520 , JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in groups as such were practically unknown in 1886 : all classes specifiecl 

 the number of plants to be staged. 



For 1912, the applications for spaces for groups already number 

 no fewer than 100. 



In 1866 the largest class for Stove and Greenhouse plants com- 

 prised sixteen plants. This is in striking contrast to the requirements 

 for next year. 



The Orchid classes have grown from nine in 1866, the largest class 

 being fifty plants, to tweniy-nine classes with two groups each of 

 500 square feet. 



The prizes offered for Boses tell the tale of the development of that 

 favourite flower, for besides the novelty classes there are twenty-six 

 classes against eight in 1866. In the last Exhibition the largest class 

 was for twenty Eoses in pots 8 inches across — in 1912 prizes are 

 offered for groups not exceeding 500 square feet. We have nine classes 

 for cut Eoses against one class in 1866, and so on throughout the 

 schedule. 



These figures tell in brief the development of horticulture since 

 1866 and of the advance particularly in specialization which is such 

 a great feature to-day. 



It may be noted that Rock and Water Gardens Were not seen in 

 1866, nor many of the handsome florist's flowers as we know them 

 to-day. 



While on this subject we may mention that applications for space 

 for Collective Exhibits have come in from several foreign countries as 

 well as from individual counties in Great Britain and that the entries 

 already exceed 400, irrespective of the exhibitions of horticultural 

 sundries. The last section promises to be the most complete and 

 interesting that has yet been seen. 



It is not desirable for me to give particulars of the exhibits already 

 entered, but I am at liberty to mention for one thing that a commis- 

 sion has been gfven by an American gentleman for a very remarkable 

 piece of garden statuary on the express condition that it is shown at 

 the Exhibition. 



No special prizes were offered in 1866, whereas already about fifty 

 very fine cups and awards have been promised, in addition to the 

 special cups given by many counties. It will not be invidious to ] 

 inform Fellows of your Society that, in addition to the cup graciously | 

 promised by the King and the one offered by the President of the j 

 Exhibition, the Duke of Portland, others are being given by Sir i 

 Trevor Lawrence, Sir George Holford, Sir Jeremiah Oolman and I 

 Mr. Gurney Fowler, the last two gentlemen being respectively the j 

 Treasurer and Chairman of the Exhibition. The total prize list will I 

 probably exceed £4000. 



There are many more matters of interest to which there is no time 

 to refer, but the work of the Science and Education Committee should 

 be mentioned, because it is hoped that this will be one of the most 

 efficient and permanently valuable features of tlie Exhibition. It is 



