DAFFODILS IN THE “BLITZ”

Southland Times, Issue 24440, 21 May 1941, Page 6

DAFFODILS IN THE “BLITZ”

ROYAL SOCIETY’S ANNUAL SHOW MANY NEW VARIETIES (By Air Mail from BRENDAN P. MANSFIELD) LONDON, April 18. It is open to question if a flower show has ever been held under more unusual circumstances than the Daffodil Show (1941) of the Royal Horticultural Society which opened at Westminster on Thursday, April 17, as arranged. Below I set out headline news which briefly describes the conditions witnessed in London yesterday: LONDON CARRIES ON AFTER WORST RAID London made a quick recovery yesterday from Wednesday night’s raid, the worst yet made on the capital and described by the Germans as a reprisal for the R.A.F. raid on Berlin a week before. Between 450 and 500 German planes took part in the night-long attack. This is at least twice as many as have been used in any recent raid. As I drove in from the south-west shattered glass was in evidence everywhere, though main roads and streets were open, while traffic, business and shopping appeared to be proceeding normally. The persistence, determination and fortitude of these people has to be seen to be fully appreciated. On arrival it was pleasing to find, as was to be expected, a magnificent display of super-quality blooms which completely filled the spacious Vincent Square Hall. Judging was completed at an early hour and the committee was in session to discuss special awards. Among the first people met were Major F. C. Stern, V.M.H., a member of the council; Colonel F. R. Durham, secretary; Sir Arthur Hill, director of the Royal Gardens, Kew; Mr Roy Hay, a “Dig for Victory” official; Mr J. L. Richardson (Eire) and Mr Guy L. Wilson (Ulster), who visited daffodil shows in New Zealand during 1929.

The many thousands of blooms, so fresh and artistically arranged, gave an atmosphere of complete peace and tranquility. Mr J. Lionel Richardson spoke appreciatively of orders recently received from the Dominion, and also recounted difficulties experienced in obtaining the necessary permit to get the blooms exhibited out of Eire. These difficulties were surmounted only at the last moment through the intervention of Sir Frederick Moore. His trials were rewarded by a well-merited, though hard-earned, gold medal and the Engleheart Cup, most coveted of awards.

CHOICE BLOOMS

Equally outstanding were blooms exhibited by the Ulster raiser and grower, Mr Guy L. Wilson; but he was handicapped by the season being fully two weeks behind that of his friendly riyal from Eire. Individual new and choice blooms which arrested immediate attention were Red Goblet (a lich combination of orange, red and gold), Narvik, Krakatoa, Bahram, Glendalough, Kingscourt, Slemish, Chinese While, Greenore, Kenmare, Killatoe, Content. In addition to these two feature displays exceptionally fine exhibits were staged by Barr and Sons, the Berrow Bulb Farm, Dobbies, the Donard Nursery Co. (Northern Ireland), and Baths. Numerous exhibits came from the London area, including Blackheath, Hampton, Isleworth and Banstead. Points in arrangement and display were carefully noted and these, with information gleaned from the world’s leading raisers and growers, will be made available to Southland daffodil enthusiasts in due course.

A general show will be held in the society’s hall at Westminster on Tuesday next, April 22, at which daffodils will again be prominent. There will also be a meeting of the Institute of Park Administration at which produce and allotment schemes, in particular, will be discussed. It is my intention to attend both these functions.

GARDENS MAINTAINED

During the past five months I have been present at the spring show and the annual general meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society in London, an Institute of Park Administration luncheon, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens, Wisby, the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin; also many public parks in the London area, several south coast towns, Northern Ireland, the magnificent grounds at Petworlh Park, Willbrok House and many private gardens of note, nurseries, recreation grounds and areas for produce schemes or allotments. It is especially noteworthy that, while flower gardening is curtailed, nowhere is it eliminated, and in general standard of maintenance the parks and gardens of Britain, under front-line conditions, are amazingly good. As a matter of interest I have seen the racecourses at Goodwood, Epsom, Ascot and Sandown Park. That generous facilities are afforded to make frequent visits over the widest areas possible is greatly appreciated. It is questionable if much more could have been done, in the same time, under normal conditions. The attention, courtesy and assistance received from leading horticulturists everywhere is almost embarrassing; their feelings may be summarized by the phrase used in conversation the other day, “How very kind of you to come over here to fight for us.” But, considering the other side, only the war has made this “refresher course” possible! Though more encouraging than would have been reasonable to expect, visits up till now have been limited by winter and early spring conditions, but during the next few months it should be possible to see very much more, all of which may prove of inestimable value on my return in the near future.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Mansfield, who has contributed this article, is Superintendent of Parks and Reserves in Invercargill and formerly wrote the Garden Notes in The Southland Times.