WORLD’S GREATEST FLOWER SHOW

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 23

WORLD’S GREATEST FLOWER SHOW

Reports just to hand, are very definite that the Chelsea, flower show, held under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, England, which took place in London on May 20, 21, and 22, 1936, has surpassed any exhibition of its kind in recent years. It was of particular interest to not© that the patron of the society, His Majesty King Edward VIII., paid a visit on the 19th, before judging commenced. Lord Aberconway, the president of the society, and Colonel F. R. Durham, the secretary, acted as horticultural escorts to the King, whose knowledge of plants and gardening is extensive. Her Majesty Queen Mary paid an early visit on Tuesday, May 19, accompanied by the Duke of Kent, and later in the day the Duke and Duchess of York and the Duke of Connaught made a tour of the show.

Fortunately weather was fine, the sun shone brightly, and a cool breeze tempered the heat; nor had there been any severe May frosts to upset the calculations of growers. The work of those with exhibits in the open was thus facilitated.

The rock gardens, always a feature, were even more elaborate and extensive than at any time since 1918. Some beautiful examples of Westmoreland and Cheddar atone were used, and one garden was constructed with a brownish limestone brought specially from the borders of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Some idea of the importance of this function may be obtained from the fact that the charge for admission oh the first day, for non-fellows of the society, was 10s, on the second day ss, and on the third day 2s 6d. So crowded was the show alf the time, one could only view individual exhibits with difficulty in the mid-afternoons.