May 12, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
579 
would be desirable that I should give some indica¬ 
tion, of a specific and exact nature, as to the definite 
number of " points ” and “ marks ” which I person¬ 
ally would suggest as the basis whereon the judging 
should be carried on. 
I must confess that in the paper in question I had 
designedly omitted such an intimation, for the reason 
that I desired more the establishment of the principle 
which I have advocated than the acceptance of my 
particular view of the exact manner in which that 
principle should find expression. I am fully con¬ 
vinced that were the principle accepted, there are 
plenty of cultivators of the Chrysanthemum— 
experienced and able men—connected with the 
National Chrysanthemum Society, who would find 
no difficulty in arriving at a safe conclusion upon the 
point in question ; and I shall await, and accept with 
confidence, the result of the exercise of their judg¬ 
ment in the matter. 
However, having been asked to formulate my 
views, I -will proceed to do so. 
Let us, then, take the accepted attributes of 
a typical show bloom, and deal with them seriatim. 
Attribute. 
1 
Maximum “ Points ” to be 
awarded in respect of same, ' 
each “ Point” being susceptible 
of division (if required) into 
twelve “ Marks.” 
I Diameter .. 
Up to 2 "points.” 
2 Depth 
.. li .. ' 
3 Solidity 
4 Colour 
5 Finish 
I 
6 Breadth of Petal.. 
tl I M 
Maximum Total.. 
8 points 
I purposely give no added “ points ” for “ fresh¬ 
ness,” for the above is on the assumption that the 
flowers are perfectly fresh at the time of exhibition, 
but I would empower the judges to deduct " points,” 
up to three, for ivant of freshness. 
Again, I would give to the judge the power to 
award special "points” up to two, where a variety 
of known difficulty of cultivation—as for example, 
Mrs. Alpheus Hardy or Gloriosum in perfect form, 
is exhibited in high condition of excellence. 
I would allow nothing for mere novelty. 
Let us now take as an [example a bloom, say, of 
Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. We proceed to allot : — 
Points. Marks. 
For diameter. 
,, depth. 
,, solidity . 
,, colour. 
,, finish. 
,, breadth of petal .... 
Total . 
Add. for difficulty of cul¬ 
ture, this being a nearly 
perfect bloom . 
But the bloom is not per¬ 
fectly fresh, deduct.... 
Net. 
It would add greatly to the value of the educa¬ 
tional aspect of the judging if an analysis in the 
form given [see p. 578] could be appended to the first 
prize stand, even if only in the leading class or 
classes in each section. It would not take long, and 
would be a matter of very great interest to the 
Chrysanthemum public, and it would moreover 
carry with it this further advantage that it would 
afford to the aforesaid Chrysanthemum world the 
opportunity of "judging the judgment of the 
judges.” Whether every judge would equally 
appreciate this aspect of advantage is another ques¬ 
tion, but we have the consolation of knowing that it 
ought to. 
THE DISCUSSION. 
Mr. Jukes said he had read the paper with great 
interest. It was the work of a clever cultivator and 
a keen observer, and they would all recognise the 
importance of the object which Mr. Shea had in 
view, which was to reduce the method of " pointing ” 
to a uniform system. There were some difficulties in 
the way of their coming to a common agreement on the 
subject, but he thought that with so many experts 
as they had among them these were not insur¬ 
mountable. 
Mr. Molyneux expressed his cordial sympathy 
with Mr. Shea’s object, as he considered that the 
time had come when the present haphazard system 
of judging by comparison should be abolished in 
favour of the more equitable method of judging by 
points. There were some exhibitors who would 
disagree with whatever system was adopted, but all 
reasonable men admitted now that the system of 
pointing was the method which enabled every bloom 
to be appraised at its true value with the greatest 
accuracy. It was a failing in many judges that they 
had pet fancies of their own as to what the blooms 
should be like, and what a stand should contain, but 
he contended that no judge had any business what¬ 
ever to introduce his personal fancies when estima¬ 
ting the value of any flower that came before him. 
He agreed with Mr. Shea that no extra points should 
be given for " novelty ” unless a variety was shown 
which wasawell marked advance on what they already 
had ; and he was entirely in accord with him on the 
matter of disqualifying stands containing duplicates. 
It was an unpleasant thing for any judge to have to 
do, but still it was only justice to other exhibitors that 
rigorous disqualification should follow the offence. 
As regards the system of judging stands by means of 
comparison which was in favour with so many 
judges, he contended that that could never be wholly 
fair unless the stands compared contained exactly 
similar varieties, and for that reason, if for no other, 
the pointing system was the best. He thought the 
question of lime, which with some seemed to be the 
only objection to the adoption of the system, was a 
matter that rested more with the exhibitors than the 
judges, but he considered that it would be some 
advantage if they could simplify the system a little 
more than Mr. Shea had done, and this could be 
brought about by placing "diameter,” " depth ” and 
"solidity” together, and allowing a total, say of 
four points, fn the same way he would place 
"form,” "finish” and "freshness” together, and 
allow two points, with two more for " breadth of 
petal ” and " colour.” He was in complete sympathy 
with Mr. Shea’s plan, but if it could be simplified so 
much the better. 
Mr. H. J. Jones was entirely in accord with Mr. 
Shea’s plan, and considered that the time it would 
take up was the only stumbling block in the way of 
its adoption. Mr. P. Waterer thought the time 
that would be required could be easily obtained if 
there was not so much dilatoriness on the part of 
exhibitors. Whatever the time fixed by committees 
for clearing out, there were some exhibitors who 
would not put up their blooms till the last 
minute, but they should be compelled to be ready by 
the time stated. Mr. C. Ritchings remarked that 
neither Mr. Shea nor Mr. Molyneux had referred to 
the question of the relative values of incurved and 
Japanese blooms when shown in the same class. Mr. 
J. H. Witty pointed out that Mr. Molyneux had 
not said anything with regard to the judging of 
groups. Mr. George Gordon was thoroughly in 
accord with Mr. Shea and Mr. Molyneux, though 
he did not consider that even the system of pointing 
was entirely free from liability to error. Still, the 
question was a very important one, and he thought 
that it was most desirable that it should be referred 
back to the General Committee for consideration and 
report. The time question was a serious obstacle, 
but could be got over by appointing more judges. 
Mr. E. Beckett admitted that there was something 
wrong in the present system, and he would gladly 
Support the new one. Mr. J. W. Moorman was in 
favour of Mr. Shea’s plan, as the time had certainly 
come when the antiquated method of judging by 
comparison should be abolished. Mr. T, Bevan 
did not consider that any system could be carried 
out by judges in a decent way unless the exhibitors 
themselves helped by strictly conforming to rules as 
to the time fixed for staging. 
Mr. Shea and Mr. Molyneux having replied, 
the latter remarking that of course pointing would 
only need to be resorted to in the case of close com¬ 
petitions, Mr. C. Harman Payne moved " That 
Mr. C. E. Shea’s paper be referred back to the 
General Committee for consideration, with a view, 
if possible, of giving practical effect to the 
suggestions contained therein.” Mr. H. J. Jones 
seconded the motion, which was carried by a large 
majority. 
Votes of thanks to Mr. Shea, Mr. Molyneux, and 
the Chairman, brought the proceedings to a 
close. 
^I^antngs fiiom 
of Science. 
Experiments with Onions. — The Technical 
Educational Committee of the Wilts County Council 
made a series of experiments last year with Potatos 
and. Onions, with the view of counteracting the 
disease of the former and preventing the ravages of 
the fly that infests the latter. An oblong piece of 
ground was sown with ten varieties of Onions, three 
lines of each running the long way of the ground. 
The ground was then marked off into nine squares, 
each consisting of one pole or perch, except an odd 
one at the end, which was slightly larger but not 
utilised for experiment. These plots extended across 
the lines so as to include all the varieties of Onions 
under treatment. The experiments were commenced 
on May 3rd, but it was afterwards discovered that 
the fly had been at work at least a week previously. 
The warm, dry weather of last year was no doubt 
responsible for the early appearance of the fly ; but 
it is regrettable that such should have been the case, 
for it nullified to a great extent one of the chief 
objects of the experiments, namely, the prevention 
of the fly, rather than its destruction, although the 
latter object was also kept in view. 
Methods of Treatment. - Perch A was sprayed 
at intervals of fourteen days with paraffin emulsion, 
consisting of one and a half pints paraffin to half 
a pound soft soap and boiling water to make the 
whole amount up to two quarts. This was then 
passed through a hand pump to thoroughly mix the 
ingredients. The emulsion was then diluted with 
water till it amounted to three gallons, when it was 
ready for use. It was applied by means of a sprayer 
at the rate of one gallon to a perch. Perch B was 
reserved as a check without treatment. On the 4th 
of May perch C had 7 lbs. of wood ashes scattered 
over it; perch D was treated at the same time with 
lbs. of soot ; while perch E was treated with 
6 lbs. of wood ashes, and i lb. of gas lime. Undi¬ 
luted gas liquor was applied to perch F in a particu¬ 
lar way. Strips of canvass were pegged down 
between the rows of Onions, and the liquor poured 
on to the canvas by means of an oil can till they 
were simply saturated. This was done at intervals 
of a week, commencing on the 4th of May. Perch 
G was treated in the same way and at the same 
time with undiluted paraffin emulsion. In a similar 
manner perch H was treated with ordinary paraffin 
applied to the strips of canvas. 
Notes and Suggestions.— As already stated, the 
fly was already at work upon the ground before the 
operations were commenced, hence the ground was 
already infested, or, in other words, eggs were laid 
upon the plants all over the nine and a quarter 
perches of land. The results were unsatisfactory in 
that respect, seeing that the chief object—prevention 
—was partly frustrated. No fly was seen to settle 
upon the plots covered with tiffany saturated with 
paraffin in any form or with gas liquor. It is 
believed that there are several generations of the fly 
during the course of the summer, so that their 
depredations were prevented on the plots treated 
with paraffin and gas liquor. The largest crops 
were obtained from those plots, bearing further 
evidence of the benefit of the treatment. Similar 
experiments are to be or have been commenced this 
year. No part of the ground was entirely free from 
maggot,which was kept in check by the removal and de¬ 
struction of plants seen to be affected. The labour 
expended upon the whole patch of Onions was equal 
to that of one man for seventeen days, including 
watering ; about 3,000 gallons of water were given 
in the course of the season. Complete chemical 
manure was applied to all of the plots at the rate of 
9 lbs. per perch. Trials are to be made by trans¬ 
planting the Onions. 
Results.—From perch A, 168J lbs. of Onions 
were harvested; from B, 167J lbs.; from C, 
ijif lbs. ; from D, 153J lbs.; from E, 165 lbs. ; from 
F, lygj lbs.; from G, 189 lbs. ; and from H, 186 lbs. 
The lightest crop was taken from perch C, treated 
with 7 lbs. of wood ashes. The reason of this is 
hardly apparent, seeing that perch B received no 
dressing and gave 167J lbs. The heaviest crop, 
189 lbs., came from perch G, treated with strong 
parafifin emulsion. This should be significant if it 
can be confirmed in future trials. The total yield 
of 9:J perches was 1,540^ lbs., or an average of about 
66 lbs. to the perch. 
