390 THE COTTAGE 
Having bad opportunities during the concluding year 
of visiting many provincial horticultural exhibitions, 
and of perusing the prize lists of a still greater number 
of horticultural societies, we are induced to put to then- 
managers this question— What clo you consider is the 
object to be aimed at by a Horticultural Society ? 
However variously expressed, the substance of the 
replies which the good sense of those managers will 
suggest is, that a horticultural society’s chief object 
should he to improve, to the utmost of its power, the 
gardening of the district where it is established, lo 
such a reply no exception can he taken, and we then 
must ask the managers we have referred to, severely and 
scrupulously to test each prize they offer, by pausing 
over each and considering, “ Is this prize calculated to 
improve the gardening of this neighbourhood?" 
We do not wish to be severe, but we deliberately and 
painfully have come to the conclusion, that the vast 
majority of horticultural prize-lists would be decimated, 
if submitted uncompromisingly to such an ordeal. 
It is impossible to set up a standard of rules fitted 
for all societies, because soil, climate, and the pecuniary 
resources of the members at large are controlling cir¬ 
cumstances. But we can remind all managers of such 
societies, that they do not “ improve to the utmost the 
gardening of the district,” by having prizes for such 
plants, or such numbers of plants, as are certain to be 
won by a very few exhibitors. If year after year the 
same prizes of a society go to the same parties, and 
almost for the same plants, the finger of death is upon 
that society; it may be a lingering death, but ere many 
years are passed the circulation of its life-blood—its 
subscriptions—will cease. Subscribers grow weary of 
having annuitants upon the funds. 
To remedy such an engrossing of the prizes by a few 
competitors, the prizes should be more numerous, of 
smaller amount, and for flowers and other objects of 
cultivation that will let in a more numerous class of 
exhibitors. Why do we see prizes so generally omitted 
for auriculas, pansies, polyanthuses, and gooseberries, 
whilst roses in pots, pelargoniums, chrysanthemums, 
and grapes are as generally highly rewarded ? 
Again, in the lists of prizes for greenhouse plants; 
why do we see such varied prizes for dozens and twen¬ 
ties of these, but none for three or six that have been 
cultivated in the sitting-room ? In other words, why 
are there no prizes for window plants? Moreover, why 
is any exhibitor allowed to have a prize for a single 
specimen of a class in which he is exhibiting a collec¬ 
tion? For example, why is Mr. A. allowed to exhibit 
twelve greenhouse plants, and two or three single speci¬ 
mens of greenhouse plants? There is no just reason 
for this; inasmuch as that, if those single specimens are 
very superior, they ought to have been included in the 
collection to secure for it the first prize; whereas, Mr. 
A. will be contented to have a second prize for his col¬ 
lection, if he can have prizes for the single specimens 
more than equivalent to the difference between the first 
and second prizes. Now, this has no tendency “ to im- 
GARDENER. [Sei-tember 20. 
prove to the utmost the gardening of the districtbut 
it most effectually consumes the Society’s income. 
In concluding these suggestions, which we make for 
the purpose of rousing attention to a consideration most 
important for the prosperity of each and every Horticul¬ 
tural Society, we will add what we consider a golden 
rule to be constantly kept in mind when forming its 
prize list:— 
Give many and small prizes, rather than a few large 
ones. 
The object is to secure numerous exhibitors, and this 
can only be effected by success being certain to more 
than a few. 
We understand that a popular account of the Royal 
Lily ( Victoria regina), with a detail of the history and 
habits of the Water Lilies of our own land, may soon be 
expected from the pen of our contributor, Mr. Lawson, 
of Edinburgh. We shall postpone some observations 
we have to make upon this flower until after Mr. Law¬ 
son’s work has been published. 
THE FRUIT-GARDEN. 
The Gooseberry.— It being the period for planting 
this very useful fruit, which is, indeed, a favourite with 
everybody, and, what is more, equally within the reach 
of the peer and the peasant, we will offer a few remarks, 
first premising that our main purpose will not be to dis¬ 
cuss the merits of what are termed “ show gooseberries,” 
but to point to some of the best kinds for cultivating in 
the amateur or cottager’s garden. Of course, flavour is 
the great consideration with regard to dessert kinds; 
without this being first-rate, it is sheer nonsense to cul¬ 
tivate them; as high-flavoured kinds are to be had 
amongst all the colours, and of both early and late sorts. 
Fineness of skin is, moreover, a recommendation; and 
for this reason most of the huge kinds emanating from 
the Lancasliire growers are rejected by all good gar¬ 
deners, so many of them proving exceedingly coarse, 
albeit many possess very good flavour. They are, how¬ 
ever, very liable to burst in rainy seasons, and being 
mostly middle season berries, the birds are apt to make 
sad havoc amongst them. 
Next to flavour we must consider how to provide dis¬ 
tinct colours—a few of each class; for it is scarcely 
necessary to add that those who like to enjoy a daily 
dessert, will naturally like a change of colour, which, 
indeed, generally involves change ot flavour. It some¬ 
times happens, too, that when several dishes of fruits 
are required on the table, tliere may be room for a couple 
of dishes of gooseberries; bow nice, then, to have two 
kinds, decidedly distinct both in flavour and in colour, 
and the latter of a decided character. Thus, suppose a 
dish of the fine yellow Rockwood s and a dish of 
the Green gage, or, it may be, the Red champagne; 
which latter is, indeed, equal, if not superior, to some 
grapes. 
Tlius much for colour j hut wo have another most 
important matter for consideration—how to have as 
long a gooseberry season as possible. "W e this season 
commenced .getting the early green hairy on the fifteenth 
of July, and we shall finish our last berries about the 
first week of October. 
We have not, however, done all that may be done; 
