NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 30 April 1914, Page 4

NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

AUTUMN SHOW. There was a very fair attendance at the Nelson Horticultural Society's Autumn Show yesterday afternoon and evening, and the generally-expressed opinion was that the present is the best exhibition of chrysanthemums that has yet been made in'the city. The blooms are a better average lot than usual, and are shown in better condition, though

there is still room for improvement in this respect, some specimens showing damaged and decayed florets. The blooms froir °Palmerston North, of course, suffered by reason of the journey, but it is surprising that they were staged in such good condition. The outside exhibitors figured in the prize list to a degree that should give them satisfaction. Their blooms, except in two varieties, were not equal to the Nelson blooms; but we were informed that the Palmerston growers arc not represented by the best that can be produced in that district. However, the local growers were very pleased to meet outsiders, and Nelsonians should | endeavour next year to send some blooms to Palmerston North. • Though the dahlias are not numerous, there are some grand blooms and the exhibits of Airs Wigzell have been greatly admired. A very fine fern was exhibited by Mr G. F. Dodds, and was regarded by many as one of the best things of the kind ever seen at a Nelson show. A valuable special prize offered for a collection of vegetables resulted in _ a good display being made. The competing "rowers are to be complimented on the interest they displayed, for the amount of work required in producing such a wide range of vegetables must have been enormous. The competition in several of the chrysanthemum classes was very keen, and' the exhibits had to bo "pointed before the awards could be made. The National Chrysanthemum Society's certificate for the'open class was won by Mrs Merrick. The- amateur championship was won* by Mrs N'. Adams, this also carrying a i\ T .C.S. certificate. The official opening ceremony yesterday afternoon- was performed by the Mayor (Mr W. Lock) , who congratulated the Society on the fine show, and the superb chrysanthemum blooms. The show, he said, should be very largely attended by the people of Nelson, who did not know what they were missing. . Mr Lock congratulated' the officers of the Society, and the local and outside exhibitors, and the results achieved. Mi's A. R. Kitching presented the Mayor's daughter with a bonquet. , The decorated tables were judged by ballot, the result being:—No. 2. table, Mrs R. Price 1; No. 1 table. Mrs E. R. Neale, 2. \ ,

SCHOOL BUTTONHOLE CLASSES. The -list of prize-winners, published yesterday, was incomplete, the full list being as follows : Brook-street.—Ramsford Pickwell 1, Maine Hamilton 2, Harold Palmer 3, Ashlev Cullimore 4, Ethel Witten 5. Haven Road.—Eric Tibbie 1, Enid Moyes 2, Roy Tibbie 3, Ellen McDonougli 4, Lewis Reid 5. Hampden-street.—Morris Spiers 1, Hector Stephens 2, Sydney Brough 3, Edna Lang. 4, Rita Hammond 5. Winter 1,. Willie Prebble2, Doris Brown. 3, Fred Emmett 4, Lilian Lock 5. Girls' Central.—K. Chappell 1, Doris Witten 2, M. Brundell-3, U. Whiting 4, Dorothy'SnoHgrass 5. Boys Central. —Sidney Boyes 1, Sidney Mitchener 2, Oswald Prebblo 3, Louis Lessells .4, H. Stratford 5. NEW CHRYSANTHEMUM'S.

The judge* recommended awards as follows for new chrysanthemums raised by local growers : "Raised by Mrs Merrick, first class certificate, to Japanese reflexed bloom, colour reddish terra cotta, with straw reverse, named "Ernie Merrick" (1913); first class certificate to Japanese reflexed, colour, mottled white and light mauve, named "Nessie" (1914) ; firstclass certificate to Japanese, colour yellow overlaid bronze, gold reverse, named "Mrs G. A. Crawford" (1914). All of these should become popular with exhibitors, both in regard to colour and size. Certificates of merit were also'recommended to Mrs Merrick for a Japanese incurved, broad florets, colour dull red with straw revei-se,. named "H.F. West"; and to five seedlings (1914); one deep yellow reflex; one bright yellow reflex ; one yellow streaked red ; and two yellow reflex edged red—unnamed. Raised by Mr W. H. Simpson :—Certificate of merit, Japanese reflex, colour tangerine shade, named "Mile. Dolores." This is a decorative variety, and one that has been greatly admired by nurserymen, professional gardeners, and tho public generally for its beautiful colouring and suitableness for decorative work. The show will be open again, this evening, when it is hoped the public will help the Society by according liberal patronage.