HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2691, 11 October 1905, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbie.

—North Otago Spring; Flower Show. — The matter of holding a show 1 -., of spring flowers had long been talked about and discussed by the North -Ofcago Horticultural Society, but the opinion prevailed that the summer and autumn shows were as much as it could manage, the holding of a spring show being too great a responsibility. The ladies took the matter up, however, and formed a committee, with the resvilt that on Tuesday, October 3, a show was held in the Weir Street Hall. The display of« spring flowers on the tables was quite a surprise to chose entering the hall, and exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. Owing to the encouragement given there is every probability of a spring show becoming an annual fixture.

The principal feature of this show was that ifc was an exhibition, there being no prizes offered for pot plants or cut flowers. 1 Competition ~ was invited m a section devoted- to floraf decoration, and, as usual in this branch, several competitors entered. The baskets of flowers, decorated; tables, - and othej • 'decorated novelties were very nicely arranged; and proved a source of attraction to many. From a horticulturist's standpoint 'the most interesting exhibts wore the "various- collections of cut blooms, and some of these would be hard to beat at any show. 'By far the largest and best collection of out blooms staged was that of Mr J. Braithwaite, who exhibited over 100 varieties of hyacinths, comprising all- the shades of colour to be found in these fragrant spring flowering bulbs. Amongst the most conspicuous were Alma, pure white, and a very fine spike; Snowball, pure white, extra large bells, and a compact spike; La Grandesse, very fine white, the spike and flowers extra large ; La; Franchise, white tinged with rose, beautiful largo spike. In yellow shades Bird of Paradise, a showy rich primrose, a large and fine spike ; General Buticr, pure yellow ; and Ida, golden yellow, large bells, long and compact spike; Distinction, dark claret, its unique colour making it conspicuous in a collection. Space forbids one mentioning all the grand varieties to be in this collection.

Tulips and narcissi are two other classes in which 3tfr Braithwaite was well represented. In the collection of tulips Keizerskroon is without exception the finest of all. The colour is a deep crimson, with broad yellow margin, which makes it one of the most effective tulips. Eleonora, dark violet, edged with white, and Duchess dePanne, fiery red, with a broad yellow band, are very fine. The white, scarlet, and yellow Pottebaker are very large, and have fine blooms.

In the narcissus collection were Glory of Leiden, a very letrge floiver, and veTy fine ; Madame de Graff, a large trumpet daffodil, with white segments and pale ■ yellow corona; Margens, white and reflexed: this is :( ially a gem; Apricot, the trumpet of this variety, is a light sulphur, changing into, lilao rose, pure white petals, and said to be violet-scenled. Older and better

known varieties, such as Emperor, Horsfieldii, and Sir Watkin, also graced this collection, numbering 50 varieties. Fine spikes of the double yellow Fritillaria and Brodisea coccinea were new to many, and attracted a deal of attention. Messrs Burns, White, J. M'Laren, and J. Gebbie and Son exhibited large collections of narcissi.

Air J. Mitchell made a good display of pot plants and cut flowers, Asparagus plu moso and cinerarias being very fine. The •varieties of cut flowers staged by this exhibitor, being set off by the foliage of tie pot plants, had a very attractive appear-ai-ce. A table of cut flowers, staged by Mrs Bulleid, was very tastefully arranged. Narcissi, in variety, polyanthuses, and tulips were the main exhibits. A bowl of that most beautiful of all tulips, Keiserskroon, attracted the attention of many. A large and beautiful gathering of anemones was -sent in by Mrs W. Macaulay, Windmere. their colours being' rich and varied, and the flowers of most of them were very double, forming compact rosettes of petals, the single varieties being as attractive as, and perhars more serviceable than, cut flowers. Mr D. Edwards also helped to make up the display by contributing to the exhibits pot plants and blooms of some spring favourites. A few nice palms and a good plant of cactus in bloom from Mr Hurst gave effect to the cut blooms alongside. Choice collections of narcissi were also sent- in by Miss Sumpter, Miss- Bickncl, Mr W. W. Dawson, Mr A. Pratt, Mr G. Jones, Mr W. Pygal, and Mr Tonkins. Miss Ross exhibited some fine trusses of rhododendrons, which were greatly admired. Primroses, polyanthuses, auriculas, and some other favourites were staged by Mrs Fenwick, I Mrs W. Clarke, Mrs Rose, Miss Main, Mr A. King, Mr W. H. S. Roberts, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Ongley, and Mr Buzzan. The blooms being fresh and nicely put up, went a long way towards enhancing "the general effect. The attend,w>ee at the show was %ood, and all concerned seemed satisfied with the results. * JThe- following or© the results of the competitions: — Shower bouquet: Miss J. -Gilchrist, 1; Miss Jones, 2. Table decoration: Mrs Darling, 1, Miss J* Gilchnst, 2. Decorated stand: Miss J. Gilchnst, 1; Mrs Edmbndson, 2. Bpergne of flowers : Miss M. 1; Mrs Edmondson, 2. Deco-f-rated .boot and shoe: Mrs Douglas, 1. 'Best novelty : Mrs Buckley, 1 ; Mrs Gould, 2. Hand bouquet: Miss M. Wilson, 2. Best bridesmaid's staff: Miss W. Bulleid, 1 • Miss De Lambert, 2. Basket of flowers : -Mrs Darling, 1; Mrs Douglas, 2; Mrs H. M Roxby, 3. Decorated hat: K. Creagh, I; Miss 'Roxby, 2; Miss Reid (commended). Bowl of flowers:- Mrs Garland, 1; Miss J. Gilchrist. ~2. Three vases of flowers for effect: Miss M. Edwards, 1; Mies J. (*il; Christ (commended). Buttonholes and ladies sprays: Miss Creagh, 1; Miss J. Edwards, 2 Decorated tables (under 16 years) : Miss -Muriel Reid, 1 and 2. — Fr'itillaria—

are exceedingly handsome, pendant, bellshaped flowers, of tall form, and if left "undisturbed " for a number of years tihey form large groups? and when, in bloom are very handsome. -In the open ground they are in bloom" now, "'but ,by potting the bulbs early and placing them hi a greenhouse they would flower much earlier. Single bulbs in a 6-inch pot js the best way to grow them, and mixed with other plants they have a fine effect. ,The single \-€d is plentiful about here, and several spikes were exhibited at the show. Ihe single and double yellow wore also shown, but they are somewhat scarce, being slow of increase, and the bulbs carry badly from the Old Country, being nearly always a total failure on arrival here.

— Primula Cashmeriana.—

. In one or two of the stands of primulas there were shown trusses of Primula capitata, or cashmeriana, as it is sometimes called. This was a new thing .to many. Although long in cultivation, it is not plentiful, and only a few nurserymen catalogue it. It is a dwarf-growing plant, producing deep violet blue flowers in dense heads. It is perfectly hardy, and at the present time is flowering beautifully with me. It is a native of the Himalayas, and was" introduced into England in 1850.