CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1620, 30 April 1879, Page 3

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

The Christchurch Horticultural Society's Show of chiysanthemums and 'outdoorgrown grapes, held last evening in Cookson's Commercial Hotel, was in two or three respects a marked improvement on any that have preceded it. Although well grown and very choice flowers of this description are by no means scarce in tho gardens in and around Christchurch, still some of the exhibits of this year are so incomparably superior to any that have been shown before as to justify the opinion generally expressed that it was the most successful winter show yet seen in Christchurch. A great deal of the success in the production of such perfect blooms as were awarded first prizes by the judges is undoubtedly due to the system of allowing but one bloom to grow on a single stem, and to the extra care used in protecting tho plant from tho inclemency of the weather. The gem of the show was the exhibit sent by Mr A. Forsyth, of Oamaru, who has been for many years, both in England and Canterbury, a most indefatigable and painstaking grower of chrysanthemums. Mr Forsyth's stand of twelve flowering chrysanthemums was as near perfection as it is possible to produce the flowers. For size, perfection of shape, compactness, and color, they met with universal approval, and the verdict of the judges was unanimously endorsed by the visitors to the exhibition. Tho secret of his success was his system of well nursing the plant, protecting it from the weather, and the removal of all but one bloom from the stem. These conditions complied with, there is no reason why similar success should not attend the local growers of this favorite and justly admired flower. The local exhibits showed an improvement on former efforts, not so much in the aggregate of the stands, but in the perfection of many of tho choice blooms of which they were composed, and the novelties in the shape of fresh varieties for tho first time introduced in Christchurch. In the variety of pompones no rulo had been laid down by the committeo as to whether it was arbitrary to exhibit them in single blooms or in clusters, which occasioned 'the Jjudges much difficulty in accurately judging them, although their awards were nevertheless pretty generally approved of. Messrs Groenaway, Ashton, and Nairn and Son, had some very choice exhibits both of chrysanthemums and pompones. Mr J. W. Leigh contributed a stand, for exhibition only, of the following twelve varieties, all

choice and nici ly grown : —Sui fl >wer, Jardin des Plantes, Queen of Lilac, Alfred Salter, Orange, Annie Salter, Empress of India, W. 11. Morgan, Plenipo, Mrs Murray, Duke of R liuburgh, Anelis, and Princess Mr A'hton had a v< s iy nice stand of blooms, cam prising the following varieties :—Empress of India, Lady Hardmge, Jardin des Plantes, Guernsey Nugget, Queen of England (new), Rifleman, and Miss Nightingale (new). Mr G-reenaway's exhibit of eighteen varieties of pompones and chrysanthemums was also greatly admired. Mr Spicer's mixed stand of chrysanthemums and pompones were also particularly excellent. A very handsome bouquet, exhibited by Mr E. Watts, a contributor for the first time, attracted attention from the taste displayed in the placing of the blooms and the juxtaposition and blending of the colors. The exhibits of grapes were not numerous, but some fine bunches wero much approved, noticeably one of Mr Spicef's, weighing 4lbs, their color might liavo been better, but), considering the lateneßS of the season, it was a remarkably fine exhibit. There was a difference of opinion as to the merils of the exhibits of grapes that obtained firnt and second prizes, and certainly the ono that gained the second prize more resembled fruit grown under glass than outdoor cultivated, nevertheless, the latter was the fact, and many thought it should have carried oft the first honors. By the way, mention must not be omitted of Cookson's fine chrysanthemum bouquet, which as a nontre-piece, in d handsome vase, attracted attention. A fine dish of late peas (an extra exhibit) was sent by Allen and Son. A novelty w»s also exhibited in the shape of two exhibits or an Alpino plant named Cerastium tomentosum, usod in England for decorative purposes on beds, as grown in lines it presents a very pretty appearance. There wero also two cases of painted specimens of tho Fuchsia splondens major, and of tho variegated musk, raised from seed of the old green musk, in 1878, by John Dutton. These wore simply curious. The following is the . PRIZE LIST. Judges—Messrs E. C. J. Stevens, Andrew Duncan, Crooke, and Jones. OPEN CLASS. Twelve large flowering chrysanthemums. Mr A. Forsyth, Oamaru, i; J. Greenaway, two stands equal, 2. Twi lve chrysanthemum pompones. J. Greenaway, 1 and 2. AMATEUR CLASH. Twelve large flowering chrysanthemums. John Ashton, 1. No second prize. Si* chrysanthemum pompones. E. Watt, 1. No second prize. GRAPES. SPECIAL PRIZE, Given by Mr E. Garland. Two bunches black Hambro grapes, out-door grown. E. Garland. 1; (J. Marsh, 2. SPECIAL PRIZE, Given by Mr Charles Kivcr, jun. Two bunches of white grapes, out-door grown. C. Kiver, 1, No second prize. The judgos remarked that the chrysanthemums grown by Mr Forsyth were by far the finest ever seen in Christchurch, and probably the finest ever exhibited in New Zealand. To give the public an opportunity of seeing these remarkable productions, Mr Greenaway, to whom they were consigned, will send them to Mr Duncan's shop, who has kindly consented to allow them to be exhibited in his window.