SPRING FLOWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 7

SPRING FLOWERS.

FINE DISPLAY OF NARCISSI.

COLOUR AND CONDITION PERFECT.

That the season, although somewhat late, has been admirably suited to the successful raising of spring flowers, more particularly narcissi, -ft-as plainly manifested at the Dunedin Horticultural Society’s opening show of the season, held in the Pioneers’ Hall on Wednesday and Thursday. The cool, moist weather, with an absence of either hot sunshine or boisterous - winds, has resulted in a very noticeable cleanness and freshness of bloom, the trumpets being outstanding in this respect.

The entries this year are greatly in excess of those received for the Spring Show last season, and so well-filled was the hall that during the afternoon, when the general public paid -its visit of inspection, the quarters appeared to be a trifle cramped. The show as a whole was artistically arranged, having a centre table of blue cinerarias flanked on either side by z long tables of narcissi tiered up to display them to the best advantage. Included in the purely exhibition section of the display were a table of blue and purple cinerarias and primulas shown by Lady Ferguson, a table of polyanthus primroses, pansies, and daffodils, set up by Mr E. Venables, a stand of choice narcissi exhibited by Mr E. 0. Reilly, a vase of poppies shown by Miss Martin, and a decorated table exhibited by Mrs W. Jones, all combining to make an effective_ contrast to the long rows of narcissi in the competitive sections. The champion -collection, of narcissi, shown by Mr G. H. Brownlee (Sawyers’ Bay),- consisted to some extent of unnamed seedlings, showing that the local production of seedlings is well up to exhibition standard. Prominent amongst the named varieties in this collection were Silver Plane, White Emperor, Firetail, Stivermine, Queen of Hearts, and White Knight. MrR T, Trevena’s collection of blooms, which gained second prize in the open championship, was composed principally of standard varieties, amongst which were such lovely blooms as Robin Redbreast, Brightling, Honey Boy, and Kennack. One of the most beautiful blooms in the show was also shown by Mr Trevena, this being a seedling of pure white, which rivalled the famous Beersheba variety for loveliness.

The amateur championship for narcissi was won by Mr R. Dick (Oamaru), whose display was fully up to open championship standards. Seme qf the most outstanding blooms in his collection were Mitylene, Killigrew, Margaret. Debonair, lolanthe, and Edna Mitchell. Second prize was won by Mr J. B. M‘Kinlay (Lawrence), whose display of trumpets was particularly good, the beautiful clear colour of the blooms being a feature of the collection. The open competition for 24 varieties of narcissi was won by Mr J. T. Gray, who exhibited some outstanding blooms, amongst which were Silver Queen, Senorita, and Lady Moore. Mr Gray also secured second ■prize in the section for six vases of narcissi, Mr H. T. Trevena gaining the premier award with a notable collection, which included Scarlet Queen, Suda, Glorious, Beersheba, Honey Boy. and St. J ust.

In the class for 12 varieties of narcissi (value limit 5s per bulb) J. Fleming secured first prize and Mrs Harris second. l‘or the champion class bicolour trumpet narcissi ( c ), J. T. Gray, with the seedling 91/23, secured the' award. Miss M. Law (Kew) gained a second class certifi- £°. r a collection of cut flowers for exhibition only. Mr E. A. Hamel judged the amateur classes in the narcissi section The cup presented by Mr Arthur Barnett for the best Otago-raised seedling narcissus in the show was won by Mr Trevena with a pure white trumpet of unusual size and delicacy of texture, whilst Mr Trevena also won Mr Irwin’s cup for six vases of= named varieties, in which competition both professionals and amateurs, were eligible to compete. The primrose polyanthus section was remarkable for the size, texture, and colour of the blooms exhibited, and it was obvious that the growers had been able to combine the intense colour of the smaller varieties with size. First prize was taken by Mr J. A. Johnstone, whose collection of 12, grown at Maori Hill, was remarkable for the size, colour, and distinctive eye embodied in the blooms. The auriculas and stocks made an excellent showing, whilst the pansies and violas were remarkable for the quality of bloom displayed at this, period of the season. In the decorative work there were so many entries that a scarcity of space resuited, and the tables could not be displayed to the best advantage. The majority of the exhibits, however, were of a high standard, and gave indications of skill, ingenuity, and taste on the part of the exhibitors. In the leading exDibits the blending of colours and arrangemeat- of foliage made the display particularly attractive.

The two entries in the floral cushion section, shown by Mrs T. L. Weddell and Miss M. Duncan, gave evidence of the exercise of great patience and skill in their construction, the final effect being most artistic.