CHRTSTCHURCH CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10954, 2 May 1901, Page 3

CHRTSTCHURCH CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SHOW.

The annual show for the season 1900----1901, under the auspices of the Christchurch Chrysanthemum Society took place yesterday in the Art Galllery. Mr W. Jones acted as hon. secretary, and, with a strong committee of ladies and gentlemen, the Society seems flourishing, and is being well supported. Yesterday's exhibition of blooms was a very fino one, a good deal in advance of that made at last year's show, and in some respects rivalling any previous effort of the Society. Timaru growers, who are generally strongly represented, were this year in greater form than ever, their cut blooms excelling anything ever seen at the show. In this division the exhibits were of a very high order of merit. In class 5 (eighteen cut blooms, distinct varieties) Mr J. Lewis, of Timaru, easily beat all comers with a magnificent assortment »f very perfect blooms. It may be interestini, to our readers to know the varieties shown in this collection, they were:—''Mrs Ritson," "Dorothy Seward," "Duke of Wellington," "Mrs G. W. Palmer," "Australian Gold," "Madame Massey," "Mrs Mease," "S. C. Probin," "Austrailie," "Lady Ridgway," "Mrs G. Bruant," "N.C.S. Jubilee," "Lady Byron,' "Viviand Morel," "Sir H. Kitchener," "Swanley Giant," "President Nonin," and "T. B. Heywood." Mr G. W. Purser was placed second with eighteen fine blooms, and gained first award in class 6 (twelve Japanese blooms, distinct varieties). Among the new varieties shown were the "Eila Curtis," "Lady Hanham," and "T. Carrington," by -Mr Lewis, and the "Mrs White Popham" by Mr Cross, another Timaru exhibitor. A mass of blooms in pots took up one corner of tli3 hall, and was lent by Mrs W. White for exhibition only. Sprays and buttonholes were not a s'rong section of the show in point of number, but were very choir-e. The table decorations were most tasteful, autumn tints predominating, and the "Source dOr" blooms being much in evidence. One entry only was made in class 46, for floral display, any foliage, to show the decorative value of the chrysanthemum, arranged on a table 6ft by 3ft. It was that of Mrs W. G. Clothier, and was very much admired as an exhibition of really tasteful work. The judges were Mrs Charles Clark, Mrs R. D. Thomas, the Rev. Dr. Erwin, and Mr G. W. Bishop. At 2 p.m., Mr A. E. G. Rhodes formally declared the show open. In doing so Mr Rhndes alluded to the good work of the Society, and said he did not know that he need praise the Society for its most successful efforts. All would wish them success financially, because the funds were largely devoted to the work of beautifying Christchurch ; last year Market Square being taken in hand. Speaking from another standpoint, the year had been a bad one for growers, but they certainly deserved the greatest credit for the exhibition made. He had to congratulate their southern friends on their successes, and he thought it looked aa though Timaru would win the Challenge Shield; if so they would be only too pleased to compliment their friends on the honour gained. He would now, on behalf of the Society, declare the Show open. The Blyth Memorial trophy, for the stands scoring the highest, number of possible points, falls this year to Mr .L Lewis, of Timaru. A g:x>d speciment oi the lilium auratum, for exhibition only, was shown by Mr W. Wilcox, of Rangitata. Four large groups of plants had to be shut out for want of room, including the Exeter Nursery exhibit, which is always a strong feature of the Society's shows. The reason was that the Att Society is occupying one of the rooms in which in past years the exhibits have been displayed ; the rather crowded state of the exhibits at one end is thus explained. The sections of the Show devoted to lady exhibitors did those entering the highest credit. In fact, lady exhibitors were most numerous in all the classes. In point of quality competent judges say the Show has never been excelled in Christchurch. Refreshments were obtainable in the anterooms, the afternoon tea provided being well patronised. Miss Scriveno. s string band played a selected programme of musical items in the evening. Following is the prize list: — Pot Plants—Group of chrysanthemums staged for effect, space not to exceed 75 square feet, T. Coverdale 1, D. Craw 2; one specimen, T. Coverdale 1 (W. Burgess, gardener). Cut Blooms—Eighteen Japanese, distinct varieties, first prize presented by W. Strange and Co., J. Lewis 1, G. Cross 2. G. W. Purser 3; twelve Japanese, distinct varieties, G. W. Purser 1; six Japanese, one variety, J. Lewis 1, T. Coverdale 2; six incurved, ono variety, J. Lewiis 1. AMATEUR DIVISION. Pot Plants—Two decorative chrysanthemums, dietinct varieties, pots not to exceed Sin, W. E. Clothier 1, W. Spicer 2 and 3; six decorative chrysanthemums, distinct varieties, in sin pots, W. E. Clothier 1, W. Spioer 2; one specimen plant, pot not to exceed lOin, W. E. Clothier 1 and 2, W. Spicer 3. Cut Blooms—Twelve Japanese, distinct variees'es, Edwin Smith 1, C. Carmichael 2; six Japanese, one variety. W. E. Clothier 1, E. Novis 2; six incurved, distinct varieties'. C. Carmichael 1, R. Ragg 2. New Exhibitors—Cut Blooms (for amateurs who have never taken a first''prize for chrysanthemums) —Six Japanese, distinct varieties, W. J. Savage 1, J. C. Chase 2, J. Savage 3. Lady Exhibitors (to be grown and exhibited by lady amateurs only)— Six Japanese, distinct varieties. Mrs W. E. Clothier 1. Mrs J. McBeth 2, Mrs M. Raggs 3; two baskets of chrysanthemums, any foliage, to be judged for their decorative effect, Miss L. M. Hewitt 1, Miss D. Syme3 2, Miss Cracroft Wilson 3; three vases of chrysanthemums, any foliage, vases not to exceed 18in high, to be judged for their decorative effect. Mrs A. Cant 1; one bridal bouquet of chrysanthemums, Miss M. Croxton;" one ballroom bouqnet of chrysanthemums, Mies M. Croxton. Special Prizes—One bush plant, T. Coverdale 1, A. Cant 2, W. E. Clothier 3; six Japanese, distinct varieties, M. J. Lewis 1, G. Freeman 2, E. Novis 3: six Japanese, distinct varieties, E. Novas 1. G. Purser 2, E. Smith 3; six Japanese and six incurved, distinct varieties (in addition to the value of the bloom., the judges to awprd points for staging), J. Lewia 1; six Japanese, distinct varieties, outdoor

grown, J. Lewis 1, VT. D. Gower 2, Geo. Ruthertord 3; six Japanese, distinct varieties, three wlnto and three yellow, G. W. Purser 1, T. Coverdalo 2. E. Novis 3; six Japanese, distinct, red or dark varieties, G. W. Purser 1; six Japanese, distinct white varieties, J: Lewis 1, G. W. Purser 2; six new and distinct varieties, not exhibited as cut blooms in Christchurch prior to 1.01, G. W. Purser 1; six Japanese incurved, distinct varieties, W. E. Clothier 1: six, decorativo chrysanthemums, distinct varieties, in 6-inch pots, W. E. Clothier 1; eighteen blooms, six distinct varieties, to bo exhibited in six vases, three blooms of one variety in each vase, with chrysanthemum foliage, W. G. Clothier 1. J. I Mcßeth 2; six trusses large flowering chrys- } anthemums. distinct varieties, to be exhibited in vases, W. G. Clothier 1; two vases of chrysanthemums, any foliage fivo blooms in each vase, to, be judged for decorativo effects • and quality of bloom, Mrs A. Cant 1. Mrs Bishop 2; two vases of single varieties, any foliage, vases not to exceed 15in in height. 1 Miss Jones 1, Miss M. Cholmondoley 2; two vases pompones. any foliage, vases not to exceed 15m in height, W. Spicer 1; floral display of chrysanthemums, any foliage, to show the decorative value of the chrysanthemum, Mrs Clothier 2; bowl of chrysanthemums, any foliage, bowl not to exceed 12in at the widest part, Mis 3 E. M. Hcweft 1. Miss M. Croxi ton 2, Mrs Bishop 3; two ladiea' sprays and tho decorative value of the chrysanthemum, any -tiwiage. Miss N. Jones 1, Miss Jones 2, Miss .D. Seay 3; hand bouquet of chrysanthemums, to be made by children under the ago of 15 years, Miiss E. Croxton 1. There were eight entries for the table decorations competition, the award in which was decided by the votes of those visiting the Show. In counting the votes three points were added for first, two for second, and one for third. The result was as follows:—No. 1. Mrs Arthur Cant, first prize, 1787 points : No. 7, Miss Overton, second prize, 1151 points; No. 2, Miss Muriel Allen, third prize, .872 points; No. 4, Mrs Josling, fourth prize, 835 points.