HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22554, 9 November 1938, Page 13

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

national dahlia show IN CHRISTCHURCH NEW CONDITIONS FOR HOME GARDENS* CONTEST The national dahlia show will 'be held in Christchurch during the approaching season in conjunction with, the local flower show. This was decided last night at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Horticultural Society. Mr W. Balch presided. The National Dahlia Committee, Mr Balch said, had asked for 10 per cent, of the door takings with a minimum of £5, In supporting the proposal, Mr B. T. Tosswill said that Christchurch, as the centre of the strongest horticultural society in New Zealand, had a duty to stage such shows. Gratification was expressed at the result of the society’s outing in Mr Edgar Stead’s garden gt ‘.‘Ham, Riccarton. The rhododendrons and azaleas looked better than they had done for years, the chairman reported. There was a very, fine attendance and the takings amounted to £25 10s 6d. The secretary vjaa instructed to write a letter of thanks to Mr Stead. Mr B. Penlington, in presenting the report of the programme committee, said that considerable attention had been given to the unsatisfactory attendances at the regular monthly lectures. He offered it as a suggestion, therefore, that they should be discontinued for the time being. Opportunity could -still be taken of the visits of lecturers who might attract larger audiences. Mr Tosswill questioned the amount of publicity given to the lectures, and suggested that although the society had more than 1000 members only a few could be expected to attend specialised lectures. Mr Balch said that he considered the series had served its purpose. The non-attend-ance of committee members was sufficient evidence of this. Mr F. J. Shanks' suggested that in place of the technical lectures short talks should be given on seasonal flowers, which were not covered by the flower shows, and in which the average gardener was interested. It was decided that the programme committee should explore the possibilities of Mr Shanks’s suggestion. Home Gardens’ Competition No awards would be made to entries in the home gardens’ competition unless 70 per cent, of the total marks was secured, Mr Tosswill reported. For the purpose of the competition the suburbs of Christchurch have been classified into four districts. One award will be made for each class in each of the four districts. February 9 was selected as the date for judging. It was decided that the hill gardens’ competition should not be held this year The following were appointed ar judges for the rose show to be held on November 30: Mr J. Poulsen, roses; Mr M. J. Gilpin, cut flowers; Mr E. Taylor, vegetables.