AUCKLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 276, 27 November 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

AUCKLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

The exhibition held under the auspices of the above society last Friday and Saturday was a deserved success. Considering the cold weather and the drying winds which prevailed for some weeks prior to the show many of the exhibits were much better than was expected. Most of the roses exhibited were in first-class condition considering the season. In other classes the specimens were also good. The table decorations were in my estimation the feature of the show. The ladies who year after year contest for the honours in this department have attained such proficiency that it must have been hard for the judges to award the prizes, as all the exhibits were first-class. Table and hand bouquets were also well represented and were well up to the mark. There were some first-

class vegetables staged, showing what our soils and climate can do under good cultivation. In fruits there was a splendid collection of the citrous 1 family, staged by Mr Morrison, of Mahurangi. I think that in this class it was the best ever staged in Auckland from our local orchards. One could not help remarking on ; looking- around the hall that a much larg-er number of exhibits could have been staged if all the different horticulturists had warmly taken up the question. Now, I Avould remind all that if hoz'ticulture is to flourish in this section of the colony each must do his best. A few growers come forward show after show and try to carry off the prizes. Others, from one cause or another, hold back, with the result that general horticultural matters suffer, to the detriment of the trade and everyone connected with it. The present society was formed a few months ago with the object of welding all the different interests together, but up to the present I do not think that it has succeeded as it should have done. Next February the third and last of the series of shows of the season takes place. This will principally consist of fruit exhibits. This will give the fruit-growers in our country districts a chance to show the townspeople what our fruit-growing districts can do. The energetic secretary of the Society is now in communication with the different Fruit-growers' Associations with the object of getting their members to compete at the next show, and if success attends his efforts the next exhibition should be the best ever held in Auckland.