xvi ELECTING JUDGES. 



to the office. Of course, difficulties may crop up in carrying 

 out this method ; but where it has been tried, it has generally 

 resulted in the appointment of judges satisfactory to the main 

 body of competitors. 



The best- qualified judges of the merits of any particular 

 class of exhibits are, as a rule, to be found among those who 

 have devoted themselves to the study aud cultivation of that 

 class, and have been successful in bringing it to the highest 

 state of perfection. It is scarcely possible for any individual 

 in an ordinary lifetime to acquire a thorough knowledge of all 

 the merits, peculiarities, and details of every subject brought 

 under review in horticultural exhibitions ; therefore, in judging 

 the various classes at a ilowershow, a division of labour is 

 absolutely necessary. Some men devote themselves mainly to 

 florists' flowers, sparing neither time nor means to secure 

 varieties with the finest form, colour, and substance, and to 

 cultivate them to the highest possible state of perfection. To 

 this class of horticulturists, therefore, we naturally look for 

 the best judges of the merits of the florists' flowers. 



Other men are specialists in the cultivation of certain classes 

 of plants, having by a long course of experience and the exer- 

 cise of trained skill acquired a thorough knowledge of the 

 varied wants and peculiarities of the subjects under their 

 charge, which is needful to ensure success in their treatment, 

 and the production of perfect specimens at the proper time. 

 It is obvious that men so trained should be the best qualified 

 for adjudicating on the various classes of plants. 



Then, again, other men find themselves perfectly at home 

 among fruits and vegetables ; and from long and careful prac- 

 tice in their successful culture and close study of their various 

 wants, they are thoroughly acquainted with every merit and 

 peculiarity that fruits or vegetables possess. They have thus 

 come to be recognised authorities in these branches of horti- 

 culture, and should be the best qualified to adjudicate on their 

 merits. 



From the great difficulties in the way of most men acquiring 

 a perfect knowledge of every department of horticulture, so as 

 to enable them to adjudicate with confidence and to the general 



