AUCKLAND GARDENERS' HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1887, Page 2

AUCKLAND GARDENERS' HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Autumn Show.

The Autumn Show of this Society, which has done so much to encourage horticultural pursuits amongat our gardenera, amateur?, and others, is to be held to-morrow (Friday) and Saturday, in the City Market. From what we can learn, the public bave not "rolled up " to assist as muchss might have been expected, but we are glad to find that tho number of entries, 350, is in excess of that of lart year. To Mr A. Aitken is due tho credit of the ehoiv, aa he has been assiduous in hie exer tions for ite success. As in rule 12 it is stated that the prizes will " bo given in proportion to tho income of the Society," tho public have no right to grumble if tho rewards in many of tho classes seem rathor email. Tho gardening public.if they supported tho Society ac it should be supported, would have nothing to find fault with in 1 lictt respect. Turning over tho list of exhibitors aa at present to hand, wo find, beginning with cut flowers, that thoro is a fuir amount of competition, In this class, Miss Speight has ag many as ]8 entries : this lady's oxhibits in all the classes are most praiseworthy. D. flay aud Sons, of Brighton, show up woll for cut flowers, and our old friend, John Craig, is well to the front with ferns and foliago plants It is rathor late for roses, there being therefore only two classes for the king of flowers. E. Lippiatt, a veteran in rose culturo, is, as usual, well represented. • Amongst fruit, grapes, we are glad to see, show up well, many well-known growers being amongst them. By-the-bye, how ie it that Mr Courtney has not any exhibits ? Messrs W. Knight, A. Stevenson, E. G. Jane, E. Jones, and Blomfield are amongst the competitor!l, co there is sure to bo some fruit worth seeing. I'eaches show up well also, Messrs D. Mclcdoo, J. Foster, McMatb, J. Collins, and E. Jones showing in this class. The apple class has 18 competitors in it. This district is well suited to tho successful growing of this fruit. Peara will alea have a good representation ; also melons of all sorts, especially in the luscious water-melon claBS. Oranges and lemonß do not show up woll. We fancy there are a few persons up North who, if they chose to take the trouble, might show some very fine spocimens of this fruit. Taken altogether, the show promises to be a success, and it will bo most interesting to compare notes as to tho comparative beauties and worth of the exhibits with those of the preceding years. Rhubarb, which although much grown here is seldom eeen of the sort and colour sold in the old country, will be shown by Messrs S. E. Hughes, jun., Joseph Foster, and Mclndoe.