GOLDEN CORONAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 216, 12 September 1929, Page 10

GOLDEN CORONAS.

DAFFODIL SHOW OPENS.

FINE DISPLAY OF BLOOMS.

JUDGING BY EXPERT,

THIRD NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Spring is here. A worthy harbinger the daffodil-clothed Scots Hall, Upper' Symonds Street, with a mantle of delicate yellow and white to-day, when the Auckland' Horticultural Society, in conjunction with the National Daffodil Society, opened its annual show under particularly favourable auspices. It was easily the best display on record as the national fixture—the third to be held—attracted exhibits from as far afield as Wellington, Palmerston North and other Southern districts, while the competition from Auckland provincial growers was as keen a* over.

From iieatly-array.ed tables, the bellshaped, golden coronas of Narcissi bowed, for the scrutiny of the judge, Mr. Guv L. Wilson, the famous English daffodil grower and hybridiser, whose visit fortunately coincides with the joini fixture. The air in the hall was heavily laden' with the perfumery of Nature, the sweet scents that exuded from the daffodils blending with that from the violets primroses, early sweet peas, ranunculi' cyclamen, and filmy Iceland poppies of modern shades and hues, which made a brave showing in a subdued light. Southern exhibits opened up in excellent condition, and the fine development of the blooms was indicative of the fact that, climatically, Auckland growers have been labouring under a handicap Nevertheless, the quality of the exhibits has not suffered by the abundance of moisture and prolonged period of frosts and it was noticeable that none of tho tables contained specimens blemished in the slightest degree. Auckland horticulturists more than held their own, and the names of local growers figured' prominently on the prize-list. This in itself was evidence of the special care and attention lavished upon their gardens by amateur gardeners under trying conditions.

Scarlet cups—daffodils with centres resembling a fiery tropical sunset—wero a prominent feature of the rare display, while gorgeous whites were exhibited in large numbers, testifying to the popularity of this specimen of bloom. All yellows wore stately gowns of orange and captured the attention of the large crowd which patronised the show, after it had been opened officially by the chairman of the Auckland Horticultural Society (Mr. F. Walker). The fixture' will continue in sessions till 9 o'clock to-morrow evening, when tlu exhibits will be disposed of at auction.

As usual with Auckland shows, one of the outstanding attractions is the special display of pot-plants and cut flowers by the president of the society (Sir Edwin Mitchelson). The stand is an exquisite study in pink, made by primula, obconica, grandiflora, and giagantrum, relieved here and there by occasional patches of narcissi. Private growers. are also represented in good numbers, one o£_tl ]e most pleasant displays being that of Sir Heaton Ehodes, of Christchurch.

Another thing that attracted much notice was the fine display of orchids from the Domain gardens.

"This is the first show I have seen, but I am very pleased with the exhibits," commented Mr. Wilson at the conclusion of the judging. "I am glad to find that some of our Home flowers have acclimatised very well. I have seen some very fine New Zealand-raised seedlings, and I think, in some respects, the outstanding one is Wellington, a fine incomparabilis, which is an extraordinarily wcll-formeci flower. Armistice is a remarkably beautiful pale-backed trumpet.

"Fortune, one of the most celebrated of British-raised flowers, is shown by Mr. Robert Gibson, of Manaia. It is quite up to our average in size, but is not nearly as well-coloured as we get it..Mr. Gibson seems to have been very successful in acclimatising quite a number of our finest' flowers, and liis Kautara, a white trumpet which won the National Dafi'oclil Society's championship, is well up to size, though lacking substance."

The champion yellow trumpet is Royalist, a flower which has won championships at Home, and which is shown bv Mr. Pearson, of Te Arolia. The bloom is quite a good example.

Results arc as follow: —

Narcissi (Open Classes)

Eighteen Varieties, all division*. Daffodil Challenge Bowl: H. B. J. Bull 1, W. 11. Shepherd 2. The latter exhibitor also secured first awards in the 1? variety (excluding the first division). 0 variety trumpets. G variety Incomparabilis, 3 variety Barrii. 0 variety Leedsii. and 3 variety Pnzettas classes. Auckland-raised seedlings, Hall Challenge Cup: .T. 11. Braithwaire 1, \V. Wilcox 2. Trumpet, division 1 (A) : \Y. IT. Shepherd 3. Trumpet, division 1 (II) : W. IT. Shepherd 1. " Trumpet division 1 (C) : 11. B. .T. Bull 1. W. Wilcox 2. Incomparabilis. division 2 (A) : R. W. Shepherd 1. Incomparabilis. division 2 (B) : W. 11. Shepherd 1, K. W. Shepherd 2. Barrii, division 3 : R. \Y. Shepherd 1-, \V. IT. Shepherd 2. Leedsii, division 4 (A) and 4 (B) : \V. 11. Shepherd 1. Boetaz : A. Blackmail 1.

Amateur Classes

Kirker Memorial Trophy. 12 varieties: Miss B. Brewin 1. C. F. Kelly 2. Sehvyn Vpton Cup, IS varieties : 11. B. -T. Bull 1. K. Hart 2. 15 varieties, not fewer than four divisions: W. Dandy 1. .T. I>. liraitliwaite 2. Trumpet, 6 varieties, AY. Dandy 1, Dr. Thomas 2. , Xino varieties Incomparabilis : AA'. Dandy 1. Dr. Thomas 2. Three varieties - Bsrrii: AA'. Dandy 1. Dr. Thomas 2. Tiiree varieties. red or orange cups : Dr. Thomas 1» W. Dandy 2. Nine variet;es Leedsii : AA". Dandy 1, Dr. Thomas 2. Three varieties T.eedsii: Dr. Thomas 1, W. Dandy 2. Yellow Trumpet (1A) : AY. G. Hoyle 1, H. J. B. Bull 2. White trumpet (IB) : R. W. Shepherd 1, AA'. G. Hovle 2. Bicolour tnmnet (1C) : 11. B. .T.'Bull 1. X. R. AY. Thomas 2. Incomparabilis C2A) : X. R. W. Thomas 1, R. AY. Shepherd 2. Ineomparahilis (2B) : R. AA'. Shepherd 1. A. Blackmail 2. Barrii: Miss B. Brewin 1. D. Ilav and Son 2. Leedsii HA) : X. li. \Y. Thomas 1. AA'. G. IToyle 2. Leedsii (4B) : AY. 0. Iloyle 2. Triandrus Hybrid (">) : 11. B. .T. 801 l 1 and 2. Ptietaz (S) : R. AV. Shepherd 1. A. Blackmail 2. Double (10) : D. ITay and Son 1. R. AA'. Shepherd 2. Three blooms, Lord Roberts: \Y. Dandy 1, AA'. G. Hoyle 2.