GARDEN NOTES.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13597, 4 December 1909, Page 7

GARDEN NOTES.

(By Horttjs.)

OAMARIJ PUBLIC GARDENS,

Outside the leading centres v, of the Dominion Oamaru can boast of haying perhaps the very best of the pubjio gardens, excepting those of New -Flymouth. A few days ago we had th© pleasure of renewing acquaintanceship with this place, and noted thacf. great improvements had.taken place since a visit'of quite ten years ago-.. At that time, writing of tins place, we stated that, their gardens contained .75., very fine collection of plants, denoting __ie intense interest in borticultun_ of those who.had.been curators in previous days. Inside.the grounds there are specimen trees • of, very fine proportions, particularly tho weeping elms, whicn strike one at once. The flower borders and beds are filled with bright and showy flowers, tho roses being very fine, and the strain of Aquilegias more than usually good. The water ponds- ,tand small lakes are well arranged and associated with shade trees, make ideal conditions for a holiday resort during the heat of summer. A promising feature at one of the entrances tst, the double row of Pillar or Climbing Roses, which are doing excellently, ana later will make a telling display. Daring the coming autumn these gardens should be particularly bright, and- no doubt will be freely visited by those who are fond of horticulture. Mr __.c_ Kenzie, th© curator, is. to be heartily congratulated on th© excellent condition <*. ail parts of the Domain, especially <n the light of the limited amount of labour at his disposal. OAMARU FLOW7ER SHOW. The Flower Show held at Oamaru on Thursday was an excellent one; in fact, it compared well in some lines with tho Lest held in Christchurch. The building (the Drill Hall) was en ideal place for a Flower Show, and th© committee wero able to stage many of the exhibits so that their -full value might b© seen. The Pelargoniums and other pot plants were very fine, and in great abundance. The roses were excellent, but not as hvell staged as they might be. This section of the show might be improved, as tho growing and exhibiting of roses is followed with great keennees in this town. Among the best rose blooms exhibited were Fran Karl Druschki, Bell© Seibrecht, Mrs Edward Mawley, and others. Mrs Edward Mawley seems to do especially well in Oamaru, owing, no doubt, to the warm dry atmosphere, and perhaps the presence of lime in the soil. The general collections of cut flowers much too crowded, and th© staging did not do justice to many good lines shown. The decorative exhibits were really excellent. The baskets were above the average, and on© arranged with Iris and gran* heads was exceedingly chaste, and took our fancy very much. The children's section was much tho largest of it. kind wo have ever seen; in fact, we doubt if there is such a d__,p_ay of bouquets and; wild flowers to be seen at any other showin the Dominion. Among the cufc flowers were some magnificent Carnations, which had been grown under glass, and a beautiful lot of Acjuilegias of very clear colours. Altogether the show was an excellent one, and very much surprised ue.