144 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  13,  1897. 
lack  of  exhibitors  may  oompel  committees  of  horticultural  societies  to 
strike  these  classes  out  of  their  schedules. 
The  largest  and  most  complete  exhibition  of  plants  I  can  remember 
was  the  International  Exhibition  of  1866,  held  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society.  Nearly  every  home  and  Continental  firm 
of  repute  was  represented,  and  such  magnificent  plants  have  seldom  oeen 
seen  in  such  numbers.  Large  specimen  Orchids  grown  in  tubs  produced 
a  striking  effect,  as  also  did  huge  plants  of  Eucharis  amazonica  some 
feet  in  diameter,  and  carrying  from  sixty  to  one  hundred  spikes  of 
bloom,  grown  by  Mr.  Howard  of  Balham. 
The  largest  exhibition  of  fruit  I  have  seen  was  at  Manchester  in 
1874.  Grapes  were  superb.  Mr.  Hunter  of  Lambton  Castle  was  the 
•champion  in  many  of  the  fruit  classes,  one  buocb  of  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes  weighing  over  21  lbs  ,  the  largest  bunch  of  this  variety  on  record. 
It  has  fallen  to  my  lot  to  take  some  part  at  many  of  our  best  shows, 
and  I  do  not  doubt  that  many  of  my  younger  hearers  will  be  saying  to 
themselves,  “You  have  told  us  plenty  about  the  shows  of  twenty  to 
thirty  years  ago.  What  abort  the  shows  of  the  present  day?”  My 
opinion  is  this.  Taking  them  all  in  all  they  are  the  best  exhibitions  of 
horticultural  produce  the  world  has  ever  seen,  and  no  country  can  equal 
our  own  in  producing  suet  splendid  examples  of  Nature’s  boundless 
wealth,  both  in  fruits,  flowers,  and  vegetables;  and  why  is  this?  It  is 
not  that  we  have  the  most  suitable  climate,  or  the  best  appliances,  or 
the  most  fertile  soil  ;  but  it  is  simply  that  the  Aoglo-Saxon  people 
possess  such  indomitable  perseverance  that  they  will  not  be  beaten  by 
any  other  country,  either  in  war  or  in  the  milder  pursuits  of  peace. 
To  my  mind  the  greatest  advance  that  has  been  made  in  popularising 
our  horticultural  shows  has  been  brought  about  by  the  introduction  of 
classes  for  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect.  What  a  remarkable 
degree  of  excellence  this  feature  has  now  reached,  and  it  must  be  grati¬ 
fying  to  the  members  of  our  little  Hessle  Society  to  know  that  we  have 
amongst  us  men  who  have  repeatedly  taken  a  foremost  place  in  these 
classes  even  at  our  largest  and  best  shows,  where  the  competition  is  most 
keen  ;  also  we  have  one  who  has  never  suffered  defeat  in  any  competition 
of  this  kind,  and  1  sincerely  hope  he  never  will.  I  consider  him  not 
only  the  champion  exhibitor  of  groups  of  plants,  but  the  pioneer  in 
training  and  teaching  others  what  good  groups  ought  to  be.  He  is  no 
copyist;  his  ideas  are  as  original  as  they  are  beautifully  carried  out, 
and  we  all  hope  the  future  may  have  many  more  triumphs  in  store  for 
him.  After  the  groups  I  think  the  classes  for  bouquets,  stands  of 
flowers,  tasteful  arrangements  for  table  and  other  decorations  have 
made  immense  strides  during  the  past  few  years,  and  this  improvement, 
as  exemplified  at  our  shows,  has  done  much  to  advance  the  national 
mind  in  tone,  taste,  and  refinement.  There  has  been  a  great  advance 
in  the  quality  and  culture  of  florists’  flowers,  such  as  Roses.  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  Begonias,  Gloxinias,  Lilies,  Carnations,  and  many  others  too 
numerous  to  mention  here. 
True,  there  are  some  classes  that  are  now  seldom  seen.  1  refer  to 
those  for  rare  plants,  both  exotic  and  British,  also  British  Ferns.  At 
one  time  there  were  classes  at  York  for  twenty-four  and  thirty-six 
distinct  varieties  of  British  plants.  The  loss  of  these  classes  has 
been  much  felt  by  many,  but  their  removal  had  become  necessary  so 
as  to  make  room  for  more  showy  exhibits,  for,  after  all,  we  are  not  all 
botanists,  and  cannot  fall  in  love  only  with  that  which  is  most  rare. 
Now  just  a  word  or  two  on  the  compilation  of  schedules  for  our 
large  shows.  My  opinion  is  that  these  schedules  should  contain  classes 
for  everything  that  can  be  produced  in  good  condition  at  the  time  of 
the  show,  and  which  may  be  grown  in  sufficient  numbers  to  bring 
out  a  strong  competition.  I  think  also  that  the  prizes  offered  should  be 
as  proportionate  as  possible  in  value  with  the  merits  of  the  exhibits,  and 
in  no  case  should  a  first  prize  be  in  excess  of  the  second  and  third  com¬ 
bined.  It  is  very  hard  on  any  exhibitor  who  may  miss  the  firs£  prize 
by  a  single  point  to  lose  £5.  Some  may  say  this  is  the  fortune  of  war, 
but  when  gardeners  have  to  pay  all  their  own  expenses  as  exhibitors, 
it  is  the  misfortunes  of  war  that  trouble  them  the  most. 
The  number  of  horticultural  shows  has  largely  increased  during  the 
past  few  years,  but  unfortunately  the  reverse  has  been  the  case  in  our 
own  immediate  neighbourhood,  but  even  about  here  Beveral  village 
shows  have  been  inaugurated  recently,  and  are  doing  some  good,  but  I 
should  like  to  see  good  summer  shows  at  Hull,  Beverley,  Hessle,  and 
(Nottingham.  These  need  not  injure  any  of  the  existing  village  shows, 
which  are  more  especially  for  amateurs  and  cottagers,  and  in  these 
shows  I  should  like  tq  Vee  three  or  four  villages  grouped. 
Before  closing  If  must  give  a,  little  advice  to  my  young  friends,  who 
may  in  the  future  ffiave  the  chance  and  inclination  of  entering  the 
lists  of  exhibitors  at  som\j>  of  our  leading  shows.  First  of  all  send  for 
a  schedule  as  soon  as  they  are  published,  read  it  carefully  through, 
paying  particular  attention  to  its  rules  and  regulations,  then  mark  the 
classes  in  which  you  consider  you  have  the  best  chance  of  competing 
successfully.  Having  done  this  leave  no  stone  unturned  to  make  the 
very  best  of  the  material  at  your  disposal.  Keep  your  plants  thoroughly 
clean  (also  their  pots'),  and  work  them  up  into  the  best  possible  health, 
while  in  training  study  the  natural  contour  of  the  plant,  and  retain  it  as 
far  as  possible.  If  the  plant  is  a  climbing  kind,  as  a  rule  an  oval¬ 
shaped  balloon  is  suitable.  Whatever  method  you  adopt  try  and  hide  all 
your  stakes  and  ties,  remove  all  dead  or  dying  foliage,  see  that  everything 
is  correctly  named,  and  time  your  flowering  plants  to  be  at  their  very 
best  on  the  day  of  the  show.  This  matter  is  the  most  difficult  of  all, 
and  can  only  be  done  successfully  after  much  experience,  and  you  will 
soon  find  that  ten  times  more  labour  and  skill  are  requisite  in  producing 
good  flowering  plants  on  the  day  of  the  show  than  in  the  production  of 
good  foliage  plants.  Another  thing,  all  who  aspire  to  be  good  plantsmen 
should  keep  trying  their  hands  upon  the  most,  difficult  plants  to  grow, 
for  depend  upon  it  a  difficult  thing  well  done  always  tells  its  own  tale. 
There  is  far  more  pleasure  and  credit  in  showing  well  a  difficult  plant 
than  in  staging  something  that  can  be  grown  with  ease. 
When  the  important  day  arrives  be  at  the  show  in  good  time  with 
your  exhibits  ;  go  steadily  to  work,  making  the  very  best  of  everything 
you  have  by  staging  as  effectively  as  possible,  then  calmly  await  the 
verdict.  If  you  meet  with  defeat  look  carefully  around  and  see  where 
and  how  you  have  been  beaten,  and  determine  quietly  but  determinedly 
to  reverse  the  positions  in  the  future,  and  success  will  eventually  crown 
your  efforts. — ( Read  by  Mr.  Chas.  Lawton  at  a  Meetinq  of  the  Hessle 
Gardeners'  Mutual  Improvement  Society.') 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
R.H.S.  Examination. 
On  page  122  “  W.  R.  R.”  asks  if  the  date  given  in  my  advice — viz., 
the  first  week  in  February,  is  correct.  The  date  named  was  taken  from 
the  R.H  S.’s  Journal,  but  on  a  form  I  received  from  the  Secretary  I 
found  it  stated,  “  This  form  must  be  returned  not  later  than  the  16th  of 
March.”  Ou  page  114  of  last  week’s  Journal  of  Horticul'ure  it  states, 
“  Candidates  wishing  to.  sit  for  examination  should  make  application 
during  February.”  I  should  think  the  date  mentioned  on  the  form — 
namely,  the  16th  of  March,  may  be  taken  as  correct. — A  Student. 
It  is  not  without  a  feeling  of  trepidation  that  I  take  up  my  pen  to 
offer  a  few  remarks  on  the  above  subject.  Your  correspondent 
“  Subordinate,”  page  17,  seems  a  little  disheartened  at  only  gaining  a 
third  class  certificate  at  the  last  exam  ;  to  him  I  would  like  to  offer  a 
few  words  of  encouragement,  and  wish  him  better  success  next  time.  “  If 
at  first  you  do  not  succeed  try  again  ”  is  an  old  motto,  and  a  very  good 
one  ;  remember  Rome  was  not  built  in  a  day,  so  if  our  worthy  friend 
persevere  who  knows  but  what  he  may  be  in  the  first  class  next  time  ? 
I  was  a  candidate  at  the  last  exam,  and  I  have  no  reason  to  be  dis¬ 
heartened  with  the  result,  although  I  did  not  come  off  with  first  honours. 
But  apart  from  that,  I  derived  much  benefit  from  studying  for  the 
occasion  and  object.  I  think  it  is  a  grand  thing  when  we  know  some  of 
the  great  scientific  principles  which  underlie  our  work,  which  knowledge 
can  only  be  obtained  from  books  by  the  greater  part  of  young  gardeners. 
Our  friend  says  he  felt  ashamed  of  himself  being  beaten  by  a  porter. 
It  seems  rather  hard  on  a  man  who  has  spent  sixteen  years  under  some 
of  the  best  gardeners  in  the  country,  but  it  appears  the  porter  is  very 
enthusiastic  over  his  garden,  and  may  have  spent  much  time  studying 
why  certain  things  are  done  and  what  they  are  done  for,  with  the  result 
that  he  stands  before  our  more  practical  friend.  These  men  may,  and 
sometimes  do,  pass  the  exam  easier  than  the  maj  irity  of  young  gardeners ; 
I  but  I  quite  agree  with  “  Subordinate  ”  that  they  are  not  qualified  for  the 
position  of  head  gardener,  and  no  doubt  they  know  it. 
I  quite  approve  of  examinations,  and  think  that  a  knowledge  of 
theory  combined  with  practice  is  most  desirable.  Still  the  R.H.S.  exam 
is  no  ciiterion  of  a  man’s  skill  in  the  garden.  It  is  well  to  have  a  certi- 
j  ficate  from  the  Society  ;  but  of  what  use  is  it  to  a  young  gardener,  even 
if  a  first-class,  when  applying  for  a  situation  without  one  from  his  chief 
for  practical  work,  who  is  the  better  able  to  testify  as  to  a  man’s 
capaoilities  ? 
I  should  like  to  make  a  suggestion,  however.  If  the  exam  is  to  take 
on  with  young  gardeners  they  should  have  a  class  to  themselves.  How 
can  we  expect  to  compete  with  men  who  have  the  advantage  of  years’ 
more  experience,  not  forgetting  the  students  from  Swanley  College  and 
the  Central  Laboratory,  Chelmsford?  I  should  like  to  know  a  little 
about  these  institutions.  I  wonder  if  these  students  could  compete 
with  us  in  actual  work,  such  as  digging,  mowing,  wheeling,  stoking, 
fumigating,  and  all  other  duties  which  the  young  gardener  has  to  fulfil  ? 
What  would  the  ladies  think  of  us  if  we  were  to  go  in  for  examinations 
in  dairying,  dressmaking,  or  cookery,  although  I  am  sure  the  latter 
would  be  very  useful  to  many  of  us. 
I  think  there  is  very  great  credit  due  to  those  young  gardeners  who 
do  pass  when  they  have  such  rivals  to  compete  with.  I  think  many  more 
would  enter  if  they  had  a  class  to  themselves,  or  for  gardeners  only.  I 
venture  to  say  there  would  then  be  plenty  of  candidates  from  all  parts 
of  the  country.  I  should  like  to  hear  the  opinions  of  other  young 
gardeners  on  this  interesting  subject. — Novice. 
Gloxinias. 
So  strikingly  beautiful  are  these  gorgeous  plants  when  well  grown 
that  they  fully  deserve  the  reputation  they  enjoy  of  being  among  the 
most  desirable  of  florists’  flowers,  and  considering  their  comparatively 
easy  culture,  the  wonder  is  they  are  not  more  largely  grown.  A  stock 
of  plants  may  be  raised  in  the  following  manner. 
Procure  a  packet  of  seed  from  a  reliable  source.  This  is  of  first 
importance,  for  unless  the  seed  is  obtained  from  a  good  strain,  good 
results  cannot  be  expected.  Well  crock  some  thoroughly  clean,  shallow 
seed  pans,  fill  them  with  a  mixture  of  leaf  soil  and  sand,  soak  with  tepid 
water,  and  allow  to  drain.  Sow  the  seed  thinly  on  the  moist  surface, 
placing  the  pans  covered  with  squares  of  glass  on  a  gentle  hotbed, 
excluding  light  until  germination  takes  place,  when  they  will  require  a 
position  on  a  shelf  near  the  glasB. 
As  soon  as  the  tiny  seedlings  can  be  fairly  seen  prick  them  off 
2  inches  apart  in  shallow  boxes,  using  for  this  operation  two  pieces  of 
stick,  one  in  the  form  of  a  prong  for  lifting  the  seedlings,  as  they  are 
