July 1, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
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v. /|\ III 
COMING EVENTS 
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Reigate (Roses). 
Tud bridge Wells. 
Brockhatn, Elthara, and Crystal Palace (RoBes). 
2nd Sunday after Trinity. 
National Rose Society’s Show, South Kensington. 
Cardiff, Smton, Oxford (Roses), Ealing. 
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
PROVINCIAL SHOW. 
S this is undoubtedly the most prominent horti¬ 
cultural event of the year, it on that account 
claims prominence in this Journal. The 
- present is the ninth great Exhibition that the 
Society has held in provincial cities and towns— 
Bury St. Edmunds, Leicester, Oxford, Man¬ 
chester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bath, 
Preston, Liverpool—and it is both gratifying 
and encouraging to record that seven out of 
the eight preceding shows were financially successful, one 
only (that held at Preston) was a failure. This misfortune 
was the result of a combination of circumstances — bad 
weather, imperfect management and extravagant outlay 
on the part of the local directorate beyond the Society’s 
control, and a great counter-attraction in the opening of 
the Blackpool Winter Gardens by the Lord Mayor of London. 
The loss sustained at Preston appears to have induced 
the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society to pause 
before entering on another provincial undertaking; but 
the strong invitation received from Liverpool, and the 
prompt and substantial support accorded to the project, 
warranted a departure from the stay-at-home policy of the 
past few years. It is in our opinion quite time the Society 
extended its field of operations. Its influence is cramped by 
confining its work to the Metropolis. The head-quarters and 
periodical meetings must of necessity be in London ; but 
the annual exhibitions should be moveable. As a rule the 
great London horticultural shows are only great in one 
respect—great mistakes, because financial failures. London 
is so vast, and its attractions so multifarious, that even a 
“ great ” show becomes a mere speck in its midst, and its 
existence only just becomes known about the day of its close. 
In the great centres of population in the provinces the caso 
is different—anything of an unusual character there cannot 
remain in obscurity. Everybody knows about it, and all who 
are interested support it by their presence if in no other 
way. 
Provincial horticultural exhibitions also afford an oppor¬ 
tunity to cultivators in widely separated districts to place 
evidences of their skill before the public in the best company. 
They thus stimulate to greater attainments, and a whole¬ 
some spirit of emulation is summoned into action, not only 
between man and man, but district and district, to the general 
good. A great impetus would be given to the important and 
enjoyable pursuit of gardening in its widest and highest 
aspects if the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society could 
Bee their way to having great district shows annually, and 
make the necessary arrangements at least a year in advance, 
and preferably two years. That is to to say, the Exhibition 
of 1887 should be announced now, an intimation being given 
at the same time of the invitations that have been received 
from districts desirous of making provision for the Show of 
1888. If the Royal Agricultural Society and similar organisa- 
No. 314. — Yol. XIII., Third Series. 
tions did not find it advantageous to act on this principle it 
would not be adopted. Giving long and definite notice is a 
chief element of success. The best period, from a district 
point of view, for holding the show ought also to be well 
considered. Cultivators in the neighbourhood of Liverpool are, 
broadly speaking, at a double disadvantage—firstly, the show 
being almost sprung upon them by surprise, which is nobody’s 
fault, and secondly, in having it a month too soon, through 
the Liverpool Horticultural Association deciding to have 
their show at the end of July. In consequence of that decision 
the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society fixed the 
date of the present Exhibition so as not to interfere with 
the local show; then, but too late to alter the arrange¬ 
ment, the members of the Association determined to abandon 
their show and co-operate with the Royal. Now, if under 
those circumstances the suddenness of the announcement, 
the earliness of the date, and the hurried manner in which 
the preparations were made, an exhibition such as the present 
one (which all interested in horticulture ought to see) can be 
produced, what might we not expect under more advantageous 
circumstances of the nature above indicated ?' 
The Show, both as regards magnitude and the quality of 
the produce, is worthy of the efforts that were made to 
achieve a success. The inru-h of produce on Monday night was 
very great, but the exertions of the officials surmounted all 
difficulties, and order prevailed at the appointed time. Avery 
accurate ground plan of the Show appears in another page. 
The plan of the large marquee will also afford an idea of the 
disposition of the plants. This covered space is 260 by 
180 feet. The three beds at the end are occupied with nur¬ 
serymen’s miscellaneous collections, the larger one next them 
by Crotons and “ effect ” groups. The centre of the arrange¬ 
ment is a mass of rockwork, the four surrounding beds con¬ 
taining new and rare plants. Orchids, Nepenthes, Caladiums, 
&c., enrich the large bed at the opposite end. The narrow 
side beds are rendered gay with Pelargoniums, the narrow 
bed across the ends containing Palms and Ferns. The side 
border all round is quite filled with specimen plants of various 
kinds. The beds are raised a foot high at the margin and 
turfed and further elevated towards the centre. Unfortu¬ 
nately the roof is too low, and the splendour of this fine 
exhibition of plants is on that accouut diminished. The 
canvas is also too dark, but if the brilliant weather of the 
opening day continues there will be sufficient light and more 
than enough heat to be agreeable. There are various other 
marquees, and all are filled, not to say crowded. Structures, 
appliances, &e., occupy several acres of ground, the 
boiler trials are in progress, and undoubtedly a source of 
great interest to visitors who are crowding the grounds. 
Before describing the classes it will not be inappro¬ 
priate to give a resume of the schedule, and to refer briefly 
to the excellent official who has had such a large share 
in its arrangement, and who is responsible for the varied 
details in connection with the management of the Show— 
Mr. A. F. Barron. We place him, as represented by an 
excellent portrait, where we think he ought to be placed—in 
the centre of the Journal that contains a record of his work. 
He is an adept in the management of exhibitions, and it is 
necessary that he should be, for he had a great show to 
provide for in London last week, and on the day after the 
present Exhibition closes the National Rose Society’s Show 
must be arranged at South Kensington. But all the work 
will b9 done in the quiet manner of a man who sees his way, 
and proceeds step by step in carrying out his plans to com¬ 
pletion. The time has not arrived for writing Mr. Barron’s 
history, and we trust it is far distant, and we only say now 
that he is much more than a show manager—he is an 
accomplished gardener, an excellent organiser, a fair and 
careful experimenter, able, just, and deservedly esteemed as 
the right man in the right place as Superintendent of the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens, a position he has 
filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Society 
for twenty years. 
No. 1970. —Yol. LXXY., Old Series 
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