THE HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5729, 29 March 1880, Page 6

THE HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

A few months ago, through the energy and perseverance of a number of gentlemen interested in garden pursuits, a Horticultural Society for the Auckland district was established, and on Friday, March 19, the first exhibition of fruit, flowers, &c., under the auspices of the new Socioty, took place. The exhibition was held in the drill-shed, Wellesley-street Bast, which was tastefully decorated with evergreens for the purpose. Wright's string band was in attendance, and helped to while away many a pleasant hour with the sweet strains of music.

Considering the long dry season we have had, little flural display was expected. This expectation was fally realised. The flower display was decidedly weak and inferior, although there were a few very pretty cut flowers present, and several very neat designs in flowers, imitation gardens, &c. In the section of plants in pots, the show was very creditable. Foliage plants were well represented, both for competition and exhibition. In this section Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Mason were good exhibitors, the palm of victory being carrieJ oil by Mr. Gillespie, gardener at Government House, who also took first and second prizes for stove or greenhouse plants. The show of fruit, considering the lateness of the season, was an astonishment to all. In applts, though a great many of the early varieties are already out, the exhibition was equal, if not superior, to anything that any other part of the colony could produce. This is not much to bo wondered at, as a great deal of attention has been paid to selecting and planting good sorts during the last six or eight years, and in a few years more the show of last week will be far surpassed. Mr. H. E. Sharp, of Waikomiti, exhibited seventy different varieties of appleß, and we tinders' aud he liaa over 400 different varieties growing in his orchard, for the purpose of testing the kinds that thrive beat in this climate. Ninety of these he has tried for several years and condemned, and in due season the trees will be uprooted, leaving fully 300 varieties to experiment with further. To these large additions will shortly be made. Mr. \V. J. Palmer was also an exhibitor of a number o£ different varieties of apples. Mr. 11. Hobbs, of Pokeno, was also o -"•""'u' i<£ «ariecies of really ex eellent looking apples. Mr. J. B. Bull, of Retnuera, was also a successful exhibitor of very good apples, and Mr. Jones, of Big Muddy Creek, brought forward twtnty-one varieties for the twelve variety collection. In peaches, Mr. Hobbs was highly successful. Some of the late fruit he showed were superior in appearance to many really good varieties of early peaches. The two varieties which he exhibited of special merit were The Peach and Hobbs's Late Peach. The former was a purchase, but whether properly named or not has to be proved; but the lastnamed is a seedling raised by his father some fifteen or sixteen years ago, and has been | kept in the family since. In grapeß, Mr. E. Hesketh was the most extensive exhibitor. He showed several new kinds. Mr. D. Mclndoe, of i psom, showed two splendid bunches of Madresfield Court Muscat, but they hai scarcely attained full ripeness. The two bunches weighed 51bs. Mr. R. Hobbs was also a successful exhibitor of grapes, and tho Alexandra Muscat, grown in the open air, certainly was superior to anything which the neighbourhood of Auckland could produce with the same variety.

Among the miscellaneoas sections of the exhibition may be named a collection of wellripened opium poppy pods ; several orauges, grown by Mr. Jones, of Muddy Creek, but being too early in the season only two were ripe ; one small exhibit of lemons, also Mr. Joues's ; a magnificent collection of potteryware, suitable forgardeu and greenhouse purposes, by Mr. Boyd, of tbe Newton Pottery Works; a number of fountains shown by Mr. H. White, and a number of very beautiful rustic work, shown by Messrs. Porter and Co. Altogether there were about 220 entries in the several sections. Of these there were six entries for peaches, seven for dessert apples, ten for culinary apples, nine for dessert pears, four for black grapes, and four for white grapes. Subjoined is the PKIZE LIST. Section I.—Plants in Pots. No. 1, Stove or Greenhouse Plants.—J. Mason, Ist prize, 30s. Fine Foliage Plants, in sets of six.—-A. Gillespie, Ist prize, 20s; J. Mason, 2nd, 15s. Caladinius, in sets of six.—James Mason, Ist prize, 20?. Colens.—James Mason, Ist prize, 20s ; A. Gillespie, 2nd, 355; G. Warburton (gardener for T. Buddie), 3rd, 10s. Begonias, in sets of six, foliage kinds. —A. Gillespie, Ist prize, 20s j James Mason, 2nd, 15s. Fuscliias, in sets of four.—No first or second prizes awarded. W. J. Palmer, 3rd prize, 10s ; James Mason, 4th, us. Ferns.— S. Morrin, Ist prize, 30s ; 2nd, James Mason, 15s. New Zealand Trees and Shrubs.—James Mason, Ist prize. Plaut of Thunbergia alatn, shown by G. NVarburton, commended. Section 2.—Cut Flowers. Set of eighteen Dahlias.— E. Bright (gardener to Mrs. Clark), Ist prize, 255. Set of twelve Dahlias. —G. Warburton (gardener to T. Buddie), Ist prize, 20s ; 8.. Bright, 2nd, 15s; Kessell (gardener to J. C. Firth), 3rd, 10s. lioses, insets of twelve.—W. J. Palmer, Ist prize, 15s ; Jas. Mason, 2nd, 10s. Anterrhinums, iii sets of nine.—No first prize ; Jas. Mason, 2nd, ss. Phloxes, j>erennial, in sets of nine.—Kessell (gardener to J. C. Firth), 2nd prize, 7s; 3rd, J. Mason, 3s. Verbenas, in sets of twelve. —"W. J. Palmer, Ist prize, 10s. Pansies, in sets of twelve. —W.J. Palmer, Ist prize, 7s. Design in Cut Flowers.—T. Bullen, Ist prize, 30s ; Miss C. C. Speight, 2nd, 20s ; Miss Violet Speight, 3rd, 15a ; E. S. Cook, 4th, 7s. Hanu Bouquet.—Miss C. C. Speight, Ist prize, ss; G. Warburton (gardner to T. Buddie), 2nd, 3s; Mrs. Drink water, 3rd, 2s. Hand Bouquet (composed of native flowers). —Miss C. C. Speight, Ist prize, ss. Bridal Bouquet. —G. Warburton (gardener to T. Buddie), Ist prize, ss; Miss C. C. Speight, 2nd, 3s. African Marigolds (extra prize).—Kessell (gardener to J. C. Firth); also, extra prize for zinnias. An early camclia, shown by W. F. Buckland, was highly commended. Section 3.—Fuuits. Black Grapes (grown under glass), two bunches. —E. Hesketh, Ist and 2nd prizes, 20s and 15s; JamesjMason, 3rd, 10s j D. Mclndoe, 4tb, 53. White Grapes (grown under glass), two bunches.—E. Hesketh, Ist, 2nd, and 3rd prizes, 20s, 15s, and 10s ; James Mason, 4th, ss. Grapes (grown in open air), two bunches.— R. Hobbs, Ist prize, 10s; James Mason, 2nd, 5s ; E. Meatyard, 3rd and 4 th, 5s and 3s.

Best Single Bunch of Grapes (grown undar glass).—E. llc-sketh, extra prize.

Fie;s, three varieties, twelve fruits each. —W. J. Palmer, Ist prize, 10s. Best Nine Peaches. —R. Hobbs, Ist and 2nd prizes, G3 and 4s ; H. E. Sharp, 3rd prize, 3s.

Plums. —li. Hobbs, Ist prizo, Gs ; H. J. Hawkins, 2nd prize, 4s.

Dessert-Apples.—lt. Ilobbs, Ist prize, Gs ; H. E. Sharp, 2nd, 4s ; \\ r . F. Bitcldand, 3rd, 3s.

Culinary Apples.—W. J. l'almer, Ist prize, Gh ; H. E. Sharp, 2nd, 4a ; Mrs. J. Y. Stevenson, 3rd, 3s.

Dessert Pears. —R. Hobbs, Ist prize, Gs ; n, E. Sharp, 2nd, 4s ; R. Hobbs, 3rd, 3b.

Culinary Pears.—E. Ilaywood, Ist prize, Gs. Scarlet Flesh Melon.—S. Morrin, Ist prize, Gs ; G. Bailey, 2nd, 4a ; James Mason, 3rd, 3s. Green Flesh Melon.—W. J. Palmer, Ist prize, Gs ; E. Heywood, 2nd, 4s.

Water-rrelons.- W. J. Palmor, Ist prize, Gs ; R. Hobba, 2nd, 4s J. H. Garner, 3rd, 3s,

Lemons. —John Jones, Ist prizo, 7s. Oranges.—John Jones, Ist prize, 7s. "Walnuts.—John Jones, Ist prize, Ga. Capo Gooseberries —Kessell (gardener to J. C. Firth), Ist prize, Gs.

Apples, collection of not less than twelve varieties. —J. B. Bull, Ist prize, 30s, John Jones, 2nd, 20s; R. Scarborough, 3rd, 15s ; J. Palmer, 4th, 7s.

Apples, collection of not less than twenty varieties. —H. E. Sharp, Ist prize, £2; H. J. Hawkins, 2nd, 30s ; W. J. Palmor, 3rd ; 20s. Quinces. —It. Scarborough, Ist prizo; H. Lipscoinbe, 2nd ; J. Jones, 3rd.

Medlars.—E. Haywood, oxtra prize. Section 4— Culinary Vegetaiii.es.

Tomatoes, 12.— T. Bullcn, first prize, Gs ; D. Mclndoe, 2nd, 4s; Kcssell (gardener to J. C. Firtb), 3rd, 3s. Peas, bcßt diah of 50 pods.—T. Ballon, Ist prize, 6a ; B. Bailey, 2nd, sa. Kidney Bonns, best dish of 40 pods.—J. Braithwaite, lat prizo, Gs ; J. Bullcn, 2nd, 5s ; D. Mclndoe, 3rd, 4a ; I£. Bailey, 4th, 2a. Cauliflower, two hoada.—T. Bullen, lat prize.

7b. Cabbages, two heads.—W. Roay» Ist prize, 7a; J. Braithwaifco, 2nd, Oa; T. Builen, 3rd,

4s. Turnips, six heads.—T. Bullon, Ist priao, 6a; Itessell {grown for J. C. Firth), 2nd, 4s. Carrots, G. —W. llcay, Ist prize, Gs; T. Bullon, 2nd, 4a ; Fisher and Co., 3rd, 3s. Beot Root, 3.— T. Bullon, Ist prize, 5s ; S. Morrin, 2nd, 4s; W. F. Buclcland, 3rd, 3s. Celery, two lioads.—Fiahor and Co., lutprizo, 7*2

Onion Seed, 12.— E. Bailey, Ist prize, 6s; W. F. Buckland, 2nd, ss; S. Morrin, 3rd, 4s ; Fisher and Co., 4th, 2a. Kidney Potatoes, 18. —W. J. Palmer, Ist prize, 10s; E. Bailey, 2nd, 7«; J. Braithwaite, 3rd, 4s ; R. C. Barstow, 4th, 2s. Round Potatoes, 18.— R. Hobbs, Ist prize, 10s; W. J. Palmer, 2nd, 7s ; E. B. Houlton, 3rd, 4s ; W. F. Buckland, 4th, 2s. Collection of Potatoes, not less than twelve kinds.—E. Bailey, Ist prize, 25s ; W. J. Palmer, 2nd, 15s.

Vegetable Marrows, 2.— S. Morrin, Ist prize, 03 ; W. F. Buckland, 2nd, 4s. Pumpkins, 2.— T. Osborne, Ist prize, 7s ; I Fisher and Co., 2ud, 4s ; T. Osborne, 3rd, 2s.^ Pie-melons.—Fisher and Co., Ist prize, ss; T. Ooborne, 2nd, 4s ; R. O. Barstow, 3rd, 3s. Collection of Vegetables, not less than twelve kinds.—T. Bullen, Ist prize, 255; Fisher and Co., 2nd, 203. Parsnips, 6.— T. Bullen, Ist prize, 6s ; W. Reay, 2nd, 4s ; T. Osborne, 3rd, 3s. Extra Prizes. Rhubarb.—W. Reay,ls* prize. Garlic.—E. Bailey, Ist prize. Shallott.—E. Bailey, Ist prize. Opium Poppy. —E. Bailey, Ist prize. Collection of Vegetables, from Kaukapakapa. — A. Bonar, Ist prize. Forage Plants, "Job's Tears grass" (coix lachrymaj exhibited by J. Mayo, Drury, commended. MISCBLLANEOUS. Ornamental Garden Pottery, exhibited by G. Boyd, highly commended. Ornamental Flower-pots, &c., exhibited by Porter and Co., highly commended. Self-acting Fountains, exhibited by H. White.