HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1491, 20 November 1874, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

Tots Summer Exhibition of the Auckland Horticultural Society opened to-day in the City Hall. The hall is much better adapted for shewing the exhibits to advantage and more convenient than the Drill-shed, where shows have previously been held, and the various collections of plants and flowers are tastefully arranged on stands running the full length of the hall The number of entries is smaller than we have seen at former shows, especially in the departments of green-house, and native plants, and in plants in pots generally, but in some other reßpects there are special features of excellence. Foremost among those we must mention the show of roses, which is really very fine. The prize collection of 36 blooms, exhibited by Mr E. Lippiatt, of the Albion Nursery, is worthy of that gentleman's reputation as the chief grower of roses in Auckland. We particularly admired his " Prince Camille de Boban," a splendid dark-red velvet rose, really perfect, which we would draw special attention to. It is in his prize-stand of 36 blooms. Mr. Lippiatt also secured the first prize in sets of 24 roses ; Mr. Hay the second prize, witfi. a very fine collection. Mr. David Mclndoe also shewed some good roses, and obtained a prize. A splendid collection of flowers, including a fine stand of roses was staged by Mr. Stannus Joues, although not for competition. Some of these blooms were equal to anything in the show. ■ The verbenas exhibited by the same .gentleman were also very fine. In fact, all-the collection of verbenas in the show were remarkably, good, and indicate the special adaptability of this climate for the growth of that beautiful garden plant. Mr H. L. Palmer secured the second prize for a single pot rose, "Marquesse de Castellan," which was a fine healthy wellshaped plant, in bloom, but would have looked better a few days ago. The same exhibitor staged six variegated geraniums in pots, the leaves very prettily marked. These plants were deserving of the first prize awarded them. Generally speaking, the show of geraniums was not what we expected. In addition to those mentioned, none specially attracted, our attention, except some double ones in a stand of cut flowers, which were really very good. A globe cactus, in flower, exhibited at the upper end of the centre stage, is a feature in the show. The fuchsias/were not upjto^the mark .in number, 'or in the size and variety of the blooms. There were no flowers of this kind in the show to represent the beautiful collections of double, single, and many-lined fuchsias almost invariably found in English exhibieions. There were certainly one or two very good varieties in the collection of cut flowers exhibited by Mr. Thomas Pioche, but we should like to see better collections at any future exhibition. The Sweet Williams, also, were not very good, in fact we seldom see here a perfect bloom of this homely and favorite plant. Eight collections of pansies are among the best exhibits in the show. Mr McDonald's prize collection is perfect of its kind. The prizes offered for antirrhinums, j or, not to mistify unsientific readers, snapdragons, were successful in bringing out good varities ; Mr David Hays prize collection was especially noticable among these. The floral designs were neither so numerous nor so varied as we have seen them before at our shows, but there were two very good onesone exhibited by Mr T. B. Gillies, (not for competition,) containing many beautiful blooms, and a basket of flowers neatly arranged with ornamental leaves and moss by Mr D. Hay. which obtained the first prize. The Misses Stodart, of Glenburn, exhibited a nicely arranged flower desigo on glass stand, not for competition. The collections of cnt flowers were not; deemed of sufficient excellence for a first prize, but Mr Haye's collection was awrrded a. second prize It contained many fine single blooms, but was not so complete as might be in point of variety. The bouquets were quite equal to those of any previous show. One set of five for bride and four bridesmaids, marked 15s, was very tasteful and complete. Mis Carry Speight secured first prize for a very a pretty boquet with green fringe. Perhaps a feeling of gallantry on the part of the judges

J^ de* J hem ; in their choice, as it was difficult to choose : between the exhibits of the young lady and her mamma. Mrs. Speight was, however, recompensed with a second prize. The exinbita offru-.t were nat large, the season not toeing sufficiently advanced, but there were vm!.Tstrawkrrieß from Mr- Hawkins' JN ortn bhore Gardens, also from tne gardens of Mr. W. Thompson. The oranges and lemons were a feature. For the latter, Messrs. Mason Brothers carried off prizes.

VEGErABLES. The vegetable section of the Exhibition displayed some remarable speciuens of culinary productions, which have never been excelled on any previous occasion in Auckland. We noticed one of the largest cabbages that we have as yet seen, weighing 22ibs, grown by a gentleman at Remuera, irom seed supplied by Mr Brewin, of this city. Some splendid samples were also exhibited by Mr Houlton, of St. John's Mount, Epsom, grown on his own land. The lettuce also, were very fine. Among potatoes were some remarkable samples of the Early American Rose,- and various kinds of kidney and Canterbury potatoes, which were much admired. Mr. James Stodart, of Glenburn, exhibited a very line bunch of white turnips. Among the other attractions on the vegetable table were exhibits of white heart lettuce, asparagus, horse-radish, rhubarb, cauliflower, green peas, parsnips, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and broad beans. These specimens were all of a superior character, and tend to show that the soil of New Zealand is capable of producing vegetables equal, if not superior, to the growth of any other nation of the world. The judges were Messrs Brewin and MacDonald ; referee, the Rev. E. N. Bree. Mr T. Maefarlane, and the Secretary, Mr Cheeseman, and Mr C. Lewis conducted all arrangements satisfactorily. The following is the prize lisb : — OPEN TO ALL OOMEES:

Roses, in sets of £3, E. Lippiatt, Ist prize. Roses, in sets of 24, E. Lippiatt, Ist prize ; D. Hay, 2nd prize ; David Mclndoe, 3rd prize.

Roses, in sets of 6, E. Lippiatfc, Ist prize ; introduced since 1872. Roses, single bloom, E. Lippiatt, Ist prize; Prince Canaille de Rohan.

Pansies, Alex. McDonald, gardener to L. D. Murdock, Esq., Ist prize. Verbenas, W. Palmer, Ist prize ; David Hay, 2nd prize. Antirrhinetnus, David Hay, Ist prize. General collection of cut flowers, no Ist prize ; David Hay second prize. Fuchsias, cut by Thomas Roche ; no prize. Seedling rose, extra prize, H. F. Hawkins. Bridal bouquet, Ist prize, Miss Speight. Band bouquet, Ist prize, Miss Speight. Wedding order, 2nd prize, Mrs. Bpeight. Extra prize, Mrs. Speight. Variegated geraniums, Ist prize, W. L. Palmer. Pot rose (single), W. L. Palmer. Foliage plant (single), Ist prize, W. L. Palmer. Cut flowers (pretty design), Ist prize, D. Hay. . Cut pelangoniuns (extra), Wm. Brighton. Gieen-house plants, Ist prize, Dr. "Wright. Oranges, Ist prize, John Jones Strawberries, Ist prize, H. F. Hawkins. Strawberries, 2nd prize, W. Thooawn. Lemons, Ist prize, Mason BrothefCf' Lemons, Ist prize Thomas Russell^extra), Mason Brothers. Loquats (extra), Mason Brothers. VEGETABLES. Potatoes, Ist prize, David Hay. Potatoes, 2nd prize, William Reay. Potatoes (kidney), Ist prize, E. wood. Cauliflower, let prize, W. A. Tuck. Rhubarb, Ist prize, W R,eay. Onions, Ist prize, W. Reay! Peas, Ist prize, W. Thompson. Peas, 2nd prize, W. Reay. Broad beans, Ist prize, Alex. McDonald. Carrots, Ist prize, W. Reay. Turnips, Ist prize, W. Reay. Lettuce, Ist prize, W. Reay. Best collection of vegetables,-not less than 12 kinds, W. Reay. Potatoes (round) D. Hay. Onions, Ist prize, Major Ibbetson. Broad beans, Ist prize, Major Ibbetson. Carrots, Ist prize, Mrs Stodart. Peas, Ist prize, F. W. M. Houlton. Lemons, Ist prize, Thos. Russell. Oranges, Ist prize, John Jones. Cucumbers, Ist prize, Geo. Pace. Rhnbarb, Ist prize, Geo. Pace. Potatoes (kidney), lstjprize, E. Good. Potatoes, 2nd prize, Miss C. Speight. Potatoes (round), Ist prize, E. Cottis. Potatoes, 2nd prize, W. J. Speight. AMATEURS.

Stove or greenhouse plant, in sets of 3, Ist prize, Dr Home. Pelargornins, in sets of 6, Ist prize, Dr. Home. Pot rose, single, Ist prize, Dr Home. Geraniums, variegated, Ist prize, W. L. Palmer. Romulagaponia, extra, Ist prize, Dr Home. Roses, in sets of 18, Ist prize, Thos. Eussell; 2nd prize, D. L. Murdoch. Roses, in sets of 12, Ist prize, Thos. Russell ; 2nd prize, D. L. Murdock. Best single bloom, John Hopper, Thomas Russell, and W. J. Speight. Pansies, Ist prize, D. L. Murdock ; 2nd prize, W. J. Speight. Carnations, Ist prize, D. L. Murdock. Verbenas, Ist prize, D. L. Murdock ; 2nd prize, W. J. Speight. General Collection of cut flowers, Ist prize, D. L. Murdock ; 2nd prize, W. J. Speight. Dianthua, extra, Ist prize, Major Ibbetson. Bouquet native flowers, extra, S. R. Keesing. Hand bouquets, Ist prize, Miss Speight ; do, extra, Mrs .Speight. Larkspurs, extra, W. J, Speight. Basket cut flowers, Dr Home.