FLOWER SHOW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8903, 20 September 1889, Page 3

FLOWER SHOW.

CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The third of the series of early spring Shows was opened in the Palace Rink yesterday afternoon, and afforded proof that it is an institution worthy of encouragement and patronage, as though tbe first Show of the kind held in 1887 was a tolerable succes, that of last year was in no way to be compared to the one held yesterday. With the undiminished efforts of Mr Thomas Gordon in the cause of horticulture, there is little doubt that the future of these Shows is assured. This year there are nearly double the number of exhibitors compared with last year. The display shows a marked improvement in the quality of the plants and blooms, and the Judges found considerable difficulty in allotting the prizes. The Secretary has also been very successful in his appeal for special prizes, the result of which has been to cause the success above alluded to. One of the most prominent features on entering that part of the rink floor at the South end, which has been closed in for the Show, is a small circular table, on which a very choice collection of hothouse plants of all kinds is placed for exhibition only. They come from the establishment of Mr T. Abbott, and include pelargoniums, calceolarias, and other plants, bub tho beauty of the whole is the background of lovely palms in excellent leaf, and shown to perfection. On two tables in the centre are the various bulbous and flowering plants, while down one side the cut blooms are arranged, and the opposite side is filled with a variety of other pot plants not entered for competition. A most exquisite display of cinerarias forms a flank to the whole which closes m the room in a very choice manner, and makes it very cheerful and gay in appearance ; while not the least pleasing feature on one of the centre tables is an orange tree, grown by Mr A. Appleby, on which the fruit still remains to tantalise the adult and offer a severe temptation to the juvenile visitor. Among the items sent in “ for exhibition only,” were some choice narcissi of Mrs A. Garrick’s, a small but select collection of polyanthuses and primroses, some of the latter be ng comparatively tare. Mr A. M. Ollivier's cut blooms included a number of varieties of excellent quality. A stand of the grape hyacinth, mingled with narcissi and water lilies, was attractive, and Messrs Guntrip and Line scored honours for this exhibit. Mr Austey’s pansies were much admired; so, too, was Mr Appleby’s collection of narcissi. The Hon J. T. Peacock carried off the palm for cinerarias, his three immense plants being a mass of bright colour. Mrs Bathamand Mr H. W. Toomer showed some nice hyacinths, and the latter, who had the pluck to enter in the open class, deserves credit for his display. Miss Gordon exhibited a very pretty basket of flowers of various kinds, and received the highest commendation the Judges could give her. With regard to the exhibits in competition for prizes, the whole display was most creditable. These did not include many pot plants, but there were enough to make an attractive show. In the orchid class. Miss Rees assumed command over the champion, Mr F. C. East, whose defeat on this occasion does him no discredit, as, though Miss Rees’ specimen of “ Dendrobium nobile ” was awarded first prize, bis Dendrobium Wardianum waa about equal. The Show was opened to the public without any special formality at 1.30 p.m., and remained open till 10 p.m. During the evening skating was continued as usual on the somewhat reduced floor area, while the rink band provided suitable selections of music.

In consequence of the unfavourable weather during the latter portion of the afternoon and evening, the attendance was comparatively limited; but all who visited the exhibition appeared to be well pleased. The following is the prize list:— Pot Plants—Open Class.

Six stove or greenhouse plants (varieties) —Prize, 10a 6d, presented by Mrs W. D. Meares —Hon J. T. Peacock, 1; Nairn and Sons, 2. Three cyclamens—D. H. Lawrence, 2. Three cinerarias—Prize 10s 6d, presented by Mrs W. H. Wynn-Williams— Guntrip and Line, 1; HonJ. T. Peacock, 2. Pot Plants—Amateub Class. Three stove or greenhouse plants—Prize, 10s 6d, presented by Hon J. T. Peacock— F. 0. East 1 and 2; H. W. Toomer, 3; A. Appleby, v h c. Two cyclamens—H. Clark, 1 and 2. Two pots of freesias— A. Appleby, 1. One amaryllis—H. W. Toomer, 1. One orchid —Miss Rees, lj F. C. East, 2 and 3. Six ferns—F. C. East, 1. Cut Blooms—Oten Class. Eighteen hyacinths; prize, 10a 6d, presented by Mr T. Abbott—Nairn and Sons, 1; JI. W. Toomer, 2; J. G. Davis, 3. Twelve hyacinths; first prize, £1 Is, presented by Mr A, W. Bennett—Nairn and Sons, 1; F. Biggs, 2; Hon E. C. J. Stevens, 3; J. G. Davis, vh c. Six hyacinths—S. Anstey, 1; E. Biggs, 2 and 3. Twelve camellias, outdoor grown ; prize, 10a 6d, presented by Mrs W. D. Wood— Mrs A. Carnck, 1; Nairn and Sons, 2; Hon E. C. J. Stevens, 3. Six camellias, outdoor grown—Mrs A. Carrick, 1. Twelve bunches hardy primroses— Guntrip and Line, 1; Mrs Bushell. 2 ; J. Donald, 3, Eighteen narcissi; prize 10s 6d, presented by Mr T. Abbott —A. W. Bennett, 1; Nairn and Sons, 2 ; Mrs Carrick, 3. Twelve narcissi; prize, 10s Cd, presented by Mrs T. H. Barnett —A. W. Bennett, 1; HonE.C. J. Stevens, 2 ; Nairn and Sons, 3 ; Hon E. C. J. Stevens, v h c., A. M. Ollivier, c. Six narcissi—J. G. Davis, 1; Mrs Bushell, 2 ; D. Craw, 3 j Mrs Bushell, c. Twelve polyanthuses—Mrs Bushell, 1 ; D. Craw, 2; Guntrip and Line, 3; J. G. Davis, h c. Twelve anemones —S. Anstey, 1. Twelve bulbous or tuberous plants; prize, 10s 6d, presented by Mrs J. J. Kinsey—A. Appleby, 1; Nairn and Sons, 2. Collection of cut blooms, outdoor grown ; prize, 10s Gd, presented by Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, M.H.R.—A. M. Ollivier, 1; Nairn and Sons, 2; J. G. Davis, 3. Cut Blooms—Ahateuh Class.

Twelve hyacinths j prise, 10s GJ, presented by Mrs G. Egberts—Mr J. M. Bath am, Ij A. W. .Bennett, 2; J. G. Davis, 3. Six hyacinths j prize, 6s,

presented by Mrs G, Gordon — • Mrs Batham, 1; Mrs W. B. M‘Kenzie 2, P. C. East, 3. Six camellias, out-door grown —E. Garland, 1; Mrs F. J. Garrick, 2. Twelves bunches of hardy primroses—Mrs W.E. M'Kenzie, 1. Twelve narcissi; prize, 10a 6d, presented by Mrs A. M. Ollivier—A. Appleby, 1 ; F. C. East, 2. Six narcissi; prize, 10s Gd; presented by Mrs J. H. Townend A. Appleby, 1 ; F. C. East, 2. Six bulbous or tuberous plants; prize, 10a 6d, presented by Mr A. E. G. Ehodes, M.H.K.—A. M. Ollivier, 1. Twelve pansies —Mr J. G. Davis, 1 and 2. Collection of cut blooms; prize, 10s Gd, presented by Mrs Greenstreet—Mrs A. Carrick, 1; A. Appleby, 2; H. Clark, 3. Special prize. 21s, open to all comers, presented by Mra J. B. Gresaon, collection of narcissi—A. Appleby, 1; Nairn and Sons, 2; J. G. Davis, 3. FOP EXHIBITION ONLY. Collection of stove and greenhouse plants, J. Abbott, very highest commendation ; basket of flowers. Miss _ E. Gordon, very highest commendation. Very highly commended :—Collection of narcissi, Mrs Carrick; collection of polyanthuses and primroses. Miss Maggie Donald; collection of pot plants, H. Clark; collection of out-door camellias, W. Gimblett; collection of cut blooms, A. M. Ollivier; four cinerarias, Hon J. T. Peacock; collection of poly-, anthuses, Guntrip and Line ; ladies* spray, and buttonhole bouquet, Miss Maggie Donald; six hyacinths, S. Anstey ; collection of pansies, J. G. Davis. Highly com- ‘ mended:—Basket of camellias, Mies Day;! collection of ferns, Mrs A. Berry ; seven ■ cyclamens, Hon J. T. Peacock; collection of pot plants (narcissi, grape hyacinths, and waterlilies), Guntrip and Line; collection of bulbous and tuberous plants, and collection of cut blooms, S. Anstey. Commended: Two pots of lachenalia, A. Appleby.