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Miscellaneous. 



whichever exhibit had the highest number of points should get the prize. When the 

 prize is for individual genus or species, e.g., " for the best twelve Asters," or Violets, 

 or any other genus or species, the " best" must be the one that comes up to the 

 highest standard of culture and the most effective varieties. The mere fact of an 

 exhibit having new variety should not qualify it for a place above another which 

 had good average varieties, all well-grown. This aspect of judging has often come 

 before us. The experienced horticulturist looks at an exhibit from two points 

 of view, viz., cultivation and varieties. The inexperienced judge is attracted either 

 by one or two specimens in a group or perhaps by one or two new varieties. Form 

 and substance of flower, good foliage and general cleanliness should always receive 

 consideration. New and rare plants should always be classed separately, and 

 awards given to the rarest. In the case of roses, for example, form or substance 

 and colour should be taken into account, and points given for each. There ought 

 always to be a prize for the best six or more " new roses." The term " new," should 

 apply to varieties raised within five years of the exhibition at which such a com- 

 petition takes place. Again, there ought, we consider to be a prize for plants 

 exhibited for the first time. In fact, this question of judging at horticultural 

 shows deserves to be thoroughly thrashed out in this country. Our gardening 

 readers, professional and amateur, are invited to send us their views on the subject, 

 which we shall be glad to publish.— Indian Planting and Gardening. 



[We have found the average amateur in Ceylon ignorant of the best way 

 of judging, and would strongly impress upon him the value of "points" (quality 

 so many, variety so many, cultivation so many, and so on).— Ed.] 



The Nuwara EHya Agri-Horticultural Show. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS. 

 In classes four and five there were hardly any entries. The entries for best 

 three kinds of ferns were disqualified, all being the same kind, and the same remark 

 applies almost equally well to the class for six ferns. 



JOHN C. WILLIS, 



Director, R.B.G. 



Peradeniya, 26th April, 1906. 



GARDENS AND CUT FLOWERS. 



I have the honour to forward the following report on the Classes I 

 helped to judge in at the Nuwara Eliya Agri-Horticultural Show :— 



Class I. Gardens. — These were inspected on 11th. inst. in company with Mr. 

 Niell G. Campbell and the Kachcheri Mudaliyar. There was only one entry for the 

 best cropped and cultivated Market Garden in the Nuwara Eliya Board limits, Class 

 A;, by Mrs. W. O. Garth who was awarded the prize for a highly-cultivated and 

 systematically-arranged garden on a large scale. In Class B. there was only one 

 entry, and P. D. M. Silva was given the second prize, his garden not being sufficiently 

 good for the first prize. It is much to be'regretted that there were not more entries 

 when the number of vegetable growers is so large. Mrs. W. O. Garth only entered 

 for the best Nursery Flower Garden Class A., but her exhibit was sufficiently good to 

 warrant the prize being given. In Class B., P. D. M. Silva entered, but had a small 

 and poor display, and no prize was awarded. 



The prize for the best cropped Private Vegetable Garden went to Mrs. James 

 Hill for the first-class little garden in which all the vegetables were well grown. No 

 second prize was awarded. Club-root was noticeable in all the gardens visited, also 

 the cabbage fly which is very bad this year. Steps should be taken to eradicate the 



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