56 BOOK OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



a schedule sometime beforehand, and make himself 

 thoroughly conversant with the rules and regulations 

 connected with it. This applies equally to an exhibi- 

 tor. Many a good exhibit has had to be passed over 

 through not conforming to the rules of the society. 

 Perhaps the infringement was very trivial, yet such has 

 lost many a one a good prize. Judges must do their 

 duty, no matter how their sympathies may lie. Many 

 gross blunders have occurred in the drawing up of 

 schedules, the wording often being entirely different to 

 the meaning intended to be conveyed, and has been the 

 means of causing angry discussions between competitors, 

 judges, and officials. 



The system of pointing each exhibit or part of such, 

 and then balancing the whole, is the most fair system 

 that could be devised. The Royal Horticultural Society 

 has drawn up a set of rules in book form for judging by 

 points almost any subject that comes within the sphere of 

 horticulture. It can be had from the Secretary of the 

 Society for a small sum, and is excellent in its way, and 

 is very helpful to any one taking up duties as a judge. 



At large shows judges generally go in pairs and take 

 so many classes. When a difference of opinion arises 

 between them on any subject, it is customary to call in 

 another from a neighbouring class to act as arbitrator. 



