PREPARING BLOOMS FOR EXHIBITION 51 



should the competitor's application be a legitimate one, 

 the vote will of course go in his favour. An unsuccess- 

 ful competitor should always refrain from condemning 

 judges before the public or other exhibitors. It shows 

 exceedingly bad taste, and is more prevalent among 

 novices than old competitors. The latter generally have 

 a good idea who will be the successful ones before the 

 judges have Jcnade the awards. Experience teaches 

 wisdom. It is unsportsmanlike, too, to cavil at another 

 competitor, who has perhaps beaten you by a few points. 

 Unless you have cause for airing your grievance, far 

 better take the beating philosophically, quietly determin- 

 ing to have revenge at the first opportunity. It is often 

 remarked that there are equally as good fruit, flowers, 

 plants, etc., grown by non-exhibitors as one sees at 

 shows. 



If showing is to be done, the exhibitor must have not 

 only his employer's sanction but his interest as well, or 

 it will be very uphill work for the former. Most 

 employers, however, are generally willing to encourage 

 their gardeners in this respect, and where a mutual 

 agreement can be arrived at, it tends to benefit both 

 parties. The gardener will endeavour to produce the 

 finest blooms or crops possible, the proprietor gaining 

 in this sense, whilst allowing his employee to seek 

 recompense at the show bench. 



