The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-08-29 00:00:00

:;ATUiWAY AUGUST 29th, 1885

FLOWER, SHOWS.

Tustit is scarcely a district from cud to end
of the Britis!i Isles hut bus its arnual flower
r how, fixed somewhere in suiniuei or autumn
and very often the exhibition is the bright-
est event of the year, long ,looked forward
tomn the neighbourhood. Generally tl.e show
brings together a gay assemb!age of
fashionable ladies and gentlemen, so that
as things are now it is difficult to determine
whether the chiefest charm of the gala day
consists in the gathering of local "society,"
or the 'display of gorgeous groups of things
bright and :beautiful filched from Flora's
fair kingdom. The "ancient gentlemen who
hold up Adam's profession" have now ele-
• Tuted gardening and floriculture into the
realm of fine art, and some of the splendid
specimens from stove, fernery, and orchid
, house, not to speak of the dazzling displays
of phenomenal fruit, magnificent cut flowers,
a?id mammoth vegetables usually to be seen
. at well managed societies' shows at this time
of the year may well excite our wonder as
well as admiration. A really good flower
show is not unnaturally, therefore, looked
forward to as a treat by dwellers in the
vicinage; and the beauteous outcome of
. Nature's- bounty and horticultural skill
usually represented in the varied and multi-
tudinous exhibits grouped together in ele-
gant marquees in some well-wooded and
picturesque park, "kindly lent for the occa-
sion" by the local squire or lcrd, make one
inclined to forgive the followers of Linmeus

• for the unpron-ounceable names which they
delight to affix to the plants staged in stately
magnificence before the beholder. And
when we add to the choicest results of
scientific horticulture a lavish array of the
newest conceits of the modiste, and the
charms of stirring music played by the best
band at the show committee's command, we
have an event which wants only the approv-
ing smiles of the sun to make it an unquali.
tied success; and the aggregation of things
pleasant to see and hear fully accounts for
the favour in which floral fetes are held by
the public. To be sure, a flower show, to
be fully enjoyable, must be located away
from the smoke and bustle of the town;
and, happily, horticultural enthusiasts do
not often experience difficulty in securing a
suitable spot in which to hold their annual
exhibition, for the local society always com-
mands the sympathy and co-operation of the
landed genty of the district. Held under
auspicious circumstances, flower shows are
as attractive as they are free from any ob-
jectionable element; but it is well worth
inquiring whether they might not be made
oven more serviceable than they generally
are in the promotion of high-class horticul-
ture, and that without detracting one whit
from their popularity, looked at from the
mere gala point of view. In the typical
fibwer show one expects to see the usual
• stereotyped presentment of excellent pro-
ducts of the plant world skilfully displayed
•in its house o; canvas. There are excellent
specimens of finely-flowered or elegantly-
- -foliaged plants arranged with more or less
'taste down the centre of the tents, with
_fruits, flowers, and vegetables of various
- •xterit thickly covering side tables. But
• with the exceptions of improved productions,
.the outcome of advancing horticultural
knowledge, and an unending multiplication
-of varieties in certain popular species of
florists' flowers and favourite plants, there
-is a decided degree of sameness in the aver-
age flower show, A great lack of new
features, which should at once break through
the almost monotonous character of many
exhibitions of this description, and serve
some good and useful purpose in accordance
with the objects of the association which
promotes them, strikes the thoughtful and
interested spectator. If we were able to
ascertain the motives which weigh most in
inducing so many to congregate at the
flower show of the district, we should doubt-
less discover that the entertaining portion
portion of the day's programme attracts the
greatest number of the visitors, the compe-
tition for prizes next, and that the intellect-
ual lovers of horticulture, who delight in
the science for its own sake, form by far the
fewest-in the sum total. Systematic ex-
hibitions might surely be held at frequent
periods all through tho year in connection
with every district floral society, hot so
much for mere money-making or entertain-
estont providing as for furthering the pro-
gress of the elevating science of floriculture
among the people. In a humbler way each
local association could emulate the example
of the Royal Horticultural Society by hold-
ing say monthly meetings and accompany-
ing exhibitions, so arranged as to appell to
small amateur growers of even the poorest
classes. The children, too, should be en-
couraged to acquire a love and knowledge
of plants and flowers by the offering of
prises for the best arranged and most fully
and accurately described wild flowers, leaves,
or plants to be found in the district in the
changing seasons. Designs grouped for
decorative purposes, say for wall and pulpit
as well as table decoration, might form the
subject of suitable awards, and, if financial
circumstances precluded the possibility of
giving costly prizes, inexpensive certificates
if merit could be substituted, and would be
found, we think, sufficient to induce rivalry,
and foster the study of one of the most inter-
«Ain of the natural sciences. Inducements
to compete, by the exhibition of window
plants, could be held out to those possessing
no garden, and practical instruction given
to all who would attend to hear how urban
homes can be lighted up and made beauti-
ful by botanical life. Skeleton leaves and
flowers, and many other kindred things
might advantageously be added to the
category of exhibits at local flower show.
And to widen the range of matters pertain-
ing to the gardner's realm proper representeti
at flower, shows, why should not the ways
and means adopted by plant growers be
generally displayed as well as the results ?
Illustrations of the materials worked upon,
the tools employed, the vaeious contrivances
for reducing labour, the processes adopted,
and &hi+ • many accessories that add grace
and beauty to the most unpretentious garden,
commend themselves as suitable for inclusion
among the things which deserve the atten-
aiou of societies in earnest in their profession
of being banded together to promote the
progress of horticulture in every grade of
society. And we know nothing more cal-
calmed to make a luau better and nobler
than aa intelligent study of plants and
pleat- life. Why not, then, still further lift
the flower show from its present status of
entertaining exhibition and popular re-union
to the position of an institution for improv-
'air the people

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