THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10617, 12 March 1896, Page 4

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

The Dunedin Horticultural Society's Autumn show was held yesterday in the Garrison Hall, and attracted a very large number of visitors during the afternoon and evening. Compared with previous 6hows of the season the present one was a distinct advance on its predecessors in the majority of classes, notably that of dahlias. At first glance in the hall, the visitor might feel somewhat disappointed at the want of fo,li»ga plants, such as we have been atcustomed to view for many years post, and to the culture of which the late Mr Edmund Smith paid so much attention ; but, on a careful examination of the individual classes, the exhibits show marked improvement.

On entering the hall the first exhibits to attract notice are two tables of pot plants, cut blooms, and florists' handiwork, this being a new class added to the schedule for competition by nurserymen enly. Both exhibits Bhow considerable merit in arrangement, as well as professional skill in growing the numerous examples. Amongst Mr Georga M»tthewa's colleotion, which took first honours, were excellent examples of moat'of our native ferns, banging baskets of maidenhair ferns, foliage and flowering plants, gladioli, begonias, a tastefully-made wreath and cross, at well as bouquets, sprays, kc. ■ while on Mr S Cousins's table was to be found the best collection of tuberous begonias we have seen in Dunedm. The remainder of this exhibit was made np of foliage and flowering plants, dnhliaß, olematii, and roses.

Dahlias, especially show miotieg, were well represented—indeed the 18 varieties staged by Mrs Royse would be acceptable on any flower stand in England. Every flower was simply perfect in form and colour, and the only weak point in the stand was the want of a good white bloom. In all over 200 flowers were exhibited by at least a dozen competitors, and they mada a molt creditable display. Cactus dahlias (which, by the way, are fast losing their distinctive form) were fairly well represented with exquisite colours, but the heart of the majority was ragged and open. There being no class provided for the more useful and effective pompou dahlias, these flowers of growing popularity were entirely absent from the exhibition, and it is to be hoped the committee will make provision for them in future prize lists. An important point connected with the judgiDg of dahliaa may be mentioned which unfortunately seems irremediable, but nevertheless is a source of considerable disappointment to amateurs who select their varieties from the show stand. We refer to judging them ac cut flowers only. Many enthusiasts select their lists from those flowers showing the brightest and most. distinct colours as well m form, symmetry, and Bize; but they do not see the plants as well as the flowers and are therefore unable to judge of the habit of growth in their selections. A number of the kinds, such as Mrs Hawkins's, hide their flowers amongst the foliage in a most lamentable maanet, and should an attempt be made to improve this habit by rich oultnre this coarse will only add height to tha plants, and most of them are over tall already for our breezy climate. Others again produce flowers much too heavy for the stems, hence they hang their heads and lose in effectiveness. The present mode of exhibiting tends to induce competitors to produc* Urge flowers irrespective of the plant's habit and for no other reason than to create an impreßsion at exhibitions. What is to be desired is ; Dahliaj with a dwarf, compact habit, free blooming, and, above all, displaying their blooms well above the foliage on stout and erect stems. Sweet peas were quite a feature of the show, and excellent examples of endless

The best place for dessert and jam fruit.—W. Bcii's. GeoKd and Princes Btreeti.

variations in colour were exhibited—indeed the varieties were too numerous and the dintinotiou between them almost infinitesimal. Mr Eckf ord, the well-known raiser of so many beautiful varieties of these favouribe Sowers, hag an unhipny failing- o? constantly sending out every slight Variation in colour as a new variety without paying due attention to whether the colours blend harmoniously or ara distinct and bright. Mr Blair's stand comes out a good firot in the open ckss. Tnbarons-rooted begonias were in excellent condition for the show stand, r>nd induced considerable competition amongst the growers of these easily-managed plants. They are one of the few classes of flowers that can be grown to perfection by any ordinary amateur without fear of them becoming infested with insect life. It is just a quarter of a century since this class of begonia w&b originated by the skilful hybridizer, who began with a modest single red flower the size of & penny. Compare this with the immense single and double blooms now exhibited, and one will be struck with amazement at the immense strides made in improving these popular flowers. But there is a danger in overdoing this process of Detection, and instead of aiming for immense blooms, which are apt to become coarse, growers should turn their attention to rotundity of form and distinct and pleasing shades, with compact hr.bit of foliage. Mr S. Cousins was successful in obtaining first iv both the single and doubleflowered sections. Foliage plants, as before mentioned, were not up to the usual high, standard of excellence, bub nevertheless made a pleasing exhibit. Ferns were represented by well-grown specimens, although there was no competition iv either the open or amateur cl asses. Gladioli were a first-class exhibit, and the premier position was much competed for. The 12 be>t spikes were staged by MrE. Naish ; and that gentleman must have considerable .skill, as well as a fertile soil, to produce such lovely, well-set blooms. Roses, although few in number, were of good quality, especially fhoae of the tea section. Verbeuas were rather poor in comparison with former years, through the trusses being loose aud straggling, although, the individual flower* wero of good substance aud colour. Bouquets and sprays were numerically plentiful, but not up to the uiual standard, through the flowers in many ci»cs bp.ing crowded and the colours badly selected. Mention should be made, however, of Mrs A. Smith's bridal bouquet, which was a creditable piece of florist's handiwork. Me James Tamer takes first place for ladies' dress bouquets with a couple of well arranged and carefully built exhibits, The display of fruit was largo and varied, and iv first-class condition for the show table. Grapes were exceedingly well represented, showiug skill and attention to thinning and ripening. Mr R. Glendining and Mr F. Forester .obtained first places in the open and amateur classes respectively, both gentlemen exhibiting good examples of black Hamburgb.B. Fur tie heaviest bunch in the opsn claes Mr J. Glover shoired an immense bunch of black Hamburgh, although barely ripe, turning the scale at s£lb. The beat white grapes were sent in by Mr R, Glendining, who showed two beautiful buuebes of Muscats, with the bloom in excellent condition. Apples, especially cooking varieties, made a good display, the majority beiug large-sizsd aud well formed. Peaches were decidedly superior to former years, more especially those grown by Mr A. Moritzson. Plumß caused keen competitiou, and all were highly commendable exhibits. Vegetables were exhibited much more freely than usual, »cd were of uniform good quality and of large s;z9. Contrary to expectations there was Httl? competition for Messrs Sutton and Son's prizes for the best exhibits grown from seeds obtained from that firm. Ouly two competitors entered, and Mr B. W. Dowland obtained first honour*, with Mr D. L. Christie a good second. Amongst tha exhibits not for competition was a tastefully arrauged table by Mr Hart, containing well-grown specimens of flowering and foliage plants interspersed with cat flowers. Messrs Howdon aud Moncrieff's table contained a lady's large shower bouquet, a well-filled basket of auratum lilies and ornamental grasses, numerous floral designs showing artistic taste, and a few fine maidenhair ferns and Japanese lilies of various sorts. Mrs W. C. Brown, of Mosgiel, forwarded two glass cases coutaining floral designs, worked very tastefully with everlasting flowers ; Mrs A. H. Bridger showed a well grown specimen of Vullotta purpurea carrying half a dozen heads of bloom. Excellent dessert pears were sent by Mrs Blakely, aud huge cooking pears by Mr J. Glover. Messrs Nimmo and Blair had on view a good collection of looal apples, pears, aud North Islaud Japanese plums, which, stood travelling without showing signs of disfigurement. Mr George Matthews showed a plate of the Japaneae wiueberry, Japaucse plums, dahlias, aud gome brightly coloured hips of the Japanese rose rugosa.

The arrangements made by the committee might be improved by punctuality, and by placing similar exhibits in closer proximity to each other. This would tend to reduce the judges' labour and psrmifc of comparisons being made in open and amateur classes. The Garrison Band, it should be stated, were in attendance at the show in the evening, and played a number of selections both in front of and inside the building.

The following is tha prize list: —

I.—Pot-grown Plants in Flower.

Six stove or greenhouse plants, distinct genera (open) One entry—R. Glendining 1.

Four stove or greenhouse pUnts, distinct genera (amsteur). One entry—R. H. Bagshaw 1.

Tlnee fuchsias, varieties (open). One entry—R. Glendining 1. Two fuchsias, varieties (amateur). One entry— J. Hendry 1.

Six pslargonium3, zonale, three single and three double, varieties (open). Two entries—Mrs R. Gillies I, W. Scoular 2. Six pelargoniums, zonale, three single and three double, vari-ties (amateur). Two entries— R. H Bagshawl, J. Hendry 2. Three pelargoniums, ivy-leaved, varieties (amateur). Two entries—j. Hendry 2. Two specimen plants, varieties (open). One entry—R. Glendining 1. One specimen plant (amateur). Three entries— J. Heudry 1 and 3, R H. Bagshaw 2. Four tuberous-rooted begonias, single, varieties (open). Two entries— S.- Cousins 1 and S. Six tuberous rooted beKoaias, double, varieties (opeu). Two entrie.-;—S. Cousins 1 anil 2. Two tuberous-rooted begonias, single, varieties (amateur). One entry—J. Hendry 1. Two tuberous-rooted begonias, double, varieties (amateur) Two eutries—J. Hendry 1, R. H. Basshaw 2. One tuberous-rooted begonia, single or double (open). Two entries—S. Cousins 1 and 2. Two orchids (open). One entry—R. Glendining. Foliage Plants (Gkown in Pots). Six foliage plants, distinct genera (open). One entry—R. Glcudining 1. Three foliage plants, distinct genera (amateur). Oneentn — [i. H. Bagshaw 1. Three dracasnas, varieties (open). One entry— R. Gleudining 1. Three ealadiums, varieties (open). One entry— R. Glendining I. Six ornamental foliage geraniums (open). One entry—Mrs R. Gillies 1. Three ornamental foliage geraniums (amateur). Three eutries—J. Heudry 1, R. H. Bagshaw 2. Twelve ferns, or ferns and lycopods, varieties (open). One entry—R. Glendining 1. Twelve ferns, or ferns and lycopods, varieties (amateur). One entry—F. Wbinam 1. Two specimen plants (open). One entry—R. Glandining 1. One specimen plant (amateur). Four entries— J. Hendry 1 and 3, R H. Bagshaw 2. Two hanging baskets (open). Two entries—R. Glendiuing 1, Mrs A. Smith 2. ' Four begonias, varieties (open). One entry—R. Glendining 1. Cut Flowers. Eighteeen dahlias, varieties® (open). Four entries-Mrs C. Royse 1, A. MiUar2, J. H. Seidelin 3. Twelve dahlias, varieties (open). Four entriesMrs C. Royse 1, J. H. Seidelin 2, A. Moritzson 3. Twelve dahlias, varieties (amateur). Two ent ies—E. L. Peterson 1. Six dahlias, varieties (open). Four entries—Mrs C. Royse 1, J. H. Seidelin 2, A. Moritzson 3. Six dahlias, varieties (amateur). Two entries— E. L. Peterson 1, J Lambton 2. Twelvo single dahlius, eight petals, varieties (opeu). Four entries—R. Glendining 1. Six single dahlias, eight petals, varieties (amateur). Seven entries—G. M'Millau 1, XL. Petersou 2, G. A. Reade 3. Twelve cactus dahlias, varieties (open). Four entries—S. Cousins 1, Mrs R. Gillies 2, J. H. Seidelin 3. Six cactus dahlias, varietie* (amateur). Four entries - Sydney James 1 and 2, R. Hay 3. Twelve asters, not quilled, six varieties (open). Six entries— E. Reeves 1, J. H. Seideliu 2, Mrs C. Royse 3. Twelva asters, quilled, six varieties (open). Two eutries—R. Gk-ndiniug 1. Six asters, not quilled, varieties (amateur). Four entries—E. L. Peterson 1, Sydney James 2. Six astors, quilled, varieties (amateur). Two entries—X. L, Peterson I.

Twelve sweet peas, varieties, six of each (open). Ten entries-J. Blair 1, A. lloritzson 2, Mrs \V. C. Brown 3.

Six sweet peae, varieties, six of each (amateur). Three entries—Mrs Kemplen 1, H. Christie 2.

Twelvo double zinnias, six ' varioties (open). Three entries—R Glendining 1, E. Naish 2 and 3,

Six double zinnias, varieties (amateur). Two entries—JE. L. Peterson 1.

Twelve gladioli, spikes, varieties (open). Four entries—E. Naish land 2, A. Moritzson 3. Six gladioli, spikes, varieties (open). Five entries—X. Naish 1 and 2, A. Millar 3.

Six gladioli, spikes, varieties (amatemr). Three entries—J. Ireland 1, G. A. Reada 2.

Six roses, named, varieties (open). Six entries— Mr C. Royse 1, R. Glendining 2, J. H. Seidelin 3. Six roses, named, varieties (amateur). Three entries—R. Hay 1. Six rases, tea or noisette, named, varieties (open). Six entries-J. H. Seidelin 1, S. Cousins 2, W. Hitchcock 3.

Six phlox, spikes, herbaceous, varieties (open). One entry—S. Cousins 1.

> Twelve verbenas, three trusses of each, varieties (open). Five entries—E. Naish 1, G. Smith 2, G. A. Reade 3.

Six vorbenan, three trusses of eaoh, varieties (amateur). ¥our entries—E. L. Peterson 1, H. Graham 2, Mrs M'Carthy 3.

Twelve dianthus, bunches or trusses, varieties (open). Two eutries—Mrs C. Royse 1, G. Smith 2. Six dianthus, bunches or trusses, varioties (amateur). Three entries—H. Graham L Twelve marigolds, French, varieties (open). Three entrics^Mrs C. Royae 1.