CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 9

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

THE OPENING DAY,

The tenth annual exhibition of chrysanthemums by the Auckland Chrysanthemum Society, (now affiliated with the Auckland Horticultural Society and Children's Flower Show), was opened this afternoon in the Choral Hall. The main hall and ante room are both brought into requisition, so large is the display of tlie 'Queen of Autumn flowers,' and the dahlia, cut flowers and fruit sections. Decorated with streams of flags suspended from the ceiling1, and evergreens, the principal hall presents a very pretty appearance indeed. This year the pond has been done away with, and in its place is a lovely specimen of a nikau, around which is clustered a fine exhibition of chrysanthemums in pots, grown by Mr G. W. Wright.

An innovation this year are the dinner table decorations. The tables are laid down in the main hall, the ladies exhibiting being Miss Churton, Mrs E. J. Harvey, Miss B. Smith, Miss F. Kelly and Mrs G. J. Mackay.

As usual, the table decorations are a great feature, and competition promises to be keen. The decision as to the best will be by public vote. The following are the entries: —Miss O'Keefe,""Miss B. Smith, Miss E. G. Peacocke, Mrs E. J. Harvey, Miss E. Smith, Mrs H. W. Marriner.

The humid weather of the last few weeks has played sad havoc with a great. number of blooms, but nevertheless there has never been a better display of chrysanthemums of merit. An unusual number of new varieties are shown, including many of the latest of the famous English grower Calvert. Mr Alfred Taylor, of Northcote, the champion of three years past, has not shown this year, desiring to give his . fellow growers a chance of gaining the championship honour. Mr Thos. Wells, of Cambridge, the famous veteran grower, brought down ISO blooms, and his daughter, Miss Kate Wells, 20 blooms, but a good number suffered in the trip by train. The novelties of Mr Wells include Madame Loiiie Remy (a fine Japanese, white), and two sports, of Madame Carnot, viz., Mrs G. L. Warren (deep yellow), and Mrs Mease (straw yellow). Mr. Wells also exhibits a fine bloom of President Noonin, which, is considered by many the best yellow of the season.

Mr W..*F. Buckland, of Cambridge, lias more novelties than any exhibitor in the show, lie having: imported #ie latest varieties from England. In all he shows 144 blooms. His varieties of the year include Western King (white incurved), Mrs F. A. Conrptoh (light pink), J. H. Kingslake, junr. (good white), Surpasse Admiral (sulI phur yellow), Mrs White Papham (light pink), Mdme. Laurence Zeale (Japanese, incurved dark pink), Lady Clarice (Australian seedling, dark red), M.C.S. Jubilee (beautiful blush pink), Sita (white striped pink), Mdme. Robt. de Massey (bright purple), Director Liebe (bright pink), Dr. Boor (inr curved yellow seedling raised by Mrs Merrick Nelson), .Cgleste , Falconet (pink), Duchess of Fife (new incurved white), Madame E. Salomon (blood red), Madame Ferlot (fine layge white incurved), Princess, Ena (a new hairy variety, pink in colour). ■',•.. This year the chrysanthemums are staged in specimen glasses on a table which is a great improvement on the. tpld benches. In the professional class, Messrs Hay and Son show novelties in 'The Convention' and 'John Pockett;' There is a line display of dahlias by •Messrs D. Hay and Son, G. W. Wright, and Bennett and Green. All latest varieties in cactus as shown at the National Dahlia Society's great show in London in September last, are tobe seen. Other varieties shown are pom pom decorative single and double show. ■■'.•■. This year the bridal, table, and hand bouquets and bu,tton-holes are shown on the stage. A great feature is the bridal bouquets by Mrs J. G. Mackay, Miss Kelly, Miss McDonald, and Miss Robertson. Most of the button-holes shown are very artistic.

At- the side of the main entrance are two beautiful large groups of pot plants exhibited by Messrs D. Hay and Son and Messrs Bennett and Green. There is a beautiful cycad in the, centre of Messrs Hay's group with palms, orchids, and lovely foliage and decorative plants. Messrs Bennett and Green, of Kyber Pass, show a fine variegated pine in the centre of their group, also staghorn ferns, hanging baskets, and a new ornamental asparagus named springeri. The firm also show, some 380 dahlia blooms.

Mr H. E. Sharp's collection of fruit is shown in an ante-room. There are two lots of 36 varieties and 24 .varieties displayed, including all the latest kinds. The 'John Sharp apple exhibited by Messrs Hay and Son, the sole agents, is a new seedling blightproof apple, thoroughly tested. • Mr .Sharp's 'Late Red,' also shown through Messrs Hay and Son, is another blightproof variety of good size and colour.

Messrs McDonald and Son, of Epsom, exhibit on an easel a pretty showor bridal bouquet, with a green velvet background. Their . display of cut flowers is also a fine nr»«* for the season. . ~

The ividcp'" nrn: ''Hipn class, Messrs F. T. Ward, " P. Wh'itley: pot plants, Dr. Coates. Mr Wm, Gqldie; cut flowers. Messrs T. Wells and T. S. .Taclca; ohrvsanthemnms!—professional. Messrs P. T. Ward ami T. Wells, Mr Lippiatt. steward: amntenv. Messrs "D. Tiny and T. Whitley. Mr Criinrod, steward; bou> miets, basVofs, tnble decorntio'U'. Afrs •T. E. McDonnld, Mrs 'G. "Roberts, Messrs K. WatkiTis and F. Bennett. PRIZE LTST. .Tndp-ing- commenced at 1.30. The following' awards:_reached us uip tothe rime of going to press:— ■ • CUT FLOWERS. ' 24. distinct varieties, other tliim ohrysanthemums: McDonald and Hens 1. 27 distinct varieties ether than chrysanthemnms: McDonald and Son 1, D. Hay and Son 2. 36 distinct varieties dahlias: D. Hay and Son 1. "Bc-nnett and Green 2. CHRYSANTHEMUMS — AMATEUR CLASS. Cut blooms —36 varieties, being 12 incurved and 24 Japanese, one bloom each: W. F. Buckland (Cambridge) 1, Wm. Collins (Parnell) 2. 24 blooms incurved in not less than 18 varieties nor more than 2 blooms of a variety: Thos. Well (Cambridge) 1. 12 varieties incurved, 1 bloom each: Thos. Wells 1, Wm. Collins 2. 24 varieties: W. F. Buckland 1, W. Collins 2. 12 varieties Japanese: W.

Collins 1, W. F. Buckland 2, IChoa. Wells h.c. r

Open Class.—Pot plants, 6 specimen chrysanthemums in pots: G, WWright 1. One specimen chrys; inth«" mum in pot or other vessel: G. W. Wright 1, West (Thames) 2. Grpup of any flowering- or foliage pla|iis in pots,' to cover space not exceeding 3d feet: D. Hay and Son 1, Bennett aud Green 2. One adiantum fern: ;D. Hay, and Son 1. One specimen plant: D. Hay and Son 1. •Cut Flowers (professional class) .— 24 distinct varieties: McDonald and Son 1, Hay and Son 2.

Bouquets, Baskets, and Table Decorations. —Bridal bouquet: Misfj Cook 1, Miss Kempthorne 2. Hand |bouquet:i Miss Pierce 1, Miss Ada Cook e2. f

Probably the feature of thci table decorations is that of Iredale'ss, prettily arranged by Miss Churton. The table is not for competition. All of the appointments are of an up-to-date character, the blending of colofur being exceptionally good, ranging from cream to apricot. In the centre is a point lace spread surrounded -with trails of smilax, and at each corner are candles with shades of the* same tone as the flowers.

The show was opened by Mr T). Goldie (Mayor of Auckland), but, of/ course, the heavy rain completely spoiled,the attendance. Among those who did a lot of work in arranging exhibits was Mrs McKean, a member of the ladies* committee.

To-morrow afternoon, rit 3.30, an 'At Home' will be held, "vhen afternoon tea will be dispensed. The show will close on Saturday ni.<>ht. Amateur Class.—Chry<ianthem.uins:' Amateur class, 18 varieties Japanese: H. W. Mariner 1, Wm. Collins 2. 12 varieties. Incurved: Miss Handley 1. 6 varieties, Incurved: M7ss Roberts 1, Wm. Collins 2. 6 varieties, Japaneser H. W. Mariner 1, G. W. Wright 2.