HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14213, 14 May 1908, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

TIIB CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. Grouped chrysanthemums form a background against which the mind, jierhajts unconsciously, projects pictures of Japan, and it is said that if you only look long enough you will see ;ik in a vision the fjnaiut Japanese gardeners busy in the iittle hedgcless gardens in that floricultural paradise called Japan. Not only is the chrysanthemum! queen of the flowers of autumn, but with its reds, its bronzes,, and its yellows, blends admirably with those wonderful colour harmonics which dead summer has bequeathed to the leaves of the forest. This, and a good deal more, was emphasised at the highly-successful exhibition of chrysanthemums held under the auspices of the Dunedin Horticultural ;Society in the Garrison Hall yesterday. All specimens on,.view, and their name was legion, were very good; but the. large Japanese chrysanthemums wero undoubtedly tho main feature. The exhibits were very clean, with good cdlour tones, the flowers being of a nice size and well finished. Thc excellence of the decorative chrysanthemums brought them prominence, and a number of entries from Christchurch on view were in themselves centres of attraction and a credit to tho Canterbury capital. It, is a notablo fact that the exhibits were set out chiefly by amateurs, with tho most, satisfactory results, and the exhibits were proof positive of the great care that had been bestowed on their culturc for nearly a year. The decorative work which adorned tho stage was even moro prominent for beauty and design than usual, and here was apparent the, way in 'which tho chrysanthemum blonds with autumntinted sprays and branches. The pot chrysanthemums wero large and healthy, soino boasting as many as 40 (lowers to a plant. A practical indication of mild autumn'' was provided by the collection of cut flowers, which seemed to defy criticism. Among theso wero some monster violets (Kaiser Wilhelm) from the Allandale Nurseries, St. Clair. An expert present declared that he had never seen anything to approach them. Though a little late in the year, thc fern exhibits' were capital. Mr Glcndining's exhibit maintained its usual liigh standard and included a magnificent Elkhorn fern. Mr F. Duncan had on view a fine specimen of the kidney fern, and he appears tobo one of the very fow who have had any success with this variey. Mr Duncan had also on view, among others, a.n umbrella fern, a variegated - Pteris, and a new variety of maidenhair. Autumn tints and berries formed tho scheme of the decorated tables, and the idea 6, in some instances almost amounting to inspiration, were most happily executed The decorated mantolpieccs and, hats wore also good after their kind, and were instances of how well tho feminino perception can sort out tho6o beauties which Nature scatters abroad in sometimes chaotio profusion. Central Otago and other fruit-producing districts were well represented. Competition in apples was .remarkably keen. There were 14 entries in one class; and for a competition of 15 varieties, five specimens in each, there were five entries. Indeed, the edible varieties of apples on viow would have put Canada and California in the shade, and even have made Devonshire look to its laurels. Some of the cooking apples on viow yesterday were of such formidable dimensions that if made into dumplings even a Devonshire farm labourer would be unable to man 3 .g0 a first, lot alone a second, helping; and this is saying a good deal, There wcro also a great variety of nice pears and somo fino bunches of grapes. The vegetable exhibits were extensive {J™ comprehensive, and the size and healthy appearance of the various commodities proclaimed the properties of r ?? ''if"' Conspicuous was tho display by Mr R. Glendining, \Vhich must in itself have been an object lesson to visitors from overseas. The fruit and vegetable exhibit D.v trie Scacliff Mental Hospital was also nighly crcditablc to those responsible, borne monster melons grown by Mr R. M'Quaid were conspicuous objects; and tliero was a capital exhibit of potatoes. There were many objects on view for exhibition purposes only, and tho show in this respect was extremely fortunate. One of the many artistic effects was produced by a basket bouquet of chrysanthemums, ferns, and creeper, by Messrs Howden and JVloncrieti. Mr A. R Lowe, the judge of tho chrysanthemums, has, as usual, brought a fine him from thc famous garden oN Captain R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P. (Christchurch), in f on n of some specially good decorative varieties of chrysanthemums, aJid, in addition to the vory beautiful white winter, (lowering carnation (Lieutenajit Peary), shows a vase of charming nerincs (lilies). The committee has decided to admit school children (accompanied by teachoTS, or grouped in bodies) to the show this afternoon at a oliarge of 3d, and arrangements havo been made with the tramway authorities for penny faros to and from the city fon suburban scholare. The judges wero:—Chrysanthemums, Mr A. Lowo (Christchurch); fruit and vegetables, Mr A. Youngsoti; decorative work, Miss Black; and pot plants, Mr G. Ward. The following is the prize list:— SECTION I.—POT PLANTS. Three chrysanthemums, in pots, varieties (open)—R. Glondining 1, G. Harvey 2. Callostion of ferns, not more than to varieties (open)—F. G. Duncan and R. Glendinin" (equal) 1. ™ Thrco pots nativo ferns, varieties (amateur). —11™ A. M'lntyro 2. One plant adiantum (amateur)—F. G., Duncan 1. Two plants, distinct varieties (amateurs) — Lewis Wraight 1, Miss A. iTlntyre 2. SECTION 2.—CUT BLOOMS. 'I Twelve chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties, three blooms of one variety in each vase (open)—D. Wall 1, E. A. Hamol 2. Twolvo chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties, with foliage, in glasses or vases (open)— E. A. Harnel 1 and 2. Six vases chryaanthomums, Japanese, varieties, fchreo blooms of ono variety in caoli vase (amateur)—A, H. Fisher 1, Miss Wall 2. Pour chrysanthemums, Japanese, two or more varieties, in glasses or vases (amateur) —J. R. Bogarson I aud 2. Twolvo chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties (open) A. E. G. Rhodes (Christchurch) 1 and 2. Six chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties (open)—A. E. G. Rhodes 1, E. A. Hamel 2. Six chrysanthemums, Japanese, three yellow and three white, in vases (open)—G. Harvey 1, E. A. Hamel 2. Six chrysanthemums, now and distinct variolios, not exhibited in. Bunedin prior to 1903 (open)—A. E. G. Rhodes 1. One chrysanthemum, Japfeneso, named; premier Japanese in the show (open)—P. It. Sargcod (G. Haivoy, gardener). _ Twolvo chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties, one bloom of ouo variety in oaeh vase; p>wn in the open, ground (amateiir)—E. Robsou 1, G. A. Reado 2. Twelve chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties. (amateur)—A H. Fisher 1. Six chrysanthemums, Japanese, varieties (amateur)—J. R. Rogorson 1, A. H. Fisher 2. Six chrysanthemums, Japanese, three yellow and t'hrco whito, iti vases (amateur)— Miss Wall 1. Six sprays of chrysanthemums, to ho taken from a crown, varieties, in vases (open)— A. Young son. 1 and 2. CUT FLOWERS, OTHER THAN "CHRYSANTHEMUMS. One vase carnations, winter flowering, one variety, three blooms (open)—Capt. Rhodes ' (A. E. Lowe, gardener). Collection of cut flowers, nine spocies, in glasses or vases (chrysanthemums cxoluded), ono species in ejeh glass or vase (amateur)Miss Kirkland 1, A. W. McCarthy 2. DECORATIVE AND FLORAL WORK. Table d coo ration, chrysanthemums and any folu.go or accessories (ainatour)-Miss A M'lntyro 2. . Winter tablo decoration (no flowers), foli- ■ age, autumn leaves, fruit, berries, ferns or 1 grasses (opcn)-Miss M, Pullen 1, Miss A Mnntyro 2. Floral decoration, suitable for drawing rooni (amateur)— Mrs A. E. Wobb 1 Mi«i M. PitHcn 2. Ono basket chrysanthemums and autumn foliage (open)— Miss M. Pullon L Mrs E A Ilamel 2. ' Ono basket chrysanthemums and autumn foliage (flmatour)—Misa Martin 1, Miss Rogers . One bowl chrysanthemums, any foliar (open)— Mrs E. A. Hamel 2. " One bowl chrysanthemums, decorative : varieties, any foliage '(amateur)— Mrs A. E. Webb 1, Miss M. Pullen 2, Two dress bouquets, one lady's and one , gentlcmaa's (open)— Miss A. H'lnlyre 1. Two dress bouquets, one lady's and one gentleman'? (amateur)— Miss C. Turner 1. Miss Rogers 2. Decorated mantelpiece; overmantel and draping not allowed (open)— Mrs E. A. Hamel 1, Miss Rogers 2. Floral hat (open)— Miss T. Mulholland 1, Mr.? D. Mitchell 2. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Two bunches grapes, Muscats (opcti)-R. Glendining 1, C. Batos 2. Two bunches grapes, Gros Coltuar (open)R. Glendining 1, R. Steers 2, Two bunches grapes, any other variety i .(opwl-E, Glojidiaipg 1,1 S, Himgoxforii 2,

Twelve apples, desseri, one variety (open)— AY. Thomson 1, F. P. Beckett 2. Twelvo apples, dessert, ono variety (amateur)—A. W. M'Carthy 1. Twelve apples, cocking, one variety (open)— J. Stevenson 1, I' 1 . P. Beckett 2. Twelvo apples, cooking, one variely (amateur)—lt. Steers 1, J. S. Every 2, Twelve pears, dessert, one variety (open)— R. Macqiiaid 1, C. Bates 2. Thirteen pears, dessert, one variety (amateur)—]'. Steers 2. Thirteen pears, cooking, one variety (open) —C. Kates 1, R. Macquaid 2. Collection of apples, 15 varieties, live of ( each (open)—llowden and MoncrietT 1, F. P. ■ Beckett 2. Twelve pears, cooking, ono variety (amateur) —W. It. Earland 1. Collection of apples, five varieties, five of each (amalent)-A. W. M'Carthy 1, W. 11. Earland 2. Collection of pears, six varieties, five of each (open)—R. ifacquaid'l, W. 11. Earlami VEGETABLES. Two savoys (open)— Sinclair ICorner 1, G. Harvey 2. Two lable cabbages (open)— Sinclair Korner 1, G. Harvey 2. One dish Brussels sprouts,- one variety, named (open)—P. Duncan 1, J. M'lntyro 2. Six parfnips (open)—G. Harvey 1 and 2. •Six carrots for -table (open)—G. Harvey 1, G. L. C. Chapman 2. - Six bset (open)—J. M'lntyre 1, P. Duncan 2. Six varieties of potatoes, five of each (open)—lt. Dalziel 1, S. Korner 2. Twelve onions, locally grown (open)—C. M. Lane 1, J. M'lntyre 2. Twelve tubers, Jerusalem artichokes (open) —J. 11. Every 1, P. Duncan 2. Six leeks (open)—J. M'lntyre 1, G. IJa-rvey 2. Three sticks celery (open)—J. M'lntyre 1, G. Harvey 2. Collection of vegetables, 12 varieties (open) —R. Glendining 1, J. M'lntyre 2. Tho ■ attendance both in tho afternoon and evening was vory largo. Tea was , served in tho refreshment rooms, and was ' provided by the ladies of tho committeo AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT'S DISPLAY. Due prominence was accorded, the really excellent display staged by the biological branoh of tho Department of Agrioult-uro, and the committeo is to bo congratulated on securing tho services of this department in helping to make their autumn show, not only successful, but also an oducativo function. In all displays such as. that shown, tho educative character should be strongly emphasised, and in this the Agricultural Department's display sucoeoded. Tho exhibits wero into four sections—honey, plant diseases, tho natural enemy of tho bluegum blight, and publications. Honey.—A comprehensive collection of honey gathered from all parts of the Dominion was shown in glass jars. The differences due to varied be© forage and environment aro very striking. Many of the samples are of tho highest quality, equal to the finest, that avo produced in any part of thc world, and the famous Waikato and Southland honeys are well represented. There are aJso samples of extracted honey in tins put up by tho State apiary attached to the Ruakura Experimental Station. The pawing of the Apiaries Act Inst sossion compels beekeepers to use only movable framo hives, and a scetion of tho community considered this a hardship, as it would involve great expense. An exhibit of a cheap and ctfectivo frame liivo made of kerosene cases, costing barely 2s a hive, effectively ontshes this argument. That these cheap hives are elfeetivo is testified by tlio fact that otto of our most successful southern beekeepers has over 700 colonies housed in hives of this pattern. Plant Diseases—A large collection of tlio diseases commonly affecting fruit and vegetable crops was shown 1 under thj6 division, and proved a highly educational factor of the display. • The labelling is escpcially to he oommended, giving as it does not only an account of tho disease, but also the methods of 'control. About 120 specimens are shown. The Bluegum Blight.-Tho most, interesting fcaturo of tho department's exhibit was a breeding- oage containing over 300 of. the natural enemy of tho bluegum blight Tlio splendid work accomplished by this little black ladybird reads more like a fairy talc than an example of the modern methods of insect oontrol. A fow years ago tho great bhiegum plantations of Canterbury, worthy monuments of the foresight of tho pilgrim fathers, wore, owing to the attacks of a scale insect, threatened with extinction. Tho introduction and establishment of tho black ladybird, Rhigobius tentralis, by tho biological division, has, however, changed all that, and the .plantations wero saved: # Theso little bencficial insects wore shown hard at work eating up tlio scale. Publications.—A complete set of the pub-, lications of_ the department was shown. All these, intimately connected with the evoryday operations of our rural comrimnity, aro mailed free of charge to imyono desiring them. Persons wishing to be placed on tho mailing list/aro invited to leave theur names with Mr-A. H. Cockayne assistant biologist, who is in charge of the exhibit. It is pleasing to note that tlio display was appreciated, and that it materially contributed, to tho success of the show. The chrysanthemum show will be continued to-day.