BIRKENHEAD AND NORTHCOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9308, 11 March 1889, Page 6

BIRKENHEAD AND NORTHCOTE.

THE SOCIETY'S . ANNUAL SHOW. Presides «t, Mr. W. Thompson; vicepresidensls, Mr. F. Stafford and D. Swindail; secretary, Mr. H. Rawlinson ; treasurer, Mr. J. G. Ray. Committee: Messrs. A. Wilson, A. Wilson, jun., \V. Chaytor, J. Stanley, "W. Wenham. The annual show in connection with the Birkenhes-d and Northcote Fruitgrowers' Society was held on Saturday afternoon, in the Gladstone Hall, Northcote. There was a good attendance throughout the afternoon, a number of Auckland visitors going over. In the evening, the hall was crowded, most of the residents of the district interested in fruitgrowing being present. There was a good display of fruit, | flowers, and vegetables, that of the former ! class being splendid, one competitor alone, Mr. W. Thompson, had '200 entries of apples, and exhibited about 120 varieties, having a table the length of the hall devoted to his: own exhibits. He and his neighbour, Me. Wilson, with their respective families, simply "scooped the pool," as they did hist year, in the way of prizes, showing what industry and the application of skilled laixmr can do. In fruit alone there were 400 exhibits, and, on the whole, in quantity and quality, in advance of last year. There was a fine display of all kinds, except hothentse grapes and figs, namely, apples, pear.?, peaches, plums, lemons, melons, etc. There has, it seems, been very little of the oxllin moth this season. An excellent collection of culinary and dessert apples were she wn, the russets being very good. The fine exhibit of King of Pippins attracted much attention. A tine collection of culinary and dessert apples from the Wade was shown by Mr. L. Vickers. Pears, quinces, and lemons, were well represented. There was a good exhibit of Cape gooseberries, and a new varir.ty was exhibited by Mr. Alexander, which promises to be a great improvement on the old stock. In the amateurs' class there was a fine show of fruit, there being about 150 exhibits. Some excellent culinar apples were shown by Mr. Stevenson, oi Lucas Creek, but not for competition, also by Mr. Gee, Northcote. Messrs. Morrin an d Co. presented as prizes applo parers and corers, which promise to be very useful to settlers. Specimens of apples pared and cored were exhibited. In pot plants Mrs. Willows was the principal exhibitor. Mr. Ralston also exhibited pot plants, but mat for competition. Of table bouquets there was a good collection, chastely arranged. A fine collection of single and double dahlias was exhibited by Mr. Dewes, but not for competition. There was a creditable shew of vegetables of all kinds, and in some lines an improvement shown on last year, hough the season had not been on the w hole favourable. The potatoes looked well, as also the onions, and a {rood show was made of green peas, tomatoej, lettuce, turnips, carrots, &c. The heaviest onion was "Jib 3oz, grown by Mr. W. L. Mitchell. Of new varieties of vegetables, two were shown — vegetable peanuts, and salsafy c r vegetable oyster. A collection of oaten chaff, oats, wheat, and ryegrass seed was shown by Mr. Wilson, who also exhibited some wheat and oats in the ear; Mr. Stafford exhibited some specimens of maize nine fee'- high. There is a tradition at Northcote that he fattened a horse and co w on a chain square of this crop for some considerable time, so it is clear that at Northcote they do not need the "three acres and a cow," for which the English pease .ntry are clamouring as the acme of agricultural prosperity. There was a good display of butter, in pats, etc., also of honey, both in the comb and strained, while tho show of jams and jellies was simply splendid. Singular to say, one solitary cheese represented that branch of dairy industry. The judges for the f."uit, flowers, and vegetables were: Messrs. C. Wren, W. Mclndoe, and McDonald (Newmarket): of dairy produce, jams, and jellies : Messrs. E. Ellingham and HatswelV. The following is the prize list: — J'ot Plants. —IJest collection pot plants, David Swiwlail, 1; one singly m«j •.•iiueii, F. Porter, 1. Two Wilms, distinct. 11. '1 In, inpsoil, 1. Two tine foliage plants. Mrs. Willows, Z ; one specimen fine foliage plant,, Mrs. Willows, 2. Three native plants, distinct, W. Wilson, 1; one native plant, specimen, 11. Swinilail, 1. One fori*, specimen, .Mrs. Willows, 2; three ferns, distinct, Mrs. Willo' 2. two coleas, .J. .Scale, 1. Three balsams, distinct, Mrs. Rawlinson, *2. One ivy-leaved pelargonium, Mrs. Willows, 1. One specimen hanging basket, :.>lrs. Porter, highly commended.

(Jut Flowers.— dahlias, distinct, Mrs. Speight, 1; Mrs. Alderton, 2; 'hree ditto, .Mrs. Speight, 1; Mrs. Alderton, 2. Three minitowers, A. Willows, 1 ; Florence itawlinson, 2; A. Ueddes, 3 ; one sunflower, Stanley Thompson, 1. Three Rones, distinct, any variety, Mrs. Alderton, 2. Three African marigolds, distinct, C. Jenk inson, 2. Three gladioli, distinct, J). Swindail, 2. Collection of cut flowers, Mrs. Alderton, 1; Mi ss F. Jenkinson, 2. Collection of native flowers, Robert Thompson, 1 ; Margaret Wilson, 2. Bouquet of native flower#, Miss Julia Cook, 1; Sarah Thompson, 2; Maggie Wilson, 3. Bridal bouquet, Miss .Speight, I ; J. Neale, 2. Floral cross, J. Neale, 1. Table bouquet, Miss A. Couk, 1; Mrs. idail, 2. Floral wreath, Miss Speight, 1. Fruit.—Two bunches of grapes, grown out of doors, J. U. Kay, 1 ; one bunch ditto, J. U. Kay, 1. Twelve tigs, Mrs. Aldurton, 1 ; sis ti>;s, Mrs. Alderton, 1. Six peaches, Charles Wilson, 1; K. G. ilawes, 2. Collection of plums, J. Stanley, 1 ; Allan Wilson, 2 ; two dishes of plums, distinct, twelve of each, .1. Johns I ; L. Vickers, 2 ; Allan Wilson, counnendiid. Heaviest apple, L. Vickers. 1; J. Hill. 2; best collection of apples, tiro of each, W. Thompson, I; A. Jenkinson, 2; largest variety, three■ of each, W. Thompson, 1; apples, six dessert, W. Thompson, 1; A. Jenkinson, '.i; apples, live culinary. F. Stafford, 1; W. Thompson, 2; apples, six varie ties dessert, six of each, H. Llewellyn, 1; J. Johnston, 2; 2; six varieties culinary, live of eac.i, J. Stanley, 1. Collection of pears, four varieties, Ave of each, J. Johnston, 1; I). McCoy, 2; five pears, dessert, J. Wilson, I; J. Johnston, 2 ; heaviest pear, J Wilson, 1. Five quinces, 1). Swindail, 1 ; T. Metcalfe, 2. Fifty Capo gooseberries, G. .lack, 1; A. Graham, 2. Six lemons, foliage attached, W. Thompson, 1; Mrs. Willows, 2; throo lemons, foliage attached, Mrs. Willows, 1; J. Faulkner, 2. Three oranges, foliage attached, J. Jenicinson, 1. Lest rockinelon, C. J'. Roper, 1; one green fresh rockmelon, Redgate Bros, 1. One watermelon, li. 11. Clow, 1; Kllie (/'low, 2. One piewielon, K. Jackson, 1 ; C. T. Itoper. 2. Two citron melons, Allan Wilson, 1; liedgate Bros., 2. Best plate (if strawberries, J. G. Kay, I ; 11. Llewellyn, 2. Sis. passion fruits, A. Jenkinson, 1. Amateurs' Class.— Heaviest apples, J. G. Kay, 1; best collection of apples, five of each, F. Stafford, 1; J. G. Kay, 2; T. Metcalfe, 3; largest variety of apples, three of each, K. Stafford, 1; apples, five dessert, F. Stafford, 1; Mrs. Nick son, 2 ; apples, culinary, F. Stafford, I; J. G. Kay, 2 ; John Jli 11 and H. ltawlinson, commended; applies, five varieties, dessert, five of each, J. Faulkner, 2; six varieties, culinary, live of each, F. Stafford, 1:; J. G. Kay, 2; John Hill, H. Kawlinson, and H. Gee, commended.

Vegetaiiles.—Two cucumbers, A. McKotiudge, 1; J. Smaile, 2. Six rhubarb stalks, Mrs. Aiderton, I ; W. McFethidge, 2. Two cabbage binds, J. Stanley, 1. Two red cabbages, A. Kiddle, I. Three lettuce heads, A. Wilson, 1. Six turnips, white, A. Wilson, 1. Six turnips, green, red or purple tops, A. Wilson, 1 ; It. Itawlifison, 2. Six swedes, W. Thompson, 1. Six Mangolds, H. Itawlinson, 2. Six carrots, long, \V. L. Mitchell, I; six carrots, short, C. T. Roper, 2. Six carrots, white, short, It. Bibby, 1; A. Mcfothidge, 2. Six carrots, white, long, W. Thompson, 1; Allan Wilson, 2. Twenty pods broad beans. Arch. Wilson, 1; H. Rawlinson, i. Thirty pods Freii.;h bea lis, Arch. Wilson, 1; J. Stanley, 2. Twenty pods runner beans, C. T. Rope, 1 ; Arch. Wilson, 2. Thirty pods peas, one variety, Arch. Wilson, 1; J. ■Stanley, 2. Best collection of peas, Arch. Wilson, 1. Twelve potatoes, round, W. Mitchell, ; Wilson Brothers, 2. Twelve kidney potatoes, ,T. Cook, X ; J. Srnale, 2. Collection of potatoes, three each, ii. McKethidge, 1; li. lid wards, 2. Collection of vegetables, Arch. Wilson, 1. Twelve long radishes, Arch. Wilson, 1. Twelve round radishes, Arch. Wil-on, 1. Six onions, W. McFethidge, 1 ; W. L. .Mitchell, 2. Heaviest onion, W. L. Mitchell, 1. Six leeks, A. Kiddle, 1. Six parsnips, R. Bibby, 1 ; W. L. .Mitchell, 2. Six bset, long, Arch. Wilson, 1. Six beet, round, A. Porter, I. Six tomatoes, Arch. Wilson, 1; It. Bibby, 2 ; J. Fletcher, 3. Collection of tomatoes, Arch. Wilson, 1; R. Bibby, 2 ; D. Swimiail, commended. Two vegetable marrows, green, C. T. Roper, 1 ; J. Cook, 2. Two vegetable marrows, ripe, C. T. Itoper, I; K. Stillwell, 2 : Redgate Brothers, commended. Two pumpkins, li. 11. Clow, 1 ; E. Jackson, 2; W. L. Mitchell, commended. One pumpkin, li. Jackson, 1; T. Metcalf, 2; A. Wilson, commended. Heaviest pumpkin, W. McFethidge, I; J. Smale, 2. Two heads celery, J. Stanley, 1. Any now variety vegetable, vegetable peanut, Bishop. Salsafy, or vegetable oyster (name of competitor could not he ascertained as the ticket was removed). Dairy Produce, &c.—Best fancy butter, Mary Wilson, 1, Best fresh butler, Mary Wilson, 1. Best fresh butter, one pound with salt, Annie Thompson, 1; Mary Wilson, 2. Best honey, in comb, Arch, Wilson, 1; J. Jenkinson, 2. Best honey, extracted, Arch. Wilson, 1. Jams.—Best strawberry jam, Mrs. Piggott, 1; Mrs. Stanley, 2; Miss Cook,, 3. Best plum jam, Miss Riddle, 1; Miss . Cook, 2; Mrs. Piggott, 3. Best apple jam, Mrs. Thompson, 1; Mrs. Johnston, 2. Best pie-melon jam, Mrs. Wilson, 1 ; Mrs. Piggott, 2. Best quince jam, Mrs. Piggott, 1; Miss M. l/nv, 2. Best tomato jam, Mrs. Wilson, 1; Mrs. Piggott, 2. Best collcction of jams, Mrs. Thompson, 1; Miss M. Low, 2. Best apple jelly, Annie Thompson, l. Best collection of jollies, Mrs. Wilson, 1; Mrs. Piggott, 2. Best collection of jams and jellies, Mrs. Wilson, 1; Mrs, Piggott, 2; best way of putting up for market in either jars, glass, or tins, Mrs. Swindail, 1; Mrs. Wilson, 2,