January Ifl, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
37 
N ever before in the history of British horticulture have so 
many meetings been held for the discussion of special subjects 
■as -within the past four or five years, and the present has not been 
inaptly described as “an age of conferences,” for the remarks 
•above made are almost equally true respecting other trades and 
subjects of general importance. To solve a difficulty, to elucidate 
an obscure subject, or to afford a ready means of interchanging ideas 
upon an interesting and popular topic the form of meeting termed 
a conference is unequalled. As applied to horticulture our American 
■cousins have taken the lead in arranging such meetings, and their 
success has amply justified the extension of ivhat may be termed a 
system of mutual instruction. There are times -when men become 
tired of reading, and seek for a more social form of gaining kno-w- 
ledge and spending their time usefully. Lectures have from the 
earliest lime constituted a pleasing mode of conveying instruction 
•but there is something didactic or scholastic about this -which 
renders it distasteful to some, and it is essentially unsatisfactory 
unless the implied superiority of the teacher is well maintained. 
For the unskilled in any profession or occupation it is most desir¬ 
able, but experienced men often differ in their opinions and practice, 
and while seeking information themselves can often enlighten 
others upon difficult matters. In a conference the speakers and 
auditors are placed more upon an equality than in any other 
system ; there is freedom for the expression of all opinions for or 
against certain methods or ideas—in fact it is really, or should be 
a public conversation on a wide basis, organised with a view to the 
elaboration of some subject of special or general importance. The 
■more this social feeling can be encouraged the greater freedom wiU 
there be in the expression of ideas, and this is what is required 
to render such gatherings serviceable in the highest degree. The 
more widely correct information upon any useful subject can be 
-diffused the better it is for all concerned, and happily the old 
narrow views respecting the restriction of knowledge with regard to 
successes in horticulture are becoming obsolete. We find many of the 
most successful practitioners readily communicating their opinions 
and the results of a life’s study to thousands through the medium of 
the press, and few indeed who in conversation with a brother 
gardener will not with pleasure relate the details of his best and 
most special work. There are many, however, quiet, observant 
earnest men who have perfected themselves in their calling by 
close application, but who rarely or never attempt to shine in print 
yet who have their minds filled with useful practical knowledge they 
willingly communicate when the opportunity offers. For such as 
these the social conferences advocated are specially adapted. The 
more ideas that can be brought under examination the better, and 
the benefit will fall mostly to those who are quickest at catching 
■“ notions,” and the most skilful in executing them. 
The reasons advanced appear to me conclusive that conferences 
on horticultural matters when properly conducted must prove 
advantageous in a more than ordinary degree. They interfere with 
no “ vested interests,” no one class of horticulturists is alone bene¬ 
fited, but all who desire to do so can profit by an interchange of ideas 
upon a favourite subject. Much, therefore, can be urged in support 
of such gatherings. The more they are increased in numbers the 
greater the advantage to the gardening community. There are no 
prizes to tempt the cupidity of individuals, or induce the envy and 
No. 499.—VoL. XX., Third Sekie.s. 
other evil feelings which occasionally arise in the breasts of 
unsuccessful competitors, and it is impossible to imagine how the 
most pertinacious and exacting fault-finder cm reasonably object to 
a combination of individuals for their c >mraon good when such a 
combination is also for the benefit of horticulture generally. 
The best methods of arranging meetings of the character 
referred to may be worth a little consideration. As I have been con¬ 
cerned in the organisation of at least six London conferences on horti¬ 
cultural subjects, and as these have been considered satisfactory 
gatherings, and have collectively attracted something like a thousand 
persons, I may claim to have gained a little experience in the 
work. The ideas thus secured are here set forth for the assistance 
of those who may wish to arrange meetings of a similar character. 
In the first place it is necessary to avoid long papers, and this is a 
difficulty which is not easily dealt with. When anyone is invited to 
read a paper the tendency is to produce an exhaustive treatise, 
highly creditable to the writer and reader, valuable if printed, but 
scarcely adapted for the purpose of a conference. When the 
papers are long, however good they may be, the interest fiags, and 
where there are so many points to consider few are remembered 
for remark afterwards, and, as a rule, long papers induce but little 
discussion. If it is desired to have one or two papers upon the 
subject to be examined they must be short, pithy, suggestive^ 
reviewing disputed points, and calculated to encourage others to 
express their views either in opposition or agreement. It is also 
preferable where possible that such papers should be printed and 
circulated amongst those who intend to take part in the discussion 
before the meeting commences. When a paper is read some of the 
points are sure to be missed, whereas if it could be glanced through 
and passages marked they could be readily taken up subsequently. 
This was well shown at Hull recently, where printed slips of the 
papers were distributed in the meeting, and one of the most 
animated and prolonged discussions I have ever witnessed followed. 
It is possible, however, to avoid papers altogether, and the 
result of an experiment tried at the National Chrj'santhemum 
Society’s Conference last week was so satisfactory that the plan 
might well be extended. Some of the American and other societies 
have long adopted the system of submitting questions upon parti¬ 
cular subjects to the meeting, entrusting different individuals with 
the task of introducing each to the meeting, or they are submitted 
through the Chairman. The questions are published with the 
programmes of the meeting, and distributed amongst the members, 
so that all have an opportunity of thinking the subject out before 
it comes on for consideration. If the questions are cai’efully 
fra ned, so as to cover a good deal of debateable ground, there is 
no difficulty in obtaining discussion, and this is what is required— 
more talking and less reading—not one man’s ideas, but those 
of as many persons as can be induced to express them. 
One important matter in the regulation of the business is to 
secure a firm and impartial Chairman, who is well versed in the 
subject under consideration, and much of the success will depend 
upon the manner in which this indispensable official performs his 
duties. At the same time all those who engage in meetings of this 
kind should be prepared to accord generous attention to opposing 
views expressed in temperate language. Disputation and discussion 
are very different, and some persons rarely give utterance to a 
diversity of opinion without doing so in offensive terms or tone. 
It requires some judgment to determine where free, smart, but fair 
criticism ends and objectionable personality begins, and the fact is 
very few are qualified as racy critics, for the majority who assume 
that character lose sight of the special objects of these meetings, 
and seek only to vaunt their own opinion at the expense of others. 
One such individual, if he be not duly kept in bounds by the 
Chairman, is sufficient to defeat the purpose of the best planned 
gathering, or at least to deprive those present of all pleasure in the 
discussion, which is effectually checked when dominated by a 
dictatorial person. It is sometimes advisable to limit the time at 
No. 2155.—VoL. LXXXIL, Old Series. 
