516 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



must be familiar with the best of everything in the domain of 

 gardening, and capable of appreciating the skill that is displayed 

 in its production — knowledge which cannot by any possibility 

 be gained by anyone from books, codes, or rules alone, however 

 closely he may study them. 



" It goes without saying that a judge must be favourably 

 known among his confreres for his uprightness of character, 

 unswerving probity, and absolute invulnerability to any extra- 

 neous influences whatsoever. He must possess a cool and level 

 head, with good perceptive powers ; be able to concentrate 

 attention on the work in hand, exclude all outside topics from 

 conversation, and have the requisite nerve to make up his mind 

 when the right moment comes, never giving a thought as to 

 whom he may either please or offend. A judge must feel that 

 for the time being he is invested with a power, in his small 

 sphere of action, as great as that of the most despotic Eastern 

 potentate, and must also at the same time be impressed with the 

 consciousness that his responsibility is as great as his power. 

 He will then discharge his duties honestly and honourably, even 

 if he should, through the inherent frailties of humanity, happen 

 to err." 



Principles op Judging. 



Before referring briefly to the routine of judging, it seems 

 desirable to consider the principle on which the prize money 

 is to be distributed. This is a question that the committee must 

 determine. There are two widely differing systems in operation 

 — one ancient, the other modern ; one adopted generally, the 

 other resorted to occasionally. 



The older plan is the easier, but many persons do not con- 

 sider it the fairer. It is based on the allocation of a certain 

 sum of money to each class. This is divided into differing 

 amounts, which are specified long before a show as first, second, 

 third, and occasionally more prizes. This is called the " ancient " 

 system, because it has been in operation in contests of various 

 kinds from time immemorial. It is the only system considered 

 in the R.H.S. Code (page 8). An excellent method of dividing 

 the aggregate amount is there indicated ; and, seeing that it is 

 based on a definite principle, it is surprising the plan is not more 

 generally adopted. 



The alternative modern principle may be shortly described as 



