74 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [April, 



Let US descend, tlien, to the level of oui- task. And first, as to the boxes in 

 which the flowers are to be packed and exhibited ; their ordinary size is — 



Length, 3 feet. Width, U feet. Depth, 1 foot. 



Half of this depth forms the body of the box and half the lid. The lid 

 should shift on and off at pleasure by means of movable hinges. The box is so 

 constructed, that when the lid is off, the depth is 5 in. in front and 7 in. at 

 back ; consequently, the lid is the reverse of this, namely, 7 in. in front and 

 5 in. at back. By this construction, when the box stands on a level surface, the 

 back row of flowers is not shut out from view by the front row, which it would 

 be if the back and front of the body of the box were of the same depth. A box 

 of this size will contain six varieties (three in back and three in front row), three 

 trusses of each variety, that is in all 18 trusses of one stem ; or it will contain 

 12 varieties (six back and sis front), one truss of each ; or 18 varieties (six back, 

 six middle, and six front) of single blooms. If a greater or less number of blooms 

 be required, the box should be made proportionably larger or smaller, but the 

 size above given is convenient both for handling and staging. No handles are 

 afiSxed to these boxes, so that if a series of them require to be brought together, 

 they fit closely into one unbroken mass. Preparatory to placing the flowers, the 

 body of the box is filled level with the surface with moss, keeping the freshest 

 and cleanest moss at the top. Zinc tubes, 3 Jin. deep and l^^in. wide, with a 

 broad rim to rest on the moss, are filled with rain or pond water, and inserted in 

 the box at the proper intervals. It is the custom with some exhibitors to carry 

 these boxes round among the flowers, and arrange the latter as they are cut from 

 the plants. Others cut all their best flowers, keeping them in water, and arrange 

 them under cover afterwards. 



There is full employment for two persons in gathering for exhibition ; the 

 one should cut the flowers, and the other receive and arrange them. Let them 

 be conveyed to a cool, light building as soon after they are cut as possible. 

 Arrangement or re-arrangement will probably take place here, and the taste of 

 the operator both as to position and disposition of colours is called into active 

 exercise. Probably, too, more flowers have been gathered than are required, and 

 it is not always an easy task to eliminate the worst. It would appear easier to 

 pack a stand of flowers to please one's own taste than to explain to others the 

 principles on which it is done. It is a good plan to arrange those flowers which are 

 produced in clustei's, as Jules Margottiu, and the globular flowers, as La EeiHe,m the 

 back row ; while the single and flat flowers, as Madame Vidot and Souvenir de Mal- 

 maison, are made to occupy the front. Then as to colour, among the best flowers 

 red in its various shades largely predominates, and it is sometimes almost tanta- 

 lising to be obliged to admit a variety for the sake of colour, in place of a better 

 one whose colour already superabounds. But so it is at present, and we must 

 make the best of it ; for too great a sameness of colour, however good the quality 

 of the flowers, would certainly be a point against the exhibitor in the eyes of 

 competent judges. To make the most of the materials at hand, begin by jDlacing 



