MIDSUMMER SHOW

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 7

MIDSUMMER SHOW

Wellington Horticultural Society SPLENDID BLOOMS There was a very bright display at the miilsumiuer show of the Wellington Horticultural Society, held in the Town Hall 'yesterday. Gorgeous gladioli dominated the stands, but dahlias, with the graceful cactus variety to the fore, disputed pride of place with the stately gladioli, and begonias, hydrangeas, carnations, and pansies ail attracted attention. The quality was consistently high in all dass’es. s Offering as it does every inducement to horticulturists in the cultivation ot blooms, the society is to be congratulated on the success of its efforts. The exhibits reveal the extent to which growers have achieved excellent results in the development, of all that is beautiful in flowers. The handsome gladiolus was seen in all colour shades. Or principal interest was the “Miss New Zealand” bloom, which won the championship at the national show at Chiistchurch last week, the judges at which commented that it was-an outstanding bloom and expressed the opinion that the worth and excellence of the Dom-inion-raised gladioli would no doubt be recognised overseas and lead to a profitable export trade. The dahlias were of excellent formation and colour; in fact, the general quality and freshness of the flowers benched were the subject of much favourable comment. Special Prizes. The Wellington Challenge Trophy for the most meritorious exhibit was won by Mr. W. 11. Toon. St. Martins, Christchurch, who exhibited the champion bloom, “Southern Command,” and secured a first in every class in this section. Mr. Toon's display of gladioli was considered among the best staged at Wellington. His three outstanding blooms, all locally raised, were “Southern Command,” bred by Dr. A, C. McKillop from a cross of “Red Glory with “Plitzer’s Triumph,” “Miss New Zealand,” and “Komiri.” The amateur championship for gladioli was won by Mr. C. Rides, New Brighton. r Other trophies in this section were won by Messrs. L. Blackler, Christchurch, and W. E. Askwith, Lower’ Hutt. , The W. Il; Archibald Challenge Trophy for the best collection of hydrangeas was won by Mr. G. London, Petond. . ■ ■ . ■. Special Displays. The women’s decorative section was again the centre of much interest. Although the exhibits were fewer than in previous years, they lacked nothing in quality. ~ ~. Mrs. Charles Haines did .not have her usual novel stand, but some interesting specimens were shown, including a rare species of fuchsia, Magellaniea alba, a most delicate and fragile bloom brought to New Zealand by Mrs. 'Haines, and numerous other fuchsias from her large collection. A grand collection of dahlias was staged by A. J. Shailet and Son. Palmerston North, principal among these being "Mrs. G. J. Sowdeii,” “Leonora,„ “Charlotte Collis,” “Buckeye Hing. “Gladys Sandford,” and "King Alfred.” A large collection of flowering shrubs was displayed by Duncan and Dayies,. New- Plymouth: : V Mrs A. J. Du Pout’s stand, consisting of choice blooms grown by local garden enthusiasts, was an attractive one. Native berries in multiple shades of green, the new improved strain of moutbretias, modern hydrangeas, apricot violas, dahlias, scabious, marigolds, ! and many other blooms vied with each ' other for -pride of place. The contributors to this stand were Mesdaines R krlow, J. M. A. Hott, E. J. Righton, M. Pool, A. J. Du Pout, Miss Phillips and Messrs. G. Cooper and G. Clarke. Other attractive stands were those of Mr. R. H. Johnson, Karori, Mr. S. 11. D. Peryman, Johnsonville, and Mr. R. N. Wall. i The judges were: Gladioli, Mr T. Waugh; hydrangeas, Mr. G. Cooper; miscellaneous, Mr. C. F. Pilcher; decorative, Miss Cooper. President’s Address. Mr. H. A. Eox, one of the vicepresidents, welcomed Mrs. Knox Gilmer, the president, back from her tour abroad, and asked her to open the show. Mr. Pox apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr. J. G. MaeKenzie, who bad accomplished splendid work for the society during Mrs. Gilmer’s absence. In declaring the show open, Mrs. Gilmer said she had gathered some very interesting information from her tour, having visited the principal botanical gardens and. flower shows of the world, and she intended passing this ou to the society. She thanked the members, particularly Mr. Mackenzie, for their line work during her absence, and also congratulated the exhibitors, saying she was astounded at the Wonderful blooms considering that the season had been a trying one for growers. The dahlias on display were really splendid.' Mrs. Gilmer said she had not seen better at any autumn shows she had visited. The soil in New 'Zealand was evidently ideal for the raising of dahlias, and a prosperous industry was right in their midst. The same could be said of gladioli. “Miss New Zealand” had not been beaten in or outside- the Dominion, Mrs. Gilmer expressed the hope that the Institute of Horticulture would see that all bulbs and plants leaving this country were labelled “New Zealand,” as many had been lost in the past, and the Dominion had not received the credit due for raising them. In conclusion, Mrs. Gilmer again stressed the need for the establishment of if school of horticulture in Wellington. In her travels she had found in almost every country that education in horticulture was of a high standard. At the recent national show at Christchurch, students who were receiving training at the botanical gardens had exhibited their own plants, which had received considerable praise. She hoped the time would not be far distant when the Government would establish a school in the Dominion. . l-’olowing is the prize list, the number of entries, (where more, than threei. being shown in parenthesis:— Gladioli. Open Section. Champion bloom : W. 11. Toon, Christchurch. ', Twelve spikes, distinct varieties: W. 11. Tom,, I. Six spikes, distinct varieties: \V. I{. Toon. I ; A. J. Jackson, 2., 'llii-ee spikes, distinct varieties: W. 11. 'goon. I : G. Packwood, 2. Six spikes, prinnilintis graudiflora : IV*. 11. Toon. 1 ami 2. Six spikes, primulinii.- hybrid: \V. It. T,.- - ' 1 i, '■ *iew Zen lan-.! raised ", '. I Ja.-k , . . . -J' \ -lit-.--.lri .-n'l-. ipifti I.ii.ip.- ii -nr ■ itiiite-. Xen Bi-ii-h-

1; W. E. Askwith, 2. Six spikes;, distinct varieties (6): L. Blackler, 1; J. S. Stalker, 2. Three spikes, New Zealand varieties (5) : C. Rides, 1; L. Killoh, 2. Three spikes (13): W. E. Askwith, 1 M. Oddy, 2 ; L. Killoh, 3. Three spikes (11): I. A. N. Johnson, 1; L. Blackler; 2; H. White, 3. One spike, New Zealand variety (14): A. Sinclair, 1 ;■ C. Rides, 2; 11. G. Smith, 3. One spike, other’than New Zealand (11) : W. E. Askwith, 1; Mrs. G. C. Clarke, 2; H. G. Smith, 3. Three spikes, primulinus grandiflora (5) : I’. F. Lister, 1; L. Killoh, 2. Three spikes, primulinus hybrid (10) : C. Rides, 1; W. E. Askwith, 2. 'Novice Section. . Three spikes, one in a vase: J. Byfield, 1. Two spikes, one in a vase: J. Byfield, 1. Three spikes, primulinus, in one vase: Mrs. L. J. Williams, 1; J. Byfield, 2. Carnations (No Collars). Open Section. Six vases, three blooms in a vase; Miss O. R. Paget, 1. Amateur Section. Three vases, three 'blooms in a vase: Miss O. R. Paget, 1. One vase, three blooms: Miss 0. R. Paget, 1; Mrs. Clothier, 2. Sweet Peas. -Amateur Section. Three vases, six blooms in each: H. J. Creely, 1 and 2. Dahlias. Open Section. Twelve dahlias, decorative: W. Chambers, 1. Six dahlias, decorative: Shailcr and Son, 1; N. Chambers, 2. Six dahlias, cactus: F. K. London, 1; W. Chambers, 2. Six dahlias: a.o.v. (5): Mrs. Cora Morgan, 1; F. K. ' London, 2; W. Chambers, 3. Six dahlias, decorative: A, J. Manton, 1; Mrs. Cora Morgan, 2. Three dahlias, decorative (13): I*. K. London, 1; A. J. Manton, 2; H. G. Smith, 3. Three dahlias, eaetus: J.-h. London, 1; Mrs. Morgan, 2. Three dahlias, a.o.v. (8): If. K. Lon-, don, 1; Mrs. A. W. McGregor, 2 and 3.. Hydrangeas) Open Section. Eighteen hydrangeas: Mrs. Marcus Poo’- !• . . Nine hydrangeas: Mrs. Pool, I. Amateur Section. Twelve hydrangeas: Mrs. Pool, 1; Mrs. W. Manning, 2. . Six hydrangeas, collection (i); G. London, 1; Mrs. Pool, 2. Three hydrangeas (8) : Mrs. Pool, 1. Mrs. John Fraser 2.One hydrangea (6): Mrs. I 001, 1,1. J. Brooker, 2. Begonias. ' Open Section. Three pots: D. E. Maxwell, 1. Twelve blooms: Mrs. J. J. Johnston, 1. Six blooms: D. E. Maxwell, 1 and 2. Three blooms: Mrs. Johnston, 1 and 2. Amateur Section. Two pots: D. E. Maxwell, 1. Six blooms: D. E. Maxwell, 1 and 2. Three blooms (5) : D. E. Maxwell, 1, 2 and 3. Pansies and v lolas. ( Twelve blooms, pansies (b)-: J. h. Vickers, 1 and 3; G. C. Clarke, 2. Four blooms, pansies (b) : G. G. Liurse, 1; W. Chambers, 2; J. S. Vickers, 3. Twelve blooms, violas: J. S. A tellers, I and 2 ; S. Solomon, 3. Six blooms, violas (4) : J. S. V ickers, 1 and 2. Cut Flowers. Six vases: W. Chambers. 1. Three vases: W. 11. P. Barber, 1; H. J. Creely, 2. One vase: Mrs. E. Henderson, 1. Decorative. Amateur Section. Bowl of gladiolus: Mrs. E. Henderson, I : Mrs. J. -1- Johnston. 2. Bowl of hydrangeas (0) : Mrs. 11. Arlow, 1 : Mrs. A. Lawson, 2. Bowl of flowers (5) : Miss Hawk, 1 ; Mrs. J. J. Johnston, 2. Receptacle of flowers, grown by exhibitor (5) : Mrs. J. J- Johnston, 1 ; Mrs. E. Henderson. 2. Layer (flat) bowl of flowers (0) : Mm. C E. Carter. 1: Mrs. J. J. Johnston, 2. Basket of flowers, large: Mrs. E.. Henderson, 1. .... r-r Basket of flowers, medium: Mrs. Hen,|<.Mon. 1 : Mrs. C. E. Carter. 2.. Basket of flowers, small: Mrs. Henderson, 1 ; Mrs. Johnston, 2, Vegetables. Amateur .Section. Colleclion: Mrs. I- J. Williams, I; Mrs. Clothier, 2.