GORGEOUS BLOOMS.

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 7

GORGEOUS BLOOMS.

GARDEN CLUB’S SPRING SHOW.

“THE BEST VIST.”

Acclaimed by competent authorities as the best display of its kind yet, the annual spring show of the Invercargill Garden Club, which was held in Everybody’s Hall yesterday afternoon and evening, was responsible for presenting to the public an excellent array of gorgeous blooms. For quality and size the exhibits set a standard far above those of previous shows and the large crowds of flower lovers who were, in attendance were agreeably surprised with the improved display. This was attributed to the action of the local horticulturists in turning their attention to raising more expensive bulbs with the result that richer hues and larger blooms were obtained. Instead of common yellow and golds there were daffodils exhibited of breath-taking colouring, the show being further enhanced by a display of prize-winning blooms from Dunedin. These arrived by the mid-day express and were placed on exhibition in the hall in the afternoon. Hhey were raised by E. O’Reilly (Dunedin), J. Nelson (Green Island), G. H. Brownlee (Sawyers Bay), J. R. Rutherford (Mornington), H. T. Trevena (Dunedin), J. B. McKinley (Lawrence) and H. Poole (Lower Hutt, Wellington) and formed the subject of much admiring comment. The morning and early part of the afternoon were spent in adding the final touches to the display, which was further improved by the use of elevated tables. As a result of this innovation the spectators could look up into the blooms instead of down upon them as was the case in the past. The judges in the various sections were faced with a difficult task in view of the large number of entries forward and the high standard maintained. Championship Awards. » A number of championships were decided in connection with the show, the awards being as follows:— Trumpet.—J. B. McKinley’s (Lawrence) Golden City. Incomparabilis.— P. A. Plumer’s Merkara. Barrii.—P. A. Plumer’s Materwhera. Leedsii.—Mrs W. Chrystal’s (Lochiel) Kingdom. Champion of champions.—J. B. McKinley’s Golden City. Mr C. S. Longuet, who judged the main section of the show, said that as far as the daffodils were concerned there had never before been in Invercargill such a good exhibition by local growers. The increased interest taken in the cultivation of these flowers was reflected in the fact that whereas at previous shows daffodils worth anything up to four or five shillings were exhibited, now the majority of the specimens forward were ever so much more valuable. There was consequently a greater depth of colour in the flowers—brighter reds and more golden hues which were a pleasant change from the customary yellows and whites of previous displays. In every division the improvement resulting from the cultivation of more expensive bulbs was noticeable, and this higher standard was proving beneficial to the show. Mr Longuet explained that his system of judging was to appoint a standard, in this case of 36 points, and add or deduct points according to the size and quality of the exhibit. To show how close was the competition Mr Longuet mentioned that in one section he judged only a point separated the first and second placed competitors. The decorated bowls and baskets revealed an improvement upon previous shows, said Mr P. A. Plumer, judge of the spring flowers and decorative section, but there were a few exhibitors still retaining the old crowded idea. The collection of spring flowers was particularly good and the polyanthus exceptionally fine. Floating bowls were up to standard and the pot plants showed an improvement upon previous years both in the quality of blooms and otherwise. The tulip display was also much better. Some very fine friesias were shown, but here again there was a tendency towards over-crowding in the vases. An Exhibitor’s Praise. “This is easily the best show we have ever had here and it compares by no means unfavourably with the recent Dunedin Show,” was the view expressed to a Times reporter by Mr G. M. Broughton, a regular exhibitor during the last few years. “The quality of the blooms is excellent and a great improvement lies in the ‘staircase’ staging which has replaced the flat tables of the past.” Mr Broughton said that such staging was erected by several enthusiasts of the club and the blooms could not be exhibited in such a way that the full beauty of each could be easily seen.

Other Features of the Show.

The Garden Circle of the Women’s Club combined with the Garden Club this year by staging an attractive display of spring flowers on a table which ran the length of one side of the hall. This section, which was judged by Mr J. A. McPherson, superintendent of reserves, attracted a good deal of interest. Outstanding features were displays of rhubarb, cabbage and a vase of flowering apple by Mrs Randle and an exhibit of seedling narcissus by Mrs A. M, Macdonald. The south-east corner of the hall where the corporation reserves staff arranged its display, presented a wonderful picture, there being a wealth of colour provided by cyclamen, cinerarias, begonia manicata (shown locally for the first time), abutlions and primulas. In the centre of this exhibition was an Australian shrub, Chorizema, which, flowering in Invercargill for the first time, was a mass of dainty blooms, This shrub was cultivated by Mr A. L. Wyllie, of Esk street, and included in the corporation display for the benefit of flower lovers generally. The love of horticulture and the creative ability of Mr James Stewart, of Bowmont street, in the matter of recording the passage of time was combined to good effect in his well-known exhibit, “a growing and going” vegetable clock. During the show many people paused before the clock to admire the ingenuity of its workmanship. The hands and numerals were constructed of aluminium and stood out conspicuously against a green background of which has been now identified as Balerica, while also worked in gilded copper on the clock face was the old adage “Time flies.” Suspended above the clock was a floral bell made by Mrs J. Bayne, the daffodils and grape hyacinths used in its composition providing a pleasing colour contrast. Considerable interest was taken in a display of native and introduced grasses collected and compiled, by F. W. Lokan (West Plains). It was obvious that no pains had been spared in tire preparation of this exhibit, for not only were the specimens themselves well mounted on cardboard, but they Were also accompanied by informative footnotes, the whole presenting an extremely neat appearance. Following is the prize-list:—

DAFFODIL SECTION. (Judge: Mr C. S. Longuet.)

Special collection of 12 vases, three blooms each of 12 distinct varieties representing at least four divisions: J. B. McKinley (Lawrence) 1, R. H. Lawrence 2, Mrs William Chrystal (Lochiel) 3. Twenty-four blooms (8 vases), representing at least three divisions: J. B. McKinley 1, George HallJones , 2, James Stewart (Karitane Home) 3. Twelve blooms (three vases), representing at least three di-

visions: Mrs P. A. Thomson 1, G. M. Broughton 2, R. Parsons 3. Six blooms (two vases), representing at least two divisions: Mrs P. A. Thomson 1, J. Lang 2 and 3. Three blooms (one vase): George Hall-Jones 1, Mrs P. A. Thomson 2. Yellow Trumpets. ! One bloom: N. Carter 1 and 2, Eric [ Campbell 3. Three blooms: Eric CampL bell 1 and 2. Six blooms, in two vases: Eric Campbell 1, Father Howard 2. Bicolour Trumpets. ' One bloom: P. A. Plumer 1, N. Carter 2. Three blooms: No name 1, R. Par- • sons 2, G. M. Broughton 3. White Trumpets. One bloom: N. Carter 1, Eric Camp- ! bell 2, Mrs Catherall 3. Three blooms: ' Father Howard 1, N. Carter 2, George Hall-Jones 3. Incomparabilis Yellow Cup. ' One bloom: Mrs P. A. Thomson 1, no name (Ballarat) 2, T. C. Lansdell (Lumsden) 3. Three blooms: Mrs William Chrystal 1 and 2, James Coulston • (Winton) 3. Six blooms, in two vases: ; G. M. Broughton 1. Incomparabilis Red or Mixed Colour s Cup. One bloom: P. A. Plumer 1, G. Hall - ' Jones 2, Mrs William Chrystal 3. Three blooms: G. Hall-Jones 1, Mrs William ’ Chrystal 2, James Coulston 3. Six blooms, in two vases: T. J. Meadows 1, James Coulston 2, E. Campbell 3. Barrii, Yellow Perianth. One bloom: P. A. Plumer 1, N. Carter 2, G. Hall-Jones 3. Three blooms: Eric Campbell 2. Barrii, White Perianth. One bloom: P. A. Plumer 1, N. Carter 2, G. Hall-Jones 3. Three blooms: No name 1, T. J. Meadows 2. Leedsii, Large Cup. One bloom: Mrs W. Chrystal 1, P. A. Plumer 2, N. Carter 3. Three blooms: Mrs Mayhew 1. Six blooms, two vases: Keith Lawrence 1. Leedsii, Short Cup. Three blooms: James Clouston (Lumsden) 1, Eric Campbell 2. Tazettas Poetaz Tridymus. Three blooms: Mrs W. Chrystal 1, G. M. Broughton 2 and 3. Any other variety: No name 1. Poeticus. One bloom: N. Carter 1, no name 2, Mrs J. C. Cooper (Lochiel) 3. Three blooms: P. Bayne 1 and 2, Father Howard 3. Double. One bloom: George Hall-Jones 1, Mrs W. Chrystal 2, Father Howard 3. Three blooms: No name 1, Eric Campbell 2, G. M. Broughton 3. Collection of blooms of any other varieties: G. HallJones 1, G. M. Broughton 2. Seedling, Southland Raised. One bloom: Eric Campbell 1, T. J. Meadows 2 and 3. Three blooms: Eric Campbell 1,2, and 3. Special Class. Eighteen blooms (in six vases) representing at least five divisions, open to customers of W. A. Grace (Wanganui): G. M. Broughton 1, George Hall-Jones 2, N. Carter 3. Bulb Classes. One vase of three trumpets: J. H. Lang 1, Mrs Craig 2. One vase of three Incomparabilis: J. H. Lang 1. One vase of three barrii: J. H. Lang 1 and 2. One vase of three leedsii: Mrs Craig 1, J. H. Lang 2. One vase of three mixed varieties: J. H. Lang 1, Mrs L M. Craig 2. Spring Flowers and Decorative Section. (Judge: Mr P. A. Plumer). Collection of spring flowers, outside grown, separate vases: Mrs Aitken 1, Mrs Craig 2, Mrs A. E. McDonald 3. Twelve varieties of spring flowers, outside grown, separate vases: Mrs Acton I. Mrs Blomfield 2. Best pot plant, flowering: Mrs Burtenshaw 1, Mrs Telfer 2. Best pot plant, foliage: Mrs Acton 1 and 2. Collection of polyanthus and primroses, separate vases: Mrs M. D. McNally (Morton Mains) 1, Mrs George MacKenzie 2. Four varieties of polyanthus, three spikes each, separate vases: Mrs Roberts 1, Mrs George Millar (Ryal Bush) 2, Mrs Craig 3. Six spikes of polyanthus at least two varieties, in one vase: Mrs D. M. McNally 1, Mrs George Millar 2, Mrs I. M. Craig 3. Three tulips, varied, one bloom of each: Norman Carter 1 and 2, Miss A. Bickley 3. One variety of tulips, three blooms: No name 1, Miss A. E. McDonald 2, no name 3. Three spikes of hyacinths, varied: F. D. Aitken 1 and 2, no name 3. Best bunch of violets: Miss V. Ingram 1. Best spike of double wall-flower: Mrs Craig 1. Best exhibit of any other flower: Mr C. Hayes 1, Mrs P. A. Thomson 2, N. Carter 3. Vase of Narcissi, any foliage: I. M. Craig 1, Mrs P. A. Thomson 2, Mrs I. C. Cooper (Lochiel) 3. Basket of narcissi: Mrs Craig 1, I. M. Craig 2, no name 3. Bowl of narcissi, any foliage: Mrs Craig 1, Mrs William Chrystal (Lochiel) 2, Mrs Arnold E. W. McDonald 3. Bowl of any other flowers, other than narcissi: Mrs P. A. Thomson 1, Mrs Burtenshaw 2, Mrs George Millar 3. Vase any other flowers. other than narcissi: Mrs Cochrane 1, Miss Bickley 2, Mrs P. A. Thomson 3. Floating bowl, any flower: Mrs T. D. Smith 1, I. M. Craig 2, Mrs Curson 3.

WOMEN’S CLUB SECTION. (Judge: Mr J. A. McPherson).

Six varieties of daffodils two of each: Mrs J. G. Macdonald 1, Mrs A. le H. Hoyles 2. Sections 2, 3 and 4: Mrs J. G. Macdonald. Sole exhibitor. Three varieties short cups: Mrs J. G. Macdonald 1, Mrs John Thomson 2. Section 6,7, 8: Mrs J. G. Macdonald. Sole entry. Twelve varieties of spring flowers: Mrs A. le H. Hoyles 1, Mrs T. F. Macdonald 2. Six spikes of polyanthus: Mrs A. le H. Hoyles 1, Mrs W. Handyside 2. Three varieties of tulips, one bloom of each: Mrs John Thomson 1 and 2. Bowl of daffodils, own foliage: Mrs J. G. Macdonald 1, Mrs A. E. W. Macdonald 2. Vase of narcissi arranged for decorative effect, any foliage: Mrs D. Cochrane 1 and 2. Vase of any other flower or shrub: Mrs G. I. Moffett 1, Mrs Parker 2. Basket of narcissi: Mrs Randle.