526 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



nstead of indulging in long argument, by which both may 

 easily be confused, it is better to call in a referee — a judge who 

 is acting in other classes at the show— and let his vote settle the 

 matter without a word of comment on his verdict by either of 

 the judges. 



In large shows requiring several adjudicators, working in 

 pairs is found the best arrangement. Two judges will complete 

 a given number of classes in less time than three, and if the two 

 agree that suffices. At some shows, or important sections of 

 shows, one judge is occasionally relied on. If he be a man of 

 proved capability, not as a cultivator only but as a judge, and 

 the products are amenable to " pointing," the plan answers ; but 

 there are very few men indeed on whom such responsibility 

 should be imposed, and it would not be difficult to cite cases in 

 which " one man verdicts " have led to so much dissatisfaction 

 that the work has had to be done over again. It is better in all 

 cases of doubt to avoid such contingencies. At the same time 

 where the " one judge " plan has been found by experience to be 

 in all respects satisfactory, there would seem to be no valid 

 reason for changing such plan, while security would rest in the 

 retention of the particular man. 



The Assignment op Judges. 



Large shows are necessarily divided into a number of 

 sections, such as — 



1. Plants. — Specimens, groups, and Orchids. 



2. Flowers. — Embracing (a) Floral decorations ; (b) Bunches 

 of hardy and tender kinds respectively ; and (c) Florists' 

 flowers. 



3. Fruits. — As in (a) Collections; (b) Grapes, possibly in 

 great force ; (c) Choice stone fruits ; (d) Imposing displays of 

 Apples and Pears. 



4. Vegetables. — In great diversity in collections and speci- 

 fied classes. 



Whether the judges number eight or more, they should not 

 only be absolutely indifferent as to whom the prizes are awarded, 

 but they must be able, from intimate knowledge and wide 

 experience, to determine the different exhibits that are the most 

 entitled to the respective honours. The Plant judges should 

 include at least one expert in Orchids. That is important, and it 



