HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 14

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

THE SPRING SHOW. The Spring Show of the Dunedin Horti* cultural Society took place in the Garrison Hall on Saturday. The display presented a very fine appearance, the entries being numerous, and the flowers well grown and beautifully clean and bright. The exhibition was well attended, both in the aiternoon and evening. The season, although it has been so dry, hae been favourable for the proper development of narcissi. The absence of rain has prevented the blooms being soiled and mud-spattered, and consequently it was a mass of beautiful clean flowers that occupied the tables, and the colour was remarkably good. In the contest far table of narcissi the first prize was awarded to Mr E. A. Hamel for a splendid collection of blooms. The table looked heavy by reason of much green being employed, the cloth being of that colour and the labels also green and large in size. Mr A. Miller, who was placed, second, also had a splendid collection forward—clean as regards colour and size and numerous in variety. The collection was particularly strong in Trumpet varieties. Mr Charles Longuet, of Invercargill, showed mostly varieties other than Trumpets, the earlier flowering sorts being past, and only the latter remaining at their best in that district.

For the Amateur Championship competition was very keen. All the collections were particularly strong in reel cups. The first award went to Mr O. J. White, of Roslyn, notable in whoso collection were two fine Trumpets—Hamlet and Glory of Leyden. Mr E. O. Reilly, of Opoho, was placed second. His exhibit showed fine Barcarole, Madame de Draaff, and Cleopatra. The Hart trophy (18 distinct varieties) was also responsible for good competition and a display of excellent blooms. Mr W. M. Beal, Maori Hill, was placed first. Notable specimens were Lady Margaret, Boscowan, Albatross (lovely in colour), Rhymstor, and Lucifer. Mrs A. Nicholl a collection came second, showing fine examples of Homer, Evangeline, and Weardale Perfection.

A feature of the spring show, the table of seedlings displayed by Mr Hart, of Lawrence, contained over 50 varieties. Most of the seedlings compared very favourably with the named authorities on exhibition in other parts of the hall. The display was particularly strong in big Trumpet varieties. There was a fine vase of golden yellow Trumpet daffodil called Ben Hart, measuring five inches across. It is worth noting that these blooms had been out for no less than 21 days. Then there was Mary Wood, a bi-colour Trumpet of the largest description. The Country Queen was honoured in a bi-colour Incomparabalis Queen Ruth, 52 inches across, and possibly the biggest bloom in the show. There was an unnamed seedling of the Leedsii type, very charming, with a daintily fringed cup. Decorative Barrii were particularly brilliant, with starry perianth, and very suitable for house decoration, as the name indicates. Though the best of the Poeticus seedlings are not yet out. there was a fine unnamed one in which the perianth segments overlapped. There was besides a dozen of the best of the new imported varieties, including Homo ’Truth, Romance, Fleotwing (early incomparahilis. very large in size). Sunrise, and Bernardino.

In other departments of the show notable exhibits were made in many instances. Ranged in front of tho platform Mrs P. Duncan had a fine collection of ferns, giant primula, and obsonica, the flowers of great size. Mrs Duncan’s exhibits were a feature of tho pot plant section, and included also Japanese maple, cinerarias, primulas, and cyclamen. Mr Solomon had on exhibition a particularly fine and attractive table, one that arrested tho attention of very visitor to the show. Speaking generally, it might be said to consist chiefly of maples from Japan and rhododendrons from India and Java, with primroses, polyanthus, and narcissi. Tho rhododendrons included Argenteum' (rarclv seonl. Glory Pongcrrick (produced in Cornwall), Dr Stocker, a white native of the Himalayas, and Fostcrianum (pure white) from Assam. There was a Japanese weeping cherry in bloom, and bird cherries (double and single pinks and whites). Sbme fine heaths were also prominent in tho table. In the cut flower section notable exhibits were a nice vase of mountain lily, and Mr Turner showed Huchera, Oriental poppies, stocks, primroses, polyanthus, arum lilies, and perennial pea. Taking the exhibits in the section as a whole the remarkable size and colour of the primrose polyanthus was notable: it would have taken one of the old five-shillinp- pieces to have covered some of them. Mr M'Carthy. of Belleknowes, had a fine lot of hyacinths. Near the entrance doors there was a big, well-arranged flower stall, where flowers and plants were on sale in aid of the Waistcoat Fund and to provide Christmas gifts for our soldiers at the. Dardanelles. In connection with this the Oamaru Horticultural Society forwarded a number of bunches of blooms, wlrch arrived by tho morning train. The stall was first suggested by Mrs Hamel, and a number of ladies srot to work and carried it out. Their thanks arc duo to the largo number of friends and sympathisers who forwarded contributions, and thceo will bo pleased to know that the proceeds amounted to over £2O. There was a money gift of £1 3s 3d from the Anderson Bav Horticultural Society. Messrs Noilson and Tickers are deserving of credit for tho rustic work stand which added to tho attractiveness of tho flower stall.

The judges were ns follows: —Pot plants, foliage plants, and out flowers 'other than narcissi—Mr Younpson; narcissi—Messrs Hart and Darton. Lawrence; floral and decorative, Mrs Hamel. Mr Tnnnock was the press steward—no better choice could bo made.