THE TAIERI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 8

THE TAIERI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

President : Rev. J. M. .Sutherland; Vice-president: Robert Gillies, Esq. ; Committee of Management : Messrs John Brown, James Aitken, Henry Purvis, Joseph Allan, John Dryden, James Ross, Adam Tait, jftobert Haj, Thomas Stoddart, Andrew Armifct, Simon Sinejair, James Fraser, William Christie, D. Cbriatie.'JamesCrosbie, Alex. Sinclair, William KirkUnd, John- Kowan, Alex.' Davidson, and William Smith; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr D. M'Leod; Convener, Mr John Melrose. The second autumnal show, of the Taieri Horticultural Society was held in the Schoolhouse, Mosgiel, on Saturday, and must be pronounced a thorough success both financially and in point of competition. Indeed, it has been the most successful show of the season, the only one at all approaching it being that held at Balclutha about two months ago. . The Taieri Society has the advantage of being purely an amateur one, and professionals are excluded from membership as well as competition, though invited to exhibit as much as they choose, and in thus doing away with petty jealousies, which are now becoming to be regarded as an anavoidable sequence of combined and amateur emulation in horticultural exhibitions, lies the main secret of the success of the Taieri shows. Since their inauguration, too, they have been, under a good system of management, several members of the Committee having previously had considerable experience in such matters in the Home Country. .The great drawback to the shows all along has 'been.' the limited size of the building in which they have been held, and which is wholly incapable of accommodating the large numbers of regular visitors, and on this account the pleasure otherwise to be derived from an inspection of the exhibits is very much marred. There is a pressing necessity for the erection of a public hall in the locality, or for the renovation of the existing drillshed so as to render it suitable for the holding of such meetings. There has been a considerable increase in the membership since last show, and the position of the Society is Buoh that between this and the January show £60 has been spent, in prize-money, the prizes —of which there are a first and second in each sub-class— running from 2s 6d to 8s or 10s, and, although small, they have a marked effect in inducing large competition. To those who contemplate presenting special prizes it may be well to suggest that they should notify the fact prior to the catalogue being printed, as there is otherwise considerable difficulty in making known the fact, and the competition in the respective classes is not of the best. There were a great many visitors from Dunedin on Saturday, and also a few competitors ; and the Committee had engaged Herr Mosch to give his services as pianist during the day. The following gentlemen acted gratuitously as judges : — In/flowers : Messrs W. Martin, A. M'lvinlay, and G. Lawrence ; in fruits : Messrs James Gebbie, jun., Williamson, and Gordon; in vegetables : Messrs G. Edwards, Don, and D. M'Donald. With regard to the show itself there was such a good general display that it would bo difficult to point out what exhibits were the more prominent. Although the season has not been a good one for dahlias there were some fine exhibits, and the first prize was taken by Mr Robert Hay, of Dunedin. Mrs C. Findlay showed somo exceedingly good specimens of gladiolas ; and the fuchsias were an improvement on those exhibited last year. There were 17 entries in pansies, and a better lot could hardly be collected ; while for the best bunches of annuals there woro good competition and a creditable variety. Mr W. L. Christie was tho only exhibitor in ferns. Asters were well represented, and tho cnllocion was a mag^iificeut one, mcluding some now varieties. Tho beat exhibits in French mu\ African marigolds were disqualified on account of their having been entered in the wrong classes. ■In hand bouquets, the great taste displayed in the arrangement by the competitors rendered these entries objects well worthy of admiration, and such was the variety that the 4»splay would have been a credit*to any show*

room. There were 16 entities, and this number was only about half of those at last show. Twelve table bouquets were entered, and so uniform w?.s the arrangement that in a few cases Lite judges had considerable difficulty in arriving at a decision. S.>me of the competitors do voted 100 lvuch attention to arrangement rather than variety, while others were at fault in sending in bouqiieta of unseemly height. In roses Home very fair blooms of different varieties were shown, and also in carnations. There was a marked improvement in tho growth of fuchsias and geraniums ; and in cut flowers there was a magnificent though not large display; Mrs M'Caw being deservedly first. For the three best pot plants Mr R. Cramond was again awarded first prize for the magnificent Yellow Queen begonia exhibited at last show, a pelargonium, and a fuchsia ; Mr W. Christie being second with a balsam, flowering begonia, and petunia. The collection of hand bouquets also included entries for the special prize for the^ best bridal bouquet, which was obtained by Miss H. D. Mathieson. Several carefully-prepared table decorations were exhibited, and the special prize was awarded to Mr R. Purvis. Tho show of fruit was a magnificent one. Mr G. Howell had two beautiful i bunches of grapes, and some of the judges said they had never seen such a sample of peaches (Royal Georges), or of plums (Golden Drops), while there was a very superior exhibition of apple?, some of immense size. There were five times the number of vegetables as compared with Dunedin, and the quality was much, superior. A Drumhead cabbage exhibited by Mr Tait weighed 281bs, and Mr D. Vanini showed an enormous pumpkin. Special prizes wore awarded by Messrs Gordon Bros., W. Hitchcock, C. Lawrence, and W. Arroll. The following entered for exhibition only:— Rev. J. M. Sutherland, a splendid sample of peaches and vegetable marrow ; Mrs J. Fulton, late strawberries and rare flowers; Miss Mathicsou, a rich magnolia grandifiora, and a bunch of very large laurel berries ; Messrs Law, Somnor, and Co., a fine collection of heaths, roses, and geraniums; Mr Durston and|Mr G. Edwards, a splendid lot of dahlias ; Mr W. Hitchcock, si good variety of cut flowers, in- ' eluding- pelargoniums, geraniums, und verbonas; a?id W. Tait, cut flowers and fincly- | grown vegetables. The number of entries m flowers was about 240, fruit ISO,- and vegetables 180, Avhich is a very considerable m r crease on even the last show. The following is the ' PRIZE-LIST. FLOWERS. Dahlias, best six blooms, d.v.— Six entrios: Robort Hay, 1 ; Johu Brown, 2 ; William Kirkland, 3. Gladiolus, four spikes, &c— Right entries : Mrs 0. Findlay, 1 ; Mrs H. Inglis, 2 ; Mrs Maccaw, 3. Light t'ueshia.— Five entries : Mrs R. Purvis, 1 ; Mrs Cramond,,2 ; W. Smith, 3. Dark Fuchsia.-Eight entries: T. Stoddart, 1; James Fraser, 2 ; Mrs R. Purvis, 3.

Hollyhocks', six ~ blooms. — One entry : Mrs Cuddie, I. ' • Pansies, six blooms. — Seventeen entries: John Brown, 1 and 2 '; Miss A. Andrews, 3. Six bunches annuals, d.v.— Fourteen entries: Mra Gow, 1 ; , W. L. Christie, 2 and 3. . Verbena, four trusses. -Xwd entries: John Melrose, I.' ' Perns, four plants.— One entry : W. L. Christie. Pena'temdns, three spikes.— Two entries : S. Sinclair. 1 :> Mrs Maccaw. 2.

Dahliag, three biooma.— Fiva . entries : Mias O. Andrew, 1 ; K. Hay, 2 and 3. • *

Herbaceous Plants, three spikes.— Five entries : Mrs Maccaw; 1 ; Mrs Inglis, 2 ; John Melrose, 3. Plant scarlet geranium.— Six entries: William Sinclair, 1 ; James Brown,' 2 ; James Fraser, 3. ■ Asters, lour blooms other quilled.- Sixteen entries : R. Cramond. 1 and 2 ; A Sinclair, 3. ! Marigolds, four glooms African.— Ten entries :, W. Sinclair, j and 2 ; A. Sinclair, 3. ' Hand bouquet, not more' than five inches across.— Sixteen entries : Miss H. D. Mathieson, 1 ; Miss A. Ouddie, 2 ; Mrs R. Purvis, 3. • Quilled, asters, four blooma.-Six entries: W. Smith, 1 ; A. Sinclair, 2 and 3. , ; . Marigolds, six blooms French.— Eleven entries : A. Sinclair, 1 ; Mrs MaccawJ 2 and 3. ; Geraniums, two plants ' tricoloured.— Tbree entries : R. Cramond, 1 and 2. ; Table bouquets. -Twelve entries: Mrs R. Carlyle, 1 ; Miss J. Niinmo, 2 ; Miss Jaue Qoyr, 3. _ ' Roses, three blooms d.v.— Seven entries: Miss Mathieeon, 1 ; Mrs Fulton, 2. . Thiee pot plants. -Four entries: R. Cramond; 1; W. L. Christie, 2; R. Purvia, 3. • Bouquet everlasting flowers.— Ten entries: Jane Nimmo. 1 : Miss Mathieson, 2 and 3. !

Geranium— two plants, one light and one dark.— Four entries : John Melrose, 1 ; Miss Jane Kimiao, 2; H.Purvis, 3. r ' Pansies, lour blooms dv.— Nine entries: MwsD. Sutherland, 1; Miss H. D. Mathieson, 2; Mrs H. Inglis, 3 >

Carnations, six blooms d.v.— Seven entries : Miss Kirkland, 1 ; Mrs Maccaw, 2 ; Mrs H. Inglia, 3. , Fuchsia, two planta, one light and one dark.— Three entries : William Smith, 1 ; R. Cramond, 2 ; T. Stoddavt, 3. ! Three plants ton-week stock, d.v.— Two entries : J. Melrose, 1. Light geranium.— Seven entries : James Fraser, 1 ; W. WCr, 2 ; fi. Cramond, 3. , Pelargonium. - Five entries : James Brown, 1 ; W. L. Christie, 2 ; H. Purvis, 3. Antirhinum, three spikes.— Ten entries: James Christie, sen., 1 ; W. Smith, 2 ; James Fraser, 3. Two roses, two blooms, d.v.— Eleven entries : Mies G. Andrew, 1 ; Mrs K. Purvis, 2 ; John Brown, 3. ' Geranium, four trusses. -Bight entries,: K. Cramond, 1 ; Miss J. Niinino, 2 ; Mrs J. Brown, 3. ! Cockscombs, two plants.— Two entries : R. Cramond, 1 and 2. ■ Collection cut flowers.— Four entries : Mrs Maccaw, 1 ; Mm Fraser, 2 ; MiBS Christie, 3. FRUITS. Six dessert apples.— Twenty-seven entries : 0. Buchanan, 1 ; T. Stoddart, 2 ; J. Krown, 3. Six kitchen apples.— Nineteen entries : Mrs Dow, 1 ; James Allan, jun ,2 ; A. Arniitt, 3. Six pears.— Sixteen entries: Mrs Gow, 1 ; Mrs Dow, 2 ; Miss Oliver, 3. Twelve light-coloured plums.— Four entries : Wm. Kirkland,! ; Miss G. Andrew, 2; James Oliver, 3. ' Twelve dar '-coloured plums.— Three entries : Mrs W. Allan, 1 ; Miss Mathieson, 2. Bix apricots.— Two entries : Miss Oliver, 1 ; Mrs M'Kay, 2. Six peacheg.— Fourteen entries : James Brown, 1 ; Miss ltenton, 2 ; J. Dryden, 3. One bunch of. grapes.— Six entries*. G. Howell, 1; It. Cramond, 2 ; U. Purvis, 3. Collection of fruit. -Five entries: Miss Mathieson, 1 ; Geo. Howell, 2. Heaviest six dessert applc3— Nine entries: Mrs Dow, 1; Joseph Allan, 2; James Allan, jun., and J. "Brown (equal), 3. Heaviest six kitchen apples.- Nine entnes : Mrs Dow, 1 ; James Allan, jun., 2 ; Joseph Allan, 3. • Heaviest 12 light-coloured plums.— Threo entries : James Allan, 1 ; James Fraser, 2 and 3. Heaviest 12 dark-coloured plums.— One entry : Mrs W. Allan, 1. ' Heaviest six peaches.— Seven entries: Mrs Doyle, 1 ; Miss Ronton, 2 ; J. Dryden, 3. Heaviest bunch of grapes.— Three entries: G. Howell, 1 and 2 ; Miss J. Nimmo, 3. VEQBTADIiKS. Late cabbage.— Ton entries : A. Tait, 1 ; J. Brown, 2 ; J. Robertson, 3. Two red cabbages.— Eloven entries: J. Rankin, 1; J. M'Taggart, 2 ; A. Sinclair, 3. Savoy.— Nino entries : A. Davidson, 1 ; J. Galloway, 2 ; A. Davidson, 3. Two stocks green kail.— Five entries : T. Stoddart, 1 and 2; J. Galloway, 3. Two cucumbora.— Ono entry : R. Cramond, 1. Two vegetable marrowo. — Knur entric. 1 ): R. Cramonr', 1 ; Mrs Maccaw, 2 ; It. Craraond, 3.

Twu ;>lai'ls parsley (shown in pots).— One entry : Jolui llaukin, 1.

Twelve Ividnoy potafceu?. Fourteen entries — J. Rowan, 1 ; J Galloway, 2 ; J. Hankin, 3. Twelve round potatoes. Twelve entries— S. Sinclair, 1 ; A. Tait, 2 and 3. , ' Four stalks celery. Nine entries- J Brown, 1 and 2 ; J. Melrose, 3. ' " ' Six leeks, Eight ontrlea-T, Stoddatf, 1 ; W. Sinclair, 2; A. Sinclair, 8,

Six onions. Twenty-one ontries-G. Buchanan, 1 ; R. Buchanan, 2 ; G. Hendry, 3. Four garden turnips.— Two entries : A. Davidson, l;T.Stoddart,2. Four long carrots.— Seven entries : John Melrose, 1 ; J. Prascr, 2 ; G. Hendry, 0. Four intermediate carrots.— Thirteen entries: A. Tait, 1 ; A. Davidson, 2 ; J. Galloway, 3. Four beetroot.— Fourteen entries : Mrs Fulton, 1 ; G.nendry,2; W. L. Christie, 3. Four parsnips.— Twelve entries : J. Frasar, 1 ; J. Pankin, 2 ; J. Fraser, 3. Twenty-four pods peaa.- Seven entries: T. Sfcoddart, 1 and 2 ; Mrd Fulton, 3. Heaviest six onions,— Six ontries : J. Eankin, 1 and 2 ; Mrs Fulton, 3. „.«„., Heaviest lato cabbage.— Seven entries : A. Tait, 1 ; Mies Suthorland, 2 ; J. Robertson, 8. Heaviest six leeks, not less than six inches white.— Six entries : James Fraaer, 1 ; A. Sinclair, 2 ; R. Cramond, 3. Best basket of vegetables containing 1 late cabbage, 1 Savoy, 1 red cabbago, 6 carrots, 6 onions, 12 potatoes, 6 leeks, 3 turnips, 12 pods beans, 6 sprigs parsley.— Five entries: J. Rankin, 1 ; John Melrose, 2 ; G. Hendry, 3. Basket of not more than 12 different sorts of vegetables.— Two entries: W. Ij. Christie, 1; if. Brown, 2.

SPEOIAIi PRIZES.

Best six roses (d.v.). Prize of 10s 6d (presented by Gordon Bros.) : James Brown. Three best zonale geraniums. Planta of the value of 10s 6d (presented by Mr W. Hitchcock): S. Sinclair. Best foliage begonias. One dozon named roses (prcsentod by Mr C. Lawrenco) : James Fraser. Bridal bouquet. Pair of mats: Miss 11. D. Mathieson. Table decoration of cut flowers not over two feet high. £1 worth of plants (presented by Mr W. Arroll): Mrs Purvis.