20 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
class, except where premiums are given. The tendency of this 
mischievous and impolitic principle leads to great disappointment 
in the minds of visitors, as regards this part of the exhibition, 
who, upon inspecting the various classes of prize-flowers, in ex¬ 
pectation of seeing only first-rate varieties, find, that out of a 
row of perhaps from eight to twelve blooms, not half a dozen in 
which the requisite qualities of a fine flower are fully developed ; 
the remainder (from the contracted principle upon which the judges 
are bound to act) being composed not of the best flowers, (because 
it would take in a second time the same sort,) but for variety’s 
sake inferior ones, very few of which would attract the notice of 
a grower, were he to see them in a collection ; when, on inspecting 
the stage where the unsuccessful flowers have been deposited, they 
discover splendid blooms, infinitely superior to many of those 
placed as winning flowers ; and the decision of the judges becomes 
naturally questioned. 
It is universally admitted, that the object of all horticultural So¬ 
cieties is to promote the cultivation of fruits, flowers, &c., by crea¬ 
ting an emulative spirit amongst the various growers, to produce 
the finest specimen ; then why should any regulation be suffered 
to remain in force, tending to defeat so praiseworthy an object? 
It is not unreasonable to suppose, that a small grower with his 
score pots of leading flowers, may be able, occasionally, to produce 
a bloom that might compete with growers on a much larger scale, 
and yet fail to obtain the precedence, and whose reward and en¬ 
couragement for future efforts, is in seeing his flowers placed on the 
discarded stand : such flowers, being meritorious ones, would have 
stood prominent in classes, if an unlimited mode of exhibiting 
had been adopted. I am convinced that amateurs, who only pos¬ 
sess means of growing on a limited scale, but whose principal 
chance of success is in classes, would be induced to enter the field 
of competition, instead of being deterred by the overwhelming 
chances against them. 
Another advantage might, I think, accrue to wholesale growers, 
as it would, in all probability, lead to an increased demand for 
good sorts, whilst the inferior varieties would naturally improve the 
stock of border flowers, by an addition of such sorts as ought 
never to have been exhibited on a prize stage. 
I would suggest that a committee of growers be appointed by 
each horticultural Society in the_ kingdom, and that they be in- 
