THE GARDENING WORLD 
116 
mum Society ; but unless the objection be found to 
be very pressing it would certainly be desirable to 
give immediate effect to any change which may be 
decided on. 
Portability.— This, too, is a real objection so far as 
it goes ; but, again, not of sufficient weight, per se, to 
be set off against the major consideration of a proper 
exhibition of the flowers. The substantial end cannot 
be sacrificed to mere consideration of detail. Besides 
a reasonable and probably sufficient measure of 
reform may not, after all, so greatly affect the 
question of portability as some assume. 
Next ; a greater inroad on the space available at the 
places of exhibition. A substantial objection, but one 
which it seems to me must be met rather by a limita¬ 
tion of the number of classes where absolutely 
necessary, than by the sacrifice of the quality of the 
judging all through the show, for it amounts to that 
if it be once conceded that the increase in the size of 
the show-boards is necessary. And besides the 
small increase which may be found necessary, and 
that perhaps in Japanese only, would, on the assump¬ 
tion that the Japanese exhibited are equal in number 
to all the other sections taken together, only mean 
some 3 in. to a yard of space on the stage. Not so 
very much after all. 
A last objection.—"Mixed classes” would look 
very awkward. Some think not, but that the 
irregularity which already exists where incurved are 
shown side by side with Japanese Chrysanthemums 
would be scarcely noticeably increased by a slight 
addition made to the size of the Japanese board. 
Others are of opinion that if the suggested alteration 
should lead to the abolition of " mixed classes ” 
altogether, so much the better. An opinion which, 
I must confess, I am inclined to share. 
Reviewing the various objections which have been 
urged against an enlargement of the regulation board 
I think that the conclusion must be, that although 
some of them have a measure of weight they alto¬ 
gether fail to supply a sufficient reason for with¬ 
holding the reform which is called for. 
What then shall be the dimensions of our new 
regulation Japanese show-board ? Looking at the 
necessity for some enlargement, and giving all due 
weight to the objections which I have enumerated, 
I should say that an increase of one inch —namely, 
from 6 to 7 inches between the holes, centre to centre, 
would reasonably satisfy the requirements of the 
case. Whether it would be necessary to have a 
margin, back and front, of full 3J inches is a moot 
question. Those who have boxes rather larger than 
their stands would find 3 inches sufficient, and less 
space would be taken on the show table. But this is 
a detail merely. 
Some restriction of the system of allowing dupli¬ 
cates would also tend to keep the "giants ” in their 
places, and allow that relief to the space which is 
afforded by the smaller varieties ; and a regulation 
limiting the diameter of the cup, or disc of card or 
wire, by which the blooms are extended beyond 
the position of natural growth, would also help 
matters. 
It is, of course, possible that were there no such 
countervailing considerations as those which I have 
noticed, even a larger increase than I have suggested 
might be found desirable ; but in this matter com¬ 
promise must come in, and the spirit of moderation 
should direct our counsels. 
We shall doubtless hear the opinions of many 
practical exhibitors, and to the united wisdom and 
experience of the meeting we can safely leave the 
decision of the exact size of the future board, but 
this I would suggest: let that size be settled upon 
some definite principle, and do not let the point de¬ 
pend upon the average of a number of different 
suggestions I otherwise reasonable proposals may be 
altogether negatived and swamped by some one's 
altogether preposterous suggestion—like the 40-in. 
by 30-in. board for twelve blooms, as proposed by 
one of his correspondents in answer to the circular 
of Mr. Falconer Jameson. 
In conclusion, I am confident that, whatever be 
the result of the conference, its decision will be 
heartily endorsed and loyally observed by all true 
lovers of the Chrysanthemum. 
Mr. R. Falconer Jameson, Hull, and Mr. W. 
Herbert Fowler, Taunton, then read papers in 
favour of the alteration, which will be published in 
our next isssue. 
Votes of thanks having been accorded to Mr. 
Shea, Mr. Falconer Jameson, and Mr. W. H. Fowler, 
Mr. William Drover, Fareham, showed an exhibi¬ 
tion board which he had made and which was of the 
following dimensions:—28 in. by 21 in., 3 in. in the 
front and 8 in. at the back in height, and 7 in. from 
the centre of each hole. Mr. Drover said that when 
he was first asked about the size that should be 
adopted for exhibition boards for Japanese blooms, 
he was of opinion that the usual sized board would 
do ; but, on further consideration, he thought that a 
larger size would be advisable. 
Mr. W. H. Fowler proposed, " That the size of 
the boards for Japanese blooms for the future be 
27 in. by 19.J in., and that all Japanese blooms be 
for the future exhibited on such size stands only.”— 
Mr. Whittle seconded the proposition. 
Mr. Charles Gibson moved as an amendment: 
" That the size of the boards for Japanese blooms be 
that recommended by Mr. Drover—viz., 28 in. by 
21 in., 3 in. in front and 8 in. at the back in height, 
7 in. from the centre of each hole, and the holes 
in the first row 3 in. from the front, and in 
the third row 4in. from the back.” He thought 
that this size was not at all too large. The blooms 
would be larger at next month’s show, and a board 
of the size proposed by Mr. Drover would enable 
the public to see the beauty of the blooms and also 
render the task of the judges easier.— Mr. H. Can- 
nell- seconded the amendment. 
Mr. R. Ballantine, in supporting the amendment, 
said: Now that we are on the eve of a change we 
had better go the full length rather than have any 
half measures. It has been very clearly proved to¬ 
night that some change is necessary. The sense of 
this meeting is, I think, that the time has come when 
we should change the size of the board; and while 
we are about it I think it would be the better plan to 
adopt a size which will meet the wants of the future 
as well as of to-day. I think Mr. Fowler's board 
(27 by 19J) would do for the blooms we now have ; 
but if we made the size 28 in. by 21 in., it would 
meet all the wants of the present day. At the same 
time I wish to say that I find by actual measurement 
that Mr. Drover’s board is 28 in. by 21J in.—that is 
just half an inch over what he proposes. So far as 
the extra room required by such boards for show 
purposes is concerned, I do not think that this is a 
point to be considered very much ; the extra space 
would scarcely tell much in making up a table. I 
shall be very pleased to support the amendment pro¬ 
posed, that the size of board for Japanese blooms 
should be 28 in. by 21 in., and that that limit should 
be compulsory. 
Mr. J. W. Moorman, in supporting the amend¬ 
ment, observed that there was nothing new in the 
size board proposed by Mr. Drover. It had been 
used in 1879 at Southampton, in 1882 and 1883 in 
the Royal Aquarium, and at Kingston and other 
places. 
Mr. Richings also spoke in favour of the amend¬ 
ment. He said that as at present staged the blooms 
are hidden, and it is impossible to see the full beauty 
of the blooms or to discover any defects. In fairness 
therefore to the exhibitors and to the public it was 
most essential that each bloom should stand out on 
its own merits, and that the judges should be able to 
see it clearly. He had not heard one argument 
advanced why the size of the boards should not be 
increased. 
Mr. Rowbottom referred to the desirability of 
increasing the height of the present board at the 
back. 
Mr. Fowler thought that the height should be 
left to the exhibitor. At the present time the board 
used was only 6 in. in height at the back. As they 
were not allowed to put the boards higher they put 
the blooms higher instead. 
Mr. Falconer Jameson observed that exhibitors 
might avoid a great deal of the expense which would 
be caused by a change in the standard size of boxes 
by using their old trays and boxes for carrying the 
flowers to and from the shows. 
Mr. D. B. Crane was in favour of the board pro¬ 
posed by Mr. Fowler. He thought it would meet all 
the requirements of blooms that are exhibited at the 
present day. He considered that it was most essen¬ 
tial that there should be a regular size board ; and in 
the arrangement of the blooms on the board he was 
in favour of uniformity. 
Mr. Norman Davis referred to the importance of 
considering the distance that should be decided on 
between the holes on the boards. He was in favour 
of fixing this distance at 7 in. from centre to centre. 
Mr. H. J. Jones also acquiesced in this suggestion. 
Mr. C. Harman Payne spoke in the interests of 
amateurs, cottage growers and persons of that class, 
contending that as they are quite unable to produce 
very large blooms, if a larger exhibition board is 
insisted on, their somewhat smaller blooms will look 
rather absurd on such boards. He thought it would 
be well to add a clause or condition that in the 
Amateur and Cottagers' Class the larger board should 
not be compulsory. The ordinary amateur grower 
would not, he thought, be able to fill the new 
board. 
Mr. R. Ballantine explained that the whole 
question would have to go before the General Com¬ 
mittee of the society—the Committee being bound 
to form its own rules. 
The amendment in favour of Mr. Drover's 
board was then put to the meeting and carried by 
about 38 to 7. 
The Chairman, in acknowledging the vote of thanks 
which had been proposed, referred to the loss which 
the society had sustained by the death of the Duke 
of Sutherland, one of its Vice-Presidents. 
TIE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 
Seakale in the open ground. 
The growing of a good crop of Seakale roots for 
forcing purposes, and forcing them successfully when 
grown, is an item in garden management on which is 
bestowed a good deal of thought and labour. But 
what is termed "natural Kale” by the market 
growers is, I feel sure, not thought so much of as it 
deserves in the majority of private establishments. 
By " natural Kale ” I mean Seakale that is blanched 
by being covered with soil, and which grows as 
spring advances, without the aid of artificial heat. 
This crop comes in when the forced Kale is over, 
and is very useful, as vegetables are always scarce 
just before Asparagus comes in. 
The best plan of growing Seakale for this 
late crop is to plant double rows, say 
eighteen inches apart, and three feet between 
the double rows. This will leave room to earth 
up, say a foot deep, and, during the summer, 
French Beans or Lettuces can be grown between, or 
the whole of the ground can be planted with Sea¬ 
kale, and every alternate row or two rows taken up 
for forcing. The earthing of one half, intended for 
" natural Kale,” should be done as soon as the leaves 
can be removed, and the other half may be covered 
in the latter half of February. A few days difference 
will be found in the two cuttings, not much perhaps, 
but anything that lengthens the supply of any vege¬ 
table is of service to the gardener. The Seakale 
which is covered in the autumn will be found to be 
nearly a week earlier than the other, because the 
ground will retain a little of the warmth from sum¬ 
mer, which will be absent in the end of February. 
About nine inches or a foot of soil should be placed 
over the crowns, and when it is fit to cut the head 
will be seen lifting the soil on the top of the ridge, 
and with a little care the earth at the side may be 
moved away, and the crowns may be cut without 
breaking them at all. Great care must be taken to 
earth up the latest batch before the crowns make 
any start, or when ready for cutting the heads will 
be found bent and disfigured ; there is no fear of 
this happening if covered in a dormant state. I 
have in many gardens seen late Seakale got by cover¬ 
ing some crowns with Seakale pots or boxes and 
cold leaves or soil, but I think that the Kale grown 
as described in the ordinary soil will be found far 
superior in flavour to that grown in any other way, 
and as I said before it comes in at a time when 
vegetables are scarce.— G. H. S. 
-- 
Syringa Japonica, the great tree Lilac of Northern 
Japan, certainly improves with age, and the large 
plants in the gardens of Eastern Massachusetts, 
where this fine plant was introduced several years 
ago through the agency of the Arnold Arboretum, 
are better than ever this season, being covered with 
their immense clusters of creamy white flowers, 
which stand up boldly above the masses of rich dark 
green foliage. Among small late-flowering trees 
Syringa Japonica here at the North has no equal 
when once it is established in deep, rich soil with 
sufficient room to insure the growth and ripening of 
its upright, rather rig'd branches, which, when the 
plants are well grown, form a compact, rather formal 
head. The largest plants in Massachusetts are now 
nearly 20 ft. high, and 12 or 15 ft. through the 
branches .—Garden and Forest. 
