THE WORSHIP OF FALSE GODS 247 



can have in tree shape in a moderate-sized pot ; and 

 where else can one see a tree loaded with lovely bloom 

 whose individual flowers have a diameter equal to five 

 times that of the trunk ? 



But the show decrees that all this is wrong, and 

 that the tiny, brittle branches must be trained stiffly 

 roimd till the shape of the plant shows as a sort of 

 cyhnder. Again I ask myself, What is this for ? What 

 does it teach ? Can it be really to teach with 

 deUberate intention that instead of displaying its 

 natural and graceful tree form it should aim at a more 

 desirable kind of beauty, such as that of the chimney- 

 pot or drain-pipe, and that this is so important that it 

 is right and laudable to devote to it much time and 

 delicate workmanship ? 



I cannot but think, as well as hope, that the strong 

 influences for good that are now being brought to bear 

 on all departments of gardening may reach this class of 

 show, for there are aheady more hopeful signs in the 

 admission of classes for groups arranged for decoration. 



The prize-show system no doubt creates its own 

 evils, because the judges, and those who frame the 

 schedules, have been in most cases men who have a 

 knowledge of flowers, but who are not people of culti- 

 vated taste, and in deciding what points are to consti- 

 tute the merits of a flower they have to take such 

 qualities as are within the clearest understanding of 

 people of average intelligence and average education — 

 such, for instance, as size that can be measured, 



