400 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 3, 1892. 
Chrysanthemum: Shows. 
The following Chrysanthemum Shows, which have been advertised 
in our columns, will be held during the ensuing week. For the 
convenience of readers we append the names and addresses of the 
respective Secretaries. Those marked with an * opened on November 
2nd, but will be continued to-day (Thursday). 
* Nov. 3.—Ascot, Sunningdale, and District. F. Patton, Ascot. 
* „ 3 and 4 —Portsmouth. F. Power, 20, Queen Street, Portsea, 
Portsmouth. 
„ 4 and 5.—Crystal Palace. W. G. Head, Crystal Palace, Syden¬ 
ham. 
„ 4 and 5.—Bolton. J. Hicks, Markland, Hill Lane, Heaton, 
Bolton. 
„ 4 and 5.—Leeds Paxton. W. Appleby, The Grove, Headingley, 
Leeds. 
„ 8, 9, 10.—National (Royal Aquarium). R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, 
Ealing. 
„ 8 and 9.—Kingston and Surbiton. Geo. Woodgate, Warren 
House Gardens, Kingston Hill. 
„ 9 „ 10.—South Shields. Bernard Cowan, Horton, South Shields. 
,, 9 ,, 10.—Bournemouth. Jas. Spong, Lindisfarne Gardens, 
Bournemouth. 
j> 10.—Caine. Fred. C. Henley, Caine. 
Reports of Shows. 
During the Chrysanthemum season we are favoured with reports 
of many Shows. Several newspaper cuttings containing lengthy prize 
lists are also forwarded. These can seldom be used, we prefer short 
descriptive accounts with the names of prizewinners in the chief classes, 
also when practicable the names of the varieties in leading first prize 
stands. The co-operation of friends on the lines indicated will be 
much appreciated. 
The National Chrysanthemum Society and its Certificates. 
I trust I may be permitted briefly to refer to the article under this 
heading on page 378 of your last issue for the purpose of throwing a 
little more light upon certain matters of fact. 
1, In your second paragraph you seem to make it appear as if this 
was the first appearance of Beauty of Exmouth before the Floral 
Committee of the National Chrysanthemum Society. It was shown 
before that body by Mr. Godfrey on October 28th of last year, when the 
Committee wished to see it again in better condition. It was again 
submitted on November 10th, but not in condition to obtain a certificate. 
The Floral Committee, therefore, naturally expected it would come 
before them again this season, and their expectation was realised. 
2, That a member of the Committee should have spoken disparagingly 
of the flower before it went before the Committee is regrettable ; but I 
have observed the same at the meetings of the Floral Committee of the 
Royal Horticultural Society. As a member of the latter body I have 
been sometimes asked to look at a seedling and say whether it was in 
condition to go before the Committee for a certificate, and I have 
honestly advised the exhibitor not to prematurely damage the reputation 
of a good thing by presenting it'in an undeveloped condition, but to 
grow it again another season, and show it in better form. It was, no 
doubt, with the same motive a member of the Floral Committee 
advised Mr. Godfrey to place Duchess of Devonshire “under the 
table.” What I do warmly condemn is the expression I have heard 
from members of the Floral Committee of the R.H.S. and the N.C.S. 
I have better than that at home,” and I always protest against the use 
of such an expression. 
3, There is nothing unusual or improper in a member of the Floral 
Committee opposing the granting of a certificate on the ground that the 
flower is not sufficiently distinct, and we have reason to be grateful to 
men having a particular knowledge for expressing this view. Having 
legard to the rapid rate at which new Japanese Chrysanthemums 
accumulate, it is very necessary the greatest check should be placed 
upon making records to varieties too much alike. 
Goi ^ fre y vvas appealed to in order to defend the distinctness 
of bis flower. He was called forward by the chairman at my request to 
testify to Beauty of Exmouth being a bond fide English seedling ; as 
the Committee unfortunately have knowledge of new continental and 
American varieties being palmed off as home-raised seedlings. The first 
vote was taken without some of the members being aware a certificate 
had been proposed, and some hesitated being desirous of testing whether 
Beauty of Exmouth was distinct from Florence Davis or not. A bloom 
of the latter was sent for, and I put the question to Mr. Godfrey, “ Did 
he regard his variety as quite distinct 1 ” and he answered, “ Fes ” The 
motion for a certificate was then put and carried by a large majority 
5 , the matters in dispute between Mr. Godfrey and the “chief 
opponent of his blooms ” I will not touch upon, they being sub judice; 
but the occurrence illustrates the inconvenience resulting from permit¬ 
ting exhibitors to gather about the table at which the Floral Committee 
sit, and become listeners to what is said. The practice of the Committee 
has been so aboveboard, and has in consequence commanded so much 
confidence, as to encourage the sending to its meetings a very large and 
increasing number of new flowers for opinion, so that’it rather courted 
publicity than otherwise. But the action taken by Mr. Godfrey in 
making public expressions intended only for the ear of the Committee, 
and in the confidence of privacy, has made it necessary that the meetings 
of the Committee shall be, as they were intended to be, strictly private ; 
and for the future exhibitors and others not officially retained will have 
to withdraw, so that members of the Committee may feel at liberty to 
express themselves with freedom. The inception of the Floral Committee 
of the N.C.S. was largely my own, and had something to do with framing 
its rules and regulations. 1 have been a member of it since its forma¬ 
tion, and have come to form a high opinion of its fairness and value. It 
is in this spirit I have penned the foregoing lines. 
6, In conclusion I cannot but express my surprise that Mr. Godfrey 
made no complaint to me of what had occurred, though I conversed 
with him two or three times after the rising of the Committee. I think 
he should have addressed any complaint in the first instance to the 
Secretary of the Society. — Richard Dean, Secretary National 
Chrysanthemum Society. 
[Mr. Dean represents his view of the case with ability and an 
evident desire to be fair to all concerned. We have pleasure in publish¬ 
ing his communication, and have only a few small comments to 
append. 
1, If Mr. Dean will read our “second paragraph” again he will find 
these words :—“ We are informed that it had been previously exhibited.” 
2, That members of floral committees should speak disparagingly of 
flowers prior to their coming before them for adjudication is, as our 
correspondent states, most “ regrettable,” and the allegation that this 
is done at the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society is obviously 
no justification of the practice wherever it may prevail. It is quite 
another thing when an exhibitor asks for friendly advice as to proce¬ 
dure, and we are quite sure this would be given with perfect honesty 
and no ulterior motive by our correspondent. We are also ready to 
believe with Mr. Dean that the advice given respecting the Duchess 
of Devonshire may have been on the lines he suggests. 
3, Certainly there is nothing improper in a member of committee 
opposing the granting of a certificate ; on the contrary, it is his duty 
to do so in accordance with his judgment so long as he is prompted by 
undoubted purity of motive. If he is animated by any other feeling, 
and especially if it has a bearing on his trade interests, every honourable 
man will admit that such an individual, whoever he may be, is unfit to 
serve on any committee of this nature whatsoever. 
4, Our correspondent says Mr. Godfrey was “ not appealed to in 
order to defend the distinctness of his flower.” The words “ on being 
appealed to ” were written in our proof as a necessary correction by a 
high official of the N.C.S., though it is clear that Mr. Dean did not see 
them. 
_ 5, We concur in the expression relative to the inconvenience 
arising from the presence of exhibitors at committee tables, except for 
purposes of examination, and they should retire pending deliberations 
and decisions. 
6, That is a question for Mr. Godfrey, but we think he is acquainted 
with a case that has been brought to the notice of Mr. Dean, in which a 
member of the Floral Committee threatens an exhibitor by letter that if 
he does not comply with a certain request he (the member) would take 
steps to prevent this trade exhibitor showing at the National Chrys¬ 
anthemum Society. We also think Mr. Godfrey is aware that the 
officials declined to take cognisance of this case because it was of a 
personal nature. It was, and a great deal more besides, for it was 
a threat which could only have one tendency, viz., to injure a rival 
tradesman in his business.] 
National Chrysanthemum Societt—October 26 th. 
As is usual at the end of October a considerable number of new 
varieties of Chrysanthemums was submitted for examination by the 
Floral Committee at their meeting on the above date. Foremost came 
three of the fine seedling Japs raised by Mr. William Seward, The 
Firs, Hanwell, consisting of William Seward, a brilliant reddish 
crimson reflexed variety, which had already received an award of merit 
from the Royal Horticultural Society, and on this occasion was awarded 
a first-class certificate of merit, a variety that improves in point of size 
and colour ; John Shrimpton, rich chestnut crimson, something of the 
colour of Cullingfordi, very bright, and a large and full reflexed Jap, 
also awarded a first-class certificate ; Lizzie Seward, rich amaranth 
crimson with a silvery reverse, bright in colour and highly promising : 
the Committee wished to see it again. Mr. C. Blick, gardener to M. R. 
8mith, Esq., Hayes, Kent, and Mr, E. Beckett, The Gardens, Aldenham 
House, Elstree, both sent Japanese W. H. Atkinson, bright coral 
red and salmon, in some flowers deepening to cerise, novel and 
distinct in colour. The former received a first-class certificate of merit, 
his blooms being regarded as most developed, though the Aldenham 
flowers were rather the brightest. Mr. Beckett also had H. F. Jiars, a 
bright Jap, which was commended for its colour. 
From Mr. W. Herbert Fowler, Claremont, Taunton, came Mrs. Herbert 
Fowler, a very fine Jap, pale amaranth with silvery pink reverse, large and 
full; awarded a first-class certificate of merit. Mr. George Foster, Glen- 
daragh Gardens, Teignmouth, sent W. H. Yeale, a distinct sport from Soeur 
