350 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 1, 1896. 
necessity that as many as possible, if not 
all—both societies and judges—should agree 
to act and judge on certain recognised 
principles. If this line of procedure is 
generally agreed upon, exhibitors would 
know better what to aim at in bringing 
forward their products, and dissatisfaction 
at the results of various exhibitions would 
be reduced to a minimum. 
The greater number of the rules here set 
forth are admirably explicit, but some of 
them might be improved by further 
elucidation. Under “ General Rules ” we 
find it stated that, “ Two or more persons 
shall not exhibit for prizes separately from 
the same garden, nursery, or plant house.” 
It frequently happens that the gardener’s 
wife or his daughters exhibit separately 
under their own names. Possibly they 
may, by the committee, be regarded as one 
and the same exhibitor, but the rule is 
liable to misinterpretation. Following this 
is a rule defining the method of procedure 
in the case of equal first, second, or third 
prizes. We have heard an old judge say 
that such a thing should never occur if the 
judging was properly carried out. We 
admit that such cases are often difficult to 
decide ; but under “Suggestions to Judges ” 
we find something very like a solution of 
the difficulty, where a cup may be offered 
as a prize and it cannot be awarded to two 
separate exhibitors. If their exhibits total 
an equal number of points, then “ effective 
arrangement and correct naming must 
determine the issue.” We think this might 
be done in all cases, so that exhibitors may 
be encouraged and recompensed for 
individual skill and knowledge. The 
educational value of their exhibits would 
thereby tend to be greatly augmented. 
Many Scotch societies would have to alter 
their schedules if, “ No exhibitor may take 
more than one prize in the same class.” 
We believe, however, it would be to their 
advantage to adopt this rule. One 
exhibitor frequently sweeps the board of 
all the prizes in one or more classes, and he 
may do so every year if he can, thus greatly 
damping the enthusiasm of many a would- 
be exhibitor with fewer “ appliances and 
means to boot ” it may be. 
In the apportionment of prize money, 
surely it might be worthy of consideration 
to do so according to the number of points 
which the first, second and third prize ex¬ 
hibits, respectively may score. When 
there is only a difference of one or two 
points between any two exhibits it seems 
discouraging that the first prize lot should 
get as much as the second and third lots 
conjointly. Still, the additional stimulus 
given to each exhibitor to aim at the first 
prize, may commend itself to most people, 
and ultimately prove beneficial to horti¬ 
cultural exhibitions and all concerned. 
The “ Suggestions to Schedule-makers ” 
should stand them in good service; for 
much of the discontent that follows the 
awards of the judges at various exhibitions, 
arises through a misinterpretation of the 
schedule, when ambiguously worded, or 
where too much is left to the exhibitors to 
frame according to their individual opinions. 
Rule 28 might, however, have been 
supplemented with a table stating how 
many samples of each of the more common 
vegetables should go to form a dish where 
not otherwise specified. In the case of 
fruits this has been done, and we consider 
the directions very explicit and reasonable. 
A case or two has come under our notice 
where a considerable amount of grumbling 
arose owing to the first prize being awarded 
to an exhibit containing a larger number of 
samples to each dish than the less success¬ 
ful exhibitors had. The wording of the 
schedule left this latitude open, and it must 
be confessed that the first prize exhibit had 
a telling effect, whether the judges were 
guided by it or not. Exhibitors generally 
would like to know how the judges arrive 
at their decision. We believe that all 
reasonable exhibitors would not only be 
delighted to beat their opponents on the 
same vantage ground, but, if unsuccessful, 
would take their defeat with good grace, so 
long as they were fairly beaten in good 
company. Under such circumstances, a 
second prize is of more value, because a 
greater honour to the winner, than a first 
under conditions of great disparity and 
disadvantage to his friendly and good- 
humoured antagonist. The definitions of 
the terms “kind” and “variety” in reference 
to fruits, flowers, and vegetables should 
remedy a grievance that is all too prevalent, 
especially in the case of local societies. 
Some examples of what to avoid in the 
framing of schedules will also commend 
themselves. 
The “Suggestions to Judges,” if generally 
adopted would help exhibitors greatly in 
gauging the views that would be taken of 
their productsat different shows. At present, 
unless they know the men who may be 
appointed to judge at any particular place 
and happen to be acquainted with the 
general trend of their views, gardeners have 
no guide whatever as to how any particular 
kind of exhibit will be judged. This is a 
condition of things that has long been 
calling for redress, and we are not surprised 
that the matter should have been taken 
in hand, especially when we consider that 
merit in many cases is arbitrary and of con¬ 
venience according to the views that 
individuals, in all good faith and sincerity, 
may hold. That the Royal Horticultural 
Society should have been first in the field 
to supply a want, is to their credit. 
• « »- 
A reader of The Gardening World says he 
" generally finds a smile after the leader." 
The Inhabitants of Arran are said to use the 
Maidenhair Fern as a substitute for tea. Is this 
correct ? 
White Carnations, white and yellow Marguerites, 
and Cowslips are now in blossom in the garden of 
Zennor Vicarage, quite exposed to the sea, on the 
North Coast of Cornwall. 
Gloire de Dijon Rose is flowering on the walls of the 
mansion of J. P. Bryce, Esq., Bystock, Exmouth, 
Devon. It is also in full bloom in the garden of the 
Great Western Hotel, Oban, Scotland, and in a 
situation facing the sea. 
An exciting occupation.—A Scottish judge inquired 
of his gardener about his son whom he had set to 
work in the garden. “He's daein’ fine; workin’ 
awa’ at the job that suits him." The judge wanted 
to know what that was. “ Chasing snails afif the 
walks.” 
Lectures at Eastbourne —On the 18th ult , the con¬ 
cluding lecture by Mr. Gearing on “ Gardening " 
was given at the Leaf Hall, under the presidency of 
Mr. S. Billenness. There was a very good muster 
of allotment holders and others, among whom were 
Councillor J. C. Wright (Technical Instruction 
Committee) and other local men of importance. The 
lecture was on “ Lettuce Cucumbers, etc., and the 
best methods of cultivating them in hot and dry 
seasons." The lecturer dealt with the subject in 
his usual practical manner, and at the close numerous 
questions were asked and satisfactorily answered.— 
The Chairman then mentioned that a petition had 
been drawn up by Mr. Smith ready for their 
signatures, as suggested at a previous meeting. It 
it is to be presented to the Technical Instruction 
Committee asking them to arrange meetings in their 
own gardens in the summer so that Mr. Goaring 
may explain more fully the various methods which 
he has advocated at different times. About thirty 
signed this petition. 
Pairing and paring.—I saw a pair of Pears pare a 
pair of Pears, and while the former were paired the 
latter were both paired and pared.— Snaggs. 
Experiments in soaking seeds in weak solutions of 
nitrate of soda have resulted in showing that the 
seeds germinate more readily and growth is more 
robust. 
The Moretonhampstead Horticultural Society held 
its annual meeting on the 18th ult., Dr. Engelback 
presiding. J. Stevens Neck, Esq., J.P., the Hon. 
Secretary, reported a balance in hand of £30, which 
was considered very satisfactory. Several altera¬ 
tions were made in the prize list. Mr. Neck was 
thanked for his past services and unanimously re¬ 
elected secretary. He had been assured that their 
annual show was one of the best in the county with 
the exception of those in large towns. 
Potatos in the Moon.—A minister in the north of 
Scotland, who was never too ready in paying his 
debts, but very fond of a joke, meeting a fool he was 
in the habit of teasing, asked him how the Potatos 
were selling in the moon just now. " Oh, very cheap, 
and plenty of them," replied the fool. "But don't 
you think," said the minister, “ that there might be 
a difficulty in getting them down ? ” " Nae fear o’ 
that," answered the fool. “ Send up the money, and 
they’ll soon send them down.” 
Hertford Horticultural Society.—At the annual 
meeting of this society on the 15th ult., Mr. J. Fitt 
was voted to che chair. The secretary, Mr. J. 
Fears, read the report, which showed a membership 
of 320 as against 308 iD 1894. Papers have been 
read at their fortnightly meetings, and lively and 
profitable discussions ensued. The exhibits at 
these meetings had been numerous and creditable. 
Those at the annual show had increased from 408, in 
1894, to 440. About 2,500 had visited their autumn 
show, being an increase on former years. When all 
accounts were paid there would be a balance in hand. 
The election of officers for the ensuing year was 
effected, and the secretary re-elected. 
Dalton Horticultural Society.—The eighteenth 
annual meeting of this flourishing society was held 
in the Nelson Street Board Schools, Dalton, on the 
18th inst. Mr. Thomas Ashburner, of Greystone 
House, presided over a good attendance, Mr. James 
Dickinson, the secretary, presented the report, in 
which it appears that a substantial balance stands to 
the credit of the society. The total entries at the 
exhibition last year were 1,033. The society was 
the proud winner of Messrs. Cannell & Sons' 
valuable champion sash, and a cash prize It held 
the former for a year, and challenged all comers in 
Lancashire, Westmoreland, and South Cumberland. 
The President said he trusted the Dalton Society 
would put its shoulder to the wheel and retain the 
sash. Later on the secretary announced that 
Messrs. Cannell had renewed their offer of the 
champion sash, and £5 for competition at their next 
show, to be held August 21st and 22nd. 
Bradford Paxton Society.- At the last fortnightly 
meeting of the Bradford Paxton Society Mr. B. 
Spencer, of Manningham, gave an interesting lecture 
on " How Seeds Travel.” An introductory descrip 
tion was first given showing the enormous fecundity 
of many kinds of plants, in the course of which the 
lecturer stated that it had been computed that a 
single seed of Henbane would, in four years, provided 
none were destroyed, produce sufficient seeds to sow 
the whole world. It appeared to be a law of nature 
that plants in a wild state should possess the power 
of dispersion in a much greater degree than those 
under cultivation. If the plant possessed no power 
of dispersion its seed fell to the ground, and unless 
the plant was cared for by cultivation it would in 
due course cease to exist. Reference was made to 
the natural methods of dispersion by what might be 
called local force. By means of this natural power 
seeds were projected to greater or less distances from 
the parent plant. Sir John Lubbock had stated that 
he had seen the seeds of the Squirting Cucumber 
projected nearly 20 ft. Mr. Spencer described how 
many seeds possessed wings, down, or other adhesive 
aids to their dispersal, and next dwelt at length on 
the agencies employed for conveying seeds, by 
animals, by the wind, water, and icebergs, and by 
man. 
