December 6, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
515 
private growers ; another, and which appears most consistent with 
prevailing ideas, is that the amateur is one who cultivates for his 
own pleasure without professional assistance. In this instance he, 
by the protection afforded, meets his competitors on equal terms. 
Numerous entries, with well-filled tables, are the backbone of 
strength to an exhibition. Each exhibitor forms a centre of 
interest to a local circle of visitors, whom by force of attraction 
are brought to patronise a horticultural society, and by this 
means the light is spread over a much wider field than ensues 
from exhibits contributed by a few large establishments, be those 
exhibits never so good. 
The young actor playing his part for the first time in the 
staging process cannot but feel envious of the old campaigner who, 
‘‘ Pride in his port, defiance in his eye,” methodically proceeds in 
the work of arranging his exhibits, heedless of that criticism, 
complimentary or otherwise, on-lookers are apt to express in stage 
whispers. A novice in his anxiety to finish in time probably 
arrives hours too soon, and delicate plants or flowers are not 
improved by the needless exposure, augmented perhaps by the 
stage carpenter putting his finishing touches. Yet, he who does 
not afford himself the necessary time, with a reasonable margin, 
is seriously handicapped in keen competition. To be in time, and 
to be finished by the time appointed for the judging, is but due to 
himself and all concerned. Exhibitors who may count on some 
grace in respect to time may not always receive what they have no 
right to expect, and suffer accordingly. For the mutual benefit of 
exhibitors and societies it is essential that the rules be respected. 
Where an exhibition is limited to one day it is of paramount 
importance that they should be rigidly enforced, for the few 
hours afforded to the public do not permit of encroaching in this 
direction. Taking into consideration the labour entailed on all 
concerned, a one day’s show never appears to do justice either to 
exhibitors, societies, or the public. Where that is foreshortened 
by the early closing movement, and evening admission is precluded, 
most business people are debarred from the pleasure they might 
enjoy, whilst receipts fall short accordingly. 
More than one society suffers from a tightness in the war 
chest, but are reluctant to seek relief by breaking old-established 
rules. It may be easy to run in the old groove, and hard to break 
from it; but in these matter-of-fact times the public eye must be 
arrested to reach the purse. One has but to think of that splendid 
undertaking at Shrewsbury to be conscious of the truism that 
“nothing succeeds like success.” Substantial prizes are scented 
from afar. This is an incentive not commending itself to all. 
Instances in which the richest and rarest of examples are brought 
together by enthusiasm and the stimulus only of honorary awards 
are much in evidence, yet I do not see much difference in the 
desire of an eminent firm to obtain a Banksian or Knightian medal 
with the gardener who respects the effigy of Her Majesty on a 
current coin of the realm. Medals or coins represent so much power 
to the recipients, and are suitable to each alike. 
In Garden-Work (October 24th) was reproduced the fac-simile 
of a watch and chain won by a boy gardener. Happy boy ! Will 
he be the happier when revelling amongst the cups ?—a future 
one may predict for him. I think some of the older boys would 
not object to compete for something more useful than the 
ubiquitous cup—something conducive to the advancement of 
knowledge in his calling. Such articles as a microscope, a camera, 
theodolite, or case of mathematical instruments should not detract 
from the dignity of a prize schedule, and a suitable inscription 
would express the honour and glory which the more showy article 
represents. This is a gardener’s point of view, and need not clash 
with the leviathan classes of a powerful society, the challenge 
trophies for which find a suitable resting place in the mansion or 
in the home of a gardener occupying a prominent position. 
Horticultural societies are a power in the gardening world. 
Assuming that the authorities of such societies are anxious for the 
advancement of the art they represent, not the least of their 
obligations is to encourage gardeners. Indirectly they obviously 
do so, but one could wish more encouragement was held out to the 
worker by giving him facility to enjoy the privileges of a holiday, 
which show day affords. There is but little to cavil at in the 
shilling day, but a one day’s exhibition, with admission fixed at 
double that amount, is a luxury that few workers can afford, 
especially should he have to dip into his pocket for Mrs. Gardener 
and the little gardeners, who generally take a very keen interest in 
matters horticultural. So, ye powers that be, show, I pray you, 
some consideration to the hona gardener and his “missus.” 
Verily your reward shall be some easement to your Secretary in 
the clamour for free tickets, which he is seldom weak enough or 
indulgent enough to accede to. 
Apparently at no time in the history of exhibiting has so fierce 
a light been turned upon the onerous duties of judging. It is 
not alone sufficient that the judge should be like Caesar’s wife, 
above suspicion, he must be possessed of the highest practical 
knowledge reduced to a clear mental definition of generally received 
ideas of superiority. A lucid exposition of the art of judging with, 
as far as possible, sharply defined rules would form valuable 
addenda to a prize schedule, tending to avoid that confusion of 
ideas so often prevailing. Such should be welcomed alike by 
the judges and the judged, and if sealed by the authority of 
experts, obtain universal confidence. Until such is arrived at 
individual opinion, with all its variability, must influence decision. 
To win the confidence of their clients it behoves societies to obtain 
the best judicial assistance procurable, and one might add for 
money, for that will bring the best judges over land and sea. 
It is false economy to deprive themselves of the best men. I have 
noticed that exhibitors have the greatest degree of confidence 
in judges from a distance, though there may be nothing to 
advance against practical men in the neighbourhood beyond that 
feeling that a man is not a prophet in his own country. 
Human nature in a flower show plays a prominent part, and 
under any conditions cannot be eliminated. He is a strong man 
who gains the victory, but a stronger than he is one who can accept 
defeat and profit by the lesson it contains. It is a sad 
spectacle when the field day is past to find a petty internecine feud 
carried on into the future. To conclude, I will quote what has 
been said by a high authority on growing, showing, and judging. 
Striving for supremacy in the competitive arena has not only an 
educational value for a gardener, but should make him “ a better 
man.”—E. K,, Duhlin. 
FLORAL FACTS AND FANCIES.—6. 
No doubt there are some persons of a very practical turn who 
consider it useless or even foolish to employ flowers for the pur¬ 
pose of expressing feelings or sentiments. But even in an age 
that gives us numerous ways of expressing thought or emotion, 
flowers, so vastly varied in form and hue, plentiful both in town 
and country, attainable too by everyone, must still be valued 
because of their symbolism. The beginning of it was, we know, 
at a time when language was poor, and a tangible object, such as 
an animal or a flower, served instead of a word to give expression 
to a thought. A lion represented courage, a fox cunning, and an 
eagle or hawk keen sight ; and flowers cr trees, in like manner, 
were noticed to have certain peculiarities which suggested ideas. 
Hence when the curious fashion arose of carving trees or shrubs 
of an evergreen habit into devices resembling geometrical figures, 
animals, and other objects, the tree had its own meaning or 
significance, and might symbolise some animal besides whose shape 
had been given to it. This style of tree disfigurement, for so we 
must call it, once much admired, has ceased to please. Amongst 
the species selected for this purpose were various Pines and Firs, 
the Box, Juniper, Holly, and Yew. People still sometimes sow 
annuals so that they shall on coming up represent names or initials. 
Formerly flower beds also occasionally exhibited plant devices 
intended to suggest animals, or perhaps heraldic figures, rudely 
designed at the time of sowing. Before, however, I return to the 
garden flowers, which are my principal subject, we may gather up 
some of the meanings that have been linked to a few familiar 
evergreens of our shrubberies ; all of them as a group signify 
“ solace under adversity,” because they are so cheerful during the 
gloom of winter. 
The Box, hardy and heroic, indifferent alike to sun, rain, or 
frost, may well show “ unshaken fortitude.” The familiar Privet 
of our hedges has two meanings, “ mildness ” and prohibition. 
Very well does the Holly represent “ foresight,” since Nature so 
armed the tree as to guard it from rough usage, and made it a good 
protection for birds and insects; it would seem, too, to be aware 
that beyond a certain height prickles are not needed, for the 
higher boughs of largo Hollies have generally smooth leaves. It 
may seem odd that the Juniper should signify “shelter” or 
“succour,” but the allusion is no doubt to the fact that one of 
these furnished shade to a wandering prophet. Gardeners a 
century or two ago rather liked to plant the Juniper on lawns or 
garden borders, but it has now gone out of favour. Pines and Firs 
as a group are said to sjmbolise “Time,” because the years roll on 
and seasons pass without bringing any alteration in their appear¬ 
ance. Rightly does the Larch represent “ boldness,” for it climbs 
the bleak hillside, and flourishes where most trees would have a 
struggle for life. It is a pity it is not more freely planted about 
England. Some of the Pines are similarly characteristic of 
“ daring ” They grow tall and vigorous in un .romising situations ; 
they are able also to brave the perils of ocean when used in ship¬ 
building. Then the Scotch Fir, or properly Scotch Pine, is a 
symbol of “ elevation,” either from its liking for lofty spots, or 
from the esteem in which it was formerly held. To the Spruce 
Fir has been attached the meaning of “ hope in adversity.” 
