AUCKLAND CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10412, 9 April 1897, Page 5

AUCKLAND CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

Tun time for receiving entries for the forthcoming exhibition of the Auckland Chrysan-

themum Society expires at five p.m. today. Upon glancing through the schedule of prizes it will be seen that the committee

have spared no effort in the endeavour to bring together a collection of exhibits both interesting to enthusiasts and to the general public. Numerous entries have already been received and it is confidently expeotod that the show will be the best of its kind for many yeare past. In the open class—that is the class open for competition to both amateur und professional ganlenere—the leadine features are a silver medal donated by Mr. J. J. Holland, M.H.R., and a first prize of £210s, with second ami third prizes of i>l 5s and 159 respectively for the best •Sβ varieties of JapimesH chrysanthemums. Liberal prizes are also allotted for twelve Japanese ohryaanthemums with any foliage in one vaso, artistic effect to he taken into consideration, thus affording scope to exhibitors for exorcising good taste in the arrangement of the exhibit. Prizes are also offered for smaller numbers of chrysanthemums, for chrysanthemums iu pota or other veesols, for ferns, groups of foliage plans, and for tuberous benonius, etc, In addition to these, prizes are offered for collections of cut flowers and for

dahlias, which promise this year to prove a most important section of the show. Iu the professional and amateur classes every inducement is held out to exhibitors of chrysanthemum*, and a fine display should be tho result. New exhibitors are also encouraged to compete in a class from which the old growers are excluded. Special classes are reserved for ladies only. Three prizes, of £1, 10s, and si, donated by the newly - formed Bulb Society, are allotted for table decorations, the exhibits to be judged by the public. There are numerous prizes for bouquets, hand baskets, etc, ranging from 10s to 3s 6ii, and this should result in a large number of entries, A special prize of one guinea is offered for twenty-four varieties of chrysanthemums (not necessarily grown by the exhibitor, as the usual exhibits of out blooms require to be), to be staged with a view to artistic effect, any foliage, mosses, etc, to be allowed. The committee hope to evolye some new ideas of stating by this means, and the competition it open te all-comers. A grett revival of interest has taken place this year in connection with the Society, as. the remit of the meeting of members held last year, and no pains huve been spared by the new committee md secretary to make this year's exhibition an unqualified success, The decorations should be particularly pleading, as they have been specially designed, and will be carried out under tut iupervi»ioa of Mr. Theo. Queree.