The thirty-first flower show of the Horticultural Society of Shanghai was held yesterday in the Town Hall, and in number of exhibits it created a' record, the large club-room being utilised to make room for the vegetable section of the show for the first time. The quality of every: thing exhibited was, as usual, of a hig! standard, perhaps here and there a little below the averayo owing to the backwardness of the season. But careful selection had placed before the public the best specimens of horticulture in Shanghai, and proof was again given that it would be difficult to excel in any part of the world local knowledge of the art of gardening.
The most attractive exhibits were the flowering shrubs which, when in the open we pay little attention to, but which compel a closer inspection in th: light and confined space of " bull From the Public Gardens ea ficent collection of these particular forms of tree life, and private members of the Society, who spare no expense to make their gardens and greenhouses productly of the best, sent a large number of exhibits. Of foxgloves, lobelias, nasturtims, calceolaria, petunias, campanulas, heliotrope, fuchsias, geraniums, and other beautiful plants there was an abundance, and the various colours made a striking and effective picture. The exhibits were, as previewly, arranged on stands round the hall, with the Public Garden section in the centre. Some fine vegetables were shown, but they did not appear to be so good as those on view last. year. longest' numbers of exhibits "were played by Mrs. E. Jenner Hogg and Mrs. McBain, who scoured a great many first and second prizes.
The table decorations by beautiful as over, and M and Miss Bell awarded first prize, Mrs. Wrightson the second, and Mrs. W. Little the third. Each scheme of decoration artistic description, but the judges could not have had much difficulty in awarding the first prize. Mrs. A. C. Hunter one more deuionstrated her skill in small table decoration and bridal bouquet work. Several very excellent exhibits were honourably mentioned, and the general impression seemed to be that this section of the flower show had never shown before xo happy a combination of taste and skill.
Mr. A. Arthur, the Municipal Superintendent of Parks and Gardens, displayed all his accustomed care in making the arrangements for the exhibition, the success of which must largely be attributed to him and to Messrs. J. L. Scott (President), and G. R. Wingrove (Hon. Treasurer). Miss M. A. Proctor, the Honorary Secretary, did her work, of an arduous character, in a manner which capped the successful efforts of those who worked with her by valuable advice and assistance.
It is a matter of regret to the Committee to have to state that although classes had been arranged in order that the children might compete, not one entry was received. "The Committee, however, do not feel discouraged, and they hope that next year they will have better suc-coss in indueing the roung people to take part in the competition for prizes.
An innovation which was greatly ted by the large company prow he evening concert of which on held over.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.