Auckland Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Show.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 18, 29 April 1908, Page 11

Auckland Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Show.

Favoured with Queen’s weather, and honoured with the presence (and speech) of His Excellency the Governor, who was accompanied‘by Lady plunket, there was a large and fashionable attendance at the opening ceremony, presided over by His Worship the Mayor. The exhibit of chrysanthemums were on the whole good, but evidently the show was a week too late for seeing some of the flowers at their best. Notwithstanding, the blooms were large, and showed evidence of having been carefully grown, and they were well staged. We begin to wonder if the fashion of growing chrysanthemums to such a large size is not being somewhat overdone. We are inclined to the opinion that such enormous flowers are rather too much in the “cabbage head” style,' and too stiff, and we consider well-grown smaller flowers much better, arid certainly more useful. The eamelia, which years ago was popular for evening wear, and other purposes, has now practically no place owing to its being so'Stiff, and the chrysanthemum, which supplanted the camelia, may, by fashion’s' decree, share a similar fate a few years hence. Be that as it may, some years ago no one dreamed that the cactus dahlia would be developed, in fact, recreated — as we now have it. At the Auckland exhibition this now popular ower was very fine indeed. The extremely light and dainty blooms, the rich and varied colours, combined with the curiouslyformed and twisted petals, enhance the beauty and charm of the cactus dahlia. It is noteworthy, and we would remind our readers of the fact, that cactus dahlias are very easily raised from seed, and flower the first season, and we see no reason why new forms of this flower should not be developed in the Dominion quite as excellent, if not better, than can be grown in Britain. We were pleased to note several very good seedlings raised by local men; indeed, one of the very best was raised by Messrs. D. Hay and Son, Parnell, and is named Marjorie Hay. Messrs Bennett and Green also had some good seedlings. One labelled number two we suggested should be named Mayor of Newmarket, in honour of Mr Bennett’s unopposed return is Mayor for the fifth term. Some of the very best blooms were to be found in the stands of Mrs Ball and Mrs Douglas, the judges awarding the Championship to the* variety named Lucy Godwin, shown by Mrs Douglas. It is often misleading to amateurs giving names of varieties, especially chrysanthemums, for these blooms are grown entirely for exhibition, and to see them grown in the natural way often causes disappointment, and the nurseryman is often blamed for sending out the wrong variety. However, we note a few of the outstanding blooms worthy of mention. The Champion bloom was found in W. C. Abraham’s stand, an incurved variety' named Major Bonnaffon, a bright golden yellow of perfect form; this award carries also the National Chrysanthemum Society’s certificate. In the amateur class the championship went to E. J. Harvey’s Silver Queen. There were several fine blooms of Lord Hopetoun shown. Other blooms of good quality were Madame C. Nagelmaekers, Mr. J. Cutts, Robert Laird, and Lady Talbot. Cactus dahlias were the feature of this exhibition. Messrs. Bennett and Green secured Ist prize for 36 varieties; amongst them were splendid specimens of Mrs. E. Mawley, Crimson Beauty, Rey. D. R. Williamson, H. Shoesmith, Nelson, Mrs. S. Fraser, Daisy, Zealandia, and Manifesto. Mrs. W. B. Ball was placed second for

a really fine lot, embracing varieties we have not seen before, noticeably Luard Ball, W. T. Ball, Godwin’s Red, and Lucy Godwin. This varjety was awarded the championship; it is a. most beautiful bloom, silvery white tinted rose. Messrs. D. Hay and Son, Parnell, were third; there were some very fjne blooms also in this stand. We noted Anemone, Marjory Hay. Beauty, Zoe. Cockatoo, T. Parkin, and Manifesto. Mrs. M. Douglas secured Ist place in the amateur section for six varieties in bunches of three. These were a fine lot. Tn the amateur class for 12 varieties Mrs. W. B. Ball was first with a splendid stand, including Lucy Godwip, C. N. Richardson, Mrs. McMillan. Mont Blanc, and Beauty. Mrs. Douglas was a very good second, showing very fine blooms of Marjorie Hay, Premier, Daisy, C. N. Richardson, etc. For 24 varieties cut flowers, excluding chrysanthemums and dahlias, Messrs. D. Hay and Son wfere

first with a magnificent display, embracing some new kinds, notably, Dombya Natalensis, Salvia Bonfire, Banksia Ericafolia, a very slow-growing shrub, hardy, and a native of Australia. The same firm also secured first place for a group of pot-plants, which were well arranged, and included well-coloured coleus, pandanus, begonia, etc. Mr. Andrew Nieoll, Remuera, staged some grand specimens of adiantums, and amongst them were Williamsii, Peruviana, Plumosa, and Pendulum. The table decorations were not up to the usual standard usually seen at this show’. Messrs. C. S. Macdonald and Son staged cactus dahlias for exhibition only, Messrs. Hay and Son tuberous-rooted begonia flowers, which were much admired. Mr. Lipplatt, of Otahuhu, showed some very good rose blooms, considering the lateness of the season. Some bunches of seedling grapes raised by this exhibitor were shown, and are, we believe, the largest berries yet raised. The bunches,' However, are not large, averaging about 11b. weight. It is larger than Gros Coleman, late in ripening, and only suitable, we should think, for indoor work. Mr. Lippiatt is to be congratulated on his production. There were only a few’ vegetables shown, which were only fair quality. VERONICA.