292 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IX EXGLAXD. 



number, was presented to the successful candidates on Show 

 Days. On the appointed days a dinner was held, and each 

 member had to buy a dinner-ticket for the Auricula, the 

 Carnation, and Pink shows. The flowers were judged by three 

 members selected from among those present, and the flowers 

 passed round the table while all were sitting at dinner, 

 " beginning on the President's right hand, and returning on 

 his left, in order that each person may distinctly view them." 

 Many such societies have been started since then to encourage 

 the florist varieties of different classes of flowers. Perhaps the 

 most conspicuous have been those in connection with the rose, 

 and more recently the chrysanthemum, which now boast of 

 National Societies. The National Chrysanthemum Society 

 originated in the one at Stoke Newington. That locality of 

 London, which has for centuries been the haunt of gardens, 

 from the times of L'Obel and Fairchild, and on to that of 

 Loddiges, has not forgotten its old traditions ; even in the 

 midst of fog and smoke the dwellers in the East of London try 

 to cultivate flowers. The chrysanthemum occupies much of 

 their attention, and that they can cultivate them with success 

 can be seen by the local Exhibitions.* The Horticultural 

 Society held their first fete in 1831, and soon after the regular 

 Exhibitions began. Since then their shows and those of the 

 Botanical Society and of local societies in every town and 

 county of England, have become events of yearly, or almost 

 weekly occurrence, and the stimulus to Floriculture promoted 

 by these institutions must be apparent to all. The Botanical 

 Society of London was incorporated in 1839. That part of the 

 grounds which were devoted to the illustration of the Natural 

 Orders, were arranged by Sowerby, then the Secretary, and his 

 father. Dr. F, J. Fane and Dr. Sigmund ; and everything was 

 done to facilitate the labours of students of Scientific Botany.f 



In the hasty review that has been taken of the progress of 

 Horticulture, the prominent position of the Royal Gardens at 



* The Shows of the Dalston and De Beauvoir Town Amateur Chrysan- 

 themum Society, held annually, arc an example of what care and attention 

 can achieve. 



f Memoirs of Dr. Frederic J. Fane. 1886. 



