66 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
the variable spring conditions. On account of the unusually 
late spring this year the show was postponed a week. 
The premium list for these shows is very complete, and 
while not all the plants listed can be had at their best on the 
exhibition days, there are always an abundance of plants 
which may be entered. The iris and most of the peonies were 
at their prime this year. The entries in the classes for the 
most artistic arrangement of cut flowers were numerous, and 
the table holding those exhibits attracted a great deal of at- 
tention. Much can be learned from these displays as to the 
best materials to use and the containers best suited for the 
particular flowers. A flower is often considered cheap because 
it is common and yet it may have mauy more artistic features 
than its expensive neighbor. Many a person would doubt that 
a bowl of yellow iris with spikes of common grass would take 
first prize in artistic arrangement, but had he seen such a dis- 
play he would have been convinced of its merits. 
People come to flower shows to learn not only how to stage 
and arrange flowers, but to see what is new, and in the latter 
case there is much room for improvement. The exhibitors 
are of course familiar with the material displayed, but they 
seldom realize that many of the visitors are seeking informa- 
tion and are curious concerning the names of the plants. If 
it were possible, some uniform type of label should be aaopted 
at all flower shows, and these should be so placed that they 
can be found without having to touch the exhibits and yet not 
sO conspicuous as to mar their beauty. 
The exhibits .that attracted a great deal of attention were 
the miniature gardens in adults’ and children’s classes. This 
feature was new at the show and, judging from the comments 
and interest aroused, much can be expected next year. So much 
can be learned of the proper treatment of home grounds so 
forcibly illustrated from models that more classes in miniature 
gardens should be included in the premium schedule next 
year. Both amateurs and professionals should be encouraged, 
and city lots, suburban grounds, and country homes could be 
the subjects. The study and execution of practical problems 
should be the object rather than the production of replicas of 
existing gardens which are meritorious only on account of 
their wonderful detail in miniature. Competitors should be 
