Wild Flower Circle.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 226, 23 September 1936, Page 22

Wild Flower Circle.

COME TO THE NATIVE FLOWER SHOW!

(By L. M. CR AN WELL, M. A.)

Spring is here again, and though I have watched for it eagerly during the cold month (so chilly even after Stockholm), and have caught its first gleams in the Domain and on Eangitoto, I have been too busy with the account of my travels abroad, and now with my own work, to find time to share these pleasures with you.

Just now I am most concerned with preparations for the fifth Cheeseman -Memorial Spring Show of Native Flowers, to open at the Museum at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. This is our attempt to show the beauties of our flowers and foliage to those who love them already, and especially to those who may suddenly be drawn to appreciate them, and so add immeasurably to their own enjoyment of this pleasant land!

You all know how plant life suffered in the terrible salt-laden February gales. Many plants, even the hardy manuka, have not recovered. Others, such as kauri, karaka, taraire, pohutukawa, ngaio, punga, puka (Meryta) and Astelia, have - been unmercifully .frosted since. Some are dead. The late frost of September 7 has hurt- the flower buds of quite hardy species, as I found to my dismay when I visited the splendid plantation of native plants in the Ellerslie racecourse grounds a few days ago. All this looks grave for the flower show, but luckily kowhai is golden everywhere, and without it to give the dominant colour note we would have a poor show indeed. The show will fall into two main sections, a. general exhibit of flowers, fruits, foliage, juvenile forms and seedlings, and a special section for children's entries. Those are competitive. The prizes will be well-illustrated and brightly-written books on New Zealand plant life, bv such authorities as Mr. R. M. Laing, B.Sc., Dr. H. H. Allan, Miss Marguerite Crookcs, M.A., and the late Dr. Cockayne, and-last, but not least. Mr. T. F. Chccseman, for 50 years curator of the Auckland Museum. Mr. E. -Phillips Turner will open the show at ■2.30 p.m.'on Saturday-and if arrangements can be made his opening address will be broadcast from IYA. Children's Competitions. I. The competitions are for individual children, not for school classes. Any bov or girl may send in an entry or entries in his or her age group. THREE AGE GROUPS have been arranged, with the following classes of exhibits: — (a) Under 12 years— (1) Exhibit of three species; 3 prizes. (b) 12-10 years— (2) Exhibit of three species; 2 prizes. (3) Exhibit of three species from home garden; 2 prizes. (c) 10 to under 20 years — (4) Exhibit from home garden; 2 prizes. (5) Exhibit of 3-5 species; 2 prizes. (0) Exhibit of 3 species of one botanical family; two to be native, one to be exotic and of v Australian, South African or South American origin; 2 prizes. Open to Groups (b) and (c): — (dl —

(7) "Food of the Birds'' exhibit —a collection of nectar and berry plants; 2 prizes. 11.. SPECIAL ENTRY FOR COUNTRY SCHOOLS. Prizes will be given for the best general exhibits from country schools. These can be prepared by one or more pupils. A special prize (Cheeseman's "Manual of the New Zealand Flora") will lie given for what the judges consider to be the lx-st exhibit in the show. (Sir Edwin Mitchelson prize.)