THE FLOWER SHOW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 51, 24 February 1912, Page 5

THE FLOWER SHOW.

>' * 7 A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. The Stratford Horticultural Society are to be congratulated on the very successful finale to the autumn show. The. attendance yesterday was verj satisfactory throughout, and ■ in the evening a very enjoyable time was spent, the “wind-up” being very satisfactory, indeed, especially to those who were in need of table decorations of the useful as well as ornamental varieties.

Mr. F. Davis, whoso dahlias won approbation- from judges and visitors alike, placed on exhibition during the day a table of these beautiful blooms, including cactus, decorative, single, double, pome-pomes, and collarette varieties. Plainly-worded tickets were placed under the vases, so that the exiiibit, quite apart from the fact that it was one of the most effective in the Show, had quite an educative value. Two freak exhibits were on view. One, exhibited by Mr. Corkill, was a unique example of “the real Scotch thistle.” A big bunch of thistles had grown together, making one stem of a thickness and size of a large board. At tiie top some thirty or forty heads were visible. Altogether it was a very ferocious noxious weed. The other exhibit, which was shown by Mr. F. Wilkie, was a garden worm, which stretched from the top to the bottom of a long-necked vinegar bottle. Mr. Wilkie, by the way, had some exhibits which were equally surprising as this abnormal creature. When it is understood that his garden comprises only one quarter of an acre, his collection of vegetables comes l as quite a revelation. He had a surprisingly large number of entries, and met with a good reception at the hand of the judges. With a few more energetic and enthusiastic amateur gardeners as Mr. Wilkie, the Horticultural Society would be having to look round for a •bigger hall in which to place their entries.

During the evening a bronze medal was presented to Mr. F. Westbury, who has done such good work for the Society, and given the Stratford public such a liberal education as to what the kitchen garden cun produce with a little coaxing. In making the presentation, the President (Mr. T. Reader) referred to Mr. Westbury’s generous action in refunding prize money won in the past, and also in bringing up this splendid exhibit of vegetables, which he has donated to the local hospital. The medal was just a. slight recognition of these services, and the Society also desired to make Mr. Westbury a life member of their institution. Mr. Westbury suitably responded.

At the conclusion of the evening the Pres dent entertained the stewards and others at a supper, when speeches wore made, and an enjoyable time spent.