INTRODUCTIOX. Xlll 



been a^^•i^rdecl the premier place. In this, however, they as a 

 rule can only find partial enlightenment, as the judges make 

 the awards from certain features in the exhibits which are, we 

 are willing to believe, perfectly clear and intelligible to them, 

 but of which people in general have only the faintest idea, and 

 no means have existed hitherto by which they could be guided 

 in their search for information on the subject. 



A simple and efficient method of estimating the value of 

 the merits of all classes of hoii;icultural products met with 

 in competitions, has long been a desideratum to all who are 

 interested in the success of flower-shows, by which an equit- 

 able value could be put upon the skill, and taste, displayed 

 in the culture of every exhibit, and the awards made in 

 accordance therewith, on lines clearly defined and intelligible 

 to all who choose to learn. In estimating the value of Cultural 

 Merit, which is the principal factor in determining awards to 

 horticultural products, it is really an impossibility to frame a 

 code of laws, or lay down rules which could be followed with 

 success in every case, because no two specimens or samples are 

 found to be exactly alike in every detail. Still by means of 

 the decimal system — a simple method, eminently well adapted 

 for the purpose — a close approach can be made to absokite 

 accuracy in valuing the merits of exhibits, and to practical 

 uniformity in adjudicating thereon. 



After summing up the value of the cultural merits dis- 

 played by the articles in competition — the result of the thought, 

 skill, and taste of the cultivator — it is not advisable, and is 

 seldom needful, to go farther to find data for determining an 

 award ; but in the event of a tie occurring in the cultural 

 value, resource must then be had to the Natural Merits or 

 intrinsic value of the exhibits to determine the award. It 

 is practically impossible to define the relative value under all 

 circumstances of natural merits, because they vary with the 

 tastes and customs of every country and parts of a country, 

 so that what may be highly prized in one place and period 

 may be counted of little use or value at another. Instead, 

 therefore, of attempting to lay down any fixed rules, which in 

 the nature of things could not be of general application, some 



