CUT FLOWERS 47 



used for roses, the base of the spike wedged firmly into 

 the water tube. 



Merits. Large, shapely flowers ; well proportioned 

 spike ; large number of fresh and expanded flowers on a 

 spike ; substance ; length of spike ; flowers set closely 

 together. 



Faults. Flimy flowers ; few expanded flowers ; 

 irregular spike ; widely separated flowers ; weather 

 marks ; incurving segments. 



Hints. Shade the lower flowers as they expand, to 

 preserve them ; if allowed, cut out several inches of the 

 upper portion of the spike to encourage the basal 

 flowers ; tie the spike to a thin green stick, so that it is 

 held rigidly erect ; the stick must be at the back of the 

 spike and the ties should be of green twine or thin 

 raffia strands. To obtain as many open flowers as 

 possible is the chief aim of the competitor, after he has 

 selected his varieties and done all that is possible 

 culturally. A common method of securing this end is 

 to affix an oblong light wooden box, with a glass front, 

 to a stout stake, and insert the latter in such a position 

 that the box completely covers the spike under treat- 

 ment ; by whitening the lower part of the glass, or 

 colouring it green, the expanded flowers are shaded, 

 while the buds are inclined to open by the action of 

 sunlight on them through the glass. 



HARDY FLOWERS 



Collections of Hardy Flowers are now a feature at 

 Flower Shows, but in the matter of their arrangement 

 there is generally room for improvement. The Classes 

 should be for a specified number of bunches or vases, 

 distinct kinds, and each competitor should have the same 

 amount of space and the same kind of staging. When 

 a large number of bunches are asked for it is as well to 



