THE FLORIST. 



exhibitors for lack of remunerative prizes, what are we to expect from 

 that quarter when the usual medals are withheld ? Flower shows 

 without prizes! In the name of wonder what next? 



I cannot quit my ungracious su!>ject without inviting particular 

 attention to some facts connected with the financial department of the 

 Society. Any one who possesses the least experience in tlie getting up 

 of flower shows will at once perceive that the expenses of tlie exhibitions 

 have been, to use a mild term, enormous ; and that large sums have 

 been lavished in this manner which ought, in common justice, to have 

 been available for increasing the value of the medals awarded to the 

 toiling exhibitors. 



COMPARISON OF THE COST OF EXBIBITIONS 



IN THE TEARS 1852, 1863, AND 1854. 



The foregoing table shows that while the average of the awards made 

 to exhibitors for the nine exhibitions held during the three years above 

 named was 352/. 4.s. 5(/., the expenses paid during the same period for 

 " getting up the shows " were no less than 323/. 8s. bd. for each 

 exhibition ! — a sum out of all conscience disproportionate, and, to my 

 mind, wofully extravagant. Take the simple item of advertisements, 

 involving an outlay of 310/ 8s. 6r/. for the three years, or an average of 

 34/. 9s. 10c/. per show. Printing alone has cost more than 28/. for 



