SPRING FLOWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 213, 5 September 1912, Page 2

SPRING FLOWERS.

HOBTIC UJLTUKAX SOCIETY'S SHOW. BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS. The concert chamber of the Town Hall » a mass of colour, and the air is redolent off spring Howe.rs. In spite of the bad weather of the Last tow days, t'l-e annual spring show of the Auckland HorticultiujaJ Society, which is being hfJU in the hall, and will remain open lor three clays, is an unqualified success. Although the ha.ll might be better arranged for handling —having an entrance and an exit., so that the people all pass round the on* , way, and there is no jostling—excellent use has been made of the space. The old-fashioned daffodils, "tossing their heads in lordly dance"old-fashioned, but improved beyond all knowledge .since the poet wrote "thus of them —an' still the most popular of the flowers that usher in the. year. and Auckland numbers many enthu/i----antic growers among its gardeners; so the blooms make a tine show, ami well uphold tin , reputation of our wonderfully mild climate. In addition to the competitive classes among the blooms which are all keenly contested, there are sonic very pretty table decorations. Daffodils naturally predominate in the show, hut there is also a representative collection of many other (lowers, on various stands, and the whole show is one of the liiicst that has been held by the members of th> Society. i)affadil growers linger round .the magnificent exhibit of fifty seedlings raised by Professor A. P. W- Thomas, whose fame in thi.-, connection has spread beyond the Dominion. His hybridising experiments have resulted in some singularly beautiful new varieties, such as Prime Minister, a. very large bloom, with a delicately soft, yellow perianth. Prime Minister, which is shown lor the first time, measures 4.5 inches across. Aornngi, which has a pale- ivory trumpet and white perianth, is an exquisitely tinted bloom. Trewithiel, also shown tor the first time, is of th? form of Weardale, but larger, and has soft yellow perianth, and chronic yellow trumpet. Trafalgar is a yellow incomparabilis of great size, me&suriug as mnch. as five and n-halt inches a-croaa. Egmont, Tongariio and Rangitoto—the Professor affects Xew Zealand names for his blooms— have a brilliant-coloured border to the cup. Among some of the other fine seedlings he has raised may be mentioned the twin flowered J-ohtt-soni, each stem of which carries two (lowers; Cynthia and liden, with iair while trumpets; Bonanza, a golden trumpet variety of immense eize; Massive Gold, which is distinguished by great substance, in the perianth; White lleron, and Roioruii. Few people realise what the work of the Professor menus. Apart from the. knowledge required, it demands unlimited attention and patience. The bulbs may flower in. she fourth year, possibly in the filth, but the hybridiser never looks for anything definite until the seventh yearThe. well-known garden of Mr Henry Brett, Lake Takipuna, as usual contributes a striking exhibit to the show. On .1 large table near the stage he has a beautiful collection of spring blooms grown and staged in the style which makes his exhibits such a feature. Included are some very tine dailqdils, such j as King Alfred, Wcaidale Perfection,, Lucifer,' King's Norton, several varieties J of sweet peas, including the ' new YaT-ra-wa Spencer which Messrs Yates will send. out next year, cyclamens, ten-week stocks, carnations, freezias, anemones, carmine' candytuft, marigolds, violets, nemesia. pansics, large white daisies, and hyacinths. The exhibit is all the more j noticeable as many of the flowers are exceptionally early. The new sweet pea is, a special attraction to enthusiasts. The staging, which was done by Mrs J. D. Davis, is every effective. The flowers are all good specimens of thp.ir kind, and reflect credit on the head-gardener, J. Collins. Mr Brett also has a table in the centre of the hall, on which he shows a lot of sweet peas, which are exceptionally early. Miss Goldie exhibits a large vase of beautiful daffodils. Mr W. Abraham, of Parnell, who makes a speciality of bulbs, has a wellarranged show of anemones, ranunculi, and daffodils. The ranunculi are particularly fine. An interesting table is that of Mr Gliddon Richardson, of Parnell, who shows the only two orchids in the hall. Bletia, one of the winter-flowering kind, is a pale mauve, with five spikes in the one pot. Trie other orchid. Cypripedium, commonly known as Lady's Slipper, is spotted with brown and tinged with yellow. Its shape and beautiful markings make it one of the features of the exhibit. Mrs A. M. Myers sends a very attractive stand of cyclamens and "ferns. The ferns are particularly fine. On the table of Mr .Tames Alien, of Panmure, there are a number of vases of daffodils, including good blooms of all th« best varieties. He also shows some wcllgrown vuHMnones. The arrangements for the show have been well looked after by Mr Handley. Mr Satohell. and the oth<»T officials. The show was officially opened this afternoon by his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. .7. Parr) in the presence of a. large attendance of the public. Certificates of merit were awarded Mrs A. M. Mayers. Mr W. Abraham, and Mr H. Brett for their fine collections. Following is the prize list: — MISCELLANEOUS CUT FLOWE«BS. (Judges: Messrs. McDonald -and Pearson.) Anemones. —24 varieties, oDe bloom each: J. A. Rnn<dma.n I. VI varieties, double: J. A. Runchnnu 1. 12 varieties, single: I. A. Rnnciman 1. Six varieties, double: J. A. RuncJmuu 1. Sis varieties, single: .1. A. Runciinan J. W. W. Edserley 2. RainnKiiU.Six varieties: W. Abraham 1. Turban, frix varieties: W. Aliraihani 1. Bullrous or Tuberous Plums. — W. McFetridce 1, CyeUmens.—Six varieties: W. - F>rrldge L Three varieties: TV- McFetridge L OinhetHas.—'Six varieties: .1. O>Uins anil Son 1. One variety: A. B. Grindrod 1, J. Collins and Son 2.- ---■ Rhododendrons; three varieties.—H. E. Sharp 1. Twelve Hooches Cut Flowers.— Richardson 1. 0. C. Alien 2. Six Bnndhes Cut Flowers.—Chae. C. Allen 1. ■Narcissns, one pot. —W. Richardson 1. Three Varieties Prinrulas.—W. Richardson 1. Six Foliage Plants.—W. Richardson L Three Follafre Plants.—W. Eicnaroeon 1 Sis Flowering Plants.—W. Richardeoa 1. DAFFODILS. (Judge: Mr Hamel, of Dunedin.) Qham/piicm Daffodil Vase (valued at £15) for 40. distinct varieties.— D. K. Klrker 1, W. F. Buckland 2. T>wettt?<our Distinct Varieties, 3 blooms n-f ea<2i.—ft. B. .1. Bull I, D. E. Klrker 2, H. E. Sharp 3, M. A. Marriner h.e. BigriitOßii J>latl.ivt Varieties, 3 blooms of ea-cJi.-M.Jss Q. Kirlter 1, Mre F. Harvey 2, A. B. Grlndrod 3. ■Nine D-istim-: Varieties, 5 tiloome of eacih. —W. R. W. Thomas I, C. H«iketli 2. Six Varieties, distinct, 5 blooms each.— H. 8.. Sharp I. A B. Grnrfpo* 2. Six Varieties. Yellow Selfs, distinct, 5 •ba«)n!e-ea<ih.—H. E. Sbarp 1. t>ll Varteties. distinct, any other than yellow e«to._H. E. Sharp- 1, E. Heefce*

Twelve Varieties, distinct.—X. E. W. Tihomafi 1, A. E. Grindnxt 2. Six Varieties, distinct —N. E. W. Ttamte 1, A. B. Grindrod 2, C. "He*et& 3. 'Six Distinct Varieties, ted or orange stained cups.—A. E. GruuJwxl 1. Six Varieties OLeedsU.—<H. B. SUarp 1. A. B. Grindrod 2. Three Mstlnct VarMi«S.—C. Hetketb 0. Ten Varieties, Seedlings.—A. P. W. Thomas 1 and special. ■Six Varieties, Seedlings (raised by exhibitor ami not exhibited before).—A. P. W. Thomas 1 and efieHaJ. HURiiienronnli.— A. T. TV. Thomas 1, 'H. A. Mnrrfner S. MasnicoronaU fbi-colomr). —A. P. W. Tirana** 1. D. R. Klrkor 2. Mapirfooronatl. White or Cream.—A. -P. W. Thomas 1, W. F. EPactlaml 2. Medtcx-oronati, taeom.. YeHnw PerUra-th.— A. P. W. Th(»n»p rTrafnlnar"! 1. Mediocorcmati. White Perlantn. — P. W. Thomas 1. D. Klrker 2. Leedeli.— A. P. W. Thomas 1, W. F. BunUand 2. Parvi<N>n»nati.-—H. B. J. Bull 1. W. F. Burklami -. rarvicoron*t!. Poetlcne.— P. W. Thomas 1. Seedling. -A. P. W. Thomas ("Trewltniel). ,- Kirker Memortnl Troptiy, (or ten popular varieties.—Oil-worth Institute Boys 1. J. 11. Rraltbwaite 2. Six Oletlnct Varieties.— Stevcnuoii 1. Six nistim-t Varieties (three Magnl and throe Mw»«o>.—.!. H. Sralthwaite 1. Six Distinct Varieties (Medto and Parvt). —.1. "11. Brat tiro- 1. Three rvistlnrt Varieties.— X<n*onarket School 1. .1. H. KralthwTittP 2. BOI'QI'BTS ANT) TA"niJO DEfOBATIONS. (Judiri , : Mrs. Han«>l.> r:porsn<- or Oth<T «T«™trp Piece. Miae V. Palmer 1. Miss B. Parker -'. Itasket of Sprlnc Flowers.— Mrs. J. Herrlwick 1 and special. How: of Fli>wen».--'MTs. J. Hsniwtrls 1. Haud Bouquet. Primruaes or Polyanthus. — Miss V. Palmer 1. Table Dec-nnition.—,Mles V. Palmer 1. Mrs. .T. Hardwick 2. Mies B. Parker S. Miss C. Kirker I).<-. Miss M. Tbonuia c. Junior Table I>e<*onattoD. —MleeT. BuMjle 1, Mls»e O. B. Mnrrhier 2. Vaeo of rhifrn<lCA.--Mte«< F. FTo-bMe 1, Miss C. Kirkw 2. M3ss N. Thome* 8.