On 11/9/07 22:14, in article
, "Dave Hill"
wrote:

On 11 Sep, 12:55, Janet Tweedy wrote:
In article , Alan
writes

It's because they are not being judged on quality or taste but on some
other unimportant parameter. Surely if it is your show you don't have
to conform to silly rules set by those who cannot grow anything worth
eating themselves?

No you can't though it would be nice. It's a bit like the kennel club I
that any association allied to the central body or recognised as an
official horticultural or Canine Club or association must run their
shows to conform to a central standard.
I guess I can see that somehow based on taste (whether visual in the
case of dogs or, in the case of vegetables, palate) the judging would be
far too subjective and they are trying to make the placings as objective
as possible.
I just feel that the members ought to know what basic rules they nee to
follow to obtain points. someone has suggested the RHS book so I shall
try and get that although the Veg. Society has said not to bother at the
moment as their is a new one coming out soon!

Of course some exhibitors don't help themselves by displaying 6 or 4
tomatoes when the class says 5

Janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Amersham Gardening Associationhttp://www.amersham-gardening.net

This can be a problem with some judges, they dont tell exhibitors what
they have done wrong. This is to the detriment of showing as it can
put off the novice.
A good judge will say why he has marked you down and what you can do
to improve next time.
I remember one Judge at Swansea flower show who one year marked my
display of around 20 varieties of Ivy down as he said "there was to
much green in the display".
This is the same clown who another year gave extra marks to another
exhibitor for his strelitzia which was in fact cut flowers stuck in
a pot with fern leaves.

Your members may find this site of value :
http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/growing_show_vegetables.php

David Hill
Abacus Nurseries

In my experience, limited though it is, exhibitors always welcome the
judges' comments. If they don't receive those, how do they know how to
improve their work for the future? As it is impossible for judges to taste
each raw vegetable, they're judged on appearance which means presentation.
Cakes and jams can be tasted and they are. But raw veg???
Even flower arrangements are given certain rules, laid down by NAFAS and it
gives everyone something to aim for. Otherwise it would be a mere
hodgepodge of personal taste, leading to considerable acrimony in small
communities. But I do think it's *extremely* important for the judge to
give reasons and encouraging remarks that are informative at the same time.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'