CHAPTER XX 



THE WOESHIP OF FALSE GODS 



Several times during these notes I have spoken in 

 a disparaging manner of the show-table ; and I have 

 not done so lightly, but with all the care and thought 

 and power of observation that my limited capacity is 

 worth ; and, broadly, I have come to this : that shows, 

 such as those- at the fortnightly meetings of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society, and their more important one in 

 the early summer, whose object is to bring together 

 beautiful flowers of all kinds, to a place where they 

 may be seen, are of the utmost value ; and that any 

 shows anywhere for a like purpose, and especially 

 where there are no money prizes, are also sure to be 

 helpful. And the test question I put to myself at any 

 show is this. Does this really help the best interests 

 of horticulture ? And as far as I can see that it does 

 this, I think the show right and helpful ; and whenever 

 it.' does not, I think it harmful and misleading. 



The love of gardening has so greatly grown and 

 spread within the last few years, that the need of really 

 good and beautiful garden flowers is already far in 

 advance of the demand for the so-called "florists" 



241 Q 



