HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4744, 7 November 1872, Page 4

HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Although some little uncalled-for ill feeling and jealousy was caused by the determination of the Horticultaral Society to hold their exhibition yesterday instead of on the 13th instant, as announced a few months back, the necessity for an alteration of the day must be admitted by all who consider the circumstances of the case. When they fixed the date of the exhibition the Society could not foresee that two general holida\ s would fall immediately prior to their show day, thus rendering it unreasonable to expect employers to make a third holiday specially to assist in rendering the Horticultural society's show a success. In deciding to alter the day to the same as that chosen by the Agricultural Society, in preference to the Prince of Wales's Birthdayi a prudent step was taken, for many persons from the districts surrounding Auckland who are interested in horticulture were likely to he in Auckland upon the former rather than the latter holiday, and they were afforded an opportrinity for attending both ahowa without any personal inconvenience. By selecting the Drill-shed for the flower show the Horticultural Society did all that lay in their power to make the exhibition more a section and adjunct of the larger show than a rival, while the monetary affairs, which were a oause of dissension and unpleasantness last year, were kept distinct, and any disagreement on this account was thus effectually obviated. So far, therefore, as consideration for the Agricultural Society is concerned, we think the Horticultural Society were perfectly justified in mating the change they did, and maintain that they have acted honourably and in good faith, both towards the Agricultural Society and the public, through whose subscriptions both Societies are supported. We should like to see a greater spirit of unity existing between these two sister societies than there is at present. While making these remarks upon the change of day for the holding of the show, it must be admitted that there are many disadvantages connected with any alteration of a date already decided upon, and in the case either of an agricultural or horticultural show these disadvantages are increased fourfold if the date of the exhibition is removed from a later to an earlier period in the year, unless ample notice is given of the intended change. Kxcept in the attendance, the Horticultural Show yesterday was prol> ably not so good as it would have been if held upon the day at first appointed. The season was too early to get the best of the summer bloom, and several gardeners complained to us that they had be»n prevented from exhibiting in many classes towards which they originally intended to contribute, owing to the fact that, calculating for the 13th instant, they had nipped the early buds, and the others were not sufficiently advanced to bring forward. There is, no doubt, much reason in this complaint, but exhibitors, bearing in mind the two alternatives which were left the Society, will, we think, admit that, of the two evils, the least was chosen. In judging of the merits of this year's show, a comparison with the one held last N ovember is necessary. The increased accommodation afforded by the Drill-shed was an immense advantage, enabling the committee to display the exhibits to far greater advantage than it was possible to do in the narrow confined room in the Albert Barracks, while the show-room yesterday was much less oppressively crowded, notwithatandingthat theattendance exceeded that of last season. Mr. Kirk, F.L.S., the energetic secretary, who supervised the various arrangements, and to whose exertions the success of the show is almost wholly due, availed himself to the fullest extent possible of these increased facilities, and the arrangements were in every way satisfactory. We must confess to being somewhat disappointed with the paucity of the exhibits in many classes. We might mention the names of many of those who could have exhibited, and that successfully, but whose gardens were wholly unrepresented. A spirit of jealousy appears to prevail amongst our gardeners to such an extent as to check that friendly spirit of competition and emulation which is calculated to do so much to advance the work in which all gardeners are equally interested. The sooner these jealousies are laid aside the better it will be for the cause of horticulture, and certainly those gardeners who fail to recognise and heartily support Horticultural Shows will find that their more far seeing rivals are leaving them behind in the race for popular favour. Another horticultural show will probably be held towards the end of the present month, when the season being farther advanced a much larger variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables will be available for exhibition, and we trust our gardeners will enter spiritedly into the matter, and make it a Buccess in every department. We are informed that some gardeners who had deter mined to exhibit yesterday, and who even brought their exhibits into town, were deterred from sending them forward to the Show by this feeling of jealousy to which we have referred, and which is so much to be deprecated. In dealing with the exhibits of yesterday, pressure of space will not permit us to mention more than a few of the many exhibits that were deserving of special notice. Amongst the cut flowers a collection of pelargoniums, exhibited by Mr. S. Jones, wore particularly noticeable, and an extra prize was awarded them. The collection of cut flowers exhibited by Mr. G. B. Owen, and awarded first prize, contained many choice blnoms indicative of a well-kept garden. The bouquets attracted considerable notice, and were certainly very pretty, although we think scarcely equal to thoseexhibitedlastyear. The show of roses did but scant justice to the gardens of Auckland. In this section, as in others, some gardeners who have bestowed especial care upon the cultivation of the queen of flowers were conspicuous by their absence. Only one set of coleus was staged, and that, although a nice plant, too small to warrant the award of a prize. At last year's show there-- was a very nice collection, chiefly contributed by one nurseryman, who has kept himself aloof from this exhibition. It is pleasing, af ber noticing some of the defects of the exhibition, to turn to its good points. The show of ferns in pots was admirable. No less than six sets were staged, and those of very fine description. The increase in the exhibits of these plants may, we think, fairly be regarded as etidence of an improved taste in horticultural matters. No ornamental shrubs can exceed the beauty of the fern, and if more attention were paid to their cultivation the result would be a decided improvement in landscape gardening. There were many good collections of green-house plants, and ihe begonias exhibited by Dr. Wright were amongst the most attractive features of the show. Messrs. Mason Brothers exhibited an admirable specimen of the fuchsia kirkii, which attracted much attention. This native f uchsiaisthe only plant of its species that has an erect flower. At any Horticultural Show in Britain the fuchsia kirkii would be regarded with especial curiosity and interest. Messrs. Mason deserve the thanks of all interested in horticulture for the attention they have bestowed upon the cultivation of native plants, which have been too much neglected by our nurserymen. Mr. G. B. Owen exhibited a fine specimen of the'cordyline indivisa : this is a very rare native plant, and the ■pecimen exhibited yesterday was, we believe, the first in the colony that has flowered under cultivation. The ohamserops humilis(adwarf fan palm) and the JJotryodendron australis, exhibited by Mr. G. B. Owen, are both rare plants in New Zealand, the latter having flowered for the first time here. The exhibits of native plants were unquestionably- the best sections of the show. For the Grammar School prize no leas than nine competitors entered. - The set, that carried away; -the first prize included 40 varieties, while the second and . third, sets each < included over 30*, ; ., varieties. r Mxb. « GilUes'e, prize called forth two very^nice. B_ett£~the *"" st * n7n 7 oluding about 50 varieties, and the si • md at leas/b 3Q. . Very nice sets were contri- < buted, by- tb.?,~ Acclimatisation Society,

amongst whiGh we noticed the Bohemeria^ nivea, Chinese and Assam teas, and the olive. "Very pretty ornamental baskets, with pendant flowers, shown by Messrs. Mason, were much admired, and a number of excellent kauri gum ornaments, intended for exhibition at Vienna, were shown by Mr. Moss Brown. The most useful branch of horticulture was not well represented, the show of vegetables being very poor, and eliciting no competition whatever. Most of the stands are noticed in the prize list given below, but we may mention that Major Ibbetson exhibited a lot of fine onions and artichokes ; the former, being peeled, were disqualified. Notwithstanding the influences which served to prevent the show from being so good as it might have been had all our gardeners come forward spiritedly, it was unquestionably a very good exhibition, and a decided success. The attendance was excellent, the drill-shed being filled throughout the afternoon and evening with visitors, of whom a large proportion were ladies. An acceptable sum towards the funds of the Society will accrue from the show, about £80 having been taken at the door. This will enable the Society to offer better prizes at their next show. We must not omit to mention that the fine Artillery Band occupied the upper portion of the show-room, and played vanous musical selections during the day. The judges were the Rev. E. N. Bree, M.A., and Mr. George Abercrombie, whose awards, of which the following is a list, gave, we believe, general satisfaction :—: — Plants in Pots. — Section A, single specimen of greenhouse plants ; Ist, Dr. F. W. Wright; 2nd, Mason Brothers; 3rd. Dr. Wright. Set of 3 bbgonias : Ist, Dr. Wright. Variegated plants, 2nd, Dr. Wright. A collection of native veronicas — 2nd, T. B. Gillies. 12 fern and allied plants, G. B. Owen, Ist ; Mason Brothers, 2nd. Six t fern and allied plants, Mason Brothers, Ist; G. B. Owen, 2nd prize. Specimen fern in pot, extra prize, Dr. Wright. Six cinerarias, Ist, Mason Brothers. Native plant, specimen of fuchsia kirkii, special prize, Mason Brothers. Cut Flowers. — Hoses in sets of six — Ist prize, Mrs. Speight. Pansies in sets of 12 : Ist prize, D. Hay ; 2nd, D. L. Murdoch. Verbenas, seta of 12— 2nd prize, S. Jones. Native,, plants for rarity : Ist prize, T. W. Kirk ; native plants for beauty, Ist prize, H. B. Kirk. General collection of cut iiowers : Ist prize, G. B. Owen; 2nd, D. L. Murdoch. Hand bouquet : Ist prize, Mrs. Carrie Speight ; 2nd, Mrs. Little ; 3rd, Misa Bessie | Speight. Bridal bouquet, extra prize, Miss Bessie Speight. Cut flowers, extra prize, Hon. J. Williamson. Collection of zonal pelargoniums, extra prize, S. Jones. Specimens of rare plants : Cordyline indivisa, Ist prize ; Ohamaerops humilis, and Botryodendron australis, extra prizes, all exhibited by G. B. Owen. Fruit.— Strawberries : Ist prize, Mason Brothers ; 2nd, W. Thompson ; 3rd, A. Goldie. Oranges : Ist prize, A. Beveridge. Lemons : Ist prize, Mason Brothers. Loquats : Ist prize, Mason Brothers. Vegetables. — Kidney Potatoes: Ist prize, Mrs. Speight. Hound Potatoes : Ist prize, Mrs. Speight ; 2nd, Mr. W. Reay. Peas : Ist prize, Captain Harrison , 2nd, W. A. Wilson. Broad Beans : Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins. Carrots : Ist prize, W. Reay. Cucumbers : Ist prize, Mason Brothers ; 2nd, T. H. Smith. Turnips : Ist prize, W. Keay. Cabbages: 2nd prize, W. Reay. Cauliflower : Ist prize, W. Reay. Lettuce : 2nd prize, W. Turk. Special Prizes.— By Mrs. T. B. Gillies: For the best collection of reoent cut specimens of native ferns and allied plants indigenous to the Auckland isthmus and North Shore— Prize £1, T. W. and H. B. Kiik ; honourable mention, Miss Bessie Speight. By F. Mcßae, Esq. (for the pupils of the Auckland Grammar School) : For the best collection of cut specimens of native flowering plants in any stage of flower or fruit ; to comprise not less than 18 kinds — Ist prize, £1, T. W. and H. B. Kirk ; 2nd, 155., S. Herapath ; 3rd, 7s. 6d., H. A Keesing ; commended, J. Haultain. We append a list of the gardeners to the gentlemen represented at the Show : — Dr. Wright— Mr. James Howell ;S. Jones, Esq. — Mr. J. Blackmore ; Hon. J. Williamson — Mr. E. Bright ; A. Beveridge, Esq.— Mr. R. Gillies ;T. B. Gillies, Esq.— Mr. R. Sproul; D. L. [Murdoch, Esq. — Mr. Alexander McDonald; G. B. Owen, Esq.— Mr. R. Lyle.