Horticultural Show

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 27 November 1914, Page 6

Horticultural Show

GLORIOUS GALAXY OF BLOOMS. * ATTENDANCE SPOILED BY RAIN. At some time or other the New Plymouth Horticultural Society must inadvertently have incurred the displeasure of the gods, for, despite hard and honest and self-sacrificing endeavor the annual exhibitions of the society, however favorable the season for horticulture, however promising the interest of the growers, there too frequently remains after the show a sense of disappointment. This year everything promised well. The date of the show, it is true, was saiu by some local amateurs to he too earlv for the average gardener to have his" plot in full profit. But the , committee worked hard, and the interest was fostered in new quarters. The appointment of a lady secretary, undertaken somewhat as an experiment, had "panned out" well. The season, tricky and unreliable, had not interfered with the seasonable development of the flowers Still, entries in some of the classes were most disappointing as far as numbers went. There must be a reason for this. Is it that the apathy

which unfortunately permeates many 'New Plymouth institutions has found an abiding place in the hearts of the folks who once vied with each other, and strove to excel? Someone suggests that bigger prizes would draw bigger exhibits, but it is not a pleasant thought That our cottagers, who grow flowers so well, could bo made pot-hunters by the offering of a few shillings in prize-money. Despite the falling-oil in some sections, though, the display of flowers was superb. The fates which compelled the housing of the show in two small halls were distinctly unkind, for the show was too big for the halls, and there was little room for the public, who. despite the rain, which filled the society's cup of misfortunes to overflowing, attended in fair numbers during the afternoon. Under these circumstances much of the beauty of the exhibition of flowers was lost. The earlier fixture had the effect of bringing together some strong classes of roses, the growers of which must be complimented, but the sweet pea section was not up to former years. Pot plants were few, but cut flowers were more numerous than usual, and the quality throughout was really excellent. Vegetables were not largely shown, but the quality left little to be desired. The potatoes shown by Mr. L. 15. Webster

were a credit to the district. The decorative competitions were remarkalily good, no fewer than 23 tables being set up for tlie judges' decision. Many of them were worthy of the maximum marks. Tlie best novelty table decoration is composed entirely of vegetables and vegetable flowers. There, were numerous fine collections of flowers from well-known gardens. Mr. 'Xewton King's exhibit was notable for maidenhair ferns and splendid irises and roses; , Mr. S. W. Shaw showed fine roses also. I Mr ,T. H. Fretliey staged a general collection of spring'flowers of many varieties, and so did Mr. J. Gibson, the principal features being a magnificent delphinium and a kalmia, a new and dainty I specimen of the rhododendron family. Mr. Henry King showed a fine lot of rosea. Mrs. jirookman, of Waitara, prej sented to the society a beautiful bouquet in red, white, and Uue, with streamers of the Allies' colours, to be auctioned for the Belgian Relief Fund.

TRADE DISPLAYS. Perhaps tlio most striking exhibit in tlie sliow was the one of Duncan and Daviea, Ltd., which occupied the whole of one side of the hall. The background consisted of some fine specimens of New Zealand orchids and tree lyeopodiums, interspersed with bouquets and wreaths, the work of Miss McGahey, of the City Fruit and Flower Co. [Among the many novelties were to be seen colored water lilies, crimson manuka, waratah, glaucium, heaths, and many, other shrubs, as well as a fine lot of roses. .The pot plants, which occupied half the exhibit, included some very fine rhododendrons, azaleas, palms, copper beech, asparagus, ferns, and a very fine plant of the New Zealand red beech (Fagus fusca). There was also a very fine box of rock dianthus on show.

The south-easterly corner of the Whiteley Hall was transformed by the Morshead Nursery Co. into a bower of plants and flowers, pot plants and rose blooms predominating. This firm exhibited over one hundred varieties of roses, including some of the latest novelties, and they made a magnificent display. There were also several specimen blooms of choice and hardy flowering plants, heaths taking the leading place. In this section the .pot plants included several new foliage and flowering plants, and, having been staged on a new plan, with the floor as a base, they made an effective and pretty display. Mr A. S. Hicks of Tikorangi Nursery, showeil many novelties in pot plants, and a good "collection of cut roses ami their flowers in season. Among his new roses were George. Dickson, British Queen, and Sunburst. A special feature of the exhibit was the fine spikes of a semi-double white campanula. The management of the show left little to be desired, and Miss Simpson, the secretary, is to be congratulated upon the manner in which she appears to have grasped the manifold minor details appertaining to the. office. The award books might, in the opinion of a pressman, at any rate, be taken as a model by other Taranaki horticultural society secretaries. Mr. J. Gibson, the, president, an enthusiast in horticulture, worked bard, and was assisted by an excellent band of officials. iThe following were the awards:— POT PLANTS. Judge: Mr H. Cattley. Stewards: Messrs. Nicoll and Griffiths. Fuchsia,si ngle: W. B. Messenger, 1. Any variety: W. B. Messenger, 1. Geranium, single: W. B. Messenger, 1. Geranium, double: W. B. Messenger, 1; Mrs W. Sisley, 2. Geranium, variegated: W. B. Mesengcr, 2. Geranium, three varieties: W. B. Messenger, 1. Geranium, six varieties: W. B. Messenger, 1. Pelargonium, one: W. B. Messenger, 1. Cineraria, one: W. B. Messenger, 1. Cineraria, three varieties: W. B. Messenger, 1. Premula: Miss B. S. Smith, 1. Lobelia: Mr M. L. Ellcrm, 1. Auricula: Miss Deveniah, 2. Flowering plant, not otherwise specified: W. B. Messenger, ]. Climbing Plant: W. B. Messenger, 1; Miss Devenish, 2. Asparagus, springer: Mrs Ellerm, 1; Miss B. S. Smith, 2. New or Rare Plant, not jthftrwise specified: W. B. Messenger, 1.

CUT FLOWERS. Judges: Messrs Cattley and Davies. Stewards: Mrs Dockrill, Misses B. Smith and Fabian, Mr Russell. Rose, white: Mrs .T. Salt, 1; Miss Quecnie Avery, 2; Mrs Scanlon, 3. Rose, red, one bloom: Mrs Salt, 1 and champion; Mrs Scanlon, 2. Roses, red, three blooms: Mrs Scanlon, 1. Rose, cream or yellow: Mrs Ellerm, 1; Mrs Salt, 2. Rose, pink: Mrs N. Allen, 1; Mrs Scanlon, 2; Mrs Patton, 3. Roses, pink, three blooms: Mrs Scanlon, 1. Roses, three distinct varieties: R. J. White, 1. Roses, six blooms, distinct varieties: Mrs Salt, 1; R. J. White, 2; Mrs G. G. Andrews, 3. ' Roses, 12 blooms, distinct varitiees: Mrs Salt, 1; Mrs Scanlon and R. J. White, equal, 2. Roses, climbing, six blooms: Mrs Scanlon, 1. Champion Rose: Mrs E. May.l; Mrs Matthews, 2. ! Roses, three blooms, any variety, distinct: Mrs Salt, 1; 0. N. Firth, 2; Mrs B. May, 3. Roses, six blooms, any varieties, distinct: Mrs Salt, 1; Mrs Paton, 2. Roses,twe lve blooms, any varieties, dis- ' tinct: Mrs G. G. Andrews, 1. Rose, spray of climbers: Mrs Ellerm, 1. Rose, natural spray, Polyanthus or bunchflowered: Mrs Ellerm, 1. J i Verbena,t three varities: Mrs Bonnoch, 3. Pinks, three varities: T. H. Western, ] and 2. Carnations, six varieties: T.

Western, 2. Carnations, or Picotees, 12 varieties: T. H. Western, 2. aCrnations, marguerite, six varieties: T. H. Weston, 1 and 2. Nasturtiums, twelve varieties: Mrs Ellerm, 1. Pansies, six varieties: T. H. Western, 1; 0. N. Firth, 2; Mrs Bennoch, 3. Pansies, twelve varieties: 0. N. Firth, 1; Mrs Bennoch, 2; Mrs F. R. Johns, 3. Violas, collection: Mrs Alexander, 1 and special mention. Geranium, single: Mrs N. Allen, 1; Miss B. Cliarteris, 2. Geranium, single, three varieties: Mrs Thos. Avery, 2. Geranium, double, three varieties: Mrs Thos. Avery, 1. Heath: Mrs J. Tisch, 1; Mrs E. A. Walker, 2. Pelargonium, single: A. B. Elliott, 1; Mrs F. S. Johns, '2. Pelargonium, double: Mrs W. S. Sisley, 2. Pelargonium, three varieties: Mrs Bennoch, 1; Miss A. Pelham, 2; Mrs W. S. Sislev, 3. Columbine, three varieties: Mrs Ellerm, 1; Mrs E. S. Allen, 2. Phlox Drummondii, six varieties: Mrs Bennoch, 1. Abutilons, three varieties: Mrs X. Allen, 1; Mrs Ellerm, 2. Sweet Peas—Spencer varieties: three stems of six varieties: K. Webster, 3. Three'varieties: G. N. Deighton, 1; Mrs E. A. Walker, 2. Six varieties: K. Webster, 2. Twelve varieties: K. Webster, 1. Novile Class, six varieties: Mrs F. S. Johns. ]; Mrs Alexander, 2; Albert I Xewall, 3.

Lilium: W. S. Sislcy, 1. Rhododendron, Virginalis; Mrs Ellerm, 1. Rhododendron, any other variety: S. Pollard, 1. Rhododendron, D. Witlombc, 1. Delphinium, three varieties: T. 11. Western, 1. Antirrhinum, six varieties: Mrs E. A. Walker, 1; Mrs Bcimoeh, 2. Canterbury Bells, three varieties: Mrs Bennoch, 1. Brompton stocks, three varieties: Mrs E. A. Walker, 1. Iris, any other variety: Miss 1). Whitcombe, 1. Petunia, double, three varieties: Mrs G. G. Andrews, 1. Fuschia, single, three varieties: Mrs W. S. Sisley, 1; Mrs K. S. Allen, 2. Fuschia, double: Mrs Salt, 2. Larkspur: Mrs Alexander, 1; Mrs Andrews, 2. Ltnaria, collection: Miss 15. Charteris, 2. Sweet William, single: Mrs Paton, 1; Miss A. Wilson, 2.' Sweet William, double: Mrs Bennoch, 1. Sweet William, collection: Mrs Bennoch, 1. 'Poppies, sir varieties: Mrs Matthews, 1; Miss D. Whitcombe, 2. Nemesia, collection: Mrs-K. May, 1; A. B. Elliott, 2; 11. C'utfield, 3. Shizanthus, collection: Mrs Bennoch, 2. Daisies, collection: Miss Devenish, 1; Mrs N. Allen, 2. Six distinct blooms, n.0.e., named: Miss Devenish, 1. Collection of cut flowers: Miss Jennings, 1; Mrs E. S. AH™, 2,

BOUQUETS AND FLORAL DESIGNS. Judges: Mesdamcs H. Lepper, Corkill (Stratford), and E. A. Walker. Stewards: Mesdames Pa ton and McGahey. Basket of flowers for effect: H. Cutfield, 1. Hand bouquet, shower: Misg Q, McKellar, 1; Miss Margaret Corkill, 2; Miss Curtis, 3. Buttonhole, nosegays: Mrs Lightband, 1. Ladies' spray: Misn Devenish, 2. Bowl of any single variety of flowers arranged for effect: Miss A. Wilson, 1; Miss Curtis, 2; H. Cutfleld, 3. Floral wreath: Mrs Bennoch, 1; Miss 'Margaret Corkill 2; Miss Hamerton, h.c. Floral cross: Miss Hamerton, 1; Miss Corkill, 2; Mrs Bennocli, 3. Decorated dinner table: Mrs Lightband, 1; Miss Curtis, 2; Miss Charteris, 3; Miss Frelhey, 4. Bridal table: Miss Matthews. 1; Miss Curtis, 2; Miss McKellar, 3. Most original table: Miss Devenish, 1; Miss McKellar, 2; Miss Campbell, 3.

I CHILDREN'S FLORA], CLASSES. Judges: Mesdaines Wilson and W. Ambury. Stewards: Mesilames Jfewjinin and Colvile. Hand bouquet, gi.-" 12 to 10: Margaret Wilson, 1. Hand : pn-t, boys 12 to 10: Bracken Wilsr !; Keith Allen, 2. I Hand bouquet, undiT 12: Gwen | Sayley, 1. Best air.ingcd bowl, girl 12 \ to 10: Marjorie Wilson, 1; Joan Wilson, 2. Best arranged basket, girls 12 to 16: Marjorie Wilson, 1; Eileen Campbell, 2. Best buttonhole bouquets, "iris 12 to 10: H. Haldanc, 1; Joan Wilson, 2; A. Braund, c. Best buttonhole bouquet, girls under 12: Gwen Bayley, 1; Mary Russell, 2. Best buttonhole bouquet, boys 12 to 10: R. Boon, 1; Keith Allen, 2; Loftus Russell, c. Best buttonhole J bouquet, boys under 12: Reggie Allen 12.

VEGETABLES. Judges: Messrs J. Gibson and 11. King. Stewards: Messrs. G. W, Browne and E S. Allen. Asparagus, 10 stalks: .Mrs C. McKellar, 1; T. H. Western, 2; G. H. McGahey, 3. Peas, 15 pods: T. H. Western, 2. Peas, collection, 10 pods: T. H. Western 2. Broad geans, any varietyT. 11. Western, 2. Beet, round, threeE. S. Allen, 1; T. H. Western, 2 and 3. Cauliflower, two: G, Bruce, 1; E. S. Allen, 2. Cabbage, any table variety:' (i. W. Browne, 1; Mrs E. A. Walker, 2- e' ■S. Allen, 3; Mrs. E. May, y.li.c., .-Mrs D Ballantyne, h.c. Cabbage, heaviest:' E.' S. Allen, 1. Carrots, long, six: T. H." Western, 1. Carrots, short, six: T, H. Western, 1; E. S. Allen, 2. Lettuce' cabbage, two: Mrs D. Ballantyne, 1; g! Bruce, 2. Lettuce, any other variety:' E. S. Allen, 1. Onions' from seed, sixE. S. Allen, 1; Mrs Salt, 2. Onions potato, six: E. S. Allen, 1; T. H. Western, 2. Eschalots, twelve: K. S. Allen, ;l. Parsley, bunch: Mrs. C. McKellar l' Parsnip, six: T. H. Western, 1. Rl ul . barb, six stalks culinary: T. n. Western, 1; G. Bruce, 2. Rhubarb, six stalks largest: T. H. 'Western 1 and 2 Radish long, twelve: Mrs E. S. Allen, 1. Radish, round, twelve: Mrs E. S. Allen, 1. Radish, any other variety, twelve: Mrs E. S. Allen, 1. Turnips, white', six: N. Allen, 1; L. B. Webster, 2; T. H. Western, 3.

POTATOES. Kidney, six tubers not otherwise named in schedule: L. B. Webster, 1; L. Blanchett, 2. Other than kidney not named in schedule; L. B. Webster, 1 and 2; E, S. Allen. 3. Up-to-date: L. B.

Allen, 3. Six varieties, three tuhera of each: L. B. Webster, 1 and 2; H. Boawell, 3; N. Allen, vji.c. Three varieties three tubers each; L. B. Webster, 1 and 2; H. Boswell, 3; N. Allen, h.c. Twelve varieties, three tubers of each: L. B. Webster, 1. Three distinct types (white) named: L. B. Webster, I. Champion plate: L. B. Webster.

COLLECTION. Collection garden vegetables: E. S. Allen, 1; J. Roeh, 2. FRUIT. Strawberries: J. Roeh, 1; Mrs Thos. Avery, 2; J. Roeh, 3. Gooseberries: T. H. Western, 1 and 2; Miss A. Wilson, 13; Miss Pelham, h.c. Currantsi, red Miss A. E. Stephenson, 1. OPEN AGAIN TO-DAY. The committee of the society decided last night, at the request of many exhibitors and lovers of flowers, to continue the show this afternoon and evening. Indeed, it would have been a rank shame had they not arranged to give the public an opportunity of seeing the great showing of flowers, particularly the roses. Competent judges from other places declared yesterday, as the. result of the show, that New Plymouth can produce roses quite as well as Wanganui and the Hutt, whicii have hitherto held the blue riband for rose culture. The show will open this afternoon from 2 o'clock to C o'clock, and from seven in the evening. The Society is thoroughly deserving of support. The show warrants a big gathering of people. And the Society, by reason of yesterday's wet weather, wants all the financial help it can get.