HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2813, 8 May 1872, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

A meeting of the committee of the Horticultural Society was held last evening at Coker's Hotel. Present—E. C. J. Stevens, (in the chair). M'William, M'Gill, Spicer, St.- Qnentin, Reed, Crooks, Turner, Smith, Collins, Nairn, Greenaway, Jackman, Ashton, and Newman (secretary). The second show was fixed to take place on Boxing Day. With regard to the third show, Mr Greenaway moved —•' That the third show take place on the last Thursday in February." Mr Nairn moved as an amendment — " That the show take place on the first Thursday in March."

The votes being equal, the chairman gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment, which was therefore carried, and the third show was fixed for the first Thursday in March.

The prize schedule was then considered for the first show on November Oth.

Mr Nairn suggested that it would be better to remit the arrangement of the pr.ze schedule to a small sub-committee, who could report to the general committee. General members, objected to this, and ultimately, Mr Greenaway moved—"'That the President read the items seriatim, and that the last year's schedule be the basis upon which to so." which wasag r eedto. Mr Nairn moved—That the whole of the prizes for the first show be made open to all, aud not divided into two classes as before, because by making the two classes the number of exhibitors was greatly reduced, and it would be much more honor for a man to take prizes in an open competition instead of against only one or two.

Mr Smith seconded the motion pro jornia, to elicit the opinion of the committee. Mr Ashton moved as an amendment that there be an amateur class fox pot plants only in the first show. Mr Nairn's proposition was negatived on being put. and Mr Ashton "s amendment was withdrawn.

An extra prize for three pelargoniums in the open class pot plants, first prize ss, jukl second prize 2s 6d. was inserted on the motion of Mr Greenaway. On the motion of Mr Spicer a third prize of 3s was added to the item " verbenas " in the open class. Mr Greenaway moved "That an additional item of six pansies grown in pots, first prize sd, second 3s, be added to the open class of the schedule," which was agreed to, and on the motion of Mr Nairn a third prize of 2s was agreed to. Mr Greenaway then moved '• That the item of six miscellaneous plants in flower, first prize ss, second do 3s.

b'j hhocti tv tht? " open-chrss;" —Tvlnetr-mry agreed to. The following additi^ - to t "pen class were also made—Tl. aur : . (in flower), first ..prize. 5s ; s_.:.j..d uo. Oil. Best basket or box of K;Hn:;_ r out plants grown in pots, the box basket not. to exceed 2ft. 6iu. by 20in : the prizes Ijeiiig

10s, 6s, and 4s. The number of prizes in this class was increased-from sixteen to twentyone by the additions made.

In the next class, pot plants for am.iteurs only, the following alti rutior.a and α-lilicions were made—The prizes in tho priT.-piiums nil through were altered to 4s :i:id L's t>d for the first and second prize? r -siKctivi ]y : in the item double gpiauhims the number of plauts no be shown was increased to three from two; in cinerarias, the first and second prizes were reduced to 4s and 2s 6d respectively : the prizes for calceolarias beiag similarly reduced. The number of fuschias was increased from two to three.

Ou the motion of Mr Nairn the item of four roses in pots, first prize, 6s, aud second prize, 3e, was added to this class ;as also was the item nine native ferns, first prize, ss, and second do, 2s 6d.

Mr Ashton then moved that where private prizes are given for any item in the schedule, it shall not be open to an exhibitor to show the same kind of exhibit for both the society's and the private prize.

Mr Crooks seconded the motion, which was lost on a division.

Iα cut flowers, Mr Ashton moved that .his class be open to all.

Mr Turner seconded the motion, which was carried.

The following alterations were made iri the Gardeners' Class :—Pansies, eighteen instead of twelve ; twelve tulips (at least six varieties), first prize, 6s, aud second, 4s, were added to this class. Also twelve sweetwilliams (not less than six varieties), first prize, 3s, aud second, 2s ; collection of cut blooms (twelve varieties), first prize, 6s, second, 4s.

'On the motion of Mr Spicer the regulation of the size of the table bouquet was struck out. and the words "without wires" were added. The prizes for table bouquet were altered to os and 3s for first and second prizes respectively.

In the next class, amateurs, the following additions were made—Six tulips (varieties) first prize 4s, second do 2s 6d ; the priz° for sweetwilliams were reduced to 3s and 2s respectively.

Ou the motion of Mr Spicer the same rule with regard to the hand bouquet in this claes as in the gardeners' class, was agreed to.

A collection of cut blooms (twelve species) first prize 4s, and second do 2s 6d, The items in the fruit and vegetable classes were taken as last. year, the only additions being strawberries in pots—first prize 6s, and second do 4s ; salad, first prize 3s, second do 2s.

Mr Greenaway then moved—" That a subcommittee, consisting of Messrs Turner, Reed, Nairn, Collins, and the mover, be ap-

pointed, to draw up the remaining schedules for the season, to report to the general committee on Thursday fortnight." The motion was agreed to.

A letter was read from Mr J. M. Smith, stating that, subject to the opinion of the committee, he wished the £5 offered by him for prizes, to be divided as follows: Ist prize, £3, to the amateur taking the largest, and £2 to the second largest prize-taker, during the season. He stated that he was not wedded to this or any other disposition of the money, but would be glad to accede to the suggestions of the committee.

It was resolved A hat Mr Smith's recommendation as to the disposal of the prizes be accepted, but that the secretary see him and suggest that the prizes should be given for the greatest number of points calculated on the usual conditions.

It was also resolved that the secretary see Mr W. Wilson relative to the reading of an essay at the next monthly meeting. The meeting then adjourned.