CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 413, 8 October 1875, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The first exhibition of spring flowers ever held in Christchurch took place yesterday in the Congregational schoolroom, in connection with the Christchurch Horticultural Society. Although the effort of the society to induce competition in this direction did not meet with that marked response which it deserved (spring flowers not being the main feature of the show), yet sufficient was done to prove that the material for a first-class floral spring display exists, if public attention could only be directed to its development. In noticing the specimens which were entered for competition those most deserving of attention were a very fine collection of auriculas, grown by Mr Joseph Severn, and these were quite a feature in the exhibition. Mr Dutton took a first prize for a collection of hardy primulas, which formed an interesting group in the floral display ; the same exhibitor also carried off the first prize for cyclamens. Although the season for camellias is nearly past, and the beauty of the flowers generally diminished, yet those shown by Mr R. Chudley retained sufficient freshness to materially contribute to the appearance of the show. There was no competition for the collection of twelve plants, six being in flower, yet that shown by Mr Napier, gardener to Mr J. R. Lysaght, contained some fine things, notably the tree peony, which was the finest specimen that has flowered in Canterbury. In the amateur class, the pot plants, although interesting in their character, call for no particular remark. Amongst the cut blooms no doubt the feature was a collection shown by Mr Napier in the open class, and those by Mr Garrick in the amateur class. The specimens for exhibition only far exceeded in number those sent for competition, and materially contributed to the character of the show. Towards this display the president of the Society, Mr W. Wilson, contributed ci flections of primroses, tulips, hyacinths, auriculas, and a large number of variegated geraniums in pots. Mr G. Gould gent a small collection of stove and greenhouse plants, and Mr J. Greenaway showed a collection of stove and greenhouse plants, numbering fifty. Mr E. C. J. Stevens exhibited two plants which were novel and interesting, being Gentiana acaulis and Primula cortusoides amcena, The garden and greenhouse of Mr J. R. Lysaght furnished a fine collection of miscellaneous plants. Mr Severn, in addition to the auriculas sent for competition, had a collection of eight varieties, and also a beautiful specimen of Tropceolum tricolor. Mr Garrick shewed some well grown pansies and a table bouquet. Mr J. Dut'on, of St Albans, exhibited eighteen varieties of border primroses; from these by crossing and intercrossing from 1870 to 1875 he had succeeded in producing seventy-three varieties. Mr Dutton had also a collection of a new strain of cowslips raised in 1874 and 1875 ; together with four varieties of hose-in-hose polyanthus, and four varieties of hybrid primulas, fertilised with Primula Sinensi in 1873. The judges were Messrs Allen and Napier, except in the collection of cut blooms, and the collection of 12 plants with at least 6 in flower, when Mr Armstrong acted for Mr Napier, who was a competitor in those classes. The following is the prize list:— POT PLANTS —OPEN CLASS. Four Cinerarias, varieties—lst, Mr H. Spicer. Cineraria—No competition. Six Cyclamens—lst, Mr J. Dutton. Four Auriculas, varieties —Ist, Mr Joseph Severn. Six Hyacinths—No competition. Four Tulips, not less than three bulbs in a pot—No competition. Three Camellias—lst, Mr R. Chudley, One Camellia—lst, Mr R. Chudley, Four Primula Sinensis —Ist, Mr J. Dutton. Collection of hardy Primulas —Ist, Mr J. Dutton; 2nd, Mr R. Chudley. Collection of Twelve Plants, at least six in flower — Ist, Mr W. Napier, gardener to Mr J. R. Lysaght. POT PLANTS—AMATEURS. Two Cinerarias—No exhibit. One Cineraria —Ist, Mr H. Crooks. Three Cyclamens—lst, Mr H. Crooks. Two Auriculas —No exhibits. Three Hyacinths—No competition. Two Tulips, not less than three bulbs in a pot—No exhibits. One Camellia —No exhibits. Two Primula Sinensis—No competition. Collection of hardy Primulas—2nd, Mr H. Crooks. Collection of Six Plants at least three in flower—No competition. CUT BLOOMS —OPEN CLASS. Collection of Bulbous Plants—No competition. , , , Collection of Cut Blooms from plants not bulbous—lst, Mr Napier. CUT BLOOMS —AMATEURS. Collection of Bulbous Plants—No exhibits. Collection t of Blooms from Plants not bulbous —Ist, *Mr Garrick; 2nd, Mr H. Crooks. FOR EXHIBITION ONLY, - Certificates of merit were awarded by the judges to the following exhibitors Mr W. Wilson, for a large collection of fine foliaged geraniums and cut blooms of 'bulbous plants; Mr J. Severn, for a fine -anecimen of Tropceolum tricolor, and a col -lection of auriculas; Mr E. C. J. Stevens, ’for Gentiana acaulis and Primula cortusoides amcena; Mr H. Spicer, for two and a half brace of cucumbers ; Mr R, Chudley, for -three flue heads of Veitch’s early brocoli ; Mr J. Dutton, for a collection of hardy primulas 5 Mr J. Greenaway, for a large collection of miscellaneous plants; Mr G. Gould, for a collection of stove ana greenhouse plants.

Four stems of hyacinths were exhibited by Vr B. C. J. Stevens, which were ex ccedingly fine, and much admired. A meeting of the committee was held during the show yesterday afternoon. Present — Messrs Crooks (in the chair), J, Allen, Allen, jun , Mitchell, Greenaway, Chudleigh. Napier, E. C, J. Stevens, and Kenningtou. The secretary was instructed to have the tickets for the Rose Show printed The meeting then adjourned till Tuesday next, at 7.80 p m.