NORMANBY HORTICULTURAL AND PRODUCE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10408, 5 April 1897, Page 3

NORMANBY HORTICULTURAL AND PRODUCE SOCIETY.

St. Patrick's Day was, on the first inauguration of the above society, and for some years afterwards, considered a day sacred in the interests of the society for its annual show, and other societies and sporting clubs refrained from fixing meetings on that day. Later this rule was departed from, and a day or two before, or a day or two after the anniversary of,the Emerald Isle's patron saint chosen for the show. The change was not satisfactory ami a great falling off in the receipts was the result. This year the saint who banished snakes and toads from Ireland was called upon by the celebration of his day as a holiday, and an _ exhibition day, to abolish the rot which had apparently set in, to renew tho utility of the once prosperous association. The Society did not confine itself to a mere calling upon the manes of the saint, but kept its metaphorical powder dry by renewed exertions in many directions. A brand now secretary swept clean the entire district in his canvass for subscriptions, entries, and candidates for membership, and by his energy, Mr. Lloyd was mainly instrumental in extinguishing the debt of £'_'0, which hung like a black pall over the Society, to tho curtailment of its utility. Again, looking upon the threatened deterioration in the tuber which Turanaki supplies in largo quantities to the Auckland potato market, Mr. R. S. Thompson conceived the idea of collecting from the other side of tho world seed of potatoes, which after being grown in the colony would probably produco a variety equal to the Circular Head potato, which has been to the district what Champion has been to Ireland, the mainstay of those who grow for table or for market; but which, like Champion, has lately shown signs of deterioration. The judges' report of tho 90 varieties thus collected has already been published in our columns, as the verdict was provided by the forethought of the Society fully a week before the potatoes were put on exhibition at the annual show. Judging from tho interest excited by this operation, that a largo number of visitors would bo present, and recognising that however good an oxhibition oi fruit, flowers, and vegetables might he, it did not exhaust much time in its cursory inspection by tho public, the society looked for other attractions to entice the visitors to linger on its grounds, or to entertain thoso who returning by train could not leave till that train's lixed time for doparture. Mr. J. Walker, of Mount Albert, was communicated with, and he responded with a large collection of poultry, and singing birds, birds which talked, and birds which wore expected to talk in the future, together with thoso which had to recommend them their gorgeous plumage or their playful capers, and pure and innocent appearance That gentleman also brought a largo exhibit numbering 200 specimens of pot plants, which filled a long table in the hall. AMUSEMENTS PROVIDED. A tug-of-war, Normanby v. the World, was inaugurated by Mr. W. Quin, who also had cnargeof the chopping competition, and caro was taken that the interior organisms of the visitors should not lack fuol, by giving to Mr. Jury tho catering for tho refreshment booth. Mr, J. Higbara's band was present in full fig of tasteful uniform, with a choice programme of now and delightful music, which was most artistically performed. A prominence was given to dance music, and " dancing on tho green" was advertised, but none of tho visitors appeared to indulge in the new departure. A new departure, " Dancing on the (frcen," is one of tho oldest English pastimes, but (ho fact would appear to bo that tho class which in former times danced on the village green in merry England, does not oxist in tho colony. Being " too orty" the dancing on the green lapsed, but notwithstanding, none were heard to express themselves as weary, ere a beautiful day died in the lingering colour of a gorgeous summer eve.

DISPLAY OF POTATOES, ETC.

It is not our intention to give a tabulated account of exhibits, exhibitors, and prizetakers, but simply to draw attention to the salient feature-* of the show, and comment on anything worthy of special remark, The thirteenth annual show far surpassed those of recent years, and was equal to any in the first palmy days of tho Society, and we hope, with Mr. Walter Wilson, that this is an opening upon a new ora of prosperity for tho Society. The gontlemon mentioned is not accustomed to strew indiscriminate praise broadcast, and his expressions of satisfaction at the new departure are valued by the Society, as coming from one who has the best interests of tho Society at heart, and with his brother, Mr. Gilbert Wilson, has always been to tho foro with a ready assistance. At an early hour all wns in readiness, and class stewards in their places til receive exhibits which came in thick and fast, till produce, representing nearly 900 entries apart from extra exhibits, wore on tho ground and in the hall. Then tho visitors came in trains, in vehicles, on foot, and on horseback, till fully 2000 colonists in holiday attire, wore inspecting the show provided for them. The centre of attraction was the Society's exhibit of potatoes, collected and grown by Mr. R. S. Thompson, which was tastefully displayed on a stand nearly 150 feet long in the centre of tho ground, under the stewardship of that gentleman and Mr. C. Paine. There can be no two opinions upon the value of this exhibit, and it has gone far to further the object of tho Socioty in tho discovery of excellent sorts suitable to the district. Two kinds were specially selected by the judges,viz., "Upto Date"and "Rubicund," but those gentlemen picked out quite a large number which promised well, and which should be submitted to further tests, Tho judges woro also ablo to select those kinds which experience pointed out as unsuitable to the soil and climate of tho district, and many of these were varieties which are favourites in England and elsewhere, such as most of the varieties of Ashleaf Kidney, The Bruce, and Magnum Bonum. Tho fact is the soil is exceptional, but that exceptional soil is distributed over many hundreds of thousands of acres of the North Island, so that a test of quality and crop at Normanby would bo a criterion over tho large area whore the same conditions obtain. The soil is largely impregnated with pumice, not to the extent perhaps of tho Uppor Waikato valley, but it is there, and is a chief factor in tho growth of tho tuber.

SUPERIORITY OK AUCKLAND-BROWN SEED.

Hence, perhaps, it is that the grower found that, as a rule, seed coining from Auckland, supplied by Messrs. Arthur Yates and Co., and presumably grown at Mangere, yielded better than seed of the same varieties coming from the heavy clays of Lincoln, Canterbury, and the Hufct Valley, Wellington. The surprise to all was the shapely tubers and immense yield of some of the potatoes grown from seed which bad stood the voyage from England, and was supplied by Messrs. Sutton (Reading), Dickson (Chester), Veitch (Exoter and Chelsea), and others. The judges strongly recommend the experiment to be continued, and the society is in treaty with the Government for the disposal of the whole 80 or 90 varieties, in 101b exhibit?, to the Momahaki experimental farm for further test. This would appear to be one of the things these farms are good for, if they are good for anything, and doubtless the Government will see its way to close with the society's offer, and also carry out a further recommendation of the judges that 12 tubers from each variety shall be shown at the society's show next year. The very same course as that now being pursued by the society is the one just proposed to be followed by the authorities in connection with a late tercentenary potato exhibition at Dublin, and the object aimed at is the same—the discovery of excellent varieties to take the place of those we are losing.

QUALITY OF SOIL. The soil of the district will grow roots to perfection, and the time of the year suits thoir exhibition in a matured state. The show of carrots, turnips, mangolds, beet, potatoes, and other roots, was large and excellent, considering the effect of the very dreadful blizzard, which swept a perceptible portion of the South Pacific Ocean in spray over the landscape, leaving a deposit of salt on tho grass, and withering taller' vegetation, a few weeks back. Bub for that the roots would have been more plentiful, and,of greater excellence; as it was they'did no discredit to-the capabilities of district.' Onions were decidedly firstclass,'and melons, pumpkins,' and vegetable , marrows were good and in quantity. Pota.

toes shown were in many cases excellent, but not of the quality as those shown by the society from new seed. Rubicund was shown by Mr. Walter Wilson and Mr. W. Goodland, of Normanby, and the former gentleman secured the champion prize with a splendid exhibit of Early Puritan, a potato at the top rung of the ladder of excellence and appreciation in the old country. DISPLAY IS THE HALL. The main body of the hall was devoted to the display of fruit and flowers. Of pot plants Mr. J. Waker (nurseryman's exhibits) took first aud second prizes. They made an extensive and charming display of well-grown, wellcared-for, and hardy plants. Perhaps lack of variety was a small fault, and the superabundance of coleus and ferns, if it is possible to have too much of a good thing. There was a want of gorgeous colour in bloom, which was amended by the bright hues of the foliage of the coleus, but some choice begonias were much admired. In the amateur class, chief place must be given for a collection of over fifty pot plants, for exhibition only, shown by Mrs. R. 3. Thompson. Of these the judges said it was "a splendid assortment, well grown, and would take the highest position in any exhibition in the colony." Tho coleus were specially attractive, and one foliage begonia in the collection was pronounced by both tho profession and amateurs as the grandest specimen they had ever witnessed. Airs. Percy Bayley, as usual, was a large and successful exhibitor of excellent specimens, and Mrs. Lambrick, of Manaia, had more choice plants. Taking it altogether the show of pot plants, though numerically small, was of special merit, and if the' Society could see its way to increase the relative value of the prizes for pot plants, in comparison with those for cut blooms, it would find its advantage in enlarged exhibits. Of cut blooms Mrs. F. 0. Arden and Mr. lteid, of Ngaire, had some gorgeous exhibits, and the same can be said of the Misses Muir and Miss Maggie H«:>ger. Dahlias were very fine, shown by Mrs. Arden and Miss Reid. Gladioli, twenty-five in nurabor, shown by by Mrs. R. S. Thompson were much admired, especially the hybrids or butterfly gladioli, of Lemoine. The same lady had an exhibit of single petunias, rich in varied colours, whilst the bouquets were all charmingly arranged, and chaste in appearance. Mrs. Arden being again to the fore, and some from I'atea, attracting much favourable comment. What was short in the cut blooms display, must be attributed to the blizzard, ami not to the want of enterprise of tho exhibitors. Tho judges in flowers were Messrs. 3. Livingston and R. Smith.

KKPKCT3 OF THE BLIZZARD.

In fruit, preserves, etc., the direful results ot the wind were not so prominent as had been expected, but had not we had the storm roferred to, the fruit exhibits would have been doubtless doubled. In apples the Gruvenstein took first for dessert, and l'easgood's Nonsuch for the best cooking variety. Pears were a good entry, and other fruits well represented. In jellies, jams, pickles, wine, and preserves generally perhaps the quantity shown fell short of former years, but the quality left little to bo desired.

DAIRY PRODUCE.

Grain and grass seed were fairly represented. In dairy produce a great falling off in the number of exhibitors is noticeable, and there are good and sufficient reasons for this. It is not that excellence has not been arrived at, nor does it arise from want of enterprise on the part of settlers, but the fact is, the Society has for the last year or two abstained from offering the largo inducements in the way of prizes which formerly was the ease. Years back champion and other prizes were offered for butter and cheese, which aggregated a large sum, but just then the Agricultural and Pastoral Association of Hawera bestirred itself to arrange an autumn show which should be strongly representative of the dairy industry. Large prizes were; offered, and Messrs. Lovot and Johnstone gave a cup and money for champion prizes. The Normanby Society found that dairymen reserved their exhibits for the larger j town, and the very cood prizes offered by itself were not competed for as they should be, and H'ere awarded without having drawn a sufficient number of entries to make a representative exhibition. Hence, in view of a continuance of tho Haivera autumn show, the Normanby Society reduced tho inducements to exhibitors, and now the Hawera Agricultural and Pastoral having,-' at least for the present* discontinued its autumnal shows, the district in general is without any full exhibition of dairy produce worthy of tho largo pastoral district, the abundance and excellence of its grasses, tho fine quality of its dairy herds, and the expert manufactories of dairy produce which exist in its midst. However, at Normanby on the 17th butter, etc., present was excellent in quality though stinted in quantity.

POULTRY, ETC,

lii poultry and birds there was an extensive show, irrespective of Mr. J. Walker's large exhibit of cooks and hens. The society recognises that an increasing interest is being taken in the breed of poultry, and is striving to meet the growing enterprise with befitting conveniences by hiring pens, etc., from a distance, and procuring the best judges possible. The latter is no easy matter, for a judge who is competent to stand umpire over all the feathered tribe, from the diminutive canary through all the varieties of pigeons, that bird so destructive to the morals of the juvenile fancier, to the many kinds of choice poultry, the gorgeous cook turkey, and the showy plumaged bird which saved Rome, that judge does not exist in the neighbourhood, if ho lives anywhere. There are judges of canaries and judges of poultry, judges of birds which fly, and those who walk or waddle, but these same judges are not embodied in the one individual, hence the difficulty, Three judges presided over the feathers of Norinanby, Messrs. A. Robinson, J. Henderson, and A. Ayre, and gave general satisfaction, which is not saying a little, when one has to please so confident a class as the bird fancier, each one of whom is always cocksure his own bird is the best. All sorts of birds were present including a pair exhibited by Mr. Worsley of that, to the ancients, almost impossible acquatic as one learnt from the Latin grammar, that ram avis in term, the black swan. MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITS. Miss Lysaght, with an able assistant in Mr. Nimino Scott, of Hawera, presided over the miscellaneous class in competition. In the centre of the room rose a gigantic exhibit of Gilbord's soap of all colours and qualities, exhibited by Messrs. Bate* Bros., and tastefully arranged by Mr. C. Bates. Pictures, paintings, leather work, wool work, mats, kits, and curios, knicknacks of all kinds, things useful, and things ornamental, filled the room to repletion, and proved a most attractive feature in the show,

TOG-OF-WAR.

The Normanby boys proved victors over the world in the tug-of-war, and all crowded round to see the stalwart axemen hew their way through the none too freely chipping white pine' logs which was achieved at a great wasting of adisposo tissue. A fine day added to the enjoyment of all, gaily coloured bunting floated high in air, exalted to the top of lengthy blue gum poles donated by Mr. W. Qnin and shaped by that cunning worker in wood, Mr. P. Bailey, to whom the society is also indebted for the erection of the table for the potato exhibition.

WORK OF THE SOCIETY.

The society appears to be a real live society as far as carrying out its legitimate functions, the improvement of horticultural produce is concerned, but it appears to be little more than dead in the matter of funds. During its career of thirteen years, it has shown time and again that it has the interests of the district and the colony at heart, in introducing fresh strains of potatoes, encouraging by large prizes excellence in the manufacture of dairy produce, and in many other ways. At the close of each annual day's show a concert, a social gathering, and a dance is given, for this function the ladies of the' community are lovied upon for material for refreshments, for talent in sing* ing and playing, and for their presence to give tone and refinement to the entertainment. Bub is it nob a shame that a society, which all acknowledge is doing good work, which is of profit to growers, dealers, and others in the district, should depend for a good part of its income upon the success of a function' which again depends for success upon the fickle weather which is served out by the meteorological department of the heavens? Such a society, besides benefitting the. agricultural industries, of

the district, does immense good to the town in which are its head-quarters. One would think that the storekeepers and hotelkeepers of the township would liberally subsidise a Society which brings 2000 people annually on a visit, and which improves the produce in which they deal.

PRESENTATION.

The President, Mr. Rowe, was the recipient of a small piece of plate and an address from the Society at the last meet ing, and that is a reward poor in comparison with the generous way in which Mr. Rowe has worked with hand and heart, brain and bank account, for the Society throughout a long series of years. It is to be hoped that financial aid will not bo denied to the Society by all who are benefiting directly or indirectly by its useful work.