SOUTHLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Southland Times, Issue 1221, 11 March 1870, Page 3

SOUTHLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The sixth annual exhibition of this ! Society came off at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday and Wednesday last, and, in | spite of the most adverse circumstances, turned but quite a success. For several days before, indeed, it seemed utterly hopeless to think of having any show at all, at least of flowers, for wind, hail, rain, and intense cold had " ruled the j season " for a good spell, and ravaged the gardens most remorselessly. How any thing so delicate as a gladiola, dahlia, lose, or pansie could possibly " bide the pelting" of such " a pitiless blast" — or rather succession of blasts — and come out of the ordeal with either form or fragrance left, is indeed wonderful. Of course those aristocratic members of " Flora's" kingdom, who disdain to live unless luxuriously lodged, are always independent of the warring elements, and a few of them, under any icircumstanees. might have been expected to put in an appearance, provided their fond owners would risk the dainty favorites to the danger of the journey ; but in this humble community few people can indulge in green-houses, and, consequently, such exhibits must at best be limited. "There will be a tolerably good show of vegetables — turnips don't take -much harm from hurricanes ; potatoes, too,~ are pretty, well hid, carrots and parsnips protect themselves by burrowing under the earth ; onions have heat «nough to withstand the cold ; cabbages, cauliflowers, savoys, and their congeners protect their hearts by big, tough, outside leaves. There will be lots of these kind of things, but no flowers. Every bloom unhoused must have perished, and no one will expose their exotics to this in — well, boisterous weather ; the centre stages will be bare and tenantless, and fruit, alas ! 'tis all gone long ago." Cogitations such as these occupied our mind, as, wrapped in Macintosh, we made our way to the Theatre on Tuesday morning. A solitary cart stood at the main entrance. A forlorn-looking individual, with sundry dripping bundles of green stuff under his arm, was crossing the pavement. At a side door the nose, awfully blue, of an ! enthusiastic member of the society peered furtively out. These were the only visible indications that we were nearing what was wont at that hour to be indeed a " centre of attraction," and the fact strengthened our previous fears. Boldly mounting the steps, however, determined to face the worst at once, agreeable surprise for awhile took the place of every other sensation, for not only were the side stalls devoted to the humbler orders of exhibits, even more neavily laden than we anticipated, but the centre tables were also well occupied with beautiful flowers, and busy hands were cheerfully giving the last touch to their various favorites, in anticipation of the advent of the judges, who were now waiting for admission. The natural reflection prompted by. a hasty .survey of the interior was — if such a splendid show of garden products can be got up in the face of such obstacles as gardeners have this year had to contend with, what might they not do under more favorable circumstances ? Taking a turn round the vegetable stalls to the right, the class open to all, one could not help being struck with the marked excellence of all the exhibits. Last year's turn-out in this department was capital, but the unanimous opinion of everyone we heard speak of it, was that this year surpassed it. Indeed, there seems to be no limit to improvement in this respect, although it is difficult to believe that still greater perfection can be attained. It would be almost invidious to particularize exhibits, for, without exception, each was worthy of a prize, and all were so nearly equal in merit that -the- judges must in many cases have had a difficulty in determining their opinion. Potatoes, white and red, occupied a large space, being spread out in dozens, side by side, and each successive lot provoked the exclamation, * l splendid !" Of cabbages there was also * fine turn-out, large, firm haeds, feeling like solid bullets ; in this class Mr E. Oleave took first prize with two superb ieads, characterized by an admiring gardener's apprentice as "stunners." The same competitor also got first prize for the red variety of the same vegetable, and Mr D. M' Arthur second, and both exhibits were far superior to anything previously shown here. Peas and beans were rather scarce, owing to the season being so early, but a few of excellent quality were observable. Onions were quite a feature, and had improved upon former years by nearly a half, the bulbs being both larger and better formed than on any previous occasion. Turnips, were also well represented, and, although not generally larger than at former shows, on the whole showed finer quality, and better breeding. Carrots, parsnips, parsley, and many other well-known plants had creditable representatives on the table. The rhubarb «hown was very good, that of Mr Cleave, which gained the first prize, being remarkably large; and some nice crisp celery from the same garden was also awarded a first ticket. The " collection of vegetables " entered by Mr J. A. Eichter, was deserving of the first prize, and got it. A competitor who used to carry all before him "in this class flad but few exhibits in this year, and the rarity of his name in the list will no doubt be noticeable. G-oing round to the other side of the house we come to the stalls for amateur competitors in. the ■ same class of products, and find that on ' the whole they come quite up to the profefsionals, except, perhaps, in some of the eprts most troublesome to grow. -The subjoined list will show that most of the prizes have gone to those staunch supporters of the Society whose names have become familiar to visitors at its exhibitions. Messrs M'Arthur, Hankin, Mentiplay, Boss, Lawrence, Prisken, M'Ewan, Hall, Kingsland.Mrs Millar, Miss Sinclair j and others equally well known, being all '

prize takers. Fruit, in both sections — " amateurs," and " open to all " — was scarce, as was expected, but the quality of that tabled compensated to a great extent for smallness of quantity. There were some excellent apples, both dessert and cooking, a few peaches, very fineMr M' Arthur getting first prize in both classes for this delicious fruit— a few gooseberries, and some tomatoes, cucumbers, and marrows, the latter very large, and well grown. Mr Cooper also got a prize for an exhibit of the small black grape, which was much admired, being a remarkably perfect cluster, in fine condition. On turning to the flower stages, it was evident that though wonders had been done to make this department equally successful with the others, there was still room for a much larger number of exhibits. Those placed were, however, mostly in fine bloom, and by their artistic arrangement did much to hide the paucity of the supply. In section 1 — pot plants, open to all — some very choice flowers were shown. As usual, the names, Millar, Cooper, Calder, and Sinclair, almost monopolized the prizes in this class, while for the same sort of exhibits, open to amateurs only, those enthusiastic florists, Mrs E. Millar, and Miss Sinclair, took the whole. Of cut flowers there was a large display, and an inferior bloom was scarcely to be met with. Dahlias and gladiolas were, perhapp, the feature in this department, and the show of both left little to be desired. Hollyhocks, roses, pansies, and many other specimens of nature's varied beauty were placed around, producing a blending of colors, and a richness of perfume, which made one love to linger. Messrs Calder, Cooper, Cleave, and Broad, were the principal winners in the class open to all, and Mrs Millar and Miss Sinclair in the class for amateurs. The judges were, for flowers, Messrs J. Gh Smith, Campbell, and Preston ; and for fruit and vegetables, Mssrs Lawrence, Sangwell, and Corbett, • the latter, President of the Castlemdne Society, now on a business visit to Invercargill, kindly giving, his services on the occasion. The awards made met with very general j approval* not only amongst the visitors, but the competitors themselves expressed their acquiescence very pointedly. During both days a good many people | visited the show, running the risk of being blown away or drenched, for the sake of gratifiying their love of flowers, or admiration of the more homelyn .exhibits. On the second day the .weather was rather better, and in the afternoon the place was pretty well filled, but it was at night that the crowd was greatest, and then the stir was quite refreshing. Indeed, what with the flowers, music, &c, the room at night had even a gay appearance. On the whole the Committee maybe congratulated on having carried through the show most successfully amidst many discouragements, and they will, no doubt, be thereby encouraged to persevere, and excel themselves next year. The following is the LIST OF PETZE3, Seotiok I.— (Open to all). Two best greenhouse plants : Ist prize, Mrs E. j Millar ; 2nd, Mr James Copper. ; One best foliage plant : Ist prize, Mr W. H. Calder. Two best fuchias, varieties : Ist prize, Mr Jame3 Cooper ; 2nd, Miss Sinclair. Three best geraniums, scarlet class, varieties : Ist prize, Mrs Millar. Two best petunias, varieties : Ist prize, Mr W. . F. Calder. Two best roses, varieties: Ist prize, Mra E. Millar. Two best pot bulbs, in bloom, any sort, varieties (gladiola excepted) : Ist priae, Mr James Cooper. Two best pots lilium lancifolium, varieties : Ist prize, Mr James Cooper. Section II. — Cut Flowebs. — (Open to all). Twelve best blooms roses, varieties : Ist prize, W. H. Calder. . Six best blooms roses, varieties : Ist prize, W. H. Calder. Twelve best blooms pansies, varieties : Ist prize, E. Cleave; 2nd, C. Broad; 3rd, Andrew Hannah. _ . Six best blooms pansies, varieties : Ist prize, R. Cleave; 2nd, James Hanna; 3rd, Andrew Hannah. Six best hardy herbaceous cut flowers, varieties : Ist prize, W. H. Calder. Six best verbenas, varieties, 3 trusses of each : Ist prize, C. Broad; 2nd, W. H. Calder. Six best carnations, varieties : Ist prize, E. Cleave; 2nd, W. H. Calder; 3rd, Andrew Hai-nah. Six best picottees, varieties : Ist prize, W. H. Calder; 2nd, R. Cleave. Twelve best spikeagladiola, varieties : Ist prize, Jameß Cooper; 2nd,-W. H. Calder. Six best spikes glatliola, varieties : Ist prize, James Cooper ; 2nd, C. Broad ; 3rd, A. Hannah Six best cut bulb blooms, any sort, varieties : Ist prize, James Cooper. One best hand bouquet : Ist prize, James Cooper ; 2nd, A. H. Sangwell ; 3rd, W. H. Calder. One best table do : Ist prize, Mrs R. Millar ; 2nd, W. H. Calder. One best floral device : Ist prize, W. Preston. Twelve be9t blooms dahlias, varieties : Ist prize, Thos. Waugh; 2nd, C. Broad ; 3rd, W. H. Calder. Sit best blooms dahlias, varieties : Ist prize, W. H. Calder; 2nd, James Cooper; 3rd, B Cleave. Six best blooms dahlias, fancy varieties : Ist prize, W. H. Cdlder; 2nd, E. Cleave; 3rd, C. Broad. Twelve best blooms hollyhocks (at least 8 varieties) : Ist prize, C. Broad ; 2nd, James Cooper. ' Twelve best blooms asters : Ist prize, James Cooper ; 2nd, C. Broad. Six best blooms African marigolds: Ist prize, E. Birrell ; 2nd, C. Broad. Six best blooms French marigoloU : Ist prize, C Broad ; 2nd, James Cooper. Six best spikes phloxes: Ist prize, W. H. Calder. Twelve best annuals, varieties (stocks, asters, and marigolds excepted) : Ist prize, E. Cleave. Six best annuals, varieties (stocks, asters, and marigolds exeepted) : Ist prize, E. Cleave. Six best ten-week stocks (single spikes, at least 3 varieties) : Ist prize, W. Preston. Section m.— Pot Puun*. (Amateurs only.) Two best greenhouse plants t Ist prize, Miss Sinclair. . > _ Two best fuchias, varieties: Ist prize, Miss Sinclair. Two best geraniums, varieties : Ist prize, Mrs B. Millar. Two bftet geraniuma, scarlet class : Ist prize, Miss Sinclair. # Two best petunias, varieties : Ist prize, Mrs E. Millar.

v Section IV.— Cur Flowebs. (Amateurs only.) | Six best spikes gladioia, Varieties: Ist P. M'Ewen : 2nd, Mrs E. Millar. One best hand bouquet: Ist prize,; Mrs R Millar ; 2nd, Mrs "Garth waite ; 3rd, Miss Sinclair.. Six best blooms dahlias, varieties : Ist prize, James Haima. Section V. — Fbttit. (Open to nil.) Twelve beat dessert apples : Ist prize, A. Watson ; 2nd, W v Rankin. . Twelve best kitchen apples : Ist .prize, W. Rankin ; 2nd, A. Watson. _ I Two best cucumbers : Ist prize, J. Pritchard ; 2nd, J. Cooper. '''■~ a Two best vegetable marrows: Ist prize, C. Br?ad; 2nd, J. A. Eichter. Best bunch black grapes : Ist prize, J. Cooper. Six best peaches : Ist prize, D. M' Arthur. Twelve best gooseberries : Ist prize, W. Rankin. Section VI.— VsaETABi.ES (Open to all.) Twelve best kidney potatoes : Ist prize, J. A. Richter ; 2nd, J. Pritehard. Twelve best white potatoes : Ist prize, Mrs R. Millar ; 2nd, W. Preston. Twelve best red potatoes : Ist prize, W. Rankin ;"2nd, A. Hannah. Two best cabbages : Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd, C. Broad ; 3rd, J. A. Richter. Two best drumhead cabbages — let prize, A. Hannah. Two best red cabbages — Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd, D. M'Arthur. Twelve best pods peas — Ist prize, W. Preston ; 2nd, J. A. Richter. ■-■ Twelve best pods broad beans— 3st prize, R. Birrell; 2nd, C. Broad. ; . r Twelve best pods French beans — Ist prize, J. A. Richter ; 2nd, W. Preston. Six best onions— lst prize, R. Birrell ; 2nd, R . Cleave ; 3rd, R. Hargreaves. One best bunch shallots— lst prize, Mrs S. Shepherd. Six beat turnips, white — Ist prize, A. Hannah. Six best turnips, yellow— lst prize, C. Broad ; 2nd, R. Birrell. * \ Six best carrots — Ist prize, C. Broad j 2nd, D. M'Arthur. Six best parsnips — Ist prize, C. Broad; -2nd, R. Birrell. r One best bunch parsley : Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd, A. Hannah. Three best and heavieststalks rhubarb : lstprize, R. Cleave. . ; Best collection of vegetables — Ist prize, J. A. Richter. Twelve best pods scarlet runners — Ist prize, James Cooper ; 2nd, W. Preston ; 3rd, R. Cleave. ~ Foui? best sticks celery— lst prize, R. Cleave. Two best : savoy cabbages— lst^ prize, rA. Hannah j 2nd, J. A. Richter. Section VlX— Vegetables. (Amateurs' only.) Four best Ijeet— lst prize, D. M'Arthur.! Six best kidney potatoes— lst prize, W. Lawrence ; 2nd, W. Rankin. ; Twelve best potatoes, any sort— lst prize, Mrs R. Millar ; 2nd, Gteo. Friskin ; 3rd, W. Kankir. - Two best cabbages — lstprize, Mrs Men|iplay. Two best cauliflowers — Ist prize, D. M'Arthur. Two best red cabbages — Ist prize, P. M'Bwan ; 2nd, D. M'Arthur. Six best turnips, white— lst prize, Donald Ross; 2nd, W. H. Hall. Six best turnips, yellow — Ist prize, > Mrs Mentiplay ; 2nd, D. M'Arthur. Two best carrots— lst prize, John Kmgsland ; 2nd, James Shepherd ; 3rd, D. M'Arthur. : Six best parsnips— lst prize, J. Kingsland. ' Twelve best pods peas — Ist prize, W. Lawrence ; 2nd, D. M'Arthur. Twelve best pods French beans — Ist prize, J. Kingsland. • ■ . Six best onions— lst prize, Wyald Stark ; 2nd, R. Hargreaves ; 3rd, James Hanna. One best bunch shallots— lst prize," Mrs S. Shepherd. Twelve best pods scarlet runners — Ist prize, J. A. Mitson.' > Four best savoy cabbages— lst prize, James Harvey ; 2nd, D. M'Arthur. Best collection of vegetables— lst prize, John G. Smith. Seotioit Vlll.— Fbutt. (Amateurs only.) Six best dessert apples — Ist prize, W. Rankin ; 2nd, George Trew ; 3rd, Abram Watson. Six best kitchen apples — Ist prize, Geo. Trew ; 2nd, Abram Watson. Three best tomatoes— lst prize, W. H. Hall. Two beat cucumbers — Ist prize, Isaac Broad . Six best peaches, any sort — Ist prize, D. M'Arthur. \ ; Twelve best gooseberries — Ist prize, "W. Rankin. > ■ jIt would not do. to close our notice of the exhibition without mentioning the luncheon'-^one might say dinner , without any breach of. the truth — to judges and; committee, which took place on the first day of the show. On this occasion MEr James Colyer, of the Princess Hotel, w|is entrusted with the duties of caterer, and we must admit that he was thoroughly entitled to the compliment paid him by the gentleman who proposed the toast of " the host" for the maaner in which he he had discharged his duties. During the process of refection, more than one of the guests took occasion to allude to the decided improvement made by a change from old quarters. Everything was in abundance, was excellent, and so tastefully laid out as to tempt the most capricious appetite. At three o'clock the chair was taken by the President of the Society, J. Blacldock, Esq., the VicePresident, T. M. Macdonald; Esq., taking the croupier's seat. Over Twenty gentlemen sat down and enjoyed- themselves: thoroughly for an hour or two. "We cannot do more than simply give a list of the toasts, several of which were the occasion of humerous speeches, and no little display of musical talent pi the way of "he's a jolly good fellow," &c. The chairman gave, after " The Queen," " The Superintendent," replied to by his Honor; and "The Provincial Council," replied to by Mr Macdonald, " Success to the Southland Horticultural Society " was proposed by his Honor in a neat speech, in which he took the opportunity of expressing his regret at having done bo little in the way of aiding the society. The President replied. "Kindred Societies " was given by Mr Macdonald, and replied to by Mr Macrorie — the Agricultural and Pastoral society, of which he is secretary, having been coupled with the toast. Mr Corbett, in giving " The Successful Competitors," remarked that he had been quite surprised at the display he had that day. witnessed. He had had no idea that Southland was capable of producing such exquisite fruits and flowers. As regarded the vegetables, he had to confess that he had never seen them equalled anywhere, and he had been connected with many similar exhibitions, both at home and in Australia. Mr M.' Arthur replied in appropriate terms. The Treasurer to the Sopiety, Mr W. H. Hall, proposed

" The Unsuccessful Competitors." None of that class happening, to be .present, Mr Butts made a suitable reply on their behalf. " The Judges," "Press," " Chairman," "Host," "Secretary," &c, foi loifted in rapid succession, and were duly honored and acknowledged, after which the company broke up very much pleased with their entertainment, and with the results of the show. .....I Si: ■ ==