CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6124, 10 March 1898, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

No. 6124

CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— The committee of the Chrysanthc mum Society having carried out the wor of planting the triangle in Market Squar< think it desirable to lay before the pubii some details of their work. Firstly, all th beds (and. there are fourteen in number had to be deeply trenched ;\ the stones an rubbish taken out proved the wisdom an necessity of this. Secondly, some mem bers, and several gentlemen not members of the Chrysanthemum Society made pecu niary donations for special beds, other gave plants and shrubs, and again som gave, bulbs. These were all planted, am most of them did well, although the dr weather was very trying. The Citj Council kindly came to our rescue and sunl an artesian, which greatly aided in keeping the grass green and the plants in the bedi nourishing; it also very much l6ssenec our. labour in watering. The pecuniary outlay has been something like .£25, fully half of which has been expended in the necessary labour of trenching, digging, planting, &c. The manager of the Islington factory kindly gave us a quantity ol fertiliser, which is abundantly in evidence in the growth and healthiness of the plants. As autumn advances the beds should be filled with bulbs and early flowering plants, aud as the Society's funds, being limited, cannot be expected to bear much more depletion this year, it is to be hoped that the public, and gentlemen who have large gardens and bulbs to spare, will contribute of their abundance for this purpose. Many people seem not to be aware that this work has been done by the Chrysanthemum Society, and they confuse it with the Christohurch Beautifying Association. The two Societies are distinct, although their objects arc identical. The subscription to the Chrysanthemum Association is only 5s per year, and one-half of this sum is returned to each subscriber in the way of plants, leaving 2s 6d per member for expenses of management, printing, advertising and prizes. Our secretary will gladly receive and acknowledge contributions of money or bulbs, and give them every care and attention, or, if more convenient to thedonor, they may be left at the house of the president (Dr Irving) who will ace to their safety and protection. We are sanguine enough to believe that our efforts have been successful, that we have helped to convert what was a wilderness into a smiling garden, and we hope that we have thereby gratified the public ; and we are also sanguine enough to believe that the public will show their appreciation of the work by extending a helping.hand, and. also come in greater numbers than heretofore to our approaching show, in May next. — I am, L &c, WILLIAM JONES, Secretary.