THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 246, 25 February 1869, Page 2

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

.. — - **> One of New Zealand's brightest, sunniest, days, a refreshirg breeze and a magnificent display of flowers and fruit, contributed to produce the most successful exhibition of this, or any other season, in Canterbury. The flowers were arranged in a tent on the site of the last show. There are advocates for holding these exhibitions in the Town Hall, in fact the question has been mooted by the society. But, taking into consideration the picturesque character, and the central position of Coker's gardens and — given a fine day, the pecuniary success of any horticultural show is ensured. The exhibits of flowers were arranged on a central table, and upon side tables running round the tent. Taking the exhibits staged in the centre, which were chiefly sent by nurserymen and gardeners, we commence with a collection of large fuchsias, shown by Duncan and Son and Mr W. Wilson. Although Borne of the plants indicated that they had passed their best, the general effect was good. The Caladium esculentum, or bread fruit tree of the North Island, was a striking object, and several Begonias or elephant's ear, were finely grown plants. Fine foliaged plants were well represented, the first prize falling to Duncan and Son, a good specimen of Cissus discolor being in this collection. In greenhouse plants, Messrs Wilson, and Duncan and Son's collections were the best.; and we noticed among them Hibiscus splend ens, and a well-bloomed plant of Hoya carnosa. In stove plants, Duncan and Hon were, as usual, pre-eminent ; and Mr W. Norman's collection, among which was a fine specimen of the Gloxinia Sir Hugo, was not much inferior. The prizes for twelve greenhouse plants, staged for effect, were awarded to Messrs Duncan and Son, and Mr Hawkes ;. Areca oleaca, with ita striking foliage, and Fieu t

macrophylla being shown by the former, and a large oleander by the latter.. A : t The geraniums were v s ery l, gppd', / pome of the newer varieties especially so, with trusses of bloom remarkable b&hyf ojrsize and colour. Here again Duncan.ancL.Son were successful in winning- first -honours,.. Mr W. Wilson being seconcVhis exhibits' including a seedling of Bn_Ae;V_neri^ v M^' j: 'C-r^na«*.ay: showed the best balsams',, which were good, strong plants, well bloomed^^.ip.n this table, also, were two splendid plajttisvbf Coleus verschaffeltii and WoolfiuZ/X /.'.<; /.' . \ • • The amateurs mustered in, strong force, and, taken as a whole, their contributions to the show indicated a great advance, both in the number and variety of plants and. in_excellence. of growth. The balsams were very nice. pli_nta,_ the. first .prize-takers, shown by Mr Adams, being very distinct varieties. The petunias were few in number, and inferior in . merit. The prize offered by Mr Duncan for six fuchsias was deservedly awarded to Mr Norman, whose plants were very well grown. The collection of ferns, by Mr J. B. Armstrong, was very creditable, and received the commendation of the Judges. This collection, chiefly indigenous to this island, included a Davallia and j Leptoperis superba, also a plant of Pteris argynea from Australia. There was also a | plant of the variegated flax, which has some claims to be considered a distinct variety. For fine foliaged plants, Mr Crooks was the successful exhi'.itor, and, with f _w exceptions, he and Mr Norman carried off most of the prizes in the amateurs' department. Staged upon the table at the end of the tent were some fine plants, including two plants of Achimenes, Bilbergia gigantea, and the globe amaranth. Commencing at the side table on the left of the tent were the splendid collections of exotic and other ferns shown by Messrs Duncan and Son and W. Wilson. Here, also, was a plant of Calddium Wiqhtii, together with collections of tropical and greenhouse plants. The display of cut flowers was very good for the season, taking into consideration the late winds and dry weather. The competition in table bouquets was very close, but Mr Hawkes' exhibit, having a bloom of magnolia in the centre, obtained the first prize. . The hand bouquets were numerous and prettily arranged— Mr Duncan's being the selection of the judges for first place; Mr McFarlane's second, and Mr Hawkes' third. The prize collection of dahlias of Mr Norman, contained some good blooms, but the verbenas, although showing good varieties, were sadly out of condition. Mr Crooks showed the best asters, and Mr Norman the best marigolds, but Mr Nairn's collection of the latter were but little, if any, inferior. Six faded blooms of roses, and a similar number of pansies were all that could be mustered, owing! to the unfavourable season. Twelve blooms of hollyhocks, shown by Mr Hawkes, were awarded a prize, but there was no competition. The first prize for girl's bouquets, was taken by Mis 9 Norman, but the one sent by Miss Hislop was superior to it in our estimation. The collection of spikes of gladiolus sent for exhibition only by Messrs Duncan, contained some fine varieties. The new variety of the dwarf pompon dahlia named Little Dorrit, and sent for exhibition by Mr Adams, attracted some attention from its miniature proportions, and adaptability for growth in this climate. The collection of seedling tricolor geraniums, shown by Mr Greenaway, was much admired, and was thought worthy of mention I by the judges, whose remarks we append. I " The judges highly commend the collection of greenhouse, stove, and fine-foliaged plants, exhibited by Mr G. Gould ; gardener, Mr Davidson. They also commend a select collection of fine-foliaged plants, ferns, and geraniums exhibited by Duncan and Son. The collection of Beedling tri-colour pelargoniums, exhibited by Mr John Greenaway, is worthy of especial mention, as it is a branch of horticulture we desire to see encouraged." Tbe show of fruit and veg- tables was magnificent, but we' have no space forany detailed remarks.