CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 285, 25 April 1913, Page 7

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY. It is some twelve years since the previous chrysanthemum show was held in New Plymouth, and it is safe to predict that only about that man''' months will elapse before the next eventuates. St. Mary's Ilall presented a very beautiful

effect yesterday on the occasion of the Chrysanthemum Show held by the New Plymouth Horticultural Society and it was only with difficulty that lovers of flowers could tear themselves away from the beautiful display of blooms with which we always associate Japan the Flowery East—the land of Chrysanthemums, with its beautiful contrasts and colouring affect which it is impossible to get in any other flower. There was really an excellent display, some line blooms being staged despite the fact that the season tor crysantliemums is rather late this year, and had the Show been held a week later the wealth of blooms would have been much greater. In that case it would have been necessary to have a much larger hall for even now St. Mary's Hall is well filled. The competitive sections diet not fill very well due to the fact, perhaps, no prizes were, offered and accordingly only true lovers of horticulture entered. The Show was made up by charming displays by several of the leading horticulturists of New Plymouth, as well as by nurserymen. In addition to chrysanthemums there are some fine displays of dahlias both cactus and the new peony variety, These include some perfect specimens, the weather lately having been ideal for this flower.

Among the private displays Mr. Newton King has a beautiful exhibit staged at the rear of the platform. The back ground consists of maiden hair fern and pot plants, relieved with some beautiful flowering chrysanthemums in pots, whilst the foreground is devoted to cactus and peony flowered dahlias, of which there is a fine variety. In front of the stage, Mr. J. H. Frethey, of Frankleigh Park, shows a splendid collection of cut flowers, including chrysanthemums and cactus dahlias, blue and red salvias, heaths Zinnias, and Lassiandra (grandillora). The display also includes some fine roses and a bowl of sweet peas. Mr. S. W. Shaw occupies a table down the body of the hall, with a fine display of dahlias, 'cactus and peony flowers, chrysanthemums, 'both Jhnanese and incurvtd. Two fine bowls of roses attracted general admiration. Mr. J. Oibson, of Erankley Road, exhibits some very choice blooms among them being some of the hairy variety as well as the incurved. Mrs. Seanlon,' of Vogeltown, has a nice display of chrysanthemums and dahlias, a spray of Virginia creeper enhancing the effect.

Among the nurserymen, Messrs. Duncan and Davies occupy the whole of one side of the hall with a fine display, comprising over fifty named varieties of chrysathemwn, including many of the newer varieties, the largest ever shown in New Plymouth. These were not grown for show purposes, but under ordinary conditions in the open. A fine specimen of Silver Queen was shown and its profusion of bloom was very attractive. Dahlias were in great variety, whilst Salvias, heaths and miscellaneous shrubs were also on view. Pot plants including palms, asparagus, etc., were prominent. The Morshead Company also ! have a fine exhibit, embracing chrysan- | themums shown in the truss as grown, dahlias, including some beautiful varieties of the new gigantic peony flowered dahlias, a miscellaneous collection of cut blooms and pot plants complete an attractive display. Mr. A. S. Kicks, of Tikorangi, makes a speciality of begonias, of which he has over fifty varieties, which he sends all over New. Zealand. He is showing a fine collection of these as well as of other pot plants and cut flowers, including chrysanthemums. The competitive sections did not produce much competition, but some fine blooms were shown. The decorative section, chrysanthemum being the onlv flower allowed, produced some good effects. Mr. 11. H. Oattley was judge of tiie cut Mower and Mesdaines 11. T. Russell and J. I'aton in the decorative section. Mr. .1. If. McGahev as secretary, of course, had to do the lion's share of the work, and did it ungrudgiijglv. There was a fair attendance in the afternoon, and the Ladies' Committee, who had charge of the afternoon tea, were kept li"sv. In the evening the attendance was disappointingly small, due possibly to the number of counter-attractions. The following is the prize list: Champion llloom (ladies only).—Mrs. Baigent (llav.era), land 2; "Mrs. Twine.; 3. Five competitors - . Collection (out; of each variety).—-Mrs. Raigent Ulawera). I - . Mrs. Twine. 2.-» Japanese, si\ varieties.—Mrs. A. Goodacre. 2. ( .Tapanes". varieties.—Mr. A. Goodacre, 1; Mrs. E. \V. Griffiths. 2. One Bloom, any variety.—Mrs. Twine, 1; Mr. A. Goodacre. 2. One Truss, anv varietv.—Mr. A. Goodacre, I; Mrs. K. \V. Griffiths. 2. Bow) of Chrvsanthemums.—Miss Frothey, 1; Mrs. Fabian, 2. lies); Basket uf Chrvsanthemums.— Miss Frethcy. 1: Mrs. Fabian. 2. , Decorated Table.—Miss Frethey. 1; Miss Curtis. 2. ' Decorated Mantelpiece.—Miss Fabian, ?. \? ' *' ' -I.