THE CARNATION MANUAL. 99 



For exhibition purposes there will also be re- 

 quired cards of two sizes — the larger size to place 

 under the flower to arrange the petals ujDon ; the 

 smaller cards to place under the larger ones to hold 

 them in position. 



The larger cards must have a round hole 

 punched in the centre, sufficiently large not to 

 touch the calyx or pod, otherwise the free move- 

 ment of the petals will be interfered with, and the 

 flower have the appearance of being throttled. 



The smaller cards must be cut Avith a star- 

 shaped pattern in the centre, the points of the star, 

 as the flower-stalk is passed through, will bend out- 

 wards and doAvnwards, and bind gently on the 

 calyx sides, and thus hold the larger card above in 

 its position. 



All being in readiness, look the collection over, 

 and if for a stand of tAvelve blooms, cut two of the 

 best flowers in each of the six classes, and besfin to 

 dress them. 



Take a flower in hand, and with the steel 

 tweezers turn outwards the top of the calyx ; this 

 allows room for the petals to move easily from side 

 to side. Then pull out all "run" or deformed 

 petals, place a card of the larger size under the 

 flower, and with the ivory tweezers arrange the 

 lower row, or "guard petals," upon the card; at 

 the same time drawmg them gently, but not too 

 far outwards, towards the edge of the card. 

 H 2 



