Question of Status

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

Question of Status

Who is an Amateur? WITH the issue of tho now season's horticultural schedules tho perennial question of amateur status crops up again. A correspondent requests a definition of tho amateur and tho professional in horticulture. However much tho framers of schedules vary the wording, in order to meet the wishes of all members of a horticultural society, tho rockbottom distinction between all amateurs and professionals, whether gardeners, photographers, cricketers, golfers, etc., is that while tho.amateur practises for pleasure or as a hobby, the professional does bo wholly or partly as a means of livelihood. Ability or success does not enter into the question at all. When it comes to tho schedule of a horticultural society, tho committee needs to draw careful distinctions as to who should be admitted as amateurs. As a general rule tho person is excluded from amateur status who employs a professional gardener, also tho one who sells surplus produce, especially when it is evident that ho lays himself out to this end, and sows or grows much more than ho could possibly utilise. The employment of a man to do heavy digging or such liko work is usually permitted, but regular assistance is not allowed. Jobbing gardeners and those employed in private gardens and nurseries are considered professionals, as well as those who may grow plants, seeds, bulbs," flowers or other produce for sale, for tho wholo or part of their time.