DUNEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2358, 4 May 1899, Page 8

DUNEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The eighteenth annual report, presented at tho meeting on Friday evening, was as follows : — . Your committee again congratulate the mem- | bers on the financial position of the society, i Tho substantial increase of 76 new meniberß is ■\ery satisfactory. The following table gives tho comparison with previous years, and is of interest as showing the fluctuations in connec- ' tion with the society -.—1882-3, 139; 1883-84,276; I 1884-85, 304 ; 1885-S6, 278 ; 1886-87, 366 ; 1887-83, • 366; 1888-89, 363; 1889-90, 342; 1890-91, 281; j 1891-92, 252; 1892-93, 249; 1893-04, 234; 1894-95, I 336; 1895-96, 333; 1896-97, 350; 1837-98, 360; ! 1838-99, 436. The prize list for the year also shows an increase of £27 over that of the previous year. The sum of £137 18s 6d in cash and £29 6s in value prizes having been awarded to 201 exhibitors shows the general interest taken; yet your committee reasonably expect from Dunedin and suburbs a much larger membership, and corresponding list of exhibitors and prizetakers. Tho Chrysanthemum Show vras held in conjunction with the Jubilee Exhibition for two days, and proved a great success ; one of the features of the show being the table of chrysanthemums in vases, in competition for the Jubilee Exhibition prize of £5 ss, for which there were five entries. At this show a ] so was staged the largest bunch of grapes exhibited during the history of the society, weighing 181b. j Tho December (or Rose) Show wa3 a very ' good one, but the attendance of the public was disappointing. At this show the final competition for the society's Kose Cup took place betwe&2\ tb« two, Dre«ioua \tLes.er • fMeasrs

"M"oriizson and Marshall), the latter carrying off the cup with a dozen irreproachable blooms. The award for premier rose in the show was decided in favour of a President" Thiers (reel H.P), on the stand of Mr A. E. Stanley C&ir, and the second place was awarded to a Caroline Testout (peach colour H.T.), growu by Air J. H. Siedelin. , The Autumn Show was also a success, and the attendance very good. The- table of ferns, the nurserymen's tables, and a special table of over 80 varieties of dahlias proved very attractive. In the second hall the table decorations, for which there were 14 entries, attracted great attention, all showing considerable artistic ; taste. In the general exhibits there was an increase of 50 entries over last year, which was satisfactory. There was considerable interest shown^ in the competition for the cottage, garden, prize, for which eight entries ' were received ; but it is .hoped that many more will enter for this competition during the present year, as gardening on this scale is capable of being made exceedingly interesting and profitable. The first and [ second prizes were awarded to Messrs G-. W. Sandeman and H. Graham respectively. The hon. treasurer (Mr A. Marshall) having unfortunately met with a very severe accident, felt compelled to resign, Mr C. Bayley being elected by the committee to fill the position for the rest of the year. It is to 'be regretted, that there is so little competition for the children's prizes. Good inducements havo -been offered, and members would materially assist the society and greatly benefit their children by inducing them to compete. At the Autumn Show a yery fair collection of vegetables, grown by a number of the Indus- : trial School boys, and a special exhibit by the gardener, was shown by 'Mr Burlinson, the ; manager; but the date proved rather early for them.' It is to be hoped this exhibit will be repeated, arid-extended to competitions by both boys and girls. : Your- committee decided lo renew the monthly meetings of members and to invite others interested in horticulture. The Otago Junior Club Hall, Moray place, has been engaged, and two meetings have been held, with very encouraging attendance. At the first. Mr A. 'Wilson, | M.A., kindly read a paper on narcissi, which proved very interesting, and contained many valuable hints to growers; and at the second Mr H. Clarke read an interesting and instruc- | - tive papsr_ on _tho_ propagation _of the pelar- . gcniuui. - " ] A ietter having been received from the secretary cf Ilia Royal Horticultural Society of Engird, stating the advantages of affiliation, it was decided to forward tho necessary tion, which will entitle this aoc'iitj- to copies of ] the R.IT S. Journal, tho right to obtain prizo incdala, to rouunato membsis to rant 83 Fe'k>ws of tho R.H.S., and transferable tickets ! available for members of this society visiting , England. [ The thanks of the committee are tendered to [ the fudges who so kindly assisted at the shows; ilo the various nurserymen, professional gar- \ deners, and others, <?xhibitor<*. of .pants, eti\. 1 'sent in for exhibition only ; to the doiiOTH of i special prizes, v.-hich. no .nifttenaUy assist the' society; and to the presi for trx full Jicticeo cf the society's shows. The committee also desire *.o rezniftd taem- : hers that tho leading" horticultural magazines I are received regularly, and can bo obtained on • application .to.the-sp.crotfity, it bfeivg (V matter 'of , regret that so few members avail tlicniasicefl cf the books and penodicnis which thb ;ibr»ry CvHvta-ins. 1., Your committee .would take this opportunity . of reminding all who take an interest ill horti- '* culture that they will be very pleased to receive . donations for special prizes for the current i year. x ' - | The balance sheet .shows, that the members' subscriptions come to £200 13s 9d, and the ad- ! mission fees to £132 3s, while on the expenditure side the largest item is, £148 16s Gd, prize money. The statement of liabilities and assets I shows', a balance to- credit of £181 10s lOd, or I £33 laid more than the balance last year.'