Our Illustrations.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 23, 7 December 1910, Page 16

Our Illustrations.

AUCKLAND SWEET PEA AND CARNATION CARNIVAL.

Great Display of Sweet Peas Wellington Carnationist Defeats Auckland Growers.

(Specially Reported for the “ Graphic.”)

THE eagerly-anticipated exhibition of Sweet Peas and Carnations eventuated within the Metropolitan Grounds on December Ist, and was continued for the two following days. The exhibits were housed in three capacious marquees, a departure from the old plan, which almost everyone we met agreed was a very decided improvement, and it is to be hoped the enterprising society will reap a sufficient reward to justify them in still greater efforts in the promotion of special exihibitions. There can be no doubt that the advent of competitors from \\ ellington in the Carnation classes put the Auckland growers on their mettle, and aroused considerable interest in me competition; and though the Wellington growers won —and w-on handsomely—-the Auckland men have no reason whatever to be ashamed of their blooms. There can be little doubt that the keenness of our growers to learn wrinkles, and the willingness of the Wellington ians to supply information, will materially assist in helping Auckland growers to give a good account of themselves another season. Turning to Sweet Peas, the sight which meets the eye of the visitor on entering the huge tent where they are arranged, is extremely pleasing, and the colour combinations of the long row’s blend and harmonise exceedingly well, and it is safe to say that no such display has ever been seen before in the Dominion. The quality of all the blooms was on the whole good. Many showed the effects of ■winds and rains,’and want of shading was apparent in the lack of brightness and effectiveness of many of the flowers. There were some poor stocks of good varieties, noticeably John Ingman and Etta Dyke, which in some cases had almost lost their distinctive characteristics as waved or Spencer varieties. The competition in all the various classes was good, and in one or two instances very keen. The verdict of the judges, however, in all cases, as far as could learn, was approved, and wo do not remember a show where so little grumbling in thia respect was to be heard. The show was fairly well patronised by the public on Thursday, but unfortunately rain fell heavily during Friday, and completely spoiled the attendance for that day. We should like to refer in detail to the various competitions, but pressure on our space forbids, and we shall have to be content with a few references to the chief events. CARNATIONS. The handsome silver challenge bowl presented by Mr. A. Myers. M.P. for 20 varieties was won by Mr. F. H. Hayden with a fine lot. Lady Gore Brown, Countess, Smiler, lllustrius, Unique. Charmer, Dark Giant., Grandee, being some of the best blooms. Mr. Hayden has to win the bowl three times before it becomes his property. Mr. Edwin White took second place with small blooms; rather poor quality. For 12 varieties, shown with collars, Mr. H. A. Fox, of Wellington, gained first place with an even stand of fine clean blooms, his varieties lading Clara Solomon, Trojan (a splendid white I, Sir Nigel (the champion bloom in the Show), Amy Robsart, Primrose Day, Trilby, John Bums. Doreen, Cleopatra. lardy Ward (a Wellington seedling) Victoria Langham, and Mrs. F. Gale. Mr. J. Patterson was a good second, showing some very fine blooms, but the stand was lacking in evenness; some blooms of American sorts were large and good: other flowers had good substance and quality, but the stand as a whole was not uniform. His best flowers were W. H. Par-

ton (a very fine English sort), Doreen, Princess May, Apollo, John Miller and W. H. Wallace. For 0 picotees, one or more varieties, Mr. H. A. Fox scored easily with a grand lot of Sir Nigel in good condition. Mr. Fox also scored in 6 carnations (both sections) and 3 white grounds, showing in the latter Edelweiss, Anona and Mrs. H. Baillie (a Wellington seedling of great merit). Mr. Jeffrey was second, showing Campania, Mrs. F. Gale and Edelweiss. Mr. W. Leese took the prize for fancies, showing six fine blooms of John Miller Yellow. Mr. G. F. Day was the chief prizewinner in the amateur section, gaining Mr. Brett’s trophy for 12 varieties with a splendid stand, clean and nicely set up in their own foliage. His varieties were Doreen. Cloudy, President, Utopia, Dark Giant, Blushing Bride. Thalia. Waikato, Hair Streak, Mysterious, Sybil, and Charming. We observed in the stand of Mr. W. G. Richardson a bloom of a new seedling named Lord Islington, rather a coarse flower with a badly burst calyx—a bloom not worthy to bear the name. In Mr. Totman’s stand we noticed a bloom named Lady Islington, a yellow ground, splashed carmine, a very good flower and promising variety. The judges in this section were Messrs. H. Brett and F. Bennett, and their awards gave general satisfaction. SWEET PEAS. For 24 varieties, distinct, Mrs. Brown Clayton gained the silver medal in this class against all-comers, her varieties being Tom Bolton, Lady G. Hamilton, Helen Lewis, Paradise Ivory, Jeannie Gordon, Clara Curtis (a grand bunch nicely waved), Apple Blossom Spencer, Elsie Herbert, Mrs. Townsend, Marjory Willis, Mrs. C. Foster, Queen Victoria Spencer, (a very good bunch well grown) King Edward Spencer, Mrs. Collier, Mrs. Henry Bell, Black Knight Spencer, Mrs. A. Ireland, Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes, The Marquis, Dorothy Eckford, Maggie Stark (in good form and colour), Etta Dyke, Geo. Herbert, Aurora Spencer. The Sydenham silver vase, weighing 20 ounces, for 18 varieties, went to Mr. G. W. Plummer whose best sorts were, Nancy Perkins, Maori Belle, Marie Corelli, Clara Curtis, Mrs. C. W. Breadmore, Breadmore's Lavender, Sunproof Crimson, Queen of Norway, Mrs. H. Sykes, and Etta Dyke. Mr. H. Goldie took second place, gaining a piece of silver plate in the same class. There were some good bunches here, but one or two weak ones relegated the exhibit to second place. His best bunches were Edna Unwin, Picotee Masterpiece, Clara Curtis and Mrs. Chas. Foster. For 12 varieties Mr. H. Goldie was placed first with a very good lot. Mrs. Brown-Clayton 2nd. In the amateur section Dr. Hugh Douglas of Hamilton, annexed the principal prizes, winning the challenge bowl offered by Messrs. Yates and Co. for 18 varieties, and first for 12 varieties; both stands had some very fine bunches. Miss Violet Palmer secured the first place for decorated table. Miss D. Bacon for bowl of sweet peas, Miss Palmer for epergne of pens, and Miss Anderson for epergne of carnations, Miss Baeon for basket sweet peas NON COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS. The exhibits set up by nurserymen and amateurs on this occasion were on a very large scale and materially added to the interest. Not only were these exhibits extensive, but they were arranged with artistic taste and effect, and without exception were of moat excellent quality. Foremost in such displays must

be mentioned the novel arrangement introduced by Mr. Brett to display his magnificent carnation blooms; the arrangement consisted of an arch with bamboo flower holders . in the centre. The blooms were shown on very long stalks and artistically intersjiersed with lycopodium. The flowers represented the cream of the up-to-date sorts, some of which were of enormous size, and attracted much attention and favourable comment. Mrs. J. D. Davis arranged the flowers in this stand and they were set up with taste and lightness of touch, which lent a charm to the whole novel design. Another exhibit of Mr. Brett’s was of great interest to growers and intending growers of sweet peas, and consisted of a large number of vases of “two mueh alike varieties” for comparison. The judges, Messrs. Fox, Trevethick and Allan unanimously awarded a gold medal to this fine exhibit, and a similar honour was bestowed on the earnation stand. Mrs A. M. Myers set up a tastefully arranged group of pot plants, consisting of palms, adiantums, etc. A large comber of beautiful roses also came from this lady’s garden. Messrs. Arthur Yates and Co. had a most comprehensive display of sweet peas, consisting of over 150 bunches, all grown on their own farm. Some fine blooms of Lilium Brownii and a fine array of young and healthy Adiantums, palms, etc., were set up here and there among the yeas, and the whole exhibit, was most attractive. Mr G. J. Mackay showed some exquisite examples of the florists’ art, collections of carnations, gladioli, and pot plants in the greatest variety. The whole exhibit was staged as only a professional can. Messrs D. Hay and Son had a large table of pot plants, roses in great variety, carnations, and cut blooms of many kinds. Messrs Bennett and Green. Ltd., C. S. McDonald and Son, W. E. Lippiatt, Mr A. Nicoll, and Mrs Wilson all set up fine exhibits of great interest, which came in for considerable attention from visitors. SWEET FEAS AND CARNATIONS. “ THE QUEEN’S FLOAT.” In spite of the unfortunate weather the committee’s exhibition was a decided success, and the committee have every reason to feel satisfied at the result of their first carnival. Until tlie glorious displays in sweet peas and earnations, the public of Auckland had little idea of the great advance these lovely flowers had made in the district. Their cultivation is easy, simple, and above all most fascinating. The work is not too hard for ladies, nor is it too simple for men. It meets all tastes, and the results to be obtained are probably more noticeable than in any other departments of horticulture. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and no doubt many people will after last week’s great show take up the hobby of either sweet peas or carnations—perhaps both. It is the intention of the society to make next year’s carnival an even bigger affair than this one, and it is to be hoped that growers will assist them in making this event something to be looked forward to with anticipation not only by the gardening enthusiasts, but the great body of the publie, many of whom have neither the time nor the opportunities to indulge their love of the beautiful in a little patch of their own. With such a magnificent climate as Auckland possesses, this carnival should rival the famous “Battailles de Fleurs” of some of the cities of Southern Europe. The floral fete at Ellerslie was rather too big an undertaking, but the combined exhibition and decorative display which the Auckland Society has initiated seems to be just the sort of gathering that is wanted. The society is very anxious to foster a love of flowers, and intending growers will find the officials only too pleased to give any information as to wTiat to grow, and how to grow it. An ounce of experience is certainly worth much theory, but there are a number of points at the outset on which the beginner ean be set right by the old hand, and saved much disappointment and many failures. Mr. G. W. Plummer, the hon. acting secretary, Rutland-street, will be pleased to hear from anyone desiring information about flowers or the society. The rain interfered with the show on Friday, but, fortunately, the society was favoured with fine weather on Saturday for the competitions in decorated vehicles, etc. There was a largo attendance of the public during the afternoon, and the dia-

play more than compensated for Friday's disappointment. The chief item on the programme arranged was the procession of the decorated vehicles, etc. Each class was well contested, and the competitors and their exhibits looked very pretty as they marched round the grounds. The Queen’s Float, a new idea, to Auckland, was well worth the time and trouble the Ladies’ Committee took over it. The design of the carriage was uncommon, and the decorations of white cream and crimson sweet peas gave the exhibit a distinctive appearance. The Queen (Miss Isabel Reeve) looked very pretty riding in state, and she was attended by a number of dainty little pages and maids of honour, all dressed in white with touches of red, which harmonised well with the scheme of the carriage. The lorry on which the float was driven was drawn by four greys, with white trappings edged with red, and two little outriders rode in front on cream ponies lent by Messrs. W. H. Wales and J. C. Spedding, with similar trappings to the greys. The ponies were led by a page (Leslie Brett) in a cream velveteen costume faced with cerise sateen. The design was splendidly carried out, and the little Queen and her court took their parts admirably. The judges awarded the exhibit a double first —an honour in which the public quite agreed. The maids of honour were Molly Sweet and Rona Rainger. and the pages were A. Rainger. A. Goldie, S. Colgrove, C. Patterson, S. Bond, J. Montague, C. Murray, and Fred Gordon. Those who were responsible for the work of decorating this novel turn-out were Mesdames R. Bedford, P. Oliphant, P. Lindsay, Milnes, Colgrove, G. Hudson, Andrews, Archdale Tayler, Benjamin, Ashton, Gore Gillon, Peacock, Misses E. Kent, Henderson, Snelling, Towle, Kirker, Binney, Oliphant, Lindsay and others. A sweet* stall, looked after by Mesdames Atwood, Grimwade, Monckton, Mactier, Misses Mather, Jones and ' Mactier attracted many sixpences. During the exhibition a prettily decorated lorry was used for advertising purposes. Those who supervised the ornamenting of this novel feature were Mesdames Green, Hayden, and Dorling, assisted by several others. Excellent as the exhibits were they would have been even better had the weather not been so boisterous. The rain of the two previous days prevented some twenty more exhibitors sending in their entries, which is greatly to be regretted. After the procession a large ling was formed, and Mrs. Heaps’ young ladies went through inarching drill to music, ■which was much appreciated. U.e Tm Troop of Boy Scouts (Herne Bay) and the Northcote Troop gave exhibitions cf drill, etc., and the little fellows (who were under Inspector Horace Stebbing and Scoutmasters A. Stebbing and Sharp) were loudly applauded. The A.M.R. Band, under Bandmaster Whalley Stewart, gave a popular programme during the afternoon. The lighting arrangements for the carnival, which were excellent, were carried out by the Lux Light Company with their incandescent kerosene gas lamps. The exhibition was again weil attended in the evening, atyl the total takings came to about £2OO for the three days. Following are the awards in the decorated classes: — DECOBATIONS. Decorated Table. —Miss D. Racon 1. Mrs Mowbray, junr., 2; Miss V. Palmer 3. Basket of Sweet Peas. —MLss N. Tizard 1, Miss Anderson 2. Miss V. Palmer 3. Decorated Two-wheeled Vehicle.— A. G. Lee 1Decorated Pony Carriage.—Miss K. Ruxton 1, Miss and Master Lu udon 2. Decorated Bicycle.—Miss Mollie Baker 1. Decorated Parasol for Ladies.—Miss Beresford 1, Mrs Edmunds 2, Miss Inez Thompson 3. Decorated Doll’s Pram. —Miss Doris Lipscombe 1, Miss Maureen Hood 2, Miss E. Ballantvne 3, Miss Muriel Briffault h.c. Children’s Tricycles.—Molly Doube 1, Douglas Hutchison 2, Robin Hood 3. Children’s G<>Carts.— Kita ■Oornaga 1, Mrs Wm. Rich 2. . « « Novelty Class.—Tui Troop of Boy Scouts, Herne Bay (A. G. Stebbing, scoutmaster), decorated tent.