HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS AND SCHEDULES. 503 



however disastrous the weather may prove. Sooner or later the 

 time will come when a portion of the fund may have to be applied 

 to its legitimate purpose. This will demonstrate the value of 

 such a fund, while the work of the society will go steadily on. 

 Financial difficulties are the precursors of conflicting opinions 

 and divided counsels, and these in turn of collapse. 



Some years ago great exhibitions were provided in a northern 

 city. With three consecutive shows came torrents of rain, 

 and after the first year or two the funds were exhausted. 

 There was no reserve. Strenuous exertions were made to 

 continue the exhibitions, such as by part payment of prize 

 money. Future obligations were incurred, the fulfilment of 

 which wholly depended on the weather on a particular day 

 specially chosen for a hoped-for retrievement — a fatal day it 

 proved, for show and society were washed away. Last year 

 endeavour was made to recommence horticultural exhibitions in 

 the same populous centre, but, profiting by the experience of the 

 past, active preparations were held in abeyance until a fund was 

 established equal to the discharge of all obligations, without 

 taking into account the payment of visitors to the show — a wise 

 course undoubtedly. 



If the active movers in the establishment of horticultural 

 shows were to take more time in preparation for a first event, in 

 order that a substantial sum might be realised, much future 

 anxiety and trouble would be averted. A year lost at the begin- 

 ning might be a gain of many years in the end, and instead of a 

 struggle with difficulties ending in bankruptcy, a permanent 

 institution would in all probability be the happy alternative. 

 Especially would this be so if the steady accumulation of a 

 reserve fund had a claim on the managers equal to that of 

 providing money for prizes. 



We appear, however, to be living in speculative days in which 

 risks are run on the chance that the wheel of fortune may turn 

 in the hoped-for direction ; and just because this is so, in con- 

 nection with many horticultural shows, it is the more incumbent 

 to point out a safer and surer if slower way for achieving per- 

 manent success. 



The really great shows of the kingdom, such as Shrewsbury, 

 York, and others which could be named, are what they are 

 mainly because of the strength of their financial resources — the 



