410 Management of Horticultural Exhibitions. 



economy, and regard should be had to their means and soil, 

 and their local advantages, as well as to the quality of what 

 is produced. A very moderate quality might be regarded as 

 more creditable to some growers, than a better quality in 

 others, regard being always had to circumstances as operat- 

 ing favorably or otherwise upon the means at command by 

 the producer. No one should be discouraged by the condi- 

 tions of exhibitions issued by any society, nor should the 

 poor man feel that although he works harder and is as 

 good a gardener as his more favored neighbor, there is no 

 chance for him to get a premium. It is sometimes the case, 

 however, with individuals who have small gardens, that they 

 possess a few fine old fruit trees, which have always been to 

 them a source of profit, and to the fruit from these, prizes are 

 often given as we think unadvisedly, because there is no 

 merit in their production. In such cases, we should only be 

 inclined to award premiums for small fruits, such as goose- 

 berries, raspberries, strawberries, «fec., of the grower's own 

 planting and of superior quality, giving to all who deserved 

 it, and having no first, second, or third prizes. It is perfectly 

 conclusive to our mind, that giving premiums for common 

 things is altogether wrong, unless there be decided merit in 

 them as of superior cultivation, for it is only when they are 

 so that science is benefited. 



In our second rule we say, that the article exhibited be- 

 sides being attractive, should be in season, or capable of be- 

 ing forced out of season, by all who have the ordinary means 

 of forcing. It is always desirable to excite emulation among 

 as large a number of persons as possible, by the distribution 

 of premiums; therefore, these should not be given for those 

 things which very few can produce. It is by no means an 

 uncommon thing in some places to see prizes ofifered for such 

 articles as it is well known must be taken by one person, be- 

 cause none can compete with him. Again, some nurseryman 

 may take the lead, and the premiums be so arranged, that he 

 will surely carry off the larger part of them. We cannot 

 conceive of any thing more injurious to horticultural exhibi- 

 tions generally, than a number of respectable prizes given 

 di^^cy without competition, and this should by all means be 

 avoided. No premiums ought to be ofi"ered which do not 



