THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.
* The tenth exhibition of the society wai opened yesterday in the Theatre. De spite the unfavorable character of th< past season, the exhibits, both as regard: number and variety, were quite equal t( tho?e of any previous occasion, and cer tainly they compared favorably with the exhibitions that have taken place of late years. The interest manifested in the proceedings was equally satisfactory, anr must have been highly gratifying to th? committee of management. On no occasion were new exhibitors more numerous than they were yesterday, and as many of the exhibits were of a rare character, we are justified in assuming that horticultural pursuits are making satisfactory headway in our midst. The vegetables in particular were of most luxuriant growth, and it has been stated on good authority that in this department alone Southland is in a position to compete with any other part of the colony. The competition for the different classes was very large, and in the majority of cases it was remarkably close. The same may be said of fruits, the entries of which. were, all things considered, remarkably full. The collection of apples placed on view attracted a large amount of com ment, and astonished not a few who had been led to suppose the high winds that prevailed during the early part of the season had completely destroyed them in the bud. TRhubarb was another very heavy exhibit, as regards quality. Peaches grown by both amateur and professional gardeners were likewise exhibited in great variety, also a few very nice apricots. A basket of fruit from the Waikiwi nursery (Mr Cooper's), and which was awarded a special prize, was an excellent exhibit,both as regards assortment and perfection of the fruit. Two large bunehesjof grapes from the same grounds were also exhibited, although the fruit in both cases was far from being ripe. Mr D. M'Arthur exhibited a bunch of grapes grown in the -open air, but from their appearance it is vsry questionable indeed if ever they could have been brought to maturity. The same remarks to a great extent apply to the exhibition of both pot and cut flowers. As compared with any previous occasion, at least double the number of entries were made for the latter. This excess was particularly noticeable in carnations and gladiolas. Dahlias on the other hand were not quite so heavy a competition as they have been on some previous occasions. Considering the amount of labor and di fiiculty involved in rearing this plant, the shortcoming is not deemed at all remarkable. Pansies were very well competed, in fact their exhibition was far superior to anything that has yet been seen in Southland. Both as respects completeness of form and general appearance, they were deservedly admired. Table and hand bouquets, as also the floral devices, were superior, and upon the whole much better contested than formerly. Conspicuous amongst the latter was a balloon device suspended from the roof in a conspicuous part of the buildiDg. In appearance it was both gorgeous and attractive, still that was about the full extent of its merits and as a question of award it was ranked, second. The first prize of this class was awarded to a very neat and chaste greenhouse device, exhibited by Mr Sangwell. In spikes hollyhock there was but very little opposition. Those shown were from the garden of Mr Morton, Waikiwi. They were in every respect of the word splendid specimens, and would have taken a leading place in the exhibitions of a much older community. More than one of them had four feet in full bloom. Placed as they were in a recess of the building, much of their beauty and perfection escaped observation. The number of annuals and herbaceous flowers was limited. Indeed they can hardly be said to be up to the mark. The backward nature of the Beason no doubt accounts for the shortcoming in this respect. Some few of the herbaceous plants were of fair average quality, but as a whole, however, they were defective. Those shown came principally from Mr Cooper's Waikiwi nursery. Mrs Millar and Miss Sinclair, the former a well-known Southland horticulturist, exhibited a lot of very fine flowering plants, and as usual carried away a good many awards. Verbenas were almost unrepresented, a circumstance which of itself testifies to the stormy weather of the season. A number of very handsome foliage geraniums were exhibited — in fact, a better assortment has not been placed on view for the last two or three years. Scarlet geraniums, together with a sprinkling of double-flowering geraniums, were conspicuous for their novelty, having only been introduced into Southland within the last few months. They were brought forward by Mr Morton, and were awarded first prizes. The tri-colored geranium was also a noteworthy exhibit in thia section. Before closing these remarks we must not omit to mention two floral devices, the one exhibited by Mr Cuff and the other by Mr W. P. Porter. The former was awarded first prize. It represents a landscape garden, with a neat verandah residence. The groundwork, a portion of which comprises rockwork, is very neatly executed, the whole being surmounted by a fountain, on which a jet of water plays. Mr Porter's exhibit is a similar device, although executed on a different principle. It carried away the second prize. The attendance of visitors was very good. The hall was well decorated, a portion of the walls in particular being overlaid with dried ferns, the handiwork of Mr Morton. The Invercargill Stringed Band was in attendance, and assisted materially to enliven the proceedings. The following is the
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Southland Times, Issue 1547, 8 March 1872, Page 3
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941THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION. Southland Times, Issue 1547, 8 March 1872, Page 3
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