May 31,189<. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
421 
N O thoughtful person could witness the last great exhibition 
of the Royal Horticultural Society without being impressed 
with the magnitude of the horticultural resources of this country. 
It is true, and we note it gladly, that there were plants rich and 
rare from other lands, and these, with their growers, may be 
assured of a hearty and genuine, if not a demonstrative, welcome 
in our midst whenever they may come and bring their treasures 
with them. Yet, though altogether excellent, their products 
were naturally limited, as there was no pretence to represent the 
gathering as an international one, and the show was, to all intents 
and purposes, a show of home-grown plants and flowers. This 
our visitors would be the first to admit, and also to recognise the 
wealth of produce, the infinite variety, conspicuous excellency, and 
the greatness of the love for and industry in the particular depart¬ 
ment of horticulture that was represented so well. That the 
display was appreciated, too, was most fully demonstrated by the 
concourse of persons who, in greater numbers than ever, packed 
the tents, and at times struggled with each other in the endeavour 
to admire some of the particular objects in the floral feast. 
Some idea of the extent of this feast would be gathered from 
the dimensions of the tents, as recorded last week, but it is neces¬ 
sary to look a little more closely into the record for the adequate 
realisation of the facts. It has to be remembered that in all but 
the smallest marquee, central tabling, as wide as the space per¬ 
mitted, was provided, and this divided longitudinally to provide 
two faces for the exhibits ; then side and end tables or groups 
occupied every available inch of the remaining space. When this 
is kept in mind we arrive at the fact that an aggregate length of 
nearly a thousand yards had to be traversed under canvas for the 
inspection of the exhibits, the banks and tabling no doubt 
averaging 2 yards wide. It will be perceived that the number of 
plants and bunches of cut flowers was enormous, indeed too 
numerous, though these were the best that could be provided at 
the season. It was in fact a gigantic floricultural display, and 
when we think of it as just what it was—a section only of the 
art in which our readers are interested, it will be apparent that 
the resources of horticulture in its widest scope are of far greater 
magnitude than is commonly apprehended. 
The Exhibition, then, was the exponent of one only of the 
three departments that are included in the comprehensive term 
“ gardening ”—the section that yields beauty of the highest order, 
that makes the homes of various sections of the community brighter 
and more enjoyable than they otherwise could be ; this and much 
more. Plants and flowers not only possess beauty, but value. 
They are tokens, in the aggregate, of great wealth. They also 
represent intellectual and industrial capacity. Their production 
in the highest forms by the arts of hybridization and culture calls 
into activity the best qualities of our race — love, knowledge, 
judgment, attentiveness, perseverance, and devoted labour. They 
cannot be had as they are in the absence of any of those attributes 
or qualities ; and the exercise of them brings much more than 
pleasure as embodied in chaste forms and delightful colouration— 
namely, the means of livelihood to thousands who are either 
engaged directly in the work of production and distribution or in 
some of the various collateral industries which they have summoned 
into action. Flowers, then, have their uses — real, substantial, 
Noi 727.—VoL. XXVIII., Third Series. 
vital ; for while contributing powerfully to the happiness of many 
they afford the necessities of life to many more. 
Great as was the Exhibition in question it required quite as 
much space again for its adequate presentation and enjoyable, 
accessibility as was at the disposal of the managers, and it seems' 
that more can be afforded if a suggestion of Mr. Newton, F.R.H.S., 
who has for many years had charge of the Temple Gardens, be 
carried out another year. Parallel with the Thames Embankment 
is a gravel walk about 30 feet wide and 400 feet long, flanked by- 
rows of Plane trees. This walk is abandoned by visitors at the 
shows, who naturally prefer the lawn after passing through the 
marquees. There would be a great gain of space by covering this 
terrace walk, the lawn would be reserved to a much greater extent 
than now for visitors, and a magnificent floral promenade provided 
under canvas on the site in question. The proposition, which is 
eminently a practical one, merits consideration when the proper, 
time arrives in view of another exhibition in the Garden?. 
But though the Temple Shows indicate the great interest in 
and extent of the industry in flowers, they only in part, as above’ 
suggested, afford evidence of the horticultural resources of the 
country. To comprehend their magnitude we have to remember 
that it would be not in the least difficult to occupy a similar extent 
of space and very much more with fruit and vegetables, not at the 
same moment, perhaps, but at a seasonable time. Also it may be’ 
stated without any qualification that high and meritorious culture 
would be fully as well displayed in these sections as in the case of 
the plants and flowers, while even more persons are engaged in pro¬ 
viding the food than the floral products of the garden. Yiewed in 
its entirety, therefore, it becomes apparent that the horticultural 
resources of this country are gigantic if not unequalled, and we, 
are convinced that nowhere else in Europe, if in the world, can 
greater cultural skill—as displayed in so many products—be found 
than is evidenced at our great exhibitions, metropolitan and 
provincial. 
Moreover, the work of competent British gardeners teaches a 
wholesome lesson, if it would be learnt, that might have an. 
important bearing on the much-needed reform of the sister art of 
agriculture. If the same knowledge, zeal, and persistent industry 
were directed to increasing the food-producing power over large 
areas—fields—as are existent in the small areas—gardens—a 
material increase of wealth must of necessity follow. Starved' 
ill-cultivated land is useless alike in small plots and large areas. It 
is only under the best of culture that gardens are profitably con¬ 
ducted ; those which are neglected or impoverished failing to be of 
value to the possessors. What is wanted for the rejuvenation of 
the land of the kingdom is an extension of horticultural methods 
not exactly in details and routine, but in principle of doing the 
utmost that can be accomplished by strenuous endeavours on sound 
lines, guided by the best judgment that can be brought to bear on 
the work in hand. The horticultural resources of the kingdom 
have increased and are still increasing, a great deal of the progress 
being due to the stimulus given to personal endeavour by the 
lessons in high culture as provided at exhibitions, as well as by the 
keen desire that exists for the acquirement of knowledge which is 
in various ways provided in furtherance of the object in view. 
Reverting to the Temple Show we are glad to reproduce the 
following letter of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., that appeared in 
“The Times.” It is as follows : — 
“ May I ask for a small space in your columns to allow me to 
say how greatly the success of the beautiful show in the Temple 
Gardens has depended upon the tact, judgment, and unremitting 
exertions of the Rev. W. Wilks, Secretary of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society ? Mr. Wilks was unable to see the result of his 
labours, as he is suffering from a severe attack of illness, due in 
some measure to the impossibility of persuading him to spare 
himself. I should add that the admirable arrangement of the show 
is due to Mr. Barron, for many years the able Superintendent of 
the Society’s gardens at Chiswick.” 
No. 2383.— VoL. XC., Old Series. 
