WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S AUTUMN SHOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4362, 13 March 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S AUTUMN SHOW.

The autumn exhibition of the Wellington Horticultural Society was held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall on March 9. The show, whether in point of number of exhibits or for beauty^of blooms, was of course not to be compared with ■ the summer exhibition, but there could be no doubt as to which was intrinsically the better show. Gardeners and amateurs yesterday showed remarkable advance in the quality of their exhibits as presented last autumn, greenhouse and foliage plants of beautiful color and symmetrical shape being very numerous. gardener's were allotted, as formerly, the righthand side of the hall, amateurs’ exhibitions the left. The stage was devoted to several lots of indigenous specimens of rare beauty, collected in the vicinity of Wellington, and the fruits and vegetables were shown in the same room as-the flowers and plants, their usual place being in a side room. As at the summer show, the stands on which the plants were exhibited were of three tiers, a much better arrangement than the old-fashioned two-tier plan so long in use at our society’s shows. Immediately on entering the hall, one could not fail to be struck with the grand appearance of two beautiful, though young, specimens of the New Zealand palm, the nikau. They were indeed beautiful plants, not a tear or scratch being noticeable on their symmetrical leaves—a fact which testifies to the care bestowed upon them by Mr. Duncan, a resident of Porirua, who brought them from l a bush in the vicinity of his residence. The punga, though by no means so pretty and graceful a plant as the nikau, would have enhanced the general effect of the show had it had representatives there ; but- the committee, doubtless, th night there would have been greater competition for the prize for nikaus. For the’ first two hours after the. doors were opened, the attendance was only moderate, which may easily be accounted for, but in the evening the hall was crowded to excess, the many colored costumes of. the ladies making the scene, as viewed from the gallery of the building, very pretty and exceedingly animated; Great credit is due to the committee for the taste displayed in the arrangement of the exhibits, which were, in perfect harmony. The judges performed their onerous labors with almost universal satisfaction, although, of course,. there were those present among the visitors who found fault at their awards. The judges of the vegetables and fruit were Messrs. Bramley and McKay ; of the gardeners’ exhibits, Captain Johnston, Mr. H. F. Smith, and Mr. J. Buchanan ; of the amateurs’ exhibits, Archdeacon Stock, Mr. McNab, and Mr. Budden. But too much credit cannot be awarded to Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Heaps, the secretary. The former gentleman, from his knowledge of botany, and the energy he devotes towards making, the shows of the society undoubtedly as successful as they have proved themselves to be, is an invaluable member of the committee ; and Mr. Heaps, in the executive capacity of secretary, has done not a little, by his well-directed efforts, in bringing the society’s shows into the great favor in which they are now held by the aisthetio portion of the community. Certainly the most ! important character of the show were the three exhibitions of plants which competed for the £2O prize offered by William Bull, Esq., F.L.S., of Chelsea, England. They were, indeed, exotic beauties, such as one would not dream of seeing in Wellington ; but the judges of this class had no difficulty in discovering the superior merit of the twelve plants exhibited by Mr. H. H. Travers, which were without spot or blemish. The following are the names of the plants sent by each of the three exhibitors. Mr. H. H. Travers ; Alocasia hybrida, A. metalica, A. intermedia, Peperomia argyrea, Dieffenbachia piota, Caladium wightii, C. bicolor, Cissus lindeni, C. discolor, Dracoena hendersoni, Croton- youngii, and Acalyphia wilkesiana. Mr. Budden, whose collection was highly commended, _ exhibited the following interesting collection : Dioscorea discolor, Oaladium wightii, C. metalicum, 0. beethoven, C. belemyei, Fittonia argyrea, Passifloi-a trifasciata, Sanohezia nobilis, Dieffenbachia piota, Cissus discolor, Bilbergia gigantea, and Alocasia jenniugsii. Mr. Cooper, whose collection was also highly commended, made a good show with the following variety : Hemerocalis fulva variegata, Draccena chelsoni, D. species, Iris fceticlissima variegata, Calanthe zebrina, Maranta bioolor, Galadium wightii, C. metalica, Fuschsia sunray, Musa euaete. Begonia Queen Victoria, Zea, japonica alba vitata. This grand collection was, without doubt, the best that ever graced the society’s shows. Mr. Budden exhibited a splendid lot of indigenous alpincs, gathered on the Tararua ranges ; but they were more of scientific than general interest. In this class Mr. Budden was awarded first prize, Mr. Bramley second, and Mr. Donald, of Karori, third ; but the second named gentleman, with a judicious collection of twelve handsome New Zealand ferns, completely turned the tables on Mr. Budden. The competition for Mr. Gibson’s special prize for cased New Zealand ferns was very meek, Mr. Heaps with an indifferent selection, in bad condition, taking the prize, beating Archdeacon Stock, who made a much better show, but ’ ho was ruled out of order by the judges, on account of there being a couple of aliens in his case. Mr. Ludlam,of the Hutt, sent for exhibition two species of blooms which were generally admired, a magnificent specimen of the Lillium auratium and several flowers of the beautiful Magnolia grandiflora. A rarity in Wellington was sent by Mr. H. H. Travers, being no less than an orchid in bloom, named Coelogyne cristata. It was as pretty as it it is rare. The gardeners at this show reversed the order which had ruled at recent exhibitions, by eclipsing the amateurs, both as regards quality and number of exhibits. On the gardeners’ side of the hall wore to bo seen beautiful fuchsias in heavy bloom, wliile the amateur's in this class, if wo recollect aright, were unrepresented. Balsams were only fair, and there was not much improvement in coleus. Begonias were

far superior to those hitherto exhibited, indicating a partiality by floriculturists for this pretty and beautifully-marked plant. Gardeners also excelled in foliage plants, and it must have been difficult for the judges to decide as to who , ought to have the honors. However, Mr. Budden was placed No. 1, Mr. Cooper No. 2, and Mr. McNab third. We had forgotten to mention that Mr. Duncan, to whom was awarded the special prize for the nikau palms, also furnished their blossoms and seed-pods, which attracted considerable attention. Mr. Br'amley, of the Botanic Garden, was again to the fore with native blooms; but Mr. Duncan was not at all a mean competitor. Mr. Cooper carried off first honors for the best specimen plant in flower, Mr. McNab being awarded second prize for a veteran plant at the society’s shows. The show of dahlias was not so good as might have been expected at this season, and, singular to relate, Mr. Mason beat Mr. Dixon in this class. The show of grapes was not up to the mark, although a bunch of black Hamburgs, which took Mr. McKay’s special prize, was very superior, turning the scale at 31bs. Mr. Wilkinson, an old exhibitor in this class, at yesterday’s show was conspicuous by his absence. The number of hand and table bouquets was very limited, Mrs. McNab taking the first prize in the amateur class; and to Mr. McNab, for a prettily arranged stand, was awarded the gardeners’ prize. , Apples, pears, melons, blackberries, and several other kinds of fruit were shown to advantage, Mr. P. Laing being foremost in this class. In the vegetable class, pumpkins—and they were pumpkins with a vengeance—were the, most conspicuous, Mr. Laing being the successful prize-taker. Mr. McMasters, of the Wairarapa, sent down some, leviathan potatoes, but, excepting their size, there was nothing to recommend them for the special prize awarded by the judges. The best collection in this class was that sent by Mr. Mason. ALittle-heath melon, grown by Mr. Head, and the first one shown in this city, was noticed favorably by the judges ; but there was nothing to recommend the cucumbers which were awarded first prize in the amateurs’ department of the hall; they were anything but pretty specimens, and very unlike others in the hall. Twelve wonderfully large onions were conspicuous, as were a sample of peas, new to this city, and grown by Mr. Cooper. Without attempting to be at ail invidious, many worthy exhibits have necessarily been overlooked, but the subjoined list will show the prize-takers in the several classes :

Amateurs.— l new or rare plant—2nd prize, H. H. Travers. 1 specimen plant in flower—lst, H. H. Travers ; 2nd, H. F. Smith. 1 variegated foliage plant—lst, H. F. Smith; 2nd, H. H Travers. 3 greenhouse plants in flower —Ist. H. H. Travers ; 2nd, W. Seed. 3 fine foliage—lst, H. H. Travers; 2nd, H. F. Smith. 3 Coleus—lst, H. H. Travers ; 2nd, J. Burne. 3 begonias in flower—lst, H. H. Travers ; 2nd, J. Burne. 3 Ivy leaved geraniums—lst, _H. F. Smith. 3 tricolor geraniums—lst, H. F. Smith. 3 petunias, double—lst, IV. Parris. 1 climbing plant in flower —Ist, J. Burne ; 2nd, W. Seed. 12 A’ ew Zealand ferns—lst, H. H. Travers. Collection (24) New Zealand shrubs—lst, H. H. Travers. 1 specimen ochid in flower—lst, 11. H. Travers.

GAitDEKEr.st.--l new or rare plant—lst prize, McNab ; 2nd prize, H. Budden. 1 specimen plant, in flower—lst, F. Cooper; 2nd, J. McNab. 1 native plant, in flower—lst. Ix. Budden. 1 variegated foliage plant—lst, F. Cooper ; 2nd, H. Budden ; commended, McNab. 3 greenhouse plants, in flower—lst, F. Cooper : 2nd, McKay. 3 flue foliage plants—lst, H. Budden: 2nd, F. Cooper. 4 coleus—lst, McKay; 2nd, McNab. 3 begonias, in flower—lst, JI. Budden; 2nd, McNab. 3 geraniums, tricolor—lst, McKay ; 2nd, _F. Cooper. 3 geraniums, bicolor—lst, McKay. 4 fuchsias —lst, McNab ; 2nd, McKay. 1 fuchsia—lst, McNab; 2nd, F. Cooper. 4 balsams—2nd, McKay. 1 climbing plant, in flower—lst, F. Cooper. 12 New Zealand ferns—lst. W. Bramley: 2nd, K. Donald. 6 Exotic ferns—lst, H. Budden. Collection New Zealand trees and shrubs—lst, 11. Budden ; 2nd, W. Bramley. The judges recommended a'spooial prize to 11. Donald. CUT BLOOMS. Amateurs.—o pensteraons—2nd prize, Thos. Mason. C verbenas (3 trusses)—2nd, H. H. Travers. 12 verbenas, do—2nd, H. H. Travers. 0 asters—lst prize, Miss Allen : 2nd prize,: H. H. Travers. 6 gladioli! —lst, T. Mason. 12 dahlias—lst, T. Mason ; 2nd, E Dixon, e dahlias—lst, T. Mason ; 2nd, K. Dixon 0 bulbs—lst, T. Mason; 2nd, IT. H. Travers; Collee tion cut blooms—lst. T. Mason ; 2nd, H. H. Travers 0 yellow roses—lst, T. Mason. Gardeners.— Collection cut blooms—lst prize, B. Donald. Collection native shrubs—lst, W. Bramley: 2nd, C. Duncan. Collection cut fronds Now Zealand ferns—2nd, C. Duncan. fruit. ■ ‘ Amateurs. —l2 kitchen apples—lst prize, J. Burne; 2nd prize, T. Mason. 12 dessert apples—lst, J. Burne; 2nd, T. Mason, 6 pears—lst. H. H. Travers. 12 peaches—lst, M. Bead; 2nd, J. Burne. 24 Spanish blackberries—lst, F. Harrison; 2nd, J. Burne. 3 lemons—lst, T. Mason. 2 bunches black grapes—lst. H. H. Travers: 2nd. G- Duxford. 2 bunches white grapes—lst, H. 11. Travers. 25 Alberts or cob nuts--Ist, T. Mason. 12 walnuts —Ist, T. Mason: 2nd, H. H Travers. Best collection of fruit—lst, H. H. Travers; 2nd, T. Mason. Best collection of apples—--Ist, T. Mason; 2nd. H. H. Travers. 12kitchen apples —special prize, H. H. Travers. Little heath melonspecial prize, M. Read. Gardeners. —l2 kitchen apples—lst prize, P, Laing ; 2nd prize, B. Mantell, 12 dessert apples—lst, P. Laing; 2nd, B, Mantell. 12 peaches—lst, IV. Bramley. 24 mulberries —Ist, P. Laing. 24 Spanish blackberries—lst, C. Duncan. 2 bunches black grapes—lst, A. do Brandon : 2nd, McNab. 2 bunches white grapes—lst, J. McNab. 25 filberts or cob nuts —lst, B. Mantle ; 2nd. C. Duncan. 12 walnuts—lst, .1. McNab, Best collection of fruit—lst, P. Laing. Best collection of apples- Ist, P. Laing.

Amateurs. —2 cucumbers—lst prize, M. Read. 6 stalks rhubarb—lst, W. Hedger ; 2ml, T. Mason. 25 pods kidney beans, runners—lst, W. Seed; 2nd, M. Read. 50 pods peas—lst, T. Mason; 2nd, H. H. Travers. 12 potatoes, kidney—lst, T. Mason ; 2nd, J. L. Hills. 12 potatoes, round—lst, T. Mason; 2nd, H. Freeman. 3 cabbages—lst, H. H. Travers; 2nd, T. Mason. 6 turnips—2nd, T. Mason. 9 carrots—lst, T. Mason; 2nd, M. Read. 6 parsnips—lst, T. Mason. 6 red beet—lst. T. Mason. 12 onions—lst, H. Jreemair 2nd, T. Mason. 12 tomatoes—lst, w. Seed. 2 pumpkins, by weight-Ist, Hclyer; 2nd, TV. Baird. 2 vegetable marrows—2nd, T. Mason. Best collection of vegetables—lst, T. Mason. Best collection of potatoes—lst, T, .Mason. 12 potatoes-special prize, A McMasters. 12 onions—special prize, J. L. Hills. 2 vegetable marrows—highly commended, J. Burne. Gardeners.— 2 cucumbers—lst prize, P. Laing; o n d prize, R. Donald. C stalks rhubarb—lst, 1 • Cooper ; 2ml, P. Laing. 25 pods kidney beans, run-ners-lst, P. Laing. 25 pods kidney beans other kinds -Ist, C. K. Jeffs. 50 pods peas-lst F. Cooper. 12 potatoes, kidney—lst, P. Laing. 1- potatoes, round—lst, F. Cooper : 2nd, C. K. Jeffs. 3 cabbages —lst, P. Laing; 2nd, C. Duncan. 2 cabbages, red- Ist, F Cooper; 2nd, B. Mantle. O turnips 2nd, P. Laing. 0 carrots—lst, F. Cooper ; 2nd, F. Lamg. 0 parsnips—Ist, P. Laing; 2nd, B. Mantle. 0 red beet —Ist, J. McNab. 12 onions-lst, P. Laing 3 heads celery—lst, B. Mantle ; 2nd, P. Laing. 1tomatoes—lst, P. Laing 2nd. B. Mantle. 25 capsicums—2nd, P. Laing. 2 pumpkins, by weight—lst, P Laing; 2nd, C. Duncan. 2 vegetable marrows—--Ist B. Mantle; 2nd, F. Cooper. Best collection ot salads—lst, P. Laing. Best collection ot vegetables--Ist, P. Laing ; 2nd, B. Mantle. Beat collection of potatoes —Ist, P. Laing. Class V.—Open to all—Best flower stand—lst prize, Mrs McNab ; 2nd prize, Miss Donald. Best band bouquet—lst, Mrs. McNab ; 2nd, Miss Hales. Best hand bouquet (native flowers) —Ist, Mrs. McNab, 2nd, Miss A. Donald,

Special Prizes.— Open to aU— Mr. Bull's prize, H H Travers; Mr. McKay’s prize, McNab; Mr, Gibson’s prize, W. Heaps: Mr. H. Travers s prize, Miss Bramley. Society’s, for au extra 3 tncolor seedling geraniums (highly commended), Mr. H. t. Smith.