Aogast 5, 1875. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



107 



THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY THE GEEAT SHOW 

 AT SOUTH KENSINGTON. 



IKST of all I think it a pity that a show so 

 grand was not seen by all the flower and 

 fruit-loving inhabitants of Britain. I think 

 also that had the weather been fine that the 

 attendance would not have been satisfactory. 

 The public have so often been summoned to 

 see great shows and have been disappointed, 

 that nothing less than an actual grand dis- 

 play could reassure them that the hands of 

 the British horticulturist had not lost their 

 cunning. This proof is provided, and the next great 

 show — weather being favourable — will command pubUo 

 patronage ; that the late Show could do so was not rea- 

 sonably to be expected. 



But why was the Show so truly great, and how are 

 similar displays to be provided in the future ? The 

 natural reply to the first part of the question is, Because 

 horticulturists have confidence in the present Council, 

 and because the leading nurserymen vied with each other 

 in friendly rivalry in bringing forward the richest and the 

 best of their treasures. All honour to them for that, but 

 in my opinion it only half answers the question — to com- 

 plete it we must remember that they had full freedom. 

 They were tied to neither numbers nor classes of plants. 

 The fullest latitude was afforded them to set off to the 

 best advantage their many plants, which were interesting, 

 not from size and symmetry aloae, but for rarity and 

 intrinsic beauty. 



Now, it is clear that if the Exhibition had been arranged 

 on the orthodox plan of classes, hundreds of plants exhi- 

 bited would not have been seen, and some which were 

 would not have been nearly so imposing as was the 

 case on the memorable 'ilst of July. No class could be 

 framed to have embraced, I may almost say, hundreds of 

 plants which the Messrs. Veitch exhibited. The noble 

 tree Ferns of Mr. Williams and stately Pahns of Mr. Bull 

 could not realise the same good effect if grouped in rigid 

 formality. The Ivies from Mr. Turner never looked so 

 well before as under the free arrangement and associa- 

 tion with other plants. Messrs. Wills, Lee, Rollisson, 

 Aldous, Henderson, Carter & Co.. Cutbush, &o., exhibited 

 to infinitely greater advantage in their own way than 

 they could have done in any way carved out for them 

 by others ; and the firms, the Society, and the public 

 were alike the gainers. Can it be wise to ignore or to 

 forget this ? 



But are classes to be aboUshed ? By no means, but 

 they should be supplemented. Many are the plants 

 which will not fit in a class of a restricted number. The 

 mere size of plant required is fatal to their appearance, 

 yet it is beyond question that medium-sized and even 

 small plants are not only beautiful, but to a majority of 

 visitors are as interesting as the large specimens. For 

 these specimens there must be classes, but after these 

 are fiUed sufficient plants are left for the arrangement of 

 groups which would form a splendid feature in any ex- 

 No. 719.— Vol. SXIX., New Series. 



hibition, and, besides, would convey instructive hints as 

 to the best mode of arrangement. 



The occupation of space in the most effective manner 

 has been well demonstrated at many local shows. For 

 instance, had the collections been removed from the tent at 

 Eichmond the Show would have been shorn of its glory ; 

 and suppose the plants on the 21st had been selected and 

 broken up into groups of sixes, twelves, and twenties, 

 where would the Exhibition have been ? It would have 

 been good, no doubt, but not half as good as was the 

 display wliich was founded on fi-eedom of taste. 



Is it not reasonable that the instruction on this point 

 which the late Show has afforded should be utilised ? 

 Would it not be wise to apportion a given amount of 

 space, and leave the exhibitors to occupy it as they choose 

 with large plants or small, few plants or many? If it 

 would be wise to do so, would it not be wise also to do it 

 weU — that is, to offer large prizes, and so place the space 

 classes at the least on a level with the specimen classes ? 

 Surely 100 square yards of space ornamentally occupied 

 by rare and valuable plants is as worthy of reward as are 

 twelve specimen plants, good as they may be. Would 

 not the adoption of a system of making space and liberty 

 the main governing principles instead of mere number of 

 plants, do something to break-up or, at any rate, modify 

 the stereotyped sameness of our fashionable exhibitions ? 

 Would it not be possible also to apportion the space so that 

 not only the owners of large plants and large structures 

 could contribute creditable collections, but which would 

 open the door to those of smaller means who have now 

 Uttle or no chance of letting the public see how good, if 

 small, their plants are ; and if that could be done, would 

 it not be worth the doing ? 



This great Show has proved that at least half a dozen 

 exhibitors can each occupy 100 square yards of space 

 (Messrs. Veitch and Mr. WiUiams probably occupied 

 together nearly 400 yards) ; is that not a sufficient basis 

 on which to found serious inquiry ? An equal number 

 could occupy half that amount of superficial area, and a 

 further class of exhibitors could worthily fill 20 square 

 yards. Here is the basis of a show as great as the last 

 one proved itself to be. Add to this a judicious selection 

 of classes for specimen plants, and are not the means 

 provided for a larger show than has yet been seen ?— a 

 show great and diversified, comprehensive and inviting 

 the greatest number of cultivators, and producing a dis- 

 play suited for various tastes and eminently instructive 

 in the different phases of arrangement which it would 

 call forth. 



In any such arrangement it seems to be necessary to 

 bear in mind the advisability of substantial prizes or 

 awards of honours, and an understanding that the same 

 exhibitor could not secure prizes in the different space 

 sections. But on this point there is too much honour in 

 the trade to prevent the fat kine from essaying the 

 swallowing of the lean. Some plan is requu-ed whereby 

 all can have a chance to compete honom-ably to them- 

 selves, and the united efforts of the greatest numbers of 

 exhibitors might culminate in displays which for extent 



No, 1401.— Vol. LIV., Old Series. 



