TUAPEKA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXV, Issue XXXV, 18 January 1902, Page 3

TUAPEKA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Had it not been for the unlucky break in tbe weather that took plaoe on Wednesday afternoon and the exceptionally heavy downpour of rain that fell with tropioal density throughout the evening the satisfaction would assuredly have been afforded of announcing a very successful exhibition financially ou the part of the Society. Everything looked very promising as far as the attendance went during the early part of the afternoon, but during the evening and almost up to closing time ths number of the visiting public had whittled down almost to nothing, the hall being almost in possession of officials of the Society with a small sprinkling of the more enthusiastic horticulturists. The incident is regrettable onjraany grounds, to some extent because of the disappointment both to the public and exhibitors alike, but perhaps in a greater degree because of tbe disappointment financially sustained by the Society. It is under such circumstances some satisfaction to be able to speak in approving terms of the show itself, though in terms modified by the conditions incidental to the season and to one or two other causes. Speaking in general terms, it may be Baid that the quality of the exhibits was very fair throughout, with the exception of the vegetables, wbich were ot a rather indifferent quality. The exhibits, however, were strikingly lacking in quantity, though for this the weather for some weeks preceding the show was responsible, the season having been probably one of the worst, from a horticultural point of view, experienced in the district for very many years. But that was not quite the only cause. There was also observable in some directions a ooolness of spirit or, perhaps, a weariness of effort on the part of growers whose interested co-operation might almost be said to make all the difference between success or, at least, an exhibition more perfectly representative of tbe district, and, if not failure, at all events only partial or inadequate suocess. As to what these abstentions are due is a question that might very well receive some consideration in the interests of the Society. The absence of prizes can hardly account for it, though ib may ia some small measure be a supplemental cause. The correct explanation, it may with very good reason be assumed, is that the number of shows held locally in the year imposes an amount of trouble that some growers are not prepared to undertake, and the question is whether, if this system is continued, it is likely to strengthen the Society or otherwise. Such a question might be put to the exhibitors generally in a direct form, and one is tempted to think it is time some such course were adopted. The reply of those whose ardor in the interests of tbe Sooiety .seems to be undergoing a process of cooling is that "it is too much trouble." But no such feeling could possibly exist were the call made on such growers only once a year. At such times as other seasonable classes of flowers came in there might be, if it was desired, a private or semi-private exhibition among the members of the Society themselves. This, of course, is merely a suggestion and is made for what it is worth. But the prime consideration is whether the Society should hold one or more exhibitions annually P It certainly does seem as if a good deal depends upon the decision taken, though probably it may not appear so to Others whose over anxiety for frequent exhibitions preclude other considerations. If another suggestion is permissible it would be that the date of the show in future should be fixed when the schedule is issued, which should be at least three months before the date decided on. The present method is altogether too olose up to time, and its alleged advantages are exceedingly doubtful.

Speaking in detail of the exhibition, it may be said that the pot plants shown were well grown, but wretchedly few in number, Mr W. Anderson took first prise for one geranium and was also classed first for the doubles, which were well-grown plants, as well as a first for the ivy-leafed geranium in the wellknown variety Souvenir de Charles Turner. The three flowering begonias exhibited secured first prize, but they were wanting in variety of color and inBtead of being uniformly white Bhould have been crimson and yellow. They showed too much sameness of color to take a high class. In any plant not in catalogue Mr G. Jeffery took first prize with a very nice rose in pot, the second being also a nice plant of the variegated cedinm kind. There was also a number of very nice plants for exhibition only, and of tbe remainder nothing very particular can be said. Mr W. M. Sinclair took a first for a Bingle rose, Mr J, J. Woods taking similar honors for three roses, splendid specimens of the hybrid perpetual variety of that flower. Mr Orooke took a first for six very nice roses, but tbe twelve roses shown by him were really splendid flowers, equal, if not superior, to anything that Dunedin or any other metropolitan show could produce. Among this exhibit were, for instance, represented such flowers as Souvenir D'Elise Varden, Vicomteese Folkstone, Glara Watkyn, Jean Ducher, Jeannie Dixon, and others. It was really a superb stand. In the 18 roses Mr Grooke was not so successful, but no doubt the 12 were picked specially with the view of meeting competition wbich was not expected in thelatter instance. Mr Woods showed six show pansies, varieties, which may be described as fairly good, and in the olass any collection not in schedule the first plaoe was allotted to a oolleotion of Canterbury bells containing 12 varieties, shown by Mr Arnold, Mr Crooke taking second with a very nice collleotion of Gaillardi, - Mrs Vivian exhibited a very superb piece of rocket candy tuft, showing a very good strain of flower, and a Japanese iris shown by the Rev. Mr Ellis was very good, a first and second having been awarded him. There was no serious competition in the collection of out annuals, Mrs W. Anderson, however, showed some very nice flowers and was easily first. There were only two ex- | hibits in the tea-weeks' stocks, both showing very handsome spikes, the first going to Mr Barnett and second to Mr T. H. Clarke. The sweetwilliams shown by Mr Ellis were very good, and the antirrhinums by Mr Arnold were the best of their class, there being five ex-

hibits, For one lily (Lilinm Testaoenm) Mrs Nicoll took a first and took all be* fore her for all lilies. The judge called special attention to a new variety, new, at least, to New Zealand, known as Liliam Kraraeri. a4ively pink lily of the variety shown by Mr J. 0. Browne, a flower that is likely to become very popular in time. In carnation selfs a first was awarded to Mr Arnold, and in oarnation flakes a first to Mr Woods. The oarnation bizzarea were not placed as they had not the reqaisite three oolors. In three sbow pansies, a very good exhibit, the first went to Mr Clarke, the same exhibitor taking the same plaoe in sis show pansies and again in three fancy pansies Mr Clarke took the honors, Mr Arnold exchanging places with him in six fanoy pansies. The sweet peas were a feature of the show, the principal prize for 18 very choice varieties going to Mr W. M. Sinclair, Mr A. B. Uaggitt taking second, and again for 12 varieties Mr Sinclair was first and Mr Clarke second, though (.here is very little doabt bat the order would have been reI versed had tbe flowers of the latter been more carefully staged. In tbe six varieties Mr Hilton was first and Mr Haggitt second. Taken as a whole the sweet- peas exhibited were of really splendid quality and would be difficult to beat anywhere. As regards the table bouquets, it would be much better in many respects if this class of exhibit were shelved and the epergne adopted in its place ; it would then be possible to have a really beautiful exhibit, whereas the table bouquet is merely a mass of very badly bleuded color. The gent's buttonholes and ladies' sprays were of a very indifferent class ; in tbe former Miss T, Livingstou was first and in the latter Miss E. Jeffery. The defect in these latter is not tbe blending or arrangement of color, which is correct enough, but the form, of which there seems to be a complete ignorance or misconception. The cut flowers for exhibition only were a miscellaneous collection, amongst the best being godetia, pelargoniums and stocks. There were some very nice ornamental baskets of cut- flowers, the first going to Mrs Vivian and second to Mrs Crooke. There was a very nice basket of shirley poppies, but as they lacked substance and drooped they oould not be classed. The fruit display was conspicuously poor, but the dessert gooseberries were of exceptionally fine quality, and the black currants were also of splendid quality, both being shown by Mr Arnold ; in fact, Mr Arnold had things as he liked here. Mr Crooke showed a very nice dish of raspberries. The display of vegetables also was far from satisfactory, but the best was potatoes, Mr Audersou taking a first in these. The other things were poor. Both the Society and other exhibitors had a most excellent and capable judge and painstaking to a degree iv Mr How den, of Dunedin, whose awards achieved the rare feat of giving general satisfaction. Everything was done that was possible by the Committee towards perfecting the arrangements, which were all that could be desired. In this respect a special tribute is due to the secretary of the Society, Mr J. C. Browne, to whose energy and enthusiasm a good deal of the success of the Society is due. In the evening after the rain had become more fitful in its fieroeness the Orchestral Band succeeded in getting together in the hall and for some time entertained the small number of visitors present. Needless to say the Brass Band was unable to carry out its intention of playing outside in the vioinity of the hall. There appeared to have been an abundance of very choice refreshments provided and ladies to dispense them, but it is to be feared the business done was not quite satisfactory. The following is the prize-list : — Class I. — Pot-obown Plants. Single geranium, 1 entry — W. Anderson Doable geranium, 1 entry — W. Anderson Pelargonium, 1 entry— W. Anderson Ivy-leaf pelargonium,l)entry — W. Anderson Three flowering begonias, 1 entry— W. Anderson Any plant not in catalogue, 5 entries— E. Jeffery 1, Jno. Arnold 2 Class II. — Cut Flowebs. Three aquilegias, 1 entry— A. Crooke Three French mangolds, 1 entry — J. Arnold Three carnations, self vara., 2 entries— J. J. Woods 1, J. Arnold 2 Three carnations, bizarre vars., 1 entry — J. J. Woods Three carnations, flakes vars., 2 entries — J. J. Woods 1, J. Arnold 2 Three show pansies, vars., 3 entries — T. H. Clark 1, Jno. Arnold 2 Three fancy pansies, 4 vars., 7 entries— T. H. Clark 1 and 2, J. Arnold 3 Six show pansies, vars., 2 entries— T. H. Clark 1, J. Arnold 2 Six fanoy pansies, vars., 8 entries— J. Arnold 1, T. H. Clark 2 One lily, 4 entries— Mrs Niooll 1, W. Anderson 2 Two lilies, 1 entry — Mrs Niooll Three lilies, 1 entry—Mrs Nicoll One rose, i entries — W. M. Sinolair 1, J. J. Woods 2 Three roses, 6 entries— J. J. Woods 1, J. Arnold 2 Six roses 3 entries— A. Crooke 1, J. Arnold 2 Twelve roses, 2 entries — A. Crooke 1, J. J. Woods 2 Eighteen roses, 1 entry— A. Crooke Collection of roses, 1 entry— J. J. Woods Six roses, 3 vars., 2 of each, with own foliage in vase— A Crooke 1 One or "more ro3es shown by grower of not more than 24 rose bushes, 3 entries— W. Anderson 1, Mrs Vivian 2 Six h.p. roses, 2 entries — A. Crooke 1, J. J. Woods 2 Six tea roses, 2 entries— A. Crooke 1, J. J. Woods 2 Three penstemons, 1 entry — A. M. Barnett Three verbenas, 2 entries — A. Crooke 1, Mrs Niooll 2 Three sweetwilliams, 3 entries— Rev. Mr Ellis 1 and 2 Three antirrhiniums, 3 entries — J. Arnold 1, Rev. Mr Ellis 2 Four 10-week stocks, spikes, vars., 2 entries—A. M. Barnett 1, T. H. Clark 2 Three gladioli, 1 entry— Rev. Mr Ellis Collection of out flowers, 1 entry — W. Anderson Three pyrethrums, 1 entry— J. Arnold Three irises, 2 entries - Rev. Mr Ellis 1 &2 Six sweetpeas, 6 entries — H. W. Hilton 1, A. B. Haggitt 2 Twelve sweetpeas, 3 entries— W. M. Sinolair 1, T. H. Clark 2 Eighteen sweetpeas, 3 entries— A. B. Haggitt 1, W. M. Sinclair 2 Any flower not in schedule, 6 entries — Mrs Vivian 1 and 2 Any collection not in schedule, 5 entries — J. Arnold 1, A. Crooke 2 Wreath of flowers, 1 entry — Mrs Vivian Ornamental basket of flowers, 6 entries — Mrs Vivian 1, Mrs Crooke 2 Hand bouquet, wired, 1 entry— Miss M. Livingston Hand bouquet, unwired, 1 entry— Mrs Barnett Table bouquet, 4 entries— Mrs Niooll 1 <fc 2 Two bouquet?, buttonholes for gentlemen, 6 entries — Miss T. Livingston 1, Miss D. Jeflery 2 Dress bouquet, 6 entries — Miss E. Jeffery 1, Mrs F. Nicoll 2 Fruit. Pint dessert gooseberries, 2 entries— Jno. Arnold 1, F. A. Miller 2 Twelve heaviest gooseberries, 3 entries— J. Arnold 1, Mrs F. Niooll 2 Pint of rasps, 1 entry— A. Crooke Pint of red currants, 2 entries— J. Arnold 1, F. A. Miller 2 Pint of blaok currants, 3 entries— J. Arnold 1, F. A. Miller 2 Piot of white ourrants, 2 entries— J. Arnold 1, F. A. Miller 2 Vegetables. , Collection of vegetables— A. B. Haggitt 1 Twelve potatoes, 2 entries— W. M. Sinclair 1, F. A. Miller 2 Twelve potatoes, 3 vars., 4 of each, 2 entries— W. Anderson 1, F. A. Miller 2 Six spring-sown onions, 2 entries— J. West 1, W. M. Sinolair 2 Twenty pods peas, 1 entry— F. A. Miller Half-flint shelled peas, 1 entry— F. A. Miller Threa yellow turnips, 1 entry— W. M. Sinolair Nest of shallots, 1 entry— P. A. Miller ! Three oabbage lettuce, 1 entry— J. West , Three carrots, 1 entry— W. M. Sinclair,

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