AUTUMN FLOWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14345, 15 April 1910, Page 7

AUTUMN FLOWERS.

THE AUCKLAND SHOW.

A SPLENDID DISPLAY.

The Auckland Horticultural Society's autumn show was opened yesterday afternoon in the Choral Hall by the Mayor (Mr. C. D. Grey). On entering the hall,- nono among the large number of visitors could help being impressed with the great earo and excellent taste displayed by the society's enthusiastic officers in arranging the beautiful collections of autumnal blooms and delicate toliage, stately palms, and verdant ferns.

Although the exhibits in chrysanthemums are comparatively few—considerably less than in former years—the blooms are in many cases very fine. The deficiency in numbers of chrysanthemums is, however, more than counterbalanced by the large and varied exhibits, numbering upwards of 800, in the dahlia classes. Among these elegant flowers, there are some remarkably fine specimens. There can be no question that the dahlia is eminently suited to the volcanic soil of Auckland, and thrives abundantly in this congenial clime.

One of the most pleasing features of the show is the magnificently arranged exhibits of fern and hot-house- shrubs, which have been most effectively grouped about tho hall, and tastefully scattered among the exhibits.

A picturesque and unique collection of flowering and foliage plants, ferns, and palms, covering a space of 7Oft, in the ccn tie of the hall, is shown by Mrs. Arthur Myers. Mr. Henry Brett shows some now varieties of dahlias of the peony class, which have never before been seen in Auckland. They somewhat resemble a Japanese chrysanthemum in form, although they possess many of the characteristics of dahlias, and are strikingly coloured. la size Ui-cy vie with the largest chrysanthemums.. These gorgeous flowers excited a great deal of interest yesterday. Mr. H. -V. Marriner lias a really nne lot of dahlias, of the pompom unci cactus varieties, which have been lent for exhibition only. xney include several new varieties of uistinciive typos ami considerable merit. An exquisitely arranged stand of brilliant red salvias tastefully interspersed with delicate verdant foliage was the handiwork of -Mrs. Brown Clayton. .Some excellent French and African marigolds and zinnias arc shown by the same grower. - Messrs. A. Yates and Co., D. Hay and Sons, Bennett and Green. O. S. McDonald and Son, G. .1. Mackay, and A. Nieholl all have creditable displays of both flowers and ferns, which in each case were exhibited with splendid effect. Tho Mayor, in opening the show, congratulated tho society on the splendid display, and remarked that anyone visiting tho building would readily admit tho truism that " Auckland is the garden of New Zealand." In referring to the variety and excellence of several of the private exhibits, His Worship said the society was fortunate in having such public-spirited, keen horticulturists as Mr. Arthur .Myers and Mr. Henry Brett, who had assisted so handsomely by placing such beautiful collections of ferns and blooms at the disposal of the society. ■ During fiiic afternoon and evening an orclvestra contributed bright and entertaining music. The following is a detailed list of awards:— CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Class for Novices. —Japanese, three distinct varieties: .1. Wedding, 1; A. Graham, 2. DAHLIAS. Open Class.—Thirty-six partus dahlias : D. Hay ami Sons. 1; Bennett and Green. 2; A. Xirull. 3. Twenty-lour cactus dahlias: D. Hay and Sons, 1; Bennett and Green, 2; McDonald and Son, 3. Six cactus dahlias, white: M. Douglas, 1; G. B. Simpson, 2. Six cactus dahlias, distinct varieties: D. Hav and Sons, 1: O. T. McDonald and Son, 2. Twelve cactus dahlias, distinct varieties,: D. Hay and Sons, 1; M. Douglas, •: W. B. Ball. 3; G. B. Simpson, commended. Eighteen cactus dahlias, distinct varieties: D. Hay and Sons, 1; Bennett and Green. 2: A. Xicoll, 3. Six cactus dahlias, vcllow: M. Douglas, 1: Bennett and Green, 2'; G. B. Simpson, 3. Twelve pompom dahlias, distinct varieties: D. Hay and Sons, 1; F. W. Shepherd, 2. Six pompom dahlias, distinct varieties: D. Hoy and Sons, I.' Twelve double dahlias, distinct varieties : Bennett and Green, J. Six double dahlias, distinct varieties: J. Collins, 1: D. Hay and Sons. 2. Xovice Class.— cactus dahlia*: C. W. Adams. 1. Six cactus dahlias: C. W. Adams, 1; J. Wedding. 2. Amateur Class.—Twenty-four varieties cactus dahlias: M. Douglas. 1. " Twelve cactus dahlias, distinct varieties: M. Douglas. 1; Mrs. W. B. Ball. 2: G. B. Simpson. 3. Six cactus dahlias, distinct varieties: M. Douglas. 1: F. W. Shenfierd. 2; G. B. Simpson. 3. Eighteen cactus dahlias: M. Douglas, 1. Six cactus dahlias, any variety, but white or vel'ow: M. Douglas. 1; G. B. Simpson, 2; A. Xicoll. 3. Six nompom dahlias, distinct varieties: F. Shepherd, 1.

BOUQUETS AND SPRATS. Amateur Class— suite : Miss H. M. Craig, 2. Shower bouquet: Miss H. M. Craig, 2. Buttonboles: Mi's H. M. Craig, 1. Ladies' sprays: Miss 11. M. Craig, 1. DECORATIVE DESIGNS. Amateur Class.— decorations : Miss K. Nelson, 1; Miss Anderson, 2; Miss H. M. Craig, 3. Epergne cactus dahlias: Mrs. H. A. Marriner, 1 and 2. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Apples.— plates: H. E. Sharp, 1. Vegetables.—Nine varieties: W. W. Glid'don Richardson, 1. Vegetable-marrows: W. W. Gliddon Richardson, 1. TOT PLANTS. Group of flowering or foliage plants: A. Nicoll, 1; D. Hay and Sons, 2; C. S. McDonald and Son, 3; Bennett and Green, 4. Group of ferns: A. Xicctll 1; Bennett and Green, 2; G. W. Plummer, 5. Adinntum fern: S. Giles, 1. Specimen plant: D. Hay and Sons, 1; S. Giles, 2. CUT FLOWERS. Twenty-tour varieties: D. Hay and Sons 1; W. W. Richardson, 2. THE CHAMPION BLOOM. A magnificent and shapely cactus dahlia of a bright rose colour, with curly petals, and known as the " Rev. A. Hall," was adjudged the champion bloom of the show. Messrs. D. Hay and Sons were the growers of this splendid specimen.

The show will be open this afternoon and evening.