138 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



opening a wide door of entrance, let the membership be strictly local, so 

 that those who associate and compete shall have a common interest in the 

 place which the society represents. Cosmopolitan notions are all very well 

 in their proper place, but in hasty attempts to embrace all mankind we 

 may happen to forget the people who live next door. The societies to 

 which these remarks especially apply will, we trust, feel assured that they 

 are offered in a kindly spirit, from the fact that we abstain from mention- 

 ing names, and those to whom they do not apply will perhaps be glad to 

 find that we are strongly in favour of strict localization, as essential to suc- 

 cess and the mutual enjoyment of association. 



In the management of exhibitions we have already expressed strong 

 objections to the giving of money prizes to any except those who pursue 

 gardening as a means of subsistence. The schedule of the National Rose 

 Show of the present year strikingly exemplifies our meaning, though it 

 does not belong to the class of societies to which we are now referring. 

 "We remember when the Rev. S. R. Hole handed over the gold and silver 

 cups at the first exhibition at St. James's Hall, the thought passed through 

 our minds, "What do nurserymen care for such things?" Growing 

 and showing are plain matters of business to such men as Turner, Paul, 

 Francis, Cranston, Cant, Wood, and others. How unsatisfactory to give 

 them cups, but how appropriate to see the amateurs (Mr. Hole among the 

 number) receive such tokens of the approbation of the judges and the 

 excellence of the flowers they produced. In the present year's schedule 

 the nurserymen's class consists of money prizes only, and the amateurs' 

 class of cups only, which is a right and proper distinction between the 

 pursuit of trade and the pursuit of pleasure. In a local gathering a ten- 

 guinea cup will always be a formidable subject of competition ; but garden 

 implements, new and rare plants, books on horticulture, sideboard orna- 

 ments, botanical collections, — such things as these would be more sought 

 after than money, would be more useful, and would remain in the 

 possession of the successful candidates as trophies of conquest, and 

 mementoes of happy times. A good lawn-mower, a garden-seat, or 

 an engine for a first prize; some of the works of Hooker, Lindley, 

 or Paxton, for second and third prizes; a few orchids, or rare 

 conifers, or new florists' flowers, or even a garden syringe, for fourth 

 prizes, and for extra prizes a set of observatory bee-hives, or a col- 

 lection of the best examples that can be had of flower models in wax. 

 Such things would increase the attractions of the show itself, vastly more 

 than mere money, and medals, and cups, and we doubt not the gardeners 

 would, in most cases, vote for them in preference. Let the subject be 

 broached in committee, and see which way the wind blows. As for the 

 large class of amateurs, ranging from people of fortune to industrious 

 mechanics, through the whole rank and file of English gentlemen, there is 

 always something in the way of a horticultural implement or ornament 

 they would like to compete for ; makers of such things, as well as im- 

 porters of new plants, and raisers of new varieties, would also become 

 exhibitors, and do much towards the furnishing of marquees and lawns, 

 on the speculation of getting cash for their goods, as well as the advertise- 

 ment of their names in the locality. Judges have responsible tasks, and 

 it is of the utmost importance that committees should exercise great care 

 in appointing them. Judge and exhibitor are sometimes rolled into one ; 

 but wherever that happens, the society can only continue by being an 



