CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 3

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

The Christchurcb Horticultural Society's Show of chtjsintbemnms and 'outdoorgown grapes, held last evening in Coo .eon's immercial Hotel, was in two or three respects a marked improvement on any that nave preceded it. Altaougb well grown and very choice flowers of this description are by no means scarce in the gardens in and around Christchurcb, still some of the exhibits of tbis year are ao incomparably superior to any that have been abown before aa to justify tbe opinion generally expressed that it was the most successful winter show yet aeen in Christchurch. A great deal of the success in the production of such perfect blooms aa were awarded first prizes by tbe judges is undoubtedly due to tbe system of allowing bnt one bloom to grow on a single stem, and to the extra care used in protecting tbe plant from tbe inclemenoy of the weather. The gem of the show was the exhibit sent by Mr A. Forsyth, of Oamaru, who baa been for many years, both in England and Canterbury, a moat indefatigable and painstaking grower of chrysanthemums. Mr Forsyth's stand of twelve flowering chrysanthemums was as near perfection as it is possible to produce the flowers. For size, perfection of shape, compactness, and color, they met with universal approval, and the verdict of tbe judges waa unanimously endorsed by the visitors to the exhibition. Tbe secret of bis success was his system of well nursing tbe plant, protecting it from tbe weather, and the removal of all but one bloom from tbe stem. These conditions complied with, there is no reason wby similar success should not attend the local growers of tbis favorite and justly admired flower. Tbe local exhibits snowed an improvement on former efforts, not ao much in tbe aggregate of tiie stands, but in the perfection of many of the choice blooms of which they were composed, and the novelties in the shape of fresh varieties for the first time introduced in Christchurch. In tbe variety of pompones no rule hod been laid down by tbe committee as to whether it was arbitrary to. exhibit them in single blooms or in clusters, which occasioned 'the {judges much difficulty in accurately judging them, although their awards were nevertheless pretty generally approved of. Messrs Greenaway, Ashton, and Nairn and Son, had some very choice exhibits both of chrysanthemum, and pompones. Mr 3. W. Leigh contributed a stand, for exhibition only, ol the following twelve varieties, all choice and nicely grown :—Sunflower, Jardin dee Plantes, Queen of Lilac, Alfred Salter, Orange, Annie Salter, Empress of India, W. H. Morgan, Plenipo, Mrs Murray, Duke of Edinburgh, Anelis, and Princess Louise. Mr Ashton had a very nice stand of blooms, comprising the following varieties :—Empress of India, Lady Hardinge, Jardin dcs Plantes, Guernsey Nugget, Queen of England (new), Rifleman, and Miaa Nightingale (new). Mr Greenaway's exhibit of eighteen varieties of pompones and chrysanthemums was also greatly admired. Mr Spicer's mixed stand of chrysanthemums and pompones were also particularly excellent. A Tery handsome bouquet, exhibited by Mr E. Watts, a contributor for the first time, attracted attention from the taste displayed in the placing of the blooms and the juxtaposition and blending of the colors. The exhibits of grapes were not numerous, but some fine bunches were much approved, noticeably one of Mr Spicer's, weighing 41bs, their color might have been better, but, considering the lateness of the season, it was a remarkably fine exhibit. There was a difference of opinion as to the merits of the exhibits of grapes that obtained first and second prizes, and certainly the one that gained the second prize more resembled fruit grown under glass than outdoor cultivated, nevertheless, the latter was the fact, and many thought it should have carried off the first honors. By tbe way, mention most not be omitted of Cookson's fine chrysanthemum bouquet, which as a centre-piece, in a handsome vase, attracted attention. A fine i dish of late psaa (an extra exhibit) waa sent by Allen and Son. A novelty was also ex- ; hibited in the shape of two exhibits of an Alpine plant named Cerastium tomentoeum, used in England for decorative purpossa on beds, as grown in hncs it presents a very pretty appearance. There were also two cases of painted specimens of the Fuchsia splendens major, and of the variegated musk, raised from seed of the old green musk, in j 1878, by John Dutton. These were simply carious. The following is the PRIZE LIST. Judges—Messrs E. 0. J. Stevens, Andrew Duncan, Crooke, and Jonea. OPKJT CLASS. Twelve large flowering chrysanthemums. Mr A. Forsyth, Oamaru, I; J. Greenaway, two stands equal, 2. Twelve i chrysanthemum pompones. J. Greenaway, 1 and 2. AMATEUR CLASS. Twelve large flowering chrysanthemums. John Ashton, 1. No second prize. Six chrysanthemum pomponea. E. Watt, 1. No second prize. GRAPES. special prize, Given by Mr E. Garland. Two bunches black Hambro grapes, out-door grown. E. Garland. 1; C. Marsh, 2. SPECIAL PRIZE, Given by Mr Charles Kiver, jun. Two bunches of white grapes, out-door grown. C. Kiver, 1. No second prize. The judges remarked that the chrysanthemums grown by Mr Forsyth were by far the ! finest ever seen in Christchurch, and probably the finest ever exhibited in New Zealand. To give the public an opportunity of seeing these remarkable productions, Mr Greenaway, to whom they were consigned, will send them to Mr Duncan's shop, who has kindly consented to allow them to be exhibited in his window.