PATEA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Patea Mail, Volume XI, Issue 132, 1 March 1886, Page 2

PATEA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

o President : John Paterson, Esq. Secretary : 11. E. P. Adams, Esq. Committee. A. W. Williamson, J. Mander, A. Wood, EL F. Christie, J. Williamson, J. W. Bright, B. Mantle, The fifth annual show in connection with the above Society was hold in the Harmonic Hall on Friday last. The weather was not as favourable as might have been wished, as though very little rain fell the weather had a very threatening aspect, which, no doubt to some extent militated against the attendance of country settlers ; a fair number, however, visited the Hall during the alternoon, and in the evening the Hall was well filled. The exhibition of flowers was not quite up to last year’s show, which was not to bo expected, as the lateness of the season excluded roses and many other /lowers, and ihe exceptionally dry early summer no doubt had a very trying effect on all open air (lowers ; but in spite of all these drawbacks the collection of flowers exhibited was something almost wonderful, while the fruits and vegetables were quite beyond anticipation or description. The collection of apples exhibited by Mr Paterson (the Presidcntof the Society) containing no less than eighty distinct varieties of that fruit, all being well-grown healthy looking samples, and for collection of pears ihe same gentleman exhibited 21 varietie-y equally well grown and healthy. Mr J. Williamson secured first honors for dessert apples, and Mr W. Derrett for dessert pears with magnificent exhibits of fruit, while Mr J, Williamson’s prize nectarines were a splendid sample of what can be grown in this line with proper care. His quinces, 100, were magnificent fruit. There were five competitors in the peach class, which is satisfactoiy evidence that this splendid fruit is somewhat recovering itself in this part of the district, a circumstance that will be hailed with very great satisfaction. Mr Paterson took first honors and Mr Josiah Richards second in clingstone, Mr A. Williamson taking first in freestone variety. In cooking apples Mr Fairweather was first with fruit that might be shown in any competition without fear, indeed the judges’ opinion of the show was that many exhibits in pot plants, fruit, and vegetables would have secured prizes in any show in Hew Zealand, and yet in spite of this nine-tenths of the fruit used in - the place is imported, and fruit growing voted too much trouble, verily the district is on the “ fat side ” yet. Tile vegetables were a marvellous display, if we consider the season just passed through, and a credit to any district, apart from the consideration of the unlowarduess of the season. Mr W. Dorrdt made “ top score” in ibis division, securing six first and four second prizes, with matchless exhibits. Flowers ,vero the subject oi much perolex'ty on tiie part of the judges some exhibits being so nearly equal as to call for the minutest comparison of blooms to arrive at a decision. This was particularly noticeable in the bridal hoquets where the contest between the takers of first and second honours was so close that the second [dace was decided on the very marrow ground that one of the blooms employed (a white geranium) shewed some indication of colour, the bouquet otherwise being|iu many respects superior,so also in handbouquety, the fact of placing a scarlet bloom near a crimson one,gave the bouquet second place,though a bloomless stalk gave evidence of some other flower, between the two, having been broken off in transit. The pot plants, though not quite so numerous as on former occasions, the large collections usually exbhibiUid by Mr Orchard not being present,, were of first-class merit, many of them being pronounced “ lit for exhibition in any Horticultural Society in New Zealand,” In this division Mr John Paterson proved a most formidable and successful rival, s tearing sixteen first prizes out of twenty-three classes. Mr H. E. P. iulams took first honors with two varieties of Begonias (flowering), the tubers of which were received from England by Post on the 6th December last, not three months ago. The col section of terns (established) exhibited by Mrs Wray brought forth very high encomiums from the judges, and was the subject of universal admiration. The various prize takers will be found in the prize list below, want of space debarring us from particularising them more minutely. The Bhow, as a whole, was a most pronounced success. The Hall was "most tastefully laid out and decorated, but as the space is .somewhat limited, we might suggest that the cut flowers could be given an exhibition table to themselves on the stage which by having a few good-sized trees along the front (by the footlights), and a few lounges round the sides would make a most agreeable recess for ladies to rest in, the present arrangements rendering standing the whole time imperative, and naturally make it somewhat fatiguing for ladies. The evening was enlivened by some excellent music, kindly contributed by lady visitors, and added greatly to the enjoyment of those present. Mr II E. P. Adams, the indefatigable lion, sec., holds a most trying position, but one that he filla with the utmost good humour, though demanding, as it does, unceasing work, the success of the society being mainly due to this gentleman’s unflagging energy and zeal. The Show was also financially successful, as, in addition to members’ and family tickets, the proceeds of “ the door,” and the sale of exhibits donated to the Society by exhibitors, reached a trifle over £B. The following is the full prize list, : UPoTfc Geraniums (three varieties single) J Paterson, 1 ; A W Williamson 2 Geraniums (two varieties double) J Paterson, 1 ; A W Williamson, 2 Geranium (three varieties tri-colour) J Paterson, 1 Petunias (two varieties double) J. Paterson, 1 Petunias (two varieties single) No first prize awarded ; J Paterson, 2 Fuchsias (three varieties) J Paterson, 1 ; A W Williamson, 2 Balsams (three varieties) J Paterson, 1 Coxcombs (two varieties) J Paterson, 2 Begonias (three varieties, foliage) A \V Williams on, i Begonias (two varieties, flowering) II E P Adame, 1 ; Mrs ii Williamson, 2 Collection of ferns (established) Mrs Wray, 1 Specimen plant in bloom J Paterson. 1 Specimen plant in bloom, for which no class Mrs 1) Coutts, 1 ; J Paterson Specimen plant, foliage J Patterson, 1 ; H E P Adams, 2 Specimen plant foliage, for which no class J Paterson, 1 ; J Williamson, 2 Best flowering plant in the room I! E P Adams, 1 B.;st collection of plaids, flowering or foliage J Patterson, 1 Best fuchsia J Paterson, 1

Sedinns, two varieties J Paterson, 1 Co lens J Paterson, 1 Cactus A W Williamson, 1 Pelargonium J Paterson, 1 Cut Mowers. Asters, (Your varieties) Miss Parsons, 1 ; J Paterson, 2 Zinnias (three varieties, double) J Paterson, I ; Miss Parsons, 2 Carnations and Picotoes Miss Parsons, 1 ; Mrs Wray, 2 Gladiola (four spikes) Miss Parsons, 1 ; AH Williamson, 2 Hoses (throe varieties) H Williamson, 1 Best rose ii Williamson, 1 Pansies (six varieties) J Paterson, I ; Mrs Wray, 2 Verbenas (six varieties) Mrs II E P Adams, 1 ; Mrs Wray, 2 Verbenas (three varieties) Mrs Wray, 1 ; Miss Turner, 2 Stocks (four varieties) J Paterson, 1 ; Mrs Wray, 2 Antirrhinums (three varieties) Mrs Wra} r , 1 Dahlias, six varieties Mrs Wray, 1 Dahlias, three varieties Mrs Wray, 1 ; Mrs Fairweather, 2 Phlox Dnumnundii, three varieties Mrs Courts, I ; Mrs Wray, 2 Hand Bouquet J Pateison, 1 ; Miss Parsons, 2 Bridal Bouquet J Paterson, 1 ; Mrs H E P Adams, 2 Table Bouquet, not more than 12iu in diameter J Paterson, 1; AII Williamson, 2 Table decorations, three vases (ladies only) Mrs A W Williamson, 1 Stand of flowers Mrs Derrett, 1 Collection of cait flowers Mrs Wray, 1 Floral device Miss Saellgrove, 1 Floral wreath Miss Annie Williamson 1 Button-hole bouquet (9 competitors) Miss Williamson, 1 ; Miss A Williamson, 2 Fachsias, (2 varieties) A II Williamson, 1 Dianthus, (3 varieties) Mrs Wray, 1 Geraniums, (3 double) J Paterson, 1 ITi-uit. Apples, (lessor!, (plate of six) J Williamson, 1 ; .3 Paterson, 2 Apples, best collection J Paterson, 1, (Lite exhibit contained 80 varieties) ; J Fairweather, 2 (2i varieties) Peaches, clingstone, (plate of six) J Paterson, 1 ; Josiah Richards, 2 Peaches, freestone A II Williamson 1 Pears, dessert, (plate of six) W Derrett, 1 ; J Paterson, 2 Pears, cooking J Paterson, 1 ; J Williamson, 2 Pears, best collection J Paterson, 1 (21 varieties) Nectarines, (plate of six) J Williamson, 1 Mulberries, (plate of twelve) J Paterson, 1 Blackberries, plate of twelve, W Derrett, 1 ; II Williamson, 2 Quinces, plate of six, J Williamson, I Plums, dessert, plate of six J Paterson, I ; J Paterson, 2 Plums, cooking, plate of six Melon, water Mr Mantle, 1 Jellies, three,not less than lib each Mis A Ii Williamson Jams, three, not less than lib each Mrs A. 11 Williamson Apples, cooking (plate of six) J, Fairweather, 1 : J Williamson, 2 Rhubarb, six stalks A II Williamson, 1 ; Miss E Christie, 2 "Vegettilbles. Peas (twenty-five pods) W Derrett, 1 Beans (twelve pods) W Derrett, 1 ; J Fairweather, 2 Beet (two roots) J Williamson, 1 ; W Denett, 2 Celery, three sticks, B Mantle, 1 ; W Derrett, 2 Carrots, six, J Paterson, 1 ; J Williamson, 2 Cabbages, two, C A Wray, 1 ; W Derrett, 2 Cauliflowers, two, W Derrett,[l Onions, six, W Derrett, 1 ; C A Wray, 2 Onions, beet collection three of each sort, W Derrett, 1 ; C A Wray, 2 Parsnips, six, W Derrett, 1 ; A II Williamson, 2 Pumpkins, one, Miss Edith Christie, 1 ; J Williamson, 2 Potatoes kidnejq twelve, C A Wray, 1 ; W Derrett, 2 Potatoes round, twelve, A H Williamson, 1 ; C A Wray, 2 . Collection of potatoes J Fairweather, I ; B Mantle, 2 Best collection of vegetables, C A Wray, 1 Collection of herbs, A W Williamson, 1 ; G A Wray, 2 Vegetable marrow B Mantle, 1 Honey, in comb A A Gower, 1 Mr Gower’s exhibit of honey in comb was very much admired, being not only shewn in the comb, but in lb sections in an upper box with a glass front, by which arrangement (be peculiar advantages of this new method of furnishing bee hives was very manifest. The whole of the judging fell on the shoulders of Messrs D. Williamson and Alex. Woods, the other judges written to not having put in an appearance, and exhibitors and the Society have good reason to be satisfied with those gentlemen’s labours, as every exhibit was closely examined and fairly judged, and some idea of the labour entailed may be gathered from the fact that the duties were not completed until after three o’clock in the afternoon. At the conclusion oil llio Show Mi- Mantler kindly wielded the hammer, and transferred the right of ownership in most of the cut flower, fruit, and vegetable exhibits, in consideration of very satisfactory deposits of the coin of the realm, and a thoroughly successful Show was brought to a most satisfactory conclusion.