JUDGING CHRYSANTHEMUMS \ MEN AND METHODS. 



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But who selects the judges of Chrysanthemum shows ? Com- 

 mittees of Chrysanthemum societies. And of whom do these 

 committees consist ? Of the leading growers and the best business 

 officials. When it is proved that the aggregate capacity of these 

 growers and officials is inferior to that of some individual who 

 objects to their selections, he will be in a very strong position, 

 and not till then. He is only strong when they are weak, and 

 therefore, conversely, he must be weak when they are strong ; 

 and, to go a step further, can only be right when they are wrong, 

 for on them rests the responsibility of the appointments. 



And now, why are certain judges chosen to act at exhibitions 

 and in classes of national importance ? Men are selected because 

 of their past experience, not as cultivators only, but as judges — ■ 

 men whose awards in keen competition have been tested by ex- 

 perts, in cases of protest, and whose verdicts have never been 

 overturned. It is only natural that should be so, and it is well 

 known that the more experienced the judges the fewer the pro- 

 tests. It may, perhaps, be thought that these observations imply 

 that only old hands should be employed in the work, and young 

 and fresh men systematically excluded. That is very far from 

 being in accordance with my views. I think young men possess- 

 ing knowledge should, wherever it is possible, be appointed to act 

 with those of wider experience, and so become qualified to carry 

 on the work as well or better in the future than it has been done 

 in the past. 



But apart from technical knowledge, a judge, old or young, 

 must be absolutely without sympathy at a critical moment. 

 Whether he knows to whom the plants or blooms belong or not, 

 he must seal his soul against all feeling in favour of a particular 

 man. If there is one point against the products of his friend or 

 neighbour, he must give it against him as if he were an enemy. 

 Judges have nothing whatever to do with exhibitors, but only 

 with exhibits. This is one of the hardest lessons that local 

 judges at local shows have to learn. Besides, they are often placed 

 in delicate positions through their friendship, or the reverse, 

 with exhibitors whose produce they recognise, and in awarding 

 the prizes are liable to be charged with favouritism on the one 

 hand or vindictiveness on the other. Moreover, experience 

 proves how difficult it is for a person to see things as they arc 

 when he is, as the mesmerists say, " under influence." Men who 



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