THE GARDENS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10916, 4 November 1913, Page 7

THE GARDENS.

A FINE SHOW. [The present season, in the opinion of Mr James Young, head gardener of the Botanical Gardens, is the finest that he has ever experienced in Christchurch. The rain which fell during the week-end came at a very opportune moment and was warm and gentle. The result is that the gardens are looking beautiful, and Mr Young says that by the time the rose carnival is held they will be in a' better state than ever before.

The big hothouse is attracting a lot of attention, and iff "well' worth seeing. In it is a magnificent array of ferns, flowering plants and ornamental plants. Some of the flowers, especially the gloxinias, are magnificent and there is one orchid of great beauty._ • The oollection of orchids in the glasshouse has lately been added to, a Christchurch lady having given the Domains Board a very choice collection. The head gardener, who is delighted with the addition, says that it is a very fine gift indeed, and should add considerably to the attraction of the collection.

At the present time the workmen are putting the finishing touches on the boiler-house. The whole of the woodwork of tho glass-house, both outside and in, has been painted white, and it now presents a most pleasing appearance.

Taking advantage of the suitable conditions Sir Young put his staff at work yesterday morning planting out the stock of flowering annuals, and before night time several thousand had been dealt with.

On the corner of the lawn just inside the Hereford Street gate tho head gardener has laid out a plot of novel design for a flower-bed; It represents the national arms of the Isle of Man, three legs joined together. Around one side will be picked out in flowers the motto of the island, " Quocunque jeceris stabit." Several improvements in the grounds are noticeable. The lakelet near the tea kiosk has been improved by an earthen dam being put across the arm just near the footbridge. This has resulted in the deepening of the water in the lakelet, and, in consequence, an improvemont in its appearance. All the paths are in excellent order, and so also are the lawns. A traveller who has beeri in nearly every country in the world, speaking to a reporter in the gardens this morning, said that they wre " hard to beat." and that they reflected great credit on the head gardener and the city."