WAIRARAPA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4826, 2 December 1902, Page 5

WAIRARAPA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) CARTERTON, Saturday. The annual spring show of the Wairarapa Horticultural Society is being held to-day aud this evening. With, the exception of exhibits of roses by Mr Weightman, and calceolarias by Mr id. Foote, the show is confined to local growers, and although the total number of entries is not equal to that of last year, the quality of the exhibits is, in many instances, quite equal to that of any previous season, Tne show of flowers labours- under the distinct handicap that there are too few enthusiasts who can afford the time and money to follow a hobby 1 which, though double less an interesting pleasure, is not productive of any monetary gam. In this class Mr A. Booth practically scoops the pool, with Messrs H. S. Izard and W. H. Booth as runners-up. The show of vegetables is poor, and notwithstanding tho fact that thoro has boon a bad season, such a showing is to be deplored. There is absolutely no reason why the growth of vegetables in. this district should not be undertaken with profitable results. At present there is practically a famine hero in vegetables. They have to bo imported at considerable cost, the übiquitous Chinaman residing in- other centres reaping tho gain, through tho slothfulncss of tho European. An argument advanced as to tho reason why there are no vegetable gardens in this district is that the dairy fanner docs nob feel inclined to bother himself over tho maturity of the succulent cabbage.or turnip and tho subsequent itinerary entailed through the sale of, and the collection of the cash for. his stock. The principal prize-takers were Mesdames It- 6. Welch, W. H. Booth and Osborne. Tho failing-off m fruit is also, noticeable, and what is shown is of. a poor quality. The collections of cut flowers arrayed as bouquets were one of the features of tho show, and were tho subject of eulogistic comment by tho judges. There is a largo and most appetising display of household productions, and to tho average bachelor and married man tho exhibition must effectually disabuse their minds of the traditional story that housewives and their sisters aro tho means of increasing the death-rate through the manufacture of indigestible foodstuffs. In those classes Mesdames C. Goodin, Timnioliffe, It. N. Sayer and Miss Bay were the chief prize-winners. An exhibit which aroused considerable interest was a number of oil-painting;! by the Misses E. Booth, Melville and Gladvs Brown. In handwriting tho prizes were divided amongst tho pupils of the Greytown and Carterton Schools, and in freehand-drawing tho Greytown School carried off the principal honours, witli Dalefield third. This evening the rooms are crowded with spectators. The arrangements of the show are in the hands of tho secretary, Mr J. Brown, who. with Miss M. Brown, his assistant, rendered every assistance in carrying out the arrangements of the show to a successful termination.