July 26,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
83 
the front a very ancient grievance. It has been felt and expressed in 
connection with all shows from time immemorial, and from some has 
been practically removed by special conditions appropriate to each case. 
It is equally with the classification of shows a legitimate subject for 
discussion, and our columns are open for the purpose. 
Mr. Grahame, as he is fully entitled to do, has expressed his pre¬ 
ference for articles under the “ proper signatures ” (names) of the 
writers. These are not our conditions, though we shall not mind how 
many writers accord with Mr. Grahame’s desire. We have only one 
view on this subject, and it is this :—Anything penned with the object 
of causing personal discomfort to a controversialist should be done 
openly, not in ambush ; but arguments of an impersonal character 
pertaining to subjects under discussion may, if the writers prefer, rest 
on their merits over what nom de plume they please. We append three 
letters on “ The Trophy Classes and Multiplicity of Exhibits.” 
I AM glad that Mr. Grahame has raised both these points. They can 
be shown to be connected with each other. I do not know the past 
history of the National Society enough to say whether the second 
question has ever been grappled with, but if not, the fact is surprising. 
It is a sufficiently common principle in all kinds of competition, flowers 
as well as others, to limit the number of prizes that can be gained, and 
therefore, presumably, the entries that can be made. In school or 
university prizes this is generally done by limiting the times to once or 
twice for the taking of each prize by the same person, but in Roses this 
is unavoidable, because Nature herself here secures a division of fortune 
by different seasons. Nunc mihi, nunc alii ienigna. The other method 
—of limiting the possible entries—is therefore the true alternative, and 
it follows as a proper corollary on the now established division into 
sections according to the number of plants grown. To secure the widest 
possible interest in the shows, and to aim at high prizes rather than at 
sweeping the board, is the object of every true rosarian.—G. E. Jeans. 
May I be allowed to say how cordially I agree with Mr. Grahame 
respecting the two classes at the N.R.S.? but I would go further than 
he suggests, as I think his arguments apply to the nurserymen’s classes 
as well as to those of amateurs. I have long been of opinion that the 
class for seventy-two is a mistake. Years ago perhaps this large class 
was advisable, as it was the only way in which new Roses could be 
generally made known, but this is not the case now. A smaller class, 
say sixty at the outside, would throw open the challenge vase to many 
more. If Mr. Grahame would agitate for reforms in the big classes 
both for amateurs and nurserymen he would, I think, be doing a real 
service to the N.R.S.—Henby B. Bikon, Lympne Vicarage., Hythe. 
I ENTIRELY agree with the suggestions made by Mr. Grahame in 
your issue of the 19th inst., and think that if the amateur trophy class 
was reduced from forty-eight distinct varieties to twenty-four it would 
produce far more competition and better flowers would be staged, as 
there can be no question that there are many amateurs who can cut 
twenty-four good blooms on a given day, when forty-eight would be 
impossible. There is also this fact in favour of reduction, viz., that it 
would give so many more members a chance of winning this coveted 
trophy, and not leave it, as it is now, at the mercy of the giants; for a 
society to flourish no one set of exhibitors should be studied to the 
detriment of the others, and in our case also the majority. 
Three prizes I think are quite enough for one member to take at an 
exhibition, and there is no doubt that a limit must be enforced. This 
plan is I think better than restricting a competitor to entries, as this 
might reduce competition; or there is another plan, a kind of sliding 
scale—for instance, growers under 500, limit two prizes; 1000, limit 
three prizes; 2000, limit four prizes, and so on. In many horticultural 
societies the limit to all exhibitors are three prizes, and quite right too; 
it does away with “pot hunting.”— Heppel H. Gifford, Ilolyrood, 
Streatham, 5. IF. 
Gloucester Rose Show. 
I WAS surprised not to see any report of the Gloucester Rose show in 
“ our Journal.” It was one of the best provincial shows of the season. 
Most of the celebrated rosarians were represented—nurserymen and 
amateurs. True, I did not observe our good friend the Rev. H. H. 
D’Ombrain there, or no doubt we should have had a glowing account of 
it. The Gloucester Committee and Secretary are worthy of all support. 
Their genial reception and hospitality to all exhibitors are good, and 
I trust, as our national provincial show is to be held there in 1895, all 
rosarians will give them the support they deserve.—T. Hobbs, Bristol. 
[We hope so too, A report of the recent show would have been 
readily inserted had it been received. No schedule or tickets were sent 
to ns as a reminder of the show for the purpose of a report. We are 
very much obliged by your letter, are pleased to learn the show was so 
good, and quite certain the compliment to the officials is well merited.] 
ROSE SHOWS. 
NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY AT HALIFAX.— July 19th. 
Notwithstanding the fears which were entertained a few weeks 
ago that there would be comparatively few good Roses this season, 
consequent on the damage done by frosts during May, the National 
Rose Society has had what must be termed a successful exhibition year. 
Even the most fastidious persons cannot be other than gratified on the 
whole with the three shows that have been held under the auspices of 
the above mentioned Society, or at any rate so far as the blooms were 
concerned. A brief retrospect of the exhibitions may therefore not be 
without interest. The flowers staged were of much better quality than 
was generally expected, this being particularly noticeable in the 
nurserymen’s classes. In some respects the southern show held at 
Windsor was an advance on the exhibitions of Tea Roses that formerly 
took place in the Drill Hall at Westminster, the schedule of prizes 
prepared for that occasion having brought forth a larger number of 
competitors and a greater variety of exhibits. This is a step in the 
right direction, and encouraging to those who have hopes that next 
year the southern exhibition of the Society may be held in conjunction 
with a popular gathering and in a convenient locality. 
Turning to the metropolitan meeting at the Crystal Palace it was 
extremely gratifying to know, as previously mentioned in these pages, 
that the exhibition was the largest ever held by the Society, except that 
of 1892. This result, in what cannot on any account be termed a good 
season for Roses, and when most of the northern growers were prevented 
exhibiting, was much better than even the most sanguine had anticipated, 
and it may be taken as a criterion as to the popularity of the Rose 
and the keenness of exhibitors. Moreover, it goes to prove that liberal 
prizes, to which some honour is also attached, usually produce a goodly 
display of exhibits and consummately afford interest to visitors. 
Evidence of this was forthcoming, amoug other shows, at Windsor, at 
the Crystal Palace a short time since, and at Halifax on Thursday, the 
19th inst. As at the southern exhibitions so at the northern one, and 
although the latter was held under less favourable auspices, being 
situated in a manufacturing district, it did not fail to create enthusiasm 
amongst the leading growers, with the result that many of them were 
there represented. 
This northern show of the National Rose Society was held in the 
grounds adjoining Spring Hall, Halifax, and in conjunction with the 
sixteenth annual exhibition of the Salterhebble and District Rose Society, 
No less than thirty-eight classes, irrespective of purely local exhibits, 
were provided, these being, as usual, divided in sections. For nursery¬ 
men there were seven large classes, one being for seventy-two, distinct, 
single trusses, but the one on which the chief interest was centred was 
for thirty-six distinct blooms, the winner of the first prize holding a 
challenge trophy value 50 guineas. From 1887, when the show was 
held at Edinburgh, to 1890, in which year Birmingham was honoured 
by the N.R.S., Messrs. Harkness & Sons won this Jubilee challenge 
trophy, thus being the victors for four consecutive years. At Hereford 
in 1891 Mr, Frank Cant was the winner of this coveted prize, Mr. 
B. R. Cant securing the honour at Chester in 1892. The hot season of 
1893 again favoured the Yorkshire growers, who exhibited well at 
Worksop, but this year they were obliged to be content with second 
honours, the trophy going to Mr. B, R. Cant, whose flowers were much 
admired. 
With respect to the amateur growers these were fairly represented, 
but, as at other exhibitions this year, not so strong as the professionals. 
There were twenty-two classes open to amateurs, about half a dozen of 
these being for exhibitors irrespective of the number of the plants they 
grow, whilst the others were reserved for growers who have only a 
restricted number of Roses. There were in addition the customary local 
division, and also the open classes for stands of blooms of different 
varieties. The exhibits in the whole of these made a good display, and 
much interest was centred upon them, the trophy class, of course, 
coming in for the most attention. The flght for the premier award, 
however, in this section is seldom as keen as in the nurserymen’s class, 
although some good contests have been witnessed. In 1887 and the 
next year Mr. T. Hall succeeded in winning the amateurs’ trophy, and 
the Rev. J. H. Pemberton followed as leader for three consecutive years. 
Dr. S. P. Budd, it may be remembered, came to the front wfith a fine 
stand in 1892, and Mr. A. Whitton, Bedale, was the winner last year. 
At Halifax there were nine competitors for this prize, which fell to 
Mr. E. B. Lindsell, who staged splendidly. The flowers were fresh, 
even, and well coloured, the stand being one of the best in the 
exhibition. 
Many experts present expressed the opinion that the exhibition was 
a very fine one, the majority of the classes being well filled, and the 
blooms on the whole of excellent quality. Generally speaking. Hybrid 
Perpetuals were better than the Teas and Noisettes, the latter being 
somewhat small and rough, but it was said that “ there never had been 
such a charming show of flowers in the locality.” The local authorities 
were well satisfied with the results of their affiliation with the National 
Rose Society, and so, doubtless, are the officials of the latter body. 
Owing to the recent inclement weather, a few of the principal growers, 
it was noticed, were absent, but there were sufficient blooms present to 
