HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 6

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SPRING SHOW.

Any attempt trr disguise the fact that the periodical exhibitions of the Wellington Horticultural Society have been only moderately successful during the last three or four years •would be utterly futile, as it is well known and acknowledged by the members of the society that they have been suffering to a very serious extent from neglect on the part of the public, probably as an outcome of the financial depression which prevailed in ad parts of the colony. Fl.uver shows may in one sense be regarded as a luxury. They are, at any rate, not a necessity, although they are far more desirable and useful than the majority of exhibitions which rcceiveaupport at the hands of the public. They require money to make them a success, though certainly not a very large amount, and depressed times therefore not only the number of subscribers and exhibitors, but also that of visitors. With the turn of the tide iu monetary atf.drs, the Wellington Hoticultural Society ”is also showing a very remarkable degree of vitality. The show under notice was a very decided success. The exhibits were not, perhaps, so numerous as might have been anticipated ; but there was a sufficient display to brighten up the large hall of the Arcade, and to present a most attractive picture to the visitor. With very few exceptions the exhibits were a very superior quality, and fit to he displayed anywhere. The Judges must have met with not a little difficulty in arriving at their decisions, for in many of the classes the exhibits were so remarkably even in quality that the most careful comparison was required. Those gentlemen, however, gave very general satisfaction, the only decision chat was freely questioned being in rhododendrons (gardeners’), in which they gave the second prize to Mr McNab’s exhibit, which contained by far the choicest sorts, the cream-colored epiphyte from the Himalaya being in itself a gem, although its peculiar bell-like flower bears little resemblance to the ordinary rhododendron. Great credit is due to the Hon. Secretary and the members of the Committee for the zeal which they displayed in carrying out their duties. An unfortunate accident occurred when the staging was nearly completed. A portion of the large central table, which was filled with choice pot plants, fell over, owing to one of the trestles giving way, the plants being precipitated on to the floor. Some 12 or 15 pots were broken, and some of the shrubs injured, but, considering the nature of the mishap, itisreallyaraatterfor surprise that more damage was not dona Order was restored with the least possible delay, but a good deal of time was nevertheless lost, and the Judges were consequently late in commencing their work. X'he general arrangement! were somewhat different from those of last year. In ‘place of the numerous tables which then occupied the centre of the hall, only three were to be found, being one small one at each end, and a long one, which extended over three-fourths of the floor, Fully half of this was taken up with collections of pot plants for Mr W. W. McOardle’s prize. The small table nearest the door was set aside for bouquets, &c., and the other one for cut flowers. On either tide, and leaving ample room for visitors, wan a row of beaches, which were filled with put plants of various descriptions. Close to the walls stood tables—that ou the left hand on entering being taken up with pot plants, and a large number of cut flowers, and that on the right with fruit and vegetables. At the northern end of the hall was a long row of crotons, shown by Mr A. McKay, gardener at Government House. The first to attract attention on entering was the bouquet table. This was very fairly filled with bouquets of all descriptions, there being also three dressed flower stands. Miss .1.. Hales appears to have established a permanent right to first place in bouquets, foe she'secured the chief honors in hand and bridal bouquets, as well as for the best dressed flower stand, MrsX’. Kennedy Macdonald securing a highly creditable second place in the latter. Miss M. L. Kirk exhibited a splendid bouquet of Native flowers. Not only were the flowers in themselves pretty, and carefully selected, but they had been arranged in such a manner as to defy criticism. The gathering of all the varieties which it contained must have required not a little time and patience. It was infinitely superior to . all similar bouquets hitherto exhibited in Wellington, and stood out very distinct from the gaudy array of colors from all climes which surrounded it, losing nothing by the contrast. The collections of pot-plants which were entered for Mr W, W. McOardle’s special prize were well worthy of inspection, there being a very interesting variety of exceedingly well-grown plants, mmv of which are by no means common in Wellington. That shown by Mr J. Burns, which was awarded the first prize, was most commendable, and attracted very general attention. X’he fusohias were not so good as might have been expected, four shown by Mr G. Pegden being, however, worthy of notice iu the gardeners’ class. The cut roses were simply magnificent, and a better selection has probably never been seen in Wellington. Messrs H. H. Travers and J. McNab carried off the principal honors. Fruit was but poorly represented, and the strawberries were only medium iu size aud quality. Nor were the exhibits of vegetables numerous, though they were certainly good in quality. Mr M. Reid deserves special mention for plates of very superior peas and broad beans. Owing to prior engagements, his Excellency the Governor was unable to attend the opening ceremony. Lady Hamilton Gordon and suite arrived at the Exhibition at 2 o’clock, and was met at the door by the President of the Society Mr A. P. Stuart) and Mr Joseph Bums (Vice-President), who escorted her Ladyship through the Show. Lady Gordon expressed herself as being both surprised and gratified at the extent aud variety of the exhibits. The attendance of the public both during the afternoon and evening was exceedingly numerous, and the proceedings were enlivened by selections of music, rendered by a small but compact band. Amongst the exhibits which, although considered highly meritorious by the Judges, were not entitled to prizes, were a number of banging baskets and flower stauds in wire work, designed and manufactured at the establishment of Mr G. Demon, Willis-street.

The following is the prize list : Class I. Judges— Messrs Morgan, McCarclle, and Travers. Gardeners : Fine foliage plant, not variegated A. McKay, 2 : do, variegated, A. McKay, 1. Climbing plant—A. McKay 2. Greenhouse plants, in flower A. McKay, 1 ; G. Pegden, 2. Coleus—A. McKay, 1 ; G. Pegden, 2. Begonias, in flower—A McKay, 1. Geraniums, in flower—G. Pegden, 1; W. H. Taylor, 2 ; do, variegated, G. Pegden, 1. Pelargoniums—W. H. Taylor, 1 ; A. McKay, 2. Fusoldas—G. Pegden, 1 ; W. H. Taylor, 2. Hoses A McKay, 1. Petunias—W. Prior, I. Primulas—A. McKay, 2. Calceolarias —A. McKay, 1. Cinerarias —G. Pedgen, I. Amatners—Pine foliage plant T. K. Macdonald, 1 ; H. F. Smith, 2; do, variegated, J. Burne, 1 ; H.F. Smith, 2. Climbing plant—J. Burne, 1 ; T. K. Macdonald, 2. Greenhouse plants, in flower J. Burne, 1. Coleus J. Burne, 1 ; H. P. Smith, 2. Begonias —H. F. Smith, 1 ; J. Burne, 2. Geraniums, flowering J, Burne, 1 ; H. F. Smith, 2 ; do, variegated, W. Parris, 1 ; no name, 2. Pelargoniums W. Seed, 1 ; W. Parris, 2. Fuscbias—Okell and Pennell, 1 j 11. F. Smith, 2. Petunias— J. Burne, 1. Calceolarias—W. Parris, 1. Cinerarias—J. Burne, 1 ; no name, 2. Allcomers, new or rare plant—A. McKay, 3. Native Ferns —France, 1 ; A. McKay, 2. Heaths—T. K. Macdonald, 2. Exotic Ferns France, 1. Geranium —G. Pegden, 1 ; J. Burne, 2. Foliage Plants, variegated—A. McKay, 1 ; do, not variegated, A. McKay, 1. Orchid—A. McKay, 1. Class If.—Cut Flowers.—Judges : Messrs Taylor, Basher, and Tattle. Gardeners ; 6 "Verbenas—l). Wilkinson. Six Sweetwilliams —W. Prior, 2. Six Kosee—J. McNab, 1 ; T. Mason, 2. Six Rhododendrons—T. Mason, 1 ; J. McNab. 2. Six Azalias—J. MoNab, 1 ; T. Mason, 2. Twelve Pansies—D. Wilkinson, 1; G. Pegden, 2. Four Peonies—T. Mason, 1; J. MoNab, 2. Amateurs : Twelve Antirrhinums —W. Phillips, 1 ; Mrs T. K. Macdonald, 2. Six Verbenas—T. K. Macdonald, 1 ; W. Phillips, 2. Six Stocks—W. Phillips, 2. Six Sweetwilliams—France, 1 ; Okell and Pinnell, 2. Six Hoses—Mrs T, K. Macdonald, 1 ; J. C. Hardy, 2. Six Rhododendrons—H. H. Travers. 1. Twelve Pansies— Mrs T. K. Macdonald, 1 ; W. Phillips, 2. _ Collection of Annuals and Biennials—W. Phillips, 2. Messrs Gear end Co.’s prize of 10s for the best collection of pansies, H. Wright. Extra prizes to H. H. Travers for 6 roses, 12 verbenas, and a collection of gladioli. All Comers.—Collection of cut flowers —T. Mason, 1 ; do geraniums and pelargoniums—G. Pegden, 1 ; H. Wilkinson, 2 ; do carnations, &c. —D. Wilkinson, 2. Twelve Bases—H. H. Travers, 1 ; T. K. Macdonald, 2. Twelve Verbenas—W. Phillips, 1 ; D. Wilkinson, 2. Pressed Flower Stat'd—Miss L. Hales, 1 ; Mrs T. K. Macdonald, 2 ; Mrs Kemp, 8. Hand Bouquet—Miss L. Hales, 1 ; Mrs H. H. Travers 2 ; D. Wilkinson, 3 ; do of Native

flowers—Miss L. M. Kirk, 1. Bridal Bouquet | —Miss L. Hales, 1 ; Mrs Wilkinson, 2 ; Miss | Wilkinson, 3. Button-hole Bouquet—Miss L. Hales, 1 ; Miss L. Seed, 2 ; Miss C. E. Kirk, 3. Hand Bouquet made by a child under 14 years of age—Miss Emma Smith (at Mr P. Laing’s), 1 ; Miss C. E. Kirk, 2 ; Mies M. McNab, 3. Class lll.—Fruit and Vegetables. Judges; Messrs G. Gibb, W. Heighten, and P Murray, Gardeners : Strawberries—P. Lamg, 1;P. A. Buckley’s gardener, 2. Gooseberries —J. McNab, 1 ; P- Laing, 2. Cucumbers —P. Laing, 1 ; Murray, 2. Rhubarb—M. Mason, 1 ; W. Prior, 2. Asparagus—M. Mason, 1 ; P.’ Laing, 2. Broad Beaus—W. Prior, _1 ; P. A. Buckley’s gardener, 2. Peas—W. Prior, 1 • p, A. Buckley’s gardener, 2. Kidney Potatoes—P. Laimr, 1; W. Prior, 2. Bound do— P. Laing, 1; W. Prior, 2. Cauliflower—P. A. Buckley’s gardener, 1; W. Prior, 2. Cabbage rrrP. A. Buckley’s gardener, 1 ; P. Laing, 2. Onions—P. Laing, 1; P. A. Buckley’s gardener, 2. Turnips—W. Prior, 1; J. Cudby, 2. Carrots P.Laing, 1; P.A.Buckley'sgardener,2. Lettuce—W. Prior, 1; P. A. Buckley, 2. Amateurs ; Strawberriee —Okelland Lionel!,! ; J.Burne,2. Gooseberries —W, H. Francis, 1 ; J. Eurne, 2. Cucumbers—C. H. Luxford, 1. Rhubarb—M. Sanson, 1. Broad beans—al. Read, 1. Peas — M. Read, 1 ; S. Sanson, 2. Kidney potatoes— S. Sanson, 1 ; Okell and Linnel), 2. Round do—S. Sanson, 1; D. Duck, 2. Cabbage—J. Borne, 1 ; C. Pankhurst, 2. Onions —S. Sanson, 1. X'nrnips —3. Sanson, 1. Carrots— M Bead, 1 ; S. Sanson, 2. Lettnee —Okell and Linnell, 1; J. Burne, 2. Special prize to Okell and Linnell for beans. Allcomers ; Collection of salads —P. A. Buckley, 1 ; P. Paing, 2.