NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 95, 24 April 1895, Page 2

NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SHOW. president, Dr Boor ; YicG-Prosidenfs, Langley Adams, Esq., T. H. Bminehr, Esq., A. W. JJain, Esc]. ; Hon. Sec , J. C. Uurford Esi| ; Hon. Treasurer, B. 11. Moller Escj Committoo Mrs Mcrrick, ISlrs L. Adams, Miss GftscoiKnc, Miss 1 lell , Miss Trask, Messrs D. Grant, Bel', S. Kolton, junr., Ward, J. Halo, 11. Culdei-3, and Dr Hudson. ' The Uhrysanthomum and Fruit Show under the auspices of tho above Society for the year 18!)5 was opened this afternoon. From a busty look round just before we went to press enough was seen to convince our representative that the Show is a most excellent one as regards the quality of the exhibit", though it would have been much more gratifying hadtho number of exhibitors ' been larger. Tho quality of the Ilo\vcv3 and fruit is surprisingly good cnn&iilerimr the recent severe weather which has boon experienced. It is to be regretted that the Society is handicapped in not having a larger show building, but the ' Committee generally and Messrs A. W. Bain and J. 0. Burford (Hon. Secretary) ' in particular, have done everything possi- < ble under the circumstances ho that under | their supervision the stiiging of the exhibits in the Provincial Hall has been ' most effectively accomplished. Immediately on entering the ball by the door < beneath the public gallery the visitors' ' eye catches sight of a boautifully worked ] wouogiftin N.H.S. (Nelson HwttouUwal 1

Sod sty). The letters NH are fo med of rich brown chrysanthemums round which is entwined a large S made of yellow chrysanthemums the whole measuring some 4ft. by 3Et. standing on a background of white chrysanthemums. The monogram is quite a work of art, and must have taken a great deal of time and ami care to form. It is the work of Mb* liurford. Conspicuous in the centre of the hall and among a lot of exhibits nicely staged upon a long table are the exhibits of Messrs Bolton Bros, J J Kerslake (Wellington), and Mrs Merrick (last year's winner) in the competition for the Silver Cup, to be awarded to lhe best 12 Japanese and Chinese Ciirysanthemuim. The first prize in this competition is the Silver Challenge Cup, valued at £10 10s, iirst awar.l of merit and 20s. The cup was subscribed by Messrs L Adam.", I 1 Langbein, F Hamilton, J Gannaway, W Tyree, J Sclanders, J Merrick, V Trask, L tiheather, H Dodson, H Calders, and B H Moller. At the opposite end of the hall, under the laries. gallery will be found some exquisitely worked floral designs, an easy chair, a basket, a couple of anchors, and last but not least, a fender and (ireirons being worthy of notice. On the left side of the ball there are some very fine exhibits of grapes by Mrs Merrick, Mr Sunley, and the Messrs Bolton. Several delicious bunches are shown, but as the judges had not completed the awards at the time of writing we refrain from expressing any opinion as to the merits of the exhibits. Pears, quinces, medlars, and apples are also shown in the main hall, but the display of apples principally by Messrs Livesay, Hingston, and Wiesenhavern in the Judges' Chambers is one of the prettiest sights in the exhibition. The whole room n filled with splendid apples of almost every description, and the majority of vory fine quality. The show of vegetables and preserved fruits, bonoy, A'c, is a fairly good one. Chrysanthemums, however, are the main attraction, and in the various classes Messi'3 Bolton Brothers are well represented. Several seedlings raised by theio well known exhibitors will attract considerable attention, and they hwe on exhibition only a dozen Chrysanthemums known us Joanne de Arc. This is a special exhibit, and for quality could not ba surpass d The blooms are as wall nigh perfection in their roundness as possible. A number of locally raised seedlings are shown by Mrs Mtrrick, who i. as usual strongly represented, and by Mr B. Bolton, the l.uter also showing in the pot plant classes a Japanese Yellow Glotiosum, which is claimed to be one of the best of its kind ever exhibited in Nelson. It oertainly is a fine plant. Two large Yuccas in bloom are shown among the special exhibits. The jury room is a perfect picture inside, where the hand, tablo, and bridal bouqiuts. many of them most tastefully made up, are to be seen, together with the button-holes and stands of flowers. A namber of beautitul wreaths are also exhibited, and bouquets composed of holly and other berries with foliage make up a sight well worth seeing,