THE WAIKATO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW, HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2448, 20 March 1888, Page 2

THE WAIKATO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW, HAMILTON.

The fourth annual show of the Waikato Horticultur.il Society was held in tho Public Hull, Hamilton on Saturday (St. Patrick's Day) and can bs said to have been a very successful exhibition of tho products of the soil. The attendance of soMlors from the various districts in the Waikato was good, and there was also a fair number of visitors from Auckland, but tho gathering was not up to expectation as the stormy weather and downpour of rain in the morning had the. unfortunate effect of keeping off hundreds ot excursionists by train, and also visitors from the surrounding districts. The arrangements made by tho mjinafing committee carried out without a hitch, and the judges performed the whole of their functions in good time. As on previous nccasions the crreat feature of the Show was the magnificent display of apples, with this noticeable distinction that a great manv more varieties are now produced, and of batter quality, thus giving evidence that this branch of the art of pomology is becoming more and more a speciality with Waikato orchardists, who are not yet discouraged by the ravages of the Codtin moth. In this connection it should be mentioned that particular notice is due to the really fine display of preserved fruits, and also of several samples of Waikato made cider. Wo have here a clear indication that several important and valuable industries are ripe fur development. With such cultivation of apples there ought to be already established, as purely legitimate industrial enterprises, the manufacture of cider and fruit wines ; I the preserving' of fruits, either in syrup or crystalised, together with the preparation of suitable kinds for export, and the manufacture of jam*. jNo doubt these things will come to pass when the colony has re- j covered from its present commercial troubles j and when the unnatural apathy of i the people has bsen overcome by the ! characteristic energy an I spirit of the Anglo-Saxon. The show of pot plants was . very commendable, especially those exhibited by Mrs Gwynne, and tho ferns by i Mrs Los'ie. There was a very fim collection ofyoung oleus plants from which had not been entered for exhibition, grown by him from Webb a seedling-'. The display of cut flowers was very small, as was to be expected at this time of the year. In order to procure a thoroughly good floral exhibition, it would be necessary to hold a flower show, pure and wimple, in the course of the spring, at which time, we liavq no doubt, something worthy of the capabilities of the district in that line could be provided. As we have already saul Saturday s show was principally an apple exhibition; but there were also admirable specimens of other varieties of fruit. Mr J. Keeley, ot Cambridge West, and Mr Sharp, of Cambridge, showed some fine specimens of peache*, quinces, pears and plums, both culinary and dessert. In the amateur s and cottager'* classes, there were several exhibitors of the same sorts and varieties of fruits. The quinces were —especially those shown by Mr J. Hume—really splendid. A collection of peaches (Hobb's Late), shown by Mr McGregor Hay, could not be surpassed by any fruit of tho kind anywhere ; they were a perfect picture of loveliness, large in size, symmetrical in shape, and rich in colour." Mr J. Mayo, of Drury, sent, for exhibition only, a collection of 51 varieties of apples and pears, which was highly praised. Mr Geo. Edgecumbe took Mr Bond's prize for the best collection of npples suitable for export, showing fine specimens of Newton Pippin, White Calville, Lord Wolseley, baldwin, American Golden Russctt, Lawton Pippin, Stone Pippin, Swaar, Ohinemuri, Hokiatiga, Hamilton, and Scarlet Nonpareil. In Class 111. (Cottagers), it will be observed that Mr H. L. Hooper, of Hamilton, comes (iff well 111 his display ot apples. His Gloria Mundi was the aople of the show for proportions, and his collection of Cox's Orange Pippin was pronounced by all experts as the best yet shown in the Waikato. The show of garden and farm produce was very good, equal to any previous one, except in potatoes, m which respect it was weak, a fault we have noticed on former occasions. Water melons shown by Mr J. Webb (Ist prize), were errand specimens, and those from Mr W. Gardner were large and rich looking. Mr K. L. Smith's pumpkins and Mr R. F. Sandes vegetable marrows were monsters of their kind There were some magnificent onions sent by Mr N. I. Hunt, of Gorton, which deservedly gained first prize. The beet, swedes, mangolds and rhubarb were remarkably fine. The samples of white and black oats were excellent, and the wheat was also good, though not in sufficient quantities; but there was eno.igh to emphasise the claims of the Waikato as a cereal producing country. Mr W. Gardner took the prize offered by the Frozen Meat and Storage Company, for the best collection of farm produce, and showed wheat, grass seed, turnips, carrot*, potatoes, mangolds, and beets. Messrs Karl, of Ohaupo, sent m a fine assortment of raw tobacco grown by them, but, as they had not entered it, it was not staged. We can here give a place for honourable mention of some extraordinary specimens of sunflowers on the stalk, exhibited by Mr W. Gardner, of Rukuhia. One of the flowers was 19 inches in diameter, on a stalk 10 feet high, and another grew to the height of 11 feet (i inches. Lookingsuperfically from a passing train at the soil in the neighbourhood of Rukuhia, one would scarcely credit it possible than such productions could come out of the ground there, as it has tho very light appearance of the pumaceous formation so general in this part of the country ; but, no doubt, the moisture of the extensive swamp lands., and the accretion of vegetable matter underlyine the surface, give strength to the soil and accelerate the growth of new products artificially introduced. The exhibition of poultry was very meagre ; in fact there was an entire absence of live stock, of which advantage is generally taken ot a show to exhibit the best breeds in the possession of farmers and fanciers. Neither can we say much for the display of dairy produce. The largest exhibitor of butter was Mr E. C. Shepherd, of Whatawhata, whose samples were good in flavour and colour. But we would have been better pleased to have seen some specimens of the "Shell Brand," of the Freezing Company's make, which would have excited the greatest interest amongst the agriculturalists present, particularly as the Company may be said to have absorbed the butter-making industry. This must have been an oversight on the part of the manager of the Butter Department, or the opportunity would not have been passed over. Speaking of the locally-made cider, of which samples were staged by Mr J. Forrest (who was awarded Ist prize) and by Mr Gelling, of Hamilton, it must be said that in the opinion of most people who tried both, and many of these are from the cider counties of the Old Country, Mr Gelling's unsweetened make was by far the best of the lot. This is proved by the fact that almost the whole of the latter was partaken of approvingly by tasters, whilst Mr Forrest's romained practically untouched. The Te Awamutu Cheese Factory secured tho special prize for the three best cheeses, their manufacture being rich in flavour and full-bodied. We have also to remark onthe absence of specimens of articles of local manufacture and of industrial or mcchanical skill. There was but one exhibit of tho kind, and that came from Auckland, being Mr H. H. Smith's " Kciipse Portable Stove," made to suit the consumption of wood or coal. There is one of these stoves in use at the Wftilfato Hospital, where it gives every satisfaction. Exhibits of saddlery, boots, biscuits, soap, jams, butter and farm implements, of which there are many made in the Waikato, would have given greater zest to the Show and madejit more comprehensive, though strictly speaking, not in keeping with its horticultural character. However, this general feature will probably be extended to the work of the society, when the country regains its good spirits and plasticity. Mr J. Forrest exhibited a case of honey in conjb, which was highly commendable, and Mr Q, Pearson showed several samples of canned ancj extracted honey. Tho interior of the hall was arranged with two rows of tables down the centre, and staging along both sides of the room, with the pot plants and flowers on the stage. Outside the building tho Wesleyan Gift Auction was held it) a large booth erected for the purpose, in whjch also luncheons were to bo obtained by the general public on payment of the popular coin of the realm—one shilling. Needless to say the caterers were extremely well patronised during the day. On the opposite side of tho hall Air Handyside's merry-go round and shooting gallery were centres of sittragtioi) to the young in the one case and marksmen itf tl|e other. The following gentlemen wero t!»o judges:—Messrs McDonald and Hay, from Auckland, Mr Bro«rn, of Pukekohe, Mr Mayo, from

Drury, and Mr Rothwell, of Whatawhata, for the fruit ' and agricul- I tnral departments, and Mr Thos. | Wells, of Cambridge, and Capt. Runciman for the cheese and home-made bread. These gentlemen gave satisfaction in the performance of their various tasks. About 500 people visited the show, and .£!•) was taken at the door. The fol- i lowing is the prize list: — Class I.— All Comers. l'Or PLANTS. Coleus, 3 varieties—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. Begonias, 3 varieties (foliage)—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. Ferns, 3 e-ttablished—lst prize, Mrs Logie ; 2nd, J. Sharp. Specimen Plant, (foliage)—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. Collection of Pot Plants—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. CUT FLOW BUS. Gladioli, (! spikes—lst prize, J. Sharp. ; Dahlias, collection o—lst0 —Ist prize, G. Hanson. Dahlias, collcction of 12—1st prize, J. Sharp. Phlox Drninmondi, collection—lst prize, G. Hanson. Hand Bouquet—lst prize, G. Mason. Bridal Bouquot—lst prize, G. Mason. Collection Cut Flowers—lst prize, J. Sharp. FRUIT. Grapes, 3 bunches—lst. prize, J. Sharp. Apples, ft dessert, 1 of each—lst prize, James Keeley. Apples, 0 culinary, 1 of each —Ist prize, J. Sharp. Apples, 12 dessert—lst prize, G. Edgecumbe ; 2nd, James Keeley. Apples, 12 culinary—lst prize, James Keeley ; 2nd, J. Sharp. Apples, (i varieties, dessert and culinary, 4of each—lst prize, G. Mason ; 2nd, James Keeley. Apples, 12 varieties, dessert and culinary, 4 of each—lst prize, James ICeeley. Apples, 24 varieties, dessert and culinary, 4 of each —Ist prize, James Keeley ; 2nd, J. Sharp. Apples, best collection, 4 of each —Ist prize, H. K. Sharp. Poaches, for the best (i— James Keeley. Pears, for the best (i culinary—lst prize, James Keeley. Pears, for the best (i dessert—lst prizo, James Keeley. . Quinces, for the best G —lst piize, i. T. Edwards. Plums, desert, 3 varities of ti each—lst prize, James Keeley. Plum*, dessert, 12 (Pond's Seedling)—lst prize, James Keeley ; 2nd, J. Sharp). Plum*, cooking, o—lst0 —Ist prize, .James Keeley. Pluins, cooking, 12—1st prize, James Keeley. Melons, wator, 3—lst prize, W. Gardner. Melons, rock, 3-Ist prize, W. Gardner ; 2nd, Mrs Gwynne. Collection of fruit—lst priz-J, James Keeley. vboktahlks. ocilery, 3 sticks —Ist prize, U. Mason. Carrots, G—lst prize, W. Gardner. Tomatoes, (s—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. Cabbage red, 3—lst prize, G. Mason. Onions, 12—1st prize, R. Buckworth. Onions, best collection of (i—lst prize, R. Buckworth. Parsnips, 3—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. Pumpkins, 2—lst prize, E. L. Smith. Vegetable marrow, 2—lst prize, R. F. Sandes. Beetroot —Ist prize, Mrs Gwynne. Potatoes (Kidney), 12 — Ist prize, J. Forrest. Potatoes (round), 12 — Ist prize, W. Gardner. Potatoes, collection, 3 of each —Ist prize, G. Hanson. Collection of vegetables—lst prize, Mrs Gwynne. Rhubarb, 12 sticks—lst prize, R, Buckworth. Class ll.—Amateurs. VKUIT. Grapes, 3 bunches (black hamburg)—lst prize, W. M. Hay. _ Apples, G desert, 1 ol each —Ist prize, G. Edgecumbe. , Apples, G culinary, lof each—lst prize G. Edgecumbe. Apples, 12 dessert—lst prize G. Edgecumbe; 2nd, W. Dey. Apples, 12 culinary—lst prize, W. M. Hay ; 2nd, A. Vincent. Apples, lj varieties, dessert and culinary—lst priza, S. McL^rnon. Apples, 12 varieties, dessert and culinary, 4of each—lst prize, W. Dey. Apples, 24 varieties, dessert and cul inary, 4of each—lst prize, W. Dey. Apples, best collection of 4 each —Ist prize, G. Edgecumbe. Peaches, best ll—lst prize, W. M. Hav. Pears, best G culinary—lst prize, C. Day ; 2nd, James Hume. Pears, best G dessert —Ist prize, G. Edgecumbe ; 2nd, S. T. Seddon. Quinces, for oest G—lst prize, James Hume. . Plums, dessert, 12—1st prize. W. Dey. Plums, cooking, 12—1st prize, S. T. Seddon. . Best collection of fruit —Ist prize, G. Edgecumbe. VEGETABLES. Beans (Kidney) 24 pods—lst prize, F. Gaudin. Carrots, G—lst prize J. H. Hooper. Tomatoes, G—lst prize. J. H. Hooper. Onions, 12—1st prize, N. L Hunt. Onions, best collection, G of each—lst prize, H. Buttle. Vegetable marrows, 2—lst prize, R. I'. Sandes. Potatoes (kidney), 12—1st prize, I. Coate*. . Potatoes (round), 12—1st prize, J. H. Hooper. Rhubarb, 12 sticks—lst prize, R. Buckworth. Class lll.—Cottagers. I'OT PLANTS. Coleus, 3—lst prize, H. Ferguson. fruit. Apples, 6 dessert, 1 of each —Ist prize, H. L. Hooper. Apples, G culinary, 1 of each —Ist prize, H. L. Hooper. Apples, 12 dessert—lst prize, H. L. Hooper ; 2nd prize, G. Reed. Apples, 12 culinary—lst prize, H. L. Hooper ; 2nd prize, T. Keep. Apples, (i varieties, dessert and culinary, 4of each—lst prize, H. L. Hooper; 2nd, T. Keep. Apples, 24 varieties, dessert and culinary, 4 of each —Ist prize, G. Reed. Apples, best collection, 4 of each —Ist prize, H. L. Hooper. Penrs, beßt G dessert—lst prize, H. L. Hooper. . Pears, best G culinary—lst prize, H. L. Hooper. Quinces, best 6 —lst prize, W. Alexander. Plums, dessert, 3 varieties of G each—lst prize, G. Reed. Plums, dessert, 12 —Ist prize, G. Reed. Plums, cooking, G —lst prize, G. Reed. Melons, water, 3 —lst prize, J. Webb; 2nd, G. Willey. VEGETABLES. Carrots, 0— Ist prize, H. Hunter. , Onions, 12—1st prize, T. Ormiston. Parsnips, 3—lst prize, G. Willey. Potatoes, kidney, 12 —Ist prize, T. Ormiston. Sundries--1 Best dish red wheat —Ist prize, W. Graham. Best dish white wheat —Ist prize, W. Alexander. i Best 3 mangolds (long red)—lst prize, W. Gardner. Best 3 mangolds (yellow)—lst prize, J, i H. Hooper. t Best 3 Swede turnips—lst prize, W. s Alexander. ) Best 3 Field Carrots—lst prize, G. Wil- • ley. Honey in Conjb—lst prize, J. 1' orrest, j Special Frizes. Mr John Parr's : For best 12 Swedes-* s J. Forrest, Mr John Parr: For best 12 white Bilf gian carrots —W. Gardner. Mr G. J. Neal: For best 3 Webb's Imj perial Swede turnips—J. Forrest, l Mr G. J. Neal: West 3 Webbs I greon globe turnips—J. Forrest. 3 Mr G. J. Neal : For best 3 Webb's white - Belgian carrots—G. Willay. 1 Mr G. J. Neal: For best 3 Webbs 1 red globe tripoli onions—R. Buckworth. i Mr C|. Masor): For best collection of , plums—J. fJharp. Mr G. Mason '■ For best collection of 3 pears—James Keeley. i Mr J, Sharp: For best 12 bismarcks—H. i Ferguson. i Mr F. Moody : For the best collection of 3 peaches—J. Sharp. r Mr Hugh Ross: For best 12 King of s Pippins—G. Mason. 1 Mr .T. Cottrell: For the, best 41b lump of 3 fresh butter—,T. R. S. Richardson. > Mr .T. Cottrell: For the best hoinef made loaf, not exceeding 21b—Mrs,T. M. i Murray. y Major Jacksoi) : For best sample apple s jelly—Mrs B. C. Mourner. r Mr Hatri,ck : For best sack chaffecj oaten (j Ilay—W. Graham,

Mr O'Neill: For best collection of bottled fruit—lst. prize, Mrs .T. M. Murray ; 2nd. prize, Mrs W. M. Hay. Mr Barton : For best 12 quinces—R. Reynold*. Mr Edgecumbe : For best 3 cheeses —ic Awamutu Factory. Messrs W. S. Laurie & Co : For beat collection of field roots—W. Gardner. Mr J. Ryburn: For best sack eating potatoes—W. (lardnor. Mr J. S. Bond : For best collection of apples suitable for export—G. Edgecumbe. By N. Z. Frozen Meat and Storage Company : For beat collection of farm produce VV. Gardner. R. T. Millar : For best sample of onions —R. Buckworth. Mr E. L. Smith : For 12 best Stone Pippins—G. Mason. Mr Sandes: For best 2 sunflowers—W. Gardner. Messrs I). Hay and Sons: 1< or the best gallon of cider made in Waikato last year — J. Forrest. Poultry. Silver-spangled Hamburgs—lst prize, S. T. Seddon. . Bantams, cock and hen —Ist prize, G. Keep. , -j. Hcudans, cock and hen —Ist prize, W. Coop. Extra Exhibits. Cocksfoot, cape gooseberries, citron melons —W. Gardner. Northern Spy Apploa—T._ J oily. Pen ringdoves, pen carrier pigeons, one plate duck eggs, Jersey cattle (bull and three cows) —C. Day. ... 281b tin butter (for export), plain pat butter, fancy pat butter—E. C. Shepherd. Two Bismarcks —A. Vincent. Achimenes—Col. Forbes. Home-made wine, pickles, sauce, chutney, jam, and preserved fruit—Mrs G wynne. . Egg and fruit packing case—W. Service.