WINTER BLOOMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 23

WINTER BLOOMS.

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW OPENS. AN EXCELLENT DISPLAY. Magnificent blooms and decorative displays of an unusually varied and attractive nature are the special features of tne Dunedin Horticultural Society's annual chrysanthemum show that opened on Wednesday in the Pioneer Hall of the iLarly Settlers’ buildings. I.he season has been a very favourable one for Otago gardeners—a fact that is demonstrated oy the well-ripened foliage and beautifully produced flowers. Every department of the show equals the standard set in past years, and although the number of entries in the chrysanthemum sections shows a slight decrease, the popularity of the decorative and vegetable sections has more than made up tne deficiency. When the show was opened on Wednesday both sections of the roomy hall were fully occupied by the display stands; in tact, the number of entries in the decorative sections is so large this year that the portion of the hall usually set aside for the exhibits has proved inadequate, and many of the stands have been placed in the main section. The general arrangements have been ’carried out by the officers of the society with their usual painstaking care, and a deftlyfashioned panorama of exquisite colour has been provided. The centre of the dprul section is marked by a large exhibition stand of single and double chrysanthemums, and on either side long tables of competition blooms have been placed. Other display stands occupy every corner of the hall, and the wail tables are covered with vegetables. The inner section is packed with tables of winter foliage, and provides a unique massed display of copper and goldenbrown tints, flecked with carefullychosen blooms of a rich red colouring." Otago is by no means behind the rest of New Zealand in the growing of chrysanthemums, and many enthusiastic Dunedin and country growers have been specialising in the production of new varieties, with new colour shades. Several of the older exhibitors have fallen out of the ranks of the society’s contributors, but their places have been taken by young and keen growers, with the result that the quality of the blooms is as high as ever, and the varieties are fully as numerous. Moreover, the Otago exhibitors have been reinforced by visitors from as far away as North Canterbury, and their displays include that of Mr A. K. Wilson, representing Sir Heaton Rhodes, of Christchurch.

Among the stands for exhibition only is a striking display by Perrett and .Marshall, of Anderson’s Bay. One table is devoted to the showing of about 40 varieties of single chrysanthemums, including samples of Sheila, Renown, Red Molly, and Salmon Queen. With the exception of Renown, these are English seedlings. Another attractive single is Lena Marshall, a bloom from the grower's seedling. The doubles are equally attractive, and include Mr J. Symons, a new and striking pale yellow shade, Mrs 11. Wills, Councillor William Brunton, acrimson bloom with gold reverse, and a gold Majestic. A feature of outstanding interest is provided by tiie display of new bamboo dahlias of delightful pastel shades. This variety promises to be sought after with avidity, by reason of the long, firm stems which arc so useful when the flowers are used for decorative purposes, and the specimens include King George, Michael Collins, Marello, La France, Velthus, Mrs Kooy, and John Manson.

The stand arranged by Mr A. K. Wilson is in tne form of a high bank, tonped with foliage. The exhibitor has made a special feature of the foliage, and he has secured many exquisitely-tinted clusters which claim immediate attention. Japanese oak, scarlet maple, and Sumach are among the varieties. The remaining portion of the stand is devoted to single and double chrysanthemums, all of which have been produced from the owner’s seedlings. These include Lady Love, Yellow Perfection, and several pin-cushion blooms. The decorated vase and basket section is worthy of the greatest praise, as it contains a wealth of seasonable foliage of every imaginable variety. The competitors spent a great deal of time in ai ranging their exhibits, ami the task faced by the judge was no easy one, because of the high standard reached by every display. Bronze, yellows, reds, rxiut browns in all shades combine to form a vsini and attractive colour scheme. The vegetable section is remarkable for its size and high quality, and a pleasing rote is struck in the display as a whole by the sensible size of the exhibits. The old idea that the biggest samples, are necessarily the best has been abandoned by more successful growers, and prominence is given to well-formed samples, of good useable size. Many of the leeks are of particularly high quality, and some excellent samples of potatoes are exhibited. The carrots are also produced in excellent size and quality, while many vegetable marrows of excellent size are to be seen. Among other varieties are cabbages., cauliflowers, onions, beetroot, silver

beet, parsnips, turnips, artichokes, celery, A l i nd - 5 few , sticks of rhubarb. Messrs Christie and Christie are exhibit* nig a sma 1 but interesting stand of young cabbage plants. Lastly there is the fruit section, represented mainly by a table containing bunches of grapes, and many choice samples of Otago apples, including one or two varieties from Central Otago. The •section is small but suffices to complete a winter show that is one of the best arranged by the Horticultural Society. the attendance on Wednesday was exceptionally large, and the hall was crowded throughout the afternoon and evening, and the attendance for both year ShOwed an ln <-reas e over that of last CERTIFICATES AWARDED. meeting of the Chrysanthemum Certifying Committee, held on Wednesday afternoon, new varieties of seedling single chrysanthemums were exhibited on behalf of Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, Messrs F S Perrett and H. T. Trevena. Sir Heaton Rhodes was awarded first-class certificates for Fair Lady and Otahuna Sunshine, and a second-class certificate for Primrose Day. Mr Perrett received -a. first-class certificate for an Emd ish-raised variety named Sheila. Mr H. T. Trevena was awarded first-class certificates for a pink variety, Margaret Blakelev, ■and a henna-coloured Highway, and "a second-class certificate for a white Mount Cargill.