Supplement  to 
March  15,  1900.  JOCRXAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
217 
Seedsmen’s  Guarantees. 
To  call  a  plain  statement  of  fact  “  quibbles  ”  is  neither  argument  nor 
the  best  of  taste,  nor  does  the  fact  that  “A.  D.”  has  only  a  limited 
knowledge  of  a  subject  render  it  incomprehensible,  at  least  to  others. 
His  statement  that  99  per  cent,  of  the  seeds  supplied  at  the  present 
date  are  good  and  true  to  description  is  perfectly  correct ;  but  we  have 
it  also  on  reliable  authority  that  about  the  same  proportion  of  the 
population  of  these  islands  are — well,  not  wise  men.  Any  good  seed 
firm  would  gladly  guarantee  their  seeds  if  the^  could  insure  their 
being  properly  tested,  but  to  guarantee  the  crop  tinder  all  conditions 
of  climate,  or  folly  and  incompetence  on  the  part  of  the  sower,  is 
quite  another  matter.  I  could  give  enough  instances  bearing  on  this 
to  fill  the  Jounlal  of  Rorhcultiire  were  it  worth  while,  but  perhaps  it 
would  not  serve  any  useful  purpose.  Those  who  wear  the  shoe 
generally  know  best  where  it  pinches  ;  and  seedsmen  wisely  prefer 
not  to  leave  themselves  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  any  person  who 
may  seek  to  cover  his  incompetence  through  legal  proceedings. — 
Chas.  E.  Pearson. 
Judges  and  Judging. 
Many  times  in  the  past  has  the  subject  of  “  Judges  and  Judging” 
been  discussed  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  though  evidently,  in  the 
opinion  of  “An  Inquisitor”  (page  179),  it  has  not  been  “thrashed 
out.”  Possibly  it  never  will  be  to  the  satisfaction  of  everybody,  but 
that  is  no  reason  why  any  ambiguities  that  may  exist  should  go  on 
without  protest,  or  suggestions  for  improvement. 
As  to  the  question  of  “  the  same  judges  being  employed  year  after 
year  in  the  same  classes  at  the  same  shows,”  may  we  not  reasonably 
suppose  that  if,  and  when,  such  is  the  case,  the  continuation  of  their 
services  is  based  on  the  fact  of  their  having  given  satisfaction  to  the 
committees  of  the  respective  societies,  as  well  as  to  the  general  body  of 
exhibitors  ?  If  this  is  so,  why  should  not  such  judges  be  re-chosen  if 
it  be  the  desire  of  the  electors  ?  If  “  An  Inquisitor  ”  were  one  of  these 
judges  in  whom  confidence  is  reposed  because  his  competency  and 
integrity  had  been  fully  tested,  would  he,  in  view  of  those  facts,  think 
it  right  to  be  superseded  by,  it  might  be  an  equally  good  adjudicator, 
but  one  who  had  still  to  prove  himself  so  fori  the  purposes  desired  at 
that  particular  show  ? 
Is  it  not  probable  that  no  persons  know  ao  yell  as  the  secretaries  of 
societies  the  measure  in  which  the  annually' chosen  adjudicators  are 
trusted  ?  The  officials  have  protests  to  dm)  with  and  if  these  are 
many,  and  sustained,  changes  would  be  iiiperative;  but  if  few  or 
trivial,  would  not  the  officials  be  justified  in  relying  in  the  main  on 
men  of  proved  capacity,  or  in  other  words,  trusting  to  the  bridge  of 
proved  soundness  for  bearing  the  strain  to  whi\h  it  must  be  exposed? 
If  your  correspondent  had  entered  a  protest  against  the  judges  who 
had,  year  after  year,  proved  their  fitness  for  dealing  with  particular 
classes  being  transferred  to  others  for  which  tjoy  were  less  fit,  would 
he  not  have  been  on  firmer  ground  ?  Most  pe  ble,  on  reflection,  must 
surely  be  inclined  to  think  so.  j 
It  may  be  urged  that  if  the  same  judges  almys  act  at  a  particular 
show  there  can  be  no  chance  for  younger  menito  share  in  the  work  of 
adjudication.  That  is  quite  true;  but  as  a  mal  er  ot  fact  changes  are 
made  at  most  of  the  shows  he  mentions,  some  gradually,  others  more 
generally.  Personally,  I  think  it  advisable  W  bring  in  fresh  and 
younger  men  to  act  with  the  “  old  stagers,”  batlcommittees  are  often 
loth  to  make  experiments,  as  they  say,  in  that  pi  ection  ;  still,  in  some 
way  or  other  intelligent  young  men  who  hare  lexperience  of  shows 
and  are  acquainted  with  the  cardinal  proprtifs  of  exhibits,  seem 
to  gradually  and  naturally  come  to  the 
An  Ex-Secretary. 
as  ad  j  udicators, — 
I  iVAS  delighted  to  read  the  views  of 
subject  on  page  179,  for  they  have  arrivt 
period — a  time  when  most  small  societies 
for  the  summer  and  autumn  shows.  It  is 
occurred  to  my  mind,  but  I  have  never  tl 
An  Inquisitor  ”  on  this 
at  \a  most  opportune 
e  selVcting  their  judges 
mater  that  has  often 
jht  of  ventilating  my 
il  quite  agree  with 
views  in  the  pages  of  the  Journal  of  HorticvLture,  _  - 
your  correspondent  that  the  same  judges  shopld  not  officiate  year  after 
year  at  the  same  show.  As  a  judge  I  hive  atttnded  and  adjudi¬ 
cated  at  twelve  successive  exhibitions,  am  perhtps  some  of  your 
readers  have  acted  in  the  same  capacity  for  twi^  that  number  of 
exhibitions. 
My  chief  objections  are  that  the  judg*,  or  jmWes,  become  well 
acquainted  with  the  committee,  the  major!  y  of  whon  are  exhibitors  ; 
this  gives  rise  to  unpleasant  remarks  by  son  a  of  the  oatside  exhibitors, 
doubtless  without  reason,  but  still  the  fact  remains.  Again,  the 
same  exhibitors  stage  at  their  show  annually,  and  the  judge,  however 
much  he  may  try  to  avoid  it,  soon  recognises  the  style,  yes,  and  even 
individual  plants  ;  and  where  the  competition  is  keen  and  the  prize  of 
considerable  value,  it  is  sure  to  harass  the  judge  more  or  less.  I 
am  also  acquainted  with  a  Chrysanthemum  show  where  one  exhibitor 
has  staged  in  precisely  the  same  spot  for  five  years  in  succession  to 
my  knowledge,  and  as  in  this  case  it  is  a  group  of  plants,  I  cannot 
fail  to  recognise  it  every  year,  as  does  my  fellow  judge,  who  has 
officiated  for  nine  years.  At  the  same  time  it  is  gratifying  to  know 
our  decision  has  never  been  questioned.  In  this  instance  I  suggested 
to  the  secretary  that  it  would  be  wise  to  have  a  change  of  judges, 
but  the  committee  scouted  the  idea,  and  I  have  no  doubt  this  has 
occurred  in  dozens  of  other  cases. 
In  my  opinion  the  judges  should  not  act  at  a  show  more  than 
two  years  in  succession — not  that  I  think  it  interferes  with  their 
judgment,  but  it  gives  greater  confidence  to  the  exhibitors  and  does 
away  with  that  petty  carping  that  I  am  afraid  is  too  prevalent  at 
our  shows,  though  it  is  now  rare  to  hear  much  grumbling  from  the 
exhibitors ;  whatever  they  may  think  it  is  pleasing  to  find  the 
majority  keep  their  opinions  to  themselves,  or  express  their  views 
privately. — An  Essex  Judge. 
- - 
Apple  Duke  of  Bedford. 
For  several  years  I  have  been  seeking  information  about  the 
origin  of  the  above-named  Apple,  but  up  to  the  present  I  have  failed 
to  obtain  any  definite  statement  concerning  its  history  ;  nor  can  I 
find  a  collection,  either  trade  or  private,  which  includes  it. 
In  Dr.  Hogg’s  fifth  edition  of  the  “  Fruit  Manual  ”  it  is  described 
on  page  64,  and  it  is  there  said  to  be  “  a  first-rate  kitchen  Apple,  in 
fine  condition  at  Christmas,  and  will  keep  till  February,  ’  buD  nothing 
is  said  about  its  origin.  I  have  all  the  editions  of  the  “  Fruit  Manual  ” 
except  the  fourth,  and  the  variety  does  not  appear  in  the  first,  second, 
or  third,  so  I  take  it  to  be  a  modern  variety,  as  the  third  edition  was 
issued  in  1866  and  the  fifth  in  1884.  I  shall  be  obliged  if  any  cor- 
respondent  could  give  some  information  about  the  variety,  and  if  the 
late  Dr.  Hogg’s  manuscript  is  still  in  existence  possibly  the  Editor- 
may  be  able  to  find  a  clue. — R.  Lewis  Castle. 
[This  Apple  is  not  included  in  the  fourth  edition  of  the  “  Fruit 
Manual,”  and  nothing  relating  to  the  history  of  the  origin  of  the 
variety  can  be  found  amongst  the  MS.  left  by  the  late  Dr.  Hogg. 
Perhaps  some  of  the  experienced  readers  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture 
can  supply  the  information  Mr.  Castle  desires.] 
The  Sweet  Pea  Bicentenary. 
At  last  one  of  our  most  charming  garden  flowers  is  to  have  its  due. 
After  years  of  almost  absolute  neglect  a  number  of  horticulturists 
have  come  together,  and  will  endeavour,  by  the  aid  of  an  exhibition 
and  a  conference,  to  reduce  order  out  of  chaos — at  least  such  is  what 
I  gather  from  a  copy  of  the  proposed  scheme.  I  feel  I  must,  in  the 
pages  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  congratulate  the  prime  mover.s 
and  wish  them  unqualified  success.  The  names  of  those  managing 
the  affair  are  largely  unfamiliar  to  me,  but  I  recognise  sufficient  to 
assure  me  that  this  is  not  a  trade  move,  but  a  loyal  effort  to  increase 
the  popularity  of  this  beautiful  plant  amongst  all  classes  of  growers. 
I  have  seen  the  displays  of  Sweet  Peas  that  are  brought  together 
at  Wolverhampton  and  Shrewsbury,  and  have  often  thought  what  a 
splendid  spectacle  would  result  from  a  show  devoted  solely  to  them. 
I  am  now  hoping  the  weather  will  be  propitious,  and  that  the  fates 
will  permit  me  to  be  in  London  on  July  20th,  in  which  case  I  shall 
soon  find  my  way  to  the  Crystal  Palace.  I  should  like  to  see  myself 
amongst  the  exhibitors,  but  am  very  doubtful  if  this  wish  will  be 
realised,  as  I  have  not  been  successful  enough  to  produce  flowers  good 
enough  for  staging  so  far.  However,  I  must  redouble  my  efforts  this 
year,  as  I  hope  every  Sweet  Pea  grower  will  do,  so  that  I  may,  with 
good  fortune,  be  enabled  to  support  a  movement  with  which  I  am  so 
entirely  in  sympathy. 
I  have  had  a  glance  through  the  preliminary  schedule,  and  find 
that  there  are  several  classes  to  which  the  smaller  amateur  cau 
devote  his  attention.  As  a  rule  the  classes  scheduled  for  Sweet  Peas 
are  slightly  beyond  the  growers  here  alluded  to,  but  in  this  instance 
they  have  every  consideration  shown  them.  The  prizes  throughout 
are  of  exceptional  generosity,  and  should  be  productive  of  the  keenest 
competition.  If  the  entries  prove  very  numerous  I  venture  to  predict 
that  the  exhibition  will  be  one  of  the  most  beautiful  that  has  ever 
been  held  in  the  Crystal  Palace,  or  for  the  matter  of  that,  out  of  it 
either. 
So  far  I  have  heard  nothing  very  definite  relative  to  the  Conference, 
but  presume  it  will  take  the  form  of  three  or  four  short  papers  and 
subsequent  discussions.  These  should  prove  valuable,  and  I  trust  the 
Committee  will  see  its  way  to  print  the  papers  and  discussions  verbatim 
in  pamphlet  form  at  a  price  of  3d.  or  6d.  The  proposed  classification 
of  the  varieties  might  also  be  advantageously  embodied.  There  must 
be  some  record,  and  this  seems  to  me  the  best  means. — A.  J.  E. 
