THE CANTERBURY ROSE SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8963, 29 November 1894, Page 5

THE CANTERBURY ROSE SOCIETY.

Aβ the first show of this Society, formed ~ during last winter as an offahoot and auxiliary of the Horticultural Society,, will take place on Wednesday, sth December, in the Art Gallery, a few remarks ; on the Society and its objects may not be out of place. A considerable 7 number of amateur and professional rose growers have seen with dissatisfaction that for some years past insufficient encouragement has been given to the growing and showing of roses, and felt that an effort ought to be made to' at least restore that branch of horticulture in Canterbury to the position it formerly occupied. The recollection of the beautiful displays of rosea that we used to see when the late Mr Greenaway and Messrs Murray-Aynsley, G. A. Beade, B. Triggs, and others were . regular exhibitors, has led to the conclusion that every attempt should be made to give the public an opportunity o.f seeing.exhibits wortfiy of the name. As an instance may be taken the Rose Show some years since, held at Mr Warner's hall, when, amongst many admirable exhibits, no lees than .thirteen stands of tvrelve tea-roses were shown, not one of whicn was leta than creditable. The chief objects of the Society are to promote the growing of roses by as many people a> possible, the exhibition of rosea, - and through it an acquaintance with the best, varieties, and the results that can bo arrived at in each variety. Also, to establish rigid accuracy in the naming of varieties ahowq, to encourage in every way the. .cultivation of the best kinds.

The official catalogue, of exhibition rosea prepared and issued by the Society contains every variety recognised in England as a " show r08t., , ' with, one exception. A few bave been added in consequence of their having given good results hero. ' It> may be hoped that the newspapers will publish the official catalogue as a guide to exhibitors at the Show aud to intending planters next winter. ■ Now as to the coming Show. . Membership posts only 5s a year. % Those who do nob wish to be members can nevertheless exhibit on payment of Iβ for each stand exhibited.. Members of the Horticultural Society are, of course, free of the Rose Society. The. schedule.- is of a moat liberal and inviting otiarv aoter. Nurserymen are entirely separated from amateurs. Whilst there is every encouragement given to exhibitors with large collections, every inducement is held out to those who have only a. few roses. It is earnestly hoped that everyone who has a good bloom, or two. or three, if only of one kind; on the show day, will compete in one of the numerous places arranged in the schedule to meet suoh cases. , .

The Committee trust that every one," whether amateur or professional, will epar« no pains to make the Rose Show a saocew. The example set last year by the Ghr£> * santhemum Club has greatly stimulated the cultivation of chrysanthemums, and there, can be no reason why the woik of the Rose Society should not be equally successful, JEL C. J. Stevbns, November 28th.