Horticultural  Exhibition  at  Gloucester. 
255 
They  were  a conspicuous  feature  in  the  Gloucester  Exhi- 
bition, where  they  were  finely  shown  by  numerous  growers. 
The  cultivation  of  herbaceous  plants  is  a striking  feature  in 
modern  gardening  and  is  within  the  reach  of  the  most  modest 
means.  Their  supply  must  in  the  aggregate  maintain  a con- 
siderable industry.  They  were  amply  shown  at  Gloucester  by 
exhibitors  too  numerous  to  particularise.  An  exception,  how- 
ever, must  be  made  for  the  herbaceous  pseonies  sent  by  Messrs. 
Kelway ; they  formed  an  exhibit  which  for  quality  and 
arrangement  has  probably  never  been  surpassed.  The  cultiva- 
tion of  sweet  peas  has  almost  become  a national  craze  ; they 
were  shown  at  Gloucester  in  infinite  variety. 
The  Royal  Show  is  held  too  early  in  the  year  to  admit  of 
outdoor  fruit  being  represented.  There  is  no  cultural  industry 
which  stands  in  more  need  of  improvement  and  stimulus. 
That  there  is  an  almost  inexhaustible  popular  demand  for  fruit 
is  incontestable.  It  is  singular  that  it  appears  to  be  more 
readily  met  from  our  colonies  than  from  home.  Insufficiency 
of  cheap  and  effective  means  of  distribution  appears  to  be  one 
obstacle,  though  the  apathy  of  the  cultivator  and  his  indiffer- 
ence to  quality  is  no  doubt  another.  The  treatment  of  so 
called  “vintage  fruit”  is  for  the  most  part  deplorable.  No 
care  is  bestowed  on  the  trees  and  little  on  the  collection  of  the 
crop.  Any  one  who  has  travelled  in  France  must  be  struck 
with  the  different  and  assiduous  care  bestowed  on  the  vine  and 
the  prune. 
The  neglect  of  outdoor  fruit  is  the  more  remarkable  as  in 
regard  to  that  which  requires  protection  there  is  a constant 
effort,  as  in  the  case  of  cut  blooms,  to  produce  more  cheaply 
what  has  hitherto  been  only  within  the  reach  of  the  well-to-do. 
Glass  is  inexpensive  and  its  use  for  market  purposes  probably 
began  in  the  Channel  Islands.  Acres  of  land  are  now  roofed 
over  in  the  southern  counties  for  the  production  of  tomatoes 
and  grapes.  A profitable  trade  in  the  latter  sprang  up  with 
Paris  but  was  promptly  destroyed  by  a prohibitive  duty. 
Whatever  may  be  the  ultimate  fate  of  the  small  holdings  in 
the  country  at  large  it  is  probable  that  their  success  will  ulti- 
mately depend  on  a mixture  of  agricultural  and  horticultural 
methods.  This  is  particularly  the  case  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  large  towns  where  there  is  a continually  increasing  demand 
for  cut  flowers  and  vegetables.  But  the  cultivator  will  do  best 
if  he  can  supply  his  customers  directly.  If  he  can  add  fruit 
of  good  quality  as  well  it  is  undoubtedly  remunerative. 
Beyond  indicating  the  prominent  features  of  the  show  it 
is  unnecessary  to  discuss  in  detail  the  individual  exhibits. 
Justice  was  done  them  at  the  time  in  the  horticultural  press. 
But  something  may  be  said  as  to  its  larger  characteristics. 
