PETERSFIELD.—The first exhibition of the Horticultural Society, which has been set on foot only about three months, took place on Tuesday last, in the National School-rooms, when the display of vegetables, flowers and fruit, more than realized the expectations of the most sanguine promoters of the scheme. The doors opened at one o’clock, and on entering, the tout ensemble was very striking; the roof of the building was tastefully festooned with evergreens and flowers, the work of local artistes; and down the entire length of the boys’ spacious school-room were arranged, in excellent order, plants, cut flowers, and fruit. Among the latter were especially noticed some remarkably fine varieties of the Hamburgh and other grapes, also peaches, plums, melons, pines, &c. This choice collection was the contribution of J. Martineau, Esq. of Basing Park, and excited universal admiration. Of greenhouse plants, Lady Dorothy Nevill, of Dangstein, kindly supplied a most superb array, comprising some choice and rare specimens of the fern tribe, and also a case, measuring some ten feet in length, containing a beautiful and perfectly unique collection of orchideous plants, 27 in number, embracing the following varieties: Anechtochilus, setacus, A.S. pictus, A. intermedius, A. pubescens, A. lobianus, A. lowii, A. mormoratta, A. argentus, A. A. pictus, A. striata, A. cordiatus, A. discolor, A. margaratacea. This collection was decidedly the gem of the floral department, and attracted great attention. There were some beautiful cut flowers, and also some very superior vegetables, contributed by Mr. Cunningham, gardener to the Hon. J. J. Carlene, and some choice specimens of coniferæ, by H. Atkinson, Esq. a collection of vegetables from Mr. Hathaway, of the Petersfield Union House, also attracted great attention, (none of the foregoing were entered for competition). Among the articles exhibited for prizes were some of great merit from the conservatories of K. Darwin, Esq. of Nursted House, H. Whicher, C. J. Mellersh, and C. J. Richards, Esqrs., Rev. J. M. Sumner, &c. and also by Mr. J. Bailey and Mr. Jouning, of Petersfield.
The cottagers’ show of vegetables was arranged down the centre of the girls’ school-room, and was highly creditable both as to the number of competitors and the quality of the articles exhibited; there were also several very superior samples of fruit.
The judges were Mr. Duncan, gardener to J. Martineau, Esq. and Mr. Vair, gardener to Lady Dorothy Nevill. The following is the list of awards :—
Cottagers’ Prizes.
—Broad beans—J. Prior, Harting, 5s.
—Scarlet Runners—John Prior, ditto, 5s; Thomas Logan, ditto, 3s.
—Cabbage—Thomas Logan, ditto, 6s; E. Payne, Sheet, 4s; G. Languish, ditto, 3s;— Ayling, Durley Marsh, 3s.
—Carrots—E. Etherington, Sheet, 6s; James Cole, ditto, 4s; John Prior, Harting, 3s; Eli Underwood, Eastmeon, 3s.
—Onions—G. Purday, Eastmeon, 7s 6d; H. Harris, Petersfield, 5s; H. Luxford, Buriton, 3s.
—Turnips—E. Budd, Sheet, 5s; H. Osgood, Petersfield, 2s 6d.
—Vegetable marrow or pumpkin—M. Lloyd, Petersfield, 4s; G. Holloway, Catherington.
—Collection of vegetables—John Prior, Haring, 10s.
—Celery—G. Smart, Catherington, 4s.
—Parsnips—J. Chitty, Harting, 7s 6d; G. Hurray, Eastmeon, 4s; Richard Brewer, Petersfield, 2s 6d.
—Potatoes, Kidneys—G. Smart, Catherington, 7s 6d; C. Barrow, Buriton, 4s; H. Osgood, Petersfield, 3s.
—Potatoes, round—J. Smith, Weston, 7s 6d; H. Harris, Petersfield, 4s; N. Kill, Eastmeon, 3s; J. Fisher, Weston, 3s.
—Lettuce—Thos. Logan, Harting, 3s.
—Honey—E. Etherington, Sheet, 7s 6d.
Children’s
—Collection of cut flowers.—E. Caplen, Weston, 2s 6d; C. Gale, Petersfield, 1s 6d; E. Walder, ditto, 1s.
—Dish of mushrooms—James Bridger, 1s 6d.
Gardeners’ and Gentlemen’s Gardeners’ Prizes
—Collection of greenhouse plants—Bridle, gardener to F. Darwin, Esq. 10s; Pook, gardener to C. J. Mellersh, Esq. 5s.
—Collection of cut flowers—Bridle, gardener to F. Darwin, Esq. 10s; J. Blackman, gardener to J. Whicher, Esq. 5s; M. Pook, gardener to C. J. Mellersh, Esq.
—Collection of fruit—Bridle, gardener to F. Darwin, Esq. 10s; Drover, gardener to Sir C. Napier, 5s.
—Collection of vegetables—Drover, gardener to Sir C. Napier, 10s; Bridle, Gardner to F. Darwin, Esq. 5s; Richmond, gardener to Rev. J.M. Sumner.
The prizes were distributed on the lawn adjoining the school by the Rev. J. M. Sumner, President of the Society, Mr. Darwin presenting each successful competitor with a copy of a work on popular gardening. The attendance of visitors was very large, in fact everybody seemed to be there. There was a small charge to non-subscribers for admission up to three o’clock, the proceeds of which shewed that about 200 had paid, and as subscribers and their families were admitted free, and the doors were thrown open to the public after three o’clock, we have no doubt there were altogether from 1200 to 1500 persons present. The scene was of a most inspiriting character, and the effect was greatly heightened by the enlivening strains of the Haslemere band, which was stationed on an eminence in the lawn, and played a number of popular pieces, fully sustaining the high character it has long borne in the neighbourhood.
We cannot close this report without a word of congratulation to the agricultural labourers and journeymen tradesmen of the district on the formation of this Society, since it is mainly for their benefit that it has been instituted, and seeing what they have achieved this year at so short a notice, we doubt not that next year they will come out with a display which will do them still greater credit. Of future success there can be no doubt, looking to the manner in which the indefatigable exertions of the honorary secretary and treasurer (F. Darwin Esq. and the Rev. W. Sealy) were supported by the committee, and the united efforts of all classes of society in the neighbourhood.