GERALDINE DAFFODIL SHOW

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19300, 29 September 1932, Page 10

GERALDINE DAFFODIL SHOW

SMALLER ENTRIES OF BETTER QUALITY. A goregous display of spring flowers effected a transformation in St. Mary s Parish Hall yesterday, when the Geraldine Horticultural Society conducted its annual spring show, this year under the style of the “Geraldine Daffodil Show.” Perfect specimens of narcissi and daffodils vied for pre-eminence with the more vivid colourings of such flowers as violets, primroses and anemones, while bunches of flowering shrubs made an effective background. Although the entries dropped to 146, compared with 222 at the last spring show, which was a record, and 126 in 1930. the quality was on the whole better than was the case last year. The decrease in entries is attributed to the fact that, although the flowers were previously well forward, the cold weather experienced during the past fortnight prevented the blooms from opening, which resulted in fewer show specimens being available. The show was well patronised, both in the afternoon and evening.

The champion bloom, which was also the premier trumpet, was that of Mr G. W. Coombs, who exhibited a fine speciment of the “Much the Miller’ variety. Mr Coombs also exhibited the premier Incomparabilis, with a choice “Militant,” formation, colouring, and size being excellent. The second prize in the bi-colour class for daffodils was secured by Mr Coombs with a “Maharajah,” a variety which was awarded the championship at the National Daffodil Society’s Show at Hamilton. The bloom had just opened up. and had not reached perfection. In the yellow trumpet class, Mr Coombs secured second place with “Honey Boy” and "Dawson City.”

The premier Barrii was shown by Miss O. M. Barker, in a perfect specimen of an “Artist” bloom. The premier Leedsii, a “Lord Kitchener,” also was exhibited by Miss Barker, who was successful in winning the class for premier polyanthus with a lovely specimen of “Jaune a Merville.” In the class for six varieties of narcissi, Miss Barker exhibited some splendid vases of “Lord Kitchener.” Miss Orford won the twelve-variety class, the best vases comprising “King Alfred,” “White Queen,” and “Lord Kitchener” blooms. The second prize winner in this class, Mr G. A. M. Macdonald, showed some splendid specimens of “Cleopatra” and “Littlejohn.” In the single variety class, Mr G. I. Hamilton exhibited a fine vase of “Lord Roberts,” one being in fine condition and of outstanding merit.

The hyacinths were very good this year, being well up to standard. The anemones were fewer in number, but there were one or two splendid invididual blooms. There was a magnificent display of violets, Mr E. H. Williams winning the class with some beautiful

suecimens. Polyanthus were not up to standard, with smaller entries than usual, and the same comment applied to pansies and violas, the weather having been against them. Primroses were good, Mr R. H. Orbell exhibiting a choice collection. The section for six varieties of cut flowers was good right through, and the entries were in splendid condition. Auriculas and anemones were also of good quality, Mr E. P. Chambers and the Braeside Private Hospital exhibiting some choice specimens. Mr G. I. Hamilton won the class for three varieties of tuberous flowers, but an unusual entry by Miss O. M. Barker, who secured second prize, comprised a vase of tulips which were much earlier than is customary. For exhibition only, Mrs A. L. Barker (Winchester) had on view a choice display of hyacinths which aroused much admiration. Mrs Ritchie, who won the flowering pot plant class, exhibited a cyclamen which had been growing for twenty years. The bowls cf narcissi were not up to standard, the entries being fewer than usual. The flowering shrub section was won by Mrs J. M. PI. Tripp, her sprays of Forsythia being magnificent specimens. Mrs G. A. M. Macdonald, who secured second place, exhibited some unusually early “Boronia Megastigma.” Mrs W. P. D. Barker, of “Rocky Ridges,” Gapes Valley, who acted as judge, exhibited a stand of choice spring flowers and flowering shrubs. The daffodils comprised some magnificent specimens of “Goldwell,” “Timaru,” “War Cloud.” “Southern Queen,” “Robespierre” and “Fleetwing” varieties. An unusual exhibit was a specimen of the “Orinthagalum.” which aroused much interest, as did a specimen of “Sparaxis.” Among the floweringshrubs an outstanding specimen of “Forsythia” attracted much attention.

The show was efficently controlled by the president (Mr W. T. Turner), and a capable committee. Mr G. W. Coombs proving an energetic and court - eous secretary. The results were as follow: PREMIER BLOOMS Premier Trumpet (and premier bloom in show), “Much the Miller”—G. W. Coombs. Premier Incomparabilis, “Militant”— G. W. Coombs. Premier Barrii, “Artist”—Miss O. M. Barker. Premier Leedsii, “Lord Kitchener”— Miss O. M. Barker Premier Polyanthus, “Jaune a Merville” —Miss O. M. Barker. PRIZE LIST, Narcissi, twelve varieties (three entries) (Mrs W. P. D. Barker’s special prize)—Miss Orford 1, (Mr G. H. Patrick’s special prize)—G. A. M. Macdonald 2. Narcissi, six varieties (five) (Mr J. C. Chapman’s special)—G. W. Coombs 1, Miss O. M. Barker 2, G. I. Hamilton h.c. Narcissi, Yellow Trumpet, two varieties (six)—G. W. Coombs 1, G. H. Patrick 2. Narcissi, Bi-Colour Trumpet, two varieties (7 entries)—Miss Orford 1, G. W. Coombs and G. I. Hamilton equal 2. Narcissi, Incomparabilis, two varieties (6) —G. I. Hamilton 1, G. W. Coombs 2. Narcissi, Leedsii, two varieties (s) G. I. Hamilton 1, Miss Orford 2, Miss O. M. Barker h.c. Narcissi, Barrii, two varieties (3)— Miss O. M. Barker 1, Miss Orford 2. Narcissi, Polyanthus, two varieties (3)—Miss O. M. Barker 1, Mrs J. M. H. Tripp 2. “Lord Roberts” (I)—G. I. Hamilton 1“Bernadino” (3)—Miss O. M. Barker I. Miss Orford 2. “Great Warley” (1) —G. H. Patrick 1. “Lord Kitchener” (3)—Miss Orford 1, Canon Coursey 2. Any one Double Narcissi (3)—Miss Orford 1. Hyacinths, two varieties (secretary’s special) (6)—Mrs A. L. Barker 1, Mrs T. B. McKinlay 2. Anemones, Collection (secretary’s special) U)—Braeside Private Hospital 1. Anemones, three varieties (secretary’s special) (3)—E. P. Chambers 1, Braeside Hospital 2. Violets, collection (secretary’s special) (4)—Mrs A. L. Barker 1, Mrs G. A. M. Macdonald 2. Violets, one bunch (secretary’s special) (8) E. H. Williams 1, Mrs R. Hall 2. Polyanthus, collection, not more than

twelve varieties (Miss N. Lysaght’s special) (4) —Mrs R. H. Orbell 1, Miss Elsie Cliff 2.

Polyanthus, four varieties (Mr J. 3. Barker’s special) (5) —Mrs J. SinclairThomson 1, Miss Jean McClure 2. Primroses, collection (Mr A. V. Simmon’s special) (3) —Mrs R. H. Orbell 1, Miss Elsie Cliff 2. Primroses, one bunch (Mr A. M. Fyfe’s special) (6) —Miss Doris South I, Braeside Hospital 2. Flowering shrubs or trees, six species (Mrs W. P. D. Barker’s special) (4) Mrs J. M. H. Tripp 1, Mrs G. A. M| Macdonald 2. Cut Flowers, six species (including flowering shrubs or trees) (Mr G. H. Patrick’s special) (s)—Mrs T. B. McKinlay 1, Mrs J. M. H. Tripp and Mrs J. Morrison equal 2. Wallflowers, collection (Mr A. M. Fyfe’s special) (4)—Mrs J. SinclairThomson 1, Miss V. Turner 2. Tuberous or bulbous flowers (excluding narcissi), three varieties (Mr J. P. Cliff’s special) (3) —G. I. Hamilton 1, Miss O. M. Barker 2. Pansies, six blooms, varieties (Mr W T. Turner’s special) (I)—Mrs J. M. H, Tripp 1. Pansies, three blooms, varieties (Mr W. T. Turner’s special) (s)—Mrs T. B. McKinlay 1, Mrs E. H. Williams 2. Violas, six varieties (Mr W. T. Turner’s special) (3)—Miss Howell 1, G. 11. Patrick 2. Violas, three blooms, varieties (Mr W. T. Turner’s special) (4)—-Miss L. Hawke 1. G. H. Patrick 2. Bowl of narcissi, any one variety (Mr G. I. Hamilton’s special) (3)—Mrs Jock McDonald 1, Miss A. T. Williams 2. Vase of narcissi, arranged for effect (Mrs G. A. M. Macdonald’s special) (6)—Mrs G. A. M. Macdonald 1, Miss Howell 2. Best arranged vase of spring Sowers (excluding narcissi), any foliage (Mrs R. H. Orbell’s special) (7)—Mrs J. Sin-clair-Thomson 1, Braeside Hospital h.c. Decorated and arranged bowl of flowers (excluding narcissi (Mrs R. H. Orbell’s special) (3)—Miss Innes 1, Braeside Hospital 2. Ladies’ spray and gentleman’s buttonhole (2)—Miss V. Turner 1, Miss Innes 2, Ladies’ spray and gentleman’s buttonhole (for children under 16) (Miss Howell’s special) (3) —Miss Jean McClure 3, Miss E. Thomley 2. Hand bouquet (Miss Ivy Patrick’s special) (2)—Miss V. Turner 1, Miss Innes 2. Flowering pot plant, one pot (Mrs G. N. Feilden’s special) (4)—Mrs Ritchie 1, Mrs T. B. McKinlay 2. Foliage pot plant, one pot (Mr A. V. Simmon’s special) (I)—G, 11, Patrick 1.