Cooper, particularly attracted our attention, as did also a small fig tree from the greenhouse of the same gentleman ; although not more than twelve inches high, it bore no fewer than thirteen well formed figs. In Section 3— lVuit (open to all), Mr J. Blackloek seemed to have taken the lion's share of the prizes, although the whole of the exhibits in this class were really splendid. In vegetables, Mr E. Birrell, whose garden lies in a chosen position on the banks of the Waihopai, distanced all competitors; the cabbages, turnips, &c. t shown by him were really astonishing, and thoroughly demonstrated the benififc of sufiicient shelter and a good lay. In the dairy produce department there was but a poor appearance. In neither quantity nor quality did it at all approach^ the show of last season, and certainly*^ was far behind what it ought to have been. In the poultry department some very fine fowls were shown, although the number altogether was not great. Pigeons and rabbits were also shown, and helped considerably to add to the interest of the , occasion. "We must also mention a very ingeniously-constructed beehive exhibited^

admirably adapted for the purpose for which it ia intended— to secure the honey without destroying the bees. A large number of visitors were present during both days of the Show, who seemed much pleased with the success achieved. The enlivening tones of the piano and violin added materially to the animation of the scene. The next competition takes place in March, when we trust to see a still more complete and success lul exhibition than even this has been.