AUTUMN HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1590, 17 March 1875, Page 2

AUTUMN HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

The exhibition of fruit at the Auckland Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, which is being held in the City Hall to-day, is beyond all comparison the best that bas ever been gathered together in Auckland. No more piactical refutation could be given to the statement which we so often hear repeated that the Auckland climate is not adapted to the growth of many varieties of fruits. Apples, against which ths objection has mainly been urged, were shewn to-day of every variety and in the greatest possible state of perfection. It has been wll observed by an old Tasmanian now resident here, that if the same care were exercised in the culture of the fruifc trees in Auckland as is displayed in the great fruit-growing colony, the results would be in no way inferior. The apples in to-day's exhibition are undoubtedly its chief feature; but all other varieties of fruit are well represented. <ur limited grace will harilly permit of a notice ia detail, but we cannot omit to mention the hothouse grapes staged by Mr. Bucklaud, including sweet water, Royal Ascot, and black Ham burgs large well-grown grapes in bunches, vveighing*from 21b. to 3;b. each. .Some very tine grapes' grown in the open air are also exhibited, and one or two very inferior ones, which we wtre rather surprised to find on the atand. The exhibits of pears, although less nume ojp, are in no way inferior to the show of apples, and are worthy of attention. The exhibits of late peaches are few, bub one plate of Rangitikeis is a very superior fruit, and merits the coi s deration of growers. There are many exhibits of other description of fruit—plums (eooic very fine), figs, melons, medlars, prickly pears, and some fine specimens of the egg plant. Altogether the show of fruit i 3 most creditable to Auckland, and| its exhibition to-day will, we imagine, be effective in encouraging this branch of horticulture. The exhibits of flowers, as might of course be expected after such a long dry Eeason, were not numerous, but the thirteen stands of dahlias staged are ample in themselves to redeem this department of the show from the charge of baldness. On one stand we detect in the names given to the favorite varieties a commendable appreciation of the fourth estate on the part of their growers. Prominent among them ia " The Evening Star," a compact, handsome, red dahlia, well deserving the premier place. On an adjoining stand is the "Southern Cross," large and unblushing, and smiling in a front rauk, " Editor Luckie." These novel recogDitioDS of the genius of the press are all txcellent varieties of that noble autumn flower. There are two collections of tine cus roses There weie alto one or two stands of verbenas and pansies remarkably good for the season. A variety of stocks was a feature on 'he stand at the upper end of the hall. Tuera were also several fire pots of flowering fuschias on the centre stand Wu were glad to see so many groen house plants staged. The varieties of begonias and coitus were especially noticeable. Among the exhibits of coleus the Duke c-f Edinburgh variety, of which, we observed two pots, was conspicuous. Among ths novelties of the Exhibition were '4 wo s'ouDg eatnboo planrs, staged by I\Jr David Hay. The vegetables shewn were nofc' so good as we anticipated. There were however, some splendid potatoes, which would gladden the heart of any farmer of well-balanced mind. The varieti? s included kidney, regent, red-skins, Victoria,, provincial fluke, tanar, etc. An oval nutmeg pumpkin, weighing about 401b , formed a substantial centrepiece on the bench, faced by a beautiful g>cen pie meloo, which was a picture ia itself. The exhibits in this department included cabbage, turnips, carrots, beans, peas, parsley, celery, bee*;, rhubarb, onions, I cucumbers, filberts, and a sample of American pop corn. On as and at the top of tha hall, Mr. R. Brewin, Bet daman, of the market-place, exhibited a large variety of garden and agricultural seeds, vegetables, etc., but not for competition. Among these were some magnificent large Deptford onions, grown in Mr. Whitaker's garden, from seed supplied by Mr Brewin, also various new varities of potatoes recently imported from England and America, and various specialties from New York. On a stand at the entrance to the hall were Bhown peach and quince jam, and tomato sauce manufactured by Mr Cottis, of Parnell. We have not space to-day to refer to the exhibits in greater detail, but the prize-list published below gives the results, as far as completed at half-past three o'clock. The show was to have been opened to the public at noon, but the exhibits were brought forward very late, which delayed the opening and inconvenienced the judges. Exhibitors should endeavor to avoid this in future. The Rev. E. N. Bree, and Mr Abercrombie, who fulfilled the offices of judges, did so in a way that gave entire satisfaction. The exhibition will continue open tonight. SCHEDULE OF PRIZES. Sec. 1. - Opew to All Comers. A. —plants. 1. Stove or greenhouse plants, in sets of 6, lat prize, David Hay ; 2nd prize, T. Bullen, 2. Stove or greenhouse plants, single specimen, Ist prize, A. Gillespie. Fuschias, in sets of 6, pots not over 12 inches in diameter, Ist prize, T. Bullen. Begonias, in sets of 6, Ist prize, A. Gillespie. Basket of miscellaneous plants, tastefully arraaged, Ist prize, David Hay. Window plant?, Ist prize, A. Gillespie. B. — CUT FLOWERS. 21 dahlias, in sets of 18 distinct varieties, Ist prize, A. McDonald ; 2nd prize, E. Lippiatt. Dahlias, in sets of 12, Ist prize, A. McDonald ; 2nd prizo, E. Lippiatt. 22 dahlias, best single bloom, Ist prize, E. Leppiat; 24 ditto, A. McDonald ; wedding bouquet, Ist prize, G. Warburton; extra prize, zinnias, David Hay. C—Fruits. Black grapes, grown under glass, Ist prize, D. Mclndoe ; do, white grapes, Ist prize, Tnos. Herbert; 2nd prize, D. Mclndoe; peaches, Ist prize, Geo. Warburton ; plums, Ist prize, H. L. Sharp ; dessert apples, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 2nd prize, W. J. Palmer; culinary apples, Ist prize. H. J. Hawkins; 2nd do, H. L Sharp; dessert pears, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins; 2ud prize, H. L. Sharp; green flesh melou, Ist; prize, A. M. McDonald ; water melons, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 57 lemons, Ist prize, D. Mclndoe ; best dish nuts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; beat dish tilberts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins. Collection of apples, six sorts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 2nd prize, H. L. Sharp. Collection of pears,- six sorts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 2nd prize, H. L. Sharp. Collection of plums, extra prize, H. J. Hawkins. D.— CULINARY VEGETABLES. Tomatoes, lac prize, David Hay cucumbera, best brace, David Hay; carrots, Ist prize, W. Reay; onions, Ist prize, John Braithwate; potatoes (kidney), Ist prize; W.J. Palmer; 2nd do, W. S. M. Houlton :

collection of potatr.ee (twelve i____JSvVa prize, W. J. Pslmer j vegetabi ViZi!*^? Ist prize, «. Wai bur lon ; pujOli^ ?V prize, W. S. Hi. Bruit on; co|liectio' tt , vegetables. Ist prize, David Hay. j§ °* •'_'■ [The judges have not etmpisted ♦!,-. awards. The above is the ptizeHist as decided.] / * v