THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

Southland Times, Issue 1714, 14 March 1873, Page 3

THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

The annual autumn ahow of the Horticultural Society was held as usual in the Theatre on Tuesday, "Wednesday, and Thursday last Unlike last year, the weather has been eminently favorable during the whole summer for the growth and perfection of garden produce, and a successful show was accordingly confidently anticipated. These anticipations, we are happy to say, were not di«appointed, and the numerous visitors must have been hard to please indeed if they were not highly gratified by the profuse and varied display of productions of the gardener's art, tastefully arranged by the labors of the Committee, which were displayed in the pit and on the stage. Ample as is the accommodation furnished by the Theatre, the crowd of visitors was so considerable in the evenings that some little inconvenience was experienced at times, and the " facilities for locomotion," of which so much is said nowadays, were certainly not always found to be adequate in all cases to the interest taken in this or that special attraction of the exhibition. As might have beea expected from the character of the past season, the strong point of the show was decidedly to be found in the depart memt of fruit. The produce of the orchard, the garden wall j (" wooden walls" in the case of most Southland gardens), and the hot-house, was represented in profusion, and the high standard of excellence attained by most of the exhibitors must have been sufficient to convince the most sceptical of the admirable character of our Southland soil and climate, matters regarding which it is to be feared considerable misapprehension still prevails, but which are happily becoming better understood year by year, as the increased progress of settlement most satisfactorily demon- • strates. The collection of apples shown was very remarkable, both in quantity and quality ; some of the specimens wculd have compared favorably with the finer A merican sorts of this standard and universally appreciated fruit. Pears were also shown, and though the exhibits were not numerous, the excellence of them all •peaks well for future prospects. No price was awarded last year for pears, and the result of the present show indicates progress of a satisfactory kind in the culture of this fruit, which, as all gardeners know, requires a long time and much care to obtain in perfection. What attracted most attention, however, among the fruit, was the unusual size and fine appearance of the peaches. In the amateur class, those shown by Mrs D. Webster were unusually good, perfectly ripened, in beautiful condition, and deservedly obtained the first prize. Some were exhibited on the branches on which they grew ; one small branch, about two feet long, laden with three dozen splendid peaches, shown by Mr D. M'Artbur, of Lorn*, Waikiwi, being particularly admired. The same gentleman also exhibited a bunch of grapes, grown and ripened in the open air, in his garden at Waikiwi. The grapes, though of small size, were perfectly ripe, and the fact is noteworthy, as an indication of climate. Among novelties we may also mention an exhibit of figs, shown by Mr Maber of the Bluff road, ripe and *ell grown, which excited considerable surprise and attracted a good deal of notice. The apricots shown by Mr Bankin, of Waikiwi, although they had lio competitors, well deierved the first prize which they obtained both in the gardeners' and amateurs' classes. Among vegetables, the prize onions shown by Mr Cooper settled the question for ever as to whether it is possible to grow onions in Southland in the sain* perfection as in Tasmania, which may be taken as furnishing the standard of excellence for that esculent in Australasia, as Portugal does in Europe. A sample of late peas, sent for exhibition by Mr W. Wood, and grown in his garden on the East Boad, was of a superior oharacter, and proves that we might enjoy this excellent vegetable for a much longer period than is generally supposed. Othen vege tables were well represented, none calling for special notice, perhaps, except the potatoes, which were unusually good. The display of Early Bose, a comparatively new potato in Southland, and to judge from the exhibits, one of unusual excellence, attracted much attention. The special prize, offered by Messrs Cooper and Co., for the best twelve potatoes of this particular variety, had apparently the effect of stimulating competition, and the judges had seemingly some difficulty in deciding. The prize was taken by Mr Pritchard, whose twelve tubers weighed nearly lib each. Some of the other exhibits, though inferior in size and weight, might possibly have been thought to show the special characteristics of the variety more perfectly, but all were good. We pass over the flowers with the remark, that although no striking novelties were shown, the display was on the whole very creditable, and up to a good standard, while as regards the variety brought forward, the prize-libt sufficiently speaks for itself. Among the floral devices, we may mention that shown by Mr Cuff, representing a garden, conservatory, fountain, &c., which took the first prize. The bouquets were very good, Miss Peter's table bouquet, which took the prize in the amateur's class, deserving special mention as a model of taste and excellence. Among the extra exhibits, a vase of artificial flowers, made entirely, of paper, but the material of which few would suspect, even on close examination, was shown by Mr T. V. Twinning, and commanded universal admiration, the delicacy and beauty of the work . being quite unusual. The following gentlemen acted as judges : — For flowers and fruit : Messrs Brandford, Pirie, Grant, and Preston. For vegetables : — Messrs Waugb, Walker, and T. M'Lean. Altogether the show was a very decided success, and it is to be hoped that this result, which must be

gratifying to the members of the society, will stimulate and encourage them to even greater efforts for the future. The following is the prize list : — OPEN TO ALL. FIOWKKB — Two be»t Fuchsias — Ist pWze, A. Sungwell ; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Two be9fc Qerftninmg, stage — R. Clear c. Two best Geraniums, scarlet — A. Hannah. Two b»9t Geranium*, foliage — A. Sangwell. Two best Geraniums, double flowering — A. Sangwell. Two best Flower, ing Shrubs — Ist prize, A. Hannah ; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Two best Liliutn Lancifoliiim, varieties — Ist prize, A. Sangwell ; 2nd do, J. Cooper. Two best Balsams, varieties — A. Sangwell. Two best Pot Bulbs, varieties — J". Cooper. Bast collection of Pot Plant*, not otherwise "enumerated — Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd do, A. Sangwell. Six best bloods Ro»e», varieties — R. Cleave. Twelve beat blooms Pansie9, varieties — Ist prize, A. Sangwell ; 2nd d», A. Hannah. Six beet blooms Pansies, varieties— R. Cleave Twelve best blooms Dahlias, any tort — A. Hannah. Twelve best Gladioli, varieties — l9t prize, J. Cooper ; 2nd do, A. Sangwell. Six bast Gladioli varieties — Ist prize", A. Sangwell ; 2nd do, P. M'Ewan. Six best Bulb blooms, varieties — J. Cooper. Twelve best Hollyhocks, 8 varieties —A. Sangwell. Six best Hollyhocks, varieties — A. Sangwell. Six best Phloxes, varieties — A. Hannah. Six best Antirrhinum*, varieties — lst ; prize, R. Cleave; 2nd do, J) M'Arthur. Six best Hardy Herbaceous Flower*, varieties — Ist prize, J. Cooper; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Six best Verbenas, varieties — Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd do, H. M'L«aw. Six beet Carnations, varieties — Ist prize, A. Hannah ; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Six best African Marigolds — Ist prize, A. Sangwell , 2nd do, C. Broad. Six best French Marigolds — Ist pri«e. C. Broad ; 2nd do, H. M'Lean. Six best Blooms Asters — A. Sangwell. Six best Ten-week Stocks, 3 varieties — Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd do, J. Cooper. Twelve best Annuals, varieties — R. Cleave. Six best Annua's, varieties — Ist prize, A. Sangwell ; 2nd 00. R. Cleave. Six best Pentstemons — H. M'Lean. Best Hand Bouquet — 1 t prize, Mrs M Averell ; 2nd do, A. Sangwell Best Table B uquet — Ist prize, J. Cooper, 2nd do, A. Sangwell. Best Floral Device— W. P. Porter. Feuit. — Twelve best Dessert Apples — Ist prize, H. Horman ; 2nd do, Mrs A. Watson. Twelve best Kitchen Apples — let prize, H. Hormas ; 2nd do, W. Preston. Twelve beet Plums— lst prize, John Grant ; 2nd do, W. Russell. Six best Pears — Ist prize, H. Horman ; 2nd do, John Grant. Twenty-four best Gooseberries, red — R. Birrell. Six beet Peaches — lit prize, R. Birrell ; 2nd do, J. Cooper. Six best Apricots — W. Rankin. Two best buaches Grapes — J. Cooper. Six best Tomatoes — Ist prize, R. Cleave ; 2nd do, R. Biordan. Two best Tegetable Marrows — W. Russell. Best collection of Apples, varieties — J. Cooper. Best collectioM of Provincial-grown Fruit (extra prize) — J. Cooper. Vegetables. — Twelve best Kidney Potatoes — Ist prize, W. Rankin; 2nd do, C. Broad. Twelve best Potatoes, any sort — Ist prize, J. Cooper; 2nd do, W. Rankin. Three best Cabbages — Ist prize, R- Riordan ; 2nd do, A. Hannah. Three best Cabbages, red — Ist prize, J. Pritchard ; 2nd do, C. Broad. Three best i Cauliflower — Ist prize, R. Riordan ; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Twtlve bes Pods Peas — Ist prize, J. Pritchard ; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Twelva best Pods Broad Beans — Ist prize, J. Cooper ; 2nd do, C. Broad. Twelve best Pods French Beans — J. Cooper. Twelve best Pods Scarlet Runners —Ist prize, W. Preston ; 2»d do, R. Cleave. Six beet Oaions — Ist prize, J. Cooper ; 2nd do, 11 Birrell. Two best bunches Shallots — Ist prize, H. M'Lean ; 2nd do, C. Broad. Six best Turnips — Ist prize, C. Broal ; 2nd do, A. Hannah Six best Carres — Ist pme, R. Cleave ; 2nd do, A. Hannah. Six best Parsnips — Ist prize, C. Broad ; 2nd do, R Birrell. Six beat Beet — Ist prize, J. Pritchard ; 2nd do, R. Birrell. Four best stalks Rhubarb — Ist prize, R. Birrell; 2nd do, R. Cleave. Four best sticks Celery — Ist prize, J. Pritchard ; 2nd do, R. Riordan. Be9t pot Parsley — Ist prizs, R. Cleave ; 2nd do, R. Riordan. Best collection of Pot Herbs — R. Riordan. FOR AMATEURS ONLY. Fiowebs. — Two best Fuchsias — lsi prize, W. P. Porter ; 2nd do, W. Blackwood. Two best Geraniums, stage varieties — W P. Porter. Two best Scarlet Geraniums — W. P. Porter. Two best Double Flowering Geraniums — W. P. Porter. Two best Foliage Geraniums — Ist prize, W. P Porter; 2nd do, W. Blackweod. Two best Petunias — W. P. Porter. Four best Ferns — W. P. Porter. Best collection of Pot Plants —Ist prize, W. Blackwood; 2nd do, W. P. Porter. Six best blooms Roses — W. H. Calder. Twelve best Pansies — Ist prize, W. H. Calder ; 2nd do, P. M'Ewan. Six b/st Pansies— lst prize, J. Macarthur ; 2nd do, P. M'Ewaa. Six best Dahlias — Ist prize, W. H. Calder ; 2nd do, J. Macarthur. Twelve best spikes Gladioli — P. M'Ewan. Six best spikes Gladioli — lat prize, P. M'Ewan ; 2nd do, W. P Porter Six best spikes; Antirrhinums — D. M'Arthur, Waikiwi. Six best Pentstemons — W. H. Calder. Six best Hardy Herbaceous Flowers — W. H. Calder. Six best spikes Verbenas — W. H. Calier. Six best Carnations— A. Meikle. Six best African Marigolds — J. Macarthur. Six best French Marigolds — lstprize.W. H Calder ; 2nd do, J. Macarthur. Six best Asters — Ist prize, W. P. Porter ; 2nd do, J. Macarthur. Twelve best Annuals — W. P. Porter. Six best Annuals— W. P. Porter. Best Hand Bouquet— lst prize, W. H. Calder ; 2nd do, John Maber. Best Table Bouquet — Miss Peter. Best Floral Device — Ist prize, J. J. Cuff ; 2nd do, John Maher. Fbtjit.— Twelve best Dessert Apples— lst, B. Milligan j 2nd do, N. Finlayson. Twelve best Kitchen Apples — Ist prize, N Finlayson ; 2nd do, Mrs James Shaw. Twelve best Plums — Ist prize, H. Horman ; 2nd do, W Russell. Six best Pear* — Ist prize, W Russell ; 2nd do, J Kingsland. Twenty-four best Gooseberries — Ist prize, R Hargrear<>s ; 2nd do, J P Joyce. Six best Peaches— lst prize, Mrs D Webster ; 2nd do, Mrs James Shaw. Six best Apricots — W Rankin, Waikiwi. Best collection of Apples, at least 4 varieties— lst prize, N Finlajson ; 2nd do, "Vf Russell. Vegetables. — Twelve best Kidney Potatoes — Ist prize, J Kingsland ; 2nd do, G Goodwillie. Twelve best Potatoes, any other sort — Ist prize, A. Hannah, Waikiwi ; 2nd cto, R Hargreaves. Three best Cabbages — Ist prize, Mrs Cowper; 2nd do, D Anderson. Three bust Red Cabbages — Ist pnze, K Hargreaves ; 2nd do, James Mackintosh. Three best Cauliflowers — J P Joyce. Twelve best pods Peas — R Hargreaves. Twelve best pods French Beans — J Kingsland. Twelve best pods Scarlet Runners — J Kingsland. Six best Onions — Ist prize, W stark ; 2nd do, R Hargreaves. Two best bunches Shallojs— lst prize, W Stark ; 2nd do, R Hargreaves. Six best Turnips — Ist prize, T M Macdonald ; 2nd do, James Mackintosh. Bix best Carrots — Ist prize, R Erskine ; 2nd do, W Stark. Six best Parnips— lst prize, W Stark ; 2nd do, J P Joyce. Four best and heaviest stalks Rhubarb— let prize, W Stark j 2nd do, G Goodwillie. .Four beet sticks Celery — W Stark. Best collection of Jams — Mrs W P Porttr. Best collection of Jellies — >lra W P Porter. First Prize (special, by J. 0 oper & Co.) for best Early Rose Potatoes — J Pritchard.