Re: AIS Judges - Do Jugdes' Training, don't just criticize
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: AIS Judges - Do Jugdes' Training, don't just criticize
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 22 Jan 1997 09:40:48 -0700 (MST)
In a message dated 97-01-22 08:04:00 EST, Brad Kasperek wrote:
<< I was
alarmed becasue this was a vigorous attack on a specific iris because it won
the Walters Cup.
I was dismayed because the the whole discussion freely discredited AIS
judges, the AIS awards system and by implication, commercial iris growers.
Without these three, there isn't an AIS. These negative discussions do
more harm than good. >>
Brad, I fear I must take issue with the above remarks. As the members on
this list know, I fully agree with the positive assessment you make relative
to AIS judges. But the fact that 171 of them voted an HM for FEATURE
ATTRACTION in no way reflects badly on AIS judges, the AIS Awards System or
commercial growers.
FEATURE ATTRACTION is a gorgeous flower and was growing wonderfully at the
Oregon convention. I bought it because it was so lovely. I am sure it grows
just fine in some other geographical areas. And I can well understand under
these circumstances that a judge would vote an HM for it. But we are not
doing irises a service if we do not provide an honest assessment of our own
experiences and other observations. I would point out that a great majority
of judges DID NOT vote an HM for FEATURE ATTRACTION. The fact that a number
of the people on the list have experienced bloom out is important to know.
In the early years of the AIS, people were quite candid in writing in the Bull
etin about what they liked and what they disliked about a particular
cultivar. In modern times we have a tendency write up only what is good. I
personally think the older tradition is healthier. On the other hand, I
agree one should never judge an iris's growing habits ONLY by one's own
experience. In friendly disagreement, Clarence Mahan in VA
