The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1892. Our Horticultural Society

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 130, 30 April 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1892. Our Horticultural Society

We have noticed with considerable regret that the interest taken in the Shows of the Manchester Horticultural Society by the residents of Feildingi is becoming " small by degrees and beautifully less " until it promises soon to become altogether an unknown quantity. There appears to be a sort of feeling that as the officials of the society have always done their duty and the results of their labors have given so much pleasure to visitors, that there remaius nothing for the public to do but to accept the credit of living in a place whore everything is done so well, without trouble to them, or without assisting either by giving their time, or their money. There is a singular charm about fruit and flower shows which has not apparently been recognised. But the most charming features of all are in negatives. With them political feeling has nothing to do, religious controversy cannot possible enter ; envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitable ness cannot obtain admission, at least as far as the visitors are concerned, although these wrong feelings may creep in. ataoag the exhibitors, in fact nothing evil is actually admitted. On the other hand the advantages are many. They encourage the growth of good fruit and vegetables, thereby assisting to add to the general wealth of the country ; they excite a wholesome emulation among dairy and other farmers, they teach the rising generation to love the beautiful by showing them gathered together specimens of the finest flowering shrubs and plants in the world ; in fact they are an education in themselves. Apart from that phase of their excellence, they bring together friends and relatives from all parts of the country who make the occasion an excuse for a holiday, and thus the business people in the town derive much profitable advantage from a well managed flower show. We know that many of the very best meaning people have got into an idle habit of waiting for someone else to " solicit their patronage " and so on. We also know that those who were delegated to "do the solicitation " have gradually given up the task as a thankless one. And so it is. There has always been the hope that by avoiding begging the shows would be self-supporting ; that if one show did not pay the following one would make up the deficiency. Well, in this as in all other similar cases, such hope has proved fallacious. In conclusion we may say frankly that unless the residents take a more lively interest in tbe Society our local showe will cease to exist.