14 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  6,  1898. 
The  N.C.S.  and  its  Silent  Secretary. 
Instead  of  the  Secretary  of  the  N.C.S.  meeting  Mr.  Moorman’s 
powerful  criticism  (on  page  605,  December  23rd)  of  his  former  letter,  he 
seems  to  be  running  after  hares  set  up  in  another  held.  This  is  an 
ancient  way  of  escaping  from  a  tight  corner.  Cannot  Mr.  11.  Dean  any 
longer  “face  the  music  ’  of  Mr.  Moorman?  What  about  the  independent 
“autonomy”  boast  now?  From  data  supplied  by  this  “not  rash” 
official,  our  great  National  Floral  Society  is  still  too  weak  to  stand  alone. 
The  Aquarium  crutch  is  a  necessity.  What  if  the  Directors  were  to 
sell  the  whole  concern  ?  As  business  men  surely  they  would  not  hesitate 
to  do  this  if  the  terms  were  advantageous.  In  the  case  of  such  a 
change  the  N.C.S.  must,  according  to  Mr.  11.  Dean’s  showing,  fall  to  the 
ground. 
How  any  person  can  boast  of  the  success  of  a  number  of  years’ 
“  administration,”  when  the  position  of  a  society  (without  its  crutch) 
would  be  as  deduced  by  Mr.  iMoorman  from  official  figures,  as  stated  on 
the  page  above  cited,  passes  comprehension.  Mr.  11.  Dean’s  silence  in 
the  face  of  that  clear  statement  is  very  significant.  It  amounts  in  fact 
either  to  contemptuous  indifference  or  acquiescence  in  the  truth  of  the 
allegation  that  the  Society  which  all  the  world  thought  so  strong  is  in  the 
pitiable  plight  of  bondslave  to  a  speculative  organisation  known  us  an 
“  A(iuarium,”  but  really  a  centre  of  boxing,  music,  dogs,  and  mounte- 
bankism,  in  fact  of  anything  not  meretricious  that  will  “  draw  ”  the  public 
and  produce  dividends.  It  is  the  obvious  duty  of  the  Directors  to  do  the 
best  they  can  for  the  shareholders,  and  as  a  place  of  amusement  nothing 
need  be  said  against  it.  Alany  of  us  who  object  to  the  place  for  a  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  show  do  so  only  because  it  is  for  such  purpose,  and,  of  late 
years  especially,  so  utterly  unsuitable. 
When  the  shows  were  first  held  there,  the  floor  space  in  the  main  hall 
was  occupied  in  a  very  different  manner  than  has  now  become  the  custom. 
The  competitive  classes  could  then  be  examined  as  arranged  on  long  rows 
of  tables  in  the  best  light  available,  and  no  strong  objections  were  made 
so  long  as  the  Aquarium  Company  was  felt  to  be  doing  all  that  could  be 
reasonably  expected  of  it  for  the  Society  by  which  it  ])rofited.  It  is  true 
that  Mr.  ii.  Dean,  as  counsel  for  the  Aquarium  Company,  does  not  admit 
of  such  profits  falling  to  its  share  ;  but  does  any  sane  business  man  believe 
that  the  Company  would  afford  space  for  the  N.C.S.  shows,however  huddled 
the  exhibits,  year  after  year,  if  no  profits  accrued  ?  The  Directors  would 
not  be  worthy  of  their  seats  at  the  Board  if  that  were  so.  They  regard 
the  N.C.S.  and  its  followers  as  a  means  of  income,  and  if  at  the  time 
of  their  shows  they  can  make  more  of  the  space  than  devoting  it  to 
competitive  exhibits  of  Chrysanthemums,  they  make  it,  and  these  are 
sent  “  upstairs,’  and  any  dingy  place  is  thought  to  be  good  enough  for 
them. 
If  Mr.  Moorman’s  statement  of  the  case  cannot  be  controverted,  then 
must  his  allegations  not  only  be  regarded  as  proved,  but  also  it  may 
be  inferred  that  the  Directors  of  the  Aquarium  know  their  power  over 
the  Society,  and  leave  its  Committee  to  take  what  is  offered  of  space, 
and  make  the  best  of  it.  Whether  the  “best”  is  made  is  another 
matter,  so  far  as  regards  the  disposition  of  plants  and  blooms.  Some 
persons  are  of  opinion  that  the  N.C.S.  was  not  established  for  providing 
space  for  large  disidavs  of  vegetables,  mainly  in  the  form  of  trade  adver¬ 
tisements  ;  and  if  it  be  true  that  some  exhibitors  buy  this  space  on 
special,  not  to  say  exclusive  terms,  then  there  need  not  be  much  surprise 
that  the  Aquarium  people  do  not  put  themselves  to  any  great  inconvenience 
in  regard  to  exhibits  that  come  more  legitimately  \vilhin  the  sifliere  of 
the  N.C.S. 
Another  point  in  Mr.  Moorman’s  unanswered,  if  not  unanswerable, 
letter  (December  23rd)  that  Air.  R.  Dean  ought  to  meet  frankly  is  that  he 
“  alone  ”  (page  554,  December  9th)  is  cognisant  of  the  whole  of  the 
assistan  e  that  the  N.C.S.  derives  from  the  A(iuarium  Company.  This  is 
his  own  statement,  and  has  created  some  surprise.  He  has  not  faced 
Air.  Atoorman’s  comnients  on  the  matter,  but  has  preferred  to  run  away. 
Has  any  official  the  right  to  keep  to  himself  any  information  he  possesses 
relative  to  the  management  of  the  Society  of  which  he  is  Secretary  (paid 
or  otherwise),  and  thus  leave  the  Committee  in  ignorance  of  the  whole 
facts  bearing  on  the  policy  for  which  its  members,  severally  and 
individually,  are  responsible?  Is  it  fair  even  to  the  Aquarium  Company 
that  the  full  extent  of  its  assistance  to  the  N.O.S.  should  not  be  made 
known  ?  The  Chairman  of  the  Committee  surely  ought  to  be  consulted 
on  everything,  and  be  made  acquainted  with  all  that  is  done  for  the  N.C.S. 
He  is  regarded  as  a  just  and  prudent  man,  and  is  not  the  less  respected 
for  his  uniform  courtesy  to  all  his  colleagues,  and  his  innate  modesty  in 
demeanour  contributes  to  his  strength.  A^ery  much  will  depend  on  him 
in  not  only  maintaining  but  increasing  the  stains  of  the  N.C.S.  which 
its  Secretary  has  been  instrumental  in  showing  is  buttressed  (and  in 
his  opinion  hojielessly)  by  the  R.A.C. 
But  to  return  to  the  tactics  of  Mr.  B.  Dean  in  ignoring  Air.  Aloorman’s 
last  and  most  important  communication.  If  this  is  done  by  way  of 
silencing  an  opponent  who  has  done  what  he  obviously  feels  to  be  his 
duty  in  the  ultimate  interests  of  the  N.O.S.  the  “  move”  may  or  may  not 
be  successful ;  but  as  the  matter  stands  Air.  Aloorman’s  statements  may  be 
taken  by  distant  members  as  so  weak  as  not  to  be  worthy  of  notice,  and 
it  is  for  him  to  consider  whether  he  is  content  that  this  should  be  so. 
Has  he  nothing  more  to  say  ? — An  Old  AIember. 
The  N.C.S.— Why  not  the  Agricultural  Hall  or  Earl’s  Court  ? 
At  last  not  one,  but  two  possible  alternatives  to  the  Westminster 
Aquarium  have  been  suggested  for  the  shows  of  the  National  Chrysan¬ 
themum  Society  by  “An  Exhibitor.”  This  correspondent  knows  very 
well  if  any  building  is  within  a  shilling  cab  fare  from  most  of  the 
chief  railway  termini  that  this  meets  all  the  requirements  for  the  convey¬ 
ance  of  produce.  In  that  respect  the  Agricultural  Hall  is  quite  as 
convenient  for  the  majority  of  exhibitors  as  the  Aquarium  is,  and  as  to 
visitors  they  can  get  for  2d.  bus  or  tram  fares  as  easily  to  one  place  as 
the  other. 
If  the  Agricultural  Hall  could  be  had  on  reasonable  terms  for  a 
November  show,  and  anything  like  the  usual  prizes  were  offered,  an 
exhibition  could  be  arranged  which,  from  a  spectacular  point  of  view,  has 
not  yet  been  seen  anywhere,  and  which  could  not  be  approached  by  the 
Aquarium.  There  would  also  be  space  in  the  far  greater  building  for  all 
the  people  who  attend  the  one  in  Westminster  and  many  more,  who  could 
insi)ect  the  exhibits  in  comfort,  while  there  would  be  no  difficulty  on  the 
score  of  refreshments  and  social  gatherings  to  those  who  attach 
importance  to  them. 
It  should  be  remembered,  too,  that  the  great  populations  in  the 
eastern  and  northern  districts  of  London  have  learned  to  love  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  above  all  other  flowers  through  attending  the  shows  pro¬ 
vided  by  the  County  Council  in  the  public  parks.  They  stream  to 
those  shows  in  thousands,  and  at  the  Victoria  Park  show  provided  by 
Mr.  Aloorman  the  number  of  visitors  is  far  greater  than  attend  the  four 
shows  of  the  Aquarium  to  see  the  Chrysanthemums. 
But  are  four  shows  needed?  Would  it  not  be  lietter  to  concentrate 
resources  on  one  ?  A  really  great  three  or  four  days’  show  in  a  building 
suitable  to  its  display  would  command  success  anywhere  in  London. 
Minor  shows  amount  to  a  frittering  away  of  resources.  So  far  as 
tlie  wor?  of  the  N.C.S.  is  concerned  all  that  is  needed,  apart  from  one 
magnificent  show,  is  a  room  for  the  Floral  Committee  to  examine  new 
varieties  at  intervals  throughout  the  season. 
It  may  be  said  against  the  Agricultural  Hall  that  a  summer  show  of 
the  R. H.S.  was  once  held  there,  and  that  visitors  did  not  “come  in  their 
thousands,”  and  that,  therefore,  the  Hall  has  been  proved  unsuitable  for 
the  purposes  of  a  flower  show.  It  has  never  been  proved  unsuitable  for 
a  Chrysanthemum  show. 
In  some  of  the  greatest  provincial  cities  and  towns— such  as  Liverpool, 
Birmingham,  Leeds,  Hull,  and  others— spring  and  summer  shows  have 
drained  societies  dry,  whereas  autumn  shows  have  replenished  their 
coffers.  Spring  and  summer  shows  have  been  held  at  the  Westminster 
Aquarium,  but  failed  to  attract  the  public  in  paying  nnmbers,  and  the 
shows  were  abandoned.  The  exact  opposite  has  been  the  case  with  at 
least  the  chief  autumn  shows  of  the  N.C.S.,  and  no  doubt  the  A(iuarium 
Company  have  benefited  by  the  series  to  the  tune  of  some  thousands  of 
pounds,  wliile  we  are  now  startled  by  the  intelligence  that  the  Society 
cannot  meet  the  demands  of  a  show  of  its  own.  It  is  a  humiliating 
disclosure. 
Are  there  no  gentlemen  strong  and  earnest  enough,  with  time  at  their 
disposal,  who  will  try  and  place  the  Society  on  a  firmer  sounder  basis, 
and  higher  plane  ?  and  if  they  succeed,  as  able  zealous  men  do  succeed. 
Immortalise  themselves  as  public  floral  benefactors  ?  The  working 
community  cannot  do  this  :  independent  men  are  wanted  to  take  the  lead. 
There  are  such  who  are  dissatisfied  enough  with  the  Aquarium,  and 
who  could,  if  they  would,  do  splendid  work  in  extricating  the  N.C.S. 
from  its  jwesent  subservient  position. 
The  summer  shows  at  Earl’s  Court  were  not  failures,  and  it  is  reason¬ 
able  to  suppose  that  a  great  November  show  would  be  a  still  greater 
success.  The  London  public  have  got  to  know  their  way  to  that  great 
popular  rendezvous,  and  there  are  railway  stations  on  all  sides  of  it.  It 
is  easier  of  access  than  the  Aquarium,  but  not  perhaps  so  handy  for 
exhibitors  as  this  centre  and  the  Agricultural  Hall,  because  for  Earl’s 
Court  there  would  be  the  necessity  in  many  cases  of  “  transhipments  ” 
of  exhibits  from  main  lines  to  the  “Underground”  for  reaching  the 
destination.  This,  however,  would  not  be  a  formidable  impediment. 
Offer  good  prizes  and  the  best  produce  will  find  them,  while  thousands  of 
persons  would  attend  a  great  Chrysanthemum  show  in  a  building  in 
which  it  could  be  seen  and  enjoyed. 
Has  any  really  serious  attempt  been  made  to  find  another  place  than 
the  Aquarium  for  the  great  show  of  the  N.C.S.,  and  if  not,  why  not? 
The  desire  has  been  loudly  enough  expressed,  and  the  Secretary  does  not 
seem  able  to  find  a  solitary  supporter  in  singing  the  praises  of  the 
Aquarium.  Fividenlly  if  any  change  should  be  made  another  secretary 
would  have  to  be  found.  Young  Mr.  Holmes  is  said  to  give  good  help 
now,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  practical  committeemen,  he  might  become 
a  creditable  successor  to  his  lamented  father,  who  did  so  much  in  raising 
the  N.C.S.  to  a  commanding  position. — Another  Exhibitor. 
The  N.C.S.— Why  not  a  Provincial  National? 
I  AM  surprised  that  no  one  has  suggested  that  the  N.C.S.  should  hold 
at  least  some  of  its  shows  in  the  provinces  in  the  way  that  the  N.R.S.  and 
other  s])ecial  horticultural  societies  do.  I  have  heard  it  hinted  that  a 
Midland  “National  ”  Chrysanthemum  Society  is  likely  to  be  formed  upon 
the  lines,  but  improved,  of  the  N.C.S.  The  late  Mr.  R.  Owen  frequently 
advocated  such  a  society.  I  have  no  wish  to  disparage  the  good  that 
the  N.C.S.  may  do,  but  after  all  has  been  said  and  done,  the  N.C.S.  does 
