DUNEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. DAFFODIL SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 9

DUNEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. DAFFODIL SHOW.

• Tho 6pring show of the Dunedin Horticultural Society was held on Wednesday at the GaTison Hal!, and was, both as regards the quality, variety, and number of the exhibits, and the attonda noo of the public, entirely succesful. Lovers of flowers found abundance and to spare to enjoy, to enthuse over, and. Captain Cuttle like, to make a note of for their gardens and pot-houses, in the great variety open to their inspection, whilst experts found much to satisfy their aesthetic tastes in floriculture. From the point of view of the experts, the show would perhaps, have been more completely satisfactory had it been held about the third week in September, daffodils being then in their fullness of youth, colour, and energy. The quality was at that time a thing- to become enthusiastic oi'er. Nevertheless, the lateness of the season being taken into conGuleration, even tho_ most expert judges were prepared to admit that the flowers wer<\ for the most part, really excellent. Besides the narcissi, there were a hundred and one exhibits of flowers and plants that did eminent credit to the growers, but this did not dim their claim to pre-eminence. In tho general collection there were three exhibits, all of horticul- [ 'Mral value and general interest. The first prize was taken by Mr A. Millar for a collection that it would be very hard to surpass. Prominent among the narcissi that Air Millar exhibited were the Weardale Perfection, King Alfred. Gloria Mundi, Mme. de Graff, Poeticus Cassandra, Gloria Leiden, Albatross, Lucifer, Apricot, and Will Scarlet. In colours the yellow, the red. and the white, in charming combina1 tions, gave very much satisfaction, whilst the grouping was admired. The arrangement by which the larger and finer blooms were gathered in the centre of the table, whilst the lesser ar.d comparatively unpretentious blooms were placed so as to more immediately catch th« eye of the onlooker was, possibly, unavoidable. One felt •"nstinctively, however, that the glorious yellow King Alfreds, perfect in size, shape, and colour, should have been made as prominent as possible. The second prize, awarded to Mr Hart (of Lawrence), comprised flowers of splendid quality, albeit the collection was not so comprehensive as that of Mr Millar's. Most notioeabla among Mr Hart's delightful blooms were the newvariety Astrodante, the Gloria Mundi, Weardale Perfection, Mrs C. Bowley, Semi Partitis, Glory of Leiden, and Will Scarlet. The Preticus varieties were especially fine — namely, Cassandra, Horace, Homer, and Glory. The first prize-taker in the open class for 18 narcissi was Mr E. A. Hamel, who is to be congratulated on the success he has had in tho cultivation of these beautiful flowei-3. The most noticeable flower in his collection was. perhaps, the Minnio Hume, whilst running it voiy closely were the Flora Wilson. Grandis, and Frank Miles. Mr John Blair, a good second in this class, had some very fine specinvns of tho Grandis. Cassandra, and King Alfred. Mr N. Gordon had 12 charming narcissi, well worthy of the first award allotted them. Mme. de Graff shone among them in all her pristine beauty, whil-t grouped around were representatives of those ever pleadingvarieties — Grande Qnocn of Spain. Glory of Leiden, and Mrs C. Bowley. Mr John Blair's second was a good one, and included such admirablo vaiieties as the Duchess of Westminster, Apricot, and Queen Sophia. Mr Hamel was again to the_ fore in the class set aside for six narcissi^ his best specimens being Madame de Graff. Duchc6s of We-jtminster, Sensation, and Beauty. Tl»e flowero were a delight to look upon o\\ ing to the excellence of their condition ami beaut-v of colour. The three narcissi entry by Mr Blair was quite a noteworthy feature, the seedling from King Alfred raUed by Mr Blair bchur larger than tho parent, and in other respects as perfect as one could wish. Had tho perianth been better it would, in the opinion of tho=e qualified to express an opinion, have been one of ihe lwvt in oxi«-t«-nce. The ama.t»ur clashes wore thoroughly notworthy. Mr 'i. C White's most noticeable blooms were Luhvork. Peach, Gloria Mundi, Mrs Lanctrcy. and Mrs O. Bowley. all excellent of their kind. In the same class Mr J. C. Thomson was a capital second, hLs Grandis. Duchess of Westminster, and J. B. M. Camm being prominent. A kindly word of appreciation is due, too, to Mrs Elliot, of Garthmyl, Middlem&rch, who showed a very fine collection of narcissi indeed, but not for competition. Tho flowers were all in capital condition, and included Sir Watkin. Emperor, Conspicuous, Mrs C. i Bowley, Hail. Silver and Gold, and Grandis. [ Tho exhibit was very highly commended. Some magnificent auriculas were shown by i Mr J. J. Davis (of Chnstchurc-h), also four ! varieties of dafi'odik, comprising Applo I Show Ensi«. White Lady. Keel Star, and I Dorothy Weniyss. Ike exhibit of Miss Jessie Borrie in tho cut flower section of Tfritillaria and auriculas wa.-> rlistmctlyattractive. For the special prize of a cup offered by Messrs Barr there was, unfoitunately, only one entry, that of Mr Hart, (of Lawlence). There being only ohe competitor, no award was made, lnit Mr Hart's collection of 40 narcissi, distinct varieties, all tho | blooms being in excellent condition, in1 eluded Goliath, Gloria Mundi, "Frank Myers, ! Lucifer, Lulworth. Backhouse. Dr Hog-g J. B. M. Camm, Mrs C. Bowley, Poetioue Cassandra, Grandis, and Grandiflorus. The section for plants in flowers grown

in pots was quite up to the standard of previous years, and, as far as quality was concerned, distinctly good. In the class for six stove or greenhosue plants, distinct genera, Mr R. Glendining gained first honours with an exhibition of unusual merit and interest. The plants were all in flower, and the flowers good. The Dautzia grassilis, the crimson bloom, and the azalea represented a high state of horticulture, and drew much attention. In the class for three azaleas Mr Glendining's entry was an extremely good one. The Prince of Orange was also notable for both its shape and colour. Mr P. Duncan's six cinerarias afforded an excellent display, and Mr Glendining's two Amaryllis in another class were really fine specimens of the Johnsonni. Mr Glendining secured first and second honours in the class for one orchid. His Dendrobrium nobiia was placed first because of its fulness of flower. It was in every respect an excellent specimen of its clas3, but for variety the Dendrobrium dixanthum or boarded dondrobrium, took the palm. The bearded orchid, which is of a beautiful round yellow colour, has only been cultivated in the colony during the past year, and the flower exhibited yesterday is perhaps the first ever shown in the colony. Visitors to the show greatly admired both orchids, and experts saw in the bearded dendrobrium the forerunner of a class of orohid that will become more and more famous as years go on. The two pots or pans of frcesias shown were very nicely grown, and reflected great credit on the. cultivator, Mr P. Duncan. The threo cyclamens (varieties) exhibited by Mr J. M. Ritchie were extremely good of their class, more especially the gigantia. In the class for six auriculas, Mr J. Dagger's exhibit was very clean and well sfrown. The section for foliage plants, jrrown in Dots, was an excellent one. In the class 12 ferns (varieties) there was nothing but extremel »• favourable comment, both from experts and others, regarding- Mr Glendining's exhibit. All tho ferns shown were of a distinct interest, the finest specimen being the Platesirium srrandec, or staghorn fern. Other interesting specimens were the divelia. moriana. and Lord Howo Island pleris. Mr F. G. Duncan, who secured second prize, was a very good second indeed. His exhibit included a particularly nice, cloan. uprichr birds-nest fern, while the Applenium flaccidum, although a somewhat common fern, evoked considerable interest, being vorv nicely errown indeed, and of exquisite 'colour. The 6ix foliasre plants shown in the same section by Mrs Glendining were valuable plants of charming colour and shape, the most valuable being the Authurium waroqueanun and Drisina lindesiana, also a very srood specimen of the banana tree, which, with ; ts deliriously cool leaves, attracted much attention. Mrs Dudley Ward, in the two Japanese Naples class, secured first prize with a very fino exhibit. In the collection of pot plants there was one entry, that of Mr R. Glendining, which included some very choice blooms. The azalea was of unusual beauty and fulness, and the cineraria and orchid were both fine plants. The decorative floral work exhibits made quite an aesthetic display, harmonising in a pleasing manner with the more prosaic tables containing the ordinary competitive entries of pot plants and exit flowers, etc. The show, as far as this departmont was concerned, was a credit to the _ horticulturists responsible for the artistic adornment of the various exhibits, and, as usual, the entries commanded no small share of attention from visitors during both afternoon and evening. Mesdames Reynolds and Woodhouse were the judges, and with one exception their awards gave almost universal satisfaction. The exception was the decorated mantelpieces, and during the afternoon this award was much commented upon. The first prize was tastefully conceived in deronicum and fern, and was much admired. The second exhibit was somewhat ragged, and thought to be inferior to the two remaining entries, one of which immediately attracted attention upon an examination of the class. In the opinion of a number this entry should have been awarded fir3t prize. With yellow narcissi predominating, the inclusion of some beautiful red tulips, together w ith maiden hair fern, made up a most effective display. The amateur vases of narcissi in e-vklenro were creJitable, the ar-rang-ement perhaps not being all that might have been desirod. Th^re were two entries in the new class for Bfirls (bowls of narcissi), and both were excellent, thouah it would be desirable that this class should receive more support from the young ladies. The open class induced four entries, which made a pleasing show, 'uiany of the blooms being noticeable on account of their excellence, though in some cases the foliasce was not so good as usual, or up to the standard of tho other decorative work. Of the decorated baskets, the amateur display was unquestionably the better. The first amateur basket was carried out in rhododendrons, and. though this is somewhat unusual, the arrangement was decidedly chic. Hand bouquets, unfortunately, did not induce a great deal of competition. Miss M. Bruce's exhibit, however, was executed with considerable taste. The bridal shower bouquets (open) were beautiful, and formed a striking display, the fir->t awl second exhibits beinp particularly fine. The dress bouquots were in both clasw-s fairly well supported. The winner in the open class was easily the best of an even display. Tho amateur classes would not compare favou r al)lv with tho other, but contained, nevertheless, some admirable exhibits. As usual, much interest was centred in tl o tablo decorations. There were altogether fivo entrips. and no tablo centres wore allowed. Ail the entries were hicrhly creditable, a noticeable defect (in the expert's eye) being- in the fact that the ilowere rrfbnopolisprl too much of the taule space, boiner too hieh. Be that as it may, the tables met with universal admiration. In the first two tables the desitrn was carried out in narcissi and asparagus principally. Thoro was one ontrv for tlio c"eßsert table, the design being plcaeing in a i marked degree. |