THE AUTUMN SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 10

THE AUTUMN SHOW.

Horticulture seems to have been inherent in the mind.-- of the early settlers of Otago. No doubt its giowth was fostered and promoted by the suitability of the soil and climate ou and in which tkej? Lad been

landed. Over 50 years ago — February 1851 — an Horticultural Sooiety was formed in Dunedin, having Mr Justice Stephen as president. There was little material to woik on except native products, seeds and plants not having as yet been largely introduced. Plodding, persevering industry against many adverse circumstances and vicissitudes has accomplished the great feat of placing Otago in the van of horticultural pursuits in our colony. This is a solid fact in most respects, particularly so in regard to exhibitions, vouched for by a very oompetent authority who during a lengthy tour visited most of the shows to the north, and which is readily endorsed so far as Wellington is concerned. There was for long a belief that Otago would be in the rear a» regards pomology, but the Central district has dissipated that, and now we can challenge more favoured localities. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Iv the Witness Garden Notes of March 13, a condensed statement was given of the methods pursued by the late Adam Forsyth in growing and training chrysanthemums for exhibition, and elsewhere in this issue appear illustrations of two specimens of this favourite flower grown by him and exhibited at the great metropolitan show, and to each of which first awards were given against keen competition from Parisian, London, and provincial growers, over 30 years ago. The standard is of the pompom variety, which he considered most suitable for that style of growing, as they make the most compact head. The length of the stem he preferred was from 2£ft to 3ft. The dwarf variety was of the incurved species, very artistically arranged, and massed with flowers numbering close up to 200, and by keoping the pot regularly turned round to the light the whole circle was equally well furnished with foliage and flowers, and "not one-sided — a most objectionable feature. Forsyth made the chrysanthemum a specialty at his nurseries. Stoke Newington, and had every facility for growing — an advantage he did not possess in Otago. The 'illustrations will enable those who visited the recent show in Dunedin to make a contrast between the style of growing adopted, and form their own conclusion which is the more preferable. The number of flowers in the five different classes into which chrysanthemums are arranged, each having a distinctive name, is indeed legion, as a catalogue of even those early days gives a total of 367. Among those then held in highest estimation may 'be enumerated Mrs George Rundle, of small size," beautifully incurved, unrivalled as a pure white ; Empress of i India, very large white; blonde beauty, white, with delicate stripes and tips of the I palest rose, of most perfect construction and refined appearance ; Jardin dcs Plantes, bright golden oranf *\ with its sports ; Mr W. H. Morgan, of a lighter colour and larger size, and the bronze Jardin, a new colour, of a bright carmine orange; Annie Salter, golden yellow; Cardinal Wiseman, crimson; Dr Sharpe. reflexed, of a shaded magenta crimson hue ; Prince of Wales, purple violet ; Sam Weller, Indian red ; Her Majesty, silvery blush. The greatest favourites among the Japanese 'were Elaine, ■with large white flowers, very fine and full ; ;Dr Masters, long swordlike florets, the upper side bright yellow, changing to red, the reverse side deep -red tipped with gold all over the surface; hero of Magdala," blood-red and orange buff — novel and striking ; Yeddo lilac, ' rosy lilac, with a paler centre; Nagasaki >iolet, dark rose, with violet and golden disc— a very pleasing combination ; wizard, a curious and yet beautiful variety, flowering in the form of loose tassels of a bright red colour, of dwarfer growth than is usual with this race, and one of the earliest to flower; James Salter, flowers very double, and of immense size, composed of a large number of broad ribbon-like florets of a clear lilao or mauve hue, shaded towards the centre, and these florets, as the flowers expand become curled and twisted in a most extraordinary manner : tie Fair Maid of Guernsey, pure white, and entirely distinct, the flowers com. posed of long ribbon-shaped florets. This description is from the list of Messrs Cannel and Son, of Swansea, who up to the present time hold one of the highest positions as growers and propagators. THE SHOWS. There were two displays, not in any way antagonistic, but with harmony and goodwill, as should always exist where there is no .striving for mastery, but an honest detire to promote the interests of all. The society has, of course, the priority in respect of age. and a wider field of operations. The club is designed for a specific purpose, as its name indicates — the growth of the golden flower ehrysantheuuim — and it liab done good service in this respect during the past years. The sum of £25 has been expended in introducing hew varieties, and being affiliated with the National Society in London, it has special facilities for so doing, and this in no way interferes with legitimate trade. It will not, in this article, be attempted to intrude particular criticism as to merits of exhibit?, the writer being no more called on to do so than were the judges in maiding their awards. One remark may. however, be made— that the high standard both have obtained leaves it an open question whioh most excels. The club is only a recent institution, this being its third exhibition, and it bids fair to become a permanent institution in our midst. Its i-onstitution, as enm-iated in its regulations, is more restricted that that of the society. This, however, dop? not prevent it doing an equal amount of f?oocl. as from the well-known liberal spirit iimmating the mcmbeis they aiv quite willing to distribute some of the goods the gnrl-s have given t'icm. The show of both combined was not a very extensive collection This, however, is not* an objection, aa better far a small assortment of uell-giown, well-tended plants, and flowers than a huge, ill-abated tawdry onp. The' not plant-, being firm in the list, desert c fir-t notice, and by common con«ont it will bo allowed that the return of an old competitor i» th p field in tlie person of Mr Raiulel added immen=nly to the general success. His epecimens were of the highest ment. The foliage, instead of bern» withered and wizened, was full of vigour, showing how rarefullv watering had been attended 'to. and the blooms were, of course, of the hiehef-t meiit. The cut blooms deserve the highest e noomium«. The judges of this <la=;s s-ocin to ha''o been pftorely cxcrei-otl i- p v were forced to reduce their calculations to half a point in ftom 60 to 70. and (he reason for this halving of the difference is rather an enigma. Po=;-ibly they estimated each flower in a stand on it-,' individual merits, summing up the totals to the i. umber attained. Donald Beaton, the crroat authority on florists' floweis, limited hit number to 8 point". No inflection, ia cast ou the iudzea. Different..

men have different methods. Even judges of the Supreme Court are not always in accord. The detailed report elsewhere •in this issue gives full particulars, and every one will be thankful that, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather experienced, this show has added another laurel to the Drown Otago has formed for herself. FRUIT. The fruit exhibits also bore testimony to the progress being made. As. before stated, Central Otago could uphold our standard, and say, without ostentation, we can challenge creation. Its aid was not on this occasion needed. The seaboard gave an excellent display, and given hardy or even semi-hardy fruits, reaching the citrons and grapes, a few years hence the revelations will be astounding. I. M. I.