April  30,  1896, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  389 
and  proving  (to  their  own  satisfaction)  that  the  judges  must  be 
wrong. 
In  the  two  classes  in  our  schedule  this  year  we,  following  the 
recommendation  of  the  R.H.S.  in  its  new  code,  have  given  a 
specific  value  to  each  section  of  the  exhibit,  and  by  enumerating 
the  number  of  points  each  dish  of  fruit  gets — the  value  of  the 
flowers,  points  for  harmonious  blending,  and  for  general  effect 
on  the  tables  obtaining  prizes — the  separate  and  total  value  will 
be  fully  shown.  By  tbis  arrangement  it  may  be  seen  the  value 
judges  place,  as  for  example,  on  a  Pine.  This  fruit  might  be 
awarded  seven  points  in  the  first  prize  collection,  eight  in  the 
second,  ten  in  the  third,  and  six  in  the  fourth,  and  the  public  would 
at  once  look  for  the  difference,  and  so  with  all  the  other  dishes  of 
fruit. 
I  am  fully  aware  that  the  plan  proposed  to  be  adopted  in 
August  will  give  some  considerable  trouble  to  arrange  and  carry 
out  promptly  and  satisfactorily  ;  but  the  last  thing  a  secretary 
should  mind  if  the  success  of  a  show  is  to  be  secured  is  trouble  and 
work,  and  I  venture  to  hope  that  the  enumeration  of  the  points 
in  these  two  classes  may  be  so  easily  arranged,  create  such  interest, 
and  give  instruction  to  those  inspecting  them  that  it  will  in  future 
be  not  an  “  unheard  of  condition  ”  to  expose  the  points,  but  that 
the  system  will  be  adopted  by  other  societies,  and  not  be  confined 
to  one  or  two  classes,  but  applied  to  all  the  important  items  in  the 
schedule. 
I  have  seen  a  dinner  table  prize,  which  must  have  been  given 
by  the  judges  for  silver  and  electro  fittings  ;  and  also  a  similar 
prize  given  for  an  arrangement  which  provoked  the  greatest 
amount  of  criticism  (chiefly  from  ladies)  lever  remember.  When 
the  judges  know  that  each  item  is  publicly  and  distinctly  awarded 
specific  points,  there  will  be  no  more  absurd  decisions,  such  as  their 
private  whim  and  fancy  may  incline  them  to  make. 
I  think  the  day  is  gone  by  for  horticultural  societies  to  keep  on 
going  “  as  you  were  ”  and  “  marking  time.”  The  more  novelties 
and  improvements  that  can  be  introduced  the  better,  and  I  shall 
be  deeply  grateful  for  any  suggestion  of  improvement  in  our 
schedule  from  any  horticultural  friends.  I  need  scarcely  add 
they  would  be  carefully  considered  for  possible  adoption. — H.  W. 
Adnitt,  Shrewsbury. 
[It  will  be  conceded  that  there  is  the  right  ring  in  this  com¬ 
munication,  and  no  doubt  the  spirit  which  it  displays  accounts 
largely  for  the  remarkable  success  of  the  Shrewsbury  shows.  The 
first  class  referred  to  by  Mr.  Adnitt  is  for  a  “  decorative  dessert 
table,”  in  which  the  different  kinds  of  fruits  that  are  eligible  are 
enumerated  in  the  schedule.  It  is  further  stated,  and  herein  rests 
the  novelty — 
The  selection  of  fruit  staged  to  be  entirely  at  the  discretion  of  the  exhibitor, 
but  not  more  than  sixteen  dishes  can  be  staged. 
To  be  judged  by  points — Black  Grapes,  each  bunch  Maximum  6 
White  „  „  „  6 
Pine  „  10 
Peaches,  Apricots,  and  Nectarines,  each  dish  8 
All  other  fruits  ditto  „  6 
Beauty  of  flower  and  foliage  ,,  8 
Harmonious  blending  of  colours  ,,  8 
General  arrangement  for  effect  „  8 
The  number  of  points  awarded  to  each  exhibit  will  be  placed  on  the  exhibits 
obtaining  prizes.  Possible  number  of  points,  130. 
The  prizes  offered  are — First,  £15  15s.  ;  second,  £12  12s.  ; 
third,  £8  8s. ;  fourth,  £5  5s.  Brisk  competition  may  be  anticipated, 
and  much  interest  in  the  publication  of  the  points  is  certain  to  be 
manifested.  The  next  class  to  be  j  udged  on  similar  lines  is  set  forth 
as  follows  : — 
Garden  Produce  Class. 
For  the  best  arranged  collection  of  garden  produce  to  occupy  a  space  of 
feet  X  5  feet,  fruits,  vegetables,  plants,  and  flowers  to  be  represented;  any 
foliage  may  be  employed  for  decoration.  The  collection  to  include — six  dishes 
of  fruit,  distinct  kinds  (Pines  excluded),  black  and  white  Grapes  (two  bunches 
of  each)  to  count  as  distinct  kinds;  six  dishes  of  vegetables,  distinct  kinds; 
with  table  plants  in  pots  not  exceeding  5  inches  in  diameter,  and  cut  flowers  in 
any  form,  the  whole  of  the  products  to  be  arranged  according  to  the  taste  of  the 
exhibitor  for  meritorious  and  effective  display.  First  prize,  £10  10s. ;  second 
prize,  £8  8s. ;  third  prize,  £6  6s. 
To  be  judged  by  points — Grapes,  each  bunch  Maximum  6 
All  other  fruit,  each  dish  „  8 
Vegetables,  for  each  kind  „  7 
Plants  ,,  6 
Cut  flowers  and  foliage  ,,  8 
Tasteful  arrangement  „  8 
The  object  of  this  class  is  to  enable  cultivators  of  gardens  to  show  what  they 
consider  the  best  examples  of  varied  products  such  as  are  required  in  high-class 
gardens.  The  number  of  points  awarded  to  each  exhibitor  will  be  published  on 
the  collections  obtaining  prizes.  Possible  number  of  points,  120. 
Although  we  think  the  exposure  of  points  awarded  for 
collections  of  vegetables,  also  for  gardens  and  allotments,  has 
been  resorted  to  on  the  initiative  of  Mr.  A.  H.  Smee  at  the 
Carshalton  shows,  we  do  not  remember  any  such  classes  as  those 
provided  at  Shrewsbury  being  judged  on  tbe  same  lines,  and  the 
results  placed  on  the  exhibits  at  any  great  show  in  the  kingdom. 
The  class  last  quoted  ought  to  be  within  the  means  of  many 
gardeners,  while  it  permits  scope  for  great  diversity  in  arrange¬ 
ment.  Should  the  same  exhibitor  win  the  first  prizes  in  both  those 
classes,  and  we  see  nothing  in  tbe  conditions  to  prevent  his  doing 
so  (if  he  can),  the  sum  of  £26  5s.  would  not  be  a  bad  day’s  work. 
We  rather  suspect  that  the  judges,  after  completing  their  records, 
will  soon  be  lost  in  the  crowd,  which  is  fortunately  handy  at 
Shrewsbury.] 
CAN  NAS. 
Could  some  of  the  grand  old  gardeners  of  the  past  be  brought 
back  to  us  to-day  they  would,  I  doubt  not,  find  much  to  admire, 
nay,  even  to  startle,  and  perhaps  something  to  regret,  in  modern 
horticulture  ;  but  I  trow  they  would  have  nothing  but  praise  to 
bestow  on  the  splendid  race  of  Cannas  which  now  adorn  our 
gardens  in  all  their  stately  majesty.  My  earliest  impressions  of 
Cannas  were  that  their  leaves  were  noble  but  their  flowers  disap¬ 
pointing.  This  led  me  to  mentally  enumerate  how  many  fine- 
f  oliaged  plants  bore  only  insignificant  flowers,  till  the  conclusion  was 
forced  on  me  that  Nature  was  not  prone  to  supply  us  with  plants 
having  both  noble  leafage  and  brilliant  and  conspicuous  flowers. 
The  fertile  brain  and  busy  hand  of  man  has,  however,  learned  to 
wrest  her  secrets  from  her,  for  it  seems  that  the  scientific  hybridist 
has  only  to  set  up  a  high  ideal  in  regard  to  any  genus  of  plants, 
then  slowly  but  surely  will  the  goal  be  reached,  and  I  cannot  help 
thinking  that  in  the  race  of  Cannas  now  in  commerce  we  possess 
plants  which,  in  both  foliage  and  flowers,  approach  very  near  to 
perfection,  for  the  improvement  wrought  in  them  during  recent 
years  is  little  short  of  marvellous. 
Many  of  the  newer  varieties  are  in  leafage  and  habit  of  growth 
a  great  advance  on  older  forms,  for  they  not  only  possess 
characteristic  boldness  but  an  infinite  variety  of  peculiar  and 
beautiful  shades  of  colour  as  well.  Various  tints  of  glaucous  green, 
bronze,  and  chocolate-crimson  serve  to  produce  diversity  in  the 
leaves,  and  their  distinctly  marked  ribs  add  to  their  attractive¬ 
ness.  For  these  good  points  alone  Cannas  deserve  to  rank  among 
the  best  of  fine-f oliaged  plants.  To  these  desirable  qualities, 
however,  we  may  fortunately  add  their  crowning  glory,  which 
takes  the  form  of  large  spikes  of  gorgeous  flowers.  The  Gladiolus- 
flowered  type  seems  to  be  the  one  which  will  become  the  most 
popular,  as  the  flowers  are  large,  exquisitely  striped  or  spotted,  and 
the  long  tapering  spike  shows  up  to  advantage  above  the  bold 
leaves. 
Cannas  are  now  largely  used  in  the  flower  garden,  especially  in 
places  where  sub-tropical  bedding  is  practised.  Where  a  series  of 
large  beds  have  to  be  filled,  the  whole  aspect  of  the  garden  is 
changed  by  the  introduction  of  these  noble  leaved  and  gorgeously 
flowered  exotics.  Of  course  there  are  many  ways  of  disposing 
them  about  a  flower  garden.  In  some  cases  circular  beds  filled 
entirely  with  them  are  to  be  commended,  but  to  carry  this  out  it  is 
necessary  that  the  garden  should  be  large,  with  plenty  of  open 
space  around.  In  many  private  places  the  conditions  are  the 
reverse  of  this,  then  it  is  better  to  use  them  as  “dot  ”  plants,  or  as 
centres  for  beds  in  various  positions.  This  enables  the  planter  to 
secure  boldness  without  too  greatly  curtailing  the  space  available 
for  dwarfer-growing  plants.  Positions  sheltered  from  rough  winds 
should,  if  possible,  be  chosen  for  them.  Under  such  conditions 
they  not  only  grow  more  freely,  but  both  flowers  and  leaves 
retain  their  beauty  longer.  Large  plants  in  pots  or  tubs  are  also 
well  adapted  for  standing  in  prominent  positions.  When  used  in 
this  way  it  is  easy  to  find  a  suitable  site  for  them — viz.,  one  in  which 
they  receive  a  fair  amount  of  sunshine,  and  are  yet  sheltered  from 
the  full  force  of  the  winds.  Then  if  potted  in  rich  soil,  and  given 
copious  supplies  of  water,  they  quickly  develop  into  grand 
specimens,  and  their  bold  leaves  and  large  brightly  coloured  flowers 
combine  to  form  objects  unsurpassed  in  attractiveness. 
Few  plants,  with  so  many  good  points  to  commend  them,  are  of 
such  easy  culture  as  Cannas  ;  two  essential  points  to  be  observed  are 
to  start  the  plants  in  moderate  heat  in  spring  and  to  pot  in  rich  light 
soil.  A  stock  of  plants  may  be  quickly  raised  from  seeds,  which  I 
like  to  sow  early  in  February.  The  seeds  being  extremely  hard 
should,  with  a  view  to  hasten  germination,  be  soaked  in  warm  water 
for  twenty-four  hours  previous  to  sowing.  It  is  a  good  plan  to 
place  them  singly  in  3-inch  pots,  so  that  the  young  plants  do  not 
receive  a  check  in  transplanting  during  the  early  stages. 
Light  loam,  leaf  soil,  and  sand  in  equal  proportions  is  a  good 
compost  to  sow  the  seeds  jn.  The  best  position  to  place  the  pots  in 
till  the  seed  germinates  is  a  close  frame  in  a  propagating  house 
where  there  is  a  good  bottom  heat  at  command  and  cocoa-nut  fibr9 
