HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4375, 20 November 1875, Page 5

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Spring Exhibition of this ■ society was held yesterday in the Government House grounds. It would be conveying a wrong impression to declare that the " show" was a success in respect to the number of the exhibits, at the same time that it can be said with truth the quality of those that were arranged on the benches would bear favourable comparison with the products of any part of the yorld. The display of roses of every tint and of . extraordinary richness of color and texture was the finest in quabVty that could be seen. The cut flowers of all kinds were also very fine,. especially the pansies, which were also of. great beauty and variety. There were some magnificent calceolarias. The plants in pots were few in number, but of exceptional excellence.

Before referring to the fruit and vegetable sections, it is but just that some reference should be made to the circumstances under which, it—the present exhibition—was held. The extremely heavy, although rains which have continued up to the present time made it impossible for the committee to think of holding a '' show" with any prospect of success. To have delayed even a week after a fair probability of sunshine would have possibly lost the chance of holding any exhibition whatever, as the flowers would be out of bloom. The thing must be done at once or not at all, and looked at from this point of view it may be due to this exhibition to call it successful under such difficulties. Nevertheless there can be no excuse for who, possessing magnificent samples of garden produce, and living within convenient distance of town, would not take the trouble to contribute their respective quota to an exhibition which represents' the capacity of the land of the country, whose contents correctly measure the state of cultivation within the province, and afford a standing from which to calculate fresh advancement. What would be said of any exhibition in any part of the world but Auckland, where out of only two stands for exhibits, one was nearly bare ? And yet on this were some of the finest specimens of the several kinds of horticultural produce that could be seen anywhere. Oranges grown in the open air, in the vicinity of Auckland, boughs of lemons of most prolific bearing, citrons of great size, rhubarb, strawberries, and indeed every kind of fruit and vegetable, of which the same might be said. Nothing could be more satisfactory than each result obtained by the exhibitor. But what we complain of is that there were not twenty exhibitors where there were only one or two. In exhibitions of this kind the real standard is found in profusion. It is by no means clear that we possessed in the show of yesterday all that is worth seeing. The greater merit is due to those who did come forward to compete. Their names are deserving of honor for their public spirit no less than for the undeniable value and excellence of the articles they sent in. Can anyone believe that out of the well-known garden wealth of this province there could be found only a half-dozen who would compete ? The public are really in-. debted to Messrs. Lippiatt, David.-. Hay, Palmer, Mclndoe, and Gillespie, who were yesterday the principal exhibitors. We know, it may be said, gardeners must not lose the sunshine, and time is precious to them. The statement may be true, but it cannot be an excuse for the very small amount of trouble that would be necessary to send an exhibit to the committee. Perhaps this apathy will work its own cure by giving prominence to those names which do recognise some obligation to public duty. The most attractive feature of the exhibition were the. roses sent in by Mr. Lippiatt and Mr. Palmer : the first in sets of 36, and the second in sets of 24. To these were awarded the two silver cups. They were splendid specimens. The same exhibitors carried off the prize for single specimens. Mr. A. Macdonald carried off the first prize for pansies, in sets of 12; and Mr. Lippiatt second prize. Mr. A. Macdonald again carraied off the prize for verbenas. Mr. Palmer exhibited several beautiful gladioli plants, which took the prize. The collection of cut flowers exhibited by Mr. Walker were very beautiful, and were awarded the prize. A very conspicuous object was the floral device by Messrs. Mclndoe and Gillespie, which stood 5 feet high. Another ingenious device was the Arms of the City of London, with motto. Mr. David Hay exhibited several elegant specimens of palms ; but the most interesting were some tri-color geraniums by the same exhibitor. Some splendid fuchsias exhibited by Mr. Bullen attracted groups of admirers. Another very interesting exhibit was comprised in six pots of Bonganville primulas from the gardens of Mr. Justioe Gillies. Some Chinese primroses exhibited by Mr. Gillespie also attracted a great deal of attention. The following is the prize-list :— Section I. Plants in Pexs.—Stove or greenhouse plants, In sets of 8: T. Bullen, Ist prize. Fine foliage plants, in sets of-6: — Gillespie, Ist prize; W. Walker, 2nd. Palms and dracsenas, In sets of 6: D. Hay, Ist prize. Calceolarias, in sets of 0: T. Bullen, Ist prize; — Bouganvllla, extra prize. Primulas, in sets of 4: —Gillespie.'lst prize; four pots extra. Cut Flowers.—Roses, in sets of 36 distinct varieties; E. lippiatt, Ist prizn; — Palmer, 2nd. Eoses, in sets of 24 distinct varieties: — Palmer. Ist prize: E. Lippiatt, 2nd. Single specimen: B. Lippiatt, Ist prize, fanzies, in sets of 12: A. McDonald, Ist prize; E. Lippiatt, 2nd. Panzies, in sets of 8; A.. McDonald, Ist prize; E. Lippiatt, 2nd. Verbenas, in sets of 12, not more tlian three trusses of each: A. McDonald, l~t prize; D. Hay, 2nd. Antirrhinums, in set 3 of 12: Extra prize, A. McDonald: Gladioli, in sets of 22: — Palmer, Ist prize: General collection of cut flowers, not less than 24 kinds, W.J Walker, Ist prize; D. Hay, 2nd: Design In cut flowers: Mclndoe and Gillespie, 1»* "izes; L. Bullen 2nd' Hand bouquet: PrU ist prize; L: Bullen, 2nd. Table bouquet: Km: A., Gillespie, Ist prize; MissSpcight. 2nd. l'box cut flowers:—Walker, honourable mention. •FBOtrs.—Lemons,-6 : ; Mclndoe, lit'pHze; extra/ W. Eeay. Strawberries, dishes of 60: — Thompson, Ist prize; — Hawkins, 2nd. Culinaby Vegetables.—Cucumbers, best brace: J. Brithwaite, Ist prize. Aspargus, SO heaii:—MoDonald, Ist prize. Potatoes, kidney, 18: W. Bear. Ist prize; — Palmer, 2nd. Potatoes, round, is: | — Palmer, Ist prize. Potatoes, collection of 6 early

.varMfes:.J.Brathwatle. 2nd prizo: ;B.l«jtsrft-ff3taltar-W. Bear, 1« prize. Cabbages: B. uood. Ist pria*. Peas; 50 jxkLi: w. Palmer* 2nd prize. Peas, coUeeuon of 4 kinds, 60 i ods of each: -Palmer, Ist prize; ' ,—Hawkins, 2nd. Turnips, 6: E. Good, Ist prize; — Palmer, 2nd. Best-collection of Vegetables,.not , lessr than 12 kinds: 1-t i,rize. R. Good; ex.ra prii*s, " — Palmer and Bbysf Naval Training School. • It will be seen from the above list how scanty.was- the' exhibition of vegetables. What, specimens were shewn were, however, of the very finest quality, and equal to anything yet produced in their several kinds. Mr. fieay, Mr. Palmer, and Mr. J. Braithwaite were the successful exhibitors in this •section. Mr. Macdonald again took a prize for asparagus, and Mr. Hawkins for peas. Amongst the fruits, Mr. Mclndoe exhibited a large number of lemons, taking, as stated, the first prize, and Mr. Reay the extra prize. The strawberries exhibited by Mr. Thomson and Mr. Hawkins were magnificent specimens.- ■ Section 11. For amateurs not employing professional gardeners or growing for sale. Pi.aj.ts in Pots.—Greenhouse or Window Plants, single specimen: -Mrs. McConnell, Ist prize. Fuchsiai, in sets of 3: R. Sims, Ist prize. Cut Fi.ow.sHS.-Koses, in sets of 12 distinct varieties: Mrs. Speight, lit prize; A. Mackechnie, 2nd. Eoses, in sets of 6 distinct varieties: Mr?. Speight, Ist prize. Pansies, in seta of 6: Bessio Speight, Ist prize. General collection of Cut Flowers, cot lesi than 12 kinds: E. "llahoney. sen., Ist prize. Hand Bouquets: C. Speight, Ist prize; Miss Speight, 2nd; extra, Miss Speight. Uulinabt Veoetables.—Potatoes, kidney, 12: — Lavers, Ist prize; Miss Speight, 2nd. Potatoes, round, 12: —Johnson, Ist prize. The green-house and window-p'snts exhibited by Mrs. MacConnell, and 'he fuchsias by Mr. R. Sims were much adi aired. The bouquets by Mrs. Speight and her daughters were not only rich and beautiful by reason of the flowers used, but their arrangement displayed exquisite taste. The miscellaneous collections were also very fine. It will be seen from a perusal of the above that while all those who exhibited deserve the highest praise for what they sent in, the exhibition cannot be said to represent adequately the horticultural resources of this province. Why should not every private family living in the country, and with means and leisure, be an exhibitor and even a competitor for prizes ? It may be said that the prizes are of small value, but those who competed for the sake of success in the pursuit of an elegant taste might find excellent uses for winnings which they would not care to appropriate to themselves. This view of the matter brings to mind several lots of vegetables, fruits, and flowers exhibited by the boys of the Naval Training School." Would it be nothing to create a fund to assist laudable endeavours of this kind on the part o£ the inmates of public schools, asylums, hospitals, and orphanages J Encouragement in this direction would surely have an excellent effect, and be one of the most practical and useful forms in which benevolence could exercise itself. The afternoon was brilliant, and the number of visitors happily compensated for the fewness of the exhibits. It was most satisfactory to be able to bear testimony to the splendid bloom and beauty of the flowere. There could not be a more suitable place for the holding such an exhibition. The lawn in front of Government House afforded a delightful promenade, and as the afternoon was enlivened by the music of Mr. Impey's Band (The City Band), whose performances are of a high class of merit, the surroundings as well as the exhibition itself afforded the means of a most enjoyable pastime. We are glad to be able to announce that the exhibition will be open this afternoon from , twelve till five o'clock.