Ma7iagement of Horticultural Exhibitions. 411 



call forth a reasonable number of competitors. It sometimes 

 happens that a large premuun is given for forced grapes, and 

 a very small one for grapes grown in the open air. What is 

 the consequence ? One or two persons at most, are competi- 

 tors with the former, while twenty or thirty compete with the 

 latter, and thus does the matter appear very one-sided. 



Our third consideration is, that the number or quantity re- 

 quired shall be such as is consistent with the means of all 

 ordinary establishments, being as large as can be produced. 

 Quantities may be, and are sometimes called for, which but 

 few growers can show, and by this, the majority of exhibi- 

 tors are eflfectually shut out from all competition. We know 

 that in all horticultural exhibitions, a great deal depends upon 

 quantity, and the largest number that can be conveniently 

 brought forward, should be ; we only insist that it shall not 

 be larger than the majority of cultivators can meet. When 

 the number of plants, &c., required by a society's regulations 

 is moderate, every body has a chance, and all are interested, 

 instead of a few whose wealth and commanding facilities 

 give them undue advantages. Large growers always have 

 advantage enough over small ones in the choice of their sub- 

 jects, without being placed by the conditions of an exhibition 

 so far above them, that nobody can touch the pinnacle. In 

 almost every case where plants are grown at all, a dozen can 

 be found, and this limit is perhaps as just as it can be; but 

 the number of premiums should be in accordance with the 

 number in competition, for it is not right to pass by really 

 good things without sorne mark of approbation. With many 

 kinds of plants, such as balsams, cockscombs, hydrangeas, 

 &c., and even cacti, half a dozen would be sufficient. 



With nurserymen, who as a class of growers compete 

 among themselves, the case is somewhat altered, and they 

 may be required to exhibit more largely and even profusely, 

 if quantity is to be regarded more than quality. A mere 

 mass of bloom, however, can never compensate for bad quali- 

 ty and still worse arrangement, for science cannot be thus 

 promoted, or its advancement fostered, by merely accumula- 

 tive cultivation. 



The fourth point to which we have called attention, name- 

 ly, the necessity of making all persons in a class exhibit the 



