SPRING FLOWER SHOW

Waipa Post, Volume 41, Issue 3185, 7 August 1930, Page 5

SPRING FLOWER SHOW

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY PREPARING.

Soon the green and golden glory of the dancing daffodils will be radiating joy to fortunate possessors of "bulb patches." Already shy buds and not a few trumpets are heralding the awakening, while gloomy Winter gives grudging ground, and Spring comes in on tip-toe. It may not have been realised that the annual spring flower show of St. John's Horticultural Society is only about five weeks off, for the actual dates are Wednesday and Thursday, 10th and 11th September. A very comprehensive schedule has been prepared, setting out a great list of classes, with appropriate prizes, which include a numer of special donations. Kihikihi, the present holder of the Blundell Shield, for district cut flower competition, will be called upon to defend it against the displays of other district, and if there is as keen rivalry for premier honours as on earlier occasions the public will be afforded a rare horticultural feast. Then there is the district competition for the Society's vase. This trophy, at present held by Pokuru, goes to the district making the best display of vegetables and fruit, and here again there is every prospect of keen and close rivalry. Naturally, in the cut flower sections the most interest will centre in the displays of narcissi, and, judging by the activity in several local gardens, there will be blooms worthy of competition in any company. Probably growers at Cambridge and in other districts will send exhibits; they generally do, and their competition has always been most welcome, for it sets a standard for local growers. In the past the visitors have usually had considerable success, on one or two occasions practically sweeping the board in the principal classes; but this year it may not be so. There is also a sub-section devoted to novice growers, and also provision is made for children's exhibits. Then, in the general section, there are classes for most of the other popular spring-time flowers; and also a decorative section where exhibitors can display their artistic skill. There is a special points prize in this section, and thus it is hoped to stimulate even more keen competition. Nine classes constitute the pot plants section, and here again 'there is ample scope for effective display. In the home industries section between thirty and forty classes provide for nearly every possible exhibitor who has any pretensions to excellent in the culinary art, besides classes for separator and dairy butter, and even one for home-made soap. Preserves also are given a place, there being about a dozen classes in this section. The needlework and art section is invariably an attractive one, and this year it should be even more so, for the wide variety of classes surely gives scope for a most effective showing. A whole page of the schedule is devoted to enumeration of the classes in the children's section—cooking, penmanship, drawing, modelling, etc. It will thus be seen that every preparation has been made for a very comprehensive show at the Town Hall next month.

Of special interest to vegetable growers is the competition for the handsome silver cup (to be won outright) donated by Wallace Supplies Ltd. for the best collection of vegetables grown from "Star" seeds. This competition takes place at the autumn show, but intending competitors will, of course, desire to prepare beforehand.