A ROSE SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 156, 27 July 1909, Page 2

A ROSE SHOW.

It will be remembered that hist year rose-growers complained that the annual show of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society was held at so late a date as to render it impossible to make a good showing of that most popular of I all flowers, the rose. Whilst for the purposes of a general show of flowers and vegetables the second week in December seems to be about the most suitable date for N'ew Plymouth, it cannot be denied that that is far too late fur'roses, the height of the flowering locally being about the middle of November. Now New Plymouth possesses a very fair quota of ladies and gentlemen who take a keen delight in the culture of "the red rose of Knglaiid," anil roses in almost unlimited hues, and it has struck some of them that it is a pity that no opportunity is given for publicly demonstrating the suitability of our soil and climate for the production of the most beautiful bloom-. Mr. S. W. Shaw was asked to endeavor to institute a rose show, and he intended calling a meeting short iy of all interested in rose cuture, with a view of forming a Rose Society or for the holding of a rose show under the auspices of the Horticultural Society. Word of this was conveyed last ".light to a meeting of the committee of the latter organisation, with the result thit it has been determined that New Plymouth is to have a chance of showim* what she can do in rose-growing. In Stratford there is a keen and healthy rivalry in this section, some of the liorticiilturalisls making unite a hobby of it. It should not Ijc long before that rivalry is extended, so that w« may see the products of the warmer climate of this coast pitted against the magnificent blooms produced by our friends in Stratford, where the climatic conditions arc hardly as temperate. The initial show here will probably be made in one of the smaller halls, but there need be ;io doubt of its popularity. Should to project meet with the success It deserves, we may reasonably hope to sue dali'odi.l and chrysanthemum shows before long| It is remarkable that in a place where flowers grow "for the asking," lhese shows have not been conducted regularly in the past.