MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 69 
It sometimes happens that the choicest blooms have developed 
too rapidly and are in danger of being past their prime at 
show time. In that case the development can be slightly 
checked by constructing some heavier shading over the plants, 
this being removed towards evening and replaced in the morn- 
ing. For protecting individual flowers small cones of waxed 
cloth or paper may be purchased, or they can be made at 
home from stout waterproof paper. The cones should be at 
least six inches in diameter and fastened to a stake just above 
the bloom. The flower should also be well staked to prevent 
being whipped about by the wind. In fact, as the spring 
season is usually unsettled, much damage can be prevented 
if all tall plants that are apt to be broken by the wind are 
staked and securely tied. Most perennials can be cut a day in 
advance of the show if placed in a cool dark place. On the 
day of the show all dead or decaying leaves should be removed, 
a fresh cut made at the bottom of the stems, and the water 
changed in the pails or vases. Cut flowers for the home should 
be treated in this manner every day, as water tainted with 
decaying vegetable matter is very detrimental to the flowers. 
The oriental poppy wilts rapidly after cutting, and requires 
a treatment that differs radically from the usual method of 
handling cut flowers. After cutting the flowers immerse about 
two inches of the stem in boiling water for a few moments, or 
hold the ends in a flame, or cauterize with a hot soldering iron 
or similar object. This will seal the end and prevent the 
usually milky, sap from escaping. If a fresh cut is made at 
a later time the stems must again be cauterized. This treat- 
ment also applies to the poinsettia and other flowers that wilt 
down if just placed in water. 
Transporting flowers to the show is a problem that confronts 
every exhibitor. Iris in bud or open flower are perhaps the 
most difficult to handle on account of their delicate structure 
and habit of branching. Wrapping them is almost out of 
the question, and the only way to manage is to leave them in 
a bucket or wide-mouthed vase and transport in some con- 
veyance in which the flowers are protected from wind and 
contact with any solid objects. Smaller flowers, such as del- 
phiniums, daisies, pansies, violets., ete., can be carried in 
bundles, or better still, boxes. Moist paper or moss should be 
