May 17, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
389 
looked a little “seedy,” though most seemed fresh and happy. There 
were Myrtles, Euonymuses, Fatsias, Ferns, with drooping Isolepis ; 
Libonias, Spirreas, Cinerarias, Zonal Pelargoniums, and Hydrangeas ; 
also Tulips, Poet’s Narcissi, and Roses in a cut state—these, and 
something more of a different kind, that may come under the 
familiar denomination of “ what-you-like,” for these “boats” are float¬ 
ing hotels, amply furnished, and the reverse of expensive. At 5 A.M. 
we reached Flushing, the sun shining brightly, and we entered into the 
narrower yet broad waters of the famous Scheldt. For a long distance 
the river is some seven miles wide at high water, probably for the first 
thirty miles, then gradually contracts over the next half of the journey, 
yet is a noble stream even at Antwerp. Craft of various kinds coming 
out to sea lent life to our progress—first on this side, then on that, 
following the course between the buoys. The country traversed by the 
river is flat. We have for a long distance Holland on the left, and 
Belgium on the right ; but as we approach our destination, on tbe 
left bank we behold the historic Belgian city, one of the leading 
ports of the world. The river is guarded by batteries, placid enough 
now, but under the terraces of verdure rest volcanoes of destruction, 
always, let ua hope, to remain in quiescense. We are alongside of the 
quay before 9 a.m., and after submitting to a perfunctory examination 
of our luggage, land within five minutes’ walk of what thousands of 
persons will come to see during the present season. 
The World’s Exposition. 
Such is the Great International E.xhibition called at Antwerp, 
Though it was opened on the oth inst. by the King of Belgium it was 
then far from complete, but order is being reduced from chaos with 
wonderful rapidity, and the 200 acres will soon be covered with the 
world’s best products, arranged amidst surroundings at once interesting 
and picturesque, 
A Superb Spectacle. 
“ It is a superb spectacle to see all the nations meet on the banks 
of this magnificent river to exchange their products, to compare their 
progress, and to stimulate their emulation in that labour which, in our 
age of competition, has become a condition of existence for all. 
Belgium must strive, without pause, to uphold in the world her indus¬ 
trial, commercial, and artistic renown, which constitutes her greatness 
and her weilth. We require outlets for our products, and work for our 
toiling people compressed within the narrow limits of our territory. 
The marvellous progress of science necessitates the constant improve¬ 
ment of the implements of labour. All nations experience this neces¬ 
sity, and they have therefore hastened to respond to your appeal. It is 
an honour to have been able, in a few months, with prodigies of exertion 
and intelligence, to carry these great works to a successful end. In less 
than ten years you have twice brought together in this great commercial 
city the wealth of all the countries of the world, and I congratulate the 
organisers.” Thus spake the King, and the organisers well merited the 
Royal congratulations. 
Horticultural Exhibitions. 
In a kingdom justly tamed for its horticultural industries a great 
event such as that above alluded to would be incomplete if prominence 
were not given to horticulture. Good provision is made for the 
representation of the art during the sea.son. First comes the show, 
which was opened on the 13th inst., then follows on the Ist of July 
another display devoted to Roses and other exhibits worthy of the 
season, this to be followed with an autumn show of fruits. Dahlias, and 
other products opening on the 7th of October. The schedule is a com¬ 
prehensive one—a well arranged production of 126 pages. The division 
relating to the first show contains 170 classes. Upwards of fifty 
valuable gold medals are offered, also a naturally greater pre¬ 
ponderance of silver-gilt and silver medals, no degeneration into bronze. 
Of the gold medals two are devoted to new plants, eleven for specified 
collections, including one valued 200 francs, given by Baron Osy for 
fifty specimens, one of the same value by M. J. Everaerts for fifty 
flowering plants, and one by the King for foliage plants, six for Palms 
and Cycads, including one of 200 francs given by M. de Cock ; nine 
for Orchids, including the Queen’s and M, H. Vanderlinden’s ; four for 
Azaleas, including one of 200 francs by the City of Antwerp ; two for 
Rhododendrons, three for Ferns and Lycopods, including M. C. Vander¬ 
linden’s of 200 francs ; two for Cycads, and one each for Bromeliads, 
Dracmnas, carnivorous plants, and Nepenthes. As might be expected, 
on such a special occasion the response was great and gratifying. In 
accordance with Belgian custom gentlemen were invited from different 
countries to serve on the jury for allocating the prizes. This, as well as 
exhibits from some of those countries, invested the show with an 
international character. A concise narrative in sequence of the pro¬ 
ceedings in connection with the judging will not be uninteresting to those 
of our readers who like to be reminded of the manners and customs of 
the busy Belgians in the conduct of great horticultural exhibitions. 
It should be stated that the exhibition under notice was inaugurated 
and conducted by the Council of Administration of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural and Agricultural Society of Antwerp, of which Baron Osy de 
Zegwaart, the Governor of the province, is President; M. Jean Everaerts, 
ex-Senator, Vice-President ; M. Henri Vanderlinden Treasurer, with 
ilM. Charles Vanderlinden and Anatole de Cock, Hon. Secretaries. 
The General Committee consists of sixteen gentlemen, and as the names 
are published in the order of election, we find that M. Charles Van 
Geert, sen., is the oldest member, and his son, M. Charles Van Geert, 
jun., the youngest member of this Committee. About twenty invita¬ 
tions to serve on the Jury were sent to England, and of those who 
received them the following persons were in attendance personally or 
by deputy—namely, Messrs. Cannell, Cutbush, Gordon (Curtis), Ker, 
Laing (A. J.), Turner (Charles), and Wright. 
The summons of attendance was for eleven o’clock on Saturday 
morning in the horticultural pavilion, and as soon as possible after the 
time stated Baron Osy gave an address of welcome, and the roll was 
called. About eighty members were present, and received the numbers 
of the twelve sections among which they were distributed—from five to 
eight in a section; these numbers were forthwith placed in the 
hatbands of the several recipients, in order that each should recognise 
his own “squad,” and not come in conflict with each other in the same 
manner as the French and English recently did in Africa, through the 
want of a visible, understood, and recognisable badge. There were thus 
about eighty judges for the 170 classes, and they discharged their duties, 
it is hoped effectually, and certainly amicably, this latter fact speaking 
volumes for the “ amenities ” of the occasion, because the circumstance 
is not unknown in England of two or three judges wrangling and 
metaphorically fighting it out “hammer and tongs” for a verdict. It 
may be that eight instead of eighty judges, working in the English way, 
might have settled the prizes in the same time; but that is not the 
Belgian way. They do not believe in three or four hours of hard 
exacting labour, preferring to act leisurely, cautiously, colloquially 
(though it is a jumble of tongues), and all is completed in time—that is 
to say, about twenty-four hours before the show is open to the public, 
so the time for completion means being in time for the luncheon. 
A Smell of Luncheon. 
In England the time of finishing often means two minutes before the 
public inrush, and not always so much, and no luncheon. The Belgians’ 
method is the better for the judges, and especially when the repast is 
such as was provided by Baron Osy on the occasion in question. 
Fortunately for the genial Baron such events are not frequent. They 
do not come even at intervals of five years, as at Ghent, but only on 
special occasions, the last “ International ” in Antwerp having been 
in 1885. Fortunately we say for the host, because if eighty men proceed 
with the utmost leisure in judging they appear able to increase the pace 
at the festive board, where the numbers in some mysterious way become 
doubled—perhaps because of the tempting nature of the menu (given 
below) and the “ vins ” at the end of it, “ vins ” appearing to mean 
the greatest possible amount of champagne in the least possible time, in 
the shape of a grand fuddle. 
MENU; 
Potage la Reine 
Hors d'ceuvres 
EXTReE 
Filet fie boeuf a la Godard 
Cotes de mouton haricots verts 
Legumes 
Asperges en branches 
E6tis 
Poularde de Bruxelles 
Salade 
Entremets 
Fruits — Desserts 
VINS 
Yes, the luncheon was decidedly popular and a distinct success; 
but what of the Show ? 
Let us See. 
Ladies and Gentlemen,—If any of you think you are specially adapted 
to reporting a Belgian show fully, intelligibly, and to the general satis¬ 
faction, and have not yet had occasion for distinguishing yourselves in 
that direction, it might perhaps be advisable to take advantage of the 
first opportunity to do so. It is true that M. Charles de Bosschere 
accomplished the feat of publishing a report in pamphlet form, with 
a plan of the arrangements of the Show under notice, in five or 
six hours, but then M. Charles de Bosschere was born there, so to 
say, and possibly he might have obtained a little material in advance 
through being in touch with the inner circle. Apart from that, however, 
all are not Bosschere’s, though they may feel competent enough to 
“ boss the show ”—at least after all is in order. 
A Belgian show, on the conclusion of the judging, is a scene of 
beautiful disorder. Some of the plants may be in or near their places, 
but most of them are anywhere where the exhibitors “ dab them down.” 
Then, if you wait till the next morning, instead of the plants being 
anywhere they may be everywhere, because they are given over to the 
“ garden architect,” in this case M. Fuchs of Brussels, and he does with 
them as he wills. He lays down grass verges and makes lawns, raises 
beds and groups plants in them, forms curving walks edged with neat 
latticework, gravels the paths (all on a boarded floor), and thus forms a 
beautiful garden with delightful promenades. If any particularly clever 
young person imagines it easy to report a show like this in the orthodox 
English style, stiff, stilted and formal, he might, perhaps, on trial find 
it still more easy to be deceived ; and it is extremely likely that one 
who has had some experience in these matters would arrive at the con¬ 
clusion not to attempt any stereotyped report at all, but just jot down 
what came under his notice in a stroll round without knowing, with a 
few exceptions, whose plants came in his way or giving himself the 
least trouble about those he may have overlooked, and, therefore, omitted 
to mention. 
The plants were displayed in a large and lofty hall twice the size of 
the Ghent Casino, the roof glazed and masked with white and scarlet 
sheeting, the sides draped with scarlet, and the ends decorated 
with national colours. The hall is usually devoted to concerts and 
fetes. It made a splendid horticultural pavilion, and it was splendidly 
furnished. This could only be accomplished by such tall, yet robust 
and deep green Palms as we do not see at our home exhibitions ; also 
Tree Ferns, colour being imparted by floriferous masses of Rhodo¬ 
dendrons and Indian Azaleas with various other plants in season. 
The Palms on the orchestra were magnificent, a truly noble bank 
