March 2, 1693. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
167 
I T is well from time to time to note the position in which we 
stand and the prospects in that which interests us most ; and 
as this, with us, and all of kindred tastes, is horticulture, we would 
fain see if this still holds its own in this our land of gardens. 
What better time for this than when Nature is awaking from its 
rest of winter under the influence of the sun, which, as Mr. 
Eichard de Gallienne has said, 
“ Comes to meet us with his big warm hands.” 
But this is not so everywhere, at least just at pressnt. The 
^'.ow of a joyous day which 
“ Makes the birds sing 
And brings the buds again ” 
ds all too quickly followed by southern rains and northern snows ; 
"but yet we look hopefully on. The snows will melt away and the 
floods depart, leaving the earth the richer, and the flowers and 
fruit will come to cheer us in due course. 
What is horticulture ? Garden culture, literally—making 
the earth bring forth its riches by the art of man. Riches ? 
Is not the very word a mockery to those whose land has 
failed to yield the hoped-for increase ? If it is, why should 
this be so ? Look around, and the reason will reveal itself. 
Are we, as a nation of cultivators, doing justice to the land ? 
Are we doing all that can be done in the rivalry of the world 
'to keep ahead of our competitors ? In horticulture, broadly 
speaking, we are ; in agriculture the case is doubtful. What is 
the test ? There is no better test than is afforded by the energy 
that is displayed in, and the character that is stamped on, our 
public exhibitions, both in London and the provinces. If the 
number of horticultural shows decided upon and proposed may 
be considered as indicating the general condition of horticulture 
in this country, then may it be considered as in an active, if not 
a flourishing, state. 
There is not a doubt that the public interest in gardening is 
.greater than ever it was before, and it is undeniable that at no 
period in history were there anything like the number of 
individuals sharing, some pleasurably, some profitably, some 
perhaps disappointingly, in horticultural pursuits, for there are 
various grades of workers. The good influences that gardens 
exert is universally admitted, and hence the efforts that 
are made for the acquisition of open spaces near towns, which 
by the gardener’s art may be converted into beautiful places 
of resort for the populations ; hence also the movement, which 
is gathering strength yearly, for the provision of gardens and 
allotments for all who may be able to make their lives 
brighter and better by their acquisition. And hence, again, 
the enormously increased number of exhibitions for affording 
opportunities for the display of flowers, fruit, and vegetables 
in the best form in which they can be represented by culti¬ 
vators. All this denotes activity, and it is pleasing to observe 
the enthusiasm that exists in this direction. Nothing great or 
good has been achieved without enthusiasm when tempered with 
sober judgment and prudent action. There is plenty of enthu¬ 
siasm now in the gardening ranks, and also, it may be added, plenty 
No. 602. — VoL. XXVI., Third Series. 
of shows in store. In London there may be said to be a piling up 
of them looming in the distance, and not a few of those persons 
who are in a position to support those shows and make them 
successful from a spectacular point of view, are beginning to 
doubt the prudence of an undue multiplication of the number to 
which they are expected to contribut'^. 
The meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society and the special 
exhibitions in association come fortnightly ; then there are the two 
great general Shows of the Society. Added to these we hare the 
established shows of the Royal Botanic Society and Crystal Palace, 
also the announcement of fortnightly Shows at Earl’s Court during 
the season ; and before these terminate the National Chrysanthemum 
Society steps in to give a foretaste of the brightness to follow in 
the autumn. It is to the crushing and crowding of summer shows, 
however, that is being regarded with some anxiety by persons who 
are expected to share in making them worthy of the name and 
nation. Still, though difficulties may be experienced in finding 
time and products for exhibition, these usually appear to be over¬ 
come when the moment arrives for action by those who desire to 
have their specialities represented in public. It is wonderful to 
see the magnitude of the resources of enterprising horticulturists 
as represented at the many shows both in London and the pro¬ 
vinces. Is there a nation in the world able to provide so many 
and such large and varied horticultural displays over such a long 
period as our own country ? And is there any country in which 
higher cultivation is displayed in so many aspects and with so 
many products—plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables—as our 
own ? Notwithstanding our shortcomings, we very much doubt 
if there is ; and if there is, let the facts be known that sustain 
the proposition ; then if we are behind we must make another 
effort. 
The love of gardening is growing amongst us. The spirit of 
endeavour is more than ever animating our populations to do better 
than has been done before. Is the nation aroused to the need 
and the duty of strenuous effort towards excellence in production ? 
If so, then will the wave of depression that so many feel is passing 
over us be a blessing in disguise. We utterly and absolutely 
decline to believe that we are destined to be left behind in the 
race for supremacy. Difficulties have been the opportunities of 
our race, as many a struggle by land and sea have shown; then 
why, if the inherent spirit of perseverance has enabled us to 
triumph in the dire necessity of destructiveness, why should not 
that same spirit, wisely guided, carry us on to the goal of success 
in the altogether more ennobling, though not equally appreciated, 
work of productiveness ? 
If every man would strive unceasingly to do the best that 
the best have done, then would a revolution be effected in tbe 
development of our resources — then would plenty, humanly 
speaking, supplant the poverty that many who are worthy have 
to endure—then would confidence be established and prosperity 
be restored, and the cloud that many feel rests heavily over our 
land eventually be removed. 
A wholesome sign to a better anl a brighter future is fore¬ 
shadowed in the hold that horticulture is gaining on the people. 
Its force of attractiveness is recognised by those who are alert in 
bringing it into prominence for arresting the attention of the 
millions, and drawing them to the centres where they are sought to 
be. For this we are glad. We want to see the art made prominent 
and the greatest possible number take pleasure in it, because then 
will follow practice, and in this we hope to guide. In what way ? 
Look around, scan diligently, examine closely, weigh carefully all 
that is said by some of the masters of the art of gardening in the 
Journal of Ilorticulturs, for there we are impelled to believe, 
having faith in those who teach what they know to be true, 
that safe guidance may be found by those who seek knowledge 
in its pages. 
No. 2318.—VoL. LXXXVIIL, Old Series 
