DUNEDIN FLOWER SHOW

Evening Star, Issue 18627, 7 May 1924, Page 8

DUNEDIN FLOWER SHOW

CHRYSANTHEMUMS OF RARE BEAUTY. POT PLANTS A FEATURE. Tho' entries for the Dunedin Horticultural Society’s Winter Show that was opened in tho Art Gallery Hall this afternoon number sixty more than last year, and, as the exhibits came to hand this morning, tho members of the society appointed to receive and attend to tho staging were highly gratified to find uncommon diversity and a full attainment to the standard in tho matter of quality. Tho season has served excellently for most garden things. If there were any drawbacks, tho growers have conquered them. The only sign of any difficulty is a little rust on some of the foliage, but it does not seem to have affected the flowers. In regard to color and form the chrysanthemums are equal to the best in any previous year. Perhaps they are not quite so big as in some wetter seasons. That, however, will not be generally regarded as a disadvantage. The general taste nowadays seems to bo rather against great size—at any rate, bigness is not the first consideration. Many growers now prefer the medium-sized blooms to the monstrous mop-head, and some boldly declare for the cluster form of cultivation that comes from moderate disbudding. Still the big Japs, hold their place. It is of these that we yet have tho open championship. This year only two entries were received for the championship, hut they are so meritorious as to constitute a show in themselves.

One of the championship competitors is Mr H. T. Trevena, and he has benched eighteen lovely blooms, consisting of Louisa Pockett) J- S. Lloyd (a little pale, but very well grown), Mrs Frank Bigg (like a much-improved Jubilee), Mrs 1). Andrew, Primrose Mrs Drabble (an outstanding flower), Roseday Mrs Drabble, Mrs Rupert Wilks, E. L. Cahill (salmon pink of very fine color), Golden Champion, Mrs R. Luxford, Edith Cavell, William Turner, Anita, Mrs R. C. Pulling, Gallipoli (great for color), H. V. West, Mrs Gilbert Drabble, and Woodside. All in beautiful condition.

The other championship exhibit is from Messrs A. Doodeward and Son, the Northeast Valley growers, who season step up from the amateur grade. Their collection is made up of Roma Bayles (a white of perfect shape), Mrs Rupert Wilks, Poekett’s Crimson (an excellent deep red), Mrs R. C. Pulling, A. J. Witcher, Gallipoli, Mrs W. Honey bone (this year’s novelty, a buff of faultless shape), Mrs D. Andrew, Pink Pockett (another novelty), Mrs L. J. Reuter, Lady Talbot, Mrs Frank Risg, Louisa Pockett, Undaunted, Woodside," J. H. Perry, Mrs G. Lloyd Wigg, and Bessie' Cook. Not a weak bloom in this collection, nor an untidy one. Mr Doodeward and his son, it may be added, have cut seventy-eight blooms for this show.

■ There are no entries for the amateur championship. An enormous advance is made this year in single chrysanthemums. No fewer than four entries were made in the class for twenty-four varieties, and tills dainty and graceful flower is in evidence all over the hall. Mr A. K. Wilson, who has come from Elderslie (North Otago) to judge tho chrysanthemuriis, brought with him a collection of eighteen varieties of single seedlings. They are for exhibition only. If staged for judging, they would have taken a lot of beating. They are grown to perfection. Tho big white, named Mary Jamieson Irvine, is probably on© of the most perfect flowers in the show. Mr E. A. Hamel lias also brought in a rare collection of single seedlings. Snowcap is on improvement on any earlier white, and stands up better than Shasta. Miss Billy rivals Phyllis Cooper, yet is a pure single. Maori is a rich chestnut with gold rim ; Goldboy a decorative light yellow; and a bronze not yet named is an improvement on Margaret Murray. Some tables of pot plants for exhibition only make a most interesting and charming display. Mr John Roy, gardener for Mr E. I. Halstod, has a' marvellously pretty table of Chinese primulas a,nd maidenhair ferns with a big palm and centrepiece. This table is delightful in its color scheme. On another table we see examples of Mr Halsted's single “ chrys,” some of them quite rare. Mr F. W. Exler, F.R.H.S., gardener to Mr P. W. Shaddock, brings from tho glasshouses in Park street enough rare and beautiful plants’to occupy two tables. One of these consists of a collection of wellgrown cyclamens set off with palms. I_he cyclamens are extraordinarily good, with healthy .foliage, and they aro wonderfully early. On the other table is shown a singularly choice collection of hothouse plants, including the croton, the hibiscus, the cocos palm, the pandanus, etc., a.nd rjhoico ferns a.nd chrysanthemums give variety to the display. Messrs Perrett and Marshall also show for exhibition only. Ihey have a lovely table of pot plants, a.nd another of seedling chrysanthemums. All are well grown and of tho most approved varieties, and great taste is shown in the staging. Mr T. Y. Turner, of North-east Valley, makes a. great display with his garden chrysanthemums. They are of the; best kinds for growing in clusters, a.nd they look vow bright and fresh. Jubilee, Edith Cavell, and William Turner are amongst them. ... The decorative, section in the water colors room is full of interest, and has brought out new exhibitors. Fruit is not abundant, but the vegetables make a good show, notably tho carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, and artichokes. Mr F. H. Hollingworth brings some remarkably fine large parsnips from the Caversham Home. The judges were Chrysanthemums, Mr A. K. Wilson ; pot plants, Mr John Rov; fruit and vegetables, Mr H. Clarke; decorative work, Miss M. Martin. The show will be open this evening and to-morrow. PRIZES.

In pot plants Miss A. Seaton won in the classes for two foliage plants, aspidistra and palm, and Perrett and Marshall won a first for their collection of flowering and foliage plants. In chrysanthemums, open classes, H. 1. Trevena * won the championship, with A. Doodeward and Son second. A. Doodeward and Son captured six firsts and three seconds in the other classes; H. T. Trevena got three firsts; J. Nelson one. first. In the open or amateur chrysanthemum d]asses Perrett and Marshall w(jn in (he class for 'table of singles or semi-doubles, with R. M'Garrigle second; H. T. Trevena was awarded the prize for the premier Jap. in the show (J. R. Lloyd), and also won the premiership in yellows and pinks; C. Martin took tho premiership in whites and A. G. Rigby in “any other color.” The winners of firsts in the amateur claves were John Wilson (of Waitali), i<j. L. Macassey (3). V. Q. Jones (2), C. L. Burden, P. Nelson (2), and 1 A. G. Rigby. Firsts in the classes for those who had not previously won a. prize in chrysanthemums went to J. Currie (2). J. Twhigg, V. Jones, and C. Martin. Evelyn Burden won two firsts in tho children’s competitions in chrysunthemupis, and Agnes Neill one.