194 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JULY, Ig1tt- 
Committees which appeared at page 172. A writer in the Gardeners” 
Chronicle remarks that although it would be improper to assume that it is- 
a reprimand for past liberality, yet it must be regarded as a warning to be 
more stringent in the future. And he proceeds: ‘‘ But it may be asked, is 
it worth while granting medals at all to these honorary exhibits? The: 
majority of the exhibits at the fortnightly meetings are shown by traders, 
and it may be assumed that, while the securing of one or two medals may 
be gratifying at first, yet to receive them show after show must not merely 
become monotonous, but a nuisance. Business or advertisement is the 
reward the trader seeks, and in all such cases a card of thanks and 
appreciation is ample recognition. But private growers, who have no 
business anticipations, may look for some tangible acknowledgment in the 
shape of a medal or a certificate. High-class culture should certainly merit 
a medal or other acknowledgment. No doubt were the regular exhibitors. 
at the meetings consulted, they would agree readily to dispense with 
medals. The Council is right in stating that these awards have become 
too common.” 
One of the above suggestions appears to have already been carried out,. 
for the following appears in the Society’s last Book of Arrangements = 
** The Council, having ascertained that the great majority of the firms who 
exhibit at the Society’s Shows do not desire to possess so many duplicate 
medals, have decided that the first time a Trade firm wins a medal of any 
sort it will be engraved and forwarded, but no duplicate of that particular 
medal will be afterwards sent—except in the case of Gold Medals, which 
will always be sent if requested. If for any purpose Trade winners desire- 
to possess other duplicate Medals, they may be had by purchase at cost. 
price, the engraving being done at the Society’s expense.” 
Perhaps this notice will afford the Chairmen of Committees a way 
out of the difficulty, for up to the present time the award of these 
duplicate medals is being recorded almost meeting by meeting, and if they 
are not really given the record is rather a farce. The difficulty seems to be 
that these medals are used asa kind of label to distinguish the different 
degrees of merit of the groups exhibited, an idea which is quite borne out 
by the Council’s letter to which we have called attention. It should be: 
possible to devise some more satisfactory arrangement. 
An interesting question respecting Orchid hybridisation is raised in am 
article which appears on the following page, and as the writer asks for the 
opinion of the readers of the Orchid Review, we hope that they will give us 
the benefit of their experience in the matter. 
