HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SPRING SHOW.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10150, 24 September 1898, Page 4

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SPRING SHOW.

President, Mr R. Heaton Rhodes; hon. secreary. Mr L. Cockayne; chairman of corriittee, Dr. E, G. LeTingeThe Spring Show of the Horticultural Sodety P Sa? opeiied yesterday afternoon by his Worship the Mayor Prior to the opening Mr Oock avne theHon. Secretary, presented the Koixi and Mrs Hcaton Rhodes «f» iinyoa» IT a«ffndils. The posies very hapS^rompld a Tblending It W <""* gr&n";Te posies being tied up with green 11 HhVWorship the Mayor said that he was yeS pKldecd, to open so excellent a shoTvt one which deserved, as it would no Subt'receive, the hearty and liberal patronaec of the Christchurch people, lhe Christ Sell Horticultural Society, undei whose Sices the show of that day was held, had risen Phamuc like from its own ashes and having been re-constituted had now before it every prospect- of a lengthy and prosperous existence They had only to look around at EmSSb numbei of 'beautiful exhibits to sco how far already the socictv had succeeded. The show was a Very excellent- one indeed, and reflected very great .credit on the society. He would have wished to dilate upon the subject of the, importance ot cultivating, amongst the people, a love for the beautiful as shown in flowers, but they were uo doubt impatient to see the exhibits, and therefore he would now declare the. Exhibition open and wish it every success. Coming to the show proper, Air Jones, Exeter Nurseries, had an excellent display in the nurserymen's class for the prizes given by Mr R. H. Rhodes for a group of plants staged for effect. Over 150 different varieties were comprised in the exhibit, and it was very artistically displayed. Messrs Nairn and Sons had also a good collection, including daffodils, narcissi, palms, Japanese maples, zonal pelargoniums, double tulips, &c. Mr J. G. Davis had a collection of tulips for exhibition, which were much admired, and specially commended by the judges. The same exhibitor had a grand collection of narcissi cut blooms, which took first prize in the class. These were some fine specimens of Sir Watkin, Sulphureus Plenus, Colloen Bawn, Mary Anderson, and Orange Phoenix. Mr D. Craw, who came second, had amongst others, fine specimens of Stella, Newton and Courantus. Mr Davis had also a very fine collection of cut blooms of hardy flowers, and his six new narcissi included Dr. Hogg, Johnstonei, Duchess of Connaught, Re Umberto, and Snowflake. Mr Jones had an excellent show of daffodils for exhibition only, which were highly commended. These included very fine Maximus and Sii Watkin, Princeps and Major were also very good. In the amateur class Mr R. H. Rhodes came first with a fine collection of narcissi, included in which were good specimens of Albus Plena Amantis, Sir Watkin, Golden Prince, Karoline Krooms, Emperor, Horsfieldi, and Lcedsi. The same exhibitor in the class for twelve narcissi varieties had nood specimens of M. J. Barkley, Emperor, and Glory of Levden. Miss Biggs, in the class for six narcissi, had good specimens ol Mary and Hercules.» The same exhibitor had a nice stand in the class for collections, but the flowers were unnamed. Mr Donaldson had good specimens of Princeps, Cynosure, and Emperor. Miss F. Biggs, in the class for narcissi of recent introduction, had Saragossa, Marvel, Gem, C. A. Backhouse, and Karoline Kroom, Dr. Levinge took the first prize for group of plants in the amateur class, and also for the besu collection of ferns, coming second to Dr. Dendv for the best collection of New Zealand alpine plants. Hon. EC. J. Stevens sent a very fine collection of varieties of hyacinths, which took first prize. Mr R.H.. Rhodes had an excellent collection of primroses and polyanthuses, in which for the first time in New Zealand blue primroses were exhibited, one light blue variety and the other dark. Miss Packhams exhibit was a most excellent one, both primroses and polyanthuses, being large and well bloomed. A pot of Lachenalia grown by Mr Parsons,'on jadoo fibre, attracted much attention from it's beauty. Mr Cockayne 9 two exhibits of Alpine plants and daffodils were the features of the show, lhe former included one hundred different species of New Zealand and European alpine plants, all at 3000 ft altitude. The New Zealanders are pretty well known, but there are a nuntier of European varieties, including Asiatic and North American, Amongst these may be noted tho Cashmere primrose, the birdseye primrose, and a pretty little daffodil from Portugal, sent to Mr Cockayne from the Coimbra University. The Fritillarias from Central Asia and an iris from the Central Asian" desert are well worth looking at, as also are some specimens of wild tulips. Mr Cockayne also exhibits a very interesting collection of rare flowering shrubs, principally from Japan and Siberia. There are seven entries for the table decoration prizes, which are to be awarded by a plebiscisp of those attending the show. Six of these are in the prevailing note, of spring colour—white and yellow—daffodils, narcissi and snowdrops being used. The exception was a table prettily and artistically decorated with'two ■different colours ofpyrus japonica. The competition for tho hand bouquets made by school children is very keen. Thi?" competition is not yet decided. ' -

The following is the prize list: — Class' I.—Nurserymen: Group of plants, staged for effect, IW. Jones. Best collection of Narcissi ,1- and-3,-J. G. Davis; 2D. Craw. Six Narcissi of recent introduction, 1 \T. G. Davis, -"est collection of hardy flowers, 1 J. G. Davis, 2 D. (Jraw. Clasi 2—Amateurs: Group of plants, sto-ged for effect, 1 Dr. Levinge. Best collection of ferns, 1 Dr. Leving*. Twenty foui New Zealand Alpine plant;?, 1 Dr. A. Dendy, 2 Dr. Levinge, 3 J. D. Barker highly commended. Best collection New Zealand Vercnicas, i Dr. Leviage, 2 J.'-D. Barker. Best collection of Narcissi, 1 R. H. Rhodes (gardener, A. E. Low), 2 F. Biggs, 3 E. 0. J. Steven?. Twelve Narcissi, IR. E. Rhodes, 2F. Biggs. Six Narcissi—l, F. Biggs; 2, C. M. Ollivier. Best Collection Narcissi (recent- introduction)—!, F. Biggs; 2, J. 08. Beckett. Six Hyacinths—l, li. C. J. Stevens. Best Collection Primroses and Polyanthuses—l, R. H; Rhodes; 2, Miss K. Packham. Best Collection Hardy Bulbous %>t Tuberous Plants (excluding Daffodils and Hyacinths) —i, J. 08. Uecketet. Beat Collection Hardy Flowers—l, J. O'Bsekstt. ■.'2, Ei? C. J. Stevens. Best Collieption Australian Plants—l, Dr. Levinge. Three Bulbous d" Tuberous Plants —1, C. Carmichael. Be-t. Collection of Narcissi (twelve vaxieties) — 1, Miss Biggs; 2, R. M. Donaldson. Six Narcissi —1, Miss Biggs; 2, R. M. Donaldson; 3, J. E. Garland. Six Hyacinths— 1, Miss Biggs; 2, R. M. Donaldson. Best Collection of Bulbous or Tuberous Plants (other than Narcissi) —1, R. M. Donaldson. Best Collection twelve distinct Hardy Flowers—l, C. M. Ollivier. Decorative Exhibits—Two baskets flowers: 1? Miss HildaMclntyre; 2. Miss M. Cholmondeley. Three vases Daffodils, arranged'''with own foliage: 1, CM. Ollivier: 2, 3KH. Bonnefct; 3, Miss Hilda Melnfcyra Special Prize for Shrubs—J. 08. Beckett 79 points, Sunnyside Asylum 6V points.

The Garden Competition, for the prizes offered by the/Beautifying Association, resulted as under. The conditions were as follows:—For the best-kept garden, of most pleasing general effect, as viewed from ths footpath. Points to be given as follows: — Ease of view 20 points, general effect 20 points, neatness 20 points; total 60. The award of the judges, Messrs G. H. Elliot and J. Jo;yce, was as follows:—lst prize, J. G. MitehiDSOD, Aikman's 'road, 52 points; equal seennd, Miss Pheney, Richmond, and Mrs R. Hardie, Lancaster Park street, 50 points; commended, F. Wilcox, Sydenham; E. Evans, Lower Riccarton; A. Caxrick, Park Terrace; H. Roberts, Auanan's toad; .Miss Moore, Park Terrace, highest award for general effect. The judges stated in their report that they had difficulty 'in- doing justice to the various competitors oa account of the rules laid down in awarding the prizes. They found that most of the competitors lost a good many points on account of the gardens being more cr less hidden from view by. the fence. They, considered it unfair foi those gardsss to lose so many points on that account, as they found that somecf thote most, hidden were the best gardens. Mention, might be mado.of Mr Fleming's garden, in Stanmore road, which, though almost completely hidden from view from the footpath and thus placed

out of the competition, was yet one of the best and exceedingly interesting. They would also suggest that the competition be divided into two classes. 1. For cottage gardens, not exceeding haH an acre in extent, and tended entirely by the occupier. 2. In villa gardens from half an acre upwards. It would be advisable to have the gardens competing as uniform in size as possible, as it seemed.an injustice to Compel One occupying a small plot of ground tc rely on his own unaided efforts, tc compete with the owner of a large garden where- professional labour is employed. If the committee adopted some modification of the rules in the direction indicated, the competition would not only be more successful, but a much larger number would compete, and the judging would be facilitated. Referring to the gardens in detail, the judges were pleased to. find that the wholo of the twenty-four entered were very creditable in general neatness and effectiveness, the smaller ones rivalling the largei ones in bloom, whilst the latter excelled in general effect.

The photographs of the various gardens visited by the .judges were on view in tho show yesterday, and attracted a good deal of attention.

The following exhibits amongst others wer6 for exhibition only:—L. Cockayne, wild daffodils, exotic and native alpine plants, 110 named varieties of daffodils. J. G. Davis, orchids. Nairn and Sons, collection of pot plants, including good Japanese maples and zonal pelargoniums. Cracroft Wilson, camelias and rhododendrons. F. Coopor (of Wellington), Narcissi and! other bulbous plants,.which, however, had suffered in transit. Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, grand bowl of daffodils. ...

The string band of the Serbasi Bros, was placed in the gallery, and played a.number of selections very finely. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the Society in the small drawing-room. There was a large attendance last night, and the Committee have arranged, in order that the country visitors may have an opportunity of seeing the show, to keep it open to-day.from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Italian string band will be in attendance.