MOTUEKA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13744, 6 April 1915, Page 6

MOTUEKA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

• AUTUMN SHOW.

MAGNIFICENT- DISPLAY iW ' FRUIT. . .

Tiie auUnnn show of the Molueka Horticultural Scoioty, held •in the Society's JJnll a I Motucka yesterday, was remarkable for the magnificent dismay of fruit, aud it is doubtful if any other part of the Dominion could produce such fin© exhibits as were staged for competition. Entries were numerous. Growers from all parts 'f the district were represented, and competition was keen, particularly in the special classes for silver cups presented for leading varieties. The colouring, texture, and general appearance of the apples would be difficult to beat anywhere, and the display should prove an object lesson to those who are taking up fruitgrowing. For 32 specimens of Cox's Orange Pippin apples, 2-Jin and 3£in in diameter, for Mr H. Saundens's cup, there "were eight entries, aud to the inexperienced observer there- was practically nothing to choose between the exhibits, but the judge (Mr D. E. Fry), who is • acknowledged to be one o£ the leading experts in New Zealand, awarded the' special to the Flaxmore j Estate whose collection was described] as pert" -t. Last year the leg-in for j this cup was won by Mr L. Gr. Dun-j can, of Riwaka. Thn-e were six entries for the best collection of 32 Jonathan apples (Mesrs E. Buxton and Co.'s Cup), and Mr L. G. Duncan was the successful oxhibitor, with a very fine lot. All the exhibits in this section were also of high quality. Last year's winner was '"Am- E. Drogemuller, of Upper Moutere. For 32 Stunner apples (ttiwaka Dramatic Society's Cup) there were eight entries, and Mr H. J. Brings, of Riwaka, secured the leg-in, with a splendid collection. In this competition Mr E. Drogemuller -sv&s the successful competitor last year. There was also a good entry for Munroe's Favourite apples (The Motueka Dramatic Society's Cup), and Mr P. Ellis, of iViotueka, was tue successful competitor. The Uup ottered by the Motueka Retailers' Association for 32 Winter Colo pears, was won by Mr H. Everett, of Eiwaka, with a collection of almost perfect specimens. So even in quality were the exhibits that one apple in a. collection of 32 which was one-sixteenth of an mcli larger than the size specified in the schedule caused the exhibit to lose the prize. 'I'he Tasman district was represented by a stand of apples and pears, upon Which was exhibited a, placard with the following:—"The attention of visitors is drawn to the fact that the whole of the fruit in this section is taken from two-and-a-half-year-old trees, and that three years ago the land on which it was grown was overgrown with manuka, flax, toi-toi, and taniwha, and valued at a few shillings an acre." The varieties of apples exhibited included Cox's Orange Pippin, Cleopatra, Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Munroe's Favourite, etc., and all the specimens were highly coloured and had a very attractive appearance. The entries in the fruit section were large, there being 25 in the class fo* Stunner apples, 21 in Cox's Orange Pippin, 20 in Jonathan, 19 in Delicious, 18 in Munroe's Favourite, and lesser numbers in the other varieties not so well known to the general public.

Pears also attracted large entries, and the exhibits were all of a high standard. The flower section was also good, the cactus dahlias jfing quite a fe-a-1 ture. i Tho vegetable section included -some magm ;oent pnuv.kins, and some1 very fine potatoes. Mr F. J. Hall, of Stoke, had a fine display of Premier applsß, and also exhibited some photographs of his orchard. One tree was pictured from which 21 cases of apples were picked. There was a larj;e attendance of the public in the afternoon, and the displavß of apples were the subject of admiration. Owing to pressure oa <nurj space the general prize list is held over, ■