BEST IN YEARS

Evening Star, Issue 22954, 11 May 1938, Page 12

BEST IN YEARS

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S WINTER SHOW ALL SECTIONS ABOVE AVERAGE MANY OUTSTANDING DISPLAYS It is the unanimous opinion, both of the experts who _ can explain in minute detail what is essential in a prize bloom, and of the layman who just loves flowers and so visits horticultural shows, that the Dunedin Horticultural Society’s Winter Show, which opened in the Pioneer Hall this afternoon, is unquestionably the best all-round display that has been made in years. Not only the blooms, but the vegetables and fruit are well above the average, both in quality and quantity, and the show is one altogether worthy of attention. The displays are, of course, almost exclusively of chrysanthemums, but of these there is a wonderful variety.

Due pleasing feature from the point of view of the society, which exists for the purpose of encouraging enthusiasm in the growing of choice flowers, vegetables, and fruit, particularly among amateurs, is the big increase this year in the number of those exhibiting for the first time. And these novices’ exhibits are of a very high class, the quality being surprisingly good.. Another feature, equally pleasing, is the patronage extended to the show by exhibitors from a distance. _ In this connection some fine exhibits have been brought in by Mr T. D. M'Donald and Mr T. Segar, both of Timaru, and by Mr G. Dunn and Mr W. Maxwell, of Oamaru.

Two outstanding mass displays of chrysanthemums face the visitor as he enters, while another is placed in the centre of the hall. In Mr H. S. Hungerford’s display are no fewer than 150 varieties, comprising some 800 blooms, outstanding among which are splendid specimens of Mrs I. Baker. Ina Cook, J. R. Flick, and Nell Gwynn. There are 18 varieties _ here never before shown. Next there is Mr J; Masson’s exhibit of 86 varieties and some 700 blooms of quality and colour which cannot fail to attract. _ For allround excellence, too, the display by Messrs Perrett and Marshall is also outstanding. Here quality is the keynote, and some of the single blooms are indeed very beautiful. One of the novelties included in this exhibit is a specimen of Tihonia. or Mexican sunflower.

The individual exhibits are really excellent, right above the average, the single blooms including some gems which might be coveted by the _ most successful growers. The colours in all exhibits are wonderfully good. In • the table decoration section the exhibits are not quite so numerous as usual; but here again the quality is high, and exhibitors have displayed excellent taste in arranging the winter blooms and foliage. As to the vegetables, they are such as to warm the heart of any housewife as well as to compel the admiration of, those growers who are always striving for perfection. All specimens are clean and of fine colour. Cabbages, maybe, are a little on the weak side, but the carrots, marrows, onions, and other varieties' are clean, well formed, and enticing.' The same may be said of the fruit section, and altogether this winter’s show should establish something of a record for all-round excellence. Mr C. E. Tyrrell (secretary of the society) and his committee and assistants should feel a keen satisfaction at the result of their efforts. An exhibit of hand-made articles from the Montecillo Home in which examples of cane and leather work are prominent merits attention. The show is open until 10 o’clock tonight and all day to-morrow.

RESULTS The results are as follows POT PLANTS. OPEN CLASS. (Judge: Mr G.. Attwood.) Hanging basket—Mr A. G. Fox 2. Chrysanthemum display—J. Masson 1, H. S. Hungerford 2. Cut flowers—Mrs G. C. Ward 1, E, A. Hamel 2, Betty Stewart 3. ' AMATEUR CLASS. Japanese chrysanthemum plant, three blooms—Mrs M. Brown 1. Foliage plants-—W. A. Dunn 2. Asparagus plumosa—Miss Lawrence Aspidistra—W. A. Dunn 1. DECORATIVE AND FLORAL. OPEN CLASS. (Judge: Miss M. Duncan.) Winter table-;— Miss Alma Troup ,1, Mr? Murray Wilson 3. Basket or chrysanthemums and foliage—Mrs W. D. Hanlin 2. Bowl chrysanthemums, any foliage— Mrs W. D. Hanlin 1, Miss Alma Troup 2. Small basket—Miss A. Troup 1, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 3. Bowl of floating flowers—Miss A. Troup 1, Mrs Murray Wilson 2. Lady’s spray—Miss A. Troup 1, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 2. Gentleman’s buttonhole—Miss A. Troup 1, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 2. OPEN OR AMATEUR. Basket of fruit, flowers, and foliage —Miss A. Troup 1, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 2. Basket of chrysanthemums, any foliage—Miss A. Troup 1. Basket chrysanthemums, any foliage—Miss A. Troup 1. Bowl flowers and foliage, other than chrysanthemums—Miss Betty Stewart 1, Mrs A. G. Fox 2. Decorated table—Mrs Fox 1. Bowl of mixed flowers—Mrs Curline 1, Miss Betty Stewart 2. Bouquet of flowers and foliage— Miss A. Troup 1, Miss Jean Smith 2. AMATEUR CLASS. Table decoration—Mrs A. J. Fox 1, Miss E. Curline 2, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 3. Small basket—Mrs W. D. Hanlin 1, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 2. Bowl chrysanthemums, any foliage— Mrs M'Alister 1, Miss E. Curline 2. Vase chrysanthemums, any foliage— Mrs S. E. Hamblin 1, Miss E. Curline 2, Miss Cable 3. Bowl floating flowers—Mrs A. J. Fox 2, Miss Joan Wood 3. Lady’s spray—Miss Long 1, Miss E. Curline 2. Gentleman’s buttonhole. Miss Middleditch 1, Mrs S. E. Hamblin 2. Basket, for competitors under 18 years—Miss Middleditch 1. CHILDREN’S SECTION. Judge: Miss M. Duncan. Vegetables, three kinds—Jack 1.

Vase chrysanthemums, any foliage—• Edna Troup 1, Marjorie Milward 2, Rae Garland 3. Bowl flowers, any foliage—Marjorie Milward 1, Barbara M'Leod 2. Lady’s spray—Jean Smith 1, Barbara M'Leod 2, Marjorie Mulward >3. Gentleman’s buttonhole Jean Smith 1, Barbara M'Leod 2, Marjorie Milward 3. , Floating flowers—Edna Troup 1, Mary Pryde 2. Cut flowers—Jack M'Leod 1. Small table decoration—Barbara M'Leod 1, Marjorie Milward and Barbara M'Leod (equal) 2, Marjorie Milward 3. Table decoration (open to those who have not previously won a first prize) —May Pryde 1. FRUIT. AMATEURS. Judge: Mr G. Attwood. Dessert 'apples—Mr S. Higman 1 and 2. . Dessert apples, one variety—Miss A. Haynes 1, S. Higman 2 and) 3. Cooking apples—W. A. Dunn 1, b. Higman 2 and 3. . . Cooking apples, one variety — W. A. Dunn 1, Miss Haynes 2, Mrs J. K. Brown 3. „ e Dessert pears—W/ A. Dunn 1, P. b. M'Laren 2. Cooking pears—Miss Cable 1.