Farrer Memorial Medal

[Maren]

Hi,
being the proud owner of a clone of the Pleione humilis, which was awarded the Farrer Memorial Medal (not while in my possession, I have to admit), I was wondering about the origin of this medal. The internet tells me that it was based in Australia where it is awarded for achievements in agriculture. Is this the same medal awarded by the AGS for plants of special merit?

[Maggi Young]

As you discovered, Maren, there is an Australian Farrer Memorial Medal, but this is awarded to a person, as far as I can tell  ....
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/field/field-crops/farrer-memorial-trust  

I think that  it was the AGS Farrer Memorial Medal that was awarded to a clone of Pleione humilis. I'll check to see if I can find the details of that.

[Maggi Young]

So far I have found that Paul Cumbleton was awarded a Farrer for a pan of Pleione humilis at the Early Spring AGS show in 2005   see here http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/shows/results/shows2005/shows/early/images/Trevor_Jones/sizedMVC-006S.JPG.html   for a photo from Trevor Jones.

In an earlier bulletin article from 1999, it is mentioned that one Farrer had been awarded to a Pleione, so I'll try to see if that too was for humilis.....

Edit: have not been ableto track and earlier Pleione Farrer medal winner yet. You could try asking the AGS.

Farrer award in 2008 .... to Pleione grandiflora, at  North Midland Show  for John Craven of Doncasterhttp://www.alpinegardensociety.net/shows/results/shows2008/shows/chesterf/photogallery.html

[Maren]

Thanks Maggi for going to all that trouble. It is appreciated. I just wanted to know if it is the same medal and how it can be that a medal originating in australia can be awarded annually in the United Kingdom. I should ask the AGS as you suggested. 

[Maggi Young]

Maren,
The Australian Medal commemorates a different Mr Farrer... William James Farrer and is awarded annually to a person for services to  agriculture. http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/farrer-william-james-6145


The AGS Farrer Medal is awarded at AGS shows to the best plant in the show in memory of Reginald John Farrer..... I am sure it is this "sort" of Farrer that the Pleione was awarded.

 I cannot find a mention of an earlier award that that of the one to P. humilis in 2005.  The AGS should be able to tell you which Pleione won the earlier award of a Farrer,  mentioned in the article of 1999. If it was a different species, then "your" pleione must be related to Paul C's winning one - no Australian connection at all, I think!

[Maren]

Hi Maggi,

you have answered my question completely. Thank you very much.

[Maggi Young]

And there's more..... Paul actually won two Farrer Medals with Pleione humilis...at the AGS  early spring show... in 2004 as well as 2005