Thames Horticultural Society.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2823, 2 March 1878, Page 2

Thames Horticultural Society.

INAUGUKAL SHOW.

The first show of the newly-formed Horticultural Society was opened in the Academy of Music to-day, and the collection of flowers, fruits, and vegetables brought together may be pronounced very good, as the season is too far advanced for the choicest flowers and the earlier fruits, and not late enough for the autumn crop of fruit to be shown in full perfection. There was only one collection of greenhouse plants, from- the conservatory of Mr Pulleine, comprising about 30 plants, some of which are of great beauty and all were pronounced by the judge to be good. The lateness of thq season and the wet weather that has prevailed seem to have militated against the roses, for which there was not an exhibit. There were two designs in flowers, one by Mr J. Bright, representing a garden

laid out, which took first prize ; the other by Mr Pulleiae, represented a star. It was composed of a " big sun flower," the points of the star being made of small yellow flowers, the design being worked on a ground of green moss. The effect is rather gaudy than chaste. There were two very good collections of cut annuals, consisting of asters, flocks, and others, the first prize iv which was carried off by Mr I.'Hopkins.lgardener toE.T. Wildman, Esq. The exhibits in flowers were not numerous. In dahlias, there were only two, one of which consisted of six heads tied together, without cup or stand of any kind. The verbenas too were limited. The cut flowers comprised very nice collections, but' only one - exhibit was so arranged as to show the quality, and variety. The baskets of flowers were exceedingly pretty and well arranged. In bridal bouquets there were only two exhibits—Mrs Speight taking first prize for a choice exhibit, and Mr Stilwelf second. Hand bouquets were very good, but did not number many exhibits. Table bouquets were more numerous, and some of them very deserving. The exhibition of fruit is excellent, the exhibits in peaches, apples, pears and quinces being numerous, but we refer readers to the prize list for the awards, 'iho grapes exhibited were very fine, and iully deserved the prizes awarded. Mrs Bae, Shortland, contributed a basket of mixed fruits, consisting of lemons, quinces, apples and pars, all very good samples. "This collection was also a present to the Society. The vegetables on the whcle are very fine, but some species are conspicuous by their absence, as turnips, there being no exhibit i of them, and only one of swedes. The carrots, potatoes nd parsnips are fine, while the large onions, for lize, quality and number of cxl-ibits are unsurpassable. Tbe-e was one exhibit of almonds, for which a prize was awarded as per schedule. This fruit had come to perfection, and the exhibit is deserving of attention. Almonds are a very paying crop. The tomatoes (large) are very fine, and the small are of good quality. The rock melons comprised five or- six exhibits, two beinj pronounced of superior quility. One water melon was exhibited. The pumkins are well represented; and Ferae fine specimens .have been sent in. So with the vegetable marrows, but in the latter the quality of being fit for table had been overlooked, most of the exhibits being only of account for seed; One difficulty was experienced by the Judge in going his rounds to determine the awards, namely, the want of classification. If every exhibiter had ticketed his or her exhibit with card showing in what class it was to be shown, the general arrangement would have been much simplified, and the duties of the judge made easier. Now in regard to pears, for instance; there was nothing, except in one or two instances, to show whether the dishes were intended to be shown a 8 " desert" or " cooking '•' fruit; the same with regard to apples, and some other exhibits. In regard to some other exhibits there was, besides inattention to classification, a disregard of the niceties of arrangement, which is one of those trifles which displays, taste-on the part of thfc exhibiter, and fielpa greatly to set off exhibits. It may be mentioned, that of extra exhibits there were some orange gourds shown by Mrs Mooreraft, Upper Albert street, to which a prize was awarded. 'Mr Putleine showed some specimens of Chilian beet, which is used as kale, and also a little known vegetable root called scozanera. Mr E. Wiseman showed as a curiosity some bra.rcb.es,.of pear in full blossom; the fruit of the tree it is to bo hoped will, be ready by next show* Mr T. Spencer exhibits some locally ground bonedust, and- a fine pumpkin -with "bonedusL 1' ticketed on it, as a recommendation, apparently, to try the manure product. Mr 0. T. Wren.acted as judge, and we have no doubt h:s awards will be considered satisfactory by .everyone—except, perhaps, one or two disappointed exhibitors, who may naturally incline to think their own productions best where there is not much competition. We may state that the Judge expressed a very favorable opinion of the show altogether, as he had not expected to see such a large and varied collection. We omitted to mention a splendid box of honey exhibited by Mr J.B. Steedman. It is a picture* and deservedly took the prize. The following is the . ■ .

Prize List and the Judge's awards:— Best Collection of Greenhouse Plants— Only one exhibit, for which firifc prize, £110s, was awarded to Mr'F. A. Pul.leine. CUT FLOWEBS. Six dablias (dissimilar), 2 exhibits —Ist prize, ss, Bright; 2nd, 2s Cd, Mrs Ehrenfried. Best Dahlia, 3 exhibits—lst prize, T. Horsbrugh. Boses—lfo exhibits. Collection Fuchsias, 2 exhibits—lst prize, 4sj J. B. Stoney; 2iid, 2s, I. Hopkins. " Collection Verbenas, 2 exhibits—lst prize, 4s, I. Hopkins; 2nd, 2s, W. J. Constant. Collection Pansies, 2 exhibits —Ist prize, 4s, I. Hopkins; 2nd, 2s, F. A. Pulleine.. Collection Cut Flowers, 2 exhibits —Ist prize, ss, I. Hopkins ; 2nd, 2s 6d, J. B. Stoney. Collection Annuals, 2 exhibits—lst prize, os, I. Hopkins; 2nd, 2s Cd, F. A. Pulleine. Best Basket Cut Flowen, 2 exhibits— Ist prize, ss, I. Hopkins; 2nd, 2s 6d, F. A. Pulleine. Best Basket Ferns, 2 exhibits—lst prize, ss, Mrs Ehrenfried; 2nd, 2s 6d, F. A. Pulleine. ■..- ' „ ' Best Design in Cut Flowers, 2 exhibits —Ist prize, ss, J. Bright; 2nd, 2s 6d, F. A. Pulleine.

BOUQUETS. Bridal Bouquet, 2 exhibits—lst prize, ss, Mrs Speight; 2nd, 2s 6d, B : Siilwell. Best arranged Hand Bouquet, 2 exhibits —Ist prize, os, Mrs Speight; 2nd do., 2s 6d, J. B. Stoney. , . Erst arranged Bouquet for table; 7 exhibits—lst prize, ss, Mrs Pitkethleyj 2nd do., 2s 6d, H. Stilwell. VBVST. Best 5 Desert Apples, 6 exhibits—lst prizf, ss, J. Jenkins ; 2nd do., 2s 6d, L. Seed. W. Burton honorable mention. Best 5 Cooking Apples, 8 exhibits—lst prizo, ss, J. B. Stcedman; 2nd do., 2s 6d, 11. Stilwell. Best 5 Desert Pears, 10 exhibits -Ist prize, ss, J. Jenkins"; 2nd do., 2s 6d. H. Stilwell. H. Stilweli honorable mention. Best 5 Cooking Fears, 4 exhibits—lst prize* ss, J. H. Doidge; 2nd, 2s 6d, E. Boswell. ■' Best Di3h of Plums (black), 2 exhibits

—Ist prize, J. Jenkins; 2nd, H. Stilwell. Beat Dish of Plums (yellow), 4 exhibits —Ist prize, 6s, H. Stilwell; 2nd, 2s 6d, W. Souter. Seat Dish of Damsons—no exhibits. Best Grapes (black). 2 bunches, 2 exhibits—lst prize, sa, W. Fricker; 2nd, 2s Gd, Gertzburgh. Best Grapes (white), 2 bunches, 1 exhibit—lst prize, 6s, H. Hay. Best 5 Nectarines—ho exhibit. Best 5 Peaches, 10 exhibits—lst prize, ss, Mrs Peate; 2nd, 2s 6d, W. Bennett. ! Honorable mention—W. Moorcraft. | Best 12 Figs—no exhibit. ; Beat 5 Lemons-:—No lemons exhibited i but those aent by Mrs Kae for exhibition. . ' • - Best 5 Quinces, 8 exhibits—lst prize, ss, L. Seed; 2nd, 2s 64, H. Stilwell. Best Almonds (lib), 1 exhibit—lst prize, 4s, W. Johnson. Best Kock Melon, 7 exhibits — Ist prize, ss, H. Stilwe.ll; 2nd, 2s 6d, F. A. Pulleine. . . Best Water Melon, 1 exhibit — Ist prize, 4s, W. Wood. • Best Pie Melon—No exhibit.

MISCELLANEOUS. Best Ehubarb (6 sticks), large number of exhibits—lst prize, 4s, W. Fricker;, 2nd, 2s, B. Tayltr., Honorable mention —S. Ensor.; ' ' ' Best 6 Tomatoes (large) 6 exhibits—lit prize ss, J; Bright; 2nd, 2s 6d, J. B. Stoney. Best Tomatoes (small), 4 exhibits—lst prize '3s, Mrs Maedonald. Honorable mentiOn-^H. M. Birney. Best brace Gucumbersj 4 entries —Ist prize, 6s, Ji Jenkins ; 2nd, 2s 6d, I. Hopkins. ; £ ; . Best Cucumber 6 exhibits—lst prize, 4s, F. A. Pulleine. Best Pumpkin (large)* exhibits numerous—lst prize, ss, T. Clark ; 2nd, 2s 6d, T. Spencer. Best Pumpkin (small), 3 exhibits—lst prize, 4s, J. Bright; 2nd, 2s, E. Cook. Beat Vegetable Marrows—lo exhibits, mostly old fruit past use—lst prize, 4a, Mrs Cahill; 2nd prize, 2s, — Hughes. Best Mangold Wurzel, 1 eshibit—lst prize, 4s, £. Boswell.

' VEGETiBLIi. "Beat 71bs Potatoes (red), 4 exhibits— Ist prize, 5s ; J. Bright; 2nd, 2s 6d, E. Cook; honorable mention—E. Presscott, for (Jalifornian Bose. Best 71bs Potatoes (white), 5 exhibits— Ist prize, 55,. W. Davies ; 2nd, 2s 6d, B. N. Dodd ; honorable mention, S. Papa. Best 7lbs Onions (large), 11 exhibits— Ist prize, os, J. B. Steedman; 2nd, 2s 6d, T. Harris; honorable mention, E. Cook. Best 61bs Onions (small), 1 exhibit—lst prize, ss, F. A. Pulleine. Best 6 Leeks—No exhibits. Best 6 Carrots (large), exhibits numerous—lst prize, 55,--Russell; 2nd, 2s 6d, E. Cook; honorable mention, W. Mitchell. ' ' .' Best 6 Carrots (small)* sereral exhibits —Ist prize, 3s, J. B. Steedman; 2nd, It 6d, W. S. GreenTille. Best 6 Parsnips, 4. exhibits—lst prize, ss, W. Moorcraft; 2nd, 2s 6d, E. T. Harris.

Best 6 Turnips—no exhibits. Best 4 Swedes, 1 exhibit—lst pnae, ss, W. Moorcraft. * Best 3 Beet, 2 exhibits—lit prwe, 4s, J. B. Stonoj; 2nd, Si, F. A. Polleine. Best 2 Cafcbagei, 6 exhibit!—lst pnie, 4s. W.. J. Constant;. 2nd, ,2* 6d, Mm Peate. Best 2 Red Cabbages, 2 exhibits—lst prize, 4s, Jfi. Cooke; 2nd, 2s, Mr« Mac donald. • .. . , - Best Box Honey, 2 exhibits—prize 10s, J. B. Steedman; honorable mention, I. Hopkins. . Orange Gonrds, extra pnze —Mm Moorcraft. . , The show was opened to the public shortly after two o'clock this afternoon, and will be opened again this evening between six and ten o'clock, when the NaTal Brigade Band will enliyen the proceedings. Some of the exhibits will also be sold by auction, when ah opportunity will be afforded of getting bargains. Being Saturday night we may expect to see the show well patronised.