JANUARY. 
3 
display of bad culture brought together. Here we noticed Verbenas in 
pots too large by half, grown too freely and badly bloomed, having been 
kept in close frames or houses, and not allowed air enough. Here, too, 
were miserable Achimenes in very large pots, scarlet Geraniums weakly 
and yellow from confinement and inattention, and a miserable Fancy 
Geranium that would be dear at a groat, put up for the prize for a 
specimen, and no doubt received it. It is a practice here and at many 
other provincial shows to give prizes to the best yellow, white, scarlet, 
and other coloured Dahlias—that is, the best in each class; and at 
Halifax, Shipley, and Newcastle we saw a large number of flowers 
that were a disgrace to any exhibition. In short, in all these instances 
we fear not a bloom was to be found of good quality in the classes for 
single blooms. This statement will no doubt cause some displeasure 
amongst the growers, but it is the truth, and they ought to do better, 
and can easily do so. Thought will do it. Let them sit down in the 
dormant months of winter and seriously reflect if something cannot be 
done so as to produce better culture next year. Many may, and 
perhaps will, exclaim—Look at the season! And yet Mr. George 
Edwards, of York, not many miles distant, showed fine blooms at 
Shipley and Halifax. If one grower can do so, why not the rest ? 
The truth is, the same care is not brought into play; but there is no 
reason why it should not. The fault lies in not paying sufficient 
attention to getting the plants strong in pots before planting out—in 
planting out too soon—in not turning up and enriching the soil in 
winter—and in not paying proper care to the tying out, disbudding, and 
nursing of the plants when growing. The necessity for all this we have 
pointed out on former occasions, and have shown how it was to be done. 
One of the chief reasons why we do not see better productions at 
these exhibitions is because prizes are not withheld from subjects 
undeserving of an award. Judges should in all cases have the power 
to withhold prizes from subjects not deserving such a distinction, and 
should be instructed to do so. No greater mistake can be committed 
than giving prizes to the best productions presented when not deserving, 
simply because they happen to be the best present. Exhibitors know 
this to be the rule, and they are careless ; but if they knew that 
decidedly inferior productions ran the risk of being disqualified, greater 
care and attention would replace the inattention and inefficiency we 
complain of. As we before observed, empower the judges to withhold 
prizes from subjects not deserving of distinction. Select as censors men 
who are strictly honest, and thoroughly understand what a good flower, 
or well-grown plant or fruit is, and invest them with full power to with¬ 
hold prizes when the subjects are not deserving of them. Let such be 
clearly stated in the schedules and the rule be strictly followed, and 
great benefits will arise from it. While on this subject we cannot 
refrain from alluding to the questionable utility of a plan peculiar to 
the north and midland districts, of withholding from the judges the 
names of the exhibitors. Such a step does not prevent dishonesty if 
the exhibitors and judges are disposed to act unfairly ; if the disposition 
exists they will do so under any circumstances, and although it is 
intended that the names of the exhibitors should not be known to the 
B 2 
