78 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 24, 1896. 
Buffer the least when subjected to such conditions should be obtained, 
because if much disfigured by the loss of leaves it takes two or three 
seasons to bring them into a presentable condition again. 
Chamferops excelsa and Latania borbonica are both good lasting 
Palms, and answer for some positions, but they are too heavy in 
appearance to be used freely, and, moreover, it is necessary, in many 
instances for the fronds to have a fine arching habit, and stand clear 
for passing under. In this respect Seaforthia elegans bears the palm, 
as the long straight stems allow plenty of head room before the plants 
have become sufficiently bulky to require inconveniently large tubs. 
Against this advantage we have, however, to set the fatal drawback 
of deficient lasting qualities. This allows Kentias to come in an “ easy 
first,” as they are but slightly less elegant in appearance or deficient 
in length of stem, while their lasting qualities stand unrivalled. 
Fosteriana is the best variety for use in a large state, and I would 
strongly advise all who require large Palms for the above purpose to 
obtain that variety.—H. Dunkin, Castle Gardens, Warwick, 
THE LATE MR. THOMSON OF CLOVENFORDS. 
A CORRESPONDENT writes :—On Wednesday, the 16th last, in 
Caddonfoot churchyard, on the banks of the Tweed, and amidst a 
multitude of mourners from all parts of Scotland, and of many pro¬ 
fessions, the grave closed over the remains of the late Mr. William 
Thomson of Clovenfords. And, though a good deal of interesting matter 
has been, and will be, written in gardening and other papers about one 
who was so widely and well known, and so much respected, as I knew 
Mr. Thomson for many years, and had ample opportunities—professional 
and otherwise—of judging of his abilities and opinions, I should like to 
add a few brief notes regarding him. 
Mr. Thomson was known—personally or by repute—not only to 
those interested in horticulture, but also to many who have no personal 
connection either with amateur or professional gardening. His book 
on the Grape Vine, written when he was gardener at Dalkeith Palace, 
contains merely the nucleus of the encyclopaedic knowledge of that sub¬ 
ject, which, by long and careful study and experience, he afterwards 
acquired. By those competent to judge he was considered the most 
eminent authority on the Grape Vine. His complete and accurate 
knowledge of the physiology and of the analysis of this plant, and his 
acquaintance with chemistry, enabled him to produce a manure which, 
in addition to being suitable for other plants, contains all the elements 
that the Grape Vine requires ; hence the enormous crops of finely 
finished Grapes which are year after year produced by the Vines at 
Clovenfords, where many young gardeners, not only from all parts of 
Britain, but from France, Germany, and other continental countries, go 
to perfect their knowledge of Grape growing. 
For more than half a century preceding Mr. Thomson’s death a 
large number of young gardeners were constantly either under his 
authority or in his employment, and to such men he was ever ready 
with wise and kindly counsel and encouragement. Many a young man 
has been stimulated to study and self-improvement by Mr. Thomson, 
who never failed to help a deserving man to better his position. There 
are men all over Britain and abroad who hold responsible and lucrative 
posts which, in a great measure, they owe to Mr. Thomson’s recom¬ 
mendation. His firmness, kindness, and justice made him respected 
as a master, and his willingness and ability to give sound and sufficient 
reasons for every plan he adopted induced the asking of questions, the 
answers to which set others thinking for themselves. Apart from his 
professional skill, his gentlemanly and agreeable manner made his 
society and advice much sought after by those engaged or interested in 
horticulture. 
His knowledge of and interest in chemi«trv, meteorology, agri¬ 
culture, forestry, and other subjects brought him into contact with 
many who had no interest in gardening. In advocating his views in 
gardening periodicals, in newspapers, and elsewhere, argument rather 
than force of language characterised his statements. This, I believe, 
resulted from his liberal mindedness, and his careful consideration of 
every subject on which he expressed an opinion. He will, therefore, 
be greatly missed by many outside his own family circle, and large numbers 
of his gardening friends. Take him all in all, Mr. Thomson of Cloven¬ 
fords was one of the ablest men that the horticultural world has yet 
produced. 
JUDGING—A COURT OF APPEAL. 
“C. K.” (page 34) speaks presumably from personal experience on 
this vexed question, and apparently that experience has not been a 
happy one. There is much in his able article that I can endorse from 
my own experience on this side of the channel, but there are also 
inferences to be drawn from it that one would fain believe exist only 
in his imagination. He says, “ Some people affect to believe that there 
is no such thing as favouritism or partiality with judges, but it is one 
of the worst features of our show system.” Well, I am one of those 
people who not only affect but do believe that this does exist and does 
not exist. It exists in the judicial mind so far as the individual ideal of 
form, colour, or variety in the exhibits is concerned, and other points 
which need not be mentioned here. To settle this matter the need of a 
court of appeal has been frequently urged—viz., clearly defined rules 
drawn up by competent authorities in those sections where controversy 
most arises, and confused ideas prevail. Ever and anon this question 
crops up, and sound logic is advanced urging the need of something 
definite, but like the old farmer with the squire’s claret at the audit 
dinner, “ Its wery good, but we don’t seem to get no forrader.” 
In looking at the other view, in which “ G. K.” tacks on those 
hard adjectives of‘‘dishonest and incompetent,” I may say that my 
observation is taken from neutral ground. In the past as a judge I 
have had some years’ experience, as an exhibitor not less, and at the 
present being neither, the position appears to be one of vantage to judge 
the judges and the grumblers. Exhibitors who have not been behind 
the scenes—who have not at any time acted in the judicial capacity- 
are prone to think something in the nature of a dark stance is enacted 
when they are “ belled ” out of the tent. Their mind is already made np 
as to where the prize ticket should go, and if it gets on the wrong stand 
they then go for the secretary, and he, poor man, has a bad quarter of 
an hour. Supposing the court of appeal existed, may I ask what would 
be its elements ? Experts of course. How many ? Three say. Would 
not their super-excellent knowledge be better employed in the first 
hand judging ? And how few societies could afford this luxurious 
litigation, even supposing it would or could give satisfaction ? Some 
cases might not be settled there. If the verdict of those good men and 
true was reversed on appeal they might ask for a higher court, and 
between the whole land the society in the Bankruptcy Court. 
Something is neeied I admit, and some things will never be attained 
whilst human nature is human nature, but many of the difficulties 
might be met by the combined wisdom of a Society’s ruling powers 
embodied in their schedule. If societies enveloped in the thick hide 
of self-satisfaction persistently ignore the duties they owe to them¬ 
selves, to judges, and to exhibitors, the Nemesis of internecine litigation 
may be desirable from some points of view, but can hardly add to 
their dignity. 
To return to “ C. K.’s ” unhappy experience, which fortunately has 
not been mine, I should think that “ rottenness in the state of Denmark ” 
(or wherever he alludes to), must sooner or later bring its own punish¬ 
ment, and that will be death. If Societies employ at least one expert 
in each section to act in concert with the gentleman amateur and the 
practical gardener, and time and arrangements permit of the onerous 
duties receiving justice at their hands, much of the present grievance 
would disappear. If the judges are curtailed in time, and feel that the 
necessary cool deliberation with attention to fine points cannot be given, 
they would be justified in declining to act—even at the last moment— 
rather than to incur the risk of having favouritism and partiality 
coupled with their names, not to mention more unpleasant suggestions. 
The subject is one in which I have, as a judge and exhibitor, given some 
thought to, but it must be understood my field of observation is limited 
to Irish soil, in which I can honestly affirm neither partiality nor 
favouritism are known, although there is room for improvement.— 
E. K., Dublin. 
[Since the above article was in type we have received the following 
P.S. from our correspondent :—“ May I suggest a footnote that my 
remarks were penned previous to ‘A. D.’s’ letter being printed ? Our views 
are so nearly identical that it might be inferred I had stolen his ideas.” 
The evident fertility of mental resources possessed by “ E. K.” forbids 
the suggestion.] 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
January 16th. 
Scientific Committee.— Present : Mr. Michael (in the chair) ; 
Rev. W. Wilks, Dr. Bonavia, Rev. G. Henslow, Hon. Sec. 
Primula obconica and P. sinensis Causing Eczema. —Farther observa¬ 
tions were made upon this subject brought before the last meeting. The 
fact that the Chinese Primrose occasionally produces the same effect as 
P. obconica has been discovered by Messrs. Sutton of Reading; but the 
ill effects appear to be only in the case of very few persons who handle 
the plants. It was the variety known as P. s. alba plena which had 
the property. As a contrary case, it was observed that with regard to 
the very poisonous Neilgherry Nettle, none at Kew could touch it 
except one person, to whom it was innocuous. Mr. Michael added that 
very similar differences occur when hairy caterpillars are handled. 
Fertilisation of the Chrysanthemum .—An interesting communication 
was received from Mr. H. Briscoe-Ironside of Burgess Hill on this 
subject. It had been thought by some writers, following Darwin a little 
too implicitly perhaps, that “ the anthers of the Chrysanthemum .... 
as of all members of the Compositae .... are proterandrous .... and 
naturally adapted for cross-fertilisatiou.”—(Burbidge.) The writer, 
quoting this passage, observes that from his own observations in Italy 
that the Chrysanthemum is quite, if not more, readily self-fertilised than 
naturally crossed. He finds, too, that the seed resulting from the self¬ 
fertilisation of the disk-florets gives very poor results from a horti¬ 
cultural point of view, and he thinks it to be “ most probable that this 
is the seed which is advertised and sold, and which, as we learn, gives 
such poor results.” It hai now been generally recognised that the 
CompositEe trust quite as much to self-fertilisation in Nature as to inter¬ 
crossing, and although the florets are seemingly adapted to the latter 
process, the former is quite as likely to take place, many incon¬ 
spicuously flowering species, as Wormwood and Groundsel, being in all 
probability never visited at all. With reference to the “ inferiority” of 
the flowers resulting from self-fertilisation, this is the rule; hence arises 
the importance of intercrossing for floral improvements ; but the diffi¬ 
culties involved in trying to avoid self-fertilisation in the Compositae are 
very great, in consequence of the minuteness and proximity to each 
