THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8162, 25 January 1890, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

AMONGST tho many events arranged to take place during the Auckland Jubilee celebrations the Horticultural Exhibition to be held in the Choral Hall on Friday, tho 31st January, and Saturday the Ist February, will ba one of the most interesting and attractive displays of horticultural products that has ever been held in this colony. Such an exhibition will create a good effect, and favourably impress visitors with the capabilities of our splendid climate and the skill and taste displayed on the part of tho growers of the different exhibits. As far as excellence of the exhibits is concerned, the success of the intended show is assured. It will also be representative of the different products now in season. By reference to the schedule that has been pretwu-ed, pot plants (embracing collections of foliage and flowering, ferns and lycopods, etc.), will form a leading feature. Hanging basket* arealsoennumerated.and ample provision is made for cut flowers which are likely to be in season ; also hand, bridal, and table bouquets. Fruits now in season are also represented ; vegetables, including separate collections of potatoes, tomatoes, peas, onions, etc. ; and a special class for collections of preserved and dried fruits, vegetables, sauces, pickles, garden seeds, ete. A special feature in the schedule will be bouquets for children, the flowers to be brought to the hail on the Friday morning by the children and made up there by the individual exhibitors under supervision. This being quite a new departure, should bring keen competition and create additional interest in the show. The committee appointed to arrange for and carry out the show have worked most ardently aud penitently in their endeavours to make the Ctsst possible display of the various exhibits that will be at command, and will arrange everything to produce the best general effect, and to please. It must be admitted that at all previous shows held here little or no attention has been paid to the arrangement of the exhibits ; beautiful pot plants being placed huddled together upon raised benches in such a maimer that it > has been impossible for visitors to see and appreciate their beauty. It is satisfactory to note that upon this occasion the Managing Committee have made a new departure, and have decided to have the collections of pot plants arranged in groups, allotting a given space or spaces to each exhibitor to stage and set out his collection as he may think fit. Spaces will, therefore, be portioned out at intervals around the sidewalls of the hall, where the groups and collections of pot plants will be staged, and, if tastefully arranged, will have a most pictureque and pleasing effect, instead of being placed upon a long table in the centre of the building, which has been the custom hitherto. And it will, of course, be to the advantage of the exhibitor to please the eye best, and to effect this he will require all the skill and taste that he can bring to bear. Commencing with the smaller plants for the first row; upon the ground floor, or raised a few inches above the floor, he may by the aid of improvised staging gradually raise his plants in succession from the bottom row. By this means a good effect may be produced. In doing so it should be the aim of the exhibitor °to avoid as much as possible regularity of outline, which may easily be done by the proper disposal of the" plants at his command. The hall will be tastefully decorated with palms and other evergreens suitableforthe purpose. From the interest taken in all quarters a crowded attendance may be expected. Various communications have been received from well - known fruitgrowers, promising to aid to the best of their ability in making this exhibition representative of the capabilities of our province, by forwarding choice fruit now in season. It is, indeed, gratifying to thoso who have worked so persistently, and who have had so many obstacles to contend against, to find horticulturists generally coming forward so liberally and assisting, not only by their well wishes, but support with their exhibits. Many exhibits will be staged that are not provided for in the schedule. In addition to the attraction afforded to the public by the splendid display of horticultural product*, 1 understand that a concert during the evening is contemplated. Good music will alsobe providedduringthe two days that the exhibition will be open. It is to be hoped that the interest that has been created by the promoters of this show and horticulturists generally will be the means of establishing a strong horticultural society, and that we shall be able to hold first place in the matter of successful shows. ' ANSWERS to CORRESPONDENTS. , E.M. (Ponaonby): I have received the two specimens of apples forwarded by you to have named. The one labelled No. 1 is " Gravenstein," one of the best medium varieties grown. The tree is a strong grower, and keeps fairly free from the woolly aphis. The other, No. 2, is a splendid specimen of "Cellinii," which is one of the best flavoured culinary apples of its season. The tree is a sure cropper, and one well suited for small collections.