132 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



but of varying lengths. On all such plots there is no better or more orderly 

 method of cropping than in the form of rows running right across the 

 ground. Where a plot is of extra width it is usually divided by a 2-feet 

 path down the centre. Where fruit is planted, especially of bush kinds, 

 it is common practice to plant in rows across the plot at wide intervals, 

 enabling vegetables of diverse kinds to be intercropped. But where birds 

 prey on the fruit, bushes are best in rows close together to enable the 

 whole to be netted over. But fruit, unless the group of allotments be 

 well protected, is seldom planted on them largely. On the other hand, 

 comparatively open and easy of access as most groups of allotments are, 

 complaints of human depredators are rare. Strawberries may be grown 

 as well on an allotment as in a garden. Wherever allotments abut on to 

 cart roads or broad paths, a portion of the frontages some 6 feet in 

 depth should be appropriated to flowers. Occasionally where this rule is 

 carried out on large groups the effect in the summer is singularly pleas- 

 ing. In any case during the summer some pretty flowers should never 

 be lacking, while in many cases in relation to vegetables the cropping is 

 regulated by the possession of a home garden ; still for judging purposes 

 an allotment should be very representatively cropped. Probably one 

 third of the area will be devoted to Potatos, not necessarily all in one patch. 

 Then other crops are regulated by the area of ground at disposal and the 

 needs of the cultivator. Not only is the highest evidence of neatness and 

 order looked for, but also deep cultivation and effective manuring. Whilst 

 more points are as a rule looked for in a good cottage garden, yet very 

 often such superb work and cropping are seen on an allotment that even 

 good gardens are quite distanced in the number of marks awarded. Cold 

 indeed must be the man who looks upon a big group of plots some Satur- 

 day afternoon in the summer, alive with workers, without feeling deeply 

 touched. 



Garden or Allotment Judging is done in Surrey by the Education 

 Committee's horticultural instructor on a numerical basis. The value of 

 each crop or feature or cultural detail has its maximum number of marks, 

 and it is just in proportion to the approach shown to excellence as repre- 

 sented by the maximum numerals that marks are awarded. The system 

 is found to work most admirably. It is easy to grasp and it greatly 

 facilitates judging. It is not only effectual in enabling comparisons to be 

 instituted between gardens and allotments in all parts of the county, but 

 also with regard to the merits of any one garden or plot from year to 

 year. It is worth mention that gardens which have been of exceptional 

 excellence one year, having totalled upwards of 170 marks — a very high 

 position — have the following year still been good on exactly the same 

 method of pointing, given either the same number of marks again, or 

 perhaps one more or less, and yet without the least reference being made 

 to the figures of the previous year. Whether the pointing be done by one 

 judge only or by two— and that number should never be exceeded — the 

 pointing can be got over rapidly, especially when done by those who 

 have to point many hundreds of gardens and allotments each year. 



Maximum Marks. — Twenty is the maximum given to superior work, 

 order, good regular cropping, cleanliness, and evidence of high-class 

 culture. 



