HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1833, 26 February 1869, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Horticultural Society held its last exhibition of the season tin Coker'e gardens yesterday. The excellent arrangements made by the committee were aided by lovely weather; and the show passed : ;off most successfully. The gates were opened at noon, and for the first three hours, during which the price of admission was half-a-crown, the number of visitors might very easily be counted, but at three o'clock, the entrance fee was reduced to a shilling, and people began to pour in rapidly, so that by five the gardens were crowded, and during the evening up to ten o'clock, when the gites were closed, there I was constantly a large'dssemblagein the grounds. About £38 was taken at the gates, while a considerable number of persona gained admission by members' tickets. Taking these /acts as a basis for calculation, from 900 to 1000 people must have visited the show. The CYC. and Orphanage bands had been engaged for the occasion and played some nice selections on the lawn; while the zoological collections seemed, to exeito a live]y inferest amongst a large section of the visitors. In the evening the gardens were lighted up by coloured lamps. Gentlemen desirous of "refreshing"—and the heat of the day rendered such a desire very excusable—had of course every facility for doing so at Coker's, while creature comforts were provided for ladies in a tent. Altogether, there were plenty of ways cf passing a few hours pleasantly. The flowers were exhibited in a large marquee upon a central and side and epd table?. -The display, especially' when the.lateness of the season is taken into account, was a very good one, and creditable to both professionals and amateur exhibitors, though the former were far in advance of the latter. Perhaps tho beat show was that of indoor plants, and in this class Messrs Duncan and Son stood pre-eminent. They had a beautiful collection of half-a-dozen fine-foiiaged plants, comprising elegans, Begonia Helenor Udlier and Baronne (POustinoff\ Calathea zebrina Coleiw VersckajfeUii a.n& Wojfii t andtp this was justly awarded a first prize. Amongst their exhibits was also a Ciss-us discolor, a Java plant, which attracted universal attention, and won the prize offered, for a "rare

planr." Wβ believe it took n pmo at tho Melbourne show last year. Mr W.Wison mado a very creditable cUplay m tins class., though a good deal inferior to Messrs Duncan's j sa?o in greenhouse plants, for which Mr Wilson took the first prize. \\ o must remark upon the number of begonias exhibited, most of them very nice specimens. There was a table at the end of the marquee covered with indoor plants rawed by Mr Or. Gould. The collection was really splendid and received the commendation of the judges, who could not award it a prize owing to its being sent in only for exhibition. A collection of ferns (native and exotic) exhibited by Duncan and Son attracted much attention, and at ils side was another excellent display by Mr W. Wilson. A well-arranged collection sent in for exhibition by Mr J. B. Armstrong was highly commended by the judges. There was a considerable number of fuechias shown by different persons, but their quality was scarcely equal to their quantity. Mr W. Norman was the largest and most successful exhibitor ; and also took the chief prizes for fiue-foliaged plants. A first prize for a specimen plant (undefined) given to amateurs was awarded to a fuschia raised by Mr Crooks chiefly remarkable for its deep colors. Bothgeraniume and balsams were indifferent; while petunias were' conspicuous by their absence. There was a good deal of competition in cut flowers. One bouquet, shown by Mr Hawkes, was remarkable for a fine magnolia bloom in the centre. A display of cut gladioli blooms, sent in for exhibition by Duncan and Son, was highly commanded. Amongst the various objects of interest in the tent was an elegant specimen of a true Adiantum capillus veneris fern, shown by Mrs Whitcombe, but not included in the competition; and also a nice little collection of seedling tricolor pelargoniums, from tho gardens of Mr John Greenaway. A Caladium esculentum was a conspicuous object on the central table ; and we also noticed a handsome variety of the Phormhim tenax. Tho fruit and vegetables were disposed on tables in Coker'd theatre. In this department the professionals were decidedly beaten by the amateurs ; but the- whole display was highly meritorious. The largest show was that of apples. Mr J. Josling, of Northbrook nursery, Rangiora, has sent a collection of no loss than sixty sorts, but not for competition. Mr Blake's special prize for the best collection of fruit wa3 given to Mr J. W. Trounce, whose tray was an object of interest to every visitor. • His plums (about a dozen sorts) were particularly admired. A similar collection sent in for exhibition by Mr Hawkes also deserves mention. Mr Lord was the chief exhibitor of grapes, and the few bunches which he showed all of the rod variety, but they'were so fine, ono weighing 4 lbs l-J ozs, that the rules laid down for observance in the competition for Mr W. Wilson's prize were relaxed in his favour. The show of peaches wa3 but poor, it being perhaps rather early for a large display. In the class " vegetables" there was only a small display of potatoes, chiefly kidney j but the tubers generally were fairly shaped. To a few sent from the Orphanage the judges awarded an extra prize. A good deal of attention was bestowed by the visitors upon two beau-tifully-ehaped cucumbers grown by Mr 11. Spicer; and also upon a fine bunch of celery from the same nursery. There were some nice parsnips and one or two good collections of mixed vegetables on tho professional eide. i Mr W. Wilson sent in for exhibition a very large cucumber, and also a couple of wellshaped vegetable marrows. The judges were—Messrs Webb and Armstrong, for pot; plants ; Messrs Chudley, Bunting, and Turner, for cut flowers; and Messrs Ivory, Wilson, and Barker, for fruit and vegetables. Their awards are subjoined. We hare to thank Mr Greenaway, the secretary, and Mc J. O. St Quentin for their courtesy in supplying U3 with information. PilliziH LIST. NTJB3EBYMBN AND GaBDENEBS' DePABTMENT. TOT PLANTS. j Four Stove Plants; in flower, varieties—lst prize, Duncan And Son j 2nd do, W Wilson. : .Six Greenhouse Plants, in flower, varieties .—lst prize* W Wilson ; 2nd do, Dunoan and Son. .-.■■. ' . ..;. -.■:.■■ ■ ■■■.•■... Six Fine Foliaged—lst prize, Duncan and Son j 2nd do,; W Wilson.. ; One Finest or Rare Plant — Ist prize, Duncan arid Son ; 2nd do, W Wilson. Twelve Fine Foliaged or Flowering Planted staged for effect—let prize, Duncan and Son ; 2nd do, J G ITawkes. . Six Fuschias, varieties—lst prize, Duncan and Son r 2nd do, W Wilson. : Three Fusohias, prize, W Norman ; 2nd do, W Wilson. ' ■One Fuschia — Ist prize, Duncan and Son. : ' ■ Six Geraniums, varieties—let prize, Duncan and Son ; 2nd do, W Wilson. , Four Balsams, varieties —let prize, J Greenaway. .•■;;• .;■'■■ ■; : ;/ Twelve Ferns, varieties—let prize, Duncan and Son ; 2nd do, W Wilson. The- judges highly commended the collection of greenhouse, stove, and fine foliaged plants exhibited by G Gould, Esq. (gardener, Mr Davidson); also, a select collection of fine foliaged plants, ferns, and geraniums exhibited by Messrs Duncan and Son. They further considered that the collection of seedling tricolor pelargoniums exhibited by Mr John Greenaway were worthy of special mention, it being a branch of floriculture they desire to see encouraged. A collection of ferns sent for exhibition only by Mr J. B. Armstrong was also highly commended by the judges. There wero no entries for Cockscombs, Petunias, or Lilia. CtTT FLOWEB3. Twelve Gladioli, varieties—let prize, Duncan and Son. Twelve Hollyhocks, six varieties, two blooms of each—lst prize, JGHawkea. Twelve Verbenas, six varieties, tliree trusses of each-—lst prize, W Wilson. Twelvo Asters, at leaat six varieties—lst prize, J Mc William. Collection of Cut- Bloome, twelve.: species hardy— Ist prize, X McFarlane, j un. Tabla Bouquet—lst prize, JQ- Hawkes ; 2nd do, H Spicer; 3rd do, E, McFerlane, jun. Hand Bouquet—lst prize, Duncan and fc>on; 2nd do, B McFarlane; 3 do, J G Hawkcs. Floral Device—let prize, II Spicer. Some cut gladioli sent in for exhibition by Duncan and Son were highly commended. There were no entries for rosea, dahlias, or stocks. ' FBTJIT. Two M ? lon 8 -l 8 t prize, 0 Eaton 3 2nd do, D Naira j 3rd do, J Allea.

3 Two Bandies of orapea—lsf i 2nd do, J Miirelmian. Pnzc >* lord; Twelvo Pprtchoe—lst prize* JW * s 2nd do E Barker; 3rd d->, T Wiir ° Unce i tr-ix Neoturines-lat prize, J \vT' 2nd do, \V Turner. W ir <Hmee ; Six Apricots—lst priz,», J\y T Twelve Pears, five varieties—l*f « • Cashbolt ; 2nd do, Mrs Denne. ****>% Twelve Plums—lst prize, JW m 2nd do, C W Turner ; 3rd do, lire C* 6,,, ' Collection of Fruit - l. Trounce; 2nd do, T Deans. Utf i "its wnl c . cliou ° f SheU !>*•, w VEGETABLES. Cabbages, Bed-Ist pr i ze> F .j q^ Two Cauliflowers—2nd prize, J Allen Two Savoys—lst prize. II Spicer • ''" i , J G Hawkes ; 3rd do, W Gibbe ' d °» W^bbf , " 7-13 ' PriZo> "^.Snddo, t S h pT e ° Beet ~ lßt P rize ' H s Fcor j 2nd do J G- Hawkes. uo » Sis Parsnips-lst prize, W G-ibbs: 2nd tin J Allen. uy » Six Lettiicce—lafc prize, J Allen. 8k Turnips-let prize, J G Uawkee • 2nl do, II Spicer. ' 1U Six Carrots—lst prize, J Guntrip • 2nA rU H Spicer ; 3rd do, J G Hawkoe. ' ' Fifty Poda Pcas-lst prize, J Alien- Sad do, H Spicer. Fifty Pods French Beans—be n P i 7n * McFarlane; 2nd do, II Spicer. ' & Twenty-five Poda Ilunner Beana—lat twm C W Turner ; 2nd do, W Gibbs. P ' Twenty-five Pods Broad or Longpod-l 3 f prize, J G Hawkes ; 2nd do, J Allen. Twelve Potatoes, round—lst prize 0 W Turner ; 2nd do, It McFarlane. ' Twelve Potatoes,Kidney— lst prize, JGhs n , trip ; 2nd do, R MeFarlane, jun. Twelve Onions—H Spicer j 2nd do "f Gibbe. ' Six Leeks—lst prize, E MeFarlau ; 2nd do, J Or Hawkes. Collection of Vegetables, not less than tk sorts—lst prize, H Spicer j 2nd do, W Gibbs3rd do, J G Hawkes. ' Salad—lst prize, H Spicer. Honey in Comb—lst prize, David Craw. Amateur Department, pot plantß. Three Greenhouse I lants, in flovvei', varieties —Ist prize, H Crooks ; 2nd do, \V Noman. One Specimen Plant, in flower—lst prize, S Crooks. Four Fine Foliaged Plants, varieties—lal prize, W Norman; 2nd do, H Crookej 3rd do, F T Adams. Six Fine Foliuged or Flowering, varietieslet prize, W Norman ; 2nd do, H Crooks, Four varieties— Ist prize, W Norman ; 2nd do, H Crooka. One Fuschia—let prize, W Norman j 2nd prize, J A E St Quentin Four Geraniums, varieties—lst prize, W Norman ; 2nd do, H Crooks Three Balsanae, varieties—lst prize, 1? f Adams ; 2nd do, J A E St Quontin. Two Lilia—lst prize, W Norman. Nine Ferns —let prize, H Crooke j 2nd do, A. Ollivier. The judges appended a noto to thoir report that a collection of thirty ferns and find" foliaged plants, exhibited by Mr J'BArm* strong, were very i.iccly grown and worthy oi' particular notice. CUT ELOWEIta. Six Dahlias, varieties—lst prize, W iSIoi ,, man; 2nd do, Bobert Macfarlane; 3svi do, 3), Craw. Eight Gladioli, -— Ist prize, H Crooks. Six verbenas, varieties, tihreo trusses ia earl. , —Ist prize, J ; AB St. Quentin j Zad do,E Crooks; 3rd do, G- Gordon. Sjs varieties —Ist prize, H Ctooks. Six Stocks, at least throe rariotiea —le'prize, P Davis. Six Marigolds, three African, throe French —lefc prize, W Norman ; 2nd do, J A'B BS Quentin; 3rd do, D Nairn. Collection of Cut Blooms, twelve speoto, hardy—let prize, W Norman; 2ad do, P Craw j 3rd do, H Crooka. Table Bouquet—let prize, Thomas Williams ; 2nd do, H Caelibolc. Hand Bouquet—let prize, A MagHlj do, Master W Potts. 3?IIUIT. Two Bunchos of Grapes, .out«daOt-rXs' prize, D Nairn ; 2nd do, H Crooks. Twelve Peaches—lafc prizes, H. Crooks j 2nd do, S Jackman. Six Apricots—2nd prize, 1) Nairn. Twelve Apples, Table, three varieties '■&&■' of each—let prize, B Macfarlane | 2giAMP i Jackman. Twelve Apples, Kitchen, three varieties, four of each—lst prize. X Macfadaao} 2fl» do, OWigzel. Twelve Pears—lst prize, X Macfartej 2nd prize, II Crooks. Twelve Plums—lst prizo, S' Jackman j. 8m do, O Wigzel. " Colloction of Fruit—lst prizo, II Cr<K>fc>i 2nd do, R Maefurlune ; 3rd do, H Cashbolt, There were no entries of nectarines or. ehw fruit. VBGETABLrS. Two Cucumbers—lst prize, J Twmftm®*' 2nd do, H Crooka. 7. Two Cabbages—let prize, S Jackman j 2ca do, B McFarlane. Two Cabbages, Red—lst prize, J WBftlftl 2nd do, — Glassford. •■•„•■; Two Savoys—lst prize, JAE 8b Qcenbo* Six Celery—lat prize, W Wheeler; 2fld dOi • S Jackman. ~ ; - ■ Three Beet—let prizo, S Jackman j 2fid% • Bj McFarlane. Six Parsnips— Ist prize, JAE St Qaontio; 2nd do, D Nairn. . Six Carrota—lst prize, H Crooks; 2adclo ? ' G Gordon ; 3rd do, J Wlmlo. _ „- Fifty Pods Peaa—let prize, JA * J Quentin j 2nd do, J Twontjman ; 3rd do, * McFarlane, jun. ■ . t. Fifty Pods French Beans—lst P"f» 4 Twenty man j 2nd do, H Crooks ; Srd do, W Gordon. . Twenty-five Pods Banner Beans-Ist W C Wigzel; 2nd do, S Jackman. tt Twenty-five Pods Broad and prize, X McFarlane. ~ r Twelve Potatoes, Eound-lst | Hancock; 2nd do, H Crooks j 3rd do, •» Whale.

Twelve Potatoes, kidney—lst prize, J Han««k ; 2nd do, H Crooks. Twelve Onions—let prize, J Twentyman ; •n«» do J Jones ; 3rd do, G Craw. Six Leeke-let prize, S Jackman. ruction of Vegetables, six sorts—lst prize, S Jackman ; 2nd do J A B St Quentin. Salad—let P" ze > H Crooks. Tte judgee awarded an extra puze to the children of the Orphanage for a collection of P °Tbere were no entries of cauliflowers, lettuces, turnips. Extba Prizes. A prize of two guineas for the best four bunches of grapee, given by Mr W Wilson, President of the Society, was awarded to Mr Lord. The following were the conditions laid down for competitors:— 1 More than one variety desirable. 2. Must be thoroughly ripe and perfectly coloured with seeds fully matured in the berries. 3. •Large shoulders dieproportioned to the eize of the bunch to be deemed a defect. 4. Berries of the bunch to be at least fully equal to the tnowo average size of the variety shown. 5. Superiority of flavour to be a first considera""it WW, however, thought advisable to relax the conditions somewhat on the present occasion, but we are informed they will be rigorously enforced at the next competition for the prize. A prize of £2 2s for the best collection of tropical plants, given by Mr E. Keece, was awarded to Messrs Duncan and Son. Of three open prizes offered by Duncan and Son for the best six fuechias of recent introduction into the province only the first, of £1, was awarded, Mr W Norman being the Of three prizes offered by Mr J. G. Ruddenklau for the best table bouquets exhibited by boys under fifteen years of age, two were awarded thus :—lst prize, R McFarlane ; 2nd do, F. St. Quentin. Three prizes were given by Mr Greenaway, the eecretary of the society, for the beet hand bouquet exhibited by girls under fifteen ; and were awarded as follow :—lst prize, Miss E. M Norman; 2nd do, Mies Mary St Quentinj 3rd do, Mies E. Hislop. Btr J. W. H. Blake gave a prize of £1 Iβ for the best collection of fruit (apples and peare not to exceed twelve varieties of each, and three of each variety), which was taken by Mr J. W. Trounce.