Horticultural Shows

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 12, 19 March 1913, Page 38

Horticultural Shows

THE FRANKLIN SHOW AT PUKEKOHE. This show attracted a very large attendance of the general public, and on Saturday over GOOO were assembled on the show ground. The vegetables, Howers, and fruits were shown in the Masonic Hall, and proved to be of great interest to the crowds of visitors. Lt would have been a great convenience had the officials provided an exit, instead of keeping people waiting to allow others to pass out before they eould enter. Practically no notice was taken by the daily press of the Hall exhibits, and a big district like Franklin, with a rising centre-like Pukekohe, should bestir itself to secure better treatment for horticulture, and if this cannot be done, why, then, let them inaugurate a society for promoting horticulture.

A new feature which created much interest was the district bays, or courts, for the display of produce grown in districts. The idea evidently was a copy on a limited scale of the district courts, which were such a. source of attraction at the Auckland Winter Show. There were three entries, Mauku, Pukekohe, and Tuakau. Pukekohe won first place, easily giving evidence of a large amount of time and thought having been given to its “get up.” The facings of this court were picked out m a great variety of seeds worked out in a pleasing design, and must have taken an immense amount of patience and skill, each seed evidently being handled separately and glued in. We shall not attempt to enumerate the contents, but simply say that flowers, fruits, vegetables, pot plants, and produce were all there, well arranged and set in tins. Mauku took second place, and the display did them credit. Lt was well arranged, of good quality, and another season we shall not be surprised if the positions are reversed. Tuakau was third. This court had some good things, but lacked variety, and gave evidence of being hurriedly got up. We are certain Tuakau can do better, and hope another season will find them giving more attention to this important matter.

Pukekohe district has long been famed for onions, and a good display was made. There were eleven entries, and all were good. The light-skinned Brown Spanish, although not so good a keeperas the dark, is a better cropper, and the most popular among growers. Four entries were made of dark skins, and these were grand bulbs. Potatoes were well represented—seven entries for round, five for weight, but only one for collections (Mr. F. Ballard, of Drury), whose collections were nice table size, clean, and well grown. Carrots were of extra good shape and quality. Cucumbers were of great size and long, all being Buckland prize strain. The judge evidently gave most points for size, as the

thinner specimens were passed over, and these we should say were better quality. Fruit was a very good display. The collections of peaches, pears, apples and plums were very fine, especially those ot Messrs. Collins and Sons, Cruickshank Bros, and Mr. Booker, all from Tuakau. Messrs. Reynold Bros, took the leading places for grapes. Tomatoes were of good quality and fine colour, especially the Ist prize dish of Palmers’ Selected shown by Messrs. J. Collins and Sons. Mr. E. Allan, Buckland, was first for a collection of tomatoes, showing Holmes Superior, Marvel of the Market, Palmers, etc. Very few water or rock melons were shown, but they were of real good quality and rather small. Some very good Howers were shown. The dinner table decoration by Mrs. Sharp, Ramarama, was well done, and deservedly placed first, the blooms used being pale rose asters of the Comet type. Sweet peas were wonderfully fresh for the season, but the judge must either not have read the schedule or failed to grasp the difference between “blooms” and “stems,” and also in “sweet peas, best arranged bunch,” where he awarded the prize to a bouquet which only had a few blooms and foliage of other plants. A schedule which specifies sweet peas, best arranged bunch, does not in our opinion admit of any other flower or foliage being used. Phlox Drummondii was well shown, Mr. Allan easily winning first place with five fresh blooms of decided bright colours, the white showing fine substance. Messrs. Collins and Sons were second. Cactus Dahlias were a grand show. Mr. G. B. Simpson, of Cambridge, setting up a splendid lot, clear, bright, of fine form and condition. Messrs. Collins also showed some fine blooms. Mr. Allan was first for zinnias showing large flowers on very long stems.

The collections of cut flowers in six and twelve varieties, contained some wonderfully good things, but they were so huddled together, it was almost impossible to tell which was any one exhibitor’s collection. It seemed a great pity when exhibitors take the trouble to collect their flowers, that there was no space to display them, and it appears a very doubtful proposition to us whether the steward was able to point out to the judge the different lots. Anyway, he made an award, and we can't admire his taste, he probably did the best he could under the circumstances. When four exhibitors, each with six

vases, are assigned a place only large enough for one entry, confusion is bound to arise, and the society suffers, because exhibitors won’t put up with such treatment, and quietly resolve not to show again. Mr. E. Allan, nurseryman. Auckland, exhibited a fine collection of ferns, begonias, heaths, pelargoniums, etc., and a splendid assortment of his Buckland strain of Phlox Drummondii. These were noteworthy for freshness, bright colours, and fine substance of the Howers.