THE AMATEUR GARDEN 



garden competition among our eleven hundred 

 competitors have an intricate task. Yet some 

 of its intricacies add to the pleasure of it. 



One of these pleasing complications arises 

 from our division of the field of contest into 

 seven parts, in each of which prizes must be 

 given to three contestants. Another comes from 

 our rule that not alone the competitors who 

 show the best gardening are to be rewarded, 

 but also those who have made the most earnest 

 effort and largest progress toward the best gar- 

 dening. Under this plan one whose work shows 

 a patient and signal progress in the face of 

 many disadvantages may outrank on our prize 

 list a rival whose superior artistic result has 

 been got easily under favoring conditions and 

 reveals no marked advance beyond the season 

 before. 



After the manner of Dunfermline again, our 

 rules are that no gardener by trade and no one 

 who hires help in his garden may compete. Any 

 friend may help his friend, and any one may use 

 all the advice he can get from amateur or pro- 

 fessional. Children may help in the care of 



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