90 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
does not condemn reasonable dressing, which greatly improves a 
flower, imparting neatness and perfect symmetry. A beginner may 
acquire valuable practical hints about dressing by watching a skilled 
exhibitor put on the finishing touches on the morning of a show. 
The writer has seen the deft fingers of that great exhibitor Mr. 
James Douglas at work, and stored away what he has learned 
thereby for future use if wanted. 
Two cards are necessary for dressing each flower, one a little larger 
than the bloom, the other much smaller. The small one supports 
the larger, which in turn supports the bloom. The largest card has 
a central hole considerably wider than the pod which it encloses; 
this is necessary to allow of the free movement of the petals in 
dressing. In the case of the small card, however, a clean central 
hole is not made by punching a portion out ; on the contrary, the 
centre is divided into a series of segments, the tips or points of which 
bend outwards as the stalk is pressed through, and clasp the pod 
gently but firmly. The flower is thus held steady, while at the same 
time the larger card is supported above, and will, in its turn, support 
the bloom without gripping it. 
The calyx lobes are turned back on the small card with steel 
tweezers, and the petals are arranged on the large card with ivory 
tweezers. Any deformed petals, or those with “run” colours, are 
removed. The guard petals are evenly disposed, then the second 
row placed over their divisions so as to evenly overlap, and the work 
thus continued to the centre. With practice, and observation of the 
operations of skilled dressers, the young exhibitor will soon learn to 
dress his flowers without imparting an artificial appearance to them. 
The details are clearly shown in the various sections of Fig. 41. 
FIG. 41 (NEXT PAGE).—DRESSING THE BLOOMS. 
T, card to place under the flower and arrange the petals upon: g, round hole 
in the centre; 7, outline of smaller card which is placed under the 
larger one to hold it in position. 
U, small card cut with a star shaped pattern in the centre: s, circumference 
described by two-thirds the diameter of the pod, this being taken with 
calipers ; ¢, segments cut to the centre ; w, teeth or points; v, portion of 
card supporting, when in position, the larger card above, : 
V, small card showing: w, aperture through which the flower stem is 
passed ; z, teeth for gripping the pod; y, portion upholding the large 
card. 
W, part of work preparatory to affixing the large card: z, indiarubber ring 
to prevent the pod splitting; a, calyx lobes turned outwards with steel 
tweezers; 6, large card placed under the flower; ¢, dotted lines indicat- 
ing the arrangement of the lower guard petals upon the card (the other 
side, of course), this being done with ivory tweezers, 
X, affixing the smaller card: d, pod; e, teeth binding gently on the sides; 
J, small card; g, large card. 
Y, bloom with petals arranged on the large card, showing a clear margin all 
round the flower; , card ; i, bloom dressed. 
