ORCHIDS VALUED AT £200,000.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2, 10 July 1912, Page 38

ORCHIDS VALUED AT £200,000.

PRIZES FOR NEW ZEALAND SHRUBS. A ROCK-GARDEN FAIRYLAND. (From Our London Correspondent.) LONDON. May 24. There is in the midst of London, for the space of a week, a spot as unlike

traditional London in any mood as mind could conjecture, a blending of East and West —indeed, of more than that —of farthermost corners of the earth with the Home country, of ideality and reality, utilitarian and ornamental, in the most delicate medium that can be understood—that of Howers. That is the International Horticultural Exhibition—the world’s greatest flower show, that is now being held in the extensive grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital. The grounds themselves are pictur-

esque and full of splendid trees that just now are at their most beautiful stage—an ideal setting for a dazzling picture. Hundreds of Chinese lanterns and fairy-lights illumine the scene at night. Chelsea, for the nonce—that dignified historic bit of London —is more concerned with gardening than with any other subject under the sun. Within the gates that, even on the second day, can only be passed on payment of a guinea, one seems to be walking the pages of the "Arabian Nights.” Strange tongues—for

this is an international affair, and several nations have sent exhibits —filling the air, add to the illusion. For once men and women, of whom there are probably thousands around one—-take second place, if, indeed, they count at all; that is, as human beings. It has been truly said that there is no occupation which develops our sense of universal brotherhood more than gardening. One enters with a brave resolve to note what is new, to comment on beloved old-fashioned flowers, and compare these with the more cultured specimens that

the science of to-day is able to produce. As well distinguish between the stars on a starry night. The courageous resolve lives for half-an-hour perhaps, but, after a couple of hours’ rambling through one bewildering glory after another, both nuind and eyes are incapable of criticism, so soaked are they in radiance. Standing before a giant collection some of the blossoms only seemed to lack voice to announce themselves spirits- There were orchids like fairy bells, orchids with striped petals like smart little French ladies ready for a plunge into the sea. orchids like pansies, like strings of gems, like butterflies. Some seemed like pierrots, some like little yellow birds, some were harsh flame-coloured things like one might imagine anger, some of gossamer consistency like fairy laughter; others looked robust and fat. decided reds, yellow or greens, as if they might be the civic dignitaries of the flower world.