Auckland Horticultural Society’s Daffodil Show

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue 12, 18 September 1912, Page 38

Auckland Horticultural Society’s Daffodil Show

Choice Collection of Blooms —Auckland Raised Hybrids Equal English Novelties.

THE Spring Show of the Auckland Horticultural Society was opened on Thursday, September 5 by the Mayoress (Mrs. C. u. Parr), within the Concert Chamber of the new Town Hall, which proved eminently suitable for the purpose. The arrangement of the various stands and tables was tastefully carried out. and the whole presented a light ami dainty appearance, which reflected credit on the committee charged with the disposition

of the various competitions. The prin cipal flower at this show is the daffodil, and the display of this popular bloom was very fine indeed. The best of the standard sorts were generally well represented. whilst the hybrids raised by Professor Thomas were declared by the judge (Mr. Hamel, of Dunedin), to equal many of the English novelties, and the Professor had every reason to feel proud of his work. We are pleased to find several new competitors entering the lists, setting up really good displays, and doing very well in the competitions, and we trust they will be stimulated by the success attained to aim at some of the larger classes; there is “always room at the top.” We hope many more growers who have started collect ions will, by another season send along their blooms, as it is only by comparing with successful growers that one finds out where he is deficient, and can compare notes; and it is also by the infusion of fresh competitors that the interest and educational value <»f such events can b<* sustained.

I he display of cyclamens was not equal to last year. Camellias were better than we have seen for some seasons. Anemones and ranunculus were not numerous, but some of Mr. Abraham’s were of excellent quality, notably the Turban ranunculus. The Champion Daffodil Wise, value 15 guineas, was easily won by Mr. D. Kirker with -40 varieties. The best blooms we noted in this collection were: Van Waver en's Giant, Admiral Mak ar off. Golden Bell. Lord Roberts, King Alfred. Kings

Norton, Florence, a very refined white trumpet. \ anilla, Big Ben. Homespun, Diana, Artemis; White Queen, ,a lovely bloom, might be called a Sir Watkin; White Lady; Lucifer, very fine coloured; Waterwitch. Tonga riro, /.ria due, Poeticus recurvus. Mr. W. I*. Buckland, Cambridge, was second. His blooms clearly demonstrated that the show was too early for W’aikato. Ihe short steins and partially developed blooms would probably have been in good form two weeks later. I wo classes which always produce keen competition are those for prizes presented by the well-known firm of Robert Sydenham. Ltd. I hese classes are to encourage competition amongst the ladies and gentlemen (or their gardeners) who buy their bulbs from this firm. In the class for 24 distinct varieties the first prize is a silve'r daffodil vase, valued in England at sgns; there are also second, third, and fourth prizes. In the class for 18 distinct varieties four prizes are offered, the first being a silver rose bowl, valued at £2 2/.

In the Sydenham Trophies for 24 varieties, Mr. 11. J. B. Bull took first place, having very nice clean, well-grown flowers, amongst them being Mad. de Graff. Queen of Spain. Mrs. Camm. Flamingo, Glory of Leiden, very fine, Poetieus Ornatus, Gloria Mundi, and Lucifer fine coloured, Barri Conspicuous, \\ kite Ladv finely grown. Golden Bell, King Alfred. Victoria, Weal dale Perfection. Admiral Makarofl. Mr. I). R. Kirker was second, having in his lot fine samples of Bridesmaid, Red Coat, Gloria Mundi, Beauty, Artemis, Leonie, King Alfred. Duke of Bedford. Queen Sophia and Seagull. Mr. 11. E. Sharp was third, and Mr. 11. A. Marriner fourth. Eighteen varieties.—lst, Miss Kirker. who had in her collection fine blooms of Leonie, Fairy Queen, Reeurvus, White Liady, Lueifer, Golden Bell, Mrs. Walter Ware, Seagull and Gloria Mundi; Mrs. F. Harvey 2nd: Mr. A. E. Grindrod 3rd. Nine varieties, 5 blooms each.— Mr. N. R. W. Thomas was Ist with Genius, Em-

press, Glory of Leiden, Princess Victoria, Weardale Perfection. King Alfred, Sir S. Northcote, Mrs. Walter Ware; Mr. C. Hesketh, 2nd. Six varieties.—H. E. Sharp, 1; A. E. Grindrod. 2. Six varieties, Yellow Selfs.—H. E. Sharp. 1. Six varieties, any other trumpet.— 11. E. Sharp 1; ('. Hesketh 2. Medio and Parvi Section. Twelve varieties.-— X. R. Thomas. Ist. There were good examples here of Grphee, Sir Watkin. Preeox. Beauty, and Gloria Mundi. Mr. A. E. Grindro.l was 2nd with a very clean lot. Six varieties. — Mr. Thomas again scored, eloselv followed bv Mr. Grindro.l; Mr. G. Hesketh 3rd. Six varieties of Leedsii: Mr. 11. E. Sharp Ist. with Minnie Hume. Ariadne. Phyllis. Bridesmaid. Constance, Pierpont, and '|'he Sisterhood. Mr. A. E. Grindrod 2nd. This was a very neat set-up staim. The blooms were clear and fresh, but lacked somewhat in size. The varieties

were: Amabilis, Madge Matthew, The Sisterhood, M. Spurred, Waterwitch, and Minnie Hume. Mr. (’. Hesketh was Ist for three varieties, double. The competition in bunch flowers was limited, and this section appears to be going out of favour at exhibitions. For seedlings Professor Thomas swept the boards. In his ten varieties for which he was awarded the R. 11. S. silver gilt medal, were fine examples of some of his own raising. Several ap now in commerce, such as Egmont, Cent uir. Tongariro, Trafalgar, Dream of Beauty, White Heron, and Red Fire. Massive Gold a bright self trumpet of great substance and wide-fringed mouth, was a grand flower; Esinonde, white perianth, sulphur trumpet; Aorangi, a refined bloom, white perianth, apricot trumpet, in the way of Alice Knights, but larger, were very fine. His six varieties seedlings, awarded the R.H.S. silver medal, were, most of them, shown for the first time. They were a splendid lot, of which any raiser may well feel proud, and included Trewithiel, a very large pale yellow perianth, trum-

pet rich chrome yellow with wide, open mouth, a Hower of good substance; Each intress. white perianth, sulphur trum pet: Tasman, a bold yellow self; Loya’ty. white perianth, primrose trumpet, a promising variety: Rippling Waters, a charming white Leedsii. grows as strong as Waterwitch. but has more substance, and much more erect blooms; Prospero has a reflexed perianth with fine orange red rim on the edge of cup. Single Bloom Class. Yellow Trumpet.— Professor Thomas Ist with Prime Minister, a magnificent bloom of immense substance shown for the first time. It is of great size, measuring over four inches across. The perianth is of a soft yellow, trumpet long, fringed, wide mouth. This bloom attracted great attention. Mr. 11. A. Marriner was second with Bicolour Trumpet. Professor Thomas ami in scored with a grand specimen of Weirdale Perfection. Seldom if ever has this grand variety been seen in lietter form. Mr. I). R. Kirker was a good second.

White Trump t. Professor Hiomas Aorangi first. \\ . F. Buckland second. Yellow Inconiparabili* ami White In rompa rahil is.- Professor I liomas won with Banzai and Trafalgar. Lecd-ii. — Professor Thomas’ Pearl, first: \\ F. Buckland second. Barri or flat crowned.— Mr. 11. -I. Bull first. Mr. Buckland second. Both showed Englehearts* Circlet, a fine thing, when well done. Mr. Bulls flower was a fair specimen, hut Mr. Buckland’s was not coloured, the flower not being old enough. Poeticus. — Professor ’fhoinas won with Horace, one of Mr. Englebvart’s tine I *< >et s. Seedling.— Prof. ’Dioma-’ Trewithbd I I rumpet ». Amateur Class. The Kirkcr Memorial Trophy for ten popular varieties went to the Dilworth Institute (boys), the varieties staged living: Emperor. Empress, K. Spurrell. Frank Miles. Golden Bell. Beauty. King of tin* Netherlands. Golden Bose, and Autocrat. Mr. .1. 11. Braithwaite was a verv good second with good blooms of (Irphee. Empress. Leonie. and Madge Matt hew. Six varieties.—. Mr. E. Stevenson first. Novice Section. Six varieties. — Mr. .1. 11. Braithwaite, first, viry creditable. Blooms were sc/ up of Gohlen Bell. \ ietoria. Sir Watkin, and Fairy Queen. Mr. Braithwaite also scored tor six Tncomparahi lis and Poets, and for three varieties the Newmarket school was first. Mr. Braithwaite second. Bouquets and Table Decorations. These were a nm-t attractive feature of the show, and were adjudicated upon bv Mrs. Hamel. < f Dunedin. The tables were arranged on the platform and greatly added to the beauty of the function. Miss V. Palmer’s first prize table was a very simple, yet most attractive arrangement of Violets and Linaria with Adianiiim. Mrs. J. Hardwick, who was placed -eeond. bail Hyacinths and Scillas with Asparagus, but these do not lend them--elve- to that lightness and grace which catches the eye. Nevertheless it was .1 very (dose second. Pot Plants. Mr. \\ . W. G. Richardson was the only competitor for six flowering plants, and six foliage plants, and he showed in the .former a good plant of Olivia Nobile, also Bletia Hyacintbiilora and Cypredidium Insignae. In the latter he had a fine Cocos Weddeliana. Pilea, and a small Dracaena Shepherdii nicely coloured. Exhibits Not for Competition. Mr. 11- Brett, of Takapuna. * set up a stand of winter flowering Sweet Peas which astonished Southern visitors, and small wonder, for on the stand were nearlv every shade of colour known in the summer flowering section, and in addition, two Spencer forms of winter flowering. This is the first occasion on which these have been exhibited, and they attracted the attention of visitors w ho wore loud in their expressions of delight. The newcomers are cerise and

pink, and though not quite so large as summer-grown Spencers they unmistakably show the Spencer blood. In addition to this tine table of peas which, by the way. had a splendid bunch of Florence Davies carnation as a centre, MrBrett staged a large table of spring flowers. Although somewhat crowded, it was a great object lesson re the capabilities of the Auckland province to produce the variety and quality at this early season. when many people are only just beginning to think about planting and sowing seeds. The mere enumeration of the varieties shown will give an idea of what may be done by timely attention and careful cultivation. Here are what we notel: Hyacinths. Cyclamens, ten-week Stocks. Daffodils. Anemones, Violets, Candytuft. Giant Pansies. Calendula. Double Daisies. Free Mas. Carnations, and Sweet Peas. Mrs. A. M. Myers set up some fine pots

of Cyclamen which had been well grown, the pure whites and salmon shades were exceedingly good, and these were backed by some tine examples of the new Xephrolepis fern, among which we noted X. Todeaoides. X. Superba. X. W hitmania and X. Amerpholi. These are all varieties of the popular Boston fern, and quite distinct —the fronds are broad and heavy and are as dense as those of Todea Superba. A certificate of merit was awarded this exhibit. Mr. Jas. Allen. Panmure, exhibited a good collection of popular sorts of Daffodils, amongst them being good vases of Bridesmaid and Gloria Mundi. He also had several vases of Anemones. Mr. H. T. Goldie showed a fine bowl of winter flowering Sweet Peas (Telemy strain) and Miss Goldie a well arranged vase of Narcissus, which was greatly admired. VERONICA.