MASTERTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2462, 27 November 1886, Page 2

MASTERTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SPUING SHOW. The above show was held on Thursday last in the new Volunteer Drill-shed, and proved beyond doubt the most successful yet held by the Society. The question as to whether the Society did right in holding their Spring Show on the same dato aa the Pastoral Society's annual Bhowcannow be considered praotically settled, as the two yearly experiments have been decidedly in favor of the venture, and as long as the two Societies oontinue to pull together in the present harmonious manner, success must attend their annual gatherings. Extra interest was manifested over Thursday's show, as it was the inaugural gathering in the Drill Shed. _ This spacious building, although requiring the finishing touches from the contractor, answered the purpose admirably. and gave the stagers every opportunity of arranging their exhibits to the best advantage. Stages were erected on each side of the room, divided in the centra, leaving three promonadea each way _ between tho exhibits, thus allowing the large crowd to move about with perfect freedom, and inapeot the entries of intorcst without the usual amount of squeezing The fruit, vegetables, and industrial exhibits were ranged along the left wall, and the fancy work and curios ou the opposite side. The staffing was got though in good time, and as the stewards and Committee were prompt in their attendance on tho judges the whole of tho work was completed before the time appointed for opening the show. The afternoon visitors were ohiofly'family parties, who preferred the quiet day-timo inspection, to the more exciting gathering under tho lamplight. Tho ovoning attendance was a very largo one, fully 1000 persons being present between seven and ten o'clock, but owing to the well-arranged and roomy building, everything passed off without a hitch. Mr LI. Pearson's Band, stationed on the stage, performed some choice soleotions during the evening, add in? materially to the visitor's pleasure. Mrs E. Taylor provided an innovation at theso shows,, which proved a very acceptable addition, viz,, a refreshment stall, aB it allowed those who were tempted by the exhibits to satisfy _ their cravings at a small expenao, without dotriment to the exhibitors, or the attendant sufferings of conscience, lu congratulating the Society on their success, we must give due credit to the Committee for the creditable manner in whicli the whole of the arrangements were carried out, and to especially thank the Secretary for courteously placiug all tho necossary information beforo our representative. POT PLANTS. This branch of the show was, as regards prizes, monopolised by Mrs W. H. Beetham and Mr Elkins, although in most cases there were several other competitors. In geraniums, single and double, there was a larg# display of well grown and well flowered plants, and the bi and tri-colors were excellent specimens. Tho calceolaries and p»largoriiums were creditable exhibits, The same can be said of tho bignonian rex, the prize taker in this class being a royal plant. In fuchsias there was a grand display, some of the exhibits being of fine growth, the bloom being full and rich. Among the variegated of this class were some very rare and excellent exhibits, which showed great care and attention in the growing. The caoti deserves more than a passing notice as they were in spleudid bloom, and were only slightly ahead of Petunias as regards variety of colors. Mrs Chalmers exhibited an azalea, which deservedly gained a apeeiol prize at the hands of the judges, it being a well developed and lull flowered specimen. The foliage plants and ornamental trees and shrubs were numerous, there being some rare and uncommon exhibits among the colleotion. Mr E. Collotte was the only exhibitor in the professional gardeners' class, his numerous and splendid collection being a complfete[showin themselves. OUT FLOWERS. Roses may be justly given the post of honor among tlus class, there being a largo variety of choice blooms, the first prize taker being a noble specimen, and fully deserved the champion place among the exhibits. The pansies and verbenas were creditable blooms, but for a goneral display, the collection of geraniums must take a front place, and Mr Chapman, who took both prizes, fully deserved thehonor. Among table and hand boquets there was not much competition, but the quality was none the less good, and the decorated epergnea were well arranged, and con- | tained somo choice floral decorations. Mr Chalmers was again to the fore in this class as an exhibitor, having no less than eight large collections of handsome blooms which' were in themselves a feature of the Show. FRUIT. Owing to the late Beason the competition in this class was limited. Mr E. Taylor took the premier place for apples with some well kept and tempting samples from his well-known orchard, The cherries were creditable specimens, and the gooseberries numorous and large. •; VEGETABLES,. This class, too, suffered by tho season. The exhibits were numerous, but the' quality was not up to show staudard. In, cabbages, cauliflowers, arid white turnips;' our Celestial gardener, Too Long, carried all before him, although he had plenty of

competitors in the latter class, Some of the potatoes ahowcd'fonvni'd growth, the kidney prize takers especially. Mr Fitzgerald showed some well kept* onions, carrying off the first prize, and also winning first place among several exhibits of mammoth rhubarb. His collection of vegetables should have received a little more liberality from the judyes,. as they were deserving more than a commended position. There was keen competition among green peas, Mr Wickeuden»Telegraph winning out-of , a field of eight. Broad beans brought out six aspirants, the winners being » splendid loft, with pods a foot long, averaging about seven beans to each, The carrots were'rather small and stunted, the weather evidently having left its traces among this class, LOCAL PRODUCTIONS. In home made bread there was the usual competition, and die judges had a hard task to Belect the winner from such an oxcollent entry. A' collection of pastry and coufechonory from Mr Polling's well-known establishment received a well-merited vordict from the judges, the quality boing pronounced A 1. . In boys and girls penmanship thore were only two competitors, and neither of any special merit, the winner being a ladfrom Carterton, in girl's plain sewing Miss Florence Boddington took tho first place among three competitors, for some very creditable work, Miss Nollio Chapman being very close with .another deserving piece of handiwork. InLadieB 1 fancy work Miss C. Bagge headed the list, with a well worked sunflower in wool on a velvet cushion, Miss Chapman again beins: second. MissK. Hill received , a special prize for a worked counterpane, which was a very merifcorions production, and Mrs Bonnell received the same distinction for some net work curtains. Among the commondod class was a creditable' display of crewel, work by Miss Amesbury, a girl of twolve years of age, which showed great aptitude and patience by the yountf lady. Mrs Kelly had a collection of woolwork and fancy goods for exhibition, which received a flattering notice from tho Judges, and Mrs Rockel had a more than ordinary display of lady's work of high merit. Miss Graham's exhibit of wax flowers was one of the most interesting in the show, and as the young lady has only studied the art for a short time under Mrs Murray, the progress she has made ib almost phenomenal. Mrß Murray's wool flowors' were greatly admired, the blending of the colors being admirable. There were numerous other entries of merit in this class, but spaco will not admit of a more extondod criticism, Mr Bradbury led tho wayam'ong the artistic productions, his display being the centre piece of this part of the exhibition. He had five oilpaintbigs and ten cases of stuffed birdß, among the former being " A Sunset in the North Beas" receiving a special prize for tho best Bpeoimen of local industry, and lub views of the white and pink terraces were favorably commented upon, Among his specimens of taxidermy a case representing a hawk killing a rabbit was the centre piece, a pair of liuias, tuis, and a cook pheasant being commendablo speoimens of the art. A table screen by the same artist, representing tho four seasons, in neat and effective scenes, was also a creditable production. Mr Eawßon obtained first honors for drawing a black and white sea sketch being the prizo subject. Miss Perry came next with the same class of work, and also exhibited aorno painting on Terra Cotta, which received a high commendation from the judge. Mr Gant's collection of photos attracted great attantion, the subjects beinp raro and well brought out. A pair entitled "A moonrise on tho Waipoua" woro excellent sceneß, and "Rustic felicity" pourtrayed the habits of our up-country workers in their natural simplicity, Mr L. Cook's collections of painting on glass and specimens of carriage paintiug were abovo tho ordinary standard, one piece of work, a coat of anna, being exceptionally noticeable. His sea views and flowors ou glass were artistically painted, and hisspecimoiiß of writing were creditable 'productions, Among the exhibits of curios, Mr Yon Sturmer had a collection .of Maori carvings/gum ornaments, carved Caledoniau cocoa nuts, shellß, tusks, designs in sea weed and shells, and numerous other interesting and rare novelties. Mrs Tayler exhibited some Thursday Island relics, consisting of coral, pearl, oyster shells, feathers, etc. that attracted considerable notice. MrH. Vaughan placed sorno historical relics on the table that would liavo caused moro interest if tho visitors had known tho history connected with them. They consisted of a bracelet, and necklace of whale's teeth, from the South Sea Island, taken from the cannibal ohief Harakani after tho massaore of the Burns family, by that chief's party on the Rewa River, Viti Levu, one of the largest Islands in the Fiji group, This event took place about ten years ago, Mr Vaughan being ono of the party that followed up and punished the tribe for its cruel bloodthirsty work, As areminder that the honey season is fast approaching Mr T. Dixon had a collection of hives and appliances for this dustrywhichincludedallthelatestimprovements. Mr W. G. Beard was the judge of writing, drawing and painting, and Mesdames Paige and Clifton of the ladies' work in general. The following is the list of prize winners Class I—Pot Plants (Judges, Messrs Mason, Osborne and Cooper),—Two pelargoniums, fancy—Mrß Beetham 1, Two pelargoniums, Bhow—Mrs Beetham 2. Two regal pelargoniuins-Mrs Beetham 1, J. Russell 2. Two geraniums (1 single 1 double)— Mrs Beetham 1, A. Elkins 2. Two geraniums, bi-color (variety)— Mrs Beetham 1 and 2 Two geraniums, tri-color (variety)— Mrs Beothaml, Russel 2. Two geraniums, ivyleafed (1 single, I double) Mrs Beetham"l &2. Two calceolarias Mrs Beetham 1 and 2. Two cinerarias—Mrs Beetham 1 and 2. Two bigonias, rex—A. Elkins 1, Mrs Beetham 5. Two ericas—A. Elkins 1, Two cyolamens—Mrs J. Brown 1. Petunias (1 single and 1 double)—A. Elkins 1, Mrs Beetham 2. One fuchsia—A. Elkins 1, Mrs Beetham 2. Two fuchsias (1 single, 1 double)— Mrs Beetham 1, A. Elkins 2. Two fuchsias variegated -A. Elkins, 1 and 2. Two best specimens cactus—Mrs Beetham 1, Chapman '2. Four stove or greenhouse plants—Mrs Beethaiq 1, A. Elkins 2. Three foliage plants—A. Elkins 1, Mrs Beetham 2. Collection of 12 plants —A. Elkins 1, Mrs Beetham 2. New or rare named plant not before exhibited in Masfcerton—Mrs Beethara's exhibit" Nicotiana." Collection of 6 ferns in potsMrs Beetham 1, A Rawson 2. Special prize, 2 Azaleaa—Mrs Chalmers. Class 11., Cor Flowebs.—Best rose in the room—T. Parsons 1, Mrs Beetham 2. Six Roses (varieties) W. G. Beard 1, Mrs Beetham 2. Twelve pansies (varieties) — Mrs Beetham 1 and 2. Six verbenas (varieties)— Mrs Beetham 1 and 2. Six Snapdragons—Mrs J. Brown 1, Mrs Beetham 2. Collection of geraniums, 3 sorts,—T. Chapman 1 and 2. Best collection of cut flowers, 18 single stalks, each separate and different—Mrs Beetham 1, Mrs Chalmers 2, Table bouquet, pot to exceed ten inches-Mrs Gardner 1, Miss Perry 2. • Hand boquet, not to exceed six inches, Miss Perry 1 and '2.,. . Decorated Epergneor Vase, Mrs J. Brown 11 and 2.

Class lll—Fruits (Judges, Messrs Barrett and T. Kempton, jun.)—Twelve ( apples, dessert, 4 varieties--!!!. .Tayler 1. Twelve apples, culinery—E. Tayler, 2, Best 6 apples in the room, 3 E, Tayler 1, J. Wrigley 2, and highly

commended. Cherries , (25) —W, G. Beard 1, J. Nicol 2. Strawberries (2o) —•J. Fitzgerald 1, T. Osborne 2. Gooseberries (25), heaviest-Mrs Beetham 1, Wickenden 2. - Class IV Vegetables,—Two cuoumBeard l. Two'cabbages, fit for table-Too Long 1/ F. Chapman 2. Two cauliflowers—Too Long 1, Four white turnip»-Too Long 1, A. Elkins 2. 4 Yellow turnips—Wickenden 1 and 2 4 Carrots, table-Fitzgerald 1, Mrs Beetham 2. ; 4 Lettuces, assorted—Wickenden 1 and 2. 6 Sticks Rhubarb-Fitz-gerald 1, Too Long 2." 25 Pods PefcjWiokenden 1 and 2.. 25 Broad Beans— A. Elkins 1, Chapman 2, Wickenden commended, 25 Heads Asparagus—Mrs Beethim 1 and 2, T, Osborne highly commended. 12 Kidney Potatoes—A. Elkins 1, T. Osborne 2, Too Long highly commended. 12 Round' Potatoes—T. Osborne 1, Too Long 2. 6 Onions, for present use—A, Elfins 1, Wickenden 2 and highly commended. .. 6: Onions, best keeping—Fitzgerald 1. Bunch Eschalots —A. Elkins commended, Collection of potatoes, 6 variuties, 4 of oaoh sort-A. Elkins 1. Collection of vegetables, 12 .difforeut apeoies—Fitzgorald highly com' mended? Bobl table butter, not leu than Slbs, without any Btamp or , mark—Harding 1, Wellington 2. Hen's Eggs, henviost-J. lores 1, Wrigley 2. Penmanship—Best specimen by any boy under 15 years of age. i, Darrook 1, Hathaway highly commended, Best home-mado and home-baked Bread,. Campbell, 1, Hwdingl, Dagg highlycommended. • Best collection of Pastry .aud; Confectionery. . Pelling 1. . /- i"' Plain sewing by girls under 15 years of age. Florence Boddihgton Nellie Chapman 2. V ' Best collection of Lady's Fancy Work. C, Bagge 1, Nellie Chapman 2. . Special prize, Miss K, Hill. Best drawing Mr A. J. ftawso'n 1, Miss Perry 2. Boat Painting, Mr A. M, Bradbury, special. Beat specimen of Local Industry,— A. M. Bradbury, exhibit of paintiugs and taxidermy. Class I.—Professional Gabdbhbbs— Not less than forty-eight pot plants, E. Collotte 1 and 2. Class 11, Pbopessionax, Gakobnebs— Eighteen roses, named varieties, E. Collotte 1 and 2, Fifteen varieties out flowers one eaoh. E. Collotte 1 and 2. Special prize for beat collection of curios—J, Kibblewhite. Drawing by boy or girl attending public school within five miles' of Mastorton— Rawson 1 (map Southern Asia) Special prize, Collection of painting on glasi-L. Cook. Spooial prize, Collection of nettingMrs Bonnell.