FIRST FLOWER SHOW

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 2, 27 September 1939, Page 4

FIRST FLOWER SHOW

Held in Wellington 98 Years Ago

Women And Horticulture

If it is 'decided to hold a national flower show in 'Wellington early next year the event will mark almost a century of horticultural interest in New Zealand. This fact only serves to illustrate the undeniable place flowergrowing has always held in the communitv. Though Wellington saw its first settlers only one hundred years ago, they had made themselves sufficiently “at home” within two years to hold their first, flower show anil found the horticultural society which was to be the nucleus of the present very active society in Wellington. Airs. C. E. Carter, who is a member of the Wellington society, and whose parents were members of the original society and exhibited in the first show, yesterday recalled some interesting details, culled from early diaries of this important event in the horticultural history of New Zealand. The first show took place on January 24, 1842, in the Exchange room on Te Aro beach, and it is recorded that the outstanding exhibits were vegetables and dahlias. The dahlias were shown by Dr. Featherston, who had the credit of being the first to introduce this magnificent flower into the colony. Some remarkable cabbages were grown by Air. Burcham within 30 yards of the sea beach'at Pito-one. One was a hybrid weighing 2141 b.; the other, an early Fulham, weighed 121 b. Some of the kidney potatoes, grown at the Hutt from seed given by the Natives, and exhibited by Mr. Alolesworth, measured nine inches in length. Specimens of the red flat turnips were shown measuring 19 Inches in circumference and weighing 2Jlb. Common white turnips were 21 inches and weighed 31b. The wheat measured sft. 7in. in length and the ears were remarkably full, and barley weighed 571 b. a bushel. The first fruit trees were brought from England by Baron Alzdorf, who exhibited apples. Among the flowers Mr. Hunt’s seedling geraniums are mentioned for their special beauty. Airs. Carter’s family were keen horticulturists, and she has for many years taken a lively interest in matters of horticultural interest. Women’s Interest. It was noticeable yesterday that not only were the women keen exhibitors, but they were in a 'big majority among the visitors to the show. The daffodils, of course, took pride of place among the exhibits, ibut the stands which created most interest next to these were the Pioneer Club’s exhibit, and the collection of rare and interesting flowers. Both these stands were composed entirely of flowers and shrubs grown by women, and ably demonstrated their ability in this sphere of work. On the second stand, which was arranged by -Mrs. Du Pont, a crowning vase of glorious deep rose pink peach blossoms, grown by Mrs. H. D. Bennett, held pride of place, and attracted admiring remarks from all who visited the show. Other interesting exhibits were a deep purple veronica which is found only on the Little Barrier; miniature daffodils; a collection of seven different forget-me-nots in (blues, pinks and white from Mrs. Du Pont’s garden; a basket containing that rare and charming climbing alstromeria called the bomeria; several unusual varieties of primus; and the native golden t-ainui, which rivals the kowhai for' richness of -gold. Airs. Arlow’s lovely trough of hyacinths was much admired, its were three exhibits of clianthus puniceus, New Zealand’s own kaka beak. It is interesting to note that when a kaka beak was first introduced into England it commanded £5 a plant. The Pioneer Club Gardening Circle, which has done much 'to foster interest in native flowers, crowned its stand with a mass of kowhai. Airs. E. J. Righton’s basket of native flora was outstanding, and a curiosity was the bird of paradise plant, strelitzia. Tulips, including the rarity, tulipa saxifraga, were a special feature, and some delightful blossoms and polyanthus were shown. Tills group of busy gardeners has considerable talent among its members, and for colour harmony, and the unusual arrangement of individual exhibits, it was worthy of special mention. Airs. Knox Gilmer, who specializes in rhododendrons, showed a table of exquisite blooms. Many of these were the result of her own efforts at hybridization, and some blooms were the first from her own seedlings. With their flair for design and delicate -work, the women exhibitors carried the day in the miniature gardens, and in the posies, sprays and baskets. For amateurs, some good work was displayed in these sections.