DINEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 10

DINEDIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The following report will be presented to members of the Dunedin Horticultural Society at the twenty-sixth annual meeting: —

Tour committee has again to congratulate the members of the society upon the success of its operations during the past year. First from » financial pbinj^of view, the society, which at the commencement of the year was in arrears to the extent of £25 18s 6d, is at the present time free from debt, which is very satisfactory. Your committee think* it is justified in congratulating the society upon the increased interest that is being taken in its affairs by the citizens of Donedin, and has every hope that ibis interest will be maintained Several well-known amateur growers who have not lately been exhibiting at the shows have promised thaft they will do so next year. The hearty thanks of the society are due to the ladies, who have given much time and attention to supplying tea, etc.,., at the shows — this has been » most pronounced success, and h*« contributed greatly to the increased popularity of the society. From a horticultural point ol view the shows have been quit* up to th» usual standard, despite the abnormal season; the chrysanthemum -show especially was voted one of the best for years. Tour committee has initiated the holding of practical fortnightly lectures this winter, which have been' most successful, and which, it is satisfied;' will -tend further to popularise .he tfooiety. Your committee has been asked to recommend that a carnation show be held this year, and does so heartily. It has already had sufficient promise of support to assur* the success of such an exhibition. The members of the committee have during the jtar been most assiduous in attending to their duties.

For some time past several English, horticultural journals have furnished interesting matter as to the respective merits of the pruning and non-pruning of fruit trees. The evidence in some cases discloses strong proofs that the common custom of annual pruning, and that often of a severe nature, is altogether a mistake. Messrs Skene and Fleming's catalogue of garden seeds, plants, and sundries is to hand. It, is profusely illustrated. A •pnsiffnment of over 5000 fruit trees has been delivered to fruitgrowers in Roxburgh district during the last few days. At Roxburgh 4900 were distributed, afr Miller's Flat about half that number, while a few hundred were sold, at Beaumont. These trees form part of a shipment of 35 tons landed in Dunedin a few days ago from the Two Bay* Nursery in. Melbourne. This is said to be the largest shipment landed in Dunedin. A -rose- described in the Roeen-Zeitung, named La Favorite, as faultless, pleasing everyone who cultivates it on account o£ its fine, delicately-coloured blooms, deliehtful shape, lasting qualities, etc.. should bo worth introducing. It ie a hybrid tea /aLsedi between Caroline Testout and Raine Emma dcs Pays-Bas. The flowers are usually produced in trusses of three. The buds are pointed, creamy white, changing to silvery white, centre palest lake-pink. The expanded 1 flowers are very full; every petal reflexes, and is edged with rose-pink. The flowers are held well up. and are moderately scented. The foliage is li<?ht. purplish green, and not prone to mildew. Excellent for garden decoration, and stand tb-p hot weather well. Mr Eddy, of Irwell, has gathered & find sample of raepberries from his garden, this bein? the fourth rror> for the season. He also has a second crop of apptee. — Ashburton Mail.