The GLIO Site

PETERSFIELD.

ANNUAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION

     Thursday was the day appointed for holding the fifth anniversary of the horticultural and flower show for the cottagers, in the grounds of Liss Place, by G. E. Coryton, Esq., under whose spirited and persevering endeavours this laudable undertaking was originated and continued; but, from the heavy rain and unfavourable prospects of the early morning rendered the success of the affair doubtful, and it was consequently postponed for the following day. On Friday, the appearance of the weather was cheering, and at the hour of one o'clock the exhibition commenced, when crowds of cottagers and visitors, began to assemble upon the spot selected being upon the high ground of a meadow overlooking the large fish ponds below, and surrounded by the beautiful and bold scenery of hill and dale, enriched by well wooded foliage—gave together charms for rural pleasure, which was added to by the musical strains of the Buriton band throughout the afternoon.
     The vegetables, &c., were exhibited in a spacious tent, down its entire length upon three tiers of tables. At the further end corresponding with the apex of the roof, were union jacks arranged and below upon a white ground in red letters, the words,

"Small herbs have grace.
Great weeds do grow space."

and below, in its full width, in large letters the words,

"Speed the Spade."

comprised of laurel leaves, relieved by wheat ears, tastily affixed through their centres, and the whole nicely festooned in evergreens, interspersed with flowers, had a pretty effect. The vegetables were good—far better than might have been expected from the drought of the summer; some were very fine. The centre table comprised a delicious show of fruit, consisting of pines, melons, peaches, plums, grapes, &c., and flowers, contributed by some of the surrounding gentry and gardeners, which was interposed by some happily conceived, and practically carried out designs of lady contributors. Upon  entering the tent, on the right, beneath some prettily arranged emblematical devices, the eye was arrested by the model of a croquet ground, fernery, and triumphal arch, artistically executed by Miss Sandeman, the lady representatives at play, and a fish pond in glass, containing minnows, which, showing the ground beneath, was effective, and much admired. Below was a well executed cricket ground, with players and umpires in position, marquees, and all the necessary accompaniments of the game. Frederick Coryton, also a geometrical design, in miniature, of a flower garden, neatly worked out in a box and gravel walks, the beds being in various coloured flowers. Among some pretty devices, the last, though not least in estimation, was a beautifully arranged basket of flowers, principally roses, by Miss Hawker, which commanded admiration.
Druing th afternoon a variety of athletic sports, from two to six p.m., took place, Mr. J. Wells acting as judge, and Mr. S. Woodbourne as marker, which throughout afforded a fund of amusing enjoyment to the many hundreds of lookers-on, particularly the racing and jumping, but that which excited the greatest interest was the tub race, marked out over a large and deep piece of water. The competitors, in appropriate costume, were Messrs. William and Frederick Coryton, H. Mells, W. Martin, and S. Woodbourne, each having the privilege of choosing his own propellors. The two former in oblongs (query washing trays or tubs) measuring about foour feet by two feet four inches, using tin hand dishes, and the three latter in tubs (of sufficient size to set tailor-fashion), viz., Messrs Mells and Martin, using a paddle affixed at each end of a handle, and S. Woodbourne a paddle in each hand of flat board. The crazy looking vessels lying in readiness (for the first heat) at equal distances along the head of the pond, excited a strong interest among the crowds around.
Upon the signal for starting being given, "Off she goes" was the motto of each, as he disturbed the even surface, and the awkward donkey-like move of the paddle tubs, showing a disposition to reverse their motion, in opposition to each stroke of the paddle, vigorously buried in the watery element, created great amusement to the bystanders, and dismay to the "Jacks" beneath, who probably were driven for shelter among the bullrushes at hand. Good progress, however, was made, but it was evident, before the turning point was reached, that Mr. W. Coryton was going ahead, who first turned, followed by Mr. Mells, with Mr. Martin, Mr. Woodbourne, and Mr. F. Coryton, in the rear, and in this order came to land, deciding the first race in favour of Mr. W. Coryton.
The second race was a counterpart of the first—all going on well till their arrival of about 30 yards from home, when Mr. Mell's craft shipped water and capsized, and he went below, but quickly came to the surface. Messrs. W. Coryton and Martin were at the same time immersed, when all three struck manfully out and reached terra firma amid the laughable cheers of the lookers-on. As the shades of evening were setting in, a square was formed with seats, within which Mr. Coryton and the Rev. Mr. Freeth took their station, and distributed the prizes as follows:—

     VEGETABLES.—Five pounds of kidney potatoes, 5s., to Harry Aylward; 2nd, 4s., George Aylward; 3rd, 3s., Robert Purchase. Five pounds of round potatoes, 5s., George Bone; 2nd, 4s. Mr. george Albery; 3rd, 3s. Robert Meil ?? extra 2s. Robert Purchase. Potatoe assortment, 4s. John Turner. Ten carrots, George Bone; 2nd, 2s.  John Knight; 3rd, 1s. Robert Purchase. Six turnipd no competition. Three cabbages, 3s. John Jackson; 2nd, 2s., Mrs Aylward; 3ed., 1s. 6d., William Money. 12 spring sown onions, 3s., Mrs West; 2nd, 2s., Henry Wells; Ditto (potatoe), 3s., Henry Wells. Challots, extra, 1s., Hori Etherington. 2lbs French beans, scarlet runners, 3s., Mrs. Thomas Bridger; 2nd 2s., Mr. George Albery; 3rd, 1s., Mr. W. Aylward. 2lbs broad beans (in pod), no competition. One quart of peas (in pod) no competition. Cucumber, 1st prize, 3s., Thomas Turner; 2nd, 2s., Robert Purchase; 3rd, 1s., Henry Aylward. Vegetable marrow, 2s., Charles Brigden; 2nd, 1s., John Knight; Extra, 1s., James Cooper. 12 parsnips, 3s., Henry Aylward; 2nd. 2s., Mrs. george Albery; 3rd, 1s., Mrs. Thomas Bridger. Four lettuce, 2nd. 2s., Mrs. George Albery; 3rd, 1s., Mrs. Thomas Bridger. Four lettuce, 2nd, 1s., Mrs. Thomas Bridger. Bundle of herbs (greatest variety), 2s., Henry Aylward; 2nd, 1s., Thomas Turner.

…

     ATHLETIC SPORTS AND PRIZES TO WINNERS.
     Throwing the ball, Henry Parsons, a purse. Wide jump (three jumps each), Henry Bathe, album. Basket race, H. Hounsome, knife. High jump, J. Underdown, pipe. Flat race, F. Coryton. Flat race, under 18, W. Jackson, knife. Hurdle race (heats), H. Bathe, purse. Trial for the horse race, rider W. Martin, runner H. Bathe, won by the former. Tub race, competitors W. Coryton, H. Mells, W. Martin, S. Woodbourne, and F. Coryton; won by W. Coryton, and presented to H. Mells; prize, a handsome cup. The last was a donkey race, evidently between untrained animals and jockeys, viz.:—

     At the end of the distribution of prizes Mr. Coryton delivered some well digested and appropriate observations upon the business of the day, and took the opportunity od saying that for the future no sort of weather would induce him again to postpone the exhibition from any day hereafter appointed. Mr. Maberly, of Hawkley Hurst, and the Rev. Mr. Freeth having briefly addressed the assemble, some lusty cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Coryton and the ladies upon the ground, and a separation took place, after a happily spent day, for their respective homes.