THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10419, 17 April 1897, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

AUCKLAND CHKYSANTIIEMCM SOCIETY. Thk annual exhibition held under the auspices of this society and which opened at the Drill Hall last Tuesday, was a pronounced success. The display of blooms and number of exhibits far oxceedcd all anticipations. Tho ample accommodation afforded by so large a building gave every convenience in staging and allowing the visiting public comfort in viewing the exhibits. The vast improvement in decorating lent an additional charm to the exhibition, and was in itself a most artistic feature. The greenery was a pleasing variation and took away from the sameness thac meets the eye in seeing bench after beuch filled with cut blooms in formal array. The display of chrysanthemum blooms was of exceptional merit, and remarkable for their large size, good colour, and clean fresh appearance. Competition was exceedingly keen, and the number of exhibitors far in excess of last year. General particulars and a full list of awards have been given in our columns, together with a few names of some of the lending varieties shown. Further information about the best blooms will interest lovers of the chrysanthemum, and be a useful guide in future selections for nexb year's planting. For six Japanese blooms of any one variety thore wore 11 exhibitors. This lot stood but conspicuously from the rest for large size and good all-round qualities. The prizo fell to six magnificent blooms of Col. W. B. Smith—a beautiful bronze— Madame Carnot, the beet white in cultivation, being, in the opinion of all, equally good, if not better, the former taking the for more even size and freshness. The best variety shown was undoubtedly Madame Carnot, which is a magnificent white of the largest size, and most charming appearance. The same variety carried off the highest honours throughout Britain at the various shows last autumn. Leading new varieties are Mrs. W. H. Lees, a beautiful soft blush ; Kva Knowles, car-mine-red and gold; Thos. Wilkius, deep chrono yellow ; H. L. Sunderbruch, bright yellow, grand colour; Mrs. £. G. Hill, pearl pink; Mutual Friend, large white; Madame ad Chatin, lovely pure white; Good Gracious, peach-pink, a grand flower; Mrs. J. H. Horton, gold and salmon,' one of the most discinct, a noble bloom ; Marie Louise, white; Jennie Falconer, rich yellow; Henry Jacototfile, reddieh-crimson, splendid colour; J. H. Runchman, rich chrome yellow, very fine; Mrs. Henry Robinson, a splendid clear white j Golden Gate, bronze j Dr. W, A. Wakeley, salmon; Pink Ribbon, rich pink; M. Panckoucke, golden yellow ; Souvenir de petite Amie, pure white; MadameC. Molin, pure white; Mons, G. Biron. poppy red; Comte F. Lurani, rose, shaded white; Madame E. Rey, pink; Mrs. T. C. Williams, yellow; Frank Wells, white and lilac; Nelson, crimson; Robert Owen, bronze. All the preceding splendid novelties were shown of the largest size, and best finish, besides many other novelties. Amongst the older sorts the following were most noticeable :— Colonel W. B. Smith, Viviand Morel, Charles Davis, The Queen, Yellow Lacroix, Eda Frass, Miss Dorothea Shea, International, Mrs, C. H. Payne, Gloirade Rocher, Domination, Sunflower, G. \V. Child", Lady T. Lawrence, Excelsior, Grandiflorum, William Trickery, Mies Annie Hartshorn, and Ada Spaulding. Incurvod varieties were not so well repre sentod as usual. The beet amongst them were: Jeanne d'Arc, Prince Alfred, Lord Wolealey, Baron Hirech, Madame Darrier, M. R. Balmant, Mabel Simpkina, Mrs. Mitchell, Madame Mante, Robert Petfied, Queen of England, Empress Eugene, and Miss Violet Tomlin. Throughout the stands there was a remarkable scarcity of bright-coloured crimson varieties. Growers should endeavour to include more highly-coloured varieties, as they are most telling in the collections. Dahlias were well shown in all the sections. The double show varieties were models of perfection for size, colour, form, and symmetry. The cactus section claimed the greatest attention from the visitors, Some charming sorts were staged, notably: Matchless, a splendid dark; Mrs, Charles Turner, yellow; Mrs. Bennett, soft salmon (haded pink; Glorioga, brilliant scarlet; Mrs. A. Peart, white; Miss Irene Cannell, Endyuiion, Leonora, Juarezii, and others. Some very beautiful singles and pompons were also ehown. The collections of cut flowers were shown in great variety, and in rare kinds. Table decorations, baskets, and bouquets were a pleasing variation,

being most artistically and tastefully I arranged. Altogether the past Exhibition ! was one of the most successful ever held J under the auspices o{ the Chrysanthemum | Society. The committee are to be con- j grotnliited upon the nrransjementa generally, and particularly the artistic decoration of the Hall, which elicited the highest . praise from one and all. The Cambridge , Society have arranged for their annual I Show to bo hold next Friday and Saturday. | the 23rd and 24th instant. It is expected that even larger and finer blooms will be exhibited nt Cambridge than at our late Show. Mr. Thoj. Wells, who is one of tho greatest enthusiasts, and possesses the finest collection in tho colony, hopes to eolipsa his previous display. THK OKCUAKD. All work in this department should now be pushed on as quickly as possible. Every preparation should be made by intending planters to have tho soil well prepared, and in readiness for transplanting, as soon as the trees can be safely removed. One of the most important things to insure success in transplanting is to have tho soil thoroughly prepared before starting to plant. No matter what kind of trees are to bo planted, whether it i.« fruit, ornamental trees, or shrubs, tho same preparation is necessary, if satisfactory results are to follow. The amount of preparation required will depend upon the nature of the soil. This vanes so much iu different localities, that no definite rule can bo laid down. One very important matter, however, is to see that in every place where a tree is to be planted, that there is a free outlet for water. So many failures are caused through neglect in tliii matter, that I would advise anyone to defer plantintr for another season, rather than plant in stiff, undrained soil, Holes dug in such soils aro simply wells for water to lodge in during tho rainy season. On sloping ground this can always be remedied by digging a trench the depth of the hole to allow all water to escape. In the formation of a new orchard, many things have to be considered. The soil ant situations most suited to the different kinds to be planted must be carefully selected. The hardier varieties should be placed in the most exposed parts of the orchard, so as to act in some measure as a shelter to the more tender fruits. In the selection of varieties, the greatest care should be exercised, planting only the very be.'t kinds that aro known to succeed in the locality and soil in which they aro to be plantod, Kkpos.