Over and over again we have suggested a reform of the manner in which premiums are given at horticultural societies. They lose half their value to the receiver because no one knows why they receive them. The public does not care to be told that Primus had the first premium for cauliflower, or Secundus for beets. It cares a great deal more to know what the premium articles looked like, and we feel certain that modern horticultural societies, which in many cases are now dragging along a miserable existence, will never revive till they do something to bring widely before the public the real merits of the successful exhibits.

The Germantown (Phila.) Horticultural Society was first founded on the old plan; but it got down so low that it became entangled, as it seemed hopelessly, in debt. It could not even pay the premiums it promised, and even these premiums were scarcely thought worthy of being competed for by good horticulturists, whether professional or amateur. At last scarcely a score of persons attended the monthly meetings. A new departure was inaugurated about four or five years ago, the main effort being to make the exhibits as instructive as possible. The result is that the society is now out of debt, increases its premiums, has better exhibits than it ever has had, and its rooms are thronged during the meeting by all the best gardeners of the vicinity, as well as by numerous ladies and gentlemen of the highest social standing. At the last meeting a new feature was introduced by Mr. David Cliffe, Chairman of the Committee on Awards, in the direction indicated at the opening of this paragraph. In announcing the decisions of the committee he explained to the meeting the various points of superiority, in other words the reasons for the awards. It was highly appreciated by the thronged assemblage, who warmly applauded Mr. Cliffe at the conclusion.

It is something to have such instructive decisions given verbally, and we are sure that that society which shall be the first to go to the trouble and expense of giving such reports to the public, will gain so much in the estimation of exhibitors, that it will never need to go begging for something to fill the hall.