ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9155, 10 September 1888, Page 3

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

CAMELLIA SHOW AT PONSONBY. The second Camellia Show of the season, under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, was held on Saturday at the Ponsonby Hall. The show was got up by the following committee of management, namely :—Messrs. A. Gillespie,' D. Mclndoe, C. Kenneth, and S. E. Hughes, and Messrs. C. T. Wren and W. Mclndoe were the judges. The exhibits were staged on three long tables extending through the length of the hall, and the stage was occupied principally by a large number of extra exhibits which were not entered for competition. The want of a supply of pot plants was very noticeable, and took from the show the full and rich appearance of that held at the Newmarket Hall recently, but in every other respect it was fully equal to that show, and, in fact, superior in some respects, for there was a larger amount of competition, a larger number of exhibits, and 011 the whole a richer show of camellias; but the absence of the pot plants, and want of decoration generally, rather detracted from the appearance of the show.

The larger portion of the show was, of course, taken up with camellias, of which there was a wealth of bloom, as rich as could be produced in any part of the world, and a credit to the exhibitors, and amongst the principal and most successful exhibitors were Messrs. A. McDonald, McKaig (Mr. Barstow's gardener), Knight (gardener to Mr. Heskoth), and Mrs. S. E. Hughes. Mrs. Malavey, of Ponsonby, obtained the first prize and championship for the best white camellia, but it was a very close contest between that flower and a beautiful rich rod camellia exhibited by Mr. McKaig, to which was awarded the prize for the best red camellia. Mr. \V. Goldie, Domain gardener, had on exhibition a magnificent collection of cyclamens in all shades, which attracted universal attention, and another exhibit which claimed attention was four cinerarias in pots, exhibited by Mr. F. Forrest, gardener to Mr. Murdoch. These were of different colours in rich bloom, and remarkably healthy. The collection of cut flowers exhibited by this gentleman was remarkably fine, and a feature of the exhibition, containing 72 varieties, was that each flower in the variety had a card affixed, containing its name. This feature attracted the special approbation of the judges and visitors, and it is an example which we hope to see followed in future exhibitions. The most attractive feature of the show, without doubt, was the boquet department. There were two fine exhibits of Everlasting bouquets by Mrs. Bull and Miss Speight. The former, to which the first prize was awarded, was certainly very handsome, but it was thought by many to resemble a bunch rather than a bouquet, while Miss Speight's was artistically arranged. There was very keen competition for bridal bouquets, there being no fewer than six exhibits, each beautiful, but all possessing the same fault, that of being too large. In this class Miss Speight was again the successful competitor. There wore two magnificent table bouquets of camellias exhibited by Mr. Knight and Miss Devote, and the latter obtained the judge's award. Mr. Knight, however, obtained the pri/.e for a table bouquet. In hand bouquets there were seven fine specimens, and Miss Eva Hughes obtained the prize for a very artistically-arranged bouquet. In buttonhole bouquets there were eight exhibits. It would be better in future that the committee should specify whether the buttonholes are for ladies or gentlemen, and there would then be less confusion. Miss Speight's appeared to be the one most suitable for a gentleman's decoration, and it was awarded the first prize, but many of the others, although too large for that purpose, were very pretty indeed, and one exhibited by Master Bertie Haven claimed considerable notice. The display of violet bouquets was a really splendid one, in every respect a credit, and indeed the whole show of llowers was exceptionally good. In the fruit department the show was rather weak, its principal feature being a very line collection of the citrus family, exhibited by Mr. \V. Knight, ranging from great massive, shaddocks to small limes. There were also some very tine plates of Lisbon lemons, exhibited by Mr. W. 11. Smith, of Ponsonby, Mes.-rs. \Y. Knight, J. Craig, and .1. F. Roberts. in apples Mr. S. K. Hughes and Mr. Stych, of Onehunga, ware the only competitors, and both exhibit were highly commended. Mr. Mayo, of Drury, had a fine lot of keeping apples on view, although not for competition. These proved to be of splendid quality and good keeping apples. They comprised Symond's Winter (a fine, wellformed fruit), Lord Wolseley, Reinette de Grange, Rhode Island Greening (a large, fleshy apple), Yellow Newton Pippin, and others.

The vegetable department was not so well represented as it ought to have been, potatoes, cabbages, and other vegetables being very scarce. There were some fine samples of parsnips, turnips, and beet, and a very peculiar mottled cabbage exhibited by Mr. T. Fordyce was viewed with much curiosity. Amongst the extra exhibits which were not entered for competition we noticed a beautiful cross and wreath, made of everlasting llowers, by Miss Speight, a very artistic work indeed. Mr. McDonald, of Newmarket,exhibited some splendid blooms of rhododendrons, which were much admired. Dr. Knight exhibited a plate of Cape gooseberries and a plate of potatoes, and Mr. \V. Thome showed oranges and lemons. In every instance a certificate of merit was given for these exhibits.

The following are the judges' awards :— '24 Camellias, distinct varieties. Ist prize, TsGd.-—Mr. A. McDonald, Ist.

12 Camellias, distinct varieties. Ist prize, ss; 2nd, 2s lid.—John Mclvaig gardener to Mr. R. ('. Ravstow, Ist; A. McDonald,'2nd ; W. Knight, gardener to Mr. E. Hesketh, 3rd. Five exhibits.

6 Camellias, distinct varieties. Ist prize, ss; '2nd, 2s (id.—James McKaig, gardener to Mr. R. C. Barstow, Ist F. Forrest, gardener to Mr. 1). L. Murdoch, 2nd. Seven exhibits. Best White Camellia. Prize, 2s (id. —Mrs. Malavev, Ist. Eleven exhibits.

Best Red Camellia. Prize, 2s (id.—James MoKaipr, gardener to .Mr. R. C. Barstow, Ist. Four exhibits. Collection of Cyclamen. Ist prize, 5s ; '2nd, fid. —\Y. Gohlie, Domain gardener, Ist. 4 Cinerarias, in pots. Prize. '2s fid.—F. Forrest, gardener to Mr. I). L. Murdoch, Ist. Bouquet Everlasting Flowers, Prize, 2s (>d.—Airs. Bull. Ist. Two exhibits. Bridal Bouquet. Prize, ss.— Speight, Ist; Miss Devore, highly commended; Miss McDonald, commended. Six exhibits. Table Bouquet Camellias. Prize, ss.Miss Devore, Ist. Two exhibits. Collection of Apples. Prize, 2s (3d.— E. Hughes, certificate of merit; M. Stych, certificate of merit. Two exhibits.

Collection Citrus Family. Prize, 1 dozen Hogg's extract of malt, value 28s. —W. Knight, gardener to Mr. E. Hesketh, Ist. Two exhibits.

12 Lisbon Lemons. Prize, tin of biscuits. —W. H. Smith, Ist; J. Roberts,commended Three exhibits.

12 Oranges. Prize, leg of mutton.—W. Kemp, Ist; W. Knight, commended. Table Bouquet. Prize, 5s. —W. Knight, Ist. Hand Bouquet. Prize, ss.—Miss Eva Hughes, Ist ; Miss Speight, highly commended. Seven exhibits. '

Collection of Cut Flowers. Prize, 1 ton firewood. —F. Forrest (gardener to D. L. Murdoch), Ist; Mrs. S. E. Hughes, jun., very highly commended; James Craig, commended. Five exhibits. Best _ Button-hole Bouquet. Prize, value ss.—Miss Speight, Ist. Eight exhibits. Violet Bouquet. Prize, value ss.—Miss SI. McDonald, Ist; W. Knight (gardener to Mr. E. Hesketh), highly commended ; Miss Eva Hughes, commended. Five exhibits. Collection of Vegetables. Prize, value 18s. —J. Nettlingham, Ist; D. Macindoe, highly commended.

Collection New Potatoes. Prize, value 5s 6d. —D. Macindoe, Ist. Collection Ranunculi. Prize, ss. —M. Stych, Ist. Variegated Cabbages.—T. Fordyce, very highly commended. Champion Camellia.— Malavey, Ist. _ Extra Exhibits.—Certificates of merit were awarded to the following extra exhibits, which were not entered for competition : —Mr. McDonald : Rhododendrons; Miss Speight: Everlasting flowers — cross and wreath ; Dr. A. O. Knight : New potatoes ; Win. Mason: Two stands aamellias ; F. Forrest : Three hyacinths; A. Jones : White camellia ; J. Patterson : Camellia bouquet; G. Osborne : Seedling camellia ; W. home : Orange lemons, and stand of camellias ; Dr. Knight: Plate of Cape gooseberries; J. F. Roberts: Spray of lemons; Mrs. Williamson : Bronze camellia.

There was a fair attendance of the public during the evening, and a band playing

outside the hall enlivened the proceedings. At half-past nine o'clock the greater number of the exhibits were sold by auction by Mr. D. F. Evans for the benefit of the Society, but there was little competition, and poor prices were realised.