WAIKATO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1981, 19 March 1885, Page 2

WAIKATO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW.

Thk first annual show of the above society wan held in tlio Public Hall, Hamilton, on Tuesday, and wat attended with every hiicces«- It is now about three months since the idea <>f inaugurating a Wnikato Horticultural Society was conceived The project w.ih taken u|) with great spirit by a few of our leading horticulturintn in Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and other part* of the Waipa and Waik.ito districts, and though some little trouble wan e\peuenced in getting it underway, the di-tnct being large ana scattered, those who undertook the work not to with a will, and s.OOll sue ccudpd in establishing the society on its present prosperous and, we trust, permanent basis. That the task \> Inch the cmn mittee set themselves was no light one will lie evident to all who ha\e had anything to do with projects of thi» nature. Th« sympathies of the people— not only those of a horticultural turn of mind, but of the general public— must 1m enlisted, tht ir interest must be excited, and to do this require* no Hmall amount of persistent energy and application. Every inducement must be offered to exhibitors and to secure the patronage and support of the public the programme mint be of a character decidedly attractive. Hitherto th it local jealousy at ono timo mo characteristic of Waikato townships exercised a depressing influence on all such attempts to unite the peoplo in one common object ; but we think the attendance at Tuesday's exhibition, and tho extent of country represented m the exhibit*., afford 1 * undeniablo evidence that the feeling at one time «o fatil is fast giving way to tho moic becoming spirit of leicprocity and unity. Tt could not but strike the observant visitor at Tuesday's .show that to get to gother such a variety of exhibits, and arrange them in such excellent order, must have been a task which taxed to the fullest the energies of the committee. <hi entering the hhow many w ere disappointed at the aspect of the interior ; for ns there was no time for decorating, the walls did not ptesent that gay uspect which visitors to a horticultural show are likely to anticipate. Tho abnenso of anything in thw way was very marked, and though it may not ha\ c detracted from the general success of the exhibition it certainly did from itn appearance. The exhibits were arranged on four r»Oft tables running parallol with each other, and the stago wah also piessed into service for tho occasion. Tho o\hibitH representing tho vegetable world and the poultry were mainly arranged, for want of room, round the outside of the building. The gr.uid display of apples was undoubtodly the leading featui a of the «how. In tho opinion of competent judges no other district m the colony could produce such (I largo and excellent variety. Almost every claws of apple ; indeed, many more than oidmary nioitals havo ever heard or dreamt of, vied with each other for public favour. To many the fact th.vt wuch a variety of appleH was to be found in tho orchards of Waikato was almost incredible. For tho bott collection of apples in clasn 1 Mr .Sharp, Cambridge, carried off first pri/e, and Mr T. Well*, of Cambridge, carried off tho tir«t pu/.o in class 2. Mr Wfllx nhowed forty five varieties, all of which were of excellent class. Mr Trow in, of T« Awamutu, had » collection of fiftyfno different varieties. TJio collection of Mr Sharp, of Waikomiti, was quito a nhow m itself. There weio fourteen competitors catalogued for Mr Sharp* upoctal pruo for the liest twelvn Bismarck". Mr Northcroft's Hpecml priio for threo varieties of dcsnort brought forth i» very handsome collection, there being no fewer than twenty throe comnetitow. Numorous ontries were also received for the variouH other clashes the entries undor the head of "culinary" being both abundant and attractive. Some oxcollent peara and quincex were to be seen, though not in vory great vnnety, and the Ktme may bo «aid of the peaches. At one timo jwachei would havo formed a loading feature in a W*ikato nhow, but now » collection of thin excellent fruit in «. very t«f ei^ht (nd««d. Whwre hundred! of

trees thrived ten yearn ago, nothing is now to be seen except a numb -i of miserable stumps, leafless and dead. S >nio nice bunchos of grapes were shown, and a healthy lot of Cape gooseberries from th» garden of Mr Kxelby was also on view. Then there were preserved gooseberries, and preserved cherries, and wallnuts, filberts, nnd nitichoktH. Among the special exhibits vv ere noticeable scollopdd, and Hubbard gourd, crookedneck Hqtiahhct, Aoaton marrow, sugar coin, sorghum, hops, rye and Peasgond's nonsuch. These ex hibits with in. my otliers showed very forcibly the immense variety of special products that W.uknto noil can prodnco. The entries in pot plant* and cut flower" were not ho numerous no might have b'en expected. Had the exhibits in those lines been more numerous the show would doubtlet.l have been more attractive, and would havo presented * more varied appearance. But the season was perhaps too far advanced for a better diHplay in floriculture. In the way of vegetables, tho entries wore both large and varied, and formed <i very attractive collection. Thin clans presented many interesting features, in the way of abnormal growth, kc. and the many exhibit* demonstrated very forcibly the c.ipaViiVitics of Waikato gardens. Tho »h«w o{ tomatoes wa» very largo, and home encouraging hpecimens of •tigar-beot, grown in tho Hamilton district, were on Mew, and received no <<nitll amount of attention at the hand 1 * of enthusiasts in that indu^tr}'. There was a fair display of potatoes, and a few gi^rn title pumpkins were very notice able. Nor must wo omit mention of tho rhubarb, tho celery, tho parsnips, vegetible marrow*, and the cabbiges, all of winch were well represented. Now that the tobacco industry is engaging the attention of Waikato agnculturwts and horticulturists, the few exhibits in this line afforded strong proof to all who were in any way dubious, as to the suitability of Waikato soil and climate for the prosperous growth of thin important product. Mr L. O'Neill, of Hamilton, carried off the first prize in thin ' class, three others having entored. In res- | pect to poultry, the exhibits were veiy few, but tho bird*, nevertheless, were the stibject of much notice and admiration at the hands of fanciers. The Waikato cheese factory showed some excellent cheane, in respect to which the public did not faithfully observe the request of the committee that exhibits were not to bo sampled. The cheese from Mr Fischer's S\w-« , factory, Ptikerimu, ua»t pretty liberally commented on, and, like that of tho Waikato factory, pretty well Hampled. I The attendance at the show throughout the day was very large. Crowds of people came from all parts of the Waikato district, p.u ticularly f rom Cambridge. Thnru was quite a crowd of Auckland visitors, who arrived by tho nppci.il train. It is estimated that over 1000 people visited the show during the day. Tho Stung Band, undor the able condnctorslnp of Mr T. A. Bell, discoursed an excellent programme of music on tho platform at at intervals, which added veiy mur-h to tho success of the exhibition. Appended are tho results of the dhow :-- Am, Comkhh : Tot Punts. — Begonia, 3 varieties. J. Sharp, l«t prize, iern--, (J established, Mrs Murray, Ist pri/e. sjKicimen plants in bloum, Mrs Gwynne, Ist. Specimen plants, foliage, Mrs (Jwynne, Ist. Cnctu*, (5 varieties, special prize given hy Mr Kvans, Mrs J. M. Murray. In this clam there were no second prizes awarded. Ar.r, CoMUCs : Ct r Fr,o\\Fß-,.-- Asters, I', varieties, K. Hewitt, Ist. D.ihlia-, collection of li, Mrs Gwynne Ist. Dahk is, collection of 12, J.Sh.irp, M. Dahlias, collection of Il>, .1. Sharp, Ist. Collection of cut flow pi *, Mrs Gwynne, Ist. Dahli i», collection of 12 (Mr Palmer's special prize), J. Sharp. At.LCuMH*-. : Ftiur.- -Grape*, 3 bunches, G. Kdgeruipl*', Ist. Applo*. 12 Bismarcks (Air Sharp's special), W. White, Ist ; W. Dey, 2nd. Apples, 3 varieties dessert (Mr NorthcroftN special), G. Kdgecutub^, Ist; J. Sharp, 2nd. Apples, (i dessert, lof each, (J. Reed, Ist. Apples, (» culinary, 1 of each, H. W. Northcroft, Ist. Apples, 12 varieties, dcsoeit and culinary, ,f. Sharp, Ist. Apples, 24 varieties, dessert and culinary, J. Sharp, Ist. Apples, beet collection of 4 each, •!. Sharp, Ist. Peaches, beat (5, Hugh Ross, Ist. Pears, best <», W. Johns, Ist; G. Reed, 2nd. Quinces, Wst C>, G. Reed, Ist. Plums, desert, 12, J. Sharp, Int. Plumn, cooking, 12, J. Sharp, Ist. Apples, best seedling dessert (Mr Northcroft'H special). J. Sharp, Ist. Am. Comkks : Yk<jct\hm.m. — lioaiih (kid ney), 24, H. W. Northcrott, Ist. Celery, 3 sticks, Roland Buckworth, Iwt. Carrots, lj, H. Smith, Ist. Cucumbers, 2, Y. A. Whitaker, Ist. Tomatoes, (>, (teorge Mason, Ist. Cabbage, 3. K. Kxolby, Ist. Cabbage (red), Y. Forrest, Ut. Parsnips, fi, H. W. Northcroft, Ist. Pump kin, 1, Mrs G wynne, Ist. Vegetable Marrows, 2, F. A. Whitaker, Ist. Potatoes (kidney), 12, J. Marker, Ist. Potatoes (round), 12, K. Kxelby, Int. Potatoes (collection), 3of each, Major Jackson, Ist. Collection of vegetables, X Kxelby, Ist. Rhubarb, 12 sticks, Roland Buckurorth, Ist. Potatoes, beHt t> dishes, 3 round and 3 kidney, !> tubers each, Mr Palmer's special, Jas. RHiiciman, Ist. >■ Ama rhLßs.— Pot Plants—Specimen plant in foliage, (J. Dickeson, Ist. Avatkl'Ks. — Cut Flowers. — Hand bouquet, Rev. R.'O'C. Biggs, Ist. Bridal bouquet, Rev. R. O'C. Biggs. Amatkibs : Flu ir. — Apples, fi dessert, 1 of each, G. Kdiffcumbe, Ist ; J. Trewin, 2nd. Apples, I! culinary, 1 of each, G. Kdgecumbe, Ist ; W. Dey, 2nd. Apples, 12 desseit, (I. Kdgtcumbe, Ist ; H. W. Nortli croft, 2nd. Apples, 12 culinary, (!. Kdge cumbe, Ist ; J. McGmro, 2nd. Ajmilhs, 8 varieties, dessert and culinary, 4 of each, (J. Edgocumbe, l«t ; J. Treuin, 2nd. Apples, 12 varieties, desnert and culinary, 4 of each, S. S. Graham, Ist ; J. Gibson, 2nd. Apple*, 24 varieties, densert and culinary, 4 of each ; J. Trewin, Ist; K. Carter, 2nd. Apples, best collection of 4 oich, T. Wells, Ist ; C. Hibbs, 2nd. Peaches, best (!, G. Kdgecumbe, Ist. Pe^rs, best V>, W. White; Ist ; W. MoG. Hay, 2nd. (Juiiicori, licit (>, W. Alexander, Ist; blackberries, 2 plates, W. Alexander, Ist. melons (water), 3, J. Henderson, 1. Amvtkciu: Vfv.ktuim'm.— Tomatoes G, Major Jnckbon Ist. Cabbage (red), A. Vincent, Ist. Onions, 12, H. Hyatt, Ut. Parsnips, <!, J. McGuire, lht. Pumpkin, 1, J. Brooks, Ist. Vegetablo Marrows, 2, R. F. Sandes, Ist. Potatoes, (round), 12, H. Rhodes. Int. Potatoes, collection, 3 each, H. Rhodes, Ist. Sugar beet, L. O'Neill, Ist; W. McGregor Hay, 2nd. Honey (in comb), R. Henry, Ist. Honey (extracted), Daly and Perrott, Ist. Cottushih: Fiiuit.— Apples, 12 dessert, H. L. H.M.pur, Ist; T. Keep, 2nd. Ajijiles, 12 culinary, H. li. Hooptr, Ist; H. L. Hooper, 2nd. Apples, 12 varieties (dessert and culinary), 4 of each, G. Hamblin, Ist ; H. P. McPherson, 2nd. Pears, (5, H. P. McPherson, Ist; H. L. Hooper, 2nd. Quinces, 0, H. L. Hooper, Ist. Melons (Water), 3, H. Hunter, Ist Melons (Rock), 3, H. Hunter, Ist. Coti'\(.hh : Vk(!KT\hlks. — Celery, 3 sticks, R. Buckworth, Ist. Caiiots, (J, H. Hunter, l«t. Cucumbers, 2, H. Hunter, Ist. Cabbago, 3, H. Hunter, Ist. Onions, 12, J. Steadman, Ist. Parsnips, 6, J. Stuadmun, Ist. Pumpkin, 1, (J. Hamblin, Ist. Potatoes (Kidney), 12, H. Hunter, Ist. Rhubarb, 12 sticks, J. Steadman, Ist. Si'Hiiu, Phizks.— 3 Mangolds (Long Red), I. Coatos, Ist. 3 Mangolds (Yellow Globe), I. Coates, Ist. 3 Turnip* (Yellow Top), W. Alexander, Ist. o Turnips (Green Top), W. Aloxandei, Ist. 3 Swede Turnips, J. Henderson, Ist. Field Carrots, 3, G. Willey, Ist. Tobacco, L. O'Neill, Ist ; J. Brooks, 2nd. Apples (culinary), best <», Mr Kirkwoods npeci»l, G. Kdgecumbe. Poui.TKT. — Cochins (buff), cock and hon, L. Cussen, Ist. Brahnus (dark), cock and hon, A. Bluck, Ist; A. Bluck, 2nd. Brahman (light), cock and hen, J. Clark, 2nd. Plymouth Rooks, cock and hon, T. Gresham, Ist; T. Gresham, 2nd. Houdans, nick and hon, L. CusHen, 1. No other pn/os were awardod for poultry.

Dor* Latin.— A bluff old farmer in Mecklenburg had a son at the University who ran thtough mure money than hi* father liked, whilo at the name time neglecting his studies. The Utter, on inquiring, got to hear that Ilia sou had no aptitude for learning, and decided to ■ent for him home, in order to make a farmer of him. The Herr student was highly displeased at this turn of affairs, and when nis father took htm in the held for tho first time, he gave vent to his dissatisfaction iv a string of Latin phrases and quotations. After a while his father ham! to him, '" I any, Augustus, here U a pitchfork, and yonder ii the mannre in the cart, what do you call them in Latin ?" " Forcut, mnnuribus, cartibus," replied the ion, with an air of proud satisfaction. " Very well, then," said the farmer, " if you don't at once take tho forctu and unload the cartibus of manuribui I'll break every bonibu* in yenr bodybua, Underettiwibos T"