DUNEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

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

DUNEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. The chrysanthemum show is perhaps the least popular of the Dunedin Horticultural Society's four annual exhibitions, and the reason is not far to seek. There is not the charming contrast which the other three shows present, and, although the chrysanthemum is an exquisite flower and cultivated to a pitch of perfection which leaves little to desire, yet the non-enthusiast in iloriculfrure soon exhausts the merits of the one flower.- It is therefore greatly to the credit of the society that, in face of the unusually severe weather which we have lately experienced, they should have 'been able topresent such an attractive exhibition. And proper praise must bo given to the ladies, whose exhibits are really the backbone of the show,"" for the artistic effects, which in table decorations, baskets, etc., have been evolved from chrysanthemums and autumn foliage, would have been impossible without the aid of their dainty fingers and exquisite taste. Owing to the backwardness of their blooms the names of a number of well-known exhibitoro are. absent this year, and consequently the show, suffers somewhat tooth as regards exhibits and competition ; but the wonder is, not that the exhibits are so few, but that they are so many and in such creditable condition. It speaks volumes for the patient care of the grower that, in the face of little sun and much rain, such perfection is possible. In accordance with their custom for years past, Dunediu's Chrysanthemum Club has joined hands with the Horticultural Society, and the club exhibits add considerable lustre to the show. The pot plants, though not numerous, taken as a whole are clean and well grown. In this section — as, indeed, throughout the ghow — all the entries are by local exhibitors. Mr John Rendel, of Forbury road, signalises his reappearance this year by sweeping off all the first prizes in this section as well as several seconds. Amongst his prize-takers are two in-curvecls, nice fresh specimens of George Glenny and Mrs George Rundle, the former being the better of the two plants. His three Japanese chrysanthemums are also. worthy of mention — a Soliel d'Ootobre, Edwin Molyneux, and Avalanche, . — the -first-named also taking the prize as the best Japanese pot plant in the show. Hi« trio of second prize- takers in this class" include a very nice John Shrimpton. Inthe centre of the pot plants stands a huge flowering aloe (Agave Americana), 17ft high, shown by Mr John White. Its peculiarity consists in the fact that it only flowers once in its lifetime, and then dies, and, although this particular plant is comparatively young, these aloes have been known to live for 24 years. There was only one entry for the group of chrysanthemums, but Mr E. A. Hamel made an exceedingly effective display, and well deserved the first prize. Apart from chrysanthemums, the only other pot plants staged were a. couple of very fine collections of ferns. The open collection shown by Mr R. Glendining comprised choice specimens of Adiantum grassilleman and Adiantum farleyance. The prize for the amateur collection 'was taken by Mr P. G. Stewart. These plants were effectively staged, and in remarkably good condition. Prominent amongst them were a kidney fern, a Todea superba, and a Hymenophyllordcs. In the cut blooms the gem of the show was the 12 vases chrysanthemum*, exhibited by Messrs Howden and Moncrieff. Thib was a really fine collection, and included splendid specimen*, of the old favourite Nellie Pocket (silvery white). N. C. S. Jubilee (pale lilac), a, bloom of magnificent form and substance ; Equistron (chrome yellow), and Mrs Ewart Barter (white). There was close competition in the 12 Japanese varieties with foliage in glasses or vases, but Messrs Howden aud Moncrieff scored 69 points with a collection including a. splendid Mrs TSwart Barter. Mr E. A. Hamel came close up with 67 points, his Nellie Pocket standing out as the best of the collection, the others being good ordinary blooms. In the class for 18 Japanese Messrs Howden and Moncrieff again carried off first prize with, amongst others, fine bloom» of Madame yon Andre (sulphur yellow), and Mm Ewart Barter. Mr E. A. Hamel's six yellow Japanese blooms were creditable, considering the season. In the class for six new and distinct varieties Messrs Howden and Moncrieff show four blooms, which almost defy competition, amongst them the premier Japanese of the show — a Mrs Ewart Barter. A fine bloom of W. R. Church also merits mention. Mr E. A. Hamel takes second prize with a lot of flowers, of which a Lady Roberts (crimson with golden revers) 13 the pick, another handsome bloom being a Miss Randerson (soft pink). In the in-curved classes, Mr John Rendel takes a first prize with a fine even lot of six, and Mr Andrew Todd secures the prize for the premier in-curved in the show with a Baron Hir=ch (cinnamon). Tt is worthy of note that Mr Todd has taken the prize for the Premier in curved three times within the last four year^. Mr E. A. Hamel met with no competition in the class for six in-curved Japs. Amongst maiden prizetakers Mrs A. Todd took two first with very creditable collections of six and three ln-curvcds, respectively. There was competition amongst the beginners for the four Japanese in vases. Mrs Leslie Reynolds took first, prize, the be3t of her blooms being si Sainunl Plimsoll ; Mrs A. Todd securing second prize by only half a point. Mrs Leslie Reynolds was al>-o fortunate in carrying off first prizes in the classes for six Japanese and three vases Japanese, a nice bloom in the latter collection being a Colonel Smith (old gold) ' Mr William Hitchcock's collection of cut flowers other than chrysanthemums was remarkably fine considering the time of year, and excited much admiration. Mrs Turner exhibited a . t>£Aliiiiul floral anchor, exunaosed oi whit*

azaleas,- cosmos, violets -and •- chrysanthe- - mums, with maidenhair fern and asparagus;^ J also some very chaste gentlemen's buttonholes. Another very attractive exhibit was! Mr S. Cousins's stand of roses, the first' time, we understand, that roses have ever been exhibited at this se: >n of the year. The collection comprised. 40 varieties', including 12 new roses never beforei shown." Amongst these may be mentioned) Sunbeam (deep yellow), Liberty (deep crimson), Killarney (pale pink), Vanity, whita Manancochet, Gras antipletz, and Souvenir de President Carnot. Another novelty, sd far as a winter chow is concerned, wa3 Mr Cousin's collection of cactus dahlias, including such varieties as Mrs J. J. Crow,Uncle Tom, and Mayor Twopenny — in all 12 varieties. Coming next to the table decorations, the* judges selected from the society's committee declared that they had great difficulty in coming to a decision, the competition being) very close and the standard of excellence: exceptionally high. The entries, too, were 1 more numerous than usual.- In the table* decoration with chrysanthemums and foliage Miss E. L. Mackerras had things all her. own way, and took first prize with a chaste arrangement of bronze flowers and grasses. The winter table decoration brought out eight competitors, amongsft whom Miss Glendining came first with am artistic arrangement of native birch, European birch, asparagus, and Virginia , creeper, . amongst the entanglement of which, "however, it would be somewhat diffieu't to take your soup or enjoy your fish. 'A . pretty effect in the berries of the -ivy, holly, St. John's "Wort, and strawberry tree was not : placed by "the judges. The bamboo etanda ' were a very creditable lot, Miss "A M'lntyre • -taking first prize with .a handsome . stand ;_ of blackberries, maidenhair, asparagus, " rowan, vine leaves, and native strawberry- : Miss Mitchell's second-prize stand was of vine leaves, but it had suffered damage bybeing upset. The_ vases and baskets " exhibited were also much admired, Miss Freeman carrying off the honours in each ease. The Chrysanthemum Club exhibits merit more than a passing word, for they added considerably to the attractiveness of the show. In the lady exhibitors' classes, Miss E. L. Mackerras carried off first prize for dinner table decorations with a pretty arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums, with) maidenhair and spirese. Mrs Hamel deserves great credit for her two baskets of bronze chrysanthemums, and also for al.a 1 . handsome bowl of a similar flower with 1 rowan foliage. The pot plants shown by the club members were a nice lot, and the cut blooms highly creditable. Amongst the latter may be mentioned a Miss Alice Byron, shown by Mr H. Adam, and a Lady Roberts, by Mr E. A. Hamel ; and a Soleil d'Octobre by Mrs Brittain, the last-named! a fine yellow bloom. Amongst the club exhibits were also a number of novelties, recently imported, including Baden-Powell (khaki and red), W. R. Church (crimson), and Mabel Morgan (yellow). The fruit and vegetables make a brave show, and are an education in excellence»_ 7 The collection of apples shown' by Mr Sonn-'-tag is beyond all praise, especially as to * size apd colour. JVIr. JR. Glendinihg's collec-"-tion of vegetables was greatly "admired, as', showing 'what European .culture will do in' this respect; Great interest centred in the * two gigantio cabbages shown, Mr% R. 'Glen- , dining's exhibit "weighing 371b' 6ozand'Mr . A. Mann's 371b.. -The - collection qf p*eas~ .grown by Mr Harraway and the quinces by, Mr T. H. Rawson are very fine of their * kind. Some specimens of plants grown in the open air by Mr W. Martin, of Fairfield, also attracted some attention. The chrysanthemum show again attracted capital crowds on Thursday afternoon and evening, quite justifying the committee of the Horticultural Society in deciding upon a two-days' exhibition. Chrysanthemums are flowers which do not fade and go off like more .delicate blooms of other varieties, and therefore these who patronised the show on Thursday did not have any room to complain. The special competitions instituted as extra attractions on Thursday excited conaiderable interest, although they partook, perhaps, more of the nature of brisk millinery than of horticulture. Nevertheless, they afforded scope for a good deal of artistic work on the part of the ladies who took part, and the general effect was decidedly pleasing. There were 10 entries for the decorated ladies' hats. Miss Oholmondely of Christchurch, scouring fir3t prize with a charming creation of Scabiosa caucaeica, yellow marguerites, ivy, and ferns.- Miss Matheson took second prize, and Miss Ireland'third, whilst Mies Harvey's hat was highly . commended. In one of the hats entered a* decidedly novel -effect was obtained with, a trimming of curly cabbage and blue corn- • flowers. - Only two trimmed parasols were entered, but each was a \vork of art. The judges awarded > first prize to Miss" Glendining's simple arrangement of nasturtiums on awhite ground; Mrs Barnett's more elaborate arrangement coming second. Only two trimmed parasols were entered, gramme of music during the afternoon and evening, the several items being vigorously applauded. Altogether, the Horticultural Society are to be congratulated on a very bucccssful show. An old eight-roomed house in Kurow, uncccupicd.'formerly the Bridge Hotel, and owned by Mr William Frascr blacksmith, was burned down at about 2 a.m. on the Bth. The insurances are not available. The house was lately much occupied by old-age pensioners and swaggers. In the course of a letter to a Nelson paper, in which he apparently refers to aspeech made by the Anglican Bishop of Nelson at a public meeting, the Very Rev. Dean Mahoney says : " I defy bishop or layman to substantiate the charge, and to prove that I, directly or indirectly, covertly or openly, by letter or by word, brought any influence whatsoever to bear upon the disrating, the removal, or the dismissal of any member, or members, of the Nelson police force. Should such a charge be> proven, as an earnest of my good faith, I pledge my word to refund £125 presented to me by ray beloved people, to be distributed to non-Catholic public charitable institutions in Nelson." Hoabseness in a Child that is subject to croup is a sure indication of the approach of the disease. If Chamberlain's Cough Remedy is given as soon as the child! becomes hoarse, or even after the croupy; cough has appeared, it will prevent the( attack. It always cures, and, cuireg quickly* All ikaleia sell it.