THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



83 



is rather too large; and hence many exhibitors have a number 

 of boxes made to hold eighteen each, and if they want to show 



• n l 



seventy-two varieties, they put four boxes in a row, and cover the 

 whole with moss, and so make one continuous bed of the whole. 

 The boxes should have covers one inch larger every way, and inside, 

 all round, should have a narrow beading half an inch from the 

 bottom of the lid ; this will rest on the 

 edge of the boxes, and leave space be- 

 tween for the roses, which cannot be 

 too closely confined, provided solely 

 that nothing touches them. It is ne- 

 cessary to have holes pierced at equal 

 distances for the roses, and to provide 

 zinc tubes, with moveable tops, to hold 

 the flowers. These should be of the 

 regulation pattern, and the best way to 

 secure a supply is first to beg one of 

 an exhibitor — and any exhibitor will 

 say " Tes " on the instant — and go to 

 a tinman for a supply, giving him the 

 one you have begged for a model. 



Before cutting the flowers, it is desirable to have printed or 

 carefully written a number of neat cards bearing the names of 

 varieties to be shown. At the last moment you will of course modify 

 your plan more or less, and therefore you must have spare flowers 

 and spare cards to meet all probable emergencies. The cards are 



usually three inches long, and 

 one inch wide, but you may 

 have them smaller, provided 

 always that the names are 

 legible. Some exhibitors place 

 the labels on edge in front of 

 the roses ; others insert them 

 in neat cleft sticks which stand 

 up slightly above the flowers. 

 To keep the labels in lots, 

 alphabetically arrauged, is easy 

 enough; and it is a particularly 

 convenient way for one whose 

 hands are likely to tremble in 

 fiually touching up the flowers 

 preparatory to quitting the tent 

 at one end as the judges come 

 in at the other. 



To select good flowers is of course one step towards success. 

 For days in advance of the show you will have your eye on certain 

 thumping buds that sit amidst buxom bright green leaves, and pro- 

 mise each to count one — or more than one— in the judging. Now 

 you must be prepared with a number of wire shades eight to ten 

 inches in diameter, and five to six inches deep, made to slide up and 

 down a stake, and to be fixed when required by inserting a wedge in 

 the sliding socket. Never use the shade unless you feel that it is 



March. 



