CUT FLOWERS 45 



enthusiastically taken up for exhibition purposes. They 

 are large and often very irregular flowers, with several 

 rows of broad, flat florets around a fairly large eye or 

 centre. Old florists, sticklers for good form, scornfully 

 condemn these new-comers. They may serve in vases 

 or bamboo stands, but few competitive Classes have been 

 provided for them. 



Merits. Good size, rounded form, regularity of 

 florets, full centre, and freshness, in Show and Fancy 

 varieties, with the colours of the latter highly developed 

 all over the bloom. Freshness and clear colouring in 

 Cactus varieties ; florets all of the same character, i.e. 

 pointed and radiating, or clawed and incurving according 

 to the variety. Broad and even florets, rounded outline, 

 well defined disk, and regularity of colouring in Single 

 varieties. Neatness, the utmost regularity, and lack of 

 coarseness in Pompon varieties. 



Faults. Faded and decaying lower florets, and also 

 undeveloped central florets in Show, Fancy, and Pompon 

 varieties. Disk florets in all the latter and in Cactus 

 varieties. Flat florets, instead of more or less quilled 

 and pointed ones in Cactus varieties. Coarseness 

 in all sections. Lack of brilliance or purity in the 

 colouring. 



Hints. Shade or shelter the flowers from hot sun- 

 shine or rain storms, by means of conical canvas caps, 

 improvised boxes, etc., firmly affixed to stout stakes. 

 Let large Show, Fancy, and Cactus blooms hang head 

 downward for a day or so before the Show, to develop 

 the central florets. Remove misshapen florets sufficiently 

 early to allow the perfect ones to close up. Cut Single 

 varieties before they reach their fullest development, 

 otherwise they will carry badly and cause much dis- 

 appointment. Cut and pack the flowers when dry, 

 but put them in water directly the Exhibition *is 

 reached. 



