A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 16 September 1908, Page 3

A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS.

The first bulb show organised by the Nelson Horticultural Society is being held to-day in the Drill Hall, c, The success attending the exhibition ie is most pronounced, and far exceeds a. the most sanguine expectations formded in connection with it. The eni- tries came in in a manner that was <1 never anticipated, and the result is a s - show that by unanimous consent is a the prettiest and beat ever held in the hs Ci ' y " j There is a very fine display of narj eissi, many hundreds of blooms being shown, and competition \in many of the classes k> extremely keen. 1 Anemones make a brilliant show, while hyacinths and othor cut flowers are shown in large numbers. The hyacinths are really beautiful. There are ten decorated tables, and those are a distinct feature of the show. The tables will be a centre of interest, as the beauty of tho decorations cannot fail to attract attention. * A large number of decorated bas--11 bets are in competition, and present |" an attractive appearance. The vases ' of bulbous flowers, too, are numerous *. and very pretty. Some very fine pot plants are shown, the cyclamens and cinerarias being outstanding features. The buttonhole classes have brought out a host of competitors. In the F. open class there were 14 exhibits; d but in the children's class there are '• no fewer than 300 competitors. Such ir an array of buttonholes was never 1 before seen in Nelson, and tho large number sent in indicates a lively interest on the part of the children. The scholars of the Girls' Central and . Hampden-street Schools are mainly ..' responsible for the enormous number ? of buttonholes, tho latter school ac- ; counting for about 150, i. A really fine display is made by the »- Mental HospXal, tho collection 'comprising cinerarias, primulas, and other beautiful pot plant flowers. : Mr A. E. Tasker has also set up a " table, which looks charming. A magnificent collection of narcissi has been sent from Wellington by .- Messrs H. C. Gibbons and Co. Over 100 varieties are included in the collection^ and the display is a highly meritorious one, and one that will be fully appreciated by those attendingthe show. Dr. Perry, of Petone. has again sent s a collection for exhibition, and this c has been displayed to gTeat advanf tage. There are somo lovely blooms •- in the collection. t A display of seedling cyclamens i- made by Mr F. H. Richmond is a J conspicuous featuro of tho show. r There are somo exquisitcly-tintt?d ! - blooms in the collection. * Mr Selfe, of Cable Bay, exhibits 24 pansies which are of high quality, an 3 also anemones and schizonthus, the latter a flower but little grown, but very pretty. The show will be open from 7 to 10 this evening, when there should be a crowded hall. The exhibition is certainly a credit to the city, and tho Society is to be congratulated on the unqualified success of its first bulb show. All that is now required is a liberal patronage of the public, and the excellence of the exhibition should ensure this. Some well-grown specimens of Beauty of Nice Stock are shown in pots, and in bloom, by Mr T. H. Lukin. The Committee, in view of the large number of entries of children's buttonholes, gave five additional prizes. Miss Sunley also gave a prize in connection with this class. The iudces were:— Table decorations, buttonholes, bouquets, etc., Mrs Kirk (Petone). Mrs E. J. Allen (Nelson), Miss Huddlestone (Nelson). The remainder of the classes were to have been judged by Mr G. A. Chapman, of the Hutt, but at the last moment he was unable to come ta Nelson. The judging was therefore distributed amongst Messrs B. H. Moller, A. Dav and E. B. Izard J>