DAFFODILS AT THE AUCKLAND SHOW.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVLI, Issue 13, 27 September 1911, Page 41

DAFFODILS AT THE AUCKLAND SHOW.

THE JUDGE’S VIEWS. When Mt E. A. Hamel had completed his arduous duty of judging the narcissi exhibits at the Auckland show, ho was asked by a representative of the “Auckland .Star” for his opinion regarding the exhibit. It may be mentioned that, for this show, a judge was imported from Dunedin, and Mr Hamel was the gentleman chosen. At the opening of the show the chairman of the committee,' Mr W. Handley, remarked that Mr Hamel had kindly undertaken the duty, and was receiving merely nominal expenses as his recompense. Ho added that Mr Hamel's judging was eminently satisfactory as far as the committee was concerned. “I consider,” said Mr Hamel, wlien asked for his opiate*, “khat -it is a very <aiv show. This is my first trip to Auck

land, and 1 have now judged daffodils right from Invercargill to your city. The daffodils in collection of 40 varieties for the champion vase would have stood well at any show where I have been judge..

‘(Speaking generally of the narcissi shown, it is very evident that the season here has been a very favourable one, as the flowers are very fine and the colours good. The length of stem of a number of the exhibits is evidence of very good cultivation. “In the competition for the Barr thip, in which 30 varieties are shown, there was only one entry, and as there were three instead of five blooms of some type, I was reluctantly compelled to disqualify it. As the exhibit was a remarkably fine one, I did all I had power to do—that was, make an aSvard of special merit.”

Referring to the contest for the Sydenham prizes, Mr Hamel said: “That was the hottest class to judge, as the competition was very keen. 1 had great difficulty in separating them. There was only three or four points difference between the first, second and third. In the collection that took first prize my attention was especially attracted by the fine specimens of Perfections, Waredale. AVhite Lady, Glory of Leiden and Gloria Mundi. The secnod prize collection had fine specimens of Lucifer and Madge Matthews.”

Speaking with regard to the seedlings shown by Professor Thomas. Mr Hamel waxed quite enthusiastic. “Now,” said he, “that Southern Queen’s a decided improvement on Suphuretta. Bonanza is also a very fine bloom, perhaps a little weak in perianth, but has a beautiful trumpet. Dream of Beauty, Niobe, Esmond, Shakespear and Aorangi are also very fine types; in fact, speaking generally, the seedlings are an excellent collection. I have only to add that the finest coloured daffodil in the show is a Lucifer.”